The following week…
How hard can it be?
Final words before disaster.
Dominic had no idea what he was getting into–but he definitely hadn’t expected to be sent to the nicest cafe he had ever seen.
…Damn.
This place is nice.
Saron walked ahead of him as they approached the counter.
“Saron,” the waitress greeted, smiling with easy familiarity.
She looked lively and young, around her mid to late twenties.
Her gaze shifted to Dominic, bright with curiosity.
“And you brought someone new with you.”
She leaned slightly forward.
“What’s your name?
Are you Saron’s friend?”
There was something in her tone–her eyes practically sparkled with interest.
“We’re coworkers,” Saron said flatly.
Dominic nodded quickly.
“She’s my boss.”
“Oh…” the waitress mouthed, clearly entertained.
Then without missing a beat–
“So if I asked for your number, would you give it to me?”
“Wh–what?” Dominic choked, heat creeping up his neck as he looked away.
“Joanne…” Saron said, voice low.
“What?” Joanne shrugged, completely unbothered.
“He’s cute.
Totally my type.”
She winked.
Dominic’s embarrassment doubled instantly.
He wished he were wearing a hoodie so he could hide.
“We’d like to order now, if you’re done,” Saron said calmly, stepping slightly in front of him, blocking Joanne’s sight.
“You’re no fun,” Joanne murmured.
“Would you like your usual?”
“Of course.”
“And you, handsome–what would you like?”
Dominic was not used to the compliment.
He doesn’t enjoy being seen in such light, but he forced himself to look at the menu.
I don’t know…
“Can I just get what she’s getting?” he asked quietly.
“Two shots of espresso, no sugar, and biscotti?” Joanne raised a brow.
“Is that what you want?”
I don’t know what the second thing is…
but it can’t be that bad.
“Yes,” Dominic replied.
Both Saron and Joanne looked at him for a moment.
“Also add an americano, two almond croissants, and the sweetheart special,” Saron added.
…Sweetheart?
“Excellent choice,” Joanne said, jotting it down.
“Derrick will bring it out…
Take your seat.”
Dominic frowned in confusion.
Why would she order those?
Also, what’s a sweetheart?
“Let’s sit,” Saron said.
They moved to a table near the window.
Dominic glanced around.
There weren’t many people.
A few students are here to study, and office workers.
Odd…
this place looks expensive.
I’d expect a line outside just for the aesthetics.
“How have you been?” Saron asked once they sat.
“Has your personal training been going well?
Did you use the notes I gave you?”
“Yes,” Dominic lied.
To which question?
All of them.
The personal training had, in fact, not been going well.
He had nearly burned down his apartment more than once.
The objects he practised on practically exploded in his face.
Neighbours complained, and his landlord warned about the smell of smoke.
He’d asked Jason for help, but Jason couldn’t–he’d never transferred resonance into an object before.
Saron’s notes helped, but were not enough.
Still…
Dominic had managed it.
Barely.
And once he did, he kept trying.
Again.
And again.
Until it worked without it exploding in his face.
“Good,” Saron said.
She reached into her bag and placed a small box on the table.
“I got something for you.”
“Thanks…” Dominic said, confused as he took it.
“Well?
Open it.”
“Right…”
He lifted the lid.
A pair of gloves rested inside.
His eyes widened in surprise.
He looked at Saron.
“You–”
“I had them made,” Saron said, taking a sip of her espresso.
There’s also a resonance-conductivity weave layered in.
They’ll handle output without degrading easily.
Sounds expensive…
definitely better than the cheap polyester gloves I was planning to buy.
“I…
don’t know what to say.
Thank you,” Dominic said, a bit overwhelmed.
“Try not to die young,” Saron replied.
Dominic let out a small breath and picked them up.
Black.
Light.
Gold threading on the sides and an embroidery of the company’s logo.
He ran his fingers across the surface.
Smooth.
“Put them on,” Saron said.
“Transfer your resonance into them.”
Dominic blinked.
“Here?”
“Yes.
Is that a problem?”
“No, it’s just…”
I thought people couldn’t see us use resonance…
He glanced around; no one was looking at them, except for maybe Joanne, but she probably couldn’t see that far.
Maybe it’s fine.
He slipped the gloves on, flexing his fingers.
They fit…
perfectly.
Saron was watching him.
Waiting.
Right…
don’t mess this up.
He focused.
He spread his arms—into the gloves
Faint runes flickered across the surface.
Flame-like.
Dull but present.
“Add a little more power,” Saron commanded.
Dominic nodded, and the runes glowed brighter.
“Now make a small flame.
Then extinguish it.”
This is it…
Dominic took a deep breath and opened his palm.
Tiny sparks formed around his fingertips, then a small white flame with bits of yellow, then it flickered and vanished.
Saron gave a small nod.
“Good.”
“Nice trick.”
A shadow fell over the table.
Dominic felt his heart drop as he looked up.
What do I do?
What do I do?
He was freaking out silently.
“Hey, Saron,” the man said easily.
“Nice seeing you again.
Who’s your friend?”
“This is Dominic,” Saron said.
Why is she acting like this is normal?
Dominic glanced up and stopped.
How does a person get that huge?
He’s built like a bear.
“Oh–you’re that Dominic,” the man said, lighting up as he set down the tray.
Dominic’s eyes widened at the sight.
Two espressos.
Biscotti.
Croissant.
An americano–
and–
Who’s eating all that?
The sweetheart special.
A milkshake, stacked waffles, two caks, a massive marshmallow, and enough whipped cream to bury it all.
Sweetheart, special indeed…
whoever’s eating that might actually die.
The man held out his hand once he had dropped everything on the table.
“Name’s Derrick…
I’m an old friend of Saron.”
Dominic hesitated, then shook the outstretched hand.
His grip is solid…
But how does he know who I am?
Does Saron talk about me outside of work?
“This is the man training you,” Saron added.
“He has a background in boxing.”
Oh…
“Nice to meet you,” Dominic said.
“You too, kid.
I’ll be back…
I need to get a few things done before we talk properly.”
Derrick walked off, and Dominic faced Saron.
“He seems nice,” he said.
Saron doesn’t reply; instead, she pushes the americano and croissants toward him.
“What’s this for?” he asked.
“In case you don’t like my order.
And you’ll need the calories.”
“…Thanks.
He glanced at the massive dessert in the middle. New chapters come out on g.com first.
“Who’s that for?”
“That would be me.”
Dominic flinched.
“For fuck’s sake–” he clutched his chest.
“How long have you been here?”
“Long enough,” Adrian said, sliding into the seat beside him.
“Nice improvement, by the way…
a long way from nearly burning your place down.”
How does he–
“You’re early,” Saron noted.
“Yeah,” Adrian replied, smiling, as he slid his hand across the table as if searching.
“Had to get out of there before I was reported for starting a fight.”
Saron gently nudged the dessert toward him.
Why did she do that?
“Thanks for making the order for me,” Adrian said softly.
Saron nodded.
“Do you plan on finishing all that in a sitting?” Dominic pointed out.
“Pretty much.”
He took a slow sip.
“This is amazing.
Want some?
I can order some for you…
You need some sweetness.”
“No,” Dominic said.
Just the sight of it was making his teeth ache.
“I’d rather not,” Saron replied.
“Pity.”
Adrian gently separated the other desserts stacked on the milkshake into a separate dish and began to devour them.
Dominic stared, both in amazement and disgust at how fast Adrian finished a cake.
“You really have a sweet tooth, huh?”
It’s like watching a mukbang.
“Is there something wrong with that?” Adrian’s tone dipped slightly.
“What?
No, I just–”
“Really?” Adrian leaned in.
“I’m listening.”
“I didn’t mean–”
Did I say something wrong?!
“Adrian,” Saron warned.
Adrian burst out laughing, smacking Dominic’s shoulder lightly.
“Relax.
I’m messing with you, no need to be so stiff.”
Dominic grabbed him by the collar.
“What kind of joke is that?”
I thought he wanted to start a fight over that!
Adrian laughed harder.
Saron shook her head.
We’re in public…
Dominic suddenly remembered, then looked around.
No one was paying much attention, except–
Joanne was laughing.
Heat rushed to his face.
He released Adrian and sat back down, grabbing his croissant and nibbling on it.
This is good.
“Shy now?” Adrian teased.
“Shut up,” Dominic muttered.
Smoke curled lazily into the air.
“That’s him, huh?” a man muttered from the shadows.
“He doesn’t look like much…”
The cigarette hit the ground–
crushed underfoot.
“Pity.”
This is good…
did Derrick make it?
Dominic took another bite, savouring it.
It’s the best thing he’s eaten in a while.
Considering his diet consisted mostly of energy drinks, instant noodles and whatever he could microwave.
He took a sip of the espresso, immediately regretting it.
This tastes pretentious…
how is she enjoying this?
He glanced at a Saron.
She dipped the biscotti into her espresso completely unfazed.
Thank God she ordered this…
He quietly took the americano, shifting the espresso aside.
Relaxing just a little.
Then–
The hairs at the back of his neck rose.
Something felt–
Wrong.
He turned toward the window.
Adrian moved.
His hand slammed into Dominic’s head, forcing him down.
Something sliced past.
Close.
Too close.
“…Rude,” Adrian muttered.
Dominic felt something warm trail down his neck.
Slow.
Sticky.
He reached up.
Touched it.
Blood.