Life can throw unpredictable obstacles at you, even when you're just minding your business and living your quiet life in peace.
Now, what do you think life will throw to someone who bares his fang at nearly everyone who looks at him?
Nico was pretty for a man, now and even two years ago…
That was probably why other guys tried to set their pass with him with their lustful gaze on his body, believing he swung that way.
He looked delicate, soft skin and pretty like a woman, and someone they could push around for looking fragile... It made one think if he had been born as a guy by accident at the end of his gender change while in his mother's womb.
But compared to Nico's gentle appearance, he had quite the temper and his personality was like that of a lion.
He'd lash out at the guys making eyes at him just because he was pretty and give them the middle finger whenever he could.
He was a menace to those he hated and a sweetheart to those he cared about.
Two years ago, he had been in his uncle's cafe, manning the counter like usual while his uncle was in the backstore checking on the coffee beans when the bell chimed, and a man with a very peculiar aura walked in.
He was dressed in a suit, the first few buttons of his white shirt undone to expose his chest and a part of the tattoo he carried with so much pride. This man was Emel.
He looked like trouble... He looked dangerous... But to Nico, he was just a customer at this point.
And that customer looked around the cafe, his eyes scanning the edges like he had come for a repair gig or something. He was accessing the place and Nico could see that.
"Can I help you?" Nico asked, his tone casual and not too friendly to this man who could spell trouble.
He flicked his eyes towards Nico, his dark brown pupils boring into the features of his face like he had just done with the exterior of the shop.
His hair, black—a striking contrast to his pale skin—was brushed back and from him came the lingering smell of cigarettes.
"Business seems slow," he said, voice calm and without grit. He sounded like he had just said a casual 'Hi' but his words were different.
Why was this man so curious about the cafe?
"Well, should I assume you're here for a survey or you're here for a coffee?" Nico asked. "Whichever it is, you'll have to be more specific, you know."
Emel looked at him, his eyes scanning Nico's face once again and then he clicked his tongue. Then, he murmured something under his breath.
"As I thought, it's not going to work."
"What was that?"
"Kid, you should find another job. This place is going under."
Nico felt offended.
"I don't need you to tell me what to do." He said, his lips curling down into a frown. "And I'm certainly not a kid. If you're going to comment on the cafe or me, at least buy something then do me a favor and get lost. You're ruining the atmosphere." His tone was sharp and he really hoped this troublesome customer would leave, but he didn't.
"Very soon, there won't be an atmosphere to ruin." He said, and with a single flick of his fingers, a few guys walked in, each looking like the worst of the bunch.
They were gangsters, and seeing this, Nico's heart dropped.
It wasn't that he was scared, what he was worried about was them ruining the furniture and his uncle would have a hard time replacing them.
He didn't even process the words Emel had said and walked out of the counter, defensive.
"Fuck, this isn't a playground. Get lost." He said. "What do you think you're doing?"
But then Emel grabbed his arm, gripping hard so Nico wouldn't escape his hold.
"Just stay still if you don't want to get hurt, kid. This has nothing to do with you."
"Bullshit!" Nico flared and then used his other hand to hit.
The man thought Nico's fist wouldn't amount to much, given his appearance, but contrary to what he thought, the punch landed so hard that he staggered back, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Nico freed himself from Emel's grip and then approached the gangsters.
"You better get out of here now or I'm going to call the cops," he threatened, showing his phone and the dial panel. "I know all your faces, so you won't be able to avoid the law if you touch anything. You hear me?"
Suddenly, a hand from behind snatched his phone, and as he turned, he got hit across the face.
"I don't like owing debts." Emel said, brushing his chin he felt might be a little dislocated after Nico's hit. "But I like collecting a ton of em. And that's what I'm doing right now, kid. I told you to stay out of it but you decided to interfere. Don't blame me for getting hurt." He looked at the guys and said, "Hold him down,"
Before Nico's vision could clear up, he was pinned to the ground, watching the broad back of this stranger who had come to ruin his life.
...
In the present time, Nico opened his eyes and watched the moving things outside the car window.
He was seated in the car with Emel, the same man who had ruined his life before and now.
He had already signed the contract that took only a short while to prepare… so suspicious. Now, he was headed for a location he didn't even know yet. He didn't ask.
The car smelled like cigarettes, a bunch of it, mixed with the smell of Emel's cedar perfume and Nico's blood.
He was bleeding from his head, his nose and from his lips. And not only that, his arm hurt... A lot, which made him shake.
He was shaking so much but doing his best to keep his condition in check.
His arm wouldn't stop trembling from the aftermath of being pinned down roughly. The stubborn wound he got from the fire was acting up again.
"Shit!" He cussed under his breath.
Emel, who had decided to ignore his condition, rolled his eyes towards him. He looked at the blood trickling down to his car seat and then clicked his tongue.
"You shouldn't have struggled." He said but those words were like vinegar to Nico's wounds.
"Screw you!" He spat out hatefully, keeping his eyes out the window. His vision wasn't all that great either. But this much he could handle. There was no way he was going to ask this bastard to help him treat his wounds as well.
Then, the car stopped and Nico saw that they had stopped at the entrance of a hospital.
Emel didn't move. He stayed seated and said,
"Get off. I'm not going to let you stain my yard with your blood, so get it cleaned."
He said those cold words without looking and Nico certainly didn't need to hear his sympathy either. Better this than a silly excuse like not wanting him to die before the three months were off.
"I bet your yard's tasted more blood than I'll ever imagine though." Nico said as he reached out for the door handle. "It won't make a difference if a few drops of mine are added."
All of a sudden, Emel pulled his hair from behind and then forced his lips to meet his.
He kissed Nico, roughly and then bit his already torn lip.