Chapter Three

Author’s Note: This story is set in an alternate universe, in an imaginary town and country, and during an ambiguous time period.

The company coffee shop was bustling with the familiar hum of chatter, the sound of milk frothing, and the hiss of espresso machines. Kazir usually found some peace here, grabbing his daily black coffee and retreating to his desk before anyone could stop him for small talk. Today, though, fate had other plans.

A familiar voice called out as he stood at the counter, waiting for his order. Its bright, enthusiastic tone cut through the noise.

"Kazir! Fancy seeing you here."

Kazir froze, recognizing the voice instantly. Adisa.

Turning, he found the tall, undeniably zealous alpha approaching him with his signature wide grin. Adisa’s energy was like a magnetic pull, infectiously cheerful in a way that made Kazir want to drop all of his reservations. Though he now knew Adisa was a nice person, based on their hour-long conversation at dinner on Friday night, he still wasn't exactly the type who enjoyed overly happy people at this hour of the morning—or at any hour, really.

Adisa stopped in front of him, hands casually in his pockets, still grinning like it was the happiest day of his life. His cologne, citrusy and thick, settled around him. Kazir momentarily wondered if he had dosed himself in too much today before Adisa started, his tone light and teasing, “Isn’t it strange we haven’t run into each other here before?”

Kazir raised an eyebrow, deadpan. “We probably have. Just didn’t notice each other because we hadn’t met yet.”

Adisa’s laugh echoed around the small coffee shop, that same glorious, unrestrained laughter Kazir had heard at the dinner party. People glanced over, some smiling at the sound. Adisa had that effect—he made everything seem lighter and easier.

“Man, you’re still funny,” Adisa said, still chuckling.

“I’m not,” Kazir replied flatly, lifting his coffee cup from the counter as the barista handed it to him. “You just think I am because you see your own humor reflected in me.”

Adisa tilted his head, finally catching onto the subtle jab. His eyes sparkled with amusement. “Touché. Hey, I might be an alpha, but I’m not that egocentric,” he added, teasing himself with a playful air, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Kazir almost smiled, surprised that Adisa’s relentless charm wasn’t completely unbearable. He liked Adisa. His easy-going nature and sincerity made it difficult to hold his usual walls up.

“I sincerely think you’re funny,” Adisa said, a little softer now. There was no teasing, just an honest statement. 

Kazir blinked. He wasn’t used to people saying things like that to him. His dry, often sarcastic humor typically repelled most people. Yet Adisa stood there, unbothered, if not intrigued.

“How was your weekend?” Adisa asked, shifting the conversation smoothly, as though talking to Kazir was the most natural thing in the world.

Kazir glanced at the time on his phone. “Since it was only yesterday, I’d say it was alright. I’m here at work in one piece, so that’s something.”

Adisa chuckled again, his eyes twinkling with that infectious warmth. “I like that—surviving the weekend is half the battle, huh?”

Kazir gave a small nod, expecting the conversation to end there. Surely, Adisa would get his coffee and move on, right? But the alpha didn’t budge.

“So, what did you do over the weekend?” Adisa asked, his voice still light but genuinely interested. He drew closer to Kazir.

Kazir hesitated. He wasn’t used to coworkers asking him personal questions, let alone an alpha from another department. He didn’t know if he liked it. “I cycled,” he said finally, figuring it was harmless enough to share.

Adisa’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “That’s so cool! You’re into cycling? That explains your legs.”

“Huh?” Kazir muttered, flabbergasted.

His eyes glinting, Adisa swayed a bit toward him and added, “You must work out a lot.”

Kazir’s heart skipped a beat as Adisa’s gaze swept over him, lingering a bit too long on his calves before sweeping up his body to meet his startled gaze. He felt a flush rise to his cheeks, heat prickling his skin under the intensity of Adisa’s attention. It wasn’t often that people noticed his physique—at least not like this.

"Ye— Yeah, I’m part of a cycling club," Kazir mumbled, shifting awkwardly, trying to downplay it.

"That sounds awesome," Adisa said, his voice genuine, his eyes never leaving Kazir. "I’ve been thinking about switching up my workout routine. I’m getting tired of the gym. I want to be outside more."

Kazir glanced up at him, surprised. "Do you even have a bike?"

Where was this going?

Adisa’s grin widened. "I can acquire one," he said with enthusiasm, his eyes gleaming.

Kazir opened his mouth, not quite sure how to respond to that. Before he could find the right words, two coworkers from Adisa’s department appeared at their side, interrupting the moment.

"Hey, Adisa!" one of them, a tall woman around their age, greeted, clearly excited to see him. Kazir recognized her from the dinner party. The other was a small male, who smiled at Adisa like he was the sun.

Adisa turned to greet them, his demeanor just as bright. "Hey, guys. Kazir, you remember these two from the dinner party, right?"

Kazir nodded politely, but the familiar feeling of discomfort was already creeping back in. The moment was broken. He wasn’t one for crowds, and he definitely wasn’t one for being the center of attention in a conversation involving more than one person.

Before Adisa or anyone else could draw him further into their chatter, Kazir seized the opportunity to escape. "I should get going," he said quickly, his tone polite but firm.

Adisa’s eyes flickered with surprise, but he didn’t try to stop him. "Alright, Kazir. I’ll catch you later," he said with a warm smile as if he already knew they’d see each other again soon.

Kazir gave a curt nod, clutching his coffee a little too tightly as he turned and made a beeline for the door. His heart was racing, and he couldn’t quite explain why.

As he stepped outside, the cool air hit his face, and he let out a breath of relief. Meeting Adisa so soon again had been unexpected, but not unpleasant. He could really grow to like him as a friend. He was so friendly and open, exuding nonstop warmth. And he needed a friend. He was too old to still be friendless.

He could grow to see him as a friend, if that was something Adisa was interested in, too.