Vivian stretched her arms above her head as she let out a tired groan. She needed to get a better chair, her butt especially complaining about it, rubbing the back of her hips, partly wondering why she forgot to bring her seat cushion with her last night when she made the mad dash to her car for work. She also needed a new alarm clock but was stingy as hell when buying new things. I’m just like my sister.
“Hard day of work?”
Vivan stopped mid-rub when hearing the sweet drawling tones of her daytime co-worker Alastor Hilmarsson. Dressed in one of his many bespoke three-piece suites tailored in various colours, this particular suit was of dark red wine colour plaid pants with a matching vest and jacket with a white dress shirt and black tie with an ornate pattern as a gold chain of his pocket watch remained hanging out of his pants pocket.
And without a moment’s hesitation, she kept her hands where they were and, with a grin, said. “Oh, it was some type of work, I can guarantee you that.” she wagged her eyebrows at Alastor, who chuckled, smile ever-present as he knew full well what Vivan meant. Some would think it was a sex joke, which was fair, but that was furthest from the truth. At least with this particular joke in question since Vivian referred to her bottom surgery when she had gotten it done four years ago. He had seen her at her worst while also becoming a single parent raising a toddler.
How Alastor managed to do all that while also helping her heal with the aid of her sister Vivian would never really know, he seemed more than willing to help her no matter how long he remained awake. The amount of stamina he had was incredible. She recalled how he was with his daughter while also helping her when she was semi-awake after returning home for the surgery, that endearing smile he had while watching his daughter sleep. Little did Vivan know that the reason he decided to stay with Vivian during her recovery was also to avoid his wife, who had run away from home for trying to hurt baby Amalie.
When she came to realize the truth, it made her angry.
In her life, Vivan realized that she couldn’t have kids, even before becoming the woman she truly was. It made her even more upset at the people who could but chose to be monsters to the kids they were supposed to love.
It was why Vivian vowed to be there for Amalie as a sudo aunt no matter what. Some wondered why if she felt that strongly about the girl, why not pursue a romantic relationship with Alastor, and the answer to that was simple. She would never feel that way for him, and he was very much the same. Though they cared for one another in the form of friendship type of love, it would never be sexual or romantic.
It didn’t stop the shippers, though.
But besides all of that, the pain from the surgery was worth it. Now she could make jokes about it. Some might see it as offensive, but to her, after going through all the pain and finally seeing what she always felt in the mirror, she could look back at those painful times with a smile.
After all, Alastor also gave her words of encouragement, making her even more grateful to have him as her friend.
“I’m sure it was.” Then he asked. “Did you forget your seat cushion again? You know that you can leave it in your office.”
“It’s cramped to hell and back with stuff already, plus I don’t want someone to steal it. I know someone’s been going around and taking stuff, and I don’t want my beloved cushion to be stolen. It’s high-end and high-quality and cost me two hundred bucks. Overpriced? Maybe. Worth it? Yes.”
“Then why not leave it in my office? You’d be more welcome to leave something you feel is too important to leave anywhere else.”
She smiled. Alastor always did look out for those he worked with, even if they never really worked together. “Mmmm, maybe I should just try leaving it in my car first? And if I still forget, then I’ll probably take you up on your offer if it still stands.”
“It will.”
She continued to smile back at him. “You know, this is going to sound hypocritical after I said you could take as long as you needed, but I’m happy to see you back.”
“And I’m happy to be back. Though I still get the occasional odd stare here and there. It’s like I’m newly widowed. Even though that couldn’t be furthest from the truth.”
Vivan put her right hand on her hip and shook her head, sending the dark, tight curls of her hair about. “Is it the temps again?”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “New blood always has the habit of staring. But it won’t be for long. It never is.”
That was true. For several of them. Yet Alastor would always be seen as top-tier. Not that Vivian minded, as some of the fans could be a bit… much.
Whenever they had new hires, many would often stare and marvel when meeting with Alastor for the first time, many coming here because he inspired them. Some men and women asked to date him, yet he politely held up his hand to show his wedding ring, and that would usually deter them.
At least most of the time, but when they would become deterred when discovering that dating a man with a child meant that the kid would ultimately come first. And he would always be devoted to Amalie.
Those who didn’t like this fact would later find themselves at the end of scrutiny from Alastor’s devoted fans, those who would call out people that hated his kid. Those people would later vanish, probably just going off to hide in another province or even the States to get away from the onslaught of angry fans.
Alastor would ask time and time again not to be angry, for people had their preferences regarding relationships. However, even he drew the line at those who insulted his kid.
Katie was like that; Al’s old co-host made a horrible comment about Amalie and the look Alastor had could very well turn someone’s blood to ice. Or so Vivan was told since she wasn’t there to see it for herself. The thing was, Katie had a slew of enemies, both at work and in her personal life. She was a real bitch to deal with. But not long after that, one month later she died in a horrible car accident, her body was mangled beyond recognition because her car stalled when crossing some train tracks late one night. She died instantly.
Many saw it as divine justice, and others just wondered if someone finally snapped and took out their anger on her and had her killed, all the while Alastor just didn’t seem to care. He paid his respects at her funeral and moved on as if nothing happened.
But then that was just kind of how he was. Utterly indifferent to those who were rude and could care less if they died, even more so if that person disliked his child for whatever arbitrary reason they had.
Like seriously, what kind of stupid dumbass hates on a kid because she’s her father’s daughter? That kind of shit just boggled Vivan’s mind. The girl was seven, SEVEN, for god’s sake! And who in their right mind would even hate such a sweet girl, to begin with?
Why do people suck so damn much!? Vivan thought in aggravation.
“Something on your mind, Ms. Bone?” Alastor asked, snapping Vivan out of her train of thought.
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“Huh? Oh, no, I’m good. But I should probably get going, been here longer than I normally am.”
“I was wondering why you were here so late. Normally you’d be at home already.”
“I was asked to take over for parts during the early morning, Bethany went into premature labour. Since I kind of saw it happen and called the ambulance while we were all panicking since this is her first kid, and when she was taken to the hospital, our boss asked if I could take over her spot since her co-host was going to be in late due to his kid’s operation.”
“So, Jean’s back to work as well then?”
“Yup, he has been for a while. A bit of a shift in the schedule, but that happens from time to time, plus he was super apologetic to me when I told him what happened but was also super worried for his “co-host sister.” But that’s nothing new for Jean.”
He chuckled at that, but his eyes seemed to drift as though he were suddenly far away. “It seems that many of us have come upon issues as of late.”
“Is it something to do with Amalie?”
“In a way, yes. But, for now, I’m more than capable of handling it. Anyhow, it would be best if you get going. You look like you’re running on fumes.”
Vivan gave a modest laugh. “Yeah, that’s true. I might nab a coffee before I head to my car to keep me up before I head home.”
“If you’d like,” Alastor began. “I would be more than willing to bring you something to eat when I head home. Amalie’s mentioned to me that you’ve been struggling in buying food that has natural ingredients.”
“Oh, Al, you don’t have to do that. Besides, you have Amalie to think about.”
Alastor’s smile twitched as he took a step forward to look up at Vivan since even with her heels, she was at least six feet in height. “Are you saying I can’t do both? That I’m not capable of caring for my friend as well as my daughter? After all, we’ve dealt with together?”
“Uh,” was all she could respond with, just grateful that there was no one in the hallway that they occupied because of the number of contexts people would need and just automatically assume crap. “No, I know you’re more than capable. I just don’t want you to push yourself too much. What will happen if you get yourself sick? You need to think about yourself too, not just everyone around you.”
Alastor gave a low chuckle as he took a step back. “I’m only teasing, but I can’t help but think about those whom I’ve grown close to, and I only want the best for them. Including you, Vivan.”
Vivan smiled before placing her manicured hands on his lean shoulders. “Alright, alright, I get it, tone down the saintly charm.”
He gave her a puzzled look with his smile. “‘Saintly charm’?”
“Ah yeah?” she placed her hand on her hip and pointed at him with a finger gun with her free hand. “Seriously, Al, people think you’re some kind of Angel in human form with how caring you are. But as I said, you still gotta’ think about yourself!”
“So, is that a no to bringing you dinner?”
She thought about it for a bit. “For now, it’s a no. I mainly feel like I’m putting you on the spot; tell you what, why don’t you and Amalie come to my place for dinner this Saturday? Though… are you okay with vegetarian food for one night?”
“You know I’m more than willing to try something new, even if I am strictly a carnivore. However, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to bring some vegetarian recipes and some produce for it. Would that be alright?”
Vivian brightened at this. “Yes! That would be great! There’s this bean soup I’ve wanted to try to make for a while now. If you’d like, I can send you the recipe.”
His smile became cherry. “Sure, I don’t see why not. Although,” he held up his pocket watch. “Should you be going home now?”
“Oh my god! Right! Yes! I can’t believe I forgot!” she then rushed past Alastor to the underground parking lot. “Thanks, Al! I’ll be sure to text you those recipes later tonight. You’ll do great today! Glad to have you back!”
And she was gone from sight after that.
Alastor then turned to continue on his way, only to stop after taking a few steps and stifling a laugh. His right hand rested along his smiling lips.
An angel, that’s what people thought of him? Really? Oh, if only they knew, the closest thing that he could have been would be a fallen angel, considering all he’s done, but then Alastor was no angel or demon. He was merely himself through and through. He would never be arrogant to think anything else. Although, if there were someone who could be seen as pure like an angel, it would be Amalie.
He would never have imagined that someone so pure and kind would come from his flesh and blood. Perhaps it was a sign? Or maybe he was just that good of a parent. After all, he loved Amalie, his daughter would become whatever she wished, and he would be proud even if it meant his end at her hands.
Wouldn’t that be something?
He chuckled at the thought, but he felt that such an event wouldn’t happen for some time because she still had a way to go before completely accepting what she would become and what she could do, and he had no intention to rush such a process.
Though, if possible, he’d prefer it not happen until after she married, for that would be one thing he would like to see more than anything else. To walk his daughter down the aisle to her beloved before whispering his deepest darkest secret that not even she was aware of. How lovely she’d look, dressed in white, the picturesque image of beauty.
Such a thought filled him with joy as he began to sing the song Dúlamán softly as he skipped his way to his office to prepare for the day’s work.
Fully aware of someone watching him from around the corner with an intense stare but chose to pay them no mind. Where when Alastor entered his office after his song ended, he came to a halt. Someone had been in here.
It was faint, but he could smell it. Someone had come into his office, even though he had it locked and showed no apparent signs of change. His grey eyes shifted about as he walked the short distance, only to land on his immaculately clean desk where the smell was the strongest.
“My pen’s missing,” he said aloud. The pen in question was a Montblanc Catherine II the Great Limited Edition. With red gold, the aubergine-coloured barrel had precious rubies decorating the cap top. It was hard to come by and very expensive. “How troublesome,” he said with a rye smile as his eyes became dark and cruel. “Oh dear, what should I do about this?” as he tapped his index finger along his desk. “Hmmm, decisions, decisions…” his smile twitched as he stopped tapping his index finger when a thought came to mind. An excellent idea to quickly bring an end to the string of thefts around here from such a degenerate rat.
* * *
“Hello, my Dear Friends,” Alastor spoke when he went on air, drawling his words. “It’s been such a long time; I hope all of you are well this day. It’s my first day back after a much-needed time away. Though I’m sure many of you were anxious about my return. I’ve received countless emails and fan letters asking if I’m alright, and I can assure all of you that I’m well. This time away was something I needed to take care of. I hope you can understand.”
“He’s not going to talk about his wife?” the new temp, Daniel, asked Simone, the woman in charge of a good amount of what was done in the back as she showed the temps how things were done. “It’s why he took time off. After all, a funeral’s kind of a big deal.”
“Alastor makes a habit of not bringing much of his personal life on air. His daughter is the exception.”
The man frowned. “Still, does no one find it a bit strange? I mean, people pay attention to the news. They should know about his wife and his situation, right?”
Simone nudged the man with her elbow. “It’s not polite being so nosy. People respect his privacy and his personal life. When his wife disappeared, many people thought that he did something, but when the truth about her came out in how she almost murdered their child, people decided to respect the man’s choice in keeping that quiet.”
That made little to no sense to Daniel. Given the man’s popularity, Alastor would have been swarmed by countless fans, unless… “Is it because of his kid?”
“Uh? Yeah? You think?” Simone looked at him before looking at Gwen, who remained quiet throughout their conversation. A timid girl with a tiny thin frame that many thought that she was like a mouse in human form with how she would move with little to no sound. With brown hair kept in a short, low ponytail and freckles splattered across her pale skin like a speckled egg. “You alright, Gwen?”
“Hmm?” this snapped the young woman out of her trance. “Oh, yes, I’m fine. I was just thinking about something.”
“Oh yeah?” Simone eyed Gwen. “What about?”
“My boyfriend, he gave me this pen.” She then held up the pen, which was red and gold, keeping the top of the pen firmly in her grasp. “He gave it to me since I lost mine.”
“Wow, that looks expensive,” Daniel said.
“You keep talking about your boyfriend. Are you ever going to introduce us to him?”
She tucked the pen back into her notebook. “I will when I’m ready.”
Alastor’s smile grew. Faster than he expected, given what he knew about the thief and all of what had been stolen. He wasn’t the least bit surprised since the woman was a fan of his. She must have finally worked up the courage to finally steal something of his.
There you are, my little rat. “To celebrate my return, I thought about doing it with a song. I was given the go-ahead, and I thought to sing one of my favourites.” He then moved to where a band was ready and he took a seat at the piano. Rolling up his sleeves as he did so while turning his gaze to the temps and smiled at them, which caused them both to become flustered as Simone laughed. “For long-time listeners, you’ll know who this is, but for first-timers. This is Sinnerman by the talentedly wonderful and oh-so-missed Nina Simone. If she were still with us, I would be delighted to invite her for dinner along with you.”