My Boyfriend From The Store

Inside Theo's Head

Theo’s alarm blares through the early morning air. He shot out of bed and swiped snooze on his phone.

Theo normally ran every morning, mostly a mile or two, but today he wanted to go to work early so as to submit the file Aurora would be using later in the day.

Theo's alarm blares out again and he grabs his phone off the bedside table, quickly shutting the alarms off.

Then Theo remembered the text he got from ‘a friend’ yesterday and quickly unlocked his phone.

Theo rereads the text from Bianca and sends a reply.

Yesterday 10:20 PM

B: Hey Theo! Congrats, I heard you got a new job. Let's catch up when I get back.

Today 04:35 AM

Theo: Hi B. Thanks, when do you get back?

Theo replied to the text with a smile on his lips. He had missed Bianca. Since her company promoted her to another country as the manager last month, they had not spoken to each other.

Theo and Bianca had known each other since their high school days. During their university days, Theo discovered he had a crush on Bianca but was too scared to tell her.

He was there for her first breakup,

first boyfriend, and even her first real job, but as a best friend, not a lover.

To say Theo was happy to receive a message from Bianca after one month of silence would be an understatement.

Theo got up to prepare for work after waiting for Bianca's reply but came to a conclusion that she wouldn't reply anytime soon.

Theo walked into the lobby of Everly Elite Enterprise, which was empty considering he came early to submit the half-completed deal to Aurora's desk.

He raised his hand to knock on Aurora's door, but the door was already open.

Aurora was standing by her floor-to-ceiling glass window with a beautiful view of sunrise as she drank from her mug.

Theo watched as Aurora turned, sensing a presence with her. She stared at Theo softly, taking in his new suit and styled hair.

Aurora's hair was pulled up messily, some strands falling over her face, and Theo wondered how long she had been working.

"Is there something you need?" Aurora asked softly, her voice calm, her heels clacking against the flooring of her office as she walked towards him.

"I came to submit the file." Theo swallowed, his eyes watching her as she stood in front of him.

"Is that why you came in early?" Aurora asked, licking her lips softly.

"Yes. They’re files for today's meeting," Theo stated and handed her the file.

“We'll be finalizing this project together,” Aurora said firmly after skimming through the files.

Theo's eyes widened with shock. "Together?"

Aurora nodded her head and Theo's face molded into confusion. “I know nothing about architecture."

"You need to. What if you're asked to brief the meeting?" Aurora cut Theo off with a raised eyebrow.

"People are out for you, Theo, you need to up your game.” Aurora turned away from Theo with a frown.

Her chest rose with a quick breath and Theo knew that something was wrong, but he didn’t want to pry.

Theo shot Aurora a smile. "You're right, I'll do it with you.”

-

"Staircase or elevator, what do you think, Theo?" Aurora asked, looking at Theo, awaiting an answer.

Theo’s eyes flickered back to the papers and blueprint laid out on Aurora's desk, trying to figure out which would be best.

Theo pushed up from his seat and leaned across the desk, placing his finger in the middle of the floor plan. "I think we should have a staircase here. We can do a custom modern wrap-around staircase to go here—"

"The layout for the second floor is the stripping poles, right?" Aurora asked, and Theo nodded his head and continued.

"I was saying we could do a modern wrap-around staircase in the middle of the floor, so that when people walk up, they get a good view of the whole floor.”

Aurora looked up at Theo, and he was already watching her. "That could work."

Theo’s eyes faded into one of relaxation. A gentle sigh left him as he looked back at the plans. "I have an idea for the staircase. I think it would help give the strippers more money too," he explained, biting softly at the ballpoint pen.

Theo watched as Aurora grabbed her mechanical pen and contractor, checking the measurements and structural elements that could possibly affect their work. "Yeah. This can work." She glanced over at Theo with a proud smile.

A soft breath left Aurora as she glanced at Theo. "The meeting is in a few hours, we’ll be meeting with the client to finalize the deal.”

"Okay," Theo said, letting out a relieved breath.

-

"What did you add?" Aurora asked Theo. It was only an hour to their meeting with the client.

Theo scanned over the prints again, placing his finger on the plans. "I added a few more seats through here," his finger dragged along the lines, showing Aurora what he had added.

"And I also added a changing room for the workers." Theo finished, watching Aurora for approval.

Theo’s nerves ate at him as Aurora scanned the print. The air in his throat caught and worries flashed through him.

I shouldn't have touched anything, what if she hates it? What if she has to work extra because of me? Theo’s thoughts flooded through as Aurora turned the next page.

"I like it." Aurora finally said, and Theo released a breath he’d been holding, his hands brushing through his hair.

Theo's phone buzzed in his pocket and he brought it out to see his mom’s contact pop on his lock screen.

Theo grabbed his phone, read the message and sighed, his head falling down as he put his phone back into his pocket. The debt that had shadowed him for years, a dark inheritance that began when his father's company went bankrupt just as he started university.

His parents took out a loan for his education, and though they later opened the small convenience store, the debt was barely touched. Even now, after graduating and facing rejection after rejection, the weight of the monthly payment was constant.

Aurora's proposal was his saving grace, two years of salary dedicated entirely to clearing this burden.

Stop it. Focus.

Theo realized he was being completely unprofessional. He straightened his back, lifted his head and looked at Aurora, forcing a smile to his face.

Theo cleared his throat and saw no judgement or question in Aurora's eyes. She had let him have a moment to himself and it warmed Theo.

"Let's prepare for the meeting." Aurora’s soft voice reached Theo's ears, making him blink and look up at her again.

He had zoned out again.

"Right, I'm sorry." Theo grabbed the files and stood up to leave.

"Would you like to go see a movie with me this evening?" Aurora asked, setting her phone down.

"Yes. I’d love to.”