The Alpha's Pretend-Boyfriend

The Two Sides

Fridays were supposed to be one of the busiest days at Hestia's, and therefore, usually conflict-ridden because of the stress and work that accompanied them. That certain Friday, however, the restaurant was in very high spirits.

Dane and Louie came to work first, well-rested after coming back yesterday from the spontaneous trip to the countryside. They were engaged in a pleasant conversation about their families—a topic so mundane, really, but the smiles on their faces made it seem as if they had been talking about far greater things. To both their surprise, Fig and Callie were the ones who arrived next from the same cab. Everyone at the restaurant knew that the two lived in proximity to each other, but not once had they ever come to work together. Fig held the door wide open and entered dramatically, looking like his energy and confidence were somewhat back to normal.

“Good morning,” the demon greeted Dane and Louie who were standing dumbfounded by the reception area. He grinned at the two as he kept the door open until Callie had walked in.

“Morning,” she shyly smiled at them.

“Good morning,” Dane and Louie answered in unison, while Dane frowned at Fig, and Louie discreetly shot Callie a questioning look. The Beta werewolf only blushed and nodded her head to the staff room, so Louie followed behind her.

“What’s up? Did something happen?” Louie excitedly asked as he closed the door behind him. It was odd to think that just a few weeks ago, he tried his best to steer away from the other employees’ personal lives, and now he’s the one initiating to know more.

“Nothing happened,” Callie answered, although the brilliant smile on her lips said otherwise.

“That’s kind of hard to believe when you look the happiest I’ve ever seen you,” Louie chuckled. “Not to mention, you did come to work today with… you-know-who, and he doesn’t even need to ride in a car. I’m pretty sure something did happen.”

“Wait, do you know that I—”

“Like Fig? Or at least have a crush on him?” Louie asked, and the way that Callie’s cheeks burned red was enough of an answer. “I had a hunch,” he said, which was an understatement.

“Really? I was trying not to make it too obvious,” Callie muttered, embarrassed. “I’ve had a crush on him ever since I started working here, but I’ve never really told anyone. Well, come to think of it, I did tell him I liked him once,” Louie’s eyes almost popped out of his head, so Callie immediately added, “But I was drunk then, and he thought I was telling him I liked him as a friend. So, it didn’t count.”

“Okay,” Louie frowned, “And now? The cab?”

“Oh, he uh, stayed at my place last night because he needed company. And before you think anything remotely inappropriate, all we did was eat, drink beer, play board games and cards, and talk. Then he fell asleep on the floor, and decided the next morning he’d join me on my commute. So, nothing really happened. Just typical friendship stuff,” Callie said, even though the way she was twiddling her thumbs made it obvious that that’s not how she thought of last night.

“Although,” she continued, and Louie let her spill her heart out. “I have been seeing some signs that he might like me back,” she said with barely an ounce of confidence. “What do you think?”

Louie was placed in a difficult spot. On one hand, he wanted to say that Callie was right and let her be in her love bubble, but on the other, there was the fact that Fig had just broken up with his ex and was possibly just lonely. Besides, if Louie knew anything for sure about the demon, it was that he was a man of confidence. So, if he really did like Callie, Louie was sure that Fig would make it clear as day and waste no time trying to win her affection—not that it warranted any.

Choosing his words carefully, Louie said, “I can’t speak for Fig, but you know him better than I do.”

“Well, there’s only one way of knowing for sure,” Callie nervously smiled at him, “I’m planning to confess to him how I feel, and this time, I’ll make it clear that I don’t just see him as a friend.”

“You are?” he asked with amazement. “When, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I’m just gathering courage right now, but I think I want to tell him tonight, or tomorrow latest,” Callie said, already looking nervous. “I really think this would go well.”

***

At the time when Louie discreetly followed Callie to the staff room, Fig leaned on the reception desk to beam at Dane.

“You’re… perky today,” Dane said, unable to find the words he wanted. “Did you do something wrong?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at the demon. “Did you kill someone at the bar? Is that why you stopped drinking? Or is there a new weird demon mojo I don’t know about?”

“Can’t it just be that I’ve gotten over it?” Fig asked, even though the playful smile on his face made Dane even more suspicious.

“I highly doubt that,” Dane muttered, just as Gadreel and Germain entered the building. They were standing close to each other, Dane noticed, which was an improvement.

“Good morning, boys,” Germain smiled, which was a good sign, “Let’s get our Friday spirit on! You alright now, Fig?”

“Of course,” Fig smiled back. The vampire nodded approvingly then proceeded to the kitchen.

Gadreel, on the other hand, was examining Fig from the top of his made-up hair to his clean, shiny brown loafers. “Finally sobered up, huh?” he raised an eyebrow at his oldest friend.

“Finally apologized to Germain, huh?” Fig smugly replied back, which made the angel emit some kind of unseeable but palpable dark energy, making the demon smile even more.

“Whoa, wait, hold up,” Dane interrupted and leaned on the desk beside Fig to whisper. “Gadreel’s the one in the wrong this time?”

“Give me an extra day off and I’ll tell you all the juicy details,” Fig offered his hand.

“No way!” Dane hissed, slapping it away, “I’ll just ask Germain myself.”

Gadreel crossed his arms as he stared at the two disapprovingly. “I’m literally right here,” he pointed out. “I don’t even need to use my powers to hear you both.”

Dane innocently smiled at him. “Kidding, of course,” he nervously chuckled. “Okay, let’s get to work. Shoo, shoo!” He lightly pushed Fig off the desk as Gadreel passed by them while shaking his head.

“Hey, Fig,” Dane called out and waved for him to come closer.

“You literally just pushed me away,” Fig complained but nevertheless complied. “What is it?” he asked as he leaned back again on the desk.

“I just wanted to make sure you’re really okay,” Dane replied, looking genuinely concerned.

“I’m…” Fig took a deep breath. “I’m getting there. It’s all thanks to Callie, really.”

“Callie?” Dane’s eyebrows furrowed, then his eyes widened. It was obvious what he was thinking as he accusingly pointed a finger at the demon. “Is that why you two came in together this morning? Belphegor, don’t tell me that you two—”

“It’s not like that, dummy,” Fig lightly hit Dane’s head with the menu. “Get your head out of the gutter. We’re friends. Anyway, as I was saying, it’s all thanks to her because she helped me sober up last night, which was enough so I could erase all of my ex’s contacts and block her, instead of calling her up all drunk and sad and pathetic.”

“That’s great!” Dane proudly patted Fig’s shoulder. “Look at you, finally letting go.”

“Um, not quite,” he sheepishly smiled.

Dane’s smile immediately faltered as his eyes narrowed at the demon. “What do you mean?” he asked in a monotone voice.

“Okay, so last night, when Callie was already asleep, I decided to finish the “ex clean-up” and throw away the things she left in my apartment, so I went home. She showed up because I wasn’t answering her calls, she apologized, bingo-bango, we’re getting back together.”

“Belphegor!” Dane couldn’t help but exclaim, making Fig wince at the sound of his real name.

“Keep it down, geez,” he placed a finger on his lips and looked around. Thankfully, everyone else were too busy at that moment. “We’re not yet back together. Not really. We’re supposed to talk later after work to try and fix things.”

“And you’re going to go?” Dane asked. “You’re really going to go and give her a second chance?”

“Well, yeah,” Fig answered, as if it was an obvious choice.

Dane sighed and shook his head, looking extremely displeased as he remembered how Callie seemed bubbly just a few minutes ago. “Have you told Callie about it?” he asked, even though he knew the answer.

“Not yet,” Fig said as his eyebrows met in the middle. “Why? What does she have to do with this?”

Dane ran his finger through his hair, while Fig stood there unsure what was making the werewolf so frustrated—it was probably him, but what exactly about him, he didn’t know.

“Just…” Dane let out a breath of resign, “just tell her.”