The Alpha's Pretend-Boyfriend

The Confession

Callie was blissfully unaware as they started service. Being situated in the corner of the kitchen also made it impossible for her to run into Fig or Dane throughout the busy Friday.

A giddy smile remained on her lips as she continuously washed the dishes and cleaned in the kitchen more energetically than ever before. In her mind replayed the events of last night—how she and Fig talked for hours over cans of beer and cheap instant food, how they played games until late in the evening, how they watched TV while sitting side by side on the floor, and how Fig even moved her to the bed when she dozed off in the middle of a movie. Of course, Callie knew that doing those things didn’t exactly mean that she was the object of the demon's affections, but at the very least, she knew that he liked her enough to want to spend hours holed up in the same apartment together. For Callie, who had harbored a crush on him for so long, that was just the nudge she needed. That, and the fact that Fig was finally single.

So she spent the hours thinking of the different scenarios how her confession might go down. She finally settled on inviting him for food after work—maybe a dessert at the local patisserie shop on the way home—then while they’re talking and enjoying each other’s company, that’s when she would tell him the truth she'd been keeping for two years.

Callie was not expecting a perfect dramatic scene wherein Fig would also confess to her that he, too, had liked her romantically all this time. She was at least thinking straight enough to know that that scenario was farfetched—although welcome, should it ever miraculously happen. Worst comes to worst, Fig would say that he only saw her as a friend—it would be heartbreaking, of course, but at least she would have had spoken her truth.

The day was already coming to a close, and Callie’s courage was almost filled to the brim. As the kitchen sent out the meals for the last order, Germain approached her as he took off his apron.

“Looking a bit more happy today, are we?” he teasingly said. Usually, on the slower parts of the day, Germain often hung out with her to either talk about random topics, or to gossip—or complain about Gadreel being uptight whenever they’re in a fight.

“I’m just happy, is all,” Callie smiled.

“Come to think of it, the restaurant's atmosphere seems bright today,” Germain thoughtfully said. “Dane and Louie are being cozier than usual—it’s obvious that they have a thing for each other. Gadreel and I worked things out, and Fig seems to have bounced back from the s**t he was in. Probably met some rando to hook up with at a bar last night. What’s up with you?”

“I don’t know about the rando,” Callie muttered. “He did stay with me yesterday.”

Germain gaped at her, clearly not expecting that. “So you two have finally…”

“No! Nothing like that!” Callie quickly denied. “Although what do you mean by “finally?””

The vampire rolled his beautiful baby blue eyes. “It’s pretty clear you have a thing for him. As clear as how Dane's been goofily happy with the human.”

“Is it that obvious?” Callie asked in a whisper, feeling her cheeks burn up in embarrassment. “Does Gadreel also think that?”

They turned to look at the angel who was wiping at the counter, meters away from them. He was minding his own business, but Germain knew that with his hearing, he could unintentionally overhear everything they’d been talking about.

“Yup,” Germain answered for him. “So, you two, you’re not together? Did he turn you down?”

“Well, no. I haven’t actually told him yet, but I’m planning to later tonight.”

“A confession?”

Callie nodded, then turned to him with a nervous expression. “Yeah,” she muttered.

It was impossible to know then what Germain was thinking, but it was obvious he seemed concerned, but also somewhat amused.

“Do you think it’s a bad idea?” Callie couldn’t help but ask.

“What I think doesn’t matter,” he said, “but you should go ahead now and get ready before his shift ends. There’s no telling when and where that guy disappears.”

“But I still have to clean up after—”

“Gadreel and I will do it,” Germain said, making the angel suddenly turn his head to look at them with a raised eyebrow. Callie turned to the vampire, unsure.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said, brushing Gadreel off. “Go ahead.”

“Alright,” she replied, wiping her hands dry. “I’m going.”

“Good luck! Tell me how it goes!” Germain called after her as she left the kitchen in a hurry. Gadreel looked at him with a deadpan expression.

“What?” Germain asked. “She’ll be fine. Help me out here for a sec.”

Gadreel could only shake his head at him and sigh, but complied anyway.

***

As the last of the customers finally made their way out, Louie began cleaning up the tables. It had been a long day, but with Hestia's in high spirits, everything seemed to go swimmingly. He discreetly watched as Fig happily aligned the trays at the service area, and he wondered if Callie would actually go through with her plan. He thought it was brave of her, really, to want to bare her heart out to someone. In his nearly 30 years, he had never once had that much courage to try something as bold.

Louie was just thinking that, and of how proud he was of young Callie, when Dane walked up to him in a rush. Dane had just finished sending off the customers with a smile, but as he approached Louie, his expression visibly changed.

“What’s wrong?” Louie asked. “Everyone did well today.”

“The restaurant’s not the problem,” Dane sighed, watching as Fig disappeared into the staff room. “It's him.” Dane didn’t exactly know what Callie had planned, but he had always known she had a crush on the demon. He also didn’t know the extent of her feelings, but with her looking as innocently happy as she did when they came to work together that morning, he was sure that things could only go bad once she learns that Fig was planning to get back with his ex.

“Fig? What’s wrong with him?” Louie frowned. “He seems to be in a good mood after spending time with Callie.”

“It’s not because of Callie that he's so chipper today.” Dane sat on the chair to rest his legs, looking worried. “I don’t know but I have a bad feeling. Did Callie seem alright to you? I didn’t get a chance to talk to her, and I don’t think Fig has talked to her either.”

“Callie seemed great, actually. In fact, she said she’s planning to—” Louie abruptly stopped himself, thinking it wasn’t his place to tell Dane of what he and Callie had previously discussed. “Anyway, what did you mean she's not the reason Fig's happy?”

“He got back together with his ex. The Fae,” Dane told him, sounding disappointed. At that moment, Louie spotted Callie making her way towards the staff room. Before she entered, she flashed an excited and nervous smile to Louie, who, having just digested what Dane said, held out his hand in an attempt to stop her. But before he could say anything, Callie had stepped into the room and closed the door behind her, just as the front door of the restaurant clanged open.

“Is Fig here?”

Louie stared with widened eyes as the beautiful Fae that recently used to be Fig's ex came in. Without saying a word, Dane pointed at the staff room and the lady smiled in thanks before letting herself in.

“Oh no,” was all Louie could mutter under his breath as he readied himself for the drama that was about to unfold.

Dane stood up, and with a serious look on his face, said, “I think I should go to—”

Gadreel suddenly appeared beside him and placed a hand on his arm. “Let them be,” he commanded, and Dane sat back down.

Louie looked around and saw Germain standing by the service hatch in wait. It was then that he realized that everyone probably knew what was going on. For a minute, they quietly stayed in place—all with a worried look on their faces—until finally, the door to the staff room opened and everyone held their breaths.

Out walked Fig with the Fae in his arm, obviously unaware of the tension that had built.

“Dane, is it okay if I head home early?” he asked as he pulled himself away from whispering in the woman's ear.

“I’ll cover for you,” Louie quickly said.

Fig winked at him and clapped at his shoulder as they passed by. “Thanks, Louie. You’re the best,” he said, then he waved to the others. “I’ll see you all tomorrow!” And with that, they were gone.