James was not a hateful person. As he sat on the swing bench located at the back garden of his cozy house, he thought of the interaction he had with Leon earlier in the day.
Before going to stalk Leon, Vaughn had informed him that Leon was a very strict person who stood by his words. Convincing him to change his mind would be hard.
James hadn't given much thought to the advice because he believed there was no one in the world who would be able to resist his sincere pleas. He was wrong.
"He refused, just like that. How mean…" James puffed out a sad sigh, swinging his legs.
The scenery was very beautiful. The moon was casting a soft glow on the wide cream-colored swing set. Its bench was cushioned, covered with a blue silky material.
James was sitting barefooted, wearing a white dress shirt with gray sweatpants. His legs were short and didn't make it to the green grass on the ground even though he was seated on the edge of the bench.
James gripped the plastic chains holding up the bench and sighed even louder this time.
"What if he refuses me again when I go to meet him tomorrow? What am I going to do then?" James asked himself.
If he was refused again, he'd be so sad. He really wanted Leon to tutor him. The omega was very handsome and had a nice speaking voice. James liked good-looking people.
There was also something about Leon that James couldn't place his finger on. But it made him want to befriend and cozy up to the handsome omega.
Just thinking about Leon's face brought a shy smile to his lips.
"What are you doing here, sitting alone and smiling to yourself? Have you finally lost your mind?" A sharp voice disrupted the peaceful atmosphere.
"Bryce!" James exclaimed as he turned his head and saw a large man approach him.
The man was clothed in a heavy black coat, and his hands were tucked inside the pocket. Judging by his tall height and oppressing aura, it was clear that he was an alpha. With the help of the moon's faint light and the bright lamps set up across the garden, James was able to view the newcomer's face well.
His thick black brows were furrowed, and his bright amber eyes were thinned, curving upwards at the tail. His lips were shaped perfectly and appeared to be glossed as he came closer.
"What? What are you shouting my name for?" he said with an arrogant tone, stopping right in front of James.
James' blue eyes glinted with happiness as he stood up from the swing.
"What are you doing here? It's so late! Ah! Where are you coming from? Look at your hair! Did you put gel on?" James stood on the tip of his toes to reach for Bryce's head, but his wrist was grabbed before he got to touch it.
"You're so loud. Can't you see that it's nighttime? Your silly husband let me in." Bryce let go of James' hand gently and spoke with a gruff tone.
James discarded the fact that Bryce just referred to his husband as silly, then said, "How come you're here so late? Were you feeling lonely at the mansion?"
James' tone was teasing. Though Bryce would never admit it out loud, James knew that he easily got lonely when he wasn't working and all alone in his huge mansion.
Which explained why he dropped by at James' house at random times and demanded attention like it was his right.
"Lonely, my ass," Bryce retorted with a snappy tone, then bypassed James to sit on the swing bench. "Someone said they saw your car at a rundown school today. What were you doing there?"
Bryce pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his coat he spoke. James frowned at the action but decided not to say anything as Bryce never listened to his words of warning when it came to smoking.
"Who is the someone that told you such a thing?" James asked instead of answering Bryce's question, making a space for himself on the bench that was wide enough to fit the two people.
"None of your business. Tell me, who did you go there to meet?" Bryce spoke with a demanding tone, acting like he was James' father as he lit up the stick of cigar in between his fingers.
James was so used to this treatment that it didn't faze him whenever Bryce showed up and butted into his life like it was his duty.
Both of them grew up together as neighbors, and even though James was older than Bryce by one year, the latter treated him like he was younger because he was an omega.
"Remember the matter about getting a piano tutor I told you about. I found one, and he teaches at that school. He doesn't want to tutor me though. I explained the situation and begged him, but he still refused me." James unconsciously pouted sadly as he spoke.
Bryce's eyes narrowed. He puffed out a cloud of smoke with his demeanor growing grim.
"Who does this tutor think he is? After begging him, he still refused you? There are others in the world better than him, I can just call a few people and get a master to tutor you."
"No! I don't want anyone else. I want him." James declined Bryce's offer, casting his gaze to his lap.
"You want him? Is he an alpha?" Bryce asked an out-of-context question.
James shook his head. "Vaughn said he's an omega. But he looks like a beta."
Bryce's figure seemed to relax after hearing those words. He inserted the cigar back into his mouth and sucked on it.
"What's his name? I can spare time to have a talk with him." Bryce said after puffing out a thick cloud of smoke.
James had to wave away the heavy cloud and clear his throat a little before he was able to speak. James knew very well the kind of talk Bryce liked to have with people who disagreed with him.
It always involved money or violence, depending on the occasion and his mood.
"I'm not telling you," James refused to give out Leon's name, slightly afraid that Bryce would do something crazy to him.
Bryce snorted. "It doesn't matter if you tell me or not. I'll still find out."
Bryce put out his cigar and stood up from the bench.
James' eyes widened. "Don't you care about your reputation? Why are you always willing to act like a gangster regarding small things?"
Bryce ignored James' words and simply said, "Drop the name."
James thought about it for a second. Bryce's methods always worked. If Bryce could get Leon to tutor him, then it'd be great. However, he didn't want to trouble Leon.
Leon obviously didn't deserve to be steamrolled by Bryce's pressure. But if it meant getting piano lessons from him…
James conjured a pitiful expression on his face as he said to Bryce, "You have to promise not to hurt him. He's an omega. Like me."
"No one's like you. Name." Bryce said without hesitation.
James rolled his eyes before saying, "Leon Huxley."
He didn't predict that Bryce would suddenly break into a coughing fit after hearing Leon's name.
"What did you just say??" Bryce raised the volume of his voice as he questioned James.
"I said Leon Huxley. Do you know him or something?" James cocked his head to one side in curiosity.
Bryce sobered up almost immediately and shook his head. The pitch of his voice dropped considerably as he hung his head low and said, "No. I don't know him."