Feliks was waiting at the front of the line as Carrie processed a return for the customer before him. He didn't mind having to wait for the cashier, as he was thankful he could afford to shop at his favourite clothing store again.
Everything had gone well for them after Elizaveta found Natalya, Katerina and Yao at the cafe. Feliks and the twins started helping Yao out as kitchen hands, and the Italians were already convincing Yao to allow traditional pizzas and pastas on the updated menu. Elizaveta quickly caught on as a waitress, allowing Katerina and Natalya to have days off again. With the apartment rentals coming out of their pay, and having all seven of them cooking meals together, Feliks was able to go shopping for some new clothes again.
Of course, that wasn't all Feliks was getting at the mall today. Natalya wanted him to look at a few things for when they started sharing an apartment.
When the Dragon Triad took them in, Feliks and Elizaveta moved into the last 1-bedroom apartment, while Lovino and Feliciano took the 2-bedroom apartment. Elizaveta has kept the bedroom to herself, so Feliks has been sleeping in their den, planning to take the other 1-bedroom apartment when Carlos moved out at the end of March. However, the other week, Natalya decided that she wanted to be separated from the common-law couple. After some discussion, it was decided that Katerina and Yao would take Carlos's apartment when he returned to Cuba, and Feliks would share the other 2-bedroom apartment with Natalya. Elizaveta would have her own apartment, and the twins would continue sharing their 2-bedroom unit.
Feliks chuckled in thought. It wasn't like both twins were really sleeping in that apartment. He may think that he hadn't been discovered yet, but Feliks knew Lovino was sneaking into Elizaveta's room almost every night.
Some printing alerted Feliks from his thoughts, and he saw that Carrie had finished processing the transaction for the other customer. Just as she was having the customer sign the return slip, another cashier came up to the counter and waved him over to the second till.
"You go ahead," Feliks told the person behind him in line, not bothering to turn and look at them, "I'll wait for the girl finishing up there."
"Okay, thank you."
Feliks froze in his place, recognizing that voice immediately. He tried his best not to stare as the person moved past him towards the other cashier, but Feliks immediately recognized that head of shoulder-length brown hair from behind.
"Feliks, how good to see you again!"
Feliks snapped out of his shock to see that Carrie was waiting for him at the counter, her previous customer already walking away.
"Hi Carrie, good to see you too," Feliks replied as he walked up to her till, "How are things going for you?"
"They're going alright, I'm still working here," she answered while ringing his shirts through, "How about you? What made you disappear for 5 months?"
"Some bad things came up, it's complicated," Feliks answered, "I've pulled everything back in control now, though, so it's good again."
"Well, I'm happy to hear that," Carrie said before looking at her till, "$38.45 is the total, honey."
Feliks pulled out from cash, and put it on the counter for Carrie. As she put the money in the till, Feliks tried to look at the man standing at the other till, but a display between them blocked the view.
"$1.55 is your change, honey, receipt's in the bag," Carrie said, offering him his change, "Come back again soon, okay?"
"Sure thing, Carrie," Feliks said as he took his change and bag, "Have a good day."
Feliks turned away and left the counter, unable to walk past the other till as Feliks was at the one closer to the door. He strolled out the door as casually as he could, not wanting anyone to notice that he was stressed out about anything. Once he was back in the mall, he went right over to the bench in the middle of the walkway, and pretended to fidget with his bag and wallet while waiting for the other man to leave the store.
Sure enough, within a few moments, the man walked out of the store and made eye contact with Feliks. He immediately walked over with a guilty look on his face, knowing from Feliks's glare that he had been recognized.
"Before you ask, I knew it was you," Toris said right off the bat, "I wasn't sure if you would want to see me."
"You should be in jail, Toris," Feliks snarled, "How the fuck are you walking around free?"
"I have some friends who broke me out," Toris explained, "They intercepted the van that was taking me to prison."
"So you were the prisoner that escaped when those cops were killed?" Feliks accused, "Do these friends of yours include Ivan?"
"Yes, he was there to break me out," Toris confirmed, "How did you figure that one out?"
"When you were arrested, Mikkel accused Ivan of turning you in," Feliks reported, "They had a fight, and he left. I was told to follow him, and Elizaveta joined me. When we tried to return to the base, the police were already there."
"I'm sorry to hear about that," Toris said, "I was also sorry to see what happened to the others."
"Quit the bullshit and come clean to me," Feliks charged, "Did you help Ivan betray Mikkel?"
"Ivan has a complicated past, and Mikkel was ready to stab him in the back over it," Toris justified, "I was given the choice of whose side I wanted to support, and Ivan's friend made an offer I couldn't refuse."
"And you now work for them instead?" Feliks pried, "Who is this influential friend of Ivan's?"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you that, it's even more complicated and dangerous than when working for the mobs," Toris declined, "I assure you, though, I'm making sure the police don't find me."
"I should get going then," Feliks said, starting to back away, "I wouldn't want to be caught talking to you."
"Wait, just one second, Feliks," Toris begged, "Let me give you something here."
Feliks paused and watched as Toris grabbed a pencil and piece of paper from his pocket, and wrote something on it before holding it out to Feliks.
"Take this, it's my new phone number," Toris offered, "If you ever need anything, I will help however I can."
Feliks hesitated as he reached for the paper, before his gut instinct made him pull his empty hand back and shake his head.
"No, I can't take that," Feliks refused as he continued backing away, "Goodbye, Toris."
"Feliks, wait!" Toris pleaded, stepping forward towards him.
"Don't you dare drag me into your bullshit, Toris," Feliks demanded, "Stay away from me!"
Feliks turned and marched away as quickly as possible, ignoring how Toris was calling out for him. As much as it broke his heart to call it quits on someone he cared for, Feliks knew he had made the right call.
Toris could not be trusted anymore.