Things are amping up~ Thanks for the support everyone, your nice reviews really help encourage me :D Love ya all!
The repetitive beeping of an alarm clock woke Altair bright and early, urging him to get up and get to work. He groaned as he slapped the top of the clock, shutting off the earsplitting sound. Another day, another cycle. It seemed each was the same as the last. Altair got up and prepared the boys as always and sent them off to school, heading off to his own personal hell.
"Good morning, Altair." Rauf greeted him upon the man's arrival at Wal-Mart.
"Oh, hello, Rauf." he replied dully.
Rauf surveyed the tired looking man. Altair had dark bags under his eyes from staying up late the night before doing paperwork and walked in an almost zombie like state as he made his way to the back of the store and behind the pharmacy counter.
"Rough night?" Rauf guessed, feeling a pang of pity for his friend.
"Aren't they all?" Altair replied.
He tied on his apron and set to work. Work was slow that day and very few customers came to Altair's counter. He couldn't decide if that was a good thing or not. On the upside, he didn't have to deal with any annoying people, but on the downside it made things very boring. That was until Al-Sayf came around the corner and started shopping around the medical supplies.
"You in love with me or something?" Altair called out, causing the brunette to look in his direction. "You can't seem to leave me alone."
Al-Sayf screwed up his face in his usual frown, pursing his lips and turning away.
"I'm not going to avoid going to the store just so I don't have to see you." he replied curtly.
"Don't be ashamed to admit it, Al-Sayf." Altair purred, taking great amusement at the glare that he got in return. "S'cool if you're already falling for me after just two meetings, but at least ask a guy out on a date first." he joked.
"My name's Malik, asshole, and there's no way I'm associating myself with a creep like you."
"Ouch. You stay up all night thinking that one up?"
Malik shook with rage. He angrily snatched up a box of butterfly bandages and spun on his heel to leave, but Altair called out to him.
"If you buy those back here you get a discount." he said nonchalantly.
Malik gave him a suspicious look. Altair shrugged. He sighed and came over to the counter, putting the box down.
"Whatever, just make it quick, I'm in a hurry." he snapped.
"What, got some life threatening crisis that needs butterfly bandages?" Altair scoffed, ringing up the item.
"None of your god damn business."
Altair finished ringing up the box and put it in a bag, taking the money Malik offered. Malik looked at his receipt and frowned.
"You fucking liar."
Altair smirked and shrugged. "What can I say?"
Malik scoffed and stalked off. Altair was left feeling slightly satisfied that he had managed the apparently not too difficult feat of pissing the shorter male off. He had to admit it was kinda cute the way his face went red and those eyebrows smashed together-Wait, what? No, not cute. Altair shook his head. He wasn't gay. Or...at least he never thought he was. He had only been with women and he'd never been attracted to a man before-Ugh, he meant at all. Especially not some moody, pissy pants that he'd talked to all of three times. He knew he hadn't slept enough when he was thinking about stuff like this.
Luckily lunch break came soon and he rendezvoused with Maria at Shark's bait (What a stupid name.) The meal was pleasant and this time Altair proudly paid for it. His most recent pay check had finally been transferred to his account and he actually had some money for once, putting him in a bit better of a mood than earlier.
"So I can't babysit tonight." Maria said as she picked at the last of her food.
"Why not?" Altair almost whined. He would need a babysitter in just a few hours and he couldn't exactly find a good replacement in that time.
"Relax," Maria quickly calmed him. "A chick I work with can't come in so I have to fill in for her tonight, but I know this guy that can sit for you."
Altair didn't looked convinced with her claim. He pursed his lips and crossed his arms. "Who?" he dared ask.
"He's name's Kadar. He's a super sweet guy, college student, trust me, the boys will love him and I'll vouch that he's not a creep." Maria vowed.
Altair groaned and slowly lowered his head to the table with a soft bang.
"Why do you hate me?" he moaned.
"Don't be a baby."
Altair sighed and lifted his head. "Fine. I guess if you say this Kadar is alright, send him by at the usual time.
Maria watched him carefully for a minute. "Maybe he should come by a little early so you can get some rest." she suggested gently.
"I'm fine, Maria." Altair tried for a little smile. "Promise."
"Ezio, get the door!" Altair called as he stepped out of the shower. From the bathroom he could hear the knocking at the door. Altair hurried to dry off and dress. Once that was done he went out to the door. Standing there was Ezio, his hand still on the doorknob, and a young man in the doorway. He had messy black hair, bright blue eyes, and a friendly smile. The man looked up when he spotted Altair.
"Are you Altair?" he asked. "I'm Kadar, Maria's friend."
"Oh, the babysitter. Yeah, c'mon in."
Kadar came into the house and Ezio closed the door behind him. He looked around the place with bright, curious eyes, innocent looking, Altair would say.
"So Maria said you're a college student?" Altair asked absently as he fished around for his things before heading to work.
"Yes, I'm working to become a doctor." Kadar answered, his head snapping back to Altair.
"Okay, so I've really gotta get going soon..." Altair ripped a list off the fridge and handed it over. "This is the usual routine, but really just make sure they don't die and you're good. Boys!"
At Altair's call the other three boys that had been playing in their room came running. They quickly stopped when they saw the newcomer.
"Guys, this is Kadar. Kadar, these are the boys; Ezio, Connor, Clay, and Desmond." He gave the youngest a pat on the head as he said his name. "Alright, ya little shits, this is your new babysitter for tonight-"
"But I want aunt Maria!" Clay complained, puffing out his lip.
Altair glared at him. "Maria has to work late today so you'll have to deal with it. You all better listen to him, alright?"
He gave them all stern looks until they had all mumbled some version of okay. Satisfied, Altair went to the door.
"I'll be back at seven." he informed the new sitter.
"Okay." Kadar replied with a firm nod. "I've got everything under control."
Altair wasn't so sure. The guy looked like a real softy and his boys, yes they were his, were troublesome at best and devilish at worst. Altair wasn't convinced that Kadar could handle them. But Maria had vouched for him so he must be of some use. Too late to turn back now anyway.
With one last goodbye to the boys, Altair rushed out the door.
Late again. Crap. Altair hurried into the little coffee shop, soaking wet. He had been unfortunate enough to get caught in a sudden spring shower without an umbrella or hood of any kind. Just his fucking luck. Guess he didn't need that shower earlier after all, Altair thought bitterly. He entered Starbucks and stripped off his jacket, gratefully excepting a towel from a coworker and dried off. Once he was dry, Altair set to work.
Things went smoothly as they always did here until the end of the work day when De Sable arrived. Altair hardly looked up at the sight of his boss. De Sable hardly ever came to the shop and when he did he never caused much trouble. That changed today.
"Altair." he said firmly.
Altair looked up from the order he was currently making .
"I'd like to speak to you privately." Robert said, his arms crossed and his eyes zeroed in on Altair alone.
"Uh...sure." He passed off what he was working on to one of his coworkers and followed Robert out the back door. To be honest, he was a little nervous. He couldn't think of anything wrong he'd done at this job for a while, so what would De Sable want to talk about?
"So," Robert started as soon as they were outside. "I heard about the theft incident a few weeks ago."
Yes, Altair remembered the theft incident clearly. It started three weeks ago when tips and money from the register started going missing. A short investigation ensued but they still haven't caught the asshole who's been stealing from the shop and by extension the workers' wages.
"What about it?" Altair ventured to ask, even more on guard now.
"I'm aware that your financial situation is a bit unsteady. Some people have suggested that you have the motive to commit these thefts."
Altair's blood went cold. Robert was accusing him of stealing? He felt rage bubbling up from within at the accusation. How dare he even suggest that? Altair wasn't some petty thief! He worked harder than anyone else here! His body shook slightly with the suppressed anger.
"Sir, I assure you, I didn't do it." Altair managed through gritted teeth. His fists curled at his sides.
"Sorry, Altair," De Sable said dully. "The company wants someone to blame. Someone needs to take the fall and you drew the short straw. Your job here ends at the end of the day."
Altair couldn't move. He was frozen on the spot. No...No! He couldn't lose his job! He needed this money, especially with Sofian coming by in only a few days. Altair reached out and grabbed Robert's arm before he could return inside.
"Please, Mr. De Sable...I need this job." he begged.
De Sable gave him an uncaring look and shook out of his grip. He silently went back inside, leaving Altair behind in despair.
