49. Not Normal

The café didn't boast only one hot regular. Orion's fans were equally happy when the mysterious 'Love God' showed up. Jaz glanced up at Eros' arrival, sensing the stir it was causing. Sunlight streamed into the café, glowing like a halo around Eros' snow-white hair. Jaz continued to meticulously clean the coffee machine; his gaze focused on the machine's awkward corners.

Eros' admirers brought him presents, loving his fascination for anything new. Books, magazines - they even leant him their phones for him to play games on.

"If only I had one of these for myself." Eros had sighed once, speaking more to himself. The next time he'd come to the café, three women had offered him brand new, contract paid, phones. Eros had been overwhelmed and silent as they'd taught him how to use them.

Today the worshipers surrounded him, asking Eros to go out to a bar with them. Eros made no reply. Silently, he made his way to the queue for drinks. Puzzlingly, none of his fans seemed to mind. Eros' aloof silence just added to his aura of mystery.

Jaz finished cleaning.

"Ready to go." He told Markus. Jaz caught his reflection in the sparkling coffee machine and quickly touched up his flamboyant quiff. Eros came to a stop in front of Jaz and stared at him, his amber gaze intent. Jaz suspected that Eros was once again trying to read his silent heart. "Tea?" Jaz asked, smiling. Eros looked disappointed but nodded.

Jaz served the tea and then continued to help Markus with the line of customers. Business was booming.

"Have you even had a break today?" Markus nudged Jaz on the shoulder, impressed by his boss' boundless energy. "You're not normal."

Jaz laughed.

"I've heard that before."

Once the queue was down, Jaz left Markus to it. He scanned the café and smiled, soaking in the cheerful atmosphere of the place. His gaze rested on Eros, sat by the window at a small table that was laden with presents from his admirers. Girls on a nearby table were sneakily trying to take pictures of the Love God. Jaz didn't know if Eros had noticed or not.

"Another tea?" Jaz asked, approaching the table.

"You wear very bright colours." Eros observed slowly. Jaz grinned.

"I like bright colours." Jaz's bright shirt was unbuttoned low, revealing his tanned chest. "You keep trying to read me."

"I'm doubting if you have a heart at all."

"Ouch!" Jaz laughed, but the light didn't quite reach his eyes.

The end of the day came and Eros didn't get up to leave.

"You lot head home." Jaz told his staff. "I can manage here."

Once they were gone, Jaz turned the sign in the door to closed. He ignored the continued presence of Eros and instead cleaned up, humming to himself as he worked.

Only once he was done, did Jaz take a seat opposite Eros. The Love God was staring at the murals on the walls, his gaze fixed on Psyche's pretty face.

"I can't remember her." Eros spoke sadly. "Why did you paint these?"

Jaz pursed his lips, considering his answer.

"You asked me to. The last time I saw you." He admitted.

"Why?"

Jaz shrugged.

"Perhaps... you knew you were headed for the waters of the Lethe. But there was something you didn't want to forget." Jaz smiled slightly. "I don't know for sure."

Eros sighed.

"Why was I found on the banks of the Lethe? Why did I have to forget?" He ran his fingers through his silky hair. Jaz frowned in sympathy.

"I don't know."

The sound of a fist pounding on the window made them both jump.

"Oh, hell..." Jaz groaned.

"Let me in! Jaz, babe, we need to talk." The guy knocking called out loudly.

"Who is that?" Eros asked.

"My ex." (Who needed to move on.)

The guy spotted Eros and immediately got angry.

"Are you sleeping with this guy now?!" Jaz's ex looked around for something to throw against the glass. Eros made to stand but Jaz put a hand on his shoulder.

"I've got this."

Ducking behind the till, Jaz pulled out a baseball bat.

"Does this happen often?" Eros asked. Jaz nodded.

"Messy break-ups have somehow become my thing."  With zero concern, Jaz sauntered to the door and drew back the bolt.

"I can't stop thinking about –" Jaz's ex began but Jaz shushed him.

"I suggest you fuck off." Jaz remarked mildly.

"I-"

"The calling, the texting, this..." he gestured to the guy's presence on the pavement. "It's-"

But the rest of Jaz's sentence was cut off by the interference of Eros. Jaz' ex slumped to the ground in a magic-induced daze. Jaz quirked a brow and looked at Eros.

"You didn't have to do that. I was handling things."

Eros' expression was sombre.

"I know, but for some reason..." A reason that the Love God didn't understand. "I feel protective about you." Eros frowned unhappily. Something inside him was telling him that Jaz was important, and that he needed to remember him.

**

The doorbell buzzed. Zahira had ordered food. She glanced at the Deliveroo page, puzzled. It still said that the restaurant was preparing her food. And it was very fast for it to be her food already. But she couldn't think of anything else. Already anxious about the approaching interaction with the Deliveroo driver she quickly scampered to the front door and opened it.

"Oh." She murmured in surprise. Orion was standing on her doorstep. "Why...are you here?" She glanced around, as if expecting to see someone with him. Had he left something behind from that night? Had he come to claim her share of the taxi cost?

Was he hoping to search her place again? She stood in the doorway, blocking the entrance.

"I keep thinking about you." Orion replied, his tone flat. "I'm free right now." He continued. Zahira didn't reply. He grimaced. "You don't look like you have plans..."

Zahira followed his gaze. She was wearing jogging bottoms and a top that reached her knees. She touched her hair self-consciously. remembering that she had pulled it back into a hasty bun.

"I thought you were food." Her cheeks flushed. "I've ordered food." She amended.

"Perfect, I'm hungry."

Zahira frowned. She really didn't want to invite him inside.

"I haven't ordered enough food." She mumbled. Her hands were sweating. She was thinking of the boxes Ezekiel had brought over last night. If Orion searched her place today, she wouldn't be as lucky as last time.

Orion appraised her thoughtfully.

"Did you not call me because you're shy or because you didn't want to see me again?" He asked outright. Zahira's brain was in panic. Every fibre of her being hated being rude to people, hated confrontation, hated being disliked. So, answering with the words 'I didn't want to see you again', felt impossible.

"Shy..." It was one word and she mentally cursed herself for saying it. Why couldn't she be brave and confident like Cesar and the others at work?

Orion's expression softened. He reached out and gently patted her head.

"Are you working tomorrow?" He asked. She nodded once. "Meet me outside of the café at the end of your shift."

"Why?" She asked, her voice breathy.

"Just say yes. It's a date." Suave as a model, Orion turned and left.

Zahira's brain was muddled as she closed the front door. What had just happened?! Why did she have another date with Orion!?

She hit her lips.

"Stupid. Useless." She whimpered. She was supposed to be avoiding this guy. He was clearly using her. Why then couldn't she be wise enough to protect herself? "URGH!"

A/N: Enjoying this story? Why not check out one of my other stories?

New Rome

Arly is the princess of New Rome. When her grandfather dies, either her or one of her siblings will rule. She doesn't want the throne. She doesn't want an arranged marriage. But court conspiracies, a murderer and a foreign emperor are all tangling together to make her fate impossible to ignore. Long live the princess...

Romance/ Drama/ Young Adult/ Fantasy