After a quick breakfast prepared by Haruhime, Alice and Lucina went upstairs to change before heading to school. While the girls were climbing the stairs, Alex watched as Haruhime carefully packed the bento—a delicate Japanese lunch prepared with love and attention to detail.
He couldn't help but smile, seeing how much she had changed. From a shy and insecure girl who once believed she didn't deserve salvation, Haruhime had become a confident, radiant, and incredibly gentle woman who found joy in every single day.
Feeling his gaze, Haruhime flinched slightly—her nine tails twitched softly before she turned around and gave Alex a warm, sincere smile. He smiled back, then pulled a comb out of his inventory and sat beside her. Haruhime quietly sat down in front of him, a little embarrassed but not resisting.
Alex gently brushed one of her tails, and immediately the other eight slowly wrapped around him, turning him into a fluffy cocoon. The fur was soft and silky, like a cloud, and Alex noted to himself how meticulously Haruhime cared for them.
"You've got heaven on your tails," he joked, continuing to brush.
Haruhime giggled softly, wagging her tails slightly.
At that moment, light footsteps echoed from the stairs—the first to come down, as usual, was Alice. Seeing Alex brushing Haruhime's tails, the vampire's eyes immediately sparkled.
"Ooooh!" she exclaimed, and before her feet even touched the floor, she was already beside them. Without saying a word, Alice buried her face in one of Haruhime's tails, letting out a blissful sigh.
Haruhime chuckled softly and gently wrapped another tail around her. The vampire practically glowed with delight, even without any sunlight.
"They're so soft! How do you even get them like this? It's perfection!" Alice gushed, already helping Alex brush the tails.
When Lucina came down the stairs, already dressed and ready to go, she was greeted by the adorable sight of Alex and Alice seriously grooming Haruhime's tails, while the fox girl sat there with a dreamy smile, basking in their attention.
When they finished, Alex stretched, while Haruhime looked as if she were about to be left alone in the rain. The fox girl's ears drooped, and her tails sagged sadly.
"Hey, don't be sad," Alex said gently, hugging her. "You can always come by. Anytime. You don't have to wait for your turn—I'm always happy to see you."
Haruhime smiled and hugged him tightly in return, wrapping her tails around him as if unwilling to let go. And if it hadn't been for Alice and Lucina, who literally dragged Alex out of the fluffy embrace, those hugs would have lasted much longer.
Before leaving, Alex patted Haruhime on the head one last time, and a shimmering portal opened behind her. The girl stepped into it, returning to Orario. Alex didn't ask her about what was happening there—he already understood that the appearance of Helios had shaken the entire city.
Stepping out of the house, Alex, Lucina, and Alice noticed Edward standing by his car, waiting for Bella. Alex was about to make a joke, but then Bella herself stepped out of the house—and all thoughts vanished.
She looked every bit the lovestruck schoolgirl—which, to be fair, she was. Walking quickly, she was entirely focused on Edward, not noticing anyone else around. When she stopped in front of him, Bella hesitated for a moment—not knowing whether to hug him or kiss him. After yesterday's brief kiss and embrace, she still couldn't quite understand what kind of relationship they had now.
Her hesitation was suddenly broken by a quiet sob. Bella and Edward turned their heads at the same time — and saw a touching scene: Alex and Alice stood side by side, wiping away tears.
Alice held a box of tissues and frantically dabbed her eyes, while Alex looked like a proud father watching his daughter go on her first date.
"Kids grow up so fast..." Alex said with a dramatic sigh, wiping away his tears. "It feels like just yesterday she was a shy girl with no friends, and now a guy's picking her up to drive her to school. I'm so proud of our Bella!"
"And just a month ago, my brother was a total idiot," added Alice, clutching a tissue. "Now he's an idiot with a girlfriend. I'm so happy for him!"
Lucina quickly turned away to avoid bursting into laughter. Leaning against the hood of the Impala, she covered her mouth with her hand, trying to hold back her giggles, but her shoulders were still shaking.
Edward and Bella stood nearby, watching this little performance, both feeling incredibly awkward. Especially Bella — she wanted to argue with Alex and say she wasn't a loner, that she did have friends… but somehow, she couldn't bring herself to say it in front of everyone.
Edward, on the other hand, looked like he was about to lose it. His irritation grew with every passing second — especially after last night. The moment he came home, Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, and Jane all rushed to tell Carlisle and Esme about his kiss with Bella… and how Alex, Emmett, and Jasper had "slightly ruined" the romantic moment. Even if vampires didn't need to blink, Edward could swear his left eyelid was twitching.
Not wanting to prolong the show, he gently took Bella's hand, helped her into the car, then walked around to take the driver's seat.
As the car pulled away, the last thing Bella and Edward saw in the mirror was Alex and Alice standing on the road, waving handkerchiefs like proud parents sending their daughter off into adulthood.
Bella blushed at first, but within seconds she burst out laughing. Hearing her laughter, Edward couldn't help but smile too.
When the silver Volvo disappeared around the corner, Alex and Alice simultaneously stopped wiping their imaginary tears and broke into loud laughter.
"Did you see their faces?" Alex said between laughs. "That was perfect!"
"Bella blushed so hard even the sun would be jealous of her cheeks!" Alice replied, barely catching her breath.
After laughing it out, Alex got behind the wheel of the Impala and waited for Alice and Lucina to take their seats. He started the engine, and soon the black car smoothly rolled down the road toward the school.
The drive took only a few minutes. As they pulled into the parking lot, Alex noticed unusual excitement among the students — everyone seemed overly animated. Some were waving flyers, others were arguing enthusiastically.
"What's all the fuss about?" he muttered as he stepped out of the car.
Alice and Lucina followed him, and the three walked over to the other Cullens, who were standing by their cars. As always, Emmett was the first to notice them and waved cheerfully.
As Alex got closer, he saw that nearly the entire schoolyard was staring at Bella, who had just stepped out of Edward's car. The girl looked like someone who had suddenly become the main attraction at a zoo.
"Looks like we've got a new school star," Alex remarked with a smirk.
Bella felt their gazes and awkwardly looked away, blushing. Edward shot Alex a warning look, but Alex only grinned.
"Did Carlisle and Esme like the gifts?" Alex asked, leaning casually against Rosalie's shiny car hood.
"They loved them," said Emmett. "Carlisle's thrilled with the books. You should've seen his face! And Esme's been cooking something new every day — says she can finally taste real food now."
"And stop touching my car before you scratch it," Rosalie added with a playful smile, gently pushing Alex away from her vehicle.
"Boo, such a strict lady," he said, puffing his cheeks theatrically. "Alright then, what's the big deal at school?"
"If you didn't know," Jasper interjected, "the spring dance is coming up. It's held every year."
Alex grimaced.
"Ugh, romance, flowers, slow dances, and hormone-fueled teenagers. I don't even need to guess what'll happen there. Do we have to go?"
"Of course not," Jane replied. "Alice, for example, has never gone."
Alice, hugging Alex's arm, just smiled.
"Alice," Alex said, turning to her, "if you want to go, we'll go. I don't mind. But if not — I can offer something much better."
He spoke softly, with that special tone that carried genuine warmth and care.
He knew that Alice had never been able to attend such events before: everyone came in pairs, and she stayed home. And perhaps now she wanted to experience what others considered a normal part of school life.
"An alternative, you say?" she asked, curiosity lighting up her eyes.
Alex shrugged and smiled.
"Well, if you don't feel like going, we could take a little trip somewhere for the day. Even Orario. Or, say, Hawaii. Or the mountains. Or, if we're really in the mood, some other cursed place. The choices are endless. Anything's better than watching teenagers make out in corners while the teachers pretend everything's under control, drowning their boredom in wine."
"So," Jane snorted, "you'd rather hunt monsters than go to the school dance?"
"At least in a cursed place, you can punch someone," Alex replied calmly, crossing his arms. "At a dance, the most I'd get is a couple of slow dances and some silly music. So… it's all up to Alice."
He looked at her with a soft smile, and Alice fell into thought.
Hearing Alex's words, Alice began bouncing excitedly in place, tugging his hand enthusiastically. After a little more chatter, the group headed toward school.
As soon as Alex reached the entrance, Eric suddenly appeared, handing him a flyer for the school dance with the most serious expression. The theme was "James Bond." Alex gave the boy a completely blank stare, causing Eric to shrink back noticeably and start babbling about dress code and the event program before quickly retreating.
Watching Eric leave, Alex let out a heavy sigh and stared at the flyer. Even in his previous life, he had never attended such events and had never seen the point in them. Now, he was willing to go to the dance only for Alice. Lucina also agreed: if Alice wanted to go, she would go; if not, she had no desire either.
Entering the school, Alex escorted Lucina to her classroom and then, together with Alice, headed to his own. As usual, sitting through lessons was boring — the teachers had long since stopped trying to question Alex after one of them quit a month ago to "find themselves."
To avoid boredom, Alex took out his phone and headphones and played an archive video from the Guild — a recording from a fairy-drone following Takashi's group. He handed one earbud to Alice, and they watched together.
The biology teacher glanced at them but, weighing the pros and cons, decided it was better to let them quietly watch something on the phone than to hear Alex say something that would force him to "find himself" too.
At first, the recording was relatively calm, but soon the events became so absurd that Alex could barely suppress his laughter. Especially when one of the guards was feeding Kotu, and Kotu had no idea the guard was a man. Alex explained this to Alice, who nearly burst out laughing, admitting she herself couldn't tell the elves' gender — they were just too… perfect.
The lesson quickly came to an end. Alex took Alice by the hand, and they went to find Lucina to share the news about Takashi's failures. Lucina was standing by her locker next to Rosalie — the girls were chatting animatedly about something. Spotting Alex and Alice, both waved at them.
From the doorway, Alex began recounting how Takashi, Kota, Jonah, and Kenichi ended up in the elven dungeon. At first, Lucina was stunned, but soon burst out laughing. Rosalie, on the other hand, looked confused, not understanding what he was talking about, until Alex explained in more detail — then her face showed a mixture of shock and complete disbelief.
The bell rang, and everyone headed to the next class — PE. As usual, Alex and Emmett chatted lazily until the teacher made them run laps. The instructor no longer knew what to do with them: the moment he left them idle, they would inevitably get up to something suspicious, so running laps was the safest option.
By the end of the lesson, the other boys in the gym had long since gotten used to Alex and Emmett racing around the track until the bell.
After PE came the long break. Alex and Emmett changed and headed to the cafeteria, where they met the others. Taking their usual spots, Alex, Lucina, and Alice pulled out their bento boxes.
As soon as they opened their containers, Emmett felt an irresistible hunger and reached for a piece from Alice's lunch. But she swiftly jabbed a fork between his fingers, giving him a look that made it clear — if he even tried, she would poke his hand.
"Emmett, as always," Alex chuckled, slapping his forehead. "Didn't you know you never touch a girl's food? Oh right, I forgot who you are."
"Ugh, back off," Emmett muttered, pulling out his own container. "I have my own lunch, I just never tried Japanese food. I've only seen it on TV."
"Then we can swap," Alex suggested with a smirk. "If you share what Esme made, I'll let you try what Haruhime prepared."
"Deal," Emmett nodded. "Give me a sausage and some rice, and I'll give you some potatoes with meat."
Alex handed him the chopsticks and said in a businesslike tone, "Deal. Just don't lick the chopsticks like last time."
Alex smiled at Emmett, and they quickly exchanged food. After trying the stewed potatoes with meat that Esme had made, Alex noticed that Emmett's portion was significantly larger than everyone else's.
Alex glanced at Rosalie, who was eating her salad, and couldn't help but think that Lucina had probably gotten her hooked on vegetables — after all, even in Lucina's own lunchbox, there were more fresh veggies than meat. Meanwhile, Emmett was trying the Japanese bento, nodding his head and smiling with satisfaction.
"I never thought a simple Japanese meal could taste this good," Emmett said, chewing the rice.
"Well, thanks to Erina, we always have the freshest ingredients at home. With her gift, she can immediately tell if something is fresh or not. If it doesn't meet her standards, she just throws it away," Alex replied, finishing the stewed potatoes that Emmett had shared with him.
"And what kind of gift does this Erina have?" Rosalie asked, looking thoughtfully at Alex.
"Erina… what's it called… 'God's Tongue,' or something like that. She can perfectly identify the ingredients in a dish, their proportions, freshness, quality, and even the tiniest flaws. That's why she has such high standards for food. And after she started living with us, of course, Alex began spoiling her — and now she's even more obsessed with perfect dishes," Lucina explained, spearing a cherry tomato with her fork.
"In other words, your husband spoiled the chef-girl, and now you always have only the freshest ingredients at home?" Jane asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Eh, if only. It all started when we visited Erina's world, and Alex went into her restaurant during the school festival. He said her food was just delicious. From that moment on, she's been going out of her way to impress him with her cooking," Lucina said, pointing her fork at Alex.
"I wonder how good a cook this Erina really is," Emmett said with a grin.
"Ask Alice. She's already tried it. And, let's just say, it's better to eat her food alone… so you don't end up dying of embarrassment," Alex said with a slight smile.
Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, and Jane all looked at Alice. She immediately gave Alex an offended glare and kicked him under the table. After she was able to eat normal food again, she tried everything — including the dish Erina had made. And she still remembered how awkward she had felt when she couldn't help but moan at the taste.
Realizing that no clear answer would come from Alice, everyone turned to Alex. But as soon as he opened his mouth, Alice quickly covered his hands to stop him from revealing the whole truth. Taking the initiative, she decided to tell everyone herself how delicious the food had been… and what had happened afterward.
Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, and Jane looked puzzled — it was hard for them to believe that ordinary food could make someone moan. Seeing their confusion, Lucina decided to share a couple of stories she had witnessed herself while walking around the festival with the other girls. The more she recounted, the more absurd it sounded — especially when she mentioned cases where people's clothes literally flew off after tasting the dishes.
"I'm no food expert, but are you sure nothing was added to the dishes? I just can't think of another explanation for why clothes would suddenly disappear," Rosalie said, expressing her doubt.
"Believe me, it happened exactly like that. And the worst part is when you're standing in line, and some man in a business suit takes a bite… and suddenly all his clothes, even his wig, fly off. Trust me, that's not a sight you want to see. And I haven't even mentioned Erina's grandfather — that's a whole other story. The old man sits there, tries his granddaughter's food, and suddenly his kimono just explodes! Next thing you know, he's sitting there in nothing but his underwear," Alex said in a dry tone.
"Gross! I think I'd want to gouge my eyes out after seeing that," Emmett said, laughing.
"Well, old man Sendaemon is pretty well-built. Looks like a former yakuza boss — and that's no joke. Look," Alex said, taking out his phone.
He showed a photo of Sendaemon Nakiri sitting at a table. Of course, Erina and Alice Nakiri couldn't resist inviting their grandfather to the restaurant they opened in another world.
At first, Sendaemon thought his granddaughters had lost their minds. But after Alice and Erina showed him hundreds of photos of different races and places they had visited, the old man had no arguments left.
Since then, he often visited Erina and Alice's restaurant near the Guild, even befriending old man Hayato — they looked almost identical. Sendaemon surprisingly accepted the idea of other worlds and, as a true gourmet, was delighted to try new dishes.
At the granddaughters' restaurant, they even kept a spare set of kimonos for him — because every time he tried the food, his clothes flew off again. The sight, to say the least, was not pleasant.
The Cullens leaned closer to examine the photo of Sendaemon. Before them stood a tall man with a strong, stone-carved physique. His face, etched with deep wrinkles, bore a long scar running across his left eye, giving his gaze an air of severity and authority. His gray hair, tied in a strict bun, fell in sparse strands like silver threads. Dressed in a dark kimono, he truly looked like a yakuza boss — just as Alex had said.
Seeing the Cullens' genuine interest, Alex decided to share a bit more about Erina and Alice's families. He didn't omit the story of Erina's father, mentioning what she had gone through as a child. Upon hearing this, Rosalie clenched her fists so tightly the table almost cracked — her anger boiled over, and she didn't hesitate to call Erina's father the worst kind of bastard.
Alex simply smiled calmly and said:
"Don't worry, Rosalie. Right now, he's going through an experience so terrible, you can't even imagine it."
His words immediately drew questioning looks from everyone.
"What do you mean?" Emmett asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Let's just say… Azami Nakamura probably ended up in Nyaruko's mother's hands. And trust me, it's better you don't know what's happening to him," Alex replied with a crooked grin.
"And who exactly is Nyaruko's mother?" Jane asked, curiosity in her eyes.
Alex just shook his head with a faint smile. He wasn't dodging the answer — he simply didn't know how to explain what kind of creature Nyan-Nyan had been.
Soon the bell rang for class and the lunch break ended. To be honest, Alex didn't feel like going back at all — he just wanted to skip and rest a little. But Lucina and Alice had plans: they weren't going to sit through lessons without him. So despite all his excuses, including "I'll just step out for a smoke," the girls took him by the arms and hauled him to class.
He had to resign himself and sit through the rest of the school day.
When the final bell rang, Alex lazily stretched and got up from his seat. It turned out he had slept through the entire last lesson and only woke up when everyone started packing. Lucina, sitting next to him, laughed when she saw a sheet of paper stuck to his face.
Rubbing his eyes sleepily, Alex stood, took Lucina's hand, and left the classroom. Rumors that he was seeing two girls at once had long since stopped bothering anyone — people were used to his oddities and peculiar behavior.
By the lockers, Alice was already waiting for them, and the three headed for the exit. Without wasting time, Alice climbed onto Alex's back, lazily yawning and claiming she was "tired of walking," although her expression made it clear she was just being lazy.
Outside, Alex immediately noticed the Cullens watching a rather entertaining scene. Bella, standing nearby, looked like she was torn — unsure whether to go with Edward or to drive her old pickup home.
Alex yawned lazily, shook his head, and shouted, "Bella! Just go with Edward, I'll drive your pickup home myself. Just give me the keys."
Hearing his voice, Bella looked at him as if a hero had appeared to save her day. Alex barely contained a smile. Bella stepped forward shyly, biting her lip, and handed him the keys.
"Stop acting like a flustered girl," Alex said, lightly tapping her on the head. "We're friends. Driving the truck home is no problem."
Bella dropped her gaze in embarrassment, then bit her lip again — for which she received another gentle smack on the forehead. This time she quietly laughed: Alex had become a sort of older brother to her — dependable, calm, and always ready to help.
"All right, off you go to your boyfriend," Alex said, waving her away. "He already looks like an abandoned puppy left by the store. And don't stay out too late! And, by the way, use protection."
He made a theatrical face and added, "If Edward starts getting handsy, hit him in the balls, then a cross to the forehead, and start exorcising demons."
Lucina snorted with laughter, Alice almost fell off Alex's back, and Bella blushed deeply, shooting him an indignant but warm look.
The first part of Alex's sentence sounded perfectly normal — like an older brother giving advice to his younger sister before a date. But everything he added afterward was so absurd that Bella didn't know whether to blush or laugh.
And, as luck would have it, Emmett was the first to crack — his loud laughter cut through the air. Alex, with the most nonchalant expression, pulled a crucifix out of his backpack and placed it directly into the stunned Bella's hand.
The Cullens' laughter grew louder, while Edward, standing nearby, just covered his face with his hand and rolled his eyes. His eyelid twitched nervously, as if he were trying to contain his irritation.
Bella stared at the cross in shock, then glanced at Edward — and for a moment actually wondered: maybe it would work?
Edward snorted, catching her thought.
"Don't even try," he muttered under his breath.
Alex just smirked, thoroughly enjoying everyone's reactions. After laughing enough, he handed the "Impala" keys to Lucina and headed toward Bella's old pickup, deciding to drive it to the Swan house. He sincerely hoped Charlie was on duty — he really didn't want to explain why he was driving his daughter's truck without her.
The ride in Bella's rusty pickup was a true test. The truck rattled, jerked, and groaned as if it might fall apart at any moment. Alex shook his head and sighed tiredly — he would have to get Bella a new car for her birthday.
Even after all the repairs he had already done, this bucket of bolts still made him uneasy. And, as luck would have it, just as he approached the Swan house, he noticed a police SUV parked on the roadside.
"Perfect…" he muttered. "Just what I needed."
Charlie really was home. Seeing that it was Alex, not Bella, getting out of the pickup, he frowned, and his hand almost instinctively went to his belt.
"Hey, relax, Charlie," Alex immediately raised his hands. "Bella's fine. She just… uh… has a date with Edward."
"What?" Charlie straightened abruptly, a mix of worry and fatherly panic on his face.
Alex quickly explained the situation, calming Charlie and giving him a few tips on how to talk to his daughter without turning the conversation into an interrogation.
"Just don't pressure her," he said. "Just listen. And don't make that face when you're in 'sheriff mode.' Make the 'father' face instead."
Charlie managed a reluctant smile.
"You're damn wise for your age, Alex," he said, patting Alex on the shoulder.
"Just seen a lot," Alex replied with a faint smile.
After a short conversation, they said their goodbyes, and Alex headed home.
When he entered, Alice and Lucina had already changed. Lucina was sitting in a chair with a book, while Alice was sprawled on the couch, lazily flipping through TV channels.
Alex snapped his fingers, and his outdoor clothes switched to casual home wear — a simple black T-shirt and loose pants. He lowered himself next to Alice and let her rest her head on his lap.
He wasn't in a hurry to go down to the basement. The conversation with Albert could wait. Right now, he just wanted to enjoy the rare calm and coziness.
Only when it grew dark did Alex get up and head to the kitchen. Together with Lucina and Alice, they prepared dinner — light but tasty. After eating and settling in front of the TV while finishing dessert, Alex finally made up his mind.
He went down to the basement, turned on the light, and sat across from Albert. He grabbed a cigarette, lit it, and exhaling smoke, said:
"Alright, Albert, my boy. Are you ready to give me the name of the one who knows where Crowley is?"
Albert lifted his head. His gaze was dead, burned out from within. Flashes of hatred flickered across his face, caught between madness and resignation. During his time here, he had cursed Crowley hundreds of times, each curse filled with an almost sacred fury.
"His name's Greg," he rasped. "He's a crossroads demon too. Often hangs out at The Water Cooler bar. Makes deals with office workers. Too many mortals are willing to sell their souls for a promotion."
Alex took a drag, the smoke curling softly between them.
"Where's this bar? And when does your little friend show up there?"
"In downtown Chicago. Near the financial district, The Loop," Albert replied without averting his gaze.
"Where exactly?" Alex squinted. "Or am I going to have to wander the whole city until I find the place?"
He exhaled another stream of smoke straight at the demon.
"Be a good boy," Albert said coldly. "And maybe my little ones won't bother you anymore. For now."
Albert squinted and lowered his gaze to where GIR, MIMI, Stitch, and Claptrap were staring him down — a quartet clearly eager to "play" with him again. He quickly realized this was probably his only chance to get some long-awaited silence, so he looked up at Alex.
"Right at the corner of West Adams and South LaSalle," Albert quickly said. "Where the office skyscrapers, banks, and law firms are concentrated. He's easy to find. Around this time, tired office workers gather there to have a drink after a long day."
"Good," Alex drawled, flicking the ash from his cigarette onto the concrete basement floor. "And one last question: what does your little friend Greg look like?"
"He always sits in the corner at the bar, sipping bourbon with a single ice cube," Albert rasped. "Likes to chat about careers, ambitions, and failed dreams. Gradually nudges people toward a deal. Hard to miss — always in the same spot, from six in the evening until closing."
"Good job, Albert. A real exemplary boy," Alex said with a faint smirk, patting the demon on the cheek. "I won't kill you — for now. You'll still be useful to me. And you won't be tortured anymore."
Smiling, Alex nodded approvingly at GIR, MIMI, Stitch, and Claptrap — great job. After he left the basement, one of his "little ones" pulled a sack over Albert's head and lightly tapped him on the back of the skull — just as a precaution.
Heading upstairs, Alex explained to the girls where he was going. Lucina and Alice lazily waved, asking him not to be long and to come back quickly. Alex nodded, kissed them both, and went to change.
A few minutes later, a completely different person stood in the mirror — a tired office intern who had just finished an exhausting day. He wore a sharp suit, the jacket slightly wrinkled, his hair tousled, and simple glasses perched on his face. Alex rubbed his face a little to give himself the look of a worn-out man and nodded approvingly at his reflection. Creating a simple leather briefcase, he completed the look.
Descending the stairs, he presented his "new style" for the girls' judgment. Lucina raised an eyebrow first.
"You're almost unrecognizable," she said with a slight smirk. "You look like all the life's been sucked out of you."
"That's the idea," Alex grinned. "Do I look like an intern working twenty-five hours a day, seven days a week?"
"You look like someone who hasn't slept in a week," Alice snorted, inspecting him from head to toe.
Alex smirked, promised to be back as soon as possible, and, after saying goodbye, teleported to a nearby alley next to The Water Cooler bar.
He looked around, making sure no one was nearby, took a deep breath, and slipped into character — slouching, slowing his pace, and giving his face a weary expression. Now he looked exactly as he wanted: a drained man dreaming only of a drink.
Lighting a cigarette, Alex blended into the flow of office workers who had just finished their shifts. They walked in groups, laughing and chatting about bosses and salaries. Some were heading to the same bar Alex was aiming for.
He reached The Water Cooler and stopped by the entrance, near a trash can and ashtray. Through the large window, he could see a typical evening scene: men and women in business suits sitting at the bar, their ties loosened, jackets draped over chair backs, and relief written all over their faces after a long day.
Alex slowly exhaled smoke and glanced inside. Greg wasn't visible yet.
He smirked slightly.
"Hunting is patience," he muttered to himself, pulling out a fresh cigarette. "And I've got plenty of patience."
He leaned against the wall and waited.
To be continued…
(So, the general plot outline is this. First, another foolish victim in the form of a crossroads demon. And then the Twilight plot continues. I'll be jumping between events related to school and demon hunting. And all that stuff. And then Samantha shows up, and there's a baseball game with the Cullens. That's where the plot spoilers end.)
Early access to chapters on my patreon: p*treon.com/GreedHunter