Merak : pursuit of small, daily pleasures that all add up to a
great sense of happiness and fulfillment.

I sighed as I took in the crowd of sweaty people, the music so loud that it almost broke my ear drums.

I hated this fucking place.

But it was apparently the monthly guys night out and I was dragged down to this nasty club a few minutes from the university. Az was here only because Willow and Mel had their movie night with their friends and to be honest it was the same reason for me.

I frowned as I looked at my friends. Az was looking at his phone with a scowl on his face and since I was his bestfriend and since the mission of my life was annoying his moody arse, I threw a chicken wing that I was munching on at his face.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" He snarled as the sauce smeared across his cheek and fell down on to the floor.

Poor innocent chicken.

I grinned, showing all my teeth.

"Ah, I see our Willow is not texting back, huh?" Alec mused.

His silence only confirmed his answer.

I feel you brother.

Mel did not reply to my texts either. They were probably out there having fun while we were miserable here in this funking club that smelt like shit.

Atleast the others seems to be having fun.

Grey was smiling down at his phone, ignoring the rest of us. I resisted the urge to throw another piece of my chicken wing because priorities. That was probably Alicia-his girlfriend-  on the phone.

Lucky bastard.

Chase was already throwing flirtatious looks to a nearby blonde who very much seemed to be returning the feeling. And finally the twins, Alec and Alex. Well, they had that look in their eyes. A look I and the rest of the guys were all acquainted with.

They looked as if they were contemplating what to set on fire next.

People were always quick to judge, they always assumed that I was the one they had to watch out for and boy, were they wrong.

These two were the ones who shaved off our eyebrows in our sleep. When we were all three. Fucking three.

I don't even know how three year olds know how to use a razor.

In the end Azrael's mom had to draw eyebrows on our faces when we went to school the following week.

Yeah, three year olds were savage and big bullies.

I wish I could talk to Mel but here I was feeling bored out of my mind.

This time I threw my empty coke can at Chase instead of my precious chicken wings because he was the one who was so set on coming here.

"What?" He said not taking his eyes off the blonde.

"I'm bored. What the hell are we even doing here?" I'm not a least bit ashamed to admit that I whined like a big baby.

"What do people usually do in clubs? Talk, flirt, dance, drink, fuck. Do whatever you want bro and leave me alone," he said nonchalantly.

That was definitely not good.

I should be out with a certain short, grumpy woman. A girl so fucking beautiful I inside out that it almost made my heart squeeze just thinking about her.

Wait a minute.

"Azrael Vaughan fucking Lewis, you asshole. I took three days of night duties for you so you could go home and spend all your time with your girlfriend and the only thing that I got in return was that Mel liked brownies. I need more details." I snapped but made sure to keep my voice low so the others won't hear.

He blinked at me slowly, his lips twitching into a lazy, arrogant smile.

"Jeez, you're desperate, aren't you?"

Yes. I totally was.

I huffed, "I'm not desperate, I'm just very determined," pausing, I narrowed my eyes at the hypocrite, "I know someone who stalked his girlfriend."

He had that audacity to wink.

"And look where it got me."

This time I threw the bone at his face.

"Wait, hold up. Our pretty boy has a crush? You're finally over your obsession with your Iris?"

Ah fuck. So much for keeping it a secret.

Chase finally took his eyes off the blonde to gape at me. Even the twins and Grey looked interested now.

Somebody please throw me off a cliff.

Az, the bastard, nodded his head with a smirk, "Any guess who the girl is?"

"Who?" Grey asked curiously.

"Melantha Mikael,"

I coughed, whatever it was already out. No point in handing it anymore,"Actually, it's Melantha Iris Mikael."

Chase choked on his drink, "Melantha is Iris?"

I nodded.

The rest looked a sif they couldn't believe what I just said. I couldn't really blame them, they didn't know Mel's other name was Iris. A name I noticed she didn't go by anymore.

"Willow's pretty friend? She's your Iris?"

"Jesus. And here I was thinking you were over your obsession," Alex shook his head.

I did not deny it. Maybe it was those I tense dark eyes that softened when she looked at me. Maybe it was that small, black beauty spot just an inch above her lips that disappeared when she flashed me a rare smile.

Yeah, I down bad.

I knew that the moment I laid my eyes on her twelve years ago.

"Does she even talk to anyone other than Willow and Elena?"

Yes. She does.

"You guys know Ben? From Architecture? The guys apparently tried stuff with her and guess what happened? He almost got his eyes fucking scooped out," Grey shuddered,

I know.

"Oh, I saw him the other day. He looked like shit man, apparently he got jumped. Ten fucking stitching, can you fucking believe it?"

I hid my smile.

That guys was so weak it was almost boring and too easy.

"The question here is what's your game plan? You got any idea?" Alec asked

"Game plan?"

"Mhm, a game plan. Do you have one?"

I shook my head slowly.

He rubbed his hands together and looked at Az and Grey, "You lot, the committed ones, tell him your experiences."

"Why am I not included? I know I have a pretty active love life." Chase scowled.

"If I want to get laid," I muttered under my breath which earned me a slap to the back of my precious head.

"Focus, guys." Alex snapped, "Az, you go first."

"Uh...I kinda just followed her around,"

"Stalker alert," I coughed.

He pretended not to her me, "and bought her favourites like chocolates and food stuffs," He shrugged.

"Okay. Point one, the way to a woman's heart is through food."

I nodded.

"Wait. I have a deal." Az said, shooting me one of his evil smiles.

I frowned, "What?"

"I have 8 night duties this month if you take 6 of them, I'll help you." He said.

"How?"

He grinned and took out his phone and a moment later his grinned widened, "I almost forgot about it,"he muttered. A second later he let out a small laugh and like the nosy person I was, I leaned closer to see what it was.

"Willow sent me this, like a couple of days before," he mumbled, "Wait, I'll send it to you."

I looked down at my phone to see that he sent me a presentation, curiously I opened it only to freeze.

MELANTHA MIKAEL : A GUIDE

"What the fuck?" I cried out, "Willow really sent this? For me?"

This could be it.

My ticket to Melantha Mikael's heart.

"Yeah. I forgot about it." He shrugged casually.

I glared at him, "Does Will know that you're making me take your shift for this?" I threatened.

He paled.

"You wouldn't," he looked unsure.

"Well, I could tell Will but I'm too happy to do that so I'll take it," I mumbled, already scrolling to see what she had written.

"Will thinks that the solution to any problem is making presentation." He shook his head fondly, his eyes soft with adoration.

My chest tightened at the amount of love they had for eachother.  I wanted that too. Desperately.

And so I pressed on the first slide.

1. Favourite food - Beef Birria Tacos.

Fuck. I could easily make that.

2. Favourite drink - Raspberry Iced tea

3. Job (Part time) - The Brew (works Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 4 PM to 7.30 PM)

And there was about fifty or so things like that, what she doesn't like (leaving the bathroom door open, espresso), what kind of clothes she liked best (anything black), what she hates about people (slow walkers), etc.

"Read it out loud," Chase said.

I narrowed my eyes, "You wanna steal my woman?" I grunted.

He raised his hands in surrender and and Az laughed,"She'd tear you into pieces if you try anything funny. Zach here is the only one she even talks to,"

"She's more of a listener," I shrugged.

"Well, I think he should take it slow. Find more excuses to spend time with her, make her believe that you'd be good for her." Grey added thoughtfully.

Az and the twins nodded.

"Did she figure out who you are?"

"Don't ask stupid questions, Chase," Alec laughed, "She was what? Eight at that time? I don't even remember what I ate for lunch today and you expect her to remember him?"

I nodded and took a sip of my Musigny. Just then the blonde that Chase was eyeing came over with some of her friends.

"Hey, can we join you guys?" She giggled, looking up at Chase from her lashes.

"Of course, the pleasure is all ours," he smiled.

Certainly not mine.

Or Azrael's.

Or Grey's.

The brunette at her side was already looking at md with interest, adjusting her top to expose her cleavage. I discreetly slipped the ring on my middle finger to my ring finger.

The girl strutted towards me, perching on the arm of my chair.

"I'm Sofia, what's your name?" She said, trying to sound seductive.

"Sorry, I'm married." I replied, showing my left hand.

In a way I was committed. Have been for the past twelve years.

She gave me a coy smile, "Your wife doesn't have to know,"

Oh, fuck.

"Well, my husband surely knows now." I chuckled and put my arm around Az who looked equally annoyed by the girl flirting with him.

Both girls stilled.

Az rolled his eyes but didn't deny it.

"Why is it always the pretty ones?" She sighed unhappily before moving towards the guys seated on the other side.

I shared a look with Ax before we both burst out laughing. This was the only highlight of the evening.

Looking around, I noticed that Chase had suddenly disappeared.

Sighing, I looked down at my plate of depleting chicken wings and then remembered something.

"Az, who has the car keys?" He thought for a second and then groaned,

"Chase fucking Arkwright,"

Fucking fantastic.

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A U T H O R 'S   N O T E :

Hey guys!!!

So I know I've not been updating regularly but I have my final exams before graduating high school and I'm so sorry.

I also know I promised another chapter of Love at the City of Gentle but I'm still working on it. I'll post ASAP.

XxAelinAsh