It had been a week since the two men came to visit you at your bakery. You had made progress over this week and had finished cleaning every floor. Even the basement and the attic, and this took a lot of courage. Over the past three days, you finished the plans for your bakery and asked the opinions of your two roommates and friends and family back home to have feedback on your project. So far, they loved the interior design you thought of but that left you in a difficult position because there would be a lot to change. You wanted to do everything by yourself but if you wanted to open in two months, it would become difficult. You knew how to DIY most of the things you had planned but regarding electric cables and a few very technical stuff, it would need to do a lot of research. Or call an expert. You sighed as you stared at the plans in your hands while you were leaning forward on the countertop.

"I guess I should start with what I know," you mumbled to yourself. You needed to go shopping and get equipment to start working. The moment you made up your mind, you heard the front door open. "We're not open yet," you said without looking up at first.

"Is it a bad time?" A masculine voice asked.

You straightened up the moment you heard the person speak, recognizing him immediately. "Kyle!" You exclaimed with a grin. You rushed to his side and threw your arms around him. You heard him wince in pain and quickly pulled away. "Oh, fuck! Sorry, sorry! I forgot." You looked up worryingly at him but he shot you a smile despite his furrowed brows.

"I'm alright, don't worry. I've been doing much better lately so I decided to pop in." His smile and sunny behavior made all your previous worries go away. "Soap told me you were building a bakery in a haunted building. I guess part of it is true." He tried to lighten the mood with a few jokes.

You chuckled at the remark. " Haunted? I wouldn't call this place haunted but yes, it will be a bakery. Once I'm finished with all that labor work at least."

"Guess you do have a lot to do to make it attractive..." He looked around the place with curious eyes. "How about I help you then?"

This took you by surprise. You knew he had a good nature but to imagine after all this time he would still be this kind and helpful to you, it truly warmed your heart. "Are you sure? You're still injured and everything and... I don't know if your 'boss' would agree to..."

Before you could continue, he stopped you by placing a hand on your lower back. "Let's just get going, yeah? Where do we start?"

A warm smile spread on your face as you let him guide you outside. "Let's go to a DIY store then. Got a few things to buy."

As you only just arrived, you did not acquire a car yet. London had good transportation, despite it being very confusing at times, so you depended on that, but this time around, you needed a car to transport all the material. Kyle drove you both to a good store where he usually went to get tools. On your way there, he told you about how he was the one repairing everything at his 'workplace' because the others were too lazy. This did not surprise you. It sounded just like him to be useful regardless of others helping. You entered the shop together and you headed to the tool section to get everything you needed.

"So, how much do you plan on changing this place?" He asked as you both filled the cart with the essentials - hammer, screwdriver, wrench, etc.

"A lot. I have the plans on my phone, I can show you." You took your phone from your back pocket and leaned closer to him to show you the plans.

"Oh, wow," he exclaimed at first. "Very detailed and colorful. Lots of plants too... I love it." He chuckled as he glanced up at you. "It looks very cozy. Perfect for a bakery. You're making a café as well?"

You had planned to make it very inviting and bright with hanging lights. You wanted to have a nature theme as well to create a cozy ambiance so you thought of adding grass and flower walls with climbing plants in some areas. This was how you had always pictured it and sketched it many times. You only had to make it happen now.

"Thanks. Years of work," you added with a smile. "Yeah, I do plan on making a café area so people can just sit there and relax. Even thought about making it a nice place for students to work in. It won't be easy to do but I like a challenge."

"You always did." His tone was dreamy, a bit nostalgic. When you looked back at him, you swore his narrowed soft eyes watched you with admiration. It must have only been your imagination. "Need paint too, I guess?" He changed the subject, bringing you back to Earth.

"Yeah, we do. Decorations are the last. For now, we'll need to fix what needs to be fixed and paint the walls to a prettier color."

"You're changing the floor as well?"

"No... Well, I would like to do it but I don't have the capacity or time for it."

He hummed, deep in thought. "I might have a solution for that. Will you let me make a call?"

......

"C'mon, Soap! You got to help me out!" Gaz begged his best friend. He stepped away just so he could call him and you wouldn't hear.

" 'm nae doin' extra work jus' so ye can bang yer childhood friend !" The man shouted back. He was in the middle of a smoke break after doing a work assigned to him and he could not be bothered right now.

"Please, Soap! We talked about it, please!" He begged again, praying that his friend would understand his desperation to create new ties with his childhood friend. "Do it for your best friend, okay? I just... I got to, okay?"

Soap groaned, rubbing his face with his hand. " Yer fuckin' lucky I owe ye one. 'll bring Ghost with me. But it's a fuckin' big favor 'm doin' for ye! "

"I know, I know! Thank you so much! Next drinks on me." He hung up after that and made his way back to you while you were putting buckets of paint in your cart. "He said yes. Now you'll have three more pairs of hands to help you."

"Really?! Thank you so much, Kyle!" You hugged him tight, a wide smile spreading across your face. "You're a lifesaver! Promise I'll treat you with cakes or anything you'd like for this!"

He laughed a bit and hugged you back. His heart fluttered in his chest, warmth climbing to his cheeks. "I'm glad I can help you..."

"Gaz, you'll be keeping a close eye on them," Price ordered the man. Smoke came out of his nose while he spoke. One hand was holding his cigar close to his face, elbow on the dining table, and the other was twirling the glass of whiskey he was holding. He was sitting at the head of the table, looking at his men sitting on either side of it.

Gaz gave his boss a nod. He was leaning forward on his elbows with his arms crossed over the table, as well dressed up as every man around the table. "Sure. But I really don't think they're a danger. I know them well, they've never hurt anyone."

He was stopped by the leader raising his hand. It indicated to him that he should keep quiet and he did. No one in their right mind would oppose John Price. "Horangi, did you see anything abnormal?" He turned his attention to another person at the table.

The man was wearing sunglasses despite being inside while it was dark outside. His face mask was resting under his chin which usually hid the large scar on his cheek. It slit open part of his mouth, revealing his teeth, and it went further down his neck and shoulder, it almost looked like a tiger's claw mark. It was what earned him the nickname 'Tiger' which he wore proudly. Horangi crushed his cigarette in the ashtray while he shook his head, smoke coming out of his mouth. "Negative. They've just been cleaning the shop."

Price seemed happy to hear that. Maybe he was overreacting but his family's life and safety were on the line, and he would never lower his guard for their sake. You seemed like a normal civilian in his eyes but one could never be too careful. He had been betrayed once and he did not want to lose anyone again. He would do what was necessary. The 141 would not falter. "Ghost?"

"They're clean. I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary." His mask was off. Usually, when they had meetings like this, he would be more inclined to take it off. Not always but he felt relaxed enough right now to do so.

The room smelled like alcohol and tobacco. Despite the opened windows, the smell was strong, lingering in the air. The atmosphere was serious but they remained rather calm and relaxed, sharing information while sharing dinner together.

"Should we inform Los Vaqueros?" Soap pipped in while he played with a lollipop in his mouth. He rolled it inside, taking in the sweet taste of cherry on his tongue.

"I already did. I sent them a picture as well," Price answered before he went to finish his glass of whiskey. The whole family and its allies knew about you and had your face in their mind. You were no secrets to any of them.

Kyle Garrick was worried more than wary, unlike the rest. It was normal, he had known you ever since you were both three years old if not before. You used to be neighbors, went to the same school, and you had always gotten along perfectly. He felt partly responsible for dragging you down to this shady business. He wished it had not turned out like this and he would have met you under better conditions.

"Kyle?" Your voice brought him back to reality. He looked to his side to see you locking eyes with him. You raised an eyebrow at his wide eyes and his shocked look as if you just popped out of nowhere. "You're okay?" You asked, your head tilted to the side.

His face quickly relaxed when he realized you were right here and safe. He would use this surveyance his family was putting you under to watch over you and assure your safety. 141 had lots of enemies and if they learned about you, you could end up in trouble. He placed a hand on top of your head and rubbed it gently, messing with your hair. "Yeah, sorry. My head was elsewhere for a bit," he explained and picked up the hammer again, and finished fixing the wall. "Is that the last wall?"

"Yeah, the rest is fine. Thank you, Kyle. You've been such a big help today." You looked at his back for longer than it was necessary, observing the way his shoulders and back muscles flexed each time he brought the hammer down the nail. His personality was the same but his body... He truly was a grown-up man now and you could not deny your attraction to him. He had always been pretty ever since he was a child, a gene running down his family from what you had seen, but now he was also very handsome and you bet his hugs would be even better. And maybe not just the hugs...

"You should take a picture instead of staring, Sunshine." His voice made you jump slightly as you finally noticed he was looking right at you. Your face flushed red and you quickly turned away.

"Was just checking if you were doing a good job," you lied and went back to paint the wall opposite to him. This nickname... He used to call like this before but it hit differently now. You could feel butterflies fluttering in your stomach and warmth spreading to your cheeks.

"Mhm. Sure, if you say so." He did not believe you at all. "I hope the work was good then." He chuckled as he put down the hammer. "The paint looks great. Really brightens up the place," he commented as he came closer to take a look at the work you did.

"It does, right? I think it was a pretty good decision." You smiled and climbed up the stepladder to do the finishing touch in the corners.

And for the love of God, Kyle was thankful you had his back to him for many reasons. His eyes kept wandering down despite how hard he was fighting not to look down at your ass cheeks. He was attracted to you and it was not news to him. He had always had a crush on you over the years you had known each other. He thought he got over it but when he found your Instagram page last week while he recovered, he fell for you all over again. You were just perfect in his eyes, keeping that same innocent smile with a more mature look. He wished he could just admire you all day.

Night fell and it was time to go home. You both stood outside the shop, finishing your discussion, laughter accompanying the light and warm mood. It was almost time to part ways, you both knew it but were delaying the moment as much as possible. For a moment, a comfortable silence swirled around you along with the sweet scent of Spring. One of you had to take the step and say goodbye. Why was it so difficult when you both knew it was not going to be the last time you saw each other? Finally, you were the first one to speak up.

"I should get going." Despite your words, you made no move to walk away to London Underground.

"Right, yeah. I should as well. The boys will start wondering where I've gone too." He moved a hand behind his head, scratching his neck as he tried to keep his cool.

"Thanks again for today, it went much faster." You fiddled with your keys, your smile never dropping.

"No problem. It's my apology for dragging you into this." He laughed a bit. "I'll see you tomorrow then. With more arms to help you." Take them home, Kyle. Go ask them. Go. Go!

"Yeah, see you tomorrow. I'll be sure to pay you guys with my latest creations. See you tomorrow." You waved and walked away to get home.

"See you..." He trailed off as he watched your form becoming more distant. He passed a hand through his hair while he took off his cap, gripping it in frustration. He usually had no issue talking to people and flirting with the ones he found attractive. Why was it different for you? His phone buzzed two seconds later and when he took a look at it, he swore he was about to throw it on the ground. He stared up at the hidden camera at the front of the shop and gave Horangi the middle finger before he turned around to hop into his car. Asshole.

'Loser'  

______________________________________________

Pretty boy time <3A bit of a teaser for the next chapter: New characters will be introduced! Hope you're excited!Thank you for reading this story so far, hope you're enjoying it! <3