Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
The next afternoon, Jake and I made our way through Downtown Millcrest toward Victor and Sebastian’s new boutique. Blake’s driver had dropped us off a block away—close enough for security but far enough to avoid looking like we needed an escort.
“So this is how the other half shops,” Jake said, taking in the tree-lined street with its glass and stone storefronts and artisanal coffee shops.
His pale hands were tucked into his jacket pockets, but I could see the way his eyes constantly scanned our surroundings—a nervous habit borne from hypervigilance.
“You okay?” I asked.
Jake shrugged, though his scent carried that strange almost medicinal undertone. “Yeah. I’m interested in seeing what kind of operation they’re running. High-end fashion seems like a different world from what I’m used to.”
The boutique occupied a corner building with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased elegant mannequins in period-inspired clothing. A discrete gold sign read “Fairfax & Saunier Heritage Collection” in understated script.
Sebastian spotted us through the window and opened the door before we could knock, his face lighting up with genuine pleasure. “Leo! Perfect timing.”
"Hello," I said, tilting my head toward my companion. “This is Jake.”
"Hello, Jake—I'm Sebastian." His hand extended forward, a warm smile crinkling the corners of his green eyes.
“Nice to meet you,” Jake said, accepting Sebastian’s offered handshake with surprising ease.
“Come in, come in.” Sebastian gestured us inside. “Victor’s in the back reviewing fabric samples, but he’ll be right out.”
The interior was stunning—exposed brick walls lined with carefully curated vintage pieces, modern lighting that highlighted the craftsmanship details, and display cases showcasing accessories that bridged historical accuracy with contemporary appeal.
Everything spoke to genuine passion for quality and design.
“This is incredible,” I said, meaning it. “You’ve really created something special here.”
“Thank you.” Sebastian’s smile was radiant. “We wanted to show that historical-inspired fashion doesn’t have to feel like costume—it can be relevant and beautiful for modern life.”
Victor emerged from the back office, carrying a leather portfolio and wearing the kind of focused expression that suggested he’d been deep in creative work. When he saw us, his face shifted to warm welcome.
“Leo, excellent.” Victor’s handshake was firm and professional. He extended his hand to Jake. “And you are?”
Jake clasped Victor's outstretched hand. "I'm Jake."
“Well, I’m thrilled you could both come.” Victor’s tone was polite and seemed genuine.
He led us to a display area where he’d set up enlarged photographs of historical footwear alongside fabric swatches and design sketches. The Thomas Wong shoes from the 1973 photograph were featured prominently, but I was struck by how much additional research Victor had clearly done.
“The eyelet oxford with the overlapping buckle design is actually quite unusual for formal footwear,” Victor explained, his enthusiasm genuine and infectious.
“Most dress shoes stick to either a lace-up or slip-on design, rarely both. Your grandfather’s Wong commission showed this beautiful balance between traditional craftsmanship and artistic creativity. ”
Jake moved closer to examine the photographs, his natural curiosity overriding any social awkwardness. “The silver work is really intricate. How long would something like that have taken to complete?”
“Weeks, easily,” I said. “The integration of metalwork with leather requires both sets of skills, and in the 1970s, very few craftsmen could do both at this level.”
“Exactly!” Victor’s eyes lit up. “That’s what makes your grandfather’s work so remarkable.
Sebastian found some fascinating documentation in my father’s papers—correspondence between my great-uncle and various district artisans about preservation projects.
Your grandfather’s name appears several times as someone who could handle both traditional cobbling and custom metalwork. ”
Sebastian nodded enthusiastically. “The letters describe him as having ‘exceptional technical versatility’ and ‘artistic vision.’ It’s clear he was highly respected in the trade.”
My chest swelled with pride hearing my grandfather described that way.
Neither Victor nor Sebastian's expressions betrayed any judgment regarding my grandfather's designation, their comments focused solely on the craftsmanship of his work—not one hint of "for an omega" or any raised eyebrows suggesting amazement that an omega could possess such extraordinary skill.
“For the commission,” Victor continued, “we’d love to create a piece that honors both the historical techniques and your family’s legacy.
The boutique’s grand opening is planned to correspond with the Centennial Celebration kickoff—having a recreation of authentic Millcrest-connected bespoke footwear of the time as part of our heritage display would be incredible. ”
“The timeline is tight,” I said, “but doable.”
Victor opened his portfolio and pulled out a folder thick with documentation.
“I’ve compiled everything I could find to complement your shop’s records—copies of this photograph and several others from the Historical Society collection, period leather samples, even some technical notes about 1970s silver alloy compositions. ”
Jake whistled softly, clearly impressed by the thoroughness. “You don’t mess around.”
Victor laughed, the sound warm and self-deprecating.
“Sebastian says I go overboard with research. With mass production being common in the 70s, bespoke made-to-order shoes were becoming a specialty item. I believe if you’re going to honor historical craftsmanship, you need to understand it completely. ”
“I can respect that,” I said, genuinely meaning it.
We spent the next hour going through the materials, with Victor and Sebastian proving themselves surprisingly engaged clients.
Their questions were intelligent and their appreciation for the complexity of the work was sincere.
By the time we finished reviewing everything, I found myself genuinely excited about the project.
“This is going to be incredible,” I said, gathering up the reference materials Victor was letting me borrow. “I can already see how the silver work should integrate with the leather construction.”
“Wonderful.” Victor’s smile was purely professional satisfaction. “Should we plan to check in again next week? I’d love to see your initial sketches once you’ve had time to review everything.”
“That sounds perfect.”
As Victor disappeared into his office to handle a phone call, Sebastian walked us to the door, chatting easily with Jake about the neighborhood’s plans for the Centennial Celebration.
“Thank you both for coming by,” Sebastian said as we reached the sidewalk. “Victor is pleased you agreed to take this commission.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” I replied.
Sebastian’s expression shifted slightly, becoming more hesitant. “Leo, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but… how is Penny doing?”
Jake, with his usual perceptive instincts, immediately caught the shift in tone and took a few steps away to examine the next door boutique’s window display, giving us the illusion of privacy while staying within eyesight.
The question was carefully casual, but my protective instincts immediately sharpened. After what Victor had put Penny through at the restaurant—the public humiliation, the territorial posturing—Sebastian had some nerve asking about my friend’s wellbeing.
“He’s fine,” I said, my tone cooler than before. “No thanks to the situation he was put in.”
Sebastian’s scent shifted, carrying notes of regret and guilt underneath warm amber. “I know. What happened at the restaurant was… Victor can be intense about boundaries.”
Intense? That was one way to put it. I thought about Penny’s description of the public verbal lashing, of Victor’s loud comments about “omegas who don’t understand their place.
” My friend might talk a big game, but underneath all that theatrical confidence and dramatic flair was someone genuinely inexperienced in the messy realities of adult relationships.
My fingers tightened around the leather strap of my messenger bag, knuckles whitening. “It was a childish way to act for two adult alphas, especially considering it was a date for charity.”
Sebastian's face reddened as I continued, my words slicing through the polite veneer between us. "You had every opportunity to speak to your husband before involving my friend.”
"You're right," he said, shoulders slumping as he heaved a dramatic sigh. "Mon dieu! But Victor just gets testy about these things, even when it’s just casual—"
“Penny’s not some casual fling,” I said, letting a hint of steel enter my voice. “He’s a romantic. He goes into things with his whole heart, expecting the best from people.”
Sebastian’s expression tightened with what looked like genuine contrition. "That's what made him so...”
He sighed, voice dropping to a gentle murmur. "Sa joie de vivre est comme un rayon de soleil dans un monde trop sérieux."
He gazed at me, understanding dawning that my blank expression betrayed my inability to comprehend what he’d just said.
"Penny's bright and warm, and sweet,” he explained, “but you already know that."
The admission hung between us, and I realized Sebastian was probably more invested than I’d initially understood.
But that almost made it worse. Two married alphas with their open marriage arrangements and history of affairs—they had no business dragging someone like Penny into their complicated dynamic.
“He deserves better than being caught in the middle of whatever issues you and Victor are working through,” I said firmly. “Penny might seem worldly, but he’s not built for games.”