Chapter 8 #2
He slowly pulled up his car outside the front of the store.
This was always the hardest part of a business reinvention.
He dreaded it in case the owner hated what he’d done to the store.
In truth, Ohpaua hadn’t been badly decorated but lacked personality.
Lacked that taste of divinity that the new up-market designs required.
Most of all, the store lacked the personal touch of its owner.
Breht had only been back in touch with Brierley for a few days, but he had an inkling of understanding about her.
He could only hope that he had captured it in the store.
As Brierley opened her side of the car, he took a deep breath.
He got out himself, and she had already stopped still.
Outside the front of the shop, there had been a run-down veranda; in place was a wooden frame with fairy lights dangling from it.
Wrapped around were faux ivory-coloured flowers that gave the renovated veranda an intimate appeal.
Dotted amongst them, a handful of vibrantly coloured flowers shone brighter, reflecting the colours of the para shells to be found within.
Her expression was already a picture, reflecting the beautiful colours of the exterior with its vibrancy.
He watched her put the key in the front door.
Not before taking in the sights of the canopy that displayed the store's name in delicate silver filigree, just like on the leaflets they had handed out.
She reached up to touch it with her fingertips, a disbelieving glance given towards the awaiting Orc.
“I can’t believe this!” Brierley whispered.
Breht wanted to cover her eyes as the key turned and she opened the door. It was only when she took a step into the store, with him close behind, that he heard her gasp.
“What have you done!?” She squeaked.
Her words were like music to his ears. She was clearly thrilled with how he had the place redecorated.
It was a lot brighter than when he’d first arrived, but rather than being stuffy and formal, there was a splattering of natural colours that broke up the stark white walls.
Potted plants gave the shop a natural vibe of radiant energy.
The legs of display chests had been painted in the rich colours of the paua shells and lined the walls of the room.
Leaving the centre displaying columns of glass cabinets, ready to show off her crafts.
The store looked affluent, but not at the expense of personality.
And, she adored it. She turned in a circle, stepping up the singular stair at the centre of the store.
Taking it all in. Basking in the glory of the renovations.
Then, her eyes fell on the workstation. It was undoubtedly her workspace, but shown in pride of place rather than tucked away in a corner.
Instantly, she sat in the high-backed chair and picked up a couple of her tools, rearranging them. The orc leaned against the side of it as she sat down, “A big part of the appeal of your wares is that they’re made here, by you. I thought we should make that a bigger part of the store, too.”
“Oh, Breht,” Brierley sighed. The soft tone in which she cooed his name sent a shiver down his spine, rekindling all manner of delights that he’d been trying and failing to suppress all day.
“This is… I don’t know how I’m going to repay you for all this,” she stammered, standing from her chair and hurrying to the other side of the desk. She threw her arms around his neck and simply hugged the large orc, resting her head on his chest.
For a moment, Breht simply held her, his arms wrapped around her waist. But as the seconds stretched, the embrace deepened—her fingers curling into his shirt, his hand moving to cradle the back of her head.
It was intimate in a way that went beyond gratitude.
She could feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her cheek, the warmth of him, the safety of his arms.
Then she realised.
Brierley pulled back slightly, just enough to look up at him. His dark eyes were fixed on hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. She could see the desire there, the tenderness, the way he was looking at her like she mattered.
Fear spiked through her chest.
She stepped back fully, her arms dropping to her sides. The sudden distance felt necessary, like a lifeline. Her heart was racing, and she couldn't quite catch her breath. This was too much. He was too much. The way he looked at her, the way she felt when he looked at her—it terrified her.
"I—" she started, then swallowed hard. "Don't think I'm not appreciative of all you've done for your little pet project. I really am. You're really turning things around for Ohpaua. But I just think we should keep things professional."
Breht looked at her and frowned, stung by her words.
Was that really what she’d thought? That he’d put his heart and soul into Ohpaua because it had been a hobby for him to try and turn her life around.
Maybe that had been the case when he’d first arrived, but now?
Her business meant as much to him as it did to her.
He didn’t know what he had been expecting.
But her words took the floor right out from underneath him; he was confused, as last night she’d been wanting more from him.
He assumed now that it was due to alcohol.
He could put on a brave face in front of rejection, but what she’d just said, he had to question: “Pet project?” The question ripped from him before he could mull over the words.
“Sure,” Brierley returned, though her spirits weren’t dampened by his accusatory tone.
“I mean, it’s Ohpaua that’s on the line.
In a few weeks’ time, you’ll be back at Merloft Corp and have forgotten all about what we’ve done here.
It’s a huge deal for me, but you do this all the time, right?
” She asked, oblivious to her scathing words.
Merloft was one of those big-name corporations; she couldn’t easily dismiss his motivations for making Ohpaua a success - higher rates of rent and investment percentages.
What was in it for Breht other than a bonus in his pay packet?
Tersely, he shook his head. He didn’t trust himself to reply.
It’s not like he wanted to return to the city and get back to pushing papers behind his desk, whittling away the hours unsatisfied.
He turned away from her, making his way to the front door.
“I’ll let you get on then,” he replied, professionally, just as she wanted.
“Breht?”
He looked back towards her with a smile painted behind his large tusks, professionalism, even though her words cut far deeper than she knew.
“You’ve got a store to fill, Brierley. I’ll let you work in peace.
Meet me in the park tomorrow morning?” He asked, “We can go over the plans for the relaunch?”
“Sure,” she replied, moving back behind her desk and picking up one of her perfectly placed tools. Eager to get to work on a few more pieces of her relaunch collection.