3. Chapter Three
Chapter Three
Valentin
Valentin walked into the library with a firm grip on the wood planks he’d cut to size in the garage.
The fresh smell of cedar filled him with pride.
The Parkensons had worked him hard these past two months, but he’d proven his worth.
That was why Antoni had tasked him with repairing the shelves in the estate’s grand library.
Initially, the butler had been skeptical of his skill set, since he’d only recently turned nineteen, but Valentin had earned his respect.
Still, as glad as he was to have steady work, doubts about his future had crept in.
Throughout months of picking up odd jobs, he’d been so focused on finding something permanent that he didn’t really know what to do next.
What goals should he set for himself? He couldn’t stay on as the Parkensons’ handyman indefinitely, doing strenuous labor with no real opportunity for advancement.
Since leaving his parents’ home, he’d been so busy surviving that he hadn’t thought much about living.
He didn’t mind hard work, but the monotony was getting to him.
The only thing injecting any true joy into his life lately was a honey-haired omega who popped into his days like the brightest ray of sunshine.
An omega who looked up from one of the reading chairs as Valentin entered the library.
“Oh, hello,” Zeller said with a shy smile. “I didn’t know you’d be working in here today.”
Valentin arched an eyebrow. “No? You didn’t notice all my tools and the drop cloths on the floor? Also, I’m pretty sure I told you I’d be repairing the shelving this week.”
Zeller closed the book in his lap and held up his hands. He read more than anyone Valentin had ever met.
“Caught me,” he said, uncontrite.
Smiling back, Valentin asked, “Did you need something?”
“I wanted to talk more. Especially after yesterday. Since I read in here all the time, it’s not conspicuous.”
He didn’t have to elaborate on the need for discretion.
Keyes and Deveron Parkenson did not want their employees to be too sociable with their omega son.
Valentin had been warned as much by Antoni on his first day.
It was acceptable for them to speak in passing, or to engage in small talk—Zeller did that with all the staff—but his bosses would not approve of anything beyond those brief interactions.
They would not like how Valentin lingered in the kitchen while Zeller ate his lunch, or how he planned his outside chores around Zeller’s afternoon walks around the grounds.
And they definitely would not appreciate the way Valentin gazed down at the omega curled in the big chair.
Despite the risks, Valentin couldn’t bring himself to miss an opportunity to be in Zeller’s orbit. And it was obvious the omega enjoyed his company as well. They just had to be careful.
“What do you mean, ‘especially after yesterday’?” he asked.
Zeller’s expression brightened. “You talked about high school.”
“Oh, right.” Valentin guffawed. “My chem lab partner who set the counter on fire and tried to blame it on me.”
“Uh-huh.”
“You know I finished that story? The school called the fire department and the other kid eventually told the truth. Not much more to it.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Zeller sighed.
“I’ve spent so much time in this empty house, even when I had tutors.
I love hearing about public school.” He emphasized the word public with a hint of awe, as though Valentin had survived getting lost in the jungle.
“My brothers’ stories from private school are not nearly as interesting. ”
Valentin felt bad for Zeller, who brimmed with color and vibrancy and yet seemed to have been confined to this estate for most of his life.
The world had changed. It wasn’t perfect for omegas.
But it was a lot better than it used to be.
He didn’t know why the Parkensons treated their omega son the way he would have been treated a generation or two ago.
He only knew Zeller hated it, as much as he tried to keep a brave face.
Valentin shrugged. Maybe it was a rich people thing. The wealthiest citizens in the state always fought the hardest against omega rights.
“Alright…” Valentin began, assembling the wood in front of the shelving units. “If you liked the story about chem lab, wait until you hear about my swimming unit in PE. I had a classmate who was notorious for suit slips…”
Valentin spent the next hour talking about his classes and being on the yearbook committee.
The omega asked all sorts of questions about things Valentin thought were mundane, but Zeller found fascinating.
Did he get to leave campus to go to lunch with his friends?
Did he have a locker? Did he go to dances?
When the conversation turned to literature class, Zeller’s interest was even more pointed. What books were they assigned to read? Did the class discuss the books? Were they good discussions?
The exchange gave Valentin an idea. “What was the last book you read?” he asked.
Zeller picked up the hardback he’d been holding when Valentin came in. “This one. I just finished. It’s called My Summer by the Sea. It’s about a beta who travels across the state and all the people he meets along the way.”
“You said you’re done?”
“Yes.”
“Well, how about you loan it to me—I’m assuming your parents and Antoni won’t notice—and then we can talk after I read it?”
“Really?” Zeller sat up in his chair. “And no, they won’t notice. It’s one I keep in my room.”
“Just to warn you, I’m a slow reader, but I promise to finish. We’ll have to be careful of course—” His gaze darted to the library entrance. “But I’m sure we can find bits of time, like we have been.”
“Thank you!” Zeller exclaimed.
Valentin was playing with fire, but he was helpless to do otherwise. His inner alpha stirred, brought to life by the joy he’d given this omega.
Zeller bounced over and hugged him. It was quick, a hint of an embrace really, but it was enough to confirm for Valentin what he already knew.
He didn’t just like being around the Parkensons’ son. He was attracted to him.
Yet as Zeller stepped back with his eyes shining, Valentin couldn’t be mad about it. No matter how dangerous it was.
How could he deny himself this piece of brightness? And how could he deny Zeller the companionship he so obviously craved?
Valentin could control his baser desires. The omega was innocent, only eighteen. And Valentin knew better than to push for something he could never have.
An hour later, the damaged boards were replaced, and he had added decorative carvings to the shelves. He would sand and stain the wood tomorrow.
“It looks great,” Zeller said. “Where did you learn to do all this handyman stuff? Another class in school?”
“No. I’m the oldest of eight. My family didn’t have a lot of money, so every dollar had to stretch.
My papa taught me how to build things and take care of our house and yard.
Back then, it was annoying. Not a fun way to spend your weekends when you’re a teenager.
But now that it’s helped me get this job, I’m grateful. ”
Valentin didn’t think Zeller needed all the details about how harsh his upbringing had been.
After he graduated high school, his fathers asked him to leave the family home and provide for himself.
With their financial situation, college had never been in the cards.
They still texted periodically to check in, but those messages were growing fewer and farther between.
For all intents and purposes, Valentin was entirely on his own.
“I moved across the province and picked up temporary work until I saw an ad for this position three months ago,” he told Zeller.
“Well, I’m sorry your situation growing up was rough, but selfishly, I’m glad it led you here. Even though my fathers are difficult to work for.”
“It’s not so bad.”
Zeller made a face. “You don’t need to sugarcoat it. I know better than anyone how strict they can be.”
The Parkensons were demanding. Valentin worked long, tiring days, and the job only paid enough for him to rent a studio apartment in town.
“They are very exacting,” he said. “But besides striving to meet your parents’ expectations, there’s something else you and I have in common. Something more important.”
Zeller’s jaw ticked. “What’s that?”
“Since I got this job, I spend all day here and there’s not really anyone to talk to…other than you, of course. I’m sure you’ve noticed that the other staff are betas and they’re all a lot older than me. It can be a bit isolating.”
The omega frowned. “We are not the same. You get to go home at night. And you have Sundays off.”
Valentin sat down in the chair next to him. “You have it worse. No question. I’m just saying I understand—a little—what you’re dealing with. And I see how hard it is on you. To be honest, it’s wild that nobody else seems to realize how frustrated you are.”
“They don’t notice a lot of things,” Zeller mumbled. “Maybe Antoni and Asher do, and now you.”
More than anything, Valentin wished he could take the pain from the omega’s voice. “I hate that you’re so confined here. The world needs more people like you in it.”
“Like me?” Zeller pffted.
“Yeah. People who are smart and funny and easy to talk to—…You would have made a great chem lab partner.”
Zeller laughed lightly. “Thank you.” He stretched his arm out, almost placing his hand on top of Valentin’s before pulling back.
“It’s true. Like I said, obviously you’ve got it worse with your parents. I just relate to feeling…lonely.”
“I see,” Zeller whispered, and this time, his fingers landed on Valentin’s knuckles.
A cough sounded from the doorway. Valentin snatched his hand back, peering up to find Antoni.
Neutrally, the butler told Zeller, “I heard your fathers’ car in the driveway. You should go and get ready because they’re expecting guests. The agriculture minister and his husband.”
Zeller nodded, heaving himself from the chair. He tapped a slender finger on top of My Summer by the Sea, as though reminding Valentin to take it, then exited without another word.
Antoni walked over to the shelves. “This is excellent craftsmanship,” he said, running his hand along the wood. “The new pieces fit in seamlessly with the originals.”
“Thank you.” Valentin slipped the book into his pocket while the beta’s back remained turned.
“It’s interesting how they blend so well. Once you’ve finished, no one will be able to tell.”
“That’s my goal.”
The butler hummed. “It’s commendable that you always do your best work. But I hope you understand that, even if the old wood and the new wood seem perfectly in sync, they’ll never be a true match.”
Valentin froze.
Antoni turned around. “It’s fine for them to be side-by-side. The old wood has needed propping up for a long time. But it’s important that you never forget.” He captured Valentin’s gaze. “No matter what you do, you can never make it so they were cut from the same tree.”
Valentin nodded. “I understand.”
“Good. Be careful.”