Thomas drove past several stores, but none of them were open. His eyes were red, heavy with exhaustion, as he tried to stay focused on the road. He yawned loudly.
"For the last time, no shop is open," Thomas muttered.
Atticus frowned. "We have to find one, Thomas."
Thomas groaned. "We've been driving around for hours. We haven't found anything."
Atticus leaned back and lightly hit his head on the seat. He sighed, defeated.
"I guess there's no shop available…"
"Wow. Thank you for stating the obvious," Thomas said with a shrug.
Atticus hissed under his breath and looked out the window.
"Let's go back," he mumbled.
Thomas frowned but shifted the car into gear and turned around toward home.
He looked at the raarview mirror and noticed Atticus's saddened face. He frowned in frustration. Why was he so serious about this phone and it was unlike Atticus. He was a man who lives a carefree life, he doesn't really take anything seriously nor does he become emotionally attached to anything. But now he was suddenly getting attached to a silly thing like a phone.
"Was this a symptom of his immunity? Or was he gradually caring for things like a human?" Thomas whispered.
He sighed and turned the car back.
Atticus widened his eyes in shock.
"What happened, why are you turning?" he asked shocked.
"Because... Because... Fine I will take you somewhere, dumbass," Thomas muttered in frustration.
"Really, you know a place," Atticus yepped in joy as his golden eyes sparkled.
Thomas shook his head and giggled as he watched Atticus's excited face.
"I guess vampires can be excited like humans," Thomas mumbled as he focused back on the road.
Atticus smiled as his earlier excitement resurfaced. He had never had such feelings before and he felt good.
Soon they stopped at a store. The store sat squeezed between two dull buildings, but its glowing sign made it stand out. Bright blue lights outlined the name Mobile Hub, flickering slightly like the shop was tired but still trying. The glass door was covered with stickers of different phone brands, some peeling at the corners. Inside, warm yellow light spilled out onto the pavement, and a display of shiny phones stood in the front window, arranged neatly on glowing shelves. It looked small, quiet, and a little old—but open.
Atticus came out of the car before Thomas did, watching the door of the store like a child who had been promised candy.
Thomas walked up to him. "I know, by your standards, it's not much, but—"
"It's perfect," Atticus said happily. "What are you waiting for? Let's go," he added as he walked toward the door.
Thomas stood there, surprised. "What the hell," he muttered, scoffing.
Atticus smiled as he entered the store. Inside, the store was small and brightly lit, with glass cases on both sides displaying phones and accessories. A faint smell of plastic and metal filled the air. At the back, a cluttered counter held tools and half-opened phone boxes, and a soft hum from charging devices echoed through the room.
Atticus moved around the store like he was in an amusement park, trying to take in everything around him.
"Sir, do you want to get a phone?" a woman's voice asked from behind him.
Atticus smiled and turned, his face gradually came into view. The woman threw her snacks and drink on the floor as his handsome face came to her gaze. She widened her eyes and mouth in shock as she froze on the spot.
Atticus smiled, unperturbed by the woman's reaction. "Yes, I want to get a phone, the best if I must say," he replied in a low tone.
The woman drooled as he spoke, her gaze once on his eyes, dropped to his lips. She bit her lower lip as she watched him speak. Every time he parted his lips to speak, she felt flustered.
"What the hell, he is so handsome. How can a man be this perfect. Is he a god or something," she thought.
"Excuse me," Atticus said but the woman still hadn't responded.
"Excuse us," Thomas shouted. The woman fell backwards but Atticus caught her fast. His hands slipping around her waist with speed.
"You okay ma'am," Atticus asked.
Her face turned red instantly. "Yes... yes... yes I'm..." the woman stammered.
As she looked at him closely still in his arms. She stayed awhile.
"Ma'am I think you should stand now," Thomas said. Atticus nodded. The woman scoffed.
"Sorry, sorry," she said and stood up.
She smiled. "So what phone do you want, welcome to mobile hub, forgot to say that," the woman said flustered.
"Yeah you did," Thomas said sarcastically.
"I will be picking a phone," He said.
The woman nodded and directed him to the shelf, taking one glance at Atticus.
Atticus heaved a loud sigh.
A few minutes past, it took a while but then Thomas walked back to him and handed Atticus a phone.
"Here's, the phone you've been asking for," Thomas said. Atticus quickly took the phone and smiled.
He scanned the phone like it is a new toy for a kid.
"It's seems you really needed a phone sir," the woman said as she watched Atticus.
Atticus nodded. "Yes I did," he said and turned to Thomas. "Where is her number,"
"Huh," Thomas muttered in shock as it dawned on him. Atticus thought immediately he got the phone, he would have her number.
"Aha, oh God! What've I done," Thomas exclaimed.
Atticus stretched out his phone as he waited for Thomas's reply.
Thomas gritted his teeth. "Welllll... funny story... I don't think that's how phone works, you still have to ask her for her number," Thomas said giggling.
Atticus's face suddenly turned serious. "What?" He shouted.
Thomas scoffed. "Oh, what I was I thinking," he mumbled to himself.
"Does that mean you are not taking the phone? There's no refund sir," the woman said.
"What the hell do I need the phone for, then?" Atticus asked.
Atticus giggled. "Oh God,"
Meanwhile, The man in black was watching them the whole time.
"What the hell is wrong with him," The man standing beside the man in black said.
The man in black sighed.
"What do we do now my lord," The man asked.
The man in black sighed. "Tell them to begin," he mumbled.
The other man nodded and took out his phone and dialed a number. "Proceed," he said and ended the call.