(No worries! I can skip forwards.)
Elias expected no more and no less from his carefully managed schedule. Sure, he made ample space for changes and unexpected events throughout the day, but he relied heavily on the backbone that was his schedule. He reluctantly pulled himself out of bed every day before the sun rose, considering a day where he slept in a few hours an indulgence he rarely did. He put on his outfit of the day, usually something academic but comfortable and usually picked out the day before. The only thing he kept until the last minute was choosing accessories to accompany the outfit. He then appreciated the sunrise with a cup of tea or coffee, depending on the energy he needed that day before making breakfast. He usually opted for something heavy with protein and maybe something sweet. After breakfast, he'd leave for work, always leaving early with the mindset that early meant that you were on time, on time meant that you were late, and late meant that you were fire and should have never showed up.
Every few months, he'd be called to help with a book launch or assist an author in their final stages of publishing, going in person to meet with them and go over the last details before the final drafts of the novel were sent to the publishing agency. On days like these, Elias usually abandoned his regular schedule and created a sort of itinerary for himself each day he'd gone. It wasn't as structured as he was used to but he did recognize having variety in life was healthy, especially for someone as type A as himself so he didn't let himself worry all too much.
Elias, being the punctual man he was, had scheduled his arrival home between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. This allowed him time to relax, unpack, eat, and go to bed reasonably before his day back at the office. As much as Elias planned and prepared his entire life to be as perfect for himself as possible, as much as he wanted to come home to an empty, comfortingly dark home where he could just fall back into his routine, that was unfortunately not the case. Elias didn't even have to look up at the awaiting home with a warm glow coming from within to know his plans of a peaceful night back were out the fucking window. He walked past the signature black car, nodding to the driver before climbing the stairs to his home. He could smell Ainsley and very faintly Ray, but the other two scents he couldn't place. Great, so there were at least three people in his home uninvited, none of which he particularly wanted to see right now. Without even trying the handle of his door, he stepped inside, carefully taking off his shoes by the front door. He jumped slightly as he felt something rub against his leg, a small kitten, grey and still fuzzy. He reached down and scooped the small thing up, glad the Ainsley hadn't seen him yet. He rounded the corner of the front entrance, entered the main living space, and was immediately met by Ainsley and the two strangers. Ainsley sat on the couch, as comfortable as if this were his own home.
"Alpha?" Elias greeted, cradling the kitten close as he took in his uninvited guest. As tired as he was, Elias was fairly certain this wasn't something he could just brush off until morning. His gaze swept over the alpha and then to the two strangers. Now that Elias was closer, he recognized one as an omega, reeking of sex and an overly sweet substance he couldn't quite place—perfume or some sort of oil. The omega was pretty, dark-skinned with striking blue eyes, his makeup slightly smudged from crying. Elias couldn't tell without getting personally close and he wasn't about to do that. Especially when he saw the Beta towering behind. A statue of a man with an equally emotionless expression. Most likely to keep the omega here, or to keep him safe Elias couldn't tell.
Ainsley stood and tipped his head to Elias, narrowing his eyes at the kitten Elias still held close to his chest. "How was the trip? He asked plainly to which Elias only shrugged. "Good, productive" Something easy, something that would please the alpha, detils were unnecessary and undeserved when there were strangers in his home. "Ainsley who are they?" Elias asked, nodding toward the guests.
Ainsley immediately brightened, gesturing towards Ollie. "I've found you an omega, Elias. Isn't that wonderful?"