Slices of Orange - Prologue
Prologue
As one of the more popular candy stores in the city of Chi’an, JP Confections often sees a steady crowd, whether they’re here for the candy or to catch a glimpse of the owner. Jared Padalecki is proud of it. He loves candy, and there’s nothing quite like the sense of satisfaction he gets when a customer asks for more of the daily special. It’s homemade, and candy is really the only thing he knows how to make with any skill, so it always feels like he can do at least one thing right in the kitchen.
“I’m making burgers for dinner,” Gen is telling him over the phone as he juggles talking to her, ringing a customer up and keeping an eye on the children in the store.
“You’re the best.” He grins. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
They say their goodbyes and hang up as the next customer pays, and it’s a whole half an hour before the crowd thins out enough for him to catch a break. It’s almost closing time, so he starts packing up and cleaning what he can as the remaining customers slowly trickle out. He’s tallying up the day’s sales when someone comes up to the counter.
He looks up. The man has green eyes that look almost gray under the brim of his hat and a long coat despite it only being the end of summer. They’re alone in the shop.
“Hey, my lucky last customer for the night,” he greets cheerfully. “What can I get you?”
“Are you… Jared Padalecki?” His name sounds odd on the man’s lips, unfamiliar. “The owner of this shop?”
“Yeah. That’s me. Why?”
The stranger looks around surreptitiously, as if making sure that they’re still alone, then lifts the front of his hat.
Jared forgets to breathe.
He never thought he’d see ears like those again, the feline ears of a Chatri.
“It’s Misha,” the man answers quietly, and Jared’s heart skips a beat.
“Misha,” he echoes, standing. It has been five years since then. Five years with no news, of only praying that Misha was safe and happy, five years of thinking he’d never hear that name again. “Misha,” he repeats softly. Five years and an amazing girlfriend, and even now, the name gives him pause, makes him rethink that engagement ring he just ordered. It’s not fair, he tells himself, but he’d never missed the other any less. They made a promise once, and he only wishes he had to power to do more. “Tell me,” he pleads. “Where is he?”
The Chatri nods, letting his hat drop to cover his furry gray ears. “He wants to see you.”
~ Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Epilogue ~