Fate Untraveled

The next morning, Kai woke up to the soft sound of birds chirping outside his window. The sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across his room. He sat up slowly, feeling the weight of the events from the day before pressing down on him. The memory of Vallentino, his touch, the kiss—they all felt so vivid, as if they had happened just moments ago.

Kai rubbed his eyes and sighed, trying to push away the confusion that still lingered. What is going on? he thought to himself. Why do I feel like there's more to this than I realize?

Downstairs, the smell of breakfast filled the house, and Kai could hear his mother humming as she worked in the kitchen. He took a deep breath and walked down the stairs, determined to shake off the lingering doubts.

“Morning, Mom,” Kai said as he entered the kitchen.

“Good morning, sweetheart!” His mother smiled brightly, placing a plate of pancakes on the table. “How are you feeling today?”

Kai hesitated, taking a seat at the table. “I’m okay… I guess.”

His mother eyed him closely, clearly not convinced. “You’re still thinking about yesterday, aren’t you?”

Kai nodded, his fingers tapping on the edge of the table. “Yeah. I met someone, and I don’t know why, but it feels like I’ve known him forever. He’s the bakery owner, and his name is Vallentino. But something about him just feels so familiar… almost like we’ve met before, or... like I should know him.”

His mother paused, setting down a mug of coffee before sitting across from him. “Vallentino, huh? That’s an unusual name. Tell me more about him. What was he like?”

Kai tried to focus, his mind still reeling from the encounter. “He’s... charming, but also kind of intense. And when he looked at me, it felt like he was seeing right through me. It was like he knew me… but I don’t know how.”

His mother’s eyes softened, and she leaned back in her chair, as if considering something. “Kai, have you thought about what it could mean? Maybe you’ve met him before, or maybe there’s something more to this connection than you realize.”

Kai bit his lip, unsure of what to make of her words. “I don’t know, Mom. I’m just... confused.”

“You’ve been through a lot recently,” she said gently, standing up and walking over to him. She placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay to feel lost. But sometimes, things happen for a reason. Maybe this is just another piece of the puzzle that you’re meant to figure out.”

Kai looked up at his mother, his heart heavy with doubt. “What if I can’t figure it out? What if it’s all just a mistake?”

His mother smiled softly. “You’ll find your way, Kai. Just take it one step at a time.”

Kai nodded, still uncertain. He didn’t know what it was about Vallentino, but something told him that this encounter was far from coincidence.

After breakfast, Kai decided to head back to the bakery. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed answers. Maybe, just maybe, Vallentino could provide them.

As Kai walked through the door of the bakery, the familiar chime of the bell above the entrance rang out. The bakery owner, Vallentino, was behind the counter, his golden eyes flickering up as Kai entered.

“Ah, it’s you again,” Vallentino said, his voice low and smooth. He gave Kai a small smile, but there was something in his eyes that seemed deeper, as if he was hiding something.

“I... I need to talk to you,” Kai said, trying to keep his voice steady.

Vallentino raised an eyebrow. “Talk about what?”

“I don’t know how to explain it, but when I met you yesterday, I felt like I’ve known you for a long time. It’s like... we’ve crossed paths before,” Kai admitted, his heart pounding in his chest.

Vallentino’s expression shifted, his smile fading as he stepped closer to Kai. “You really don’t remember, do you?” he murmured, his voice almost a whisper.

Kai’s eyes widened in confusion. “Remember what?”

Vallentino looked around, as if making sure no one was listening. “I knew this day would come. I was hoping you’d remember me sooner. But... it seems like fate is playing its hand again.” He took a step back and crossed his arms, his golden eyes never leaving Kai. “Kai, there’s more to this story than you know. I didn’t just meet you by chance. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Kai’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean? Waiting for me? I don’t understand…”

Vallentino took a deep breath, his expression serious now. “You’ll understand soon enough. But right now, we need to be careful. There are things happening that you’re not ready to hear. Just know this: you and I... we have a connection. A deep one. And it’s not just a coincidence that we found each other again.”

Kai felt a chill run down his spine. “What connection?”

Before Vallentino could answer, a voice from the back of the bakery interrupted them.

“Hey, Vallentino! Someone’s here to see you!” one of the workers called out.

Vallentino gave Kai one last look, his golden eyes filled with a mixture of regret and longing. “I’ll explain everything when the time is right. But for now... just trust me, Kai. I’ll be waiting for you.”

Kai stood frozen, his mind spinning with the new information. He had no idea what Vallentino meant by their connection, but one thing was certain: he wasn’t going to get any answers today. But somehow, he knew that this was only the beginning of a much bigger story.

As Kai left the bakery, his thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and curiosity. What had he gotten himself into? And what did Vallentino mean by their connection?

It seemed like he had just stepped into a world filled with secrets—and he wasn’t sure if he was ready to uncover them. But one thing was for sure: his life was about to change in ways he couldn’t even imagine.

To be continued

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***