Echoes of the past

Kai woke up the next morning feeling uneasy. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, especially after his encounter with the bakery owner, Valentino. His heart raced when he thought about the way Valentino had grabbed him, the look in his eyes, and the kiss that left him breathless. Kai didn't know what to make of it, but one thing was clear—it was no coincidence that they shared the same name.

As he got ready for the day, his thoughts kept drifting back to that moment. Was it possible that this man was somehow connected to the Valentino he had known? Was this all just some strange twist of fate?

Kai tried to push the thoughts out of his head and went about his day. He returned to the bakery later that afternoon, hoping to work without distractions. As he entered the shop, he was immediately met with Valentino's piercing gaze. The older man's golden eyes seemed to watch him intently, as if he were trying to figure out what was going through Kai's mind.

"You're back," Valentino said with a smirk. "I didn't think you'd show up again after our... little encounter."

Kai hesitated but tried to keep his composure. "I needed the job," he muttered, avoiding Valentino's gaze.

Valentino chuckled softly. "I see," he said, moving closer to Kai. "But I think there's more to it than that."

Kai's heart skipped a beat as Valentino's proximity made him feel nervous. He wanted to push the feelings away, but the pull toward Valentino was undeniable.

"Look, I'm just here to work," Kai said, trying to brush it off. "Nothing else."

But Valentino wasn't buying it. "You're lying, Kai," he said, his voice dropping to a low, seductive tone. "You feel it too, don't you?"

Kai's face flushed as he tried to back away, but Valentino stepped closer, his hand on the counter beside Kai. "I know you feel it," Valentino repeated. "It's more than just a coincidence. We’re connected, Kai."

Kai's pulse raced, and for a moment, he couldn't find the words to respond. Everything in him screamed to run away, but at the same time, there was something magnetic about Valentino that he couldn't deny.

Before he could speak, Valentino smiled again, his expression softening. "You’ll understand soon enough," he said, before pulling away.

Kai was left standing there, heart pounding, as the realization slowly began to settle in. There was more to this story than he understood, and he was about to find out just how deep the connection between him and Valentino truly ran.

Kai couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was at play. The way Valentino had looked at him, the kiss that felt like it belonged to another time—it was all too familiar, but it didn't make sense. How could this man, who looked so much like Valentino, possibly be connected to his past? Kai had no answers, but his heart couldn’t stop racing whenever he thought about it.

As he worked at the bakery the following day, his mind wandered back to the strange encounter. Valentino kept his distance, but the tension in the air was palpable. Every time their eyes met, there was a spark—a connection that neither of them could deny.

At the end of the workday, as Kai prepared to leave, Valentino called out to him.

"Kai," he said softly, his voice serious now. "Before you go... there's something we need to talk about."

Kai turned slowly, his heart beating faster as he faced Valentino. "What is it?"

Valentino studied him for a moment, his golden eyes searching Kai's face as though trying to find something hidden beneath the surface. "You don't remember me, do you?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of sadness.

Kai's breath caught in his throat. "I... I don't understand," he stammered. "I don't know you. Not like that. And I don’t even remember what happened the other day."

Valentino took a step forward, his gaze never leaving Kai's. "We were together once. In another life," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You don't remember, but I do."

Kai's mind was spinning, his thoughts racing to try and make sense of Valentino's words. "Another life?" he repeated. "What do you mean? This doesn’t make sense. How could we have been together if I don't remember anything?"

Valentino sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair as he looked at the floor for a moment. When he met Kai's eyes again, there was an intensity in his gaze that sent a chill down Kai's spine.

"I don’t know how it happened," Valentino said, his voice low and heavy with regret. "But I know what we had, Kai. We were meant to be together. And I won't stop until you remember. You’re the one I’ve been waiting for."

Kai felt a wave of confusion and fear wash over him. "But why now? Why all of a sudden are you telling me this?"

Valentino stepped closer, his hand gently reaching out to touch Kai's arm. "Because I can't hide it anymore. Not from you, and not from myself. The truth is, you're not just some stranger to me. You never were."

Kai was speechless, his mind still trying to catch up with everything Valentino had just revealed. His emotions were a whirlwind, torn between disbelief and a deep, unexplainable pull toward this man.

Before he could say anything more, Valentino continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know you’re scared, and I know it’s a lot to process. But I'm not going anywhere. I’ll help you remember. No matter what it takes."

Kai opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. The bakery was silent, the weight of Valentino's confession hanging in the air between them.

And for the first time, Kai couldn’t tell if he was ready to run... or if he was ready to face whatever past was waiting for him.

To be continued

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