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i had kissed those lips, azul thinks distantly.
a handsome man stands outside of the cafe shop he's in. a tall gentleman who looks straight out of any fashion magazine. he's looking for someone. while exuding an elegant demeanor, his sharp almond eyes almost look bored. that man resembles his twin brother in that moment, azul chuckles to himself.
maybe seeing him here, in a faraway country, makes azul's heart tremble slightly. in a very distant memory he once knew that man intimately. but that was a long time ago. they are now strangers.
who he's waiting for or what he's up to now is not my business, nor my place to care. i lost that right ages ago. azul finishes his coffee, but he leaves from a different door.
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azul sees that man again. this town is not big to begin with so it's unavoidable. it's not famous either. what does such a man want here?
after just a short few days, he becomes quite famous with the young ladies in town. azul heard them giggling, telling their friends about that fine gentleman. some of his customers were chatting about that man too. heard he was looking for his lost lover. a sentimental romantic tale for the curious young hearts.
azul was amused. that man is like the young prince in the old myth, coming to every town looking for the girl who captivated his heart. but unlike the good prince, that man lies all the time. there is no use believing the stories coming from his charming lips.
seeing his back from a distance, again, feels odd. sometimes azul unconsciously holds his breath like that man would turn around and look at him any moment. he doesn't. azul breathes in, and out. he turns away from the window.
there was a time long ago, just fresh after he left, that azul saw that man everywhere. he did not actually see him of course, azul is a man of his words, but he saw that man in every tall person passing by. he saw that man in the elegants suits displayed at the clothing store. he saw that man in the tea he drank. he saw that man in the late night shadows at his own shop in closing time, embracing him like he did back then. that man is like a lingering pain of losing one's limb, and he is a ghost who lives in azul's heart.
azul thought after all this time he had forgotten, but the pain that was asleep then is awake now.
he stands outside of azul's shop door.
"good evening."
one of his employees blushes profusely, opens the door for him. the man is led into the shop. azul has a beautiful antique store here, not that it's his only business of course, but this store is one of his prized collections. as he sits calmly after the counter, his heart beats fast. that man looks straight at him. his eyes have never wavered.
"my. looking at an old friend with such a cold attitude. you deeply wound my heart."
his employees exchange surprised looks. how unprofessional.
"i have come for you, dear azul."
this is getting out of hand, azul frowns inwardly.
"jade leech. what business do you have here in my shop?"
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"i believe i have done my end of the deal. i don't see why you should be here."
azul starts. jade is still smiling at him, locking the door after him to make sure no one is listening. a habit just like back then, azul thinks, then stops himself from going further.
jade does not sit on the sofa. he stands next to azul and he stares at him silently. it's like he's not a customer but azul's own assistant. azul pushes him away.
seeing those eyes too close is too overwhelming.
"be honest. what do you want?"
jade takes his hand and leans closer. what a troublesome guy.
"azul, tell me the terms of the contract again."
azul looks at him in suspicion.
"...i would not meet with you again for 5 years. you shall learn what it takes to run your family's business. after 5 years it is your choice to choose what to pursue."
it was most likely because his father believed azul had confined his sons for too long, a playtoy too interesting that it kept them preoccupied from what truly mattered. but he also did not forbid them their right to choose. azul understood his thoughts. their little pretend game would come to an end soon anyway, and he wanted to say goodbye, to let them go as gracefully as he could. it was unfortunate he had to leave urgently sooner than scheduled, so he left them a letter. he sometimes wonders if they had discarded it.
jade leech, looking just like the ghost in his heart, gently smiles at him.
"father was right," azul raises an eyebrow, but jade continues: "i was too blind to see what is most important to me. he gave me the courage to chase after it. i finished the end of my deal too, azul. i made a choice. i chose the thing i have always treasured the most."
azul widens his eyes, hastily tries to make an escape. but it is too late. the moray eel who is good at waiting has taken out a bite.
"i am here to collect you, my dear azul."
he underestimated jade leech's obsession.
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i had kissed those lips, jade thought.
a beautiful man sat in the coffee shop. his silver hair glimmered under the morning sunlight, his cute lips were pressed together, his ocean blue eyes were so focused on the book he did not notice jade's staring. such carelessness. jade was both pleased and frustrated. so relaxed and carefree while i'm searching the world for you.
he stopped himself from the urge to reach out and take the man right then and there. after all the search and finding, now he just had to wait a little more. he needed azul to feel his shadow in his heart again. he needed the right time to hunt his prey.
azul must have noticed him, but he didn't do anything.
he left from a different door. cute.