Haley Thistle
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Mancini the Pink Rakshasa (special preview)
🕑 Added 2022-02-05 22:00:03 +0000 UTCHis voice on the other end of the line was exactly what I needed to hear. I’d just quit my dream job and had been sitting in my own filth for a week. The phone rang to some strange number, and I almost cried when he spoke those magic words to me.
“I need your help.”
I hadn’t seen him in years, not since I wanted to take fashion seriously. We’d parted amicably but I still felt tension whenever I thought about him and what he could possibly be doing. Now, as I waited for him that crowded little cafe, I couldn’t even begin to imagine what he had in store for me.
“Can I take your order?”
The waiter approached just as my phone chimed with a message. “I’m still waiting for my friend to show up. I will take some more water though.”
“Just a friend?” The waiter’s voice took on a much more sultry tone. “Is that all they are?”
I looked up from my phone and into those striking yellow eyes. He was dressed in a waiter’s uniform and holding a tray in his hand. He swept the tray down to me, presenting me with a bouquet of flowers.
“It’s been a while, my little jewel,” he said. “I’m glad to see you’ve grown your hair out. It suits you.”
I was still in awe of his talent in presentation. I took the bouquet with a big grin and watched as he took a seat before me. “You haven’t changed at all, Mancini.” Which was, shockingly true. I’d know Mancini for ages, and all the time I had known him he had dyed himself a spectacular shade of pink. As a panther Raksahsa being born with albinism, he felt if he was going to stand out, then he really wanted to stand out.
Mancini smirked and leaned forward on the table with his elbows. “I wanted you to recognize me after all these years. So tell me, how are you?”
“I’ve been better.” I’ve forced it out rather than lying and saying ‘fine’. Mancini would have known I was lying and pressed further anyways.
His brow pinched. “What’s wrong. I thought you sounded strange on the phone.”
I had left him long ago in order to pursue a career I no longer had. Confessing this felt like an utter failure.
“Did someone assume your named was pronounced ‘bitch’ again?”
I shook my head. “No, no, that’s something I can get over. It’s that I uhm...I quit my job last week.”
His eyes widened. “You’re joking.”
“I wish I was.” I laid the bouquet down on the table. “It’s kind of hard to explain.”
“Let me guess.” Mancini opened up his top which removed the waiter uniform to a stunning green velvet blazer. “An old paramour stole your ideas, and now your former fashion house is claiming the two of you are still together and you’re selling their designs to her?”
My jaw hung open.
Mancini smirked proudly and gave me a wink. “How did I do?”
“You got it!” I gasped.
He chuckled and flicked the gold hoop in his ear. “I thought as much. So, how about we go back to your place and finish catching up?”
You furrowed your brow. “Then why did you have me come here?”
“So I could fill your apartment with gifts.” he stood up and offered his hand out to me. “I had to surprise you after all this time.”
I felt near tears as I took his hand. It had been so long, and I had denied how much I missed him. As soon as I stood, Mancini wrapped me in a firm embrace. “I’m glad we’re no longer strangers, my little gemstone.”
I took in a deep breath, smelling that same old cologne and I felt at home. “Me too.”
Comments
Can’t wait to find out how his “guess” was so spot on!
