Devoted: Chapter One
"Hello," echoed the voice of a young man, as he peeked inside the room.
A sweet scent filled the air, beckoning the visitor into the area. As he closed the door behind him, he marveled at the warm colors and the exotic aesthetics of the little shop. He liked the change from his bustling city life and enjoyed the comforting glow of the lights bouncing off the furniture.
He took off his hat and held it timidly in one hand. His brown eyes roamed the room slowly and his lips grew into a soft smile. He didn't expect Chinatown to have a pet shop, yet here he is. It was unique, almost as if he stepped through into another dimension.
"Ah, a new customer," said a soft voice from behind a screen.
The visitor faced the direction of the voice and saw an elegantly dressed man smiling at him. He was wearing the same traditional Chinese clothing he saw in one of the shop windows on his way here. However, judging from the fabric and the style, the visitor knew this man's dress was either custom made or one-of-a -kind. He smiled at the customer and pulled back the screen he came from.
"Welcome to my pet shop," said the store owner.
"Are you Count D," asked the visitor.
"You have me mistaken for my grandfather," said the store owner. "I am merely keeping this shop for him."
"Oh, but are you still able to help me," asked the customer. "A friend of mine told me this pet store can help me."
The store owner remained silent, his smile unchanging. After a few moments' assessment, he slowly nodded his head.
"Of course," he replied, beckoning to the table behind the pulled screen. "Would you like some tea?"
The customer paused momentarily before smiling shyly and accepting his offer. He walked over to the couch and was shocked to see an animal move from under the couch to the back door. He brushed it aside as he took a seat. Of course, there would be animals roaming around inside a pet store.
"Do you keep all animals in their cage," he asked, just to make sure.
The pet store owner merely smiled as he placed a tea cup in front of him. The visitor thanked him and stared at the array of mini tarts and petit fleur on a dessert stand.
"My daughter has been very lonely lately," said the visitor, peering over his small teacup. "She would look out her window and sigh all day. We recently moved and she hasn't made any friends, yet. I believe she's being bullied, but she won't tell me."
The pet shop owner was sitting silently across from him, enjoying the flavors of a fruit tart as it danced on his tongue.
"If you would, could I purchase a pet to keep her company. Preferably, one that's not too big to prevent it scaring away potential friends. But, also not too small, so we can find it in the house if it goes missing."
The pet store owner placed down his empty plate and picked up his drink. He pondered a bit as he sipped the warm tea.
"Also, if possible, I don't want an animal with fur," said the customer, scratching his head with an embarrassed smile. "I can't stand the thought of animal fur around our new house. I'd feel fine if there were feathers or scales, since they're easier to clean up."
"I may have just the thing," he said, looking carefully at the customer.
He then smiled and stood up.
"Please, follow me."
After a while, Count D showed the customer to the store front. It took a few convincing, but the customer was able to bring out a covered birdcage.
"Are you sure this bird is safe to raise," came the repeated question from the customer's lips.
"I assure you," said the count, with a wide smile, "that pet is perfect for your daughter."
The customer smiled uncertainly before reaching for the doorknob and opening the door. When he walked out the door, he saw a figure of a person walking towards the shop with dark brown sunglasses. Count D stood at the open doorway to bid the customer farewell, but his interest was piqued by the newcomer.
"Are you Count D," asked the new customer, looking up at the Chinese styled double doorway.
His coat reached his knee, fluttering with the autumn wind. His blonde hair was covered by a black beret, but the ends of his hair framed his face nicely, complimenting the slope of his jaw. He smiled at Count D. The customer with a birdcage stood for a while before continuing his way home. Somehow, there was something familiar about this new customer.
"Would you like to come in," asked the count.
"Preferably, yes," said the new customer.
Count D moved to the side to allow him in. The customer looked around the room as the count closed the door behind them.
"This is a pet store," he asked.
"Yes," said the owner. "Are you looking for a specific type of pet, Mr. Jun Liang?"
The customer was silent for a while, before he chuckled softly. He took off his hat, smoothing back his hair, and took off his glasses to reveal bright green eyes.
"You know," he started to say, "I never understood why disguises are necessary when people could tell who you are."
"Oh, it wasn't because your disguise was unnecessary," the count said with an apologetic smile. "Your billboards are very hard to miss when one strolls around the city. You have my condolences for your sister, Mr. Liang."
Again, the customer chuckled softly. "It's been years, but thank you."
"Are you looking for a pet to replace her," count D asked, as he lowered his eyelids a bit.
The celebrity was silent for a while before smiling. "I suppose I am," he said.
The count gave a soft smile and walked towards the back door. "I have the perfect pet for you. Follow me, please."
The celebrity went through the door with the count and looked around. There were many rooms in a long hallway and he could hear music coming from some of them. They stopped in front of the fourth door and the count opened it for him to step through. He shrugged and went into a brightly lit white room. A wall was missing, leading into a lush garden with a river and waterfall. Again, the celebrity shrugged. He wasn't going to question how he stepped from the city into a field.
He leaned against the stone table and was about to ask the count a question, when he suddenly heard wings flapping and turned to see a blur of blue flow from what looked like a robe. A few feathers were floating softly to the ground. He picked up one and marveled at the dull sheen running down the length of the arm length blue feather.
"Count," he asked, twirling the feather between his thumb and forefinger, "what animal am I being shown exactly? This feather's gigantic."
"It's simply a blue jay," the shop owner said with a smile.
Again, there was a streak of blue that passed the celebrity's peripheral vision. He turned his head to catch a woman looking directly at him with big brown, innocent eyes. His breathing nearly stopped when he recognized the face looking back at him. Her long brown hair was tied up into a high ponytail, flowing over the table she was sitting on. She had blue wings that softly flapped with her breathing. Her white dress was wrapped around her shoulders, tied with a dull red sash, under a blue top. She tilted her head curiously.
"Are you… an angel now," he asked, reaching out to her slowly.
As soon as his hand drew close, she flew back up, only to stand on the far end of the table. He withdrew his hand and a flash of pain drew across his face.
"You are mistaken, Mr. Liang. She is only a blue jay." The count smoothed the woman's feathers.
"Of course," the celebrity breathed out. "Of course, white wings would be too bland for her. Angels could choose their wings from somewhere else, right?"
The count merely smiled at his remark. "I must warn you, she is slightly sick for the time being. If you like her, please wait for at least a—
"No, I'll…" The celebrity paused a while before continuing. "I'll take her home with me today. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it."
"As you wish," the store owner said, bowing his head a bit. "Then, I have a contract for you to sign before I release this pet in your care."
"A contract?"
Mr. Liang looked down at the stone table to see a form he never noticed.
"Yes, a contract. It states the details you need to know, but you must follow three important guidelines for the care of this bird."
"She requires exercise in a roomy area everyday," Mr. Liang read from the paper. "She must eat fresh berries and grains… Do not let her out of your sight for longer than a day…"
The count smiled. "Yes. Remember to abide by the guidelines."
The blue jay sneezed softly and her wings ruffled up against her body. Mr. Liang looked up at her before looking back at the paper and signing his name on the line. The shop owner smiled and his eyelids lowered slightly.
"If I may ask, what do you choose to call your pet, Mr. Liang?"
The blonde haired celebrity looked back up at the blue jay, who was smiling sweetly at him now. He smiled back, almost looking through her, and responded in a voice that was barely audible.
"Jay."
Comment: I've been feeling tired from being sick lately, so bear with me for the next chapter or so… Thanks in advance.