Twin Flames

Chapter Two: Ready Or Not, Here I Come

Yuri always found comfort in the click of his camera. It was the one constant in his life—something stable, predictable. Photography allowed him to freeze moments in time, to capture beauty that others often overlooked. It was his escape, his passion, and the one thing that made sense to him.

Now, sitting on the edge of his bed, he found himself staring down at the packed duffel bag on the floor, his thoughts swirling. Tomorrow, he’d be staying at the Valentino estate. The Valentino family. Just thinking about the twins sent a shiver up his spine. Opulent, cold, unsettling. The images of Rome and Remy lingered in his mind like shadows.

His small apartment, with its cluttered corners and modest décor, felt like a far cry from the luxury he’d soon be walking into. It was a cozy space—nothing grand, but it was home. The walls were lined with photographs, each one telling a story. Some were vibrant, full of life, while others were black-and-white portraits that captured the rawness of human emotion. Yuri always found solace in his work, in seeing the world through his lens. When the world didn’t make sense, his camera brought everything into focus.

A soft meow pulled him from his thoughts. Yuri looked down at the foot of the bed where Rambo, his Persian cat, was stretching lazily, his wide amber eyes locked onto Yuri. The cat sauntered over and curled up beside him, purring contently as Yuri scratched behind his ears. Rambo had been Yuri’s companion for years, through every move, every rough patch, every success. And now, as he was preparing to leave for the estate, the thought of being without his furry friend tugged at him.

“I know, buddy,” Yuri murmured, running his hand along Rambo’s soft white fur. “I’m gonna miss you too.”

His phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling his attention away. It was Sadie, his closest friend, and the only person he trusted with Rambo. He answered, holding the phone to his ear.

“How’d it go with the Valentino twins?” Sadie’s voice came through, light and teasing, but with an undertone of concern. She knew how Yuri felt about the job.

“About as strange as you’d expect,” Yuri replied, sighing. “They're intense. Cold. Everything about them is… unsettling.”

Sadie chuckled. “You say that about everyone.”

“No,” Yuri shook his head, “this is different. They have this… presence. Like they’re constantly evaluating you, waiting for you to slip up.”

“Well, don’t slip up. Stay professional, keep your head down, and take some damn good photos,” Sadie said in her usual no-nonsense tone.

“That’s the plan. Though it’s easier said than done when Rome stares at you like you’re some sort of puzzle he wants to solve. And Remy… he’s always smirking like he knows something you don’t.”

Sadie paused, sensing the deeper worry in his voice. “Yuri, it’s just a job. A week, right? You’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, I know,” he muttered. “It’s just… I don’t know.”

“Listen, you’re the best photographer I know. Just do your thing, don’t overthink it, and you’ll get through it. And don’t worry about Rambo. I’ll come by first thing in the morning and spoil him rotten while you’re gone.”

A small smile tugged at the corners of Yuri’s lips. “Thanks, Sadie. I owe you one.”

“You owe me more than one. But we’ll talk about that when you’re back,” she teased before her tone softened. “Seriously, though, just be careful. I know how you get when you’re stressed, and I don’t want you spiraling.”

Yuri’s smile faded slightly as he glanced around his small apartment. “I won’t. I’ll keep it together.”

“Good. Now go get some sleep. You’ve got a big week ahead.”

After saying their goodbyes, Yuri hung up and placed the phone back on the nightstand. He leaned back against the bed, staring up at the ceiling. The soft purring of Rambo beside him brought a sense of calm, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the Valentino estate.

Everything about the job felt like a dream—a chance to capture high-end photographs, work with an esteemed family, and get his name out there. But there was something dark and unsettling beneath the surface, and it gnawed at him. The way Rome and Remy had looked at him. The strange energy in the estate.

It was as if the Valentinos weren’t just hiring him for his skill but to draw him into something far more complicated.

He shook his head, trying to dismiss the feeling. It was just nerves, he told himself. A new job always came with anxiety, especially one of this magnitude. But still, a part of him couldn’t shake the dread that was settling deep in his gut.

Yuri stood and walked over to the closet, double-checking the contents of his bag. His camera, lenses, spare batteries, memory cards—all the essentials. Photography was his life, his passion, and it was the only thing that made sense to him. No matter what happened at the Valentino estate, he could rely on that. Through the lens, everything was simple. Everything was controllable.

Rambo hopped off the bed and padded over to him, rubbing against his leg. Yuri knelt down, scooping him up in his arms. The cat’s soft purring reverberated through him, soothing the nervous energy building in his chest.

“I’ll be back soon, Rambo,” Yuri whispered. “Sadie’s going to take good care of you, okay?”

The cat stared at him with those wide, unblinking eyes, as if sensing his unease.

Yuri set Rambo down gently and closed the bag, zipping it up with finality. The weight of what tomorrow would bring settled on him, but for now, all he could do was prepare. He walked over to the window, gazing out at the quiet street below, the dim glow of streetlights illuminating the pavement. The world outside seemed peaceful, almost detached from the swirling thoughts in his head.

He knew the Valentino estate would be nothing like this. It was a different world—one of wealth, power, and hidden secrets. And Yuri wasn’t sure if he was ready for it.

But ready or not, tomorrow it would begin.

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A/N: Anybody got a cat, and what's its name? While I do love cats, I have a dog named Stella. Heh. Stay tuned, and vote and comment! ♡