The Gloaming

Chapter 8: Hopeless Romantic

Two days later... Padalecki Mansion... 46 Days to the Fade

Jensen, Chris and Steve were surprised at how comfortable Jared's home was. They each thought it would be some big, white marble monstrosity filled with things they wouldn't be allowed to touch, but the only thing that lived up to their expectations were the servants and the touches of modern high-tech gadgets all over the place; from the voice operated lighting, small video comms set into the walls near the entrances of every room they passed through, to the obvious care and money that went into the high-end homey décor.

Their jaws dropped when Jared led them into a parlor that looked like a posh bar straight out of a 5-star hotel. Rich, mahogany paneling everywhere, hunter green carpeting with gold threaded patterns near the monstrous dark brown leather sectional where there was also a 70 inch telescreen hanging from the ceiling, with every game console and reel player known to man lined up neatly on shelving below it, a massive stone fireplace at one end of the room and the beautiful hardwood flooring in the rest of the space.

Chris was impressed with the 12-foot-long fully functional bar made out of what looked like the same wood used for the walls. It was highly polished, shining like a gem, and on the mirrored wall behind it were shelves and cubbies filled with every type of alcohol and the mixers to go with them, as well as the multitude of different sized cups and glasses on display.

Steve, however, was drawn to the corner where there was a set up for an actual 4 man band. Drums, microphones, guitars, percussion instruments on more shelvings. Steve walked up to it like he'd walked into his own personal heaven then turned to gape in amazement at Jared, who was smiling at their antics, while Jensen just stood near the couch, looking dumbstruck.

Chris hugged the nearest beer tap and groaned happily. Sandy walked in, saw him and laughed.

"Having fun?" she asked him.

"Forget Ackles, marry me instead, Jared." Chris pleaded.

Jensen growled at Chris, stepping forward to stand in front of Jared. Jared laughed and wrapped his long arms around Jensen's shoulders. "I think my mate here might have a problem with that."

"Then will you two adopt me after you consummate? I know Jensen's gonna wanna have kids."

Steve left the little stage and walked over to Chris to smack the back of his head with one hand.

Chris yelped, more out of surprise than pain. "Yo! What the hell was that for?!"

"Dude, that's stuff they need to discuss, not for you to just blab out like you've got a bad case of verbal diarrhea."

Sandy's face scrunched in disgust, while Jared laughed aloud. His infectious laughter wiping the scowl from Jensen's face, bringing a soft smile to his lips.

Jared's laughter quieted as he glanced at Sandy then looked back at the door. "Where's Chad? Didn't he come with you?"

"He couldn't make it. His dad had to fire the manager for the Sky Mall outlet and Chad had to step in and take over until a new one they can trust is found. The manager was stealing from them; can you believe it?"

"Your friend has a store in the Sky Mall? Pretty swanky, guy must be loaded."

"His father owns the stores. But Chad's following in his footsteps and when he takes over, the Murray Music legacy is gonna reach new heights, Chad is that smart." Said Jared, loyal to his often irksome but equally loyal friend.

Chris and Steve both choke. Steve on the beer he'd just taken a sip of and Chris on nothing but his own hastily indrawn breath. Sandy pounds Steve's back as he hacks and coughs, trying to expel the beer he'd inadvertently inhaled. Chris regained his composure and stared intently at Jared."Your friend is the son of Walter Murray? CEO and owner of Murray Music Label, Murray Productions and Murray Music Empire stores – the biggest music mogul on the entire planet?!"