Crypta and I did quite a lot of things today beginning by eight-right after I had breakfast with their family-with our training sessions. He was brutally strict today, I tell you.

Simply put, Crypta didn't care; I just had to get in shape.

I had successfully avoided having a conversation about the bandage around my legs. I made sure my joggers were long enough to cover my legs. It felt non-existent now, truly. I just had to wait till the mark would fade. Nilsa had said it would take a week.

Sweat was dripping down my forehead, sometimes touching my eyes so I had kept them shut. I was just finishing my last squat set while Crypta was standing there, watching me somewhat sadistically.

I blinked off that thought.

He threw me a wet towel and a bottle of water which I caught instinctively. I muttered a thanks, sat down and took a sip of the water. I then proceeded to calm my face with the wet towel, soaking up my sweat alongside.

"It's already a little after twelve, Emerald. Would you rather have lunch with our family? It begins in forty-five minutes." Crypta sat beside me, propelling both legs forward.

"I don't think I can wait. Plus, I'm sure my mum or Rowan left something."

"Aha, I wanted to talk about that," he reminded me and walked to his weapon ledge. He picked up a small long knife with a silver handle and grazed his finger along the blunt side. "Why did you leave your house that early? Not only did you miss school-"

"We could be on a holiday and you wouldn't know that," I defended immediately, not caring whether or not he took this as a serious issue. "I mean, aren't you happy to see my eagerness, enthusiasm to learn-?"

"Catch!"

"Huh?" I turned and the knife was swinging right at me, ready to slice my forehead. I pushed my head back, just as Crypta had thought me, and placed my left hand on the floor for support, never letting my gaze on the knife fall.

It was only a few inches from my face when I caught it; the tip of the knife was in between my thumb and index finger. "Crypta, what was that supposed to mean?" I yelled and flung the sharp object to the floor, watching it slide back to him.

There was a positive smile on his face. He bent to pick up the knife when it finally stopped at the rubber sole of his canvas shoe. "I taught you well."

"I could have been killed, Crypta." I stood up now and walked right to him. "What if, somehow, I didn't get it?"

"But you did." His face was cheerily and chivalrous, all at the same time handsome and annoying.

"You're not getting the point-"

"See the point is..." He dropped the knife back in place and turned my back so that I was resting against the wood of his ledge. He rested his right hand limply on my waist while his other hand went beside my head, against his ledge. "You did get it and you weren't killed. I wouldn't throw it if I didn't think you've learned so much and so well... from me. I trust you, isn't that what you want me to do?"

"What if I missed? What would happen then?"

His grip on my waist tightened, his eyes strictly taking in mine. "I'd never kill you or let you die, Emerald. When we'd be fighting and somehow a Zadio has you cornered, I'll know that all I have to do is to throw you an object, and I'll trust you to catch it and aim it right at your opponent, killing him. Then I'll tell you that I'm proud of you."

The thought of killing someone made me shudder. But not as much as Crypta's hand moving up, my shirt rising slightly to make way for his hand.

I watched my hand move up and rest against his chest as if pushing him away. Except, my hand rested on his well-sculpted pectoral muscles hidden behind his shirt. His fingers moved up slowly in a rhythmic pattern: up above my lower abdomen, right to my side, a little up again and there at the small of my back.

He pulled me forward and his left hand left the wood and hugged me instead. He buried his face in my neck, I could feel his unregulated breathing pattern on my neck.

"Ami tahon am'el tart-egharo tun," he whispered in soft breaths against my ears. [I think I'm falling in love with you.]

Goosebumps came up my skin. "What did you say?"

"I said..." He pulled back and rested his eyes on my coral lips. I didn't even realize when they parted slightly. "I think you should leave. You said you couldn't wait?"

"Um... Oh, I said that." My brain was still trying to race back to a normal pace. "I think this Mehjazgeu is going to finish," I brought the can out and scanned it. At least that way, I wouldn't have to look at Crypta.

But it didn't take my mind off what just happened.

"The what?" He snapped with a tone of surprise.

"Mehjazgeu. Did I not get it?"

"You did. It's pronounced Mehja-ZGEU though. Emphasis on the second syllable. How did you know the name?" He did not sound bothered by what happened a few minutes ago. Seriously?

Whatever happened.

My thoughts didn't even think about telling him about the Asterions; I couldn't bring myself to say it. Instead, I said, "Oh, I went to Bhishon. You remember when I asked you to let me walk around?"

His eyes took in my information keenly. "Emerald, you seriously walked to Bhishon?"

"What can I say? Humans are quite unpredictable. Or should I say athurhen?" I sprayed my potion - the Mehja-zgeu - and walked out.

***

I checked Rowan's and mum's rooms. Both were empty.

I peeped into dad's room, somehow expecting him to be there, with mum and Nora and Rowan. Then he'd tell us 'April Fool! I never had another family!'

His room was empty, pretty much, if all the nonhuman touchables in his room did not count.

From the corridor, the lights of the living room were off and the kitchen door was closed. I waltzed to the kitchen and opened it. There was no one there, just a piece of paper on the worktop.

It was Rowan's writing. I read the note, taking in the most important information:
Had an awesome night with your 'boyfriend'? Idiot.

I've put some chicken stew in the fridge which you can microwave, I walked to the fridge, brought out the plate and threw it in the microwave. I assume you've already come in through the backdoor (took a lot of will to leave it open for you... thank me later). He was still so clueless.

Mum's gone to see Clark. She says you should drop by after school if you get back from school. Yes, I told her you were having a sleepover with Sandra. If you're going to leave the house, then next time take your key with you. I'm not covering for you next time, Emerald Prudence Scother. I rolled my eyes and undid my ponytail. My hair fell back. I folded the note and placed it on the counter not wanting to read more.

At least he didn't use any swear words in his letter. There was no way I was visiting my... Stepfamily. Rowan loathed the idea; I did too.

I locked the backdoor as he instructed me to, put the microwave to stop before heading upstairs to enjoy the best one-hour bath in a tub.

I hurried down an hour later in a purple sleeveless gown and wedge sandals. My denim jacket rested on my shoulder and my small purse on my right as I unlocked the front door with my key and got out, greeted with no sun and the darkening cloud.

It was a teeny bit chilly and I concluded that it must have snowed last night. It all felt unusual; I was getting used to the regulated cool temperature of the training room, the field, and the house underground.

I locked the door and walked out and onto the curb. Usually, I took a taxi but I wanted to enjoy the calming air brushing against my bare legs.

I arrived at the wide rectangular tawny shop soon, without feeling the slightest bit tired. Mister Pat's was boldly written just below the roof, with two cups of coffee hitting each other. Just what I needed.

Francesca was serving a table when I got in. The moment she noticed my presence, she gruffed but did not say anything. She went into the kitchen. I followed and grabbed my apron which was hung on the nail.

"Hey," I greeted, trying to sound polite. "Is everything okay here?"

She didn't reply, just took a tray of buns and made to walk out. "Let me help you with it?" I gestured to her but she turned and my elbow hit the tray. Het grip loosened and the tray fell to the floor, the buns bouncing and rolling around. "I am so, so, so sorry." I bent to pick up the tray and tried to gather all the rolling buns.

I felt my hair being dragged to make me get up and it worked. Soon, I was facing Francesca's copper eyes. "Are you crazy?"

"I said I'm sor-"

"Hold that for better times. If you're just going to come here whenever you want just 'cause you've been given special conditions by Mister Jupeng, I don't care. But don't get in my way of working you hear me?"

"I said I was sorry, Frances-"

"Don't call my name. Get this place all tidied up and prepare double of what you messed up." She turned and got her phone out of her tight jeans. "I'm calling Mister Jupeng and letting him know about this. The cost is gon' be deducted from your stupid time-based wages. And wear a hairnet while cooking, miss."

I didn't say anything. If she was going to be jealous of the agreement between Mr Jupeng and me, then I didn't owe her an explanation. I got this job because Mr Jupeng and dad were old friends. He happily offered me the job even with all the circumstances of me not being present most weekdays because of school and all. Mr Jupeng did not mind giving a job to his ole friend's beautiful daughter.

What I think though is that this shop was still developing-still is-and so letting in an extra person who does not expect high payments is only a financially-wise decision.

I got out the flour and began to sift it while Francesa and her boss talk on the phone. I knew my boss wouldn't make any conclusions without asking me first. I smiled imagining the look of horror on Framcesa's face when Mr Jupeng would tell her that it was just a clumsy little mistake.

Then I felt horrible nursing those kinds of thoughts. I shook my head and transferred the sifted flour into another bowl.

Almost three hours later, I had finished arranging the doughnuts in the vertical glass display. I poured myself a coffee from the espresso machine and set it on the worktop. The shop was empty and even Francesca grabbed her bag, gave me an angry once-over and headed to the door.

"Giving you the privilege of closing this place today. Don't mess it up," and with that, she clutched her black hand bag and walked out. "I'll be back in an hour though."

I sighed, took off my apron and hung it on the nail. I turned off the light and walked out of the kitchen, grabbing my coffee, taking a doughnut off the display and heading to one of the brown chairs. I sat down, got out a book from my purse and got comfortable. I ate a piece from my doughnut. I flipped pages.

I took another bite just as King Isnaul walked through the door. The bell rang as he opened the door and met me right there, eating what I hadn't paid for.

Of course, he didn't know that.

.

Enjoying the story so far? Drop a vote then!