Chapter XXXI: Partners

“You can’t leave. We have talked about it already, remember? I told you, you are just allowed to go to the university. No more monkey business. I thought we both agreed with this?” Mamita’s eyebrow creased as she looked at me without any hint of smile on her lips.


“But, Mamita… that’s my responsibility. I won as the Best Hunter so I’m automatically involved in their missions.” I sat in the chair next to her as I am trying to hold her hand.


“Then back out, Amaris! Release that title!” She closed her eyes and leaned back on the sofa. She’s dismissing this conversation already without hearing everything yet.


I felt sorry for her, I know she is tired and I am just adding to her burden but I have to do this. I have to get her permission.


What’s the purpose of my abilities if I can’t use it to help the others?


“Drop it and go to your room now! I have to take my rest as well!” She stood up and was ready to leave me when Mr. Bear spoke up.


“Let her join the mission, Madame. She can protect and take care of herself,” he said with no doubt and was still able to bow to pay his respect to my grandmother.


“Don't interfere with us, Mr. Bear! Let me talk to my granddaughter alone!” Mamita’s voice started to raise.


I immediately got up and followed her as she walked towards the stairs.


“I’m joining the mission, Mamita. Let me decide for myself." I looked at her straight in the eye and I could clearly see the sharpness of her gaze towards me, that almost made me step backwards.


I’m still not used to her being mad at me, but I have to stand with my decision. In my whole existence, I have done nothing for the creatures in our world, and now that I have given a chance to provide help, no one can stop me.


She gritted her teeth sign that she’s now mad but I didn’t withdraw my gaze.


“You learned to disobey now, Amaris!”


I want her to understand my point. I… just want to help.


Mr. Bear went between us. He smiled at me before facing Mamita.


“Amaris spent years following your every decision, Madame... Yes, you did let her out of the house, but she still feels trapped inside because of the limitations you’ve given her. Please, let her have her own freedom and experience what the creatures in her age can freely do.” Mr. Bear didn’t even flinch as he started with his statement.


“It is sad to say that you never notice what she sets aside just to obey you. It's always you, before anything else… even it means forgetting her own happiness.”


I was surprised when he talked to Mamita. I didn’t expect him to talk about it either. He used to be contented in listening and following Mamita’s orders, and this was the first time he didn’t agree with her.


“I know I have no rights to talk and go against your decision, but I also care for Amaris. She’s like a daughter to me and all I want is her happiness. I want her safe, but I also want her to experience the things she missed when she was kept inside this mansion. Please give her some freedom, Madame… Amaris has a mind of her own and she can decide for herself,” he added, making me cry.


My lips quiver as my eyes started to sting. Mr. Bear never failed to make me feel that he cares for me. He always made me feel that even though I didn't have a father, he was there for me to consider him my own father. That's why I can't help but to feel hurt whenever he's looking down at his own self. I couldn’t bear to let other creatures down and ridicule him.


“Thank you so much, Mr. Bear. You know how much I love you…” I gave her a tight hug and gently wiped away the tears before facing Mamita again.


“I am sorry, Mamita. I'm sorry if I defy you now, but that doesn't mean I don't love you anymore. I want to stand with my decision because I know that's the right thing to do.” I held her hand and gave her a faint smile. If Mr. Bear fought for my freedom, I will do the same for myself.


“I just don’t want you to get hurt, Amaris. I don't want anything bad happen to you when you join that mission.” Her voice trailed off as she looked down.


The last thing I will do is to hurt her feelings but I have to fulfill my duty.


“I promise that I will take care of myself. Please give me some freedom, Mamita. Let me do what I want, please?” I didn’t know I was coming to the point where I had to plead for my freedom to decide for myself.


I saw her tears and her soft nod. “I’m sorry if Mamita was sometimes hard on you. I really love you and I can't afford to lose you.” She hugged me and so did I.


I can’t help but shudder when I remember the conversation that took place between me and Mamita last night. I don’t know how long I begged her to let me come along. Fortunately, Mr. Bear got my back and help me explain everything, and he deserves my unending gratefulness.


***


At exactly two o'clock in the morning I arrived at our meeting place. Mr. Bear send me here and left when he made sure that everyone’s here.


"We are now complete, so shall we proceed to the most exciting part?” It was Tanya with a very big grin in her lips as she looked around us. She went to the center excitedly.


There are ten of us here in front of the university. Each of us has a separate bag with our own belongings. Everyone was wearing thick clothes. We haven't left yet but I'm feeling cold already.


“I think it's better to move with partners. We will still go there as a group, but it would be better if you have a partner,” she started, moving her eyebrows up and down as if she is planning something… fun?


"How can you move fast if you have a partner?" Stephan replied as a grin crept from his lips afterwards. “I guess you just want me to be your partner, huh? Okay… I’m all yours.”


The others let out a loud laugh and started teasing the two of them, but they just received a death glare from Tanya.


"Dream on, and just let me beat you into pulp, assh*le!” Tanya snorted at him, but the latter just continued laughing.


“I understand Tanya’s point. There is a possibility that one of us might get lost while we’re on a mission, it would be nice if everyone had someone with us. With our number, we won’t notice who was left behind. When by partners, you will focus more on your partner and of course on the purpose of this mission. You two will protect each other, but still don't forget that we will move as a group," Drake explained.


I agree with his explanation. Hopefully I will be teamed up with Sanya or Tanya, since I am closer with them than anyone.


"Are we going to choose the partner or do you have a gimmick?" Ashton said and can’t help but to burst in laughter when Tanya took a container made of bamboo from her bag.

“Of course, I'm ready!” She giggled and winked at me as her eye caught my direction.


"Since the numbers of us girls and boys are equal…” Tanya approached us holding the bamboo container.


“The names of the men with us are written on those sticks. The girls will pick one, and whoever you draw will be your partner for the entire duration of the mission.” She winked at me once again and I couldn’t understand what was that for.


"You really have a lot of gimmick, twin." Sanya who’s next to me, laughed at her twin sister. Tanya just stuck her tongue out.


The others started picking a stick and I just let them get finished before taking the last stick in the container. I was about to look who I got when I heard Tanya screaming. I think all the sleeping creature were awakened because of that.


“What the hell? Why am I so unlucky!” Tanya stomped her feet as she looked at Stephan, while the latter excitedly hugged her.


"I got Ashton." I heard Carmel said.


I tightened the grip on the stick I was holding. I don't know but I'm nervous.


“I’ll just go to Jasper, beautiful. He is my partner…” Sanya whispered to me before kissing my cheek and saying goodbye. I saw her quickly approach the man and I was left here starting to get nervous.


"Marcus is my partner." Amalia shriek. There is a wide smile in her lips as she clings on Caden’s arm while her other hand is still holding the stick.


I looked at Caden who was now looking at me without any hint of happiness in his face. His eyes were black and I don’t know if it’s anger I am sensing from him.


I averted my eyes for my heart is starting to beat abnormally just by mere looking at him. I just walked to where Drake is. I didn’t look anymore my stick because if everyone already had a partner, it meant Drake’s name was engraved on the stick I was holding because he wasn’t being called yet.


"Oh, so Drake is your partner Amaris?" Tanya greeted me and held my hand holding the stick.


“Oh, it’s a fake news! Marcus is your partner, pretty!” She almost announced that to everyone as she gently pushed me in the direction of Amalia and Caden.



My forehead knotted and out of confusion, I looked at the stick I was holding and there was no other name written there but Marcus.



Why is that so? I thought Amalia got his name? Does it mean we both got Caden as our partner?!


"Drake is your partner, Amalia. Why are you there next to Marcus, huh?" Tanya’s lips curve as she pulls Amalia away from Caden.


I'm not looking at him but I could feel his steady breathing, opposite of mine. My chest was pounding hard as if my heart is trying its best to get out of my chest. I feel like it will explode anytime.


I turned to Amalia who’s now giving me death glares, while Tanya keeps on pulling her towards Drake.


"Next time, look at the stick first before going to someone else, Missy…" I was startled when that deep baritone voice whispered to my ears. I feel like all my body hair has lifted because of that.


W-what?


I looked at Caden with widened eyes. I could no longer move when he grabbed me by the waist and gently guided me into the car.


Oh my Moon Goddess!


I don’t know how to breathe properly as of the moment. I promised Mamita that I would take care of myself, but how could I do that if I felt like I was going to lose consciousness because of the man next to me now?