He answered, nonchalantly, while looking into her eyes. The kids giggled at their lovey dovely pose. Mahina felt bashful as she was gently trying to move his hands away from her waistline. One of the kids there giggled and said;
"Aunty why are you taking uncle's hands away from your waist?" The little boy hid behind Alba's long legs while looking at Mahina shyly. One of the kids standing by Mahina's side answered him with a cherry voice, saying:
"Don't you know? I heard the sisters say a newly wedded bride is always shy in front of her groom"
"Oh! so that's why!" The boy behind Alba's leg responded.
"I understand now!" The little girl in Alba's hands nodded when she answered.
"I am not shy and we are not getting married at all" Mahina answered quickly in her defense. All the kids there including Alba laughed at Mahina'
After sharing the food and playing with the kids for a while. Mahina said her goodbyes to the orphanage matron and some of the Rev. Sisters working there, Alba just kept watching her with a smile from the corner. When she was done with the sisters she held Alba's hands and went away to the car with him. Alba and Mahina left the orphanage and were on their way to the beach. While seated in the car Alba rested his head on his knuckles while looking at Mahina nonstop unconsciously. When Mahina noticed she exhaled and asked;
"Why do you keep gazing at me with that funny smile on your face?"
"Oh I was looking?... I didn't even realize" he continued staring at her even after claiming he wasn't looking at her.
"Oh forget it!" Mahina crossed her legs and ignored his continuous stare. After a little while Mahina smirked and said to Alba with a bright smile:
"I love the beach!... I use to go there frequently as a kid in the past. I and my mum would play there until sun down and she use tell me stories about water creatures and I use to believe her. I find it hilarious now because no matter what anyone tells me I don't believe in any of those stories. Can you believe it? In one of her stories she told me that there was a girl who traveled to the moon and got imprisoned by the sun god. Ha ha ha ha… those were beautiful moment for me and my mother. I love this part of nature because it holds treasured of memories. The ocean is beautiful and vast and yes I consider it to be one of the seven wonders of the world. Scientifically speaking without it there will be no life on earth. I mean, can you believe that there's a whole other world down there.
The ocean to Mahina, reminded her of the beautiful moments she spent with her mother. It held happy memories for her.
At their arrival Mahina ran up and down the peak of the ocean. She felt the air in her face and smiled at the beautiful feeling. A long lost feeling. She sat in front of the ocean and gestured for Alba to sit close to her. They sat there silently and watched the waves. Alba didn't complain. He didn't say anything. All he did was to gaze at Mahina's face. when the moon came out, Mahina stood up from the ground and pointed at the moon;
"It's the must humble of all stars. Never seeking attention. never attracting attention. She is just there glowing; in ways we may never understand. She doesn't hurt you when you stare at her for too long, she understands humanity better than anyone else. She is accommodating, compared to the sun." Alba hugged her from the back and asked;
"What about me? Am I like the moon?" somehow, Mahina couldn't lie to Alba, she found herself telling him the truth of what she thought about him:
"No! you are like the sun"
Alba stared at her for some time without moving with a cool calm face. She in turn was staring back at him with a puzzled face without moving or saying anything as well. He exhaled and asked her:
"So! You're saying that I have no humanity and I am proud?" Mahina looked at him and remembered all that happened throughout the day. 'He didn't even eat the food she bought for him with her hard earned money, he looked uncomfortable at the slumps and he doesn't even like kids, for goodness sake, who doesn't love kids? They are adorable' Mahina couldn't say where the guts came from but she answered, confidently at that.';
"Yes!" Mahina noticed how Alba's face turned dark. It was as if she had woken up a demon from deep within him. The man always had that terrifying aura, the kind that could make you shiver from your bones to your whole body. He was handsome but his aura was dark. She became conscious of what she had blurted out and to whom.
Whatever she said must have hit the wrong button for this man to change from his cool face to a terrifying one in a matter of seconds. She thought to herself. She turned her back swiftly to him and bit on her nails as she awaited his words. Alba walked to where she was standing and stood beside her. He had his hands in his pocket and a mischievous smile written up his face.;
"Interesting! You are quite gutsy I must say..." he took her curly hair in his hands and felt the texture before letting it slip through his fingers. Looking into his eyes she asked:
"So have I passed the test?"
Alba answered her with a smug face.
"Not quite... you have not"
"What?" she asked him perplexed.
"I am not convinced... I asked you for the seven wonders of the world... not the seven obvious mysteries of the world" Alba smirked and thought to himself. 'what an emotional freak' he wagged his head as he turned to leave. 'Nature, life, food, music, children, ocean and moon. Pffft I don't think so. Although it's fascinating that she included the moon. How is it possible that I ignored all the disrespect coming from her... Funny enough I am not riled up by her. She must be one lucky silky kitty'
"Come on! I gave it my all..." Mahina pleaded
"I was entertained while it lasted though…Not my problem! Meet me by 9:am sharp for my verdict" Alba left Mahina alone by the beach. Frustrated and disappointed. She cussed him inwardly. As she took the walking path out of the beach.
Mahina arrived home late that day after Alba left her stranded on the beach. She had to walk all the way from the beach to the streets before she could get a cab. On her arrival she grumpily went to into her room without saying anything to Dora. Even though Dora had been waiting for her.
Dora was concerned but she knew better than to confront her abruptly. Dora was still confused as to why Mahina looked agitated and wondered what happen to make her irritant, she got lost in her thought. When suddenly Mahina slammed her door open and started ranting';
"The nerve of that man!... can you believe it?" Dora was still in shock by her sudden reaction. She remained quiet looking at Mahina riled up
"He failed me! He said my seven wonders of the world are the seven mysteries of the world!" Dora wagged her head in response to Mahina's ranting. And mentally said to herself: 'just when I was thinking of how to pacify her, I guess I don't need to think too much again… by the way whatever that man said must have gotten to Hina deeply.'
"He left me by the beach alone... I mean anything could have happened to me right?" Dora glanced at her and finally answered;
"But nothing happened to you! Right?" Mahina looked at Dora shocked by her nonchalant response to her. She was surprise because it was unlike her friend to be nonchalant about matters that concerns her safety.
"Are you supporting my tormentor" Mahina looked at Dora quizzically. Dora smiled and raised her hands in the air to calm Mahina down.
"No! I am just saying… he doesn't look like the kind that will derive pleasure in your misery" Mahina walked away from Dora into her room and murmured before she angrily slammed the door.:
"It's not like people go around screaming, I am a bad person, do they!" Mahina yelled as Dora flinched at the loud sound of the door.
"It has been a while since I last saw her this irritant."
Dora flipped the page of the novel she was reading and asked herself:
"Where was I again before Hina's interruption… oh I remember…" Dora continued munching on her snacks and reading her novel.
***** ***** ***** *****
Alba was seated with his friends Arlo, Axel and Ford in Dark Haven, night club. Ford was looking agitated;
"Why did you guys call me out here! You know I hate places like this..." 'wow... dude calm down... it's not yet party time and you are riled up already?" Arlo mocked him...
"Hey! Hey!... calm down guys... so a little birdy told me the almighty Alba was dragged around town by non-other than a plain Jane." Ford looked at Alba shocked, while Axel and Arlo cackled;
"I know it sounds weird but... I don't know why, something about her draws me in... she even kissed me randomly...can you imagine that? and without my permission for that matter. Although, surprisingly I was not riled up... I usually give the orders... right?
"I get it, but with her it's like she is in control and your heart won't let you go against her, right? She is different! Right?" Arlo explained what he understood from Alba's words and the other guys there couldn't help but to turn and look at him.
"Right! She's just an existence out of this world. She feels like a fairytale too good to be true…" Alba closed his eyes and all he could see was all the beautiful different facial expressions she made throughout the day.
Ford looked at him closely with his bright pretty grey eyes. He rested his head on his knuckles and examined all of Alba's facial expression and gestures, to see if he is telling the truth or not.
"Did you use your quirks on her?" Ford asked curiously while sipping his wine casually.
"What makes you think I would do that?... is there any lady worthy enough for me to use my quirks on?"
"Well… this one sounds worthy enough" The place was silent for a while with all the guys staring at Alba for his response. Ford crossed his legs and said:
"Typical Alba I guess. He loves to dominate, to be in control… So naturally I would think that… and with his silence right now I believe I am right for thinking that way." Alba looked at Ford complacently. Axel and Arlo cackled at Alba and Ford's conversation.
"Well yeah I might have used my power on her but none of it worked. She was just being herself throughout the day."
"What exactly did you try on her?" they all turned again to stare at Alba.
"Nothing serious. I just tried to read her thoughts but I couldn't."
Ford got lost in his thought about Alba and the new girl he was talking about;
' He couldn't read her thoughts?... Alba? he got dragged round town by her? By a plain Jane for that matter! Something must be up. I will look into that girl. She is definitely not the everyday girl; I know Alba to hang out with.' He wagged his head and said;
"See you guys around, it's about to get busy and noisy here…" they waved at him and Alba smiled evilly as he watched Ford exit the club.
"That's it...go do my dirty job Mister Alba's spy." Alba knew that if he told everything to Ford's hearing. He will become curious and investigate Mahina. Which is what he wanted but didn't want to do it all by himself. So he decided to say it, so that someone who is assigned by the royal family to keep an eye on him would know it and do the investigation.
****** ******** *******
"Girls! Are we ready?" Darla asked anxiously.
Ava, Emma and Darla looked amongst themselves. Then Ava answered determinedly';
"Yes! We are! Let's go!"
The girls left the Reyes Mansion for 'Elites health Media' on their individual power bikes. They were all wearing black leather Jacket and trousers with boots to blend with their plans. When they arrived they all hid in the alley around the corner.
"Guys how are we going about this?" Ava asked.
"There's no need to rush let's just observe from the corner" Emma took out her binoculars and surveyed the building. Then she said:
"There's no sign of her here… let's wait a bit, I am sure she will show up soon."
The girls were all looking at the entrance of Elites health Media from a narrow corner of the building. They were waiting, patiently for Mahina to arrive.
Ever since they saw her on news interviewing Alba. They haven't had a moment of peace from their mother criticizing them. Darla on the other hand couldn't get over her jealousy. So, they've made it their goal for her to be sacked from work. While they were waiting patiently, Ford arrived on a power bike as well and parked at the far end of the building. He was also waiting for Mahina.
Shortly after Alba's arrival, Mahina arrived in a cab. She rushed into the building and hurried into the Manager's floor and requested to see the Manager Mr. Luther. After she was granted audience, the secretary ushered into mister Luther's office. When she entered the office, she noticed that the office chair was facing the window wall, so she couldn't see the person's face. she thought it was a good idea since it will be difficult to express herself with the manager looking at her';
"Good day mister Luther. I am sorry to disturb you by this time of the day but it's urgent. I know this is sudden... but I really need your help. I know this may sound unreasonable as well and it's in no way related to work but I am hoping that you would be understanding. Just the other day I was called from Mexico by my cousin and told that my aunty Rita's health condition has deteriorate…" she sniffles and sobs.
"She's dying mister Luther and she wants me to come over and spend her last days with her. I know it's work ethics never to associate family with work but you look like an understanding man and I am hoping you could make an exception for me. Aunty Rita has been more than kind to me since I lost the two most important people in my life. I want to give back that kindness even if it's a little.
I was wondering if you could write me a good referral letter to Stan-zee media in Mexico. Since I was able to successfully interview Mr. Alba. After all I still need to work in order to support my aunty Rita until her last day. Please mister Luther show me a little kindness. Doing this will give me peace of mind..." The place was silent, Mahina was becoming anxious as to whether she was able to get through to Mr. Luther or not. Then she heard it, an icy cold voice, the one that made her shiver from deep within. Suddenly she looks around in fear';
Paragraph comment
Paragraph comment feature is now on the Web! Move mouse over any paragraph and click the icon to add your comment.
Also, you can always turn it off/on in Settings.
GOT IT