Ace’s Point Of View
“I’m not going back Ace, and that is final!”
I couldn’t believe it. I took a step closer but he didn’t step back. He was staring at me dead in the eyes, as if challenging me to say one more word. He was different. Yes, he was the same Riaz but there was something about him that seemed different. His hair was longer. Made me remember the first time I saw him. He had such long hair that I admired it every day back then.
“Riaz, I…”
“Is everything okay here?” Someone asked from the doorpost. I turned and saw him. What was his name again?
“Devan,” Riaz said and I hummed in realization. Yes, Devan. The one who saved Riaz. I should say thank you to him for taking care of Riaz for me.
“We are okay.” I said.
“Oh… I just heard some noise so I thought -”
Riaz shook his head. “We’re really fine, Devan. Let’s go. Weren’t we planning to prepare breakfast?” Riaz walked up to him and linked his arm with his. Why would he link his arm with Devan’s? What’s going on here? Devan glanced at me before they stepped out.
I scoffed loudly in disbelief as I took a seat on the bed. Riaz snapped at me and then linked his arm around that Devan guy? I huffed and took off my clothes to change into the new ones I was provided with. I looked at myself in the mirror. My hair needs a good trimming. It has grown longer over the past couple of months. I left the room and joined the others by the fire. Riaz and Devan were by the stove, cooking, while others occupied themselves with different things.
I took a seat beside Dandelion on the bench, my gaze not leaving Riaz and Devan.
“So that’s him, huh?”
I turned to her. “Huh?”
Dandelion sat up. “That guy is the reason you’ve been refusing my advances, right?”
I said nothing.
“Your silence tells me what I want to know.” She said and I looked away from her. “But you see, Ace. I don’t think the little guy is for you.”
I turned to her. “What do you mean?”
She recrossed her legs and replied, “You said the little guy fancies you. That he confessed but you rejected him and he ran away to come here. Do you think his heart is still beating for you? I mean, look ahead.”
I looked ahead and saw Devan and Riaz laughing happily together. I recognize that sparkle in Riaz’s eyes. It’s the same as when we used to play together back at the pack.
“Seriously, you’d be a fool if you haven’t felt the spark between them.” Dandelion said and I sighed.
“I don’t want to believe I am too late.” I said. “I have to make amends.” I said as I turned to her. She grinned and linked her arm with mine.
“You know, you can make amends with me.” She said, batting her eyelashes cutely.
“Why would I make amends with you?”
“Well, you called me stupid on many occasions even though I provided you a roof over your head, and a job.”
“You mean the job where you don’t pay me and use me as bait for customers?”
She giggled. “You’re handsome! Your handsomeness brought the customers to me so I’m innocent.”
I rolled my eyes. “Indeed.”
“Honest,” she placed her hand on her chest. “And I paid you your wages. My house was the payment.”
“You never told me my wage was staying at your place.”
“You never asked. Who takes a job without asking for proper information?”
I stared at her in disbelief. “I remember I was leaving and then a certain person pulled me back by my pants, begging me to work for her and promising she would pay me handsomely.”
She pursed her lips sideways, “well… huh…”
“See? You should be the one making amends not mine.. I’m not leaving here without my wage. If you don’t give me my wage, I’m taking you with me to be my slave at the pack.” I said and she gasped. Her widened eyes made me laugh.
“A slave? Someone as pretty as I am is not meant to grovel at someone’s feet. I should be leading, not following.” She said proudly and I laughed harder.
“I will follow you if you give me a better post.”
“Head of maids then?”
“What?”
“You said you wanted to lead and not follow. You’d be leading the maids.”
She knocked my head and I laughed. It’s fun teasing her.
“Should we serve you breakfast?” Devan said and I looked ahead. He and Riaz were staring at my direction. As soon as my eyes met with Riaz’s, he looked away. Is he going to keep giving me that attitude?
“Yes, please! I’m famished.” Dandelion yelled as she went to join them. I stood up and went to them. I collected my portion and went back to the bench to eat.
“Will you finish that?” Dandelion asked halfway through my food. I shook my head and gave her the rest.
“Thanks,” she beamed. I smiled in return. I looked around but couldn’t find Riaz anywhere. Devan was by the stove. I went to him and asked,
“Where is Riaz?”
“I don’t know.” He replied without glancing at me. How can he not know where he is? Aren’t the both of them glued by the hip? Did Riaz tell him not to tell me where he was?
“Ok.” I simply said before turning to leave. I went to check the room but he wasn’t there either. Let’s just keep walking then.
With no specific direction, I began to walk. The house is the only house in this area. Everywhere was surrounded by trees. It felt calming. I took a pathway that led into the forest. Riaz’s scent lingered around the place. I followed his scent until I got to a mystical looking tree. I felt goosebumps as I got closer to it. Riaz was standing in front of it with his hand on the tree’s trunk.
As I got closer, I realized he wasn’t himself. Riaz’s eyes were glowing and he was mumbling something like he was in a trance. I tried to touch him but a forcefield threw me back. His hair was flying in different directions as a strong wind began to blow.
“Riaz!” I called, hoping he would hear me. Just then, a light emitted from his chest and spread around the forest. I shut my eyes from the blinding light. When I opened my eyes, Riaz was on the ground. I rushed to him and placed his head on my chest.
“Riaz,”
His breathing was shallow. He looked up at me and his grip around me tightened. “I saw her,” he said with a breaking voice. His eyes were glistening with tears.
“I saw my mother.”