Heraiah

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 13

Natalia Solar. Oh, I do hate her. She boils my blood in ways that not everyone can do. She was the only one who knew exactly how to push my buttons and pull my strings. Even though I am well aware of her tricks, she never fails to surprise me on how far she can go just to make me lose control of my temper. But despite my obvious hate for her, I have never once wished for her downfall. How could the Natalia Solar lose her job?

Don’t get me wrong. I may hate her with a passion, but when I see a talented and skillful person it’s very hard to overlook those.

“She’s fired?!” a loud gasped escaped my mouth.

Khai nodded, “Yes, I just heard yesterday she was dismissed,”

I stood up from my seat and slammed my hands on the counter, “How come I’ve never heard of this? There weren’t any announcements she was fired, and how could they fire her?”

Khai’s eyes widened as he back of, “That’s the weird thing about this,” he paused and adjusted himself, I slowly sat back and listened to him, “She was dismissed secretly so it never made it to any reporters,”

It seemed like it was done on purpose.

“People talk, Hera, and I listen,” he beams a wide smile.

“Well, do you know why?”

He clicks his tongue, “That’s the thing about gossip, they never say why,”

I inhaled, trying to suppress my anger but gazed at him again, “Since when was she fired?”

“The day before you arrived,”

I bit my nails hearing that. It’s just a coincidence, right? But why the day before I arrived? There is something fishy going on inside the palace. And I must know. But Natalia fired is the most impossible thing I have ever heard. It’s so impossible I’ve never even thought she could ever be dismissed. Natalia is the king’s personal assistant, she’s been with the family for years now. The royal family adores her and her skills.

Just what happened that made them fire her?

But to know what and why about her dismissal, I must find her first. I glance over Khai who was silently eating, “Where can I find her?” I asked.

“How would I know? She’s impossible to find,” he rolled his eyes.

The notorious Natalia was known to be a trickster. This is one of the many reasons why she was recruited as the king’s personal assistant. She always knows exactly what happens next in each situation. It’s an abnormal ability, but everyone adored her for it. Whenever someone is out to find her, she hops to a different place unless she wants to meet this person and I doubt she wants me to find her. Considering she also has a burning passion to annoy the hell out of me.

“I have to find her,” I said.

“Well, you can’t find her in these situations, she’s well hidden,”

“I know, who was the last person she met?”

“Nori,”

“Nori Nexu?”

He nodded.

“Why would she meet Nori after she got dismissed?” I was really skeptical over this, nothing fits right.

Nothing ever fits right when Natalia is the topic. She just seemed mysterious, there’s a lot of things about her that is questionable but no one ever seemed to bother asked. Everyone respected as she was the closest alliance to the king. People go to the most unbelievable heights just so they could convince Natalia to be on their side. But luckily, she’s not easy trick. Who could trick the master of tricks?

“It’s a mystery how her mind works,” he sighs.

I squinted my eyes, “Why are you acting so gloomy today?” I am not blind. He seems very odd today. First, he was in rage and mad when he arrived but then now he’s all gloomy and upset?

He immediately straightens his posture and faced me, “Not I’m not,” he hesitated.

I scoffed, “I’m not blind nor am I deaf, what’s going on?”

He releases a breath and inhales, “I’m not only here for the rumors that are spreading,” he paused.

I gave him a questioning look anticipating for him to continue talking.

“Your parents talked to me yesterday,” he confessed.

My eyes widened and my face brightened in curiosity, “What did they say?”

He stared at me, mysteriously, “You’re not upset?”

“No, why would I be upset?” I furrowed my eyebrows.

“Because you literally left because of them?”

“That’s the past, there are just somethings I have to face.” I pursed my lips.

“You don’t have to face this one if you don’t want to,” he said.

I chuckled, “Come on, we both knew that one day I would have to face them again, leaving was never an easy way out, I was always destined to face them again,”

“I know, but why do you keep sacrificing yourself for others?”

“because I have to, didn’t we already talk about this?”

Khai nods and beams a smile, “I’m just worried you’re being forced in all of this,”

I shook my head, “No, definitely not,” I sigh, “All the decisions I have made so far are made by me, you know no one can push me to do things,”

He laughed, “Yeah, I know,”

I laughed back, “Okay, now what did they say?”

“They wanted to meet you,”

I cheered, “Finally! What took them so long?”

“They didn’t know who to call, but when they heard I was the one who picked you up from the hospital, they called me,” he explained.

I nodded, understanding. Then a realization hit me, I immediately shifted my head to Khai, “Do they know I’m living with the prince?”

“You’re marrying the prince but you two aren’t even on first name basis?”

I rolled my eyes, “That’s beside the point, do they know?” I asked.

He shook his head, “No, they don't,"

I sigh in relief, “Oh, okay, I’ll meet them tomorrow, you have nothing to worry,”

Khai nodded, “I know, so what are you doing today?”

I thought to myself, “I actually don’t know, I can’t go outside since I don’t have any money and people will suffocate me,”

“So, you’re staying in?”

I nod, “’Yup, I think so,”

“Okay, tell me if there is anything you need, I’m going out now I have something to take care of in the office,” he stands up waving a good bye as he walks out.

“I will!”

As he continues to walk out, I realized how much he has grown. I grew up with him, seeing him in a suit, walking and talking formally gives me the chills since that’s not the him I witnessed growing up, but nevertheless, I am glad he did grow up. It’s just sad I didn’t witness any of it.

After finishing eating breakfast, I cleaned the plates and all the other dishes I used to eat and went to the living room with the laptop in front of me. I did a few research on Nori Nexu and Natalia Solar since it seems like I haven’t been updated since I left.

I raised my head, staring at the chandelier above me. Having intrusive thoughts that it might fall any moment on me. I squinted my eyes, but I shrugged and diverted my eyes to my laptop, I searched Nori’s name.

A few articles went up, all of them were about her success and achievements in the past years. And I somehow got a déjà vu. It reminded me of when I was in high school, when I use to be the one in these types of articles. If I wasn’t an Airen, I would’ve still been in the same position I was 5 years ago or maybe not, who knows?

I rolled the panel down and a particular article caught me eye, “Theories of the Nexus,” I quickly clicked it opened and read the entire article. What theories could in the Nexus?

Apparently, the family is obsessed with cats. It sounded ridiculous and also made sense at the same time when I read it. The logo of NERRIX is silhouette a cat stretching its body, the family supports and funds for programs to protect in danger wild cats, they also own a branch of cat cafes, and most of all, most of their jewelry are cat inspired. But how could this be a theory about them? Maybe they just really like cats?

Well, another thing was put into the article. The legend of Miso. Legends are legends, but hey? Anything can be real in Adreene. The legend of Miso was about a goddess, who once lived in our lands. She used to lead the east areas of Adreene. She was strong leader, brave and smart. But she was known for her cat-like features and abilities.

She was a fast runner, she had good hearing, and could see at night. Her facial features were eye catching since she had a small f face, a button up nose, small fierce eyes and plump lips. Her hair was long and luxurious. And she had nails that could kill you in an instant.

I was very confused yet intrigued in the article. Even though I was kept away from all the legends and myths about Adreene but it always sparked great interest in me. But how did this have any connect with the Nexus? I read further and it said something like they were descendants of Miso. Descendants? Airens are from genetics, at least that’s what they said about them. Just because they have a weird obsession with cats doesn’t mean they are descendants of Miso. But then again, anything is possible.

I searched up a couple more articles but nothing said about the friendship between Nori and Natalia. So, I turned off the laptop and took a swim in the pool. I needed something to relax on and I thought a swim would be the key.

I didn’t have any bathing suit. So, I wore my undergarments and a t-shirt over it. Ravier isn’t coming back until evening, I woke up kind of late. Around 10 in the morning, I’m not sure what time it is right now but it’s definitely past 12.

I dived into the pool without checking how deep it is. Warm water surrounded my body, I held my breath and closed my eyes. As water finally swallowed me, I hurry back up to the surface to breathe. As I resurfaced, I made a loud gasp, breathing for air.

I laughed, the sound of the water surrounding me gave me the feeling of comfort. I looked at my outfit and noticed how my t shirt was now completely see through and my underwear was now obviously visible. But I didn’t mind since Ravier wasn’t arriving anytime soon.

I swam a few laps, satisfied with the feeling of the warm water hitting against and passing through my body. It was a feeling I haven’t felt in a while. Since back in the Legion’s headquarters, we are always on our shifts and training, it was hard to take a break or relax. But I also felt tightness in my chest, I get to have all this, the privileges, the luxuries, while other Airens have to suffer for something they have no choice on.

I felt guilty. Sick to the stomach, how could I act like this while some other Airens don’t even get an ounce of any of this. The worry, the anxiety, the overthinking. It’s swallowing me and drowning me whole. I got out of the pool before doing anything impulsive and sat on the sides of the pool and curled my body, hugging my legs to my chest and nudging my head on my legs. I cannot get this sick feeling get the best of me

I felt hot liquid stream on my cheek. The cold brush of the wind made my spine shiver. My heart beat beating rapidly. I sat there as the wind dried my upper body until I was trembling in my own embrace. I should probably get up already before I get too cold. When I fully decided to get up, I tried but my legs were weak. s**t. I should’ve really got out early. I heard my tummy growl making me pout.

Why am I always on cold situations?

I wanted to try standing up again but then my feet slipped on the wet floor, slowly falling on my back. But instead of the hard floor hitting my back, I felt a warm embrace from behind, I jolted in surprise as they person behind me spoke.

“It’s cold out here, what are you doing?” a familiar voice asked.