The Aces

C H A P T E R 1

It such a normal day for a girl like me who sells fruits and vegetables in the market.

This place is always packed up with varieties of people going in and out.

It is also noisy. Some of my friends who also sells fruits and vegetables tends to yell when the customer passes by.

Our section is facing the meat and fish section which means the floor is always wet. Even though we do not sell fish, meat and chicken we are most likely smell like one of the vendors of it.

My dad is one of the resellers of the huge company of fruits and vegetables which makes me one of their scholars.

I have this main goal of not getting a line of 8 grade. This means that I must get line of 9 in every subject and thankfully, I always achieve it.

I’m on my 3rd year in high school this year and I still have 3 years more to study and become a college student.

I am planning on taking up Psychology as my course in college.

Today’s business is not that great compared yesterday. Since its dawn already, I have to pack things up and prepare to go home. My house is not that far when you go to the market so, I find it easy and comfortable.

I was about to close my store when an old and greasy man with a long beared approached me.

“Hello.” He said with a smile.

“Yes, what can I help you, Sir?” I said while looking at him.

“I’m starving. Can I have one mango?” he said then points out at the mango.

I looked at the mango then looked at him and said,” Sure, Sir. Wait here and I’ll get you some paper bag.” I said then run inside my store. The mango is somewhat ripe. It is better to give some to the old man than stocking here in the store and can’t be eaten properly. Dad also taught me to give to those who are in need.

I glanced at him and he’s happy. I like seeing someone happy just because of me. I picked the good ones and fill the paper bag without hesitation.

“Here you go, Sir.” I sad then smiled.

He looked at me intently and said,” Your name is Melody, right?” I literally gasped.

“How did you know my name, Sir?” I’m aghast by the fact that he knows my name.

“Well, we are fated to meet each other but I cannot imagine that we will meet here.” he said then laughed. Not evilly but happily. It looks like he’s waiting for this day to come.

“I’m sorry, Sir but I do not know what you mean.” I straightly said. I’m having a little chills but then I must compose my posture.

“Are these mangoes mine, Melody?” he said while smiling. He cannot get that smile from his face, huh.

“Yes, Sir.” I nodded then hand him the paper bag. He took the paper bag and put it aside. He opened his bag and said, “This is a gift. Please take it.” he opened his palm and I saw a small maple leaf.

“No, Sir. I can’t accept it.” I said while shaking my hands.

He smiled and said,” You must take it. It is your ticket going to the Maple Realm”

“To where?” I think I must accept it and stop talking to him. I took the maple leaf and put it in my pocket.

“You must never lose that leaf. That is your answer to everything.” he said then took the mangoes and walk away leaving me dumbfounded.

“Who was that, Mel?” Lina asked while looking at the old man’s direction. She’s my friend and my so-called rival in my business.

“I don’t know either but he knows my name.” I reached for the leaf in my pocket and look at it intently.

“Maybe some scammers trying to scam your goodness.” She said then rolled her eyes. She has a point though. That old man must’ve pull pranks on me but still, it gives me chills that he knows my name

I hurriedly pack my personal things up and close the store. I don’t want some random human approaching me again and say weird things.

I headed outside the market and felt the fresh cold wind that instantly hugged me.

I was on my way home when I felt someone is looking at me from afar. I turned around but no one is on the street but me. I continued walking but the weird feeling is still there. I walked fast until I reached my house. I searched for daddy but he’s not around. The feeling is still there so I decided to close all the doors and windows and lock myself in my room. I can hear everything whenever when I’m in my room so I stayed there for the mean time.

I heard daddy’s car approaching into our house but my trust issues are stronger so I decided to stay still in my room. The door opened and I heard scratches in the walls. Normally, when daddy arrived he shouts ‘I’m home’ or call my name but this time, he didn’t.

I decided to peak and saw daddy sitting straight on the sofa.

“Dad, is that really you?” I asked nervously. For goodness sake, I am 15 years old turning 16 this year and this is my first time to encounter this weird but creepy situation in my entire life.

He turned his head on my direction and casually said, ”Of course. Who could it be if its not me?”

His voice is a little husky and it sent chills all over my body. I looked at him intently and figured out this is not my daddy. He laughed which I find it so creepy, ”Oh come on, Melody. Come here, sit with me.” He said and pat the seat next to him.

My daddy never calls me by my name. He calls me with his endearment, princess. I shake my head as a sign that I don’t want to sit with him. He pat the seat on the sofa again but this time with force and his eyes got creepier.” I said sit with me!” he shouted and I flinch. He figured out that he shew his real him and decided to change his figure into his own figure. He copied my Daddy's figure!

He is handsome and has brown eyes and hair but the fact that he changed his figure in front of my gave the the feeling of getting more afraid.

I close the door and prepared my pillow. Just in case he will do something bad to me.

I shouted when he bangs the door. He keeps on banging it and the lock opened.

‘May be its my last day!’ I realized.

He slowly approached me and holds my neck tightly. I cannot breath. I’m praying that someone will come in and rescue me. My sight gets blurry and all I can see is his determination to kill me. I can feel I am passing out when I heard a thud. He releases me and it made me grasp for air. I looked around and I can see the guy and daddy fighting.

The guy pinned dad on the wall but dads hands are on his pockets, trying to reach something. He took a small black old paper and with all his might he s***h it on the guys neck. Dad fell and the guy disappears.

I went to dad as he grasps for air. Dad hugged me tightly and said, ”I’m sorry. I’m sorry for being late.”

I looked at daddy and I hugged him back.

We cleaned up the mess and decided to talk while having our dinner.

“So dad, what was that?’ I asked with my eyes full of questions. Out of all people why did they target me?

“Was this your first time encountering that guy?” Dad asked seriously. Dad is jolly and bubbly person. There’s no dull moments when you are with my dad. This is actually the first time that I saw him dead serious.

“Yes, dad. Actually, it happened when I received the Maple leaf.” He looked so stunned when he heard that.

“When did you receive that?” He asked while looking at they Maple leaf.

Okay so what’s going on? I think I missed a lot.

“Earlier before I went home.” I said confused.

“Who gave that to you?” He asked still drop dead serious.

“I don’t know his name but he is an old greasy man with a long beard.” I described him according to what I saw earlier.

‘damn you Ceasar! You put her into trouble!’

“Are you saying something, Dad?” I asked him. He’s not that audible even though we are inches apart.

“Ah-no-no. What did he tell you?”

“Well, he told me not to lose it and this leaf is my answer to everything.” I curiously looked at the leaf and I saw an M sign.

“Princess listen to me okay?” Dad said while he looked and hold my hand.

I looked at my dad’s eyes and nod.

“We should follow what the old man says.” I don’t know if I’m going to be upset or sad or shock?

“Seriously dad, you’re going to believe that old man?” I laughed awkwardly.

“It may be hard to believe and imagine but yes, we must believe him. He knows everything.” Dad said in one breathing.

“Wait-so hold up, Am I missing something, Dad?” I said curiously.

“Yes,princess. You missed a lot. So you have to uncover what you missed.” Wow. So after all these years?

“Wait dad, I’m confused. Don’t you love anymore, Daddy?” I emotionally asked.

“No, no, I love you really, but staying here with me is too dangerous for you. I also want you to know who you really are and what is your real life. I don’t want to put you in danger, princess. Please believe me.” He said emotionally.

“Dad, I am in danger if I’m not with you.” I said then tears fall down to my cheeks.

Dad wipe it off and said, ”No, you are wrong. Find the real you, Melody. Find who you truly are and come back to me when you finally found your real self.” Dad said then kissed my forehead.

I have to follow Daddy. I must respect him. He gave everything and this is all that I could give back to him.

“Okay,okay. So when will I leave?” I asked while crying quietly.

“Tomorrow. Early in the morning. I’ll drop you off . For now, go to your bed room and pack your things. I’ll take care of the rest.” With a heavy heart, I walked into my bed room and cry. I took the Maple leaf and put it in the back of my phone case then packed my things up.

RICHARD’S POV

“How’s the feeling of putting my daughter in danger huh, Ceasar?” I angrily asked Ceasar, the old greasy man as what Melody describes.

“I don’t know that the Black bloods will follow her!” He said grumpily. Actually, Ceasar is not ‘an old greasy man.’ He is handsome and cool just like me.

“What if something happened to her? What will I say to---” He cuts me off and said, ”Its in the past now, Richard. Move on!” This slap soil creature is reaching the peak of my patience. “Anyway, when will send Melody to the Maple Kingdom?” He asked me.

“Tomorrow at 4AM. Black bloods may e asleep by that hour.” I said as I planned on ho to escape to the Black bloods.

“I think 3AM is better compared to 4AM.” he suggested.

“Seriously Ceasar? 3AM is the time that they went off to scare and hunt people on the streets. Are you really white blooded or not?”

“Kidding. But we should send her back as soon as possible. Classes will start soon and the empress wants to see her.” Ceasar said seriously.

“it pained me to see her when that black blood attacks her.” I said emotionally.

“Did you saw his face?” Ceasar asked curiously.

“I just saw a scar on his face. I must protect her from all faces with a scar.”

As I we are talking about that Black bloods, my phone rang and Melody is calling. I answered it right away.

“Yes, princess?”

“Dad, where are you?”

“I’m outside. I’m talking with a friend.” I answered and look at Ceasar who is looking at me,too.

“I’m going to go sleep now, dad.”

“Okay! I’ll go inside in just a minute, okay?”

“Okay!”

Then she hung up.

“Dude, you’re already attached to her, can you afford to let her go?” Ceasar asked.

“If its for her safety, Yes I am willing to let her go.” My decision is firm and just. Its for Melody.

“Go home now, pal. Be early for tomorrow, okay?” I said then he nodded.

‘Ceasar’s a bit uncomfortable these days’ I said then went inside the house.

I was about to hop into my room when I decided to see my daughter one last time.

I enter her room and found her asleep. Her sleeping position is like a baby and it reminds me of how we get through here when she was a baby.

“You may think that I don’t love you and all but I am doing this for your safety. I also want you to meet your mom, Mel. She miss you so much to the extent that she wants to take you now away from me.” I said that then cry quietly.

I caress her face then stroke her long black curly hair.

“I love you, my princess!” then kissed her cheeks.

I went out of her room and go inside my room and cry.

MELODY’S POV

“Dad, can I bring Pooh?” I asked dad as he told me to leave some of my stuffed toys.

“No! You can’t use that there!” He shouted as he is in the bathroom.

“But he’s my favorite!” I shouted. He is my favorite because my dad gave it to me as a present.

“Suit yourself. But, you use that.” he said as he shakes his hair.

“dad, don’t look for a woman while a am away okay?” I want dad to be happy of course but he must first introduce her to me.

“Okay okay, I won’t” then he pat my head softly.

I’ll surely miss my dad. I don’t want to be away from him but as he said this is for my safety and security. I reminisce the days that I lived in this small yet happy home. I’m nervous on what environment will I face as soon as I reach that place.

“Where is your leaf?” Dad asked. He’s really ready to go.

I opened my phone case and let him saw the precious maple leaf.

He smiled weakly and carries my luggage and back pack.

“This is it. Let’s go!” He said to the driver who is quiet familiar to me.

I move a little bit to see the drivers face and I am again aghast!

“You’re the old greasy man yesterday, right?” I asked him and he smiled at me again.

“How are you feeling, Melody?” ‘He said while his eyes are on the road and speaking of road, I don’t know this road.

‘I’m not fine since you gave me that leaf.” I said then heard daddy’s small laughed.

“Actually, Richard and me are friends ever since we were little so we knew each other for quiet a long time” He shared then daddy is really shocked.

“Really dad? But I don’t remember him!” I don’t know if I’ll get mad at daddy or not. He really has a lot of secrets.

We are talking about nonsense stuffs just to light up the mood when Ceasar stopped. Dad opened the car door and raised his hand to mine.

“This is the place that you’ll need to go. I want you to enjoy, learn and have new friends.”

I looked around and its just a Maple tree.

“So this is it? You’ll leave me in the middle of nowhere?” I asked sarcastically.

“No.” He move my things near the tree and said,” Get your maple leaf and raise it. The doors will open for you.” he said seriously.

I hugged my dad first and wave to Ceasar. I followed his words and suddenly, the maple tree and maple leaf shine that it can blind me. I closed my eyes and I never knew that this world exists...