Hidden Paradise

Idk what to put here :/

A huge chandelier hang above from the ceiling and lanterns were lit up from the sides too. Two tables were placed across, it could fit up to 50 people- from what I've 'estimated'. And there was a slightly smaller one that was placed on the front and faced the rest. I'm guessing that's where people with higher ranks sit.

"Come on" Marie urged us as we sat on the front. "Took you guys long enough" Oliver sat next to me and poured us each a glass of water. "Well, someone here should have used their map" Alex mumbles before take a sip. I took a glance at Amaris, making sure she didn't hear that.

"Where's Elena?" Amaris stood up and tried to look for her in the room. "Elena's going to be here soon, she's just getting ready" I look over to see Chelsea; as soon as she met my eyes, she quickly looked away and pretended to be busy. "There she is" I look over to the door, loud footsteps echoed throughout the hallways.

But, it didn't seem to be alone. As if someone was wearing metal shoes- make that more than one. It echoed and mixed along with the sound of heels clicking on the floor. Soon after, Elena walks in. She...well she, wasn't wearing her armor but a dress. A white dress, to be exact.

It's a lovely dress. You know, like those type of dresses you would wear if you attend a royal party while dancing with your enemy type?

The dress had a deep V line cut; off shoulders and long sleeve, at the same time, she wore a glove that matched the dress. Around 5-7 inches below her waist, her skirt had a huge cut up to the end which revealed her high.

A few more men followed her as Elena guides them to the front table. She looks amazing. The men wore suit armors like the ones in medieval times, but without any helmet. Elena stood on the middle and clasps her hands together. "Everyone" she says out loud, catching everyone's attention.

"Please welcome our guests. These are my Commanders and teachers. They've come here to visit us, and I must say it is a great pleasure and honor for you guys to visit us. A round of applause please" claps and some cheers were heard in the room before one of the Commanders stood up.

"I am so happy to be here with you all and please do enjoy tonight's dinner" he sits back in and a few more claps were heard. "Let dinner begin" Elena threw her hand in the air and not long after, food started to come in and got served.

"Oh...wow" Jason leaned back a bit as the waitress started to fill up his plate and changed his glass of water to uh...another sort of liquid? Maybe juice but not water, for sure.

"What's that?" I point at his drink as he takes a look at it. "I don't know" he says before taking a sip. "Oh...that's...strong" he scrunches his forehead and held it in pain before looking down. "What's that?" I take the cup from him and tried to sniff it. There wasn't any unusual smell.

"It's alcohol, don't try to drink it" Oliver takes the drink away from me and placed it on his other side. "Why would they serve it though?" Diana covers her mouth, she was already eating a lot. "Alcohol and cigarettes are commonly considered to be gifts here" Marie explains before calling one of the waiters.

"Please take away their alcohol and give them something else that isn't too strong" the waiter nods his head before walking away and started to collect our drinks. "You should eat" Amaris points at my plate which was filled with food I haven't touched yet.

"Yeah" dinner went lovely that evening. Elena was in a good mood laughing with the higher ranks, everyone else was enjoying and the food was delicious.

"Hey, I'm going to the bathroom for a while, I'll be back" I excused myself from the table and walked out of the place. After finally arriving in the bathroom, I let out a number 2. Honestly, holding it in was hard.

After washing and drying my hands, I heard footsteps approaching. Must be another one having a bad stomachache, I'm guessing.

"I don't think she's fit for this mission" a gruff voice made me stop, just behind the bathroom door. "Sir, let's please give her a chance to prove herself. She must have been startled when Binibining Bituin asked her those questions" another one tries to calm him down in a low voice, he sounded younger than the other one.

"We've given her far more than one chance to prove herself, Clark. More than once" Who are they even talking about? "Sir, please listen to me first. I know Elena's family had a background for betrayal but the girl is trying her best. Please, give her one more chance"

So, it's about Elena? Is this about the mission given to her too? Probably is. Carefully, I leaned against the door, but not too close...or else it would move and they would know I was here.

"Please sir" the guy begged. A loud sigh broke the silence between the two "Sir, please take it into consideration...she is, your daughter after all" A loud slap made me cover my mouth as I let out a gasp. Silence filled in the air once again.

Have they left? or maybe not. What if they heard me gasp and is currently trying to find me? Who were those guys anyways?

Footsteps echoed once again in the hallways as I held my breath "Athena?" I tried to walk away from behind the bathroom door and started to wash my hands. "Yeah?" I turn to see Chelsea looking at me. "Are you okay?" I nod my head as I wipe my hands.

"Yeah, just a really bad stomachache today" I brush it off as we both went back to the dining area together.

"Hey" I whisper next to Amaris "Yeah? They already gave the dessert" my plate was replaced with a huge cup of Ice cream and some ice shavings on the bottom with some...well fruits, I think?

"It's really creamy. You should try it" Diana suggest and I nod my head at her "Hey listen" I lean towards Amaris as she straightens up. "I heard something earlier back-..."

"Everyone" Elena raises a glass and clicks a metal fork against it "Tell it to me later on" I nod my head as we both divert our attention towards Elena.

"I hope you guys had a great dinner" she started "Tonight was to celebrate that we successfully got Binibining Bituin's timepiece" Elena took out a stone that glowed yellow. The room was automatically filled with gasps and whispers.

I look over to the others, they too were just as confused as I was. Elena looked at everyone and then to the commanders beside her before looking at us once again. Chelsea suddenly started to clap louder and nudge both Hope and Marie to do the same. Soon after, everyone in the room started to clap.

"When did she get that?" Amaris whispers at me and I shrugged my shoulders. I should be the one asking that to her. Elena placed the yellow timepiece on the table "AND to celebrate more, we'll be taking two-days off before going back to the mission again!" she happily announces.

Chelsea was the first to respond quick in the crowd. "Once again, I hope you guys enjoy your dinner! This will all be it for tonight since we have a meeting to attend" Elena looks at the commanders and sat in her chair. "You guys are now free to go" she waves her arms at us.

"Thank you so much for the meal" Marie stands up first and salutes to them before walking out. Both Hope and Chelsea did the same thing too before leaving.

"Something's definitely up" Alex stares into the abyss while Amaris flops unto the bed, next to him. "Tell me about it. How did she even get the timepiece in the first place?" Diana removed her boots and left to place them outside. "Also, did you guys notice Chelsea?" I fix my hair before making eye contact with them.

"No, what about her?" Amaris sits up on the bed while Diana sits next to me.

"She's always you know, doing things first"

"Care to elaborate?" Jason sits next to Alex while Oliver sat with us.

"Well, she was the first one to cheer and clap when Elena showed us about the timepiece AND when Elena also announced the two-days break too"

"Yeah, Chelsea really does know how to save someone from an awkward situation." Oliver leans into the headboard of the bed. "Oh yeah, Athena" Amaris sits up properly "yeah?"

"What was it that you wanted to tell me earlier?" everyone looks at me "I..I think I forgot what it was" I couldn't tell them what it was exactly. I mean, how could I tell them? "Oh hey! I overheard a conversation earlier about how some commander planned on dropping Elena off for this mission but can't cause it's his daughter?" Like that?

Plus, it's not any of my business at the moment anyways. "I wonder what Elena planned for tomorrow though"

"Probably nothing" Alex shrugs before shoving Amaris off to the side of the bed.

"What do you mean 'nothing'? There's always something" Everyone looks at Jason as he continues "We're in Paraiso, remember? There should always be something that's bound to happen. And you know it's always bad. Like for today, it seemed like we had nothing to do but Elena surprised us with her yellow timepiece. Something's always bound to happen." Jason shrugs and lies down into the bed while throwing a basketball up and down.

"It sounds dumb...put he has a point" Amaris blurts out while Jason laughs a bit and looks at her. "Trust me, I know something IS coming,,"

"Like what? You've been here to Paraiso before?" Jason simply shrugs again