Mission Avoidance

Work, Eat, Sleep

The raucous crowing of the roosters woke Cheska up slowly. She initially thought these little fighting machines were gorgeous but right now, all she could think about was chicken soup and roasted rooster .

The smell of traditional Filipino breakfast tickled her nostrils and immediately she hopped off the bed inhaling the crisp island air...with a hint of ginger ...hmmm... what was that?

She slipped on her fluffy slippers and made her way to the breakfast area where Marina and Yiyi were already up and dressed. There was an assortment of fruits, her favorite sikwate, sliced evergreen mangoes and Puto Maya, sticky rice cooked in coconut and ginger.

A giant smile crept across her face as she started stuffing herself. She requested eggs and sausage for some protein then realized too late how s****l it sounded until she heard gales of laughter from both girls.

"Get your mind out of the gutter, Miss Yiyi Bingka !" she mock snapped. To which both girls laughed even harder. The maid returned with a huge platter laden with sunny side up eggs and various different kinds of Filipino breakfast sausages.

Marina lost no time rearranging them in the shape of a giant pen*s in a weird mosaic before the three of them lost themselves to breathless giggles.

"We should invite Eliza and Cam for breakfast.." said Cheska, while sending her friend a video request.

" Yess.. ? " a very groggy and mostly naked Eliza answered the call absently. In the background, Cameron, looked just as naked and thoroughly ravaged.

" Well I was gonna ask you to join us, but I see you've already had your breakfast ! "

Cheska flipped her camera to show Eliza the set up Marina made on the plate and caught Yiyi trying to bite into a humongous red banana sent over from the Salvatore plantation.

Eliza's eyes widened as they heard Yiyi choke, just now realizing what had happened. She looked like she wanted to curl up in the deepest hole she could find out of sheer embarrassment.

Not missing a beat, Eliza said nonchalantly, "Well ladies, I have not had breakfast yet, but I believe I have something a lot more delicious than red bananas and sausages. " She motioned to her groom's still sleeping figure and wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

" Suit yourself ! " said Cheska as she popped a piece of Choriza de Cebu inside her mouth. "Holy Sh*t!! these are delicious !" she exclaimed. Eliza laughed at her and fixed her friend with a wicked grin.

"You don't know what you're missing Baby Girl, I can't wait for you to find your mate and would forsake all the sweets in the world to enjoy the various forms his banana sausage would take ! " she declared with a wink as she hung up, but not before she crept over to Cameron with the intention of having some of that banana breakfast that she had bragged about.

By now, Marina and Yiyi had tears rolling down their cheeks. As tasty as their breakfast was, their can never look at this combination again without snickering at the memory.

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Cheska and Eliza met up at Engkanto for lunch. While the mood was generally light hearted, Eliza needed a favor only Cheska can help with. While the public side of Hadelund Holdings was known for real estate and retail chains, a very few select knew of their weapons research department.

F&F originally stood for Frederick and Francesca as this was their own brainchild that they started when they were 12. Lately, the name has earned a nickname, albeit crude, but more popular as "F*ck the F*ckers". They just simply had the best and most efficient weapons catered and customized for the supernatural world.

While Cheska traveled and built up the retail side, she was also busy collecting assorted ethnic weapons around the world and materials they were crafted from. Most of their weapons were made to order and thus very hard to come by.

Their distinctive logo of Two wolves howling back to back were displayed visibly on all their merchandise and served as an authenticity certificate as it was a very ornate and enchanted design. Not even the best counterfeit artist could copy it.

Lola Sherry had told Cheska a little about supernatural hunters sniffing around Bohol for the last few months now. Even though the general population was very superstitious and accommodating to known supernaturals, there were always people who were greedy for power and have begun exploring ways on how to exploit their non-human magical neighbors.

"How bad of a problem are we talking about ? " asked Cheska.

"Like really bad. They have somehow created a detection device so even when we are out in public, they can pick us out from the crowd. " She gave a little shudder and she thought about it again.

Both girls weren't new to attempted kidnapping events. Having been born to wealthy families, there have been quite a few, usually from disgruntled family members who wanted to grab what they had.

"Does your family have any leads ?"

" No but I bet good money that it is some sick politician wanting to use the power of the fae that is abundant here. "

Cheska felt her rage rising. She knew how inhuman those power hungry bastards were. Her brother once had to rescue several wolves that were being experimented on in order to gain their ability for extremely fast healing and regeneration. The poor things were barely alive.

"I understand. I'll work on making you a blocker, something to sheild any of you and your family from being seen and heard while I look for a more permanent solution"

Eliza grabbed her into a giant teary bear hug. She sobbed as Cheska and her clung to each other.

"Ches, I am so glad to have you ! really and truly. I don't think I can talk about this to anyone else, not even to Cameron. I don't want him to worry needlessly, but I'm so glad fate has put you in my life."

Cheska felt so flattered. "Hey.. " she muttered as she patted her friend lightly on the back. " I am grateful to have you guys too. You kept me sane with your concerted effort of continuously checking up on me and reminding me that he wasn't worth any of my tears "

"Now let's get to work. Are they targeting only fae kind or are they after others as well ?"

" for now, just fae and maybe strong witches and warlocks".

"Alright, individual amulets and a territory blocker for the estate then. Does Lola know? "

" Yeah . Right now, it is actual her barrier that is keeping us relatively safe. She is getting older and can't keep this up much longer" Eliza sighed.

Lolo Tony, her grandpa was secretly training the younger clan to hone their Diwata better and they are also giving everybody a crash course on herbology as poison was a common way to weaken them and snatch them up, specially the younger ones.

"Do you think maybe your family can add a glamour spell or at least a glamour amulet for everybody ? Fashion it into earrings and pendants ? " asked Cheska. She knew they had two powerful witch families on their side and she can take care of speedy mass production on hers.

Eliza's face lit up. Cheska was not called a genius for nothing. Despite being the youngest in their little squad, Cheska is the only one who has her MBA and also actively running her part of the family business. She can think outside the box and right now, that was what Eliza's family needs.

"Alright, let's wait for the rest of the girls and see what they have to say. I'm sure we can come up with a brilliant solution since this is not an isolated problem. " Cheska gave Eliza a gentle squeeze.

"Don't think too much of this lest you ruin that beautiful face of yours. We are all here for your wedding and it is gonna be the first time in almost three years that we will all be together in person. Focus on the happiness alright?"

Eliza nodded and gave Cheska an appreciative grin. They both sat in silence sipping their mimosas, watching the ocean and enjoying the sounds of more roosters and crashing waves. Anda is truly beautiful !

Had Cheska been interested in her fated one, this would be an ideal place to meet him and mate him. She shook her head at where her thoughts were going. She knew she was not emotionally ready but she oftentimes found herself wishing she had someone to call her own.

Not like there was a shortage of suitors and offers, just that none of them ever appealed to her. She had gone on to her fair share of blind dates but never ended up going for a second.

She was sure there could have been one she would've been happy with if only she gave it a chance but most of them reminded her of Joey during their courtship. Despite the hurt, she had to admit none could hold a candle when it came to Joey being sweet and romantic.

She had once thought that the reason was because he was crazy in love with her. Now she knew better. It was a skill he had perfected and she was the one who got away. The only one who never went further than some passionate kissing and the only he ever bought a ring for.

There had been times she contemplated on forgiving him and actually answer his calls and corny messages but reminded herself firmly that she is worth a lot more than that. She cannot accept sharing her man. She is a she-wolf and born from Alphas on both sides. Her kind are infamous for being possessive and more so for ranked wolves.

Even the thought of another woman holding his hand made Lux growl menacingly in the back of her mind. Yeah, forget that. Becoming a criminal because of accidental murder was not part of her plans.

Lux was longing for her mate and Cheska can't blame her. "We'll meet him someday, gorgeous. You know and I know we will, in the right time of course. " She placated her wolf.

"Ches, will you give him a chance when we meet them ? "

"Of course, but on the condition that when I do meet him, I don't subconsciously compare him to Joey. "

Lux was chuckling. She had never like Joey but had thought Cheska would be happy with him. Now, she regretted not being more assertive. She could feel something big was about to happen in the next couple of days but decided to keep her theory from her human.

Mates were a very sore topic for Cheska even though she tries so hard to show everyone that it didn't matter to her. Lux knew that inwardly, Cheska was craving that deep love and soothing warmth only a mate could give her.

Werewolves believed that the moon Goddess Selene had already paired them with someone who is made just for them, the other half of their souls. Their wolves could sense it before their humans do and this deep bond is close to unbreakable. It compelled them to sometimes do crazy things, even declare war, for the sake of their mates.

Lux knew they would meet their fated one in the next couple of days. She was excited ! She could only hope Cheska would keep her word and give them a chance. Even though Lux thought Cheska would end things before it could start, she was still bound and determined to be with their mate when she found them and would do anything for her human to snap out of her lonely and painful existence.