MATES

03 - Encounter

I've had the strange envelope at my father's house for two full days now.

I was still unsure whether to open it at first, but he said that maybe her sister had sent him a letter and that it could have been that letter.

But all I can think about is how my aunt's name isn't written down. Because if you send a letter, you will not forget your name and the name of who will receive it, but it is only a stamp. No other details that is needed for sending a letter.

"What's letter all about?" My father asked in his cheerful tone.

I even showed him the blank paper and said, "Nothing." and it was clear from my father's demeanor at that time that he was dissatisfied.

Until now, I'm still thinking why do I have this blank letter? Where did it came from? I called my friend who's out of the country but he wasn't picking up his phone.

So all I could do was stare at the paper even more. Maybe there's a hidden message if I read it backwards? Or if I turn off the lights, I'll be able to read the message? But, no one worked, even if I check it against the light or turn off the light.

This is frustrating!

"Hey! Maybe what you're thinking will swallow you! I've been watching you here for a minute now!" My sister exclaimed, leaning against my room's door.

I clench my fist. "Because, sister, this envelope is full but the paper inside is empty; what do you think I'm going to do? Guess it? I'm not Madam Auring's daughter though."

She chuckled. "Of course not, but Madam Auring's daughter is in the living room right now. She's waiting for you downstairs. I think she knows what's going on with that mysterious letter."

"Thank you. Big sis!" I smiled before giving her a hug.

She hug me back. "Small thing! Oh before I forgot, Mom, Dad and I, we're going to aunt's house. You know Auntie Lulu right? She wants to see you! But, Dad said that you have a visitor so you can't."

I pulled out from our hug and put a sweet smile on my face. "It's fine! I'm going to visit her some other time? You three should take care alright?"

"Alright my Mhaxine!"

When my sister and my parents left. I made the decision to go down with the envelope containing the letter. When I got down, I noticed a woman sitting on the sofa in our living room. She was dressed in a black jacket and pants, just like my sister said.

"Finally! You've come. I thought you wouldn't want to." Her tone was sarcastic, but I just ignored it.

"Restrain your temper."

When a woman entered the house, I turned my gaze and face the door. She was dressed in the same outfit as she was. But she was simply superior. Compared to the one in front of me, or should I say she's simple but elegant?

"I thought I only had one guest? I didn't expect two, please have a sit," I said as I motioned for the woman at the door to take a seat. "So?" I asked, looking back and forth between them.

"Do you know why we're here?" The person next to her asked calmly. This woman is calm, but she exudes an intimidating aura.

"I-I believe so?" I tried not to stutter, but I did. It's just that she's still as intimidating as she used to be.

"That envelope you're holding? Have you opened it yet? Is there something written inside or not?" The calm woman asked again.

"None, I also tried to focus it on the light, and I also tried to turn off the light in case I could read it when it was dark or bright, but nothing, and the other thing that has confused me in the past two days is that I don't know why someone sent this envelope to me, but nothing was written in it, and I don't want to guess." I explained too long, which irritated the rude woman next to her.

"You're so loud. all you have to do is answer her yes or no; you don't have to explain."

"Hey! What's your problem?" I sighed. "That's why I'm explaining it so you know. I'm sorry if my explanation is too long. I'm just really curious."

"I beg your pardon. That's the way she is. Anyway, about the letter, it's the same with us. And that's why we're here to pick you up. because you've opened the envelope with or without message, you're going to come with us. I'm Ari and she's Zana. We'll be with you in the next few days or maybe not just days, maybe months or years, "she smiled at me and pat the person next to her asked for smiling but she didn't smile.

"I'm Mhaxine, but wait. I'm coming? Why? Where are we going? Wait! My parents didn't know I was leaving!" I'm panicking.

"Don't worry you won't die at our hands. You'll die at someone else's hands," Zana said with a grin.

"Zana." Ari says, restraining her.

"Fine!" She folded her arms and avoided my gaze.

"Where are we again? Oh, about coming with us, I'll take care of it. But the important thing is that you pack your things now," She stood up and offered her hand to me.

"Please hurry up slow folks!" Zana complained as she stood up to go out.

"We'll wait for you outside," Ari pointed to the door of the house and said she was about to leave.

Confused, I made my way to my room. I took the duffel bag and put my belongings in it. I don't know but I'm nervous about the situation I'm getting into. Situation that I don't know if I can get out.

After I put all my belongings in the bag, I went down to the living room. I went straight to the kitchen and picked up the hidden knife I always carry. Safety first.

"Of course! Yes. She's in good hands. Don't worry." I even heard the last thing Ari said and she turned off the call.

"She's here." Zana was not enthusiastic when she saw me behind Ari.

"Let's go."

I looked at Zana when we finally got out of the subdivision because of the way she sighed. The way she sighed, you'd think she was burdening the entire world.

"What are you looking at?" she grumbled when she noticed I was staring at her.

"Are you having a problem?"

Her brow furrowed. "It's none of your business," she said, averting her gaze.

"Hmm... Mhaxine, do you know the High Compass?" Ari inquired as she passed in front of us.

"Yeah, it's just in the other subdivision; why did you ask?" I replied, immediately asking her

She continued to walk with her back to me, staring at me. "We're going to get something there," she said before returning to her walk.

When we get to the other subdivision, we'll find it even more difficult to enter because we're not from there; you'll have to show proof that you live there. Despite the fact that I live in the subdivision, but not a resident of this village. There are five divisions in the subdivision. North Ville, East Ville, West Ville, South Ville, and VIP areas The High Compass Villa.

"Come on, Sir, we just need to go somewhere. It's just important," I pleaded, but the guard at the VIP's main gate only shook his head. "Please, sir? I'm from North Ville."

"I really can't, ma'am. Even if you say you're from North Ville, and even if I let you in, High Compass's security system will be tight. And later on, you'll be picked up in jail." The guard explained to me.

"That's the problem with the rich. When they only get better at life, and they think the other person is sick, and then they don't want to contaminate. Our s**t stinks the same, doesn't it Sir?" Zana said, able to look at the guard.

Ari reprimanded her, "Zana, speak in a nice way."

"I'm sorry but not sorry; I'm not plastic, and everything I said is true," she said to Ari at the same time.

"You're getting in my way."

When someone spoke from behind us, I almost jumped. I wasn't expecting that because I was already focused on listening to the two.

"I'm sorry; I didn't realize there was someone behind us," I apologized, and told Ari and Zana, "Ari, you have to give way."

"She can pass by our side, but she's really in the middle," Zana grumbled. "The spaciousness of the entrance; there's a lot of space."

"Zana, I told you that you needed to control yourself. You also did that to the guard," Ari scolded her again.

"Who are you to command me? You have no right."

"Hey-" Ari was about to slap Zana when I intervened.

"Not here. Pass it by," I said, letting go of her hand. "...we still need to take care of something, don't we? Let's focus on that first, and then you can talk to her later." I added that she agreed.

"Are you going to leave yet?" The guard asked.

"Not yet, as long as we don't talk to who we should talk to who lives in the subdivision," i said that made him scratching the back of his head.

"It's like this Guard. We won't try to get in anymore, but we just wanted to ask something," I said to Ari, motioning for her to say it.

Ari immediately inquired, "Did someone give you an envelope?"

"Yes, and it says I'll give it to the person who just entered."

My eyes widened immediately because that was the person who stood between Ari and me.

"Did she accept it?" I immediately interrupted. "Did she open it after accepting?"

"Yes and right in front of me ma'am."

"Name?" Zana entered the conversation.

"Serenity."