Fated Match

Chapter 1

                Npabuntong hininga si Ayreiz habang nakatingin sa kanyang sarili sa salamin. Ngayon ang araw na kailangan niyang kitaan ang isa sa mga potential client ng company. She is Ayreiz Swanxy, a matchamaker consultant of Fated Match based in Croven Circle Square at Alavania. Fated Match is one of the best company in the Industry. They’ve been around for over 400 years!

                Being the only human in the company, sakanya napunta ang responsibilidad. Worse is, it is concerning to a vampire. A creature na subrabf pinangingilagan niya. But now, tila pinaglalaruan siya ng tadhana. Dahil ang pinaka iniiwasan niya ay siya na mismo ang lumalapit sa kanya.

                Thought, business has been slowing down a lot this past few years. Everyone’s into phone dating apps this day. Dahilan kung bakit subrang preasure sila ngayon. Ito rin ang dahilan kung bakit subrang diterminado ang heads na makakuha ng potential client who have a wide range connection.

                She hoped things will turn in good luck. Even her clients can be pretty… unusual.

                Napasipat siya sa suot na wrist watch. She still have a couple of our bago ang nakatakdang meet-up. Napabalik siya sa reyalidad ng tumunog ang kanyang cellphone. A call from one of their client. Jasmie, a werewolf girl na naghahanap ng forever niya. Napailing na lang siya. Kung may mapagpipilian lang siya, ayaw niya sa trabaho niya. But she doest have any other choice. This is the only way for her to survive this cruel world.

                “Yes, Jasmie?”

                “Ayreiz! What’s wrong with me? My date is horrible!”

                “What?” hindi niya alam kung ano ang dapat niyang sabihin ditto, Specially now that she’s crying for goodness sake.

                “My date did not work. He doesn’t like me. Hindi daw ako ang tipo niya. He said he didn’t feel a spark1” May kasamang pagsinghot na paliwanag nito.

                “Gosh! Jasmie. It’s not your fault, okay? Maybe he’s not the fated one yet. Ther’e a lot of guy out there. Makakahanap ka din ng the one.” She can’t judge them. Sa pagkaka-alala niya. Their percentage in matchmaking is nasa 78% which is already a high rate. Pero alam niya sa sarili niya na hindi basihan ang matchamaking rate sa kung sino ang nakatadhana sa isang nilalang. But it only use a guideline. Pero hindi niya yun pweding sabihin.

                Jamie, the werewolf that she’d been working with. Naka ilang date match na ito pero wala paring magandang resulta.

                “Then what can I do for now?”

                Napabubtong hininga na lang siya. ‘’Just take a rest for a while. You need to take a brake. After that, maghahanap ulit tayo ng potential partner for you.”

                “Okay, Thank you Ayreiz.”

                “Shoot!” nagmamadaling dinampot niya ang kanyang suitcase bago tinungo ang kanyang sasakyan. Saglit muna niyang pinasadahan ang clients profile niya for today in her ipod.

                Muli napaisip siya about Jamie’s case. They match her to a merman with 75% match rate. Naka ilang beses na rin niyang sinabi sa kanyang boss na masyadong mababa ang 75%, but she never listen to her.

                Maybe she can find a new match for Jamie, which is a family - oriented too. Who knows, baka duon mag-click.

                Napailing muli siya. This is not the time to think about Jamie’s case. She have a new target client for today na kailangan niyang makuha.

                Matapos niyang ma-checked ang frofile ng client niya. Saka siya umayos ng upo sa driver seat. Then start the car.

                After 40 minutes, nakarating din siya sa distinasyon niya. Itinigil niya ang kanyang sasakyan sa tapat ng isang mataas na gate. It’s a ventage style gate with 10-foot tall and a gothic mansion. Subrang laki nito. Ramdam din niya ang kakaibang aura na nakabalot sa paligid. Masyadong tahimik ang buong paligid, with dark drapes covering every window.

                Mukha itong the mansion of Dracula. Which means tama ang napuntahan niyang lugar. After all, wala nang iba pang katulad nito na lugar kung saan yun ang nakasaad sa address.

                Acording to her source, in human world, the mansion’s owner is a rich, powerful, and reclusive CEO. But to the supernatural world, Lucian Vlad Sinclair is the vampire lord of Alavania. Ang dahilan kung bakit maraming may gusto na magkaruon ng connection ditto.

                Si Lucian Sinclair din ang isa sa kailangan niyang mapapayag para mapa sign-in niya si Everlyn. Lalo pa nasakanya ang huling disisyon.

                Napahugot so Ayreiz ng malalim na hininga sa isiping ito. Vampire always give her a creeps. Pero wala siyang ibang choice. It’s ether tanggihan niya ito at mawawalan naman siya ng trabaho. Right now, all she need to do is magtiis. After all, after this day ay tapos na niya ang tungkulin niya sa trabaho.

                Napabaling siya sa kanyang cellphone ng may matanggap siyang notification, galling sa kanyang boss, Valerie.

                (‘You better not screw this up.’)

                ‘I’ll do my best. But you know how unconfortable vampires make me feel.’

                (‘I don’t care.’)

                Napamura na lang siya sa kanyang isipan bago napabuntong hininga. Kung sana ibang member na lang na lang ng Fated match ang nandito. Sure enough mas magiging maayos at safe sila. Unlike her, she’s just a human who doesn’t have any ability to defend herself in case a problem rice up. But the problem is, Valerie insisted that human is the one who will pitch for this client.

                (‘We NEED Everlyn Sinclair as a client.’)

                (‘Convince her, convince her father. Do whatever it takes.’)

                Napahilamos siya sa kanyang mukha dahil sa message ni Valerie. Of course, she need to convince this clients or else…

                As she remember, when she joined Fated Match five years ago, subrang daming customers na nag-sa-signing up to get their service. But now, business is slowing down and client list is shrinking. Kaya hindi rin niya masisis si Valerie sa pagiging diperada nito. To the point na siya naman ang nakokonsume.

                Valerie believe na once they bring a high-profile client in their company, the supernatural dating community will come flocking back and their rating will surely rise. Someone like Everlyn Sinclair, one of Alavania’a top vampire socialites.

                Mabigat ang pakiramdam ni Ayreiz na naglakad palapit sa gate and press the door buzz. After two buzz, the mansion gate open. Pagpasok niya sa loob, saglit niyang ilinibot ang tingin sa paligid. Hindi niya akalaing subrang ganda ng paligid. Kahit pa medyo makulimlim ang paligid dahil sa mga nagyayabungang puno. Dahilan para hindi makapasok ang sikat ng araw.

                Pakiramdam niya nandito siya hindi para mangumbinsi ng cliente. Kundi ang ihain ang sarili para maging pagkain ng mga nilalang na nakatira ditto. Pilit niyang iwinaksi ang isiping naglalaro sa kanyang isipan.

                Napatingin siya sa isang matangkad na lalaking lumabas mula sa kung saan. Naka amerikana itong itim at seryosong nakatingin sakanya.

                “Miss Swanxy.”

                “Uhm. Hello, were you the one to acess me for the meeting of Ms. Sinclair?” kinakabahang tanong niya rito.

                Saglit siyang pinasadahan ng tingin nito. Bago naglakad patungo sa trankahan ng mansion.

                “Please follow me Miss Swanxy.”

                Walang imik na sumunod na lang siya ditto. Mukhang hindi ito yung tipong makikipag-usap ng mahaba.

                Pagpasok niya sa luob ng masion. Hindi makapaniwala si Ayreiz sa bumungad sa kanya. Saglit na napalaki ang kanyang mga mata. This place is like a royal palace. The different is walang natural light sa lugar… Well, vampire can stay awake during the day, but they are not immune to sunlight.

                Tumigil ang lalaking sinusundan niya sa tapat ng double door bago ito kumatok ng marahan.

                “My lord, Miss Swanxy is here to see Miss Sinclair.” Magalang na anito bago bahagyang yumuko.

                “Yes, please come in.” ani ng malamyos na tinig.

                After Ayreiz crossing the doorway, sinalubong siya ng isang magandang babae with her welcoming smile. She look like a sweet type of girl. Maamo ang mukha nito, kung hindi lang niya alam na isa itong bampira ay siguradong mapaniniwala siyang inosente ito. But knowing her kind, walang imposible. Kahit ang pinakamagandang bulaklak ay pweding makalason at nakamamatay.

                Ibinaling niya ang kanyang tingin sa lalaking naka-upo sa mahogany desk. Her senses starting to hyperdrive. Looking at this man, he have a dangerous vibe. But despite his old-fashioned clothing and frown in his face, everything about Lucian Sinclair spells beautiful… except the fact na isa siyang mapanganib na nilalang.

                Kung hindi siya nagkakamali, He’s Everlyn Sire, the one who turn her. Acording to her research about supernatural creatures, among vampires, they share a familial relationship. Just like werewolves. Siguradong mahihirapan siya kahit na mapapayag niya si Everlyn. That’s why she need to convince them both.

                Ngumiti si Ayreiz ng bahagya bago iyinuko ang kanyang ulo as a respect. They both look at her with something na hindi niya maipaliwanag. They both raised their eyebrows. ‘Good! May mali ata sa ginawa ko?’ Agad siyang napaayos ng tayo.

                “Mr. Sinclair, Mis Sinclair, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name’s Ayreiz, and I’m a representative of Fated Match.”

                “I’ve wanted to try your service for decades! My friends told me about your matches.”

                Medyo gumaan ang pakiramdam niya nang magsalita si Everlyn. Mukhang hindi naman ganon kahirap na makumbinse ito tulad ng inaasahan niya.

                “We know our business. We have a very hight success rate for those looking for a long-term relationship.”

                “Exactly what I need. I’m ready to settle down. Matagal ko na rin itong pinag-iisipan.” Anito na may kiming ngiti sa labi.

                “My daughter is clearly interested in your company. I, on the other hand, have my doubts.” Singit ni Lucian Sinclaire. “How can anyone promise to match mates when the bond is so innate, so unpredictable?”

                Pilit na ini-ignora ni Ayreiz ang tinig ni Lucian Sinclaire. His deep voice seems to ripple along her skin, like a dark caress.

                ‘You’re a walking Happy Meal to Him, Ayreiz. Sexy voice or not, hindi maipagkakailang pwede niyang sipsipin ang dugo mo ano mang oras.’ Kastigo niya sa kanyang sarili. Pero sa kabila nito, alam niyang si Lucian Sinclair ang pinaka kailangan niyang kombinsihin.

                Kalmadong napangiti si Ayreiz bago tumago kay Lucian. She need to be careful and be patient.

                “I understand your concerns completely, sir. Maging kung ako man ang nasa katayuan mo, I would be cautious, too. I can only imagine the concern a father feels for his daughter, but you’re right to be protective when family is involved.” Saglit niyang binalingan ng tingin si Everlyn na tahimik na nakikinig. Then she look back to Lucian. “If you can tell me your thoughts, I’d love a chance to address them directly.”

                Nanatiling tahimik lang si Lucian habang nakatingin kay Ayreiz na marahang naglakad patungo sa isang black wooden chair, kaharap ni Lucian. Kalmado niyang linapag ang dalang briefcase sa gilid ng upuan. Saka siya humarap sa lalaking kanina pa nagmamasid sa mga kilos niya.

                Napatingin siya sa bampirang kaharap. Habang nakatingin din ito ng tuwid sa mga mata ni Ayreiz. Tila sinusukat ang kanyang pagkatao dahil sa mga tingin nito. Idagdag pa ang mga asul nitong mata na parang sa karagatan. Nakakalunod, masyadong malalim at misteryoso. Napaka hirap basahin ang nais nitong iparating. Tila saglit na nawala siya sa kanyang sarili na hindi niya namamalayan dahil sa mga tingin nito.

                “I think, it should be fairly obvious, Ayreisz. I don’t believe your matchmaking service can possibly be anything but a waste of time and money. The mating bond is too…” bahagyang humuna ang boses nito habang ang tingin ni Lucian ay naglalakbay mula sa kanyang paa, patungo sa kanyang katawan at muling tumitig sakanyang mga mata. “Well, it’s simply too primal to be quantified.”

                ‘What was that? Anong ibig niyang sabihin?’ Tila naumid siya dahil sa tinuran ni Lucian.  Saglit na napaisip siya. May katwiran din kasi ito. Dahil sa paglipas ng panahon, marami na ang nagbago sa supernatural world. Una na ditto ang tungkol sa mate. Naging Malabo at subrang liit na kasi ng tsansa na matagpuan nila ang nakatakda sakanila. Kaya unti-unti na rin nagdecline ang fertility rate sa bawat lahi.

                “Mr. Sinclaire, please. Let me explain how it works.” Maingat na wika ni Ayreiz kay Lucian. “Our system is time-tested and produces results. Marami na ang nakapagpatunay sa matchmaking ng company naming.” Inabot ni Ayreiz ang kanyang briefcase saka ito pinatong sa lamesa sa harapan ni Lucian saka iyon binuksan. “First of all, let me assure you that we’re very aware of elusive nature of the mating bond. Gaya nga ng sinabi mo, masyadong unpredictable ito. Kaya hinaluan namin ng science ang matchmaking.” Mahabang paliwanag niya kay Lucian saka liningon si Everlyn.

                “Everlyn, if you deside to sign up, I’ll need to take a swab of the inside of your cheek as well as a hair sample. Kakailanganin ito for configuration of match.” Aniya habang inaayos ang mga tools na gagamitin sa pagkuha ng sample. “We’ll collect pheromones with this tissue and a trace of venom… kung meron kang maibibigay. Also if you have any ability that can create a scent or physical effect, kakailanganin din natin ng sample ng mga ito.” Pagpapatuloy niya.

                “What do you do with your collection?” tila naghihinalang singit na tanong ni Lucian dahilan para mapabaling ditto ang atensiyon ni Ayreiz.

                “Well, first we run this samples through our laboratory. The process distills your physical essence, allowing us to run it throught a computer program. Then we run it throught database. Kasama na ang mga personal preferences para makahanap ng potencial matches base on biology.” Then she pauce. “Rest asure that we only set our clients up on dates with matches of 75% and above.”

                “But a mating bond is much more than genetics. Hindi ito basta-bastang naibabase sa mga laboratory test and experiment.” His eyes pierce through Ayreiz eyes. Tila may malalim na ibig sabihin ang mga binitiwan nitong salita. “What about instinct or fate? How can your computer program replace seeing your mate across a crowded room—lalo na ang malamang siya nap ala ang nakatadhana sayo?”

                ‘Ugh. May katwiran nga naman siya. Pero kasi…’ napatingin si Ayreiz sa mga mata ni Lucian. Hindi nga naman maipagkakaila ang dahilan nito. Long time ago, supernatural can find their mates in natural way. Maraming nagsasabi na once they already see their mates ay malalaman nila ito agad. Parang magic, tila ba may red string na nakakunikta sakanilang dalawa. Kahit ang science ay hindi ito mabigyan ng paliwanag. It can’t replace the kind of explosive passion that everyone yearns to find just once in their lives.

                ‘Gumising ka Ayreiz. This is not the time to think about this kind of staff.’

                “I see, now I’m sure they’ve done all the proper testing and know they’re doing. Sigurado rin ang mitikulosong pagpipili at hindi basta-basta lang.” singit ni Everlyn sa usapan nila ni Lucian.

                ‘Good! I should keep focusing my pitch on Everlyn. Walang patutunguhan ang usapan kung si Lucian ang kakausapin ko tungkol ditto.’

                “Of course, matches can happen without that 75% match rating. Pero madalang nga lang. There’s the happy pair that only had a 33% match rating pero successful ang pagsasama nilang dalawa. And true, pwede naming matagpuan ng kahit na sinong supernatural sang kanilang mates without using our service at all. Pero sa’min kasi, mas pinapadali lang namin which is a lot easier.” Mahaba niyang paliwanag.

                “Okay lang naman yun sa’kin. I think it sounds like a great fun.” May ningning sa mga matang pagsang-ayon ni Everlyn.

                “I still have my reservations.” Ani Lucian na kanina pa nakamasid kay Ayreiz. Pansin din ang malalim nitong tingin mix with speculation. “Are there many humans in the program?” biglay tanong nito dahilan para mapa-isip si Ayreiz.

                It’s werd that he asked her that kind of question. ‘Is he worried about Everlyn?’

                “We have several. I’m the only human on the management team though. But we have human clients who date supernaturals.” Normal niyang sagot sa tanong nito.

                “Uh? How did you find out about the supernatural world? Not many humans have knowledge of it.” May paghihinalang seryosong tanong nito. Dahilan para matigilan siya.

                It’s just a normal question, pero para sakanya ay masyado itong sensitive. Bahagi ito ng nakaraan niya. Isang nakaraan na kung maaari ay ayaw na niyang maalala pa. Ito rin ang dahilan kung bakit ayaw niya sa mga bampira. They’re so sensitive in anything. But he might think that she’s being dishonest kung hindi niya sasagutin ng maayos ang tanong nito.

                “You want the truth?” nag-aalangan man siya ay wala siyang magagawa. She need to do it.

                “Yes.”

                Napabuntong hininga muna si Ayreiz. “My mother was bitten by a were-badger when I was in my late teens. Nasa hiking kami sa mga sandaling iyon. When one came tearing out of the woods, chased by a predator. The were-badger panicked and lost control. That time, hindi naming inaasahan na susugurin nito si mom. That day is a nightmare, dahil nabago ang takbo ng buhay ko.” She keep her gaze carefully direct on Lucians eyea. Ayaw niyang tumingin sa matutulis niyong mga pangil na maaaring kumagat sakanya bigla sa anomang oras.

                “I drop out of my University para lang matulungan ang mom ko to her transition. That will be the start kung saan nakapasok ako sa mundo ng mga supernaturals. It’s through my mother.”

                Habang pinapanuod siya ni Lucian ay hindi maiwasan ni Ayreiz na mailang.

                “Yet you still work with supernatural creatures, kahit na nagdulot ito ng bangongot sayo?”

                “It was an accident. Isa pa, I can’t stay away from it lalo na at isa ang ina ko sa mga ito. And maybe it’s fate that this is what happened. Wala na rin naman akong magagawa kundi ang tanggapin ang katutuhanan. Then move forward.” Kibitz balikat na lang niya.

                Pero hindi niya maiwasang mapaisip. Kung ang mga shifters… paano kapag nawala sila bigla sa sarili? Are they…  Napailing na lang siya.

                Mukhang napansin ng binate ang biglang pagbabago ng imosyon ni Ayreiz kaya bigla nitong binago ang usapan.

                “Miss Ayreiz, Everlyn and I are in full control of ourselves. And we vampire don’t need to take…” anito habang nakatingin sa kanyang lieg. “But ofcourse, that which typically given.”

                Hindi mapigilan ni Ayreiz ang pagbalatay ng init sa kanyang magkabilang pisngi.

                “If you are to work with vampires, that’s something you’ll need to remember.” Dagdag pa nito.

                ‘Does that mean...?’

                Muling nanahimik si Lucian. She can’y see anything in his expression. Tanging ang mahinang tunog na nagmumula sa marahang pagtipa ng daliri nito sa lamesa ang maririnig sa buong paligid. Pareho sila ni Everlyn na naghihintay sa magiging disisyon nito. Kulang na lang talaga ay ang dasalan ni Ayreiz ang lahat ng santo mapa payag lang ito.

                “This organization seems foolish and unnecessary. But Everlyn is fond of telling me, I need to update myself.” Then he pauce. “Very well, Ayreiz Swanxy. I will allow my change to become part of your organization on one condition.”

                Bumilis ang t***k ng kanyang puso. Kinakabahan siya na may kasamang excitement. “Well, what is your condition?”

                A wicked smile curves in Lucian’s lips after she ask that question. “You will sign me up first. If you can find my mate, I shall agree to Everlyn joining your company. Can you prove what you claim, Ayreiz Swanxy?”

To be continue....