G.....r.....r...r. The growl was loud and close to her.
" What should I do?". Elina sat on the fallen leaves on the ground panting.
She glanced around vigilantly. The beast was getting closer. She had already lost her way in the forest?
"Why did I fall asleep on the hill?" Her eyes were filled with tears and her heart beating violently.
She suddenly thought of an idea. She stared at the trees and located one easy to climb.
"If I'm on the tree, the tiger won't see me". She thought.
Successfully, she climbed the tree and heaved a sigh of relief. She leaned on the branch and drifted into thought on her next action.
She heard the rustling of leaves above her and looked up, but what met her eyes was a constrictor snake.
Nooooo!". Her heart flew out of her chest and she missed her grip on the tree and fell down heavily.
* * * *
"Aaa....a.....h! He's n....ea....r!". A piercing scream shrilled through the air. The scream haboured traces of shock and excitement.
In an inner chamber stood an old woman. She was dressed in a long robe with a worn out shawl draped around her shoulder. She was holding an old cane to support her fragile body.
Her head was covered with locked grey hairs. Her face extremely wrinkled and covered with traces of excitement.
"He's ne.....ar!". She screamed again. She smiled weakly, supported her bent, feeble body with the cane, staggered towards the door, slowly approaching the large empty courtyard.
"Our ances....tors have shown us me...r...cy". Her eyes gazed towards the sky. She is the great seer of Bernlus Kingdom.
In another room, a man struggled to rise from a wooden bed. He was too feeble. His eyelids fluttered and his forehead furrowed. He slowly turned his head and saw the young man rushing into the room with fear plastered all over him.
He walked swiftly to the old man, bent towards him and placed his left palm under his head covered with grey hairs and his right palm on his weak body.
" Help me up quickly. Take me outside". He beckoned to the young man, his wrinkled face revealing a weak smile.
The young man widened his eyes in shock when he heard his request. He stared deeply into the weak eyes of his great grandpa, trying to read his emotions. He recovered from the shock, shook his head and forced a smile.
" Did you hear the scream Pa? I don't think it's safe out there". Removing his palm from his chest, he patted the old man on his arm.
The old man took a deep breath and smiled widely, revealing his gums with few stained teeth.
" Didn't you hear? He's near! Boy! He's near". His eyes lit up and tears welled up in his eyes. Not able to hold back, he allowed the tears roll down his cheeks.
The young man is Jason Hemeith, the great grandson of the old man. Jason usually accompanied his aunt Serena Hemeith to visit the old man anytime he returned from Seattle.
Seeing the tears rolling down his cheeks, Jason's eyebrows raised. His eyes widened and his mouth agape.
In twenty one years of his life, Pa had never laughed, smiled or shed tears. Pa would always stare blankly at the ceiling. He had pleaded with Pa to view the outside scenario, but he would always refuse him.
Pa's mood had always been dull and sorrowful, but today, Pa smiled, Pa laughed, Pa shed tears. It was shocking and at the same time amazing.
"Take me to the Seer". The weak but sharp voice pulled Jason back to reality.
"Okay Pa, I will". He helped him up from the bed, took the cane leaned on the wall and gave the old man.
He held his weak arm firmly to give him support, then walked steadily with him out of the room.
* * * *
Sean George Michael stood at the balcony of the house and stared at the stars twinkling in the sky. Dark lines appeared on his face which had lost its lively colour.
He had been in Gonzola for few months and life which he thought would be too lonely was blissful.
Meeting her and falling in love was something he didn't expect. Her presence in his life replaced the initial loneliness.
Though no buddies and no family, he was happy around her.
Recalling the past events, he sighed.
*FLASHBACK*
" Your refusal can't change anything. You are properly getting engaged and that's final". George Michael roared at his son Sean.
"Dad! I don't love her!". Sean wasn't impressed with his family's insistence on his engagement to Victoria Wyatt.
" You once liked her a lot and I believe you still do". Chloe George Michael chipped in.
She liked Victoria a lot and would do anything to bring them together.
" Mom! You said like, not love. I can't marry someone I don't love". His voice had become high pitched. Why the pressure? What's this?
"You were betrothed to her Sean and she loves you a lot. You accepted the betrothal then". His father wasn't ready to give up.
" I was five then dad! A five years old. Does that count as acceptance?". He was frustrated. He can't marry that girl. Never!
" The decision is final. Remember we've been in business partnership with the Wyatt's for a long time and they contributed immensely to the growth of our businesses ".
Williams Maxwell had been his old friend and the both families had maintained a cordial relationship. The two families had agreed to marry their children together in order to foster the friendship.
"They weren't the only contributors dad! We also contributed to their growth!"
" Why are you forcing him? What if they eventually marry and they marriage ends?". Harry Michael stepped in to support his younger brother.
" I don't care if there isn't love. Just stay married to her. I don't care if you keep mistresses outside as long as you remained married to her". George Michael was still insistent.
" So you would be comfortable if I keep mistresses outside after marriage dad?". How could his father say that? Doesn't he care about his happiness?
His heart ached at the thought. Isn't he loved? Is Victoria more loved? Or does his parents care more about business?
The discussion was obviously not going to end well.
"The engagement has been scheduled to hold next week". His father rose from the sofa ignoring his reluctancy.
" One more thing. If you don't appear for that engagement, I will never hand over L. Spark to you". With that he left the living room in large stride.
Was he just threatened with L.Spark? That cosmetic company should rightfully belong to him. His father had already handed over some businesses to his brothers without threats. Why should his own be different? Is he trying to push him to a point of no choice? His forehead furrowed in anger.
" Victoria is a good girl. Even if you introduce another girl to us. I will never accept her. It's Victoria or no one". His mother gave him a warning look and left the room.
Sean's mood became very bad. His parents weren't fair to him. He wasn't even close to any girl. He doesn't have a female friend aside his sister and his cousin Ava.
" If you don't love her. Don't marry her". Becky circled her hands around him to comfort him.
" Quiet! What do you know?" Eric, Sean's first elder brother scolded her.
" To your room!"
Becky pouted and angrily left them. Sean stood up and followed her.