Hundred and eight. A thrilling ride
The sky drew its morning curtains, revealing the sight of a new day. The early morning sun, grazed the earth with its gentle smile as its glow traveled the whole corners of Moon country. The sun's rays spiralled in, into Monalissa's room, through her window. She stirred in her sleep, her mouth moving up and down as though she was going to mumble something. Rather, she just swallowed and opened her eyes lazily.
Her eyes, revealed to her, the most handsome face, she had ever come to know, one that was very familiar to her. However, she laughed at herself for dreaming about him. Was this how much she really loved him?
"What is funny Red cherry?" a deep voice resonated in her eardrums, hammering in her chest. That was when she realized that she wasn't actually dreaming. It was real. Her master was really in front of her. But, what was he doing here?
She finally opened her eyes, his face coming into full view. It was closer than the moment she had woken up, magnified and enthralling.
"Good morning, master" she said, her eyes, driving away the remnants of the sleep in them.
"Why were you laughing?" he asked, smiling his eyes fixated on her face.
"I thought I was dreaming" she said.
Ezekiel chuckled deeply. "Well, you're not" he said.
Monalissa nodded, and made a slight gesture, as though telling him to move. Ezekiel got the message but didn't want to back off. He rather leaned in further, allowing their morning breaths to entangle.
"What are you doing here?" she muttered, afraid that he will catch a whiff of her morning breath.
"Watching you. I couldn't miss your morning face for anything" he said, pulling the strands of hair that fell on her face behind her ear.
"That's ridiculous" she said, and turned her face to the side.
"I know but, I don't care. I don't mind doing the most ridiculous things for you" he declared.
Monalissa didn't know how to react the moment he said that. "That's a bit..." she trailed off, speechless. He was being sweet and she didn't expect to wake up to that.
Ezekiel stroked her hair, and kissed her lips, gently. "Welcome into a new dawn Lisa" he said.
Monalissa was taken aback. "Lisa? What's with the address?" she asked, her tummy roped in joy and butterflies.
The sound of his voice saying her name was something else. This was actually the first time.... As far as she could remember, this was the first time he called her name. Not to mention, in such an intimate manner.
"You don't like it? Then will Mona do? Or Monalissa? Which one do you like?" he asked, smiling teasingly. Monalissa got winded up and hurriedly stood up from the bed. It was too much. She...can she even handle this side of him?
"Master...I..."
"Calm down Lisa. Don't get so worked up. Don't worry, I know that we have been in a tensed area for some days now. I will be leaving for the Realm this morning. Hanabi will be coming over. She will accompany you today" he said.
"Okay" she replied.
Ezekiel grimaced at the monotonous sound of her voice. "But I will stay for the sample collection. I want to make sure".
Monalissa nodded. "That's alright master. I will just prepare then" she said and walked into the bathroom, not sparing him a single glance.
Ezekiel sighed deeply while looking at the closed door of the bathroom. Was this his time to get beaten up? First of all, he fell for her as Monalissa Walls. Secondly, she turns out to be his long lost sweetheart. This was all too much for him.
The doctor soon arrived and their samples were taken immediately. Ezekiel left with Louis for the Realm while the doctor was taken to the Realm by another driver.
Hanabi arrived at the gardens an hour later, to bond with sweet friend. She was led through the entrance doors into the living room. Awed by the view before her, she didn't realize that she was drooling.
"Miss" Madam Angela called out to her.
Hanabi quickly collected herself and looked at the woman. "Yes ma'am?"
"I will take you Miss Walls room" she said.
"Sure. That's not a problem" she chuckled nervously.
The elderly woman led her up to Monalissa's room, ignoring the awed look on the young girl's face. It wasn't her fault at all. This was just how striking the young master's abode was. Enthralling people into its beauty.
Madam Angela knocked gently on the door, and announced Hanabi's presence. The door open almost immediately, revealing a smiling Monalissa who was barefooted. "Hanabi!" she called out happily and dived into Hanabi's arms, engulfing the latter into a warm hug. "I have missed you" she said.
"You literally saw me yesterday" Hanabi reminded with a sarcastic chuckle.
"I know right? I just missed you" she said and faced Madam Angela. "Thanks so much ma'am for bringing her up. I appreciate" she said with a bow.
"Not to bother Miss Walls. I will do anything for you dear" she assured. This made Monalissa feel emotional but she tried her best to slap those tears back in with her eyelids.
"I will go and make snacks for you two" the woman said.
"Thanks Madam Angela" Monalissa said and turned to leave. It was at that moment that she noticed Monalissa's bare feet. "Oh Miss Walls!" she cried out.
"Don't run around barefooted. I don't want you to catch a cold" she said in a gentle manner.
Monalissa chuckled and fixed her feet into the furry slippers that was at the door. "Here, I'm no longer barefooted" she said.
Madam Angela smiled helplessly at her. She couldn't believe that her heart was melting at Monalissa's personality. She didn't even know why she hated her at the onset. Shaking her head, she went to make their snacks.
Monalissa sat with Hanabi on the bed. "Thanks for coming" Monalissa said.
"I wouldn't give up in coming for anything baby girl. How's our little one doing?" Hanabi asked, reaching for her flat tummy.
"Sometimes, I wonder if I'm really pregnant. It's just so flat!" Monalissa exclaimed in amusement. "I just hope I didn't lie and wreck everything" she lamented, her face turning forlorn.
"You didn't babe" Hanabi said, taking her hand in hers. "You were even checked by the doctor. You're still in your first trimester so, it's fine" she said and stroked Monalissa's tummy.
"Thanks dear. How's Luke?" Monalissa asked.
"He's good. He was called to the Realm today" Hanabi said.
"Really?" Monalissa asked, wide-eyed.
"Yeah. I guess the Boss wants to bring him back" Hanabi said, her face squeezing up in a slight frown.
"What's wrong Hana?" Monalissa asked the moment she saw the change in her friend's expression.
"I just wish he doesn't readily agree. I just...want him to give the Realm a tough time" she said. "They didn't believe him and tossed him away at his weakest. That's unfair. I kinda hate the Boss for that. I don't care about my own predicament because I know that Kayla is a bitch".
Monalissa held her hands. She understood Hanabi's words. She would feel the same way if it were her. "I understand. It's fine to feel that way" Monalissa supported.
"But, the Boss is someone very close to my friend. And it was through your influence that we were able to leave the factory. I can never forget that" Hanabi said.
"Hey, Hanabi, don't let such things change your feelings. It's fine that you feel that way. I support you. Let's hope Luke thinks the same thing" she said.
"Won't th Boss hate you for doing something like this?" Hanabi asked.
"Master is a human too. He must be expecting that as well. Let's just see how it goes" she said.
"How are the samples?" Hanabi asked, the moment she remembered.
"Don't know yet. We will receive word soon. I expect them to already know about our counter plan by now" Monalissa said her gaze shifting into a space. It was slanted with seriousness as she thought of the news that will soon arrive.
"This is a bit scary" Hanabi said rubbing her arms.
Monalissa smiled. "it's not scary Hanabi. It's thrilling".
Hanabi nearly cringed at the way Monalissa smiled at her. "No way Mona. Don't look at me that way! I'm not the enemy" she said while chuckling and at the same time, moving away from Monalissa.
Monalissa laughed at her behavior. "Of course you are not. You're are my sweetest friend and I love you very much" .
"Oh Monalissa" she sobbed excitedly and went over to hug th young girl on the bed. "I love you too".
The snacks soon arrived and they dug in. The snacks was made suitable so that Monalissa would enjoy it and Monalissa couldn't help but fall in love with the old lady. She loved her so much.
At the Realm.
Kim rushed I go Ezekiel's office, even forgetting to knock. "Boss, there's trouble" he said.
Ezekiel's face scowled into a tight frown. "Speak!"
"Doctor Maya... she's been kidnapped by Elijah" he said.