Hera

I rushed outside the bar and walked for a few minutes before reaching the mini crash site.

I kept telling her to concentrate on the road, as simple as that, but she just had to try and reach for the tissue box from the back seat.

I didn't even understand what it was doing back there. She could have told me; I failed to understand her at times like these.

There she is circling the mini crash scene, assessing the loss of her car more than the loss of the victim's car. Typical Fleur. Did she even realize what we had crashed into?

I look again at the casualties. Well, Fleur's car front bumper was a bit displaced. But look at the driver's door of the victim's car. It is folded in. I doubt that the poor owner can sit in the driver's seat anymore.

Fleur didn't even look up at me when I came close to the cars. I reread the note. The apologies were written, and Fleur's number and mine were crystal clear. I secured the note below the Aston Martin wiper arms.

"What is this note?" Fleur asked

"Our contact numbers."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

She didn't answer. I was right; she would block the owner if he asked for compensation.

"It probably has some insurance, right?" Finally, it had dawned on her.

"Who knows?" I shrugged.

"Are the repairs going to be expensive?" She started to hyperventilate. Great, all I needed now was for Fleur to have a panic attack.

"Breathe slowly, Fleur," I started patting her back. 

"Inhale."

"Exhale."

I waited for her to calm down. She only calmed for a moment before she started again.

"Hera, will I have to sell the studio?" she asked.

"Let's hope we don't get to that."

"I need to drink."

I pinched my nose bridge. You would think I am used to such occurrences, but she seriously leveled up each time.

She pushed the dislodged bumper back into position, got into the driver's seat, then parked.
We then headed to the bar.

I should have just stayed at home and slept.

"Do you think the owner might be inside?" She started again

"Maybe."

"Should we go drink somewhere else?"

"No."

She shut up at my firm response. She knew me too well. The second we leave here, I will be going home; that would be it for today. She had to endure drinking here for the time being.

We headed to the bar.

I stepped back inside, this time slowing my pace. I think I slammed the door open too dramatically the first time. I didn't register many of the stares back then, but no need for another spectacular arrival. The Yin race probably doubted humans' restraint. I think I have hammered the nail in the coffin about that part with my previous entrance. Fleur hurried to a table at the left corner, and I followed her slowly.

"I want whiskey," she said.

"Go order for yourself."

"I just had a mental breakdown, please."

"You just want me to pay for it."

"Well, I might be deep in debt by tomorrow, so please help this poor friend of yours," She pouted.

"Poor fiend," I retorted

"You love me."

"I don't."

I stood up while her face contorted into an unreasonable grieving expression. I walked towards the bar and placed my order.

I met Fleur during the foundation year at the art institute. I wouldn't say we hit it off; Fleur hit it off on her own. I got used to it until she became a constant in my life. Even later, when we chose different departments, we still stayed friends until graduation. She opened her studio, and I worked there.

She keeps saying that we are some fated soul mates. I didn't even have a clue where she's getting these wild ideas.

The bartender finally finished the order. I carried the whisky glass and headed back. I didn't know if I was distracted by my thoughts or the overall tiring day when I bumped into someone. I almost lost my grip, but a pale, warm hand steadied the glass before it could shatter. Too fast. Inhumanly fast.

A sweet amber scent with a faint note of citrus invaded my nose.

I looked up, and I saw him. This was the first time I stood that close to one of them. His neck had those shiny dots that looked like stars. I had seen a few of his kind from reasonable distances, definitely farther than this, but none had them on their necks.

His almond-shaped violet eyes were mesmerizing. He had pointed ears and long silver hair, dressed simply in a black shirt and white trousers. It was an understated look, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't captivated. Who is this?

I suddenly realized that I had been staring for too long after bumping into the poor man without apologizing.

"Sorry, I am really sorry."

"It is okay," his voice was so deep. It felt ancient. I wanted to slap my face to wake up from this trance, but what the hell, he was too breathtaking even for me.

"Thank you." I quickly moved around him and walked towards my table.

I set the glass on the table and slid into my seat. I desperately hoped that Fleur hadn't witnessed that, or I would never hear the end of it.

"So did you count the stars, dear?"

Oh, she saw alright

"What do you mean?"

"You were gawking at the man."

"I did not."

"Whatever you say."

She started sipping her drink. I glanced around. A few Yin Ra quickly looked away, as though they'd heard something amusing.

We were talking very quietly. They couldn't have heard, could they?

I looked back over my shoulder, but he was no longer there. I was just shaken because this was the very first time I stood so close to their kind. That was all.

I could never have imagined that this seemingly uneventful night, okay, except for the car crash, would change my life forever.

*****************************

Zale

The moment she re-entered the bar, I couldn't take my eyes off her again!

This time she looked calmer yet more irritated. The reason was probably the other human tagging along.

Draco kept staring at me as if I were an alien. Funny because the reports did mention this was what humans called us at first. I didn't spare him another thought. I looked back at her.

This creature was doing something wrong to my whole star-line system. No other Yin Ra tried to look towards that table except for Draco, who kept stealing glances. Of course, no one other than him would miss the signal not to interrupt his elder.

Then she started talking with the human woman tagging along. They seemed to be what humans call friends, but it was the weirdest conversation I had ever heard. She actually told her friend she didn't love her, only to get up a moment later to fetch her a drink.

Then she passed near my table. She smelled of something I had no memory of, like a flowering bush after the rainy season. She walked so absentmindedly, unaware of the storm that she had caused in my chest.

This was something I didn't understand. Something beyond my comprehension. I had to leave. In a moment, this 200-year-old elder would create a scandal in front of this fellow Yin-Ra people.

I stood up without warning. Draco followed. Then, in a matter of seconds, I was hit from the back. I knew, of course I knew, from the intoxicating scent invading my nose.

I turned very quickly to see her situation and steadied her glass before it could fall. My hand was shaking. I swear to the Goddess that I probably looked like a foolish little boy.

She looked up at me with her soft gaze; she instantly looked at my neck. My heart started a foreign rhythm, something I had never felt before.

"Sorry, I am really sorry," she said.

"It is okay."

I prayed to the Goddess that she didn't hear my unreasonable heartbeat. She immediately left. I finally breathed.

Then a calm and serene hum pulsed through the back of my left hand.
A little star that only I could see flew from my left hand and landed on hers.
Then disappeared.
She felt nothing and realized nothing.
I stared for one more second.
She was my star bond.
Why her of all people?

I moved towards the door. Draco followed, and just before he closed the door, I heard her friend talk.

"So did you count the stars?" I chuckled at the comment. These two had no idea Yin-Ra had strong senses.

Draco looked at my face, then glanced back. Again, this foolish boy did not know when to stop. It is no wonder the other elders closed their doors on him. He ran towards his car. I followed him slowly.

"Stop." I ordered him before he tried to fix the car with his hand; after all, he could easily fix the dent with his strength.

"What, why?"

I ignored him and walked towards the front window shield. There it was: the paper she painstakingly filled.

Numbers.

"What are these numbers for?"

"These are phone numbers," Draco answered.

"This is how they communicate here."

I did read about these in the reports. It was something new to our race. We had simple orbs to contact each other through as long as you connected a star-line to them.

"Take me to your ... I think you call it office," I looked at Draco, who was very confused.

"Now?" he was bewildered.

I didn't answer.

"But I have to fix the car."

"I said don't."

"How are we supposed to go to the office then? It is an hour away."

"I believe you have spent too much time here that you forgot about being a Yin-Ra person, let alone an elder."

With one mournful look at his dented car, Draco took off. He was gone in a flash, and I followed effortlessly. It took us almost ten minutes to reach his so-called office. The room was meticulously organized. The window overlooked the surrounding buildings. I sat at his desk.

"Bring me a phone." I took the note from my pocket.

"Investigate the owners of these numbers."

"Understood."

"One more thing, I want an office here."

"This is the largest one here."

"Good, then find another one for yourself."

Draco was appalled. Then he quickly composed himself and nodded.

I should stay here for a while, maybe get to know humans more. I will stay until Draco's mess is solved; that is all. Maybe meet that little creature once more, just one more time.

​Author's Note:

​Fleur taking out Draco's car door over a tissue box is pure chaos, but it definitely paved the way for an unforgettable encounter! 😂
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​If you're loving Zale and Hera's story so far, please hit that vote star and leave a comment with your favorite line from this chapter. See you in Chapter 3! ✨