Hera

"Hello."

"This is the representative of Elder Draco, owner of the Aston car you crashed into yesterday." I glared at Fleur. I barely registered a word after he said representative.

I removed the phone from my ear and talked in a hushed voice

"Fleur, did you just block a lawyer?" Maeve started fanning herself.

"I didn't know," she shrugged.

"..."

I returned the phone to my ears.

"Hello, are you still there?"

"Yes, yes." I quickly replied. He proposed a meeting a week from now.

"I will make sure Miss Fleur will be there." I ended the call.

He sent me the location, which I forwarded to Fleur.

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

After that distressing phone call, I thought that was the end of it. Fleur would go and fix her own problem. Who was I kidding?

Today was the appointment. The sun hadn't even set in the sky when Fleur called. She coughed as if the world was ending. She made me promise to go to the meeting. She said her lawyer would be there. I told her he should go on his own. Apparently, the Aston's lawyer insisted either of us should be there when she tried to apologize for attending.

I told her to postpone it. She stated they didn't mind which one of us went. She was totally dumping it on me. I knew it, but I did write my number on that note, knowing how Fleur would act. There was no going back now.

The office was in one of those high-end areas. Many office buildings, companies' headquarters, and whatnot. Places that an artist like me wouldn't get involved with.

I looked through my wardrobe for something formal. What a headache. I either have casual clothes, more casual clothes, and some dresses for the rare fun nights. I didn't even buy them; Fleur shoved them in my wardrobe.

I looked at the clock. I had one hour before Fleur sent someone to take me to the appointment. I had to look somewhere else.

There was one solution, a costly one, but it was all I could afford for now.

"Mom," I called as I left my room.

"In the kitchen," she yelled back.

"Mom, can I borrow one of your formal suits? I have an important meeting." I reached the kitchen.

"I always tell you to fill your wardrobe with different styles; you just never listen."

"Mom, I am in a hurry, please."

"Go to an arranged date."

"What?"

"Nothing is for free."

"Is this blackmail?"

"I would rather call it a trade."

"No."

"Fine."

She went on to cut the veggies.

Ugh. Why did this happen to poor innocent people?

"Okay, once just once, Mum." She smiled as if she had won a battle. I will win the war, though.

"By the way, Hera, there is that emerald green tailored jumpsuit at the back of your wardrobe." She smiled victoriously. "You know the one you keep forgetting."

I think she just won 2 battles in a row.

Mom 2,

Hera 0.

I didn't have time to mourn my losses and quickly went to my room to change my clothes.

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

We finally reached the office. I looked around the office. It was too organized. Everything was generic. Black and white. Even the coffee mugs. Not even one painting on the walls.

I tried to ignore the irritated Mr Careway beside me. He was also my lawyer, not only Fleur's.

It was one thing to have one of his clients causing trouble. Now he probably thought I was also involved. We sat at the table waiting. He looked pissed off. This wasn't that simple, was it?

"I was wondering what has earned your ire?" I asked

"You don't know who this office belongs to?" he looked at me, perplexed.

"The guy who Fleur crashed his car."

"So you didn't realize yet?" He sighed.

"What exactly is going on?"

"She crashed into the car of a Yin-Ra elder," he rubbed his forehead.

"She did what again?" My mouth hung open.

What, what elder?

Why wasn't I informed?

How did I end up in a Yin-Ra elder's office for an offence I didn't commit?

Fleur, she did it on purpose.

"She wasn't sick, was she?" he shrugged.

"She said you would be more accommodating than she will ever be."

"Come on, are you serious, me?"

"I know, right?"

"I am not sure if this is a compliment or an insult."

"..."

Well, she may have a point; at least I will try my best not to start some galactic war.

The door opened, and a Yin-Ra man walked in.

"This is the representative of Elder Draco." 

Wait, where did I hear that before?

The phone call. Something like that was mentioned. I totally forgot.

"I am Mr Careway, Miss Fleur and Miss Hera's lawyer." 

I looked at him incredulously. Why is he presenting himself as my lawyer? I am just tagging along.

"This is Miss Hera."

"Hello," I waved. What am I even doing?

They started talking. I didn't even try to hear a word. Then I looked at that Yin-Ra lawyer. I checked his neck. He had no stars there. Then I lose interest. I could never forget that throat covered with stars.

I was lost in thought for a while.

"Hera," I looked at Mr Careway.

What now? was written all over my face.

"Here is the summary." Oh, he was doing the usual by summarizing. He knew; I probably heard nothing. He talked about what the insurance would cover and what Fleur needed to pay.

Suddenly the door opened. The Yin-Ra representative suddenly stood up and bowed.

"Elders."

What now? What are they doing here?

Are things going out of control, or am I imagining stuff?

I looked at my lawyer. He was sweating and bowing.

I didn't bow. Didn't exactly run in my blood.

I looked up to those elders.

Silver hair.

Violet eyes.

That neck full of stars haunting my dreams like some teenage girl.

Him.

Oh, it is him.

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

Zale

It had been a whole week since I came to Earth. 

The pulse on my left hand hummed peacefully. That little creature from the bar was my star bond mate. Just like every other Yin-Ra, the bond formed regardless of our will; our mates did not even know it existed.

I squeezed my left hand a little bit.

I turned my attention back to what humans called a television. They kept repeating a word: news. I watched for what felt like hours but nothing of importance was ever registered in my mind. Even though some Yin-Ra news was mentioned, none of it was new to me.

"News is boring; many humans don't even follow it." I looked so bored that Draco started to explain.

"So what is the point of this television thing?"

"Oh, there is other fun stuff, movies, music, contest programs." he took the remote control. The man who kept rambling nonsense on the screen was replaced by a woman talking to a man. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pounded against his chest.

"This is a nice movie," he put the remote down. "Unfortunately, we have to go to the office."

I looked at the clock. Probably Miss Fleur had just reached the office; why was he always in such a hurry?

"Draco, you should be more collected and unhurried; the office is not that far away," I lectured him. "Humans are an interesting species, but you as an Elder should be more relaxed. This is the best way to make good and plausible decisions."

"Understood."

I returned to the screen one more time. I heard about their movies, a form of storytelling. Interesting.

After a few more minutes, I stood up.

"Call for the car."

"You are coming?" he was surprised.

"Of course, we have a meeting with Miss Fleur, right?"

"Yes?"

"Well, I need to discuss with her the compensation."

"The legal team already calculated everything."

"We don't need their money." He nodded.

I was just about to move towards the door when he stopped me.

"Aren't you going to change your clothes?" I looked down at my burgundy long-sleeved turtleneck top and black trousers.

I ignored him and was about to open the door.

"Elder, the secretary has informed me that Miss Hera and her lawyer have reached our office."

"What do you mean, Miss Hera?"

"Miss Fleur's friend," he explained. "Miss Fleur caught a cold, and Miss Hera came in her stead."

Why was he only saying this now?

I looked down at my clothes.

"I forgot something in my room," I didn't wait for him.

After a second, I was in my room.

I changed into a white, long-sleeved button-down dress shirt and a new pair of black trousers.

I walked back towards the door. Draco side-eyed me. This boy what is wrong with him?

"Elder, the car is ready." He informed.

"I think we are late," I looked at the clock. "We should make a run for it; that would be faster."

The water glass that he was holding fell onto the floor. What is wrong with his hands?

Should I have him go and take a healer checkup back at Yin-Ra?

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

It took us ten minutes to reach the office. We were outside the door when a man spoke.

"Hera ... Here is the summary."

I listened for a bit. Why was he summarizing the situation? Wasn't she there from the beginning?

I opened the door.

The moment Draco's lawyer saw us, he bowed. The human lawyer bowed next.

She stood, no bowing, no theatrics, nothing.

That little creature stared at me next. She looked me up and down. It was fortunate that I changed my clothes. Humans cared about first impressions. Maybe this is a second impression, but still.

Wait, why am I trying to impress her again?

My left hand started pulsing again. I squeezed my hand a bit and walked toward the table.

She didn't even wait for me to sit down. She sank into her chair.

Draco's face was a whole shade of blue. I think he was in awe. He had never seen someone other than him who didn't follow decorum.

"Mr Careway, Miss Fleur's and Miss Hera's lawyer," the human lawyer introduced himself.

"This is Elder Zale and Elder Draco," Draco's lawyer stated. "We have almost reached an agreement concerning the payment process."

She was too calm. She stole a few glances at me but nothing else.

"I believe we can pursue another payment method," I declared. All looked perplexed.

"And what is that?" she asked.

"From what I gathered, your friend has an art studio," Draco elbowed me.

She was confused for a second.

"Did you investigate Fleur?" she was irritated. 

Maybe this was not the wisest way to start this conversation.

"Hera,"she froze for a second. "I wanted us to reach an agreement that benefits us both."

"So what would benefit all the involved parties?" she started tapping her feet. "What does that have to do with the art studio?"

"Well, I think the Yin-Ra people will understand humans more if they try their arts. So maybe free classes or courses, and that would be taken off the payment."

She was silent for a moment. She was making a decision not only for herself but for her friend.

"Well, we do have some thriving painting classes," She stated.

"Only painting?"

"I think that is the best introduction to our arts."

"You are a ceramic artist." 

Draco elbowed me again. 

"Why not offer classes for that too?"

"Let's say I ignore the part where I was investigated." She was pissed off. This little creature's face was doing wonders. "I don't think this is applicable."

"Why?"

"Clay is more spontaneous." She took the water glass in front of her. "It needs a person to loosen their control."

"So you think we are too controlled." She didn't even bother to reply. "Then this would be a good opportunity for us to learn."

They were all dumbfounded. I leaned towards her. She didn't flinch.

"Let me take the lead and be your first student." I looked straight into her mesmerizing eyes.

Silence.

Then Draco started having a fit of coughing.

I will make sure he visits a Yin-Ra healer later.

Author's Note

Fleur has officially proven that one decision can create an entire chain of chaos. 😂

Hera thought she was just attending a meeting to fix a car accident. Instead, she walked into an Elder's office and found herself face-to-face with the one person she has been trying very hard not to think about.

Meanwhile, Zale is discovering that humans are strange creatures ✨

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thank you so much for reading, voting, commenting, and sharing your theories. Your reactions make writing this story even more fun. 💙