"Ma, can we get some ice cream?" A young boy begged his mother at the park.
"She moved on so fast!" The boy whispered to himself, his eyes swelling with tears.
"Achan? Is that you?" Said the teenage boy, standing next to his peer, watching the mother and son by the bleachers.
"Zorion?" The boy uttered his peer's name as he pulled him aside.
"What are you doing here? Your father's been looking for you!" Zorion stated as they stopped in a narrow alleyway where nobody often went.
"I heard you ran away with his Grimoires... Are you really gonna put an end to his cruelty?" Zorion added as he patted his childhood friend's shoulder.
"I don't know, I just can't let him Practice anymore, and if he really can't go on without his books-" The boy named Achan shuddered.
"It means that your father, the Great Babaylan, is corrupted!" Zorion murmured as he went to hug his frightened friend.
"How did you find me?" Achan asked as tears fell from his eyes.
"You're the Scion, tracking Spells work well on your kind!" He smiled as he stared at his friend's current condition.
Messed-up hair and worn-out clothes, he knew that Achan had been in hiding for days now. And only he could understand his situation, for they are both living under the same situation- a little different, but they know each other's suffering!
"It's been years since we last saw each other, you still haven't changed!" Zorion laughed as he waved his hands in front of Achan.
"Thanks for finding me!" Achan smiled while his body began to glow.
"A little Cleaning and you'll be fine, I'm sorry I can't repair your clothes, I'm still weak!" Zorion sighed, unsatisfied with his own power.
"We're the same, I can't even use my power right, I couldn't even Purify my own father!" Achan sobbed after recalling the day he ran away from his home, taking his father's Grimoires with him.
"It's okay, we Vessels of the First Mage must stick together, remember?" Zorion smiled as he tapped Achan's chest.
"I was gonna talk to her, but I can't!" Achan said, changing the topic.
"Mrs. Allare?" Zorion asked.
"She's no longer my mother, the Mrs. Allare- never mind that. Why are you here?" Achan sighed and started smiling, hiding the pain away.
"I told you, we Vessels must stick together! Do you need help destroying Mr. Allare's Grimoires?" Zorion shrugged and stood beside him.
"You're too kind to me, Zorion, I don't deserve your-"
"Don't you dare say that! You're my only friend who knows about our true identity. It gives me joy to know that we both possess the same destiny, and if you ever push me away, I'll just come right back, stronger and more willful! You're the Scion, the heir of your ancestor's broken Practice, while I am the Successor, the heir of my ancestor's broken Magic. The Fallen Healer and the False Witch, our destinies are intertwined, for we came from the lineage of the First Mage. I will forever be your friend, your confidant, and your only trusted person with Gift on the Coven. Remember that, and don't you dare do this to me again, call me if you need me!" Zorion stated, marking his importance to Achan's life.
"Thank you, but I can't let you do this just because we have the same destiny. Zorion, you cannot involve yourself, don't make the Coven hate you too!" Achan said as he started to walk away.
"Five more years!" Zorion yelled, halting Achan's.
"Let me fully learn Witchcraft from my Grama, you cannot push me away anymore when I become more powerful than you, right?!" Zorion ran for him, holding his hands as he marked his promise.
"You can go ahead and try, I'm the Scion, remember? Just try to live your life, Zorion, I am not worthy of your friendship!" Achan pushed his hands away and continued to walk away.
"But, I love you!" Zorion whispers as he watches the person he couldn't confess his love to.
For that person caught up with too many complications with his life at such an early age, they might be living the same time, but it feels as though that boy is already exhausted.
***
Achan's P.O.V
"Thank the heavens for my preparedness!" I said, relieved after wearing my spare uniform that I left in my office.
I went to my office and took a shower there. Luckily, nobody's here yet. But I'm more thankful for the office's bathroom, the company sure does pamper their employees well!
"Oh, Chief? Why are you so early?" Kammil greeted me after seeing me in our office's lounge.
"I live here!"
"Oh, I forgot..." We both laughed after realizing that I was joking.
"Anyway, Chief? When Manager Diaz suddenly showed up and whisked you away last night, I thought you'd gotten into some serious trouble! But you seem perfectly fine, aren't you?" She asked after a moment of silence.
"I am..." I plainly said.
"When the Young Master appeared too, we were shocked, he even knew that you got into some trouble, he even promised us that he'll help you reasoned with him. So, everything worked out, right?" She giggled, eyes twinkling with relief.
"He did that?" I asked after hearing her.
"Well, yes, but I forgot how he knew that you got into trouble- we're sorry, Chief. That all happened because of us!" She bowed in front of me.
"Miss Constantino, it's fine, nothing serious happened!" I smiled at her, assuring her that she had nothing to be sorry for.
"Thank you, Chief, next time we won't force you to do something that reckless!" She smiled and excused herself.
How did the Young Master know, though? Was he spying on me?
"How's your office job? Was it more stressful than your past one?" Miss Irene asked after sitting back at our table.
"Thank you for meeting me outside the company, breathing some fresh air would do me good!" I smiled at her as I took the beverage she bought for me.
"I should be the one thanking you, after the Manager left for an international assignment, my work has become easier!" She giggled as she took a sip from her coffee.
"It's been weeks, huh?"
"How are you? I heard the Young Master's been a little upset about you these past few days?" She opened the conversation regarding a sole topic that I didn't want her to open!
"Miss Irene, I asked you to meet me so that I could wind down, not to talk about the stress I've been having!" I glared at her.
"I'm sorry, my bad!" She placed her palms together to say sorry.
I just laughed and nodded at her. I'm not actually mad, I just don't want to talk about that!
It's been almost a month since that incident. Manager left without a word, while the Young Master seemed to be redirecting all his frustrations at me.
"What do you mean you needed three kilos of pounded Saffron Threads?!" Young Master yelled as I opened up my presentation for my next team project.
"The- The Antioxidant and Mood Booster of the Saffron could completely get rid of all the remaining Witch of the Forest's ste-"
"Are you serious?! Do you think the company could waste almost half a million just for a pound of flowers?!" He scoffed as he threw my clipboard on the table.
"Please excuse us!" The Chief of Finance excused themselves as the other Chiefs hurriedly exited the meeting hall.
"What's wrong? Why are you so worked up about my proposal? You haven't given me a chance to consult with you personally-"
"What are you tryna say? That you need somebody to double-check your work for you? Isn't that your job?!" He stood up, slamming the table.
"I-I'm sorry, let me come up with a cheaper substitute!" I hesitantly unplugged my laptop from the projector and ran for the exit.
"Achan, are you okay?" Chief Clarence greeted me on the exit as the other Chiefs stared at me.
I tried to hold back my tears, but I just couldn't.
After the incident with Manager four days ago, we did not have the chance to have a talk, I even tried going to his floor, but I just couldn't find him... And after seeing him this mad about my presentation, it made me feel so disappointed about myself.
"I-I'm fine, I guess I could just settle with chamomile!" I laughed and ran for the elevator.
"Poor Mr. Allare!" The Chief of Medical mumbles as I wait for the elevator to open.
"I guess he's still nothing but an immature Healer- but if he managed to keep up with the Curse, wouldn't it be better if you and the Young Master approved his budget?" The Chief of Hospitality told the Chief of Finance.
"You do have a point, I mean, wasn't it a little cheaper than the last Chief Physician's budget?" I heard Chief Clarence say before I entered the elevator.
"Are you sure you're okay? We could cancel today's Locating Ritual if you want a break?" Miss Irene held my hand after seeing me dozing off for a moment.
"I- It's nothing, I can still push through. Finding our Boss is our priority! It's almost two months now, we can't let Silvia torture him for much longer!" I said as I shook my head to focus on the present.
"Irene, Achan, what are you guys doing here?" Chief Clarence suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"Chief? What are you doing here?" Miss Irene returned his question.
"Achan, you need to explain!" He tried to grab my hands, but Miss Irene blocked him.
"Wait, explain what?!" Miss Irene said as he continued to block Chief's attempts to snatch me.
"Irene?" He faltered.
"Can't you see I'm trying my best to cheer my friend up? Why are you barging into our little date, acting all worked up?" Miss Irene barked at him.
"It's Young Master, he put down an order, reassigning all Achan's team to work under Zeworld, effective immediately!" After hearing that from him, I stormed out of the café.
What the fuck did Chief Clarence just say? What did I do to deserve this?!
"What did you do to piss the Young Master this much?!" Chief Clarence caught up to me.
"I was asking the same thing, but it doesn't seem like he wants to explain himself to me!" I screamed, frustrated by his sudden change.
Was it because the Manager told on me? I guess it was that!
"Tsk!" I sighed as I ran for the company's building.
The three of us got on the elevator, all winded by our sudden cardio.
"Go talk to him, now!" Miss Irene said as she pulled Chief Clarence out of my office to check on my team.
"Young Master?" I rang his doorbell, but nothing answered for a minute.
"Shh, you're safe now... I got you!"
"I know you're in there!" I yelled.
"Seems like the effects of the drug have completely vanished from your system, you look lively!"
"Young Master!"
"Get out!"
I remembered it, all the things he did, his sudden change of demeanor- he's hiding something from me, that's why he's being unreasonable!
"Uther Moralez, come out and face me, you coward! If I said or did something that might have upset you, tell me to my face, not like this! Don't involve my work!" I screamed as I continuously banged on his door.
The door swung open, revealing a half-naked man wearing nothing but his towel. All wet from showering.
"What do you want?!" He sneered.
It took me a second to take my eyes away from the giant scar in the middle of his chest.
"Why did you send my team away? Are you nuts?!" I yelled, trying my best not to take another peek at his scar.
"What? Didn't you say you needed the budget for your little Purifying Project?!" He scoffed, pissing me off even more.
"You fucking dumb-" I tried to hit him but he just caught my fist.
"Removing unnecessary things from your department surely does make room for what you're requesting!" He smiled as he pulled me close to him.
So, he wants to play this game? Fine. I've already dealt with the other problem in my life. Now it's time to handle this one!
"Are you really gonna make an enemy out of me?" I whispered as I pushed myself on him.
"Who said I do? I'm merely trying to help you do YOUR JOB!" He smirked, bragging.
"Oh really? It's on! And listen to this, I do not need your help!" I smiled as I pushed him to the ground before I left.
Why is he being unreasonable?
"And why did I entertain his immaturity?!" I yelled to myself as I entered my room.
Why did I entertain this? I was supposed to reason with him and bring back my team, now I ruined that chance!
"If this continues, I might have to step down!" I sat on the floor, complimenting my mistakes.
It's okay, as soon as I figure out this Curse and return the Boss safely, I will be set free from this nightmare!
"I shouldn't have revealed myself!" I mumbled, regretting all my past decisions that took me here.
But I can't change my choice, I have to own it, it was my choice, and I should embrace it!
"Once this is settled, I should quit!" I have to tread carefully or I might also fall...
"I can't let this Purity vanish!" I stare at my hands as a flickering bright white light starts to come out of my palms.
"I can't be swayed by my emotions alone, or it could lead to my downfall!" I reminded myself as I stared at one ball of light covered with dark smoke.
One more wrong move and I might also fall from grace!