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“For now, rest. After, I’ll start looking for answers. This is where I will need your help. Could you take care of Athena while I try figuring things out?”
“Of course. It would be our pleasure. Didn’t you see how your father just transformed into a grandpa ready to spoil Athena for the rest of her life? We will be fine. You take your time and find out the answers you need.”
“Thank you, Mom,” I said and hugged her tightly. “What would I have done without you?”
“What you always did, worked hard to get what you want. This shouldn’t be different.”
I nodded.
“Does anyone know you’re back?” Mom asked.
“No. Not even Mei. I hadn’t spoken with her in so long. I need to call her.”
I went to my old room and called Mei on my mom’s cell phone. The sound of her voice gave me so much reassurance.
“Hi, Mei. It’s me, Petra. I’m back in the States.”
“Oh my goodness. You’re here with the baby?”
“Yes. We’re at my parents’ house. How about a meet-up? We have much to discuss,” I said.
“Are you coming to the UW campus?” Mei asked.
“Yes. Can I stay with you for the time being?” I asked.
“My dorm room is your dorm room.”
∞∞∞
When I met Mei with her hair fluttering in the wind and a genuine smile on her face, I felt like all my problems would be solved. I knew Mei was only human, but a good friend in need could equate to having magical abilities. We ran toward one another and hugged.
“I cannot believe it’s you,” Mei said. “After you left for your honeymoon, I expected never to see you again. Or, at least, not so soon.”
“If a good enough reason occurs, I believe anything is possible.”
“What good enough reason do you have to be here?” Mei asked.
I looked down as my gaze dimmed.
“Don’t tell me it’s Gabriel,” Mei said.
I nodded.
“First, we must find a place loud enough no one would be able to distinguish our talk. Let’s go to the campus café.”
Once we sat with coffee cups warming our hand, we talked for hours upon hours. About Athena, the castle, Kira, Vedoma, and toward the end, Gabriel. It took me much effort to recall the dreadful night and put it into words for Mei to understand. Her facial expression changed with every word I said till it formed a massive question mark. “You mean to say Gabriel tried to kill Athena?” Mei interjected.
“Shh,” I whispered. “We don’t want now to be the one time the whole café listens, but yes. I’ve never sensed anything unusual in his behavior to denote rage. He looked somewhat apologetic when he approached Athena. The whole thing doesn’t make any sense, no matter how much I ruminate on the situation.”
“Something indeed doesn’t add up. The first time I met him, he seemed fishy to me, but the more I got to know him and how much he cares about you, his present actions do not make sense.”
“What do you think I should do?” I asked, hoping I would get a good answer.
“I’m thinking I should talk to my parents,” Mei said, rubbing her chin.
“You want to tell the whole story to your parents?” I asked.
“Nothing of such sort. I would never disclose your life to them. Plus, they probably would not believe me anyways. My parents have seen the whole world and have a lot of acquaintances. I’m thinking of asking what they would do if they wanted to find more information about a powerful person.”
