I
“Now that Grazziena knew already who she is, it is time to let her know further, that she is the future Luna of the Cold Mountain Pack,” Lumaro thought as he waited for Grazziena outside of her school.
Grazziena checked her watch; it is almost five o’clock in the afternoon, a few minutes more and their professor will be dismissing their class.
Lumaro mind linked her, informing her that he is at the waiting shed beside their university belt, waiting for her. She will meet Lumaro; she has still lots of questions in her mind and she knows that only Lumaro can answer her.
"Lumaro, I will meet you in a few minutes. Wait for me there," she replied to Lumaro through mind linking.
Lumaro answered too, "I will Grazziena. Take your time, I will just wait in here."
When Grazziena got out of the University, she immediately spotted Lumaro at the waiting shed. Before approaching Lumaro, Grazziena looked around to make sure that Governor Draeko’s car was not parked nearby. She does not want to create any misunderstanding with Draeko. Right now, she did not know yet how she could be able to tell Draeko the truth about her but she intends to tell him everything. She will just gather first all the courage in her so that she will be brave enough to spill to him the truth.
When Lumaro approached her, Grazziena immediately called a cab and got inside it quickly when it stopped in front of her. She then motioned to Lumaro to get inside the car before anyone else could see them.
Unfortunately, however, Leslie and her friend Mariella saw them. The two were inside Mariella’s car about to get out of the University gate.
“Leslie, did you see that? Those were Grazziena and the man we met at the airport right?” Mariella asked with creases on her forehead. A malicious idea suddenly filled her mind. This is a piece of good news for her. Why? She will use this scene against Grazziena to make Governor Draeko despise her and eventually, the young governor will fall for her because she will do everything to get him. She then readied her phone, zoomed in its camera, and took a picture of Grazziena and the man while getting inside the cab.
Leslie nodded while she also looked at Grazziena and Lumaro hopped inside the cab and then noticed what Mariella did. She furrowed at her but Mariella disregarded her reaction.
“How on earth that they knew each other? Are they relatives?” Mariella asked again.
Leslie shook her head. “I don’t know Mariella. I have not seen Lumaro after I dropped him off at the Triple K Hotel.” Leslie lied. She could not trust Mariella when it comes to Grazziena and Lumaro's secret.
Leslie knows Mariella very well. She knew she will use anything against Grazziena to get Governor Draeko and she will not allow it. Although Mariella is a friend, but she did not conform to some of her unacceptable deeds, besides, Grazziena is a good person. Whatever it is between Lumaro and Grazziena and between Governor Draeko and Grazziena; they need to settle it within themselves. She likes Lumaro a lot but if Lumaro loved someone else or is being bound by that MATE thing, she has no right in any way to deprive him of his happiness.
“Dado, follow that cab; I wanted to know where its passengers are going,” Mariella suddenly instructed her driver, to Leslie’s dismay.
“But Mariella, I thought we are going to the shopping mall?” Leslie tried to stop her friend from following Grazziena and Lumaro.
But Mariella is a stubborn woman; she does, whatever she wants to do. “Shopping mall can wait Leslie, but to know something about Grazziena that might be used against her only comes once in a blue moon. So, Dado, hurry up and follow that cab!” she ordered to her driver, arrogantly as she always does.
II
“Lumaro, let us go directly to our house and talk there. It is safer for us there than anywhere else.” Grazziena suggested to which Lumaro agreed.
“No problem Grazziena. Your home is a better place than anywhere else.” Lumaro replied smiling.
Inside the car, Leslie and Mariella are debating with each other. They have different opinions.
“Mariella, this is not right. We are prying into the privacy of someone else.” Leslie said.
“I don’t care about that Leslie; all I want to know is, who is that man to Grazziena. I heard a rumor that Governor Draeko and Grazziena are dating; so, if Grazziena is also dating another man, then she is cheating Governor Draeko and it would be an advantage for me.” Mariella retorted, annoyance in her tone was evident. She wanted to get even with Grazziena and if this moment is the moment she is waiting for, to use something to get back at her, then she will not let this moment just pass by.
Leslie decided not to argue anymore. She kept her silence as they followed the cab where Lumaro and Grazziena are passengers. Until Leslie noticed that the cab’s direction is going to the secluded place or barrio of Grazziena. She was able to breathe clearly. At least the two will not be dating. Leslie smiled.
“See Mariella? They are going to Grazziena’s house. Maybe they are actually relatives.” Leslie said hoping that her friend would give up on being too nosy.
Mariella frowned. “Dado, let us go back. Bring us to the City shopping mall,” she instructed her driver nonchalantly.
Leslie secretly smiled; deep in her heart, she is wishing that eventually, Grazziena would turn down Lumaro because of Governor Draeko. She still hopes for Lumaro to fall for her.