(Leopold POV)
I storm into my office. I am so mad I could punch a wall. I think I’ll better go for a run or something to calm myself down. Major Anderson is doing this to mess with my career, I am certain and I can’t do anything about it. This is so frustrating!
A soft knock on the door, I turn around and Sabrina smiles at me.
Oh, no, I completely forgot about her. I let out a soft groan as the brunette walks towards me with seductive moves. The black tight uniform suits her perfectly, she is undoubtedly attractive, and yet I could never really fall for her, in spite of how hard she tries.
“Is something wrong, dear Leopold? You are fuming,” she observes.
Sabrina tries to brush my cheek with her hands but I take a step back.
“I want to be alone, please go,” I say rudely.
Sabrina doesn’t even wince. She knows I’m ill-tempered. She knew this about me even before she began with her attempts to seduce me. For some strange reason, she finds my moody temperament attractive.
“You want to talk about it?” She asks not letting my manners discourage her.
“No, I said I want to be alone. So leave! Don’t you have something to do? The rest of the Unit is training, you should do the same. I told you a thousand times, there is no special treatment for you, not even for sleeping with the commander,” I remind her increasingly irritated by her presence.
Sabrina giggles. “I know, dear, I just wanted to check on you…” she says before turning around to leave.
“Sabrina,” I call her before she goes. “Let’s have dinner tonight,” I suggest.
She smiles and nods, glad to know we have a date tonight. Little does she know it’s no date, but the last dinner we will ever share as a couple. If I’m being assigned a Bearer, I can’t be involved with other women. Infidelity is a crime in Estermond and I won’t risk it. Things between Sabrina and I, however inconsequential for me, have to end tonight.
********
I open the chair for Sabrina to take a seat, she is chattering nonstop about some irrelevant topic... or maybe she is telling me something very important, I have no way of knowing because I am not paying any attention to her. I'm too focused on trying to come up with a nice way to break up with her. This is not going to be easy. I fear how she will react when I tell her the news. That is why I brought her to The Casserole, one of the most expensive restaurants in Estermond. Perhaps the luxury around us, and knowing the kind of people who come to this place will prevent her from making a scene. The Casserole is so exclusive that only a few people of high status are allowed to eat here. At the tables around us, we only find high-ranking officials from other ministries.
“What is going on with you? You're distracted,” Sabrina says with a frown.
"I'm sorry, it's just that I have a lot on my mind," I reply with a fake grin.
“Like what?" She asks annoyed.
“Do you want something to drink?” I ask while I call the waiter.
We order a bottle of wine. Maybe some alcohol in her veins will soothe her for what’s coming. I know Sabrina is really invested in our relation, she was even hoping we might move in together or something like that. I, of course, had no plans for that. Sabrina is beautiful, but she has been nothing more than a way of forgetting everything that happened with Grace. I was lost for so long, depressed and confused, and Sabrina was a fun distractor. I knew from the start, getting involved with a subordinate could be messy, but I wasn’t thinking clearly at the time. At first, I thought it would be a one-night stand thing, but Sabrina wouldn’t let go and I just went along with it. It’s been almost a year since that, I have thought of ending things several times, but I always dreaded the drama. Now I can’t postpone it any longer. I’m about to be assigned a Bearer. I’m fertile so I knew this could happen to me, I just thought maybe authorities have given up on me because I already had a Bearer once. Apparently not, and they are punishing me with an Eel.
Sabrina continues to chatter while I pretend to listen to her. The waiter brings the bottle and pours it into our glasses. I take mine and drink it like it’s a shot of tequila.
"Leopold, don’t do that, this is a fancy place," Sabrina whispers angrily as she looks at the tables around us, embarrassed by my behavior.
"Rich people get drunk too," I joke to lighten the mood.
"You're acting weird, what's wrong with you? Tell me,” she insists.
I sigh, there is no point in putting this off any longer. I must tell her the truth.
“Today I received some news… they have assigned me to a Bearer,” I confess plainly.
“What? But… what?” Sabrina stares baffled at me. The news caught her off guard.
“I have been assigned to a Bearer. The girl is to move in with me this week, probably even tomorrow,” I explain to her.
"What the heck are you talking about? I thought you didn’t want another Bearer after… what happened to Grace,” she says hesitantly, she knows I can’t stand talking about Grace.
“I didn’t… well, I don’t, but it’s not optional. The Assignment Committee and other superiors decided to give me a Bearer and I can’t refuse,” I reply.
“Can’t refuse?! You are Commander Leopold Mortensen! A national hero!” She cries out.
“Which is why authorities insist on me having children and for that, I need a Bearer,” I say.
“What does this means for us?” She asks naively.
“Come on, Sabrina, you know what it means. You are smart, you are part of my Unit after all,” I say before I take a sip of wine.
"Are you going to break up with me over a stupid Bearer?!” she exclaims so loudly that some of the diners around us turn to see us.
“Sabrina, calm down. This girl is going to be my assigned partner, I can't do anything about it,” I explain to her.
“No, I refuse to accept this! This too unfair! I’m way better than any Bearer. She is probably going to bore you and you are going to be miserable with her. Tell them you won’t take any Bearer!”
“Have you lost your mind? I can’t do that, no one can refuse to be assigned to a partner,” I remind her.
“But you are Commander Mortensen, everyone admires you. There must be something you can do,” she insists. “Do something!”
"Sabrina, control yourself," I ask through clenched teeth.
"Excuse me, I'm going to have to ask you to moderate your tone of voice," our waiter tells us shyly.
I give him an apologetic grin so he knows I'm sorry.
"Sabrina, don’t make a scene. Control yourself, you are a Shark and you need to behave like such,” I say with a frown.
“I will act as I want!” Sabrina yells before throwing her glass of wine to my face.
I remove the liquid from my eyelids with my fingers and manage to open my eyes just as Sabrina is storming out of the restaurant.
All eyes are on me, the diners stare at me perplexed. Our waiter slowly walks over and hands me a napkin to dry the rest of my face.
"The check, please," I ask the waiter. I just got humiliated in front of who knows how many important people, if I could I would hide under the tablecloth and I wouldn’t come out until the restaurant was closed, but I cannot do that, I am a Shark, I must keep my head up under any circumstance.
As soon as I pay the bill, I stand up and walk towards the exit, avoiding at all costs the curious glances that follow me. What was I thinking when I brought Sabrina to this place? I was too naive believing that the presence of other people would prevent her from making a scene.
“Commander Mortensen, what an unfortunate scene we just witnessed,” I hear a voice as I walk past one of the tables. I turn slowly towards the person, although I already know that it’s Major Anderson.
I groan softly, why did he have to be here to witness what Sabrina did? I look at the Major and his Bearer without knowing what to say, should I laugh? Pretend everything is ok?
"What a spirited girl you brought as a companion," Mrs. Bertha Anderson mentions in a mocking tone.
“Isn’t she part of your Unit?” The Major asks.
“Sabrina Flowers. Yes, she is, Major,” I reply humiliated.
“Do you let all your subordinates humiliate you in public like that?” He asks shaking his head disapprovingly.
"I'm very sorry that you had to witness that scene,” I apologize to them.
"Is that how you handle your private life, Mortensen?" How can I expect you to lead the 9th Unit if you can't even control one of your Sharks?” the Major asks, shaking his head.
I clench my fists to contain my anger. Just what I was missing! Not only was I publicly humiliated but Sabrina's outburst is going to have a toll on my career.
“Mayor Anderson, I assure you that this has nothing to do with my performance as commander. I am a professional…"
"A professional would have never behaved like you did, Mortensen! Remember that you are at all times a representative of the Ministry of Bravery. These kinds of public displays make us all look bad,” says the Major with a frown.
"A true Shark behaves at all times," Mrs. Bertha Anderson murmurs with a mocking smile.
“It is the first and last time that something like this happens. You have my word, Major,” I promise him.
"It better be, Commander Mortensen. For your sake, I hope your relationship with your Bearer turns out to be better than what we just saw. A Shark must maintain order inside and outside his home, especially given who this Bearer is,” Anderson reminds me.
"Of course, Major. I agree,” I reply with a firm tone of voice.
“You can go away now, Commander Mortensen. You have taken enough of our time,” Anderson says.
"Let the Righteous Regime last forever," I say to both of them as my stomach boils with anger.
(Aubrey’s POV)I look at my feet, every now and then I venture a glance at the Matron, who hasn’t said a word since she got here. I waited for her all day yesterday and today all morning, now it’s way past noon and she just got here like fifteen minutes ago and has been silent the whole time. Just by looking at her face I can tell she dislikes me. That is no surprise. She thinks I’m an Eel, so of course, she hates me. Everyone in Estermond hates Eels, they are the enemies of our good and peaceful society, they threaten our existence as we know it; I hate them too and I hate that everyone thinks I am one of them.The Matron sighs, like she is already bored with me.“Did Keeper Winder explain to you what is expected from you?” She finally asks.
I draw my breath in as the intimidating commander stands before us. His penetrating stare burns like fire. His deep blue eyes convey all his might and self-confidence, his comb-over black hair is perfectly in it’s place, just like his uniform is impeccable. It is evident that he likes to present a clean and neat appearance, like any respectable commander would. He is so tall and impressive he makes me feel tiny and insignificant.The dog won’t stop barking behind him, eager to scare the visitors away. I can tell by his face, that the commander wishes for us to leave too. Neither the dog, nor the owner are glad to have me here.“Good evening, Commander Mortensen,” Matron Mary Ann greats him and then she places her hand on my back. “This is Aubrey, your new Bearer.”
I get up and run downstairs to get the door. I can’t have Matron Mary Ann waiting for me, she might get upset.“What is the meaning of this?! You are not ready! Look at you hair, it’s a mess!” Matron Mary Ann exclaims as I open the door. “I told you I would come to pick you up everyday at 8:3o on the dot. You are going to be late for your first day at the Bearer Center! You irresponsible girl!”“I overslept, Matron Mary Ann, but I’ll be ready in a minute. I’m sorry,” I apologize as I let her in.“Well, I guess I’ll let it slide just this one time, I assume the commander didn’t give you much chance to sleep last night,” she says with a wicked grin.I avoid her gaze so she can
I look around me, getting use to the idea that this place is going to be part of my daily routine from now on. All Bearers around us are smiling and acting extremely polite to one another under the attentive stares of the Matrons walking among them. I was right, this place is creepy.All of a sudden, the sound of a slap echoes in the lobby. Everyone hushes and stays still as we stare at a Bearer looking down as she presses her hand against her cheek. In front of the Bearer, a tall Matron glares at her.“No foul words, Renata. I have warned you a thousand times, bad Bearer! Vulgar language damages your future babies,” the Matron warns her.The slapped Bearer nods timidly. “Sorry, Matron Lina,” she mutters.“You see what happens
(Leopold Mortensen P.O.V.)A blow to the nose. A left hook and then a cross punch. Anthony reels backward before falling to the ground. I growl, defeating him was too easy. I still have a lot of anger left and he wasn’t a good enough opponent.“Who's next?!” I shout looking at the rest of my Unit as they watch me standing outside the ring. “Come on! Who wants to fight me now?!”"Hey, Commander, you seem angry. Maybe instead of boxing, you should go for a walk,” Valentine suggests, looking at me with a hint of fear.His cowardice irritates me beyond words. But deep down I am aware that my anger has nothing to do with Valentine or anyone else in my Unit. I’m upset about what happened last night or, better said, what almost happened. I feel disgusted with myself. What was I thinking? I know the who
(Aubrey’s POV) Shortly after, Eliza comes back with Fiona, whose eyes are reddened because she has been crying. Fiona takes a seat next to me. I feel sorry for what that strange girl said to her, Fiona seems nice, I thought so since I saw her during our fertility test. “Are you okay?” I ask in a whisper. Fiona straightens her back at the sound of my voice. She looks askance at me, she clearly distrusts me for being an Eel. After a few seconds, she nods. “Yes, I’m better now, thank you,” she replies with caution. I press my lips together. I shouldn’t have asked her anything, I am not her classmate, nor a regular Bearer, I can’t pretend to act normally and for my group to accept me.
I walk around the house like a caged lion. Waiting for the moment Commander Mortensen gets home. Suddenly, I hear Baxter's paws behind me. I look over my shoulder, the dog is shyly walking behind me with his tail between his legs.“You don’t have to be afraid of me, boy, I won’t hurt you,” I say in a soothing tone.Baxter starts to wiggle his tail as I pet him. Suddenly, the door opens and Commander Mortensen comes in, he is carrying a box with my prisoner number written on it. “Good evening,” I mumble with my eyes fixed on the box. What it’s inside it?The commander doesn’t even reply. My attention gets diverted from the box when I realize a middle aged woman comes in behind the commander. She has short blac
I get in the black car. The motor is very silent, it barely makes a sound as we drive away, it must be an expensive car. It is the first time I’m in it, I look around as I enjoy the smell: leather mixed with his cologne. I like it.“Are you okay?” The commander asks me while he drives. “You look pale.”“Yes, commander, I’m just hungry. I forgot to eat breakfast," I say as I look out the window."I have a granola bar stored here," he says, opening the glove compartment without taking his eyes from the road. “I often forget to eat breakfast so I always have something to eat in the car.”"Thanks," I say quietly and reach into the glove compartment to find the granola bar, but instead my fingers find a metal object. I instantly pull out my hand. “That's a gun,” I declare surprised."Oh yeah, sorry about that."