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44: TRUTH OR STRIP
Last Updated:
2023-03-30 20:50:57Related chapters
The Mate Agreement 45: PASTRIES
It takes us both approximately one full frantic minute to get dressed, rearrange the ivory table, the chairs, and ourselves. William dashes into the bathroom, locking the door behind him and I take a deep breath, sauntering over to the main door and opening it.“Ta da!” Akio cheers. “We brought-” He pauses, lowering the basket he’d held above his head like a trophy and sizing me up and down. “Were you in the middle of something?” He asks, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. He’s wearing a checkered blue and black 70’s disco suit, the pattern assaulting my eyes like a bad optical illusion. His matching cowboy hat is tipped back, the strings lost in his long black hair.My gaze darts to Bibah next to him, and she has the same narrowed look of suspicion, a slow smile creeping into her face. She’s in a gorgeous black studded abaya -the same one we’d shopped for together online, with a nude hijab a few shades darker than her skin tone. If it weren’t for all the glitter going on with Akio’s su
Last Updated : 2023-03-30The Mate Agreement 46: OVERSLEEPER
After a few more minutes of talking and walking, Bibah and I headed back in because we were both tired and the air had begun to get a bit chilly. We said goodnight at the doorstep of her hotel room, and I started back to mine, but not before getting a bombardment of questions regarding my health from Vahini Singh. I assured her I was fine, maybe even more than I assured my mom, and made a quick exit.With every step I took back towards my room, my heart fluttered, and a stupid cheeky smile stubbornly stayed plastered to my face. But I couldn’t help it. All of the events of the night keep replaying in my head over and over again that I had to question if it had really happened, or had been a fever dream from the silliest crevices of my imagination.William Ravenstone had kissed me.No, William Ravenstone had begged to kiss me.My cheeks heat up. All the confidence I’d felt surging through me while inches away from his lips? Gone. A peculiar anxiety mixed with a shyness foreign to me ov
Last Updated : 2023-06-01The Mate Agreement 47: BANDAGE SCISSORS HAIRCUT
I once thought his eyes were the shade of polished stone; a gray more clouded than a stormy sky, and sharper than a steel dagger. But now I see his eyes are like mercury; pools of hot liquid pulling me in, and scorching my skin the longer I stay under their riveting magnetism. And I can’t seem to look away.If I stared long enough, I’ll get to the depth of his soul. I’ll see what makes William Ravenstone the mystery he is to me; the one human puzzle I’ve only ever been interested in solving. If I stared long enough. But it’s a race to see who gets to the bottom first, for as fast as I’m falling into his eyes, the faster he’s sinking into mine.William’s hand touches my bare exposed thigh and I’m jolted back to reality, the contact an electric current zapping through my system. My eyes widen, realizing I’m still on top of him and his face mirrors mine. A split second later, we’re scampering off each other like a fire has been lit between us.He gets to his feet quickly and clears his t
Last Updated : 2023-06-04The Mate Agreement 48: ARCADE, ADAM AGAIN
Wandering around the hotel for almost an hour, desperately pushing down my bitterness and blinking back hot tears led me to the small arcade just across the street.“Coins?” A short girl with a blond bob-cut asks from behind the counter the moment I step into the neon-lighted space. She holds up a box and jiggles it, making a sharp clinking sound, and raising an eyebrow in question; her polite but plastic smile in place. “You need to buy coins to play the games.”“I know how an arcade works.” I mutter under my breath, sniffing and making my way over to the counter. Thankfully, I had the mind to grab my card before storming out. I rummage through the pocket of my shorts and hand it to her.Her smile tightens but doesn’t falter. “Sorry, cash only. We don’t accept cards here.” She points to a small sign above the doorway with a chipped finger. “It says there.”I huff out a breath. “Come on, there’s got to be…”“I’m so sorry, but there’s nothing I can do.” She clips, dropping the box of c
Last Updated : 2023-06-05The Mate Agreement 49: SORROWS SORROWS SLEEPOVER SORROWS
Bibah swings the door open on the first knock. She looks at me up and down, narrows her eyes, then pulls the yellow cat-print kimono she’s wearing tighter around her body. “You okay, Bells?” She begins, her voice tinged with worry and curiosity.I guess my poker face has failed me.“Can I crash here tonight?” I ask, trying to be nonchalant about it although the request itself exposes the fact that things are not exactly okay. I hope she hasn’t spoken to Ravenstone in the process of looking for me. What would he say? Well, what do I care? He can say whatever the fuck he wants, it’s no longer my business.Bibah sighs, leaning on the door handle and crossing her arms over her chest. Her silk bonnet slides back a little, exposing a tuff of shiny black hair. “I knew something was wrong. You look…” She trails off, shaking her head. A dark look crosses her features. “Ravenstone did something, didn’t he?”“I— It’s nothing.“ I don’t want to talk about it. I push past her, tired of waiting to b
Last Updated : 2023-06-06The Mate Agreement 50: RAINDROPS
The lights are blinding.I stumble through the crowd of dancing bodies moving in slow motion. The bass of the loud party music reverberates into my skull like a drilling machine. My ears are ringing, my heartbeat in my throat.I feel drunk. Maybe I am drunk.I blink back dark dots that cloud my vision and try to remember how I got here, where I am, and what is going on. I look around, squinting, but every face is a blur, every item faded and inconsistent like I’ve been pumped full of hallucinogens.It sounds like it’s raining outside.I whip my head around, searching for a window, but I can’t see any.“Come on, Bella!” Someone shouts over the music, and suddenly I’m being dragged by my arm towards what I can make out to be a stage. I try to pull away, but my body keeps moving. Around me people cheer, clap, and holler, adding to my disorientation.The music slows and the next second I’m on the stage, holding on to a bouquet of tulips like it’s a lifeline. I squint when the spotlight sh
Last Updated : 2023-06-08The Mate Agreement 51: VALENTINES DAY ADVERT
I gasp awake, jolting upright in bed.“About time, sleepy head. Come on, we’re gonna be late for the bus.” Bibah pauses, swiveling around from the mirror to face me, bobby pin poised midway to her wrapped scarf. “You good?” She asks, registering my wild stare and heavy breathing. “Were you chased by a clown holding a red balloon in your sleep?”“No, just fell off a roof.” I reply, then clear my throat because I sound dead. There is a faint pounding in my head. “What time is it?” I ask, flinging the heavy blanket I don’t remember snuggling under, away from me.“Late enough for you to get your ass out of bed.” Bibah replies, turning back to the mirror and properly pinning her hijab. She’s already dressed; clad in a black maxi skirt, a matching hijab, and a dark brown blazer jacket that looks like it was lifted off a rich English professor’s wardrobe. It’s a new look on her but it works, making her appear very dark academic. She glances at me through the mirror. “I know I look good. We l
Last Updated : 2023-06-09The Mate Agreement 52: LUNA AND THE FIRST WOLF
As we walk into the dimly lit gallery of the museum, I am immediately struck by the grandeur of the space. A massive, ancient statue dominated the center of the room, surrounded by smaller pieces of art, artifacts, and relics from various ancient civilizations and moments in history.Bibah wanders off to a large mural on the far end and I make my way towards the towering statue, marveling at the intricate details and the skill of the artisans who had crafted it so many centuries ago. If I’m not wrong, the statue is that of Themis; greek goddess of justice and wisdom, judging from the scales she’s holding up, the sword in her other hand, and the blindfold. But what’s special about this statue is the little cherub perched oh her shoulder, wings extended, donning a blunt arrow and a curved bow, also blindfolded. I think of cupid. I think of the irony of how both justice and love are depicted blind.As I draw closer, I notice a group of my classmates gathered around, listening to a museum
Last Updated : 2023-06-10
Latest chapter
The Mate Agreement 111: EPILOGUE
I can't help the grin as it stretches across my face. Even when I tone down my teeth display for the camera, my giddiness makes my grin return to its full glory.These are the kind of joyful moments in life when everything aligns perfectly, and the future gleams with a brilliance that outshines the sun.Similar to tiny fireflies, the fairy lights surrounding us emit a soft glow in the approaching evening. My gaze shifts to the rows of people smiling and mingling, the white roses gathered in their transparent vases, the band playing an old classical melody that Akio Kamio has cherished for most of his life, and ultimately to Bibah's radiant smile, outshining even the stars in the sky.Bibah stands gracefully in her wedding gown, a vision of elegance and modesty. The gown's creamy hue complements her radiant complexion, and the intricate lace patterns and delicate beadwork trace enchanting designs across the fabric.Her head is adorned with a delicate hijab, carefully draped to frame her
The Mate Agreement 110: THE END
The idea of dying... it's like staring into a dark abyss, wondering what lies beyond. Am I ready for it? Is anyone ever truly prepared to let go of everything they know? It's as if life is this intricate tapestry, woven with memories, experiences, and dreams, and death is that final thread that could unravel it all.I've heard people say that death gives life meaning. That the inevitability of our mortality forces us to seize the fleeting moments and savor them. Is that why we laugh, love, and strive to make a mark? To counteract the impending darkness?But what if it's not about the mark we leave, but the mark we've made on ourselves? Like, how every heartbreak, triumph, and mistake molds us into this intricate sculpture of a person. And maybe death is the moment when we step back and see the whole masterpiece.It's terrifying, though. The unknown. The thought of losing consciousness, of the world carrying on without me. Will I be forgotten? Will my laughter fade into the wind, like
The Mate Agreement 109: PREMONITIONS OF CHAOS
The mountain top stretches out before us, bathed in the silvery glow of the moonlight. Jagged rocks and hardy shrubs dot the landscape, offering scarce cover. The air is crisp and thin, carrying with it a sense of anticipation. A veil of darkness conceals the treacherous precipices that lie beyond the edges.My heart races as we stand on the precipice, the night sky a blanket of twinkling stars above. The wind whispers of secrets yet to be revealed, as William's gaze scans the vast expanse. This was the kind of place he used to love—a rooftop under the sky.His eyes narrow, a flicker of recognition passing over his features, like a spark trying to ignite a long-dormant memory. I hold my breath, hoping that this moment will be the catalyst, the key to unlocking the past he's lost.Before my thoughts can fully settle, a guttural shout splits the air, shattering the tranquility. My head snaps towards the disturbance, and my heart lurches as seven figures emerge from the shadows, armed wi
The Mate Agreement 108: MOTORBIKE
“Are you sure this is the place?”“Absolutely.” I whisper back at William, uneasily glancing around the empty expanse of the beach. It feels like we’re about to break into a bank and steal cash. “Unless she invited me for breakfast in a friend’s apartment, then I guess we’ll be knocking on a strangers door.” I add in a rush of huffed out breath.William looks skeptic. “Isabe-”I step forward and press the ringer, cutting off William’s words. Time had passed us by while on the boat, and now it’s past the normal curfew of the resort. The demarcated areas outside the resort -including the mountain we’d impulsively decided to go to- were now closed off for the day. Since Tamie has been here her whole life and her family owns the resort and I somewhat feel as if we’re friends now, I thought that maybe asking for her help would be a good idea.Silence continues to answer me.“Mochi definitely came out of here.” I mutter, frowning at the whole modern shack like it had personally offended me.
The Mate Agreement 107: SPEEDBOAT DINNER
“Maybe we should call it a win win and stop here.” I suggest, leaning back as the last few chuckles escape me, my laughter finally subsiding.William raises a triumphant eyebrow as he rearranges the chess pieces back to their normal starting formation. “Giving up already?” He taunts, smirking.“You wish.” I reply, rolling my eyes before sighing. “I’m just tired of staring at the pieces.”We have been playing cheating chess since after breakfast when I got back to the suite from my conversation and walk with Tamie. William had brought his chess board along from the pack estate, and had suggested we play it, in hopes that he might remember something again. There has been no luck in that area, but at the very least, we’ve had an unexplainable amount of fun as the hours flew by. We fixate on morals of the game, creating new rules, and finding more ridiculous ways to justify breaking the classical rules of chess.The sun is setting now, painting our beach-side view of the window a brillian
The Mate Agreement 106: LUCKY GIRL
The very next morning, I wake up early, get out of the ball dress I ended up sleeping in, and took a quick shower, changing into more comfortable beach shorts and a loose tank top.When I leave the bedroom, William is still curled up in the sheets, sleeping. I call the room service and other an elaborate breakfast, hoping to return the heartwarming gesture he had done to me when we got here.Out of the breakfast of waffles, fruits, and a jug of a fancy cocktail blend fresh from the Island’s own produce, I only manage a single waffle before leaving the suite and closing the door softly behind me.Now, where the heck do I start looking for Tamie?I go out to the beach, taking the trail where William and I had first seen her walking her Pekingese dog. Well, more like where we saw her dog about to drown and rescued him.It’s a sunny day, the sand warm as the soft, fine grains slip in and out my flip flops. The ocean’s waves laps eagerly at the shore, and I squint into the far distance, in
The Mate Agreement 105: YOU’RE KINDA HOT WHEN YOU NAG
Leaving the chaotic ballroom behind, we retreat to the quiet safety of our room. The tension of the night still lingers between us, though now it's wrapped in a cocoon of slight awkwardness.William doesn’t say anything, still steaming with remnants of his anger, and neither do I, as we enter the bedroom and he shrugs off his jacket. I notice a few specs of blood staining the front part of his white shirt.“You shouldn’t have done that.” I sigh, retrieving a first aid kit from a nearby drawer, sitting him down at the edge of the bed and gently begin tending to the cut on William's lip, my touch both soothing and reproachful.He winces at the disinfectant that touches the small split flesh where the silver rings had made impact."Oh, now you can feel pain?" I chide softly, dabbing the wound with an antiseptic swab. "Stop being such a baby. I know you were defending me, but there are better ways you could’ve handled the situation."Like poisoning the bastard.Or gutting him in a dark al
The Mate Agreement 104: LOST TO WHIMSY
We spend the rest of the night and the following day simply talking and exploring. William asks a lot of questions about our time in Acadia Academy, and I try my hardest to answer him to the best of my ability, although none of my answers end up triggering his memory.Soon, the night of the ball arrives.Preparing for the ball is a whirlwind of anticipation and excitement. The vibrant energy that courses through me is infectious as I carefully choose my attire for the evening; my makeup already done and my hair painstakingly pinned up into an updo. The dress, a delicate masterpiece of flowing midnight blue silk, shimmers with an iridescent glow in the soft light of our suite. Its off-shoulder neckline adds a touch of elegance, and the intricate lacework along the bodice and hem hints at the craftsmanship that went into its creation. With every twirl in front of the mirror, I feel like a character from a fairytale.I don’t even remember when I bought the dress.The air is electric as I
The Mate Agreement 103: IMMERSED
I gradually stir from my peaceful slumber, the room cast in a gentle twilight as the sun dips below the horizon.I yawn.How long have I been asleep?As I stretch and sit up, I notice a beautifully arranged plate of dinner on the nearby table and a goofy smile overtakes my face. William must’ve kept it there for me. I glance around the bedroom and the living room for the second time, looking for him, but I don’t spot him anywhere.Where did he go?My stomach rumbles in response to the inviting aroma of the garlic butter stake and potato skillet, and I find myself savoring the delicious flavors as I sit at the edge of the bed with the tray and devour the food.Sated and content, I decide to take advantage of the cool evening air and to also look for William. I change out of my t-shirt and jeans into sleeping shorts and a bralette, despite the cool weather. The sliding glass door leads me to the terrace, where the world is adorned with the soft glow of moonlight. My gaze is drawn to the
