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56: BODY HEAT
Last Updated:
2023-06-15 23:30:01Related chapters
The Mate Agreement 57: HI
It’s surreal; packing my suitcase and saying goodbye to the hotel room that now feels like a second home to me for some weird reason. I stare at the view from the window for one last time. It’s a bright morning, but the sun is yet to take complete dominion of the clear sky, so the weather still retains the chill of the night before. I touch a palm to the glass; it’s cold, and a faint outline of my reflection does the same. I step back and pull the curtains close. “The bus leaves in three.” William reminds me, checking his wristwatch before glancing up at me with a faint, awkward smile. He looks the same as I’d seen him on that rooftop, save for the new choppy haircut and the black hoodie he’s currently wearing, but so much has changed. Before, it felt as if a million walls separated us, but now? Maybe a hundred walls. He’s still a book in a language I can’t read, but at least now the pages are open and I’m learning the alphabets. I smile back. None of us have acknowledged last night
Last Updated : 2023-06-16The Mate Agreement 58: THE WILL OF WILMA
I kick off my shoes and flop into bed with a loud sigh. I’ve already unpacked half of my suitcase, but going through the other half right now feels like it might take me fifteen years. I inhale my sheets and sigh again. “I never thought I’d miss it’s smell of laundry detergent and spilled French perfume.”Evin laughs at my comment, pausing from setting up her blank canvas ear the window as usual. She has just finished watering the plants, and although the windows are cracked open, the smell of wet earth and acrylic paint is still a bit heavy in the air. “Did you miss you bed that much?”I shake my head. “You have no idea.”A knock comes from the door and then it swings open the next second. I lift my head to see Wilma standing by the doorway in her usual school uniform, waving at Evin and then beaming at me. “Heyyy sis…” She leans on the doorway, wiggling her eyebrows at me then pausing and pointing to the pillow next to me. “You’re not… hiding a knife somewhere are you?”I get to my
Last Updated : 2023-06-17The Mate Agreement 59: COMPLICATED
I’m holding a freshly laundered, perfectly folded t-shirt and marching through campus towards House Zeus. The sun is about to set, and the evening classes have been concluded, so tired First and Second year students are filtering out from everywhere, too eager to get to their dorms. Here and there, I spot a few of the Senior years, not in uniform, lounging on the benches.I start to think of how to get to William’s dorm room again. I don’t think I currently have the energy to sneak in by climbing that pipe and slipping into his window like a thief. Plus, too many things could go wrong. I could fall. His window might be closed from the inside. I could get caught. But I also don’t think there’s a solid excuse I can give the dorm master that’ll make him allow me into the boys’ dorm.Unless of course; bribe, threaten, blackmail.“Bella, where the hell have you been, Loca?!”I roll my eyes, already knowing it’s Akio before he even falls into step next to me. “Seriously? You’re back with th
Last Updated : 2023-06-18The Mate Agreement 60: LUKE DANE RAVENSTONE
Usually, the parent visitation event takes place in Acadia Academy’s Conference Hall, but it’s barely large enough to contain all the students and the family that visits them, so we often just meet our parents wherever we feel comfortable with. For the past two years, mom and I have been meeting up I my dorm. She likes to see my living quarters, and I like to keep most of our conversations private.But today is a little different.I glance at William standing next to me.Okay, today is very different.I crack my knuckles and huff out a nervous breath, giving him another side-long stare. I’ve never seen a person look more perfect in a suit. I’m not even sure why he chooses to wear a suit for this, but I’m definitely not complaining considering how good he looks in it. His hair is slicked back in a way that reminds me of an Italian mafia boss and it’s a little funny. He flicks back the one lock of hair that refuses to stay in place and keeps falling into his eyes.I glance away before I
Last Updated : 2023-06-20The Mate Agreement 61: SECRETS
“Hello, little brother.”Of course. He towers over William with a few inches, but despite the scar and the white eye I assume is blind, they still look alike. However, his brother looks scary; cruel and cold in a way that makes you want to stay as far away from him as possible, but I stand my ground, if out of anything, I’m driven by curiosity.William’s jaw grinds shut like it might snap at any moment. “Why are you here?” He demands, glaring daggers at his brother.Luke raises an eyebrow mockingly. “No warm welcome for me, I suppose?”“Answer the fucking question.” William spat.Something sinister flashes in his stone cold eye, along with the slightest flicker of anger. “Watch your tongue.” He growls out in warning, his tone deepened, careful, and controlled. “If you will not respect me as your brother, you’ll respect me as your alpha.”William continues to glare at him, but says nothing and instead draws in a slow, steady breath.Luke sighs, tipping his head back in a fast show of f
Last Updated : 2023-06-21The Mate Agreement 62: GLASS VASE
Minutes pass. An hour passes. The whole of eternity could have began and ended as I crouched there, cradling my head, feeling like it might explode at any moment. But then when my legs start to go numb, I stand up and walk to my dorm room cause I don’t know what else to do.He’d lied. He’d kept secrets. He’d killed his father; shot him in the head. But why? How? When? I had so many unanswered questions, so many complicated emotions ravaging my brain. Do I even know William at all? Did I ever?What if he is a bad person and all this while had been—No.I remember the person that had taken care of me when I was sick. I remember the person I’d taken the bus ride back; how safe I felt next to him, holding his hand or listening to a song together. I remember the person I’d played chess with, then kissed. It can’t all be fake, can it?I swallow the lump in my throat.When I get to my room, Wilma and mom are there, standing side by side and pouring over Wilma’s true crime map. Thankfully, Ev
Last Updated : 2023-06-22The Mate Agreement 63: HEROES AND VILLIANS
(William Ravenstone’s POV)(EIGHT YEARS AGO)I stir awake from a slumber I don’t remember slipping into. I’ve slumped in my study chair, the math textbook on my table still opened to the homework I have due tomorrow morning. I’m cold.I sit up in the chair and sigh. This is the third time I’ve fallen asleep in the span of an hour. And although I’m used to it at this point, my narcolepsy still impairs the way I function to an uncomfortable degree.Well, it could be worse. Luke claims mine isn’t even that bad. There were narcoleptics that dropped asleep up to forty to sixty times per day, or more. The most I’d dozed off in a day is twenty-nine times. I’m not scared of falling asleep —I used to be, but not anymore. Now I’m more scared of what I might wake up to.I get to my feet and shuffle over to the windows I’ve left open. Outside, the wind is howling, the rain falling with a vengeance. I stare out at the fountain, at the marble statue of Ares; the Greek god of war in the center, donn
Last Updated : 2023-06-23The Mate Agreement 64: LETTER
I rush to William.When I’m closer, I notice he’s not actually still, but trembling slightly, and I recognize the clutches of sleep paralysis. His eyes are terrified and his gaze is glued to the ceiling above. Although this too is horrible, relief floods my system because at least it’s not the unthinkable I was thinking of.I shake his shoulder, waking his body up.He shoots upright, clutches himself tightly, wrapping his hands around his stomach, eyes screwed shut tightly. “What have I done?” He mutters repeatedly, trembling, still somewhat disconnected from reality. “What have I done?”“Shh.” I shush him, patting his cheek before pulling him to me and wrapping my hands around him.He clings to me tightly, shivering.I rub soothing circles on his back, glancing down at the pill bottles on the floor worriedly. Did he overdose? It doesn’t look like it. It looks like he had knocked them over by mistake instead. Still, the dread and worry makes my stomach churn.I pat his back, rocking h
Last Updated : 2023-06-24
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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
