Rae’s POV
Looking at Anjali, she still didn’t answer all my questions. “So what does all of this have to do with me? Why am I even here?”
Anjali stood there for a moment, there was no expression on her face, nothing. Finally she turns to the machine, “This is The Core. Countless women have been sacrificed to it in order to maintain it. You and every other woman was brought here because of this device.” She places her hand against the swirling liquid goo. Her face is filled with so much sadness I almost expected her to break down in tears but she didn’t. She held her composure well. “This was meant to be temporary, not become a new way of life. In the beginning the women sacrificed filled this with love and hope, but now those feelings are drowned out by hatred and fear. Those that once filled it with love and hope have now turned to regret.” She turns to me, “The Core is failing. No
Rae’s POVI can’t believe this. They want me to some how put an end to this whole thing while simultaneously getting everyone to agree to change. Looking at this odd machinery, “Can this thing even be destroyed? How would you go about destroying it? If it is destroyed how can you be certain they wouldn’t just go and build another one? What would happen to you all if it is destroyed?” My brain just keeps rattling off question after question, so many questions. My head is overwhelmed beyond belief right now.The unknown woman walks up to me and grabs my shoulders trying to calm me down looking at me square in the face. “Right now I need you to calm down. Take deep slow breaths.”I try to do as she said. Closing my eyes I can hear her as I take in long slow deep breaths.Everything is going black again. I can hear the unknown woman “Yes that’s right.
Jeong’s POVAs Rae clenches onto me I hear her soft voice “Can you put me back in the tub?”“Why?” Looking at her skin I know she’s been in there a while. “It seems you’ve been soaking in the tub for quite some time, you look like a prune.”Rae buries her face in my chest muffling her voice “I had a rough night. It’s helping me to calm down.”What does she mean by a rough night? Did she have a bad dream or something? This is so unlike her. I don’t feel safe enough to let her just sit in the tub, what if she goes under and doesn’t come up for air? There is something definitely wrong with her and I need to find out what. Carrying her over to the tub I decide to step into the tub with her. I don’t care that my clothes are still on, if this calms her down and if I can get her to talk to me I can deal with it.
Jeong’s POV“You’re wrong!” Rae shouts, completely taking me off guard. “It’s you all who don’t understand!”I’m wrong? I don’t understand? I’ve never seen her behave this way before. What does she even mean? What should I say in this situation? “I’m sorry if I said something that upset you. I don’t quite understand what you mean by not understanding.”Rae looks at me pleading “Women are being sacrificed in vain. The amount of sacrifices is of no use.”I can see tears trying to make their way out of her eyes. Caressing her face I thumb off an escaped tear. “I know dear. I lost my mother remember? Everyone here has lost someone, that’s why we are trying to change everything.”Rae grabs my hand in hers “No, you don’t underst
Jeong’s POV“How did? Who told you her name?” There is no way she could have found out my mothers name. Father had everything destroyed and made it like she never existed aside from that painting he keeps in his study.Rae lets out a sigh, “She did last night. That’s when her, Mary and the other woman sprung the bomb on me.”I can’t help but stare blankly at her. Not only does she seem to know about the theory of emotions fueling The Core but also knows about Mary’s sacrifice and my mothers name. Could what she’s saying actually be real? “Hold on, this is a lot for me to process right now. What you’re saying is insane and hard to believe, but you’re also saying things that you should have never known.”Rae uncertain “So… Does that mean you’re beginning to believe me?”“I&r
Rae’s POVHere I am standing in my own bathroom in Jeong’s arms naked. I was trying to quickly get to the closet to change, but thanks to him I slipped on the wet floor. Now both our bodies are firmly pressed together and I can feel he no longer is wearing any clothes. I can see him looking down with lust in his eyes as he stares at my breasts.I’m frozen stiff. I’m not sure what I should even do. Pushing away from him will give him full view of my body, not that he hasn’t seen it before but… It would also give me full view of his own body in all it’s glory. I watch as he traces his vision upwards until meeting my eyes. I can’t help but get lost in those gorgeous caramel eyes of his. Before I knew it he tightened his grip around my waist pulling me closer. I couldn’t help but gasp at the sudden action. His other hand soon found it’s way up the back of my neck before l
Jeong’s POVSitting in my study I can’t help but lean over looking down with my elbows on my desk while I pull my own hair in frustration. Images of Rae’s terrified face after kissing her keeps flooding my mind. What have I done? Moving my hands down to my face I support my chin on my thumbs while rubbing the bridge of my nose with my fingers. What should I do? Will she still be the same or will she distance herself from me now?Nathan and Gerald walk in without even knocking.“Wow, what’s got you all bent out of shape?” Nathan jokes as he sees the state I’m in.Pure annoyance fills within me as I lean back in my chair still pinching the bridge of my nose with one hand. “It’s nothing, I just have a headache.”“Oh really?” Nathan smirks while nudging Gerald.I’m not in the mood for t
Rae’s POVAfter placing all the different containers of herbs on the counter in the kitchen Henry asks, “What do you plan on doing with those?”With a huge grin on my face, “Care to help me?”Henry’s eyes light up, “With a smile like that how could I say no?”With everything that is going on lately this is a very much needed distraction. I know I need to address what just happened between me and Jeong and figure out what am I suppose to do exactly for the rest, but I welcome this. It’s been so long since I’ve made this and I really hope it turns out. Anything to give a little flavor to the food here. I’m surprised no one has done this and if they did they sure kept it secret.Grabbing a bowl, eggs, vinegar, oil and what I believe is equivalent to a bit of mustard seed I start getting to work.&
Rae’s POVI helped Jean with dinner. Using what was available at the time I made something equivalent to potato salad and deviled eggs with the ranch. She made some of her normal dishes that I said would be fine to go along with what I made. After all was cooked Jean and I started setting the dinning table.Jean left to get the last of the food while I stood there in the dinning room looking at the table. Panic hit me when I heard Jeong’s voice coming from the hallway and without thinking I teleported to my room. Taking a deep breath standing in the middle of my room I place my hand on my chest to feel my erratic heart beat. Shaking my head I can’t help but feel ashamed at myself. I shouldn’t run away from him, I know that, but I’m afraid to face him right now.Jeong’s POVAfter Gerald’s initial shock and the atmosphere lightened, we began to talk about norma
Jeong’s POV The thought of relaxing was cut short when Jeffrey continues to sit there waiting for everyone to leave. He really isn’t going to let this go now is he. Only Jeffrey, Gerald and I are left in the room. Jeffrey lifts an eyebrow motioning to Gerald expecting me to ask him to leave. “There are no secrets between Gerald and I. Whatever you intend to speak about can be said in front of him.” “Very well.” Jeffrey sits up looking at me square in the face. “What is your real purpose? You can’t expect me to believe it’s just to train them for a potential scenario. I went along with it because I know you’re a man with a purpose. Now tell me what is really going on here.” This man holds a lot of weight, if he changes his mind it will severely hurt our cause. “I hope you don’t think I would purposely start a war and put everyone in danger.” “Your reputation suggests otherwise, but one has to
Jeong’s POVBefore we started on the subject of training a knock was heard at the door. Gerald quietly got up and opened it. When I saw it was Jean with a cart full of food, “Let’s take a break and enjoy some refreshments before continuing.” The tense air almost instantly lifted as everyone relaxed into their seats while they began chattering with one another.I watched as Jean made her way to the opposite side of the room but then someone caught my eye. Rae is standing dumbfounded at the door. She asked Gerald something, but I couldn’t make it out. Gerald just laughs as he waves her off before coming to take his seat next to me. I want to say something to her but end up just watching her as she places the trays of food onto the table. When she comes close I was about to reach out and grab her hand, but pulled away before doing so. What if she makes a scene? What if I loose my composure?Sti
Jeong’s POVIt’s been two days since the morning I spoke with Rae. Every time I’ve seen her it was either extremely awkward or she’d run away. I hate this so much, but I don’t know what to do in order to change it. Plus I’ve been so busy that I haven’t really had the time to do much. Even today I’m holding a meeting here at the house. I’ve appointed people who are loyal to me knowing what we stand for and what we are trying to achieve over lead positions. They are a mixture of shop owners, elders, and those with the required skills. This marks the first official meeting to which I decided to hold in the formal dinning room. It’s a room rarely used and for the amount of people here its the best option.The meeting has been going on for a good three hours and we aren’t even half way though the agenda. Using drones to create a replica of the land we’ve managed to map out th
Rae’s POVI helped Jean with dinner. Using what was available at the time I made something equivalent to potato salad and deviled eggs with the ranch. She made some of her normal dishes that I said would be fine to go along with what I made. After all was cooked Jean and I started setting the dinning table.Jean left to get the last of the food while I stood there in the dinning room looking at the table. Panic hit me when I heard Jeong’s voice coming from the hallway and without thinking I teleported to my room. Taking a deep breath standing in the middle of my room I place my hand on my chest to feel my erratic heart beat. Shaking my head I can’t help but feel ashamed at myself. I shouldn’t run away from him, I know that, but I’m afraid to face him right now.Jeong’s POVAfter Gerald’s initial shock and the atmosphere lightened, we began to talk about norma
Rae’s POVAfter placing all the different containers of herbs on the counter in the kitchen Henry asks, “What do you plan on doing with those?”With a huge grin on my face, “Care to help me?”Henry’s eyes light up, “With a smile like that how could I say no?”With everything that is going on lately this is a very much needed distraction. I know I need to address what just happened between me and Jeong and figure out what am I suppose to do exactly for the rest, but I welcome this. It’s been so long since I’ve made this and I really hope it turns out. Anything to give a little flavor to the food here. I’m surprised no one has done this and if they did they sure kept it secret.Grabbing a bowl, eggs, vinegar, oil and what I believe is equivalent to a bit of mustard seed I start getting to work.&
Jeong’s POVSitting in my study I can’t help but lean over looking down with my elbows on my desk while I pull my own hair in frustration. Images of Rae’s terrified face after kissing her keeps flooding my mind. What have I done? Moving my hands down to my face I support my chin on my thumbs while rubbing the bridge of my nose with my fingers. What should I do? Will she still be the same or will she distance herself from me now?Nathan and Gerald walk in without even knocking.“Wow, what’s got you all bent out of shape?” Nathan jokes as he sees the state I’m in.Pure annoyance fills within me as I lean back in my chair still pinching the bridge of my nose with one hand. “It’s nothing, I just have a headache.”“Oh really?” Nathan smirks while nudging Gerald.I’m not in the mood for t
Rae’s POVHere I am standing in my own bathroom in Jeong’s arms naked. I was trying to quickly get to the closet to change, but thanks to him I slipped on the wet floor. Now both our bodies are firmly pressed together and I can feel he no longer is wearing any clothes. I can see him looking down with lust in his eyes as he stares at my breasts.I’m frozen stiff. I’m not sure what I should even do. Pushing away from him will give him full view of my body, not that he hasn’t seen it before but… It would also give me full view of his own body in all it’s glory. I watch as he traces his vision upwards until meeting my eyes. I can’t help but get lost in those gorgeous caramel eyes of his. Before I knew it he tightened his grip around my waist pulling me closer. I couldn’t help but gasp at the sudden action. His other hand soon found it’s way up the back of my neck before l
Jeong’s POV“How did? Who told you her name?” There is no way she could have found out my mothers name. Father had everything destroyed and made it like she never existed aside from that painting he keeps in his study.Rae lets out a sigh, “She did last night. That’s when her, Mary and the other woman sprung the bomb on me.”I can’t help but stare blankly at her. Not only does she seem to know about the theory of emotions fueling The Core but also knows about Mary’s sacrifice and my mothers name. Could what she’s saying actually be real? “Hold on, this is a lot for me to process right now. What you’re saying is insane and hard to believe, but you’re also saying things that you should have never known.”Rae uncertain “So… Does that mean you’re beginning to believe me?”“I&r
Jeong’s POV“You’re wrong!” Rae shouts, completely taking me off guard. “It’s you all who don’t understand!”I’m wrong? I don’t understand? I’ve never seen her behave this way before. What does she even mean? What should I say in this situation? “I’m sorry if I said something that upset you. I don’t quite understand what you mean by not understanding.”Rae looks at me pleading “Women are being sacrificed in vain. The amount of sacrifices is of no use.”I can see tears trying to make their way out of her eyes. Caressing her face I thumb off an escaped tear. “I know dear. I lost my mother remember? Everyone here has lost someone, that’s why we are trying to change everything.”Rae grabs my hand in hers “No, you don’t underst