In Drakhalia, where the jagged mountains carved the sky, a silver-haired woman stood staring at the peaks, her thoughts sharp and bitter.
"Lovana," a smooth, sharp voice cut through the silence.
She turned quickly. "Yes, Mother."
Elra Kael approached, her presence commanding even in the moonlight. She studied her or a moment before speaking. "You miss my daughter, don't you?"
Lovana's lips twisted in frustration. "More than you can imagine. And those human whores—" she spat out the word "—they're probably all over her. I swear I'll burn anyone who even dreams of her."
Elra's smile was faint but knowing. "Calm down. She'll finish her task and return. But you can't leave Drakhalia without reason—you'd be branded an offender. However," her voice dropped lower, sly and conspiratorial, "I have a way you can reach her."
Lovana's eyes sharpened. "Really?"
Elra pulled out a small mirror with intricate designs, almost like a phone but shimmering with a faint magical glow. "Here," she said, offering it. "Chant her name into this, and it'll connect you to her mortal phone. She'll hear you. She'll pick up."
Lovana's breath hitched, her fingers curling tightly around the mirror. "You're serious?"
Elra's smile widened, but it was sharp, a sliver of steel behind the softness. "I'd do anything to see you and Xiraya together, happy, where you belong. I'd do anything to keep her away from any.... human."
Lovana smirked, a dangerous curl of satisfaction at her lips. "Thank you, Mother," she murmured. Her voice was low but heavy with something dark and desperate.
Elra gave a small, dismissive nod and turned, her robes trailing as she slipped back into the shadows, leaving Lovana alone with the mirror and her thoughts.
Lovana held the mirror up, the cold weight of it grounding her. She whispered Xiraya's name into it, her voice barely more than a breath. The surface rippled, shimmered faintly like disturbed water.
Come on, come on…
A blurry image flickered—Xiraya's face, her long black hair tousled, her expression tired but unmistakable.
"Lovana, how?" Xiraya's voice came through, faint but sharp.
"It's me, what do you mean..how?" Lovana breathed, her heart thudding hard against her ribs. "I just… I needed to hear you. I Need to remind you where you belong, with me, your love. Xi, I miss your touch ,the way you whisper naughty things into my ear and sucked on my…. ."
Xiraya's brows drew together, her voice flat. "Lovana, not now. I'm sleeping. Pls leave my screen."
"Please, Xiraya , talk to me with your sweet sultry voice, my body craves you, it's been long, i want you to tell me how much you love sucking my breasts and rubbing your long fingers on my clit " Lovana's voice cracked, her fingers tightening on the mirror. She bit her lips recalling the hot moments as she spoke. "Don't let them pull you away from me. I feel them already trying. You know you're mine, hurry back ,pls."
Xiraya's eyes darkened, her jaw tightening. "Enough. I'll return when I'm done here. Don't bother me , Lovana."
Before Lovana could plead again, the connection broke, the mirror's surface going still and blank.
Lovana stood frozen, her breath caught, the weight of Xiraya's last words heavy in her chest.
"She'll come back," she whispered to herself, the mirror trembling in her hand. "She has to."
The wind picked up around her, cold and sharp, but Lovana didn't move.
Not until the stars overhead were swallowed by clouds, leaving her alone with her anger and the burning need for Xiraya's return.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mina sprang out of bed like her legs had a mission of their own. Her mind had only one mantra on repeat:
Get a job. Get a damn job.
She slipped out of their tiny shack quietly, careful not to wake Lysa, and hit the road with the kind of determination only desperation could fuel. Her feet ached, her throat was dry, but she didn't stop. She had already been turned down by over seven places, and the sun was crawling steadily up the sky.
Her eyes scanned the street until she spotted a mid-sized café with a glass front and soft yellow lights. It looked decent — not fancy, not shabby. Just right. People were seated at tables inside, sipping coffee and laughing, and there was even a tiny "Top Rated on FoodieMap" sticker plastered on the door.
Mina was about to head in when the door burst open violently and a girl flew out, almost crashing into her.
"Get the fuck out, you whore!" a woman's voice roared from inside.
The girl, teary-eyed and trembling, adjusted her top and scampered off into the street.
Mina blinked, stunned. Then, without hesitation, she dusted herself off, smoothed her shirt, cleared her throat, and stepped up like destiny just cracked a window open.
She softened her voice into her sweetest, most professional tone.
"Hi, ma'am. I know you're upset but—"
"Get to the point," the café owner snapped, arms folded like an unbothered dictator.
"I need a job," Mina said, standing firm. "Any role. I'm fast, reliable, and I've done delivery work before."
The woman gave her a slow, unimpressed once-over — from Mina's scuffed sneakers to the fading denim and worn tee barely clinging to dignity. Then she paused at Mina's face. Her brow twitched.
Pretty. But poor. She could tell from a mile away. And yet… there was something in the girl's stance. Her eyes. A kind of hunger that didn't beg — it bit.
The woman sneered. "Have you looked at yourself in a mirror lately? Why would I let someone looking like a soaked biscuit represent my café?"
Mina's jaw tensed. She had a dozen smartass comebacks queued up — she always did — but for Lysa's sake, she swallowed them whole and forced a nod.
"I get it. But I'm fast. I don't steal..... (now) she said in her head but continued
And I'll work like ...hell."
The café owner stared a moment longer, then finally sighed, massaging her temple like this decision would haunt her later.
"Fine. We're down a delivery girl anyway. You're just lucky I'm short-staffed and short-tempered."
She turned on her heel.
"Come in."
Mina exhaled deeply and followed.
Inside, the café buzzed with energy — soft music played under the low chatter of customers. The air smelled of coffee, cinnamon rolls, and fresh sourdough. It was small but clean, with dark wood shelves, a glass counter stacked with pastries, and a fast-moving staff. For a middle-range café, it was doing surprisingly well.
The woman tossed a folded uniform shirt at Mina.
"Get changed in the back. All you're doing is deliveries — no flirting, no messing around, just pick up and go."
She handed her a brown box sealed with the café's logo.
"First order's a big one. Take this to Kael Enterprises. That's right, that Kael. Don't waste time. GPS is loaded. And don't embarrass me — I'm taking a gamble on your crusty behind."
Mina blinked. "Kael… Kael Enterprises?"
"Yes. Now GO. I'm not running a rehab center here."
Mina's lips curled into a smile. She wasn't one for believing in signs, but if fate had a twisted sense of humor, this was definitely it.
She had heard about kael Enterprises, and sucessful woman anchoring it but if she was told she would see the premises or sniff the air around the building, she would never believe it.
She clutched the shirt and ducked into the back to change. It was simple — black polo, name tag, and slim jeans. Her new shoes, thankfully, still looked crisp, her curves were on display , she looked no less than a soft girl. She folded her old clothes neatly and tucked them in her bag like they were gold bars.
As she zipped up the last bit of the shirt, she whispered, "Maybe the clothes I bought are magic."
"HEY! HURRY IT UP!" the café lady barked from the front.
"Coming, ma'am!"
She dashed out, grabbed the delivery bag, hopped on the old delivery bike parked out front, and took off down the street like her life depended on it.
Because maybe... just maybe, it did.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sneak peak
Out of all temptations…
It had to be a rich ass woman.
Get it fucking straight, Mina.