CHAPTER THIRTEEN - I AM... READY TO LIVE A LONG LIFE!

Flashback

The Nest

Sea City,

Monday, February 14

2:45 PM

The opulent grandeur of the White Dragon King's mansion, known as The Nest, provided a fitting backdrop for the intricate dance of tension and one-upmanship that unfolded among his four wives. The air was thick with the scent of exotic teas and the soft chirping of birds, but the atmosphere was anything but serene.

Chae-won, the first wife, a Korean vampire priestess, sat poised and elegant, her raven tresses cascading down her back like a waterfall of night. Her eyes, an piercing brown, sparkled with a hint of mischief as she poured tea for her co-wives. Her slender fingers, adorned with intricate jade rings, moved with the precision of a surgeon.

Quinyang, the second wife, a Chinese female commander turned full-time housewife, sat opposite Chae-won, her face a mask of serenity. Her short, spiky hair was a deep, burnished copper, and her eyes seemed to bore into those she met, as if daring them to cross her. Her muscular arms, toned from years of combat training, were crossed over her chest, a subtle indication of her growing irritation.

Harumi, the third wife, the daughter of the Dragon King of Japan, sat with an ethereal grace, her delicate features a testament to her refined heritage. Her long, silken hair was the color of cherry blossoms, and her eyes shone like stars on a clear night. She spoke only in haikus, her words dripping with a subtle, poetic venom.

Ariya, the fourth wife, a Taiwanese deity, sat with a quiet confidence, her eyes gleaming with an inner light. Her raven hair was styled in an intricate, braided crown, and her skin seemed to glow with a soft, golden light. Her full lips curled into a subtle, enigmatic smile.

Like I said earlier, Chae-won, the first wife, sat poised and elegant, her raven tresses cascading down her back as she poured tea for her co-wives with a flourish, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief.

Quinyang raised an eyebrow as she accepted her cup. "Still trying to impress us with your tea-pouring skills, Chae-won?" she drawled.

Chae-won's smile never wavered. "Someone has to maintain the standards of refinement around here," she shot back, her eyes glinting with amusement.

Harumi, the third wife, the daughter of the Dragon King of Japan, spoke up in a soft, melodious voice, her words taking the form of a haiku:

"Sugar-coated venom

Beneath the polite smiles

Love's a poisoned game"

Ariya, the fourth wife, a Taiwanese deity, chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "Harumi, you always were one for subtlety," she teased.

Quinyang snorted. "Subtlety? Ha! Harumi's just trying to sound smart."

Chae-won intervened, her voice smooth as silk. "Ladies, let's not forget our manners. We're all wives of the White Dragon King, after all."

Quinyang rolled her eyes. "Spare us the lecture, Chae-won. We know you're just trying to suck up to the king."

Harumi's eyes flashed with anger, but she kept her cool, speaking in another haiku:

"Tongue sharp as a knife

Cutting down with every word

Quinyang's bitter taste"

Ariya giggled. "Oh, Harumi, you're such a poet."

Chae-won shot Ariya a warning glance. "Let's not encourage Harumi's dramatics."

Quinyang smirked. "Oh, come on, Chae-won. You're just mad because Harumi's haikus are better than your tea-pouring skills."

Harumi's smile was sweet as honey. "Quinyang, you're so kind to notice - you are kind and true. I made this one specifically for you:

Moonlight on the lake

Ripples of desire, a sigh

Love's gentle whisper."

Ariya chuckled. "I think we can all agree that Harumi's haikus are the real tea."

Chae-won's eyes narrowed. "Ariya, you're not helping."

Quinyang snickered. "Oh, I think Ariya's just trying to stir the pot. Though you asked for it hot."

Harumi's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Perhaps we should let Ariya pour the tea. I'm sure she'd do a much better job than Chae-won."

Ariya grinned. "Oh, I'd love to. But I think Chae-won's too afraid to let me try."

Chae-won's face turned icy. "I'm not afraid of anything, least of all you, Ariya."

Quinyang clapped her hands together. "Oh, this is getting good. Let's see who comes out on top."

Harumi spoke up in another haiku:

"Tea cups shatter loud

Egos bruised, hearts broken

Women's wars are cold."

Just then, Chae-won's phone rang, shrill and insistent. She answered, her eyes narrowing as she listened to the voice on the other end.

And then, in a tone that was both shocked and outraged, she exclaimed, "What?!"

The room fell silent, the other wives staring at Chae-won in rapt attention. Harumi's eyes sparkled with a knowing glint, as if she sensed the sudden shift in the balance of power.

Ariya's smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with amusement.

Quinyang's face darkened, her eyes flashing with anger.

And Chae-won, still reeling from the news, could only sit in stunned silence, the phone slipping from her fingers like a discarded leaf.

***

In the Long's private jet. 

Tuesday February, 15. 

4:14 pm (PDT)

Angeline 

"Oh. Mr Cheng! I didn't see you there!" 

"Miss Richmen, what were you about to do?" he asked, eyeing me suspiciously.

"I was about to take my load." was the instant reply, causing him gasp, clamping his mouth with both hands in horror.

"D-Did I do something wrong?" I thought, confused by his strange behaviour.

I was completely at sea as I stared back at him. But look on his face was so...

You know the look one gives you've committed an abomination but you still insist that you're right? 

Well, that was the look!

"I'm sorry, Miss Richmen but I'm afraid I cannot let you carry your bags."

"Why, am I not a servant?"

"Point of correction, you are Grand Master Long's special guest, miss; so you can't be stressed." he explained, signaling the porters. "Moreso, I've been given specific instructions on how your bags will be handled. 

That was one of the most lamest things I've ever heard but I wasn't going to just let them take what's mine without a fight.

"Don't worry, I can handle it!" I said, bringing down my bags only for it to be expertly snatched by the porters.

"Hey, what gives!"

"I'm sorry, we're just following orders!" Mr. Cheng cooed, apologetically.

"But you guys don't have to stress yourselves." I insisted , still stubbornly holding unto my bags. "I'm sure you all must be so tired from taking care of us for the past 15 hrs."

"Please, just let us do our job, Miss Richmen!" one of the porters pleaded, tugging at my bag at the handle.

"No, give it, it's mine!" I protested, tugging it back.

"What's going on here?!

We all gulped as we turned to the owner of the voice. I was Great Father Long, flanked with Ben, Ari, her brother Damien, thier cousin Dorian and some servants I hadn't seen before.

"Sir, I want to carry my load but Mr. Cheng won't allow me." I complained, pouting a little, ignoring suddenly grin that appeared on Kai's face. 

"Your grandmother really trained you well!" Great Father Long chuckled, wrapping his arms around me. 

"I know you learnt a lot of things back in Nigeria's but now you are in America which means you have to do things our been taught way and that means..."

"Following your rules?" I guessed, cutely corking my head at him.

"Good guess! And one of them is to let the porters carry our bags anytime come back fram a trip. Is that clear?" 

"Yes, Great Father!" I mummured, my head hung in defeat.

"Don't worry, you'll soon get used to things." he cooed, pulling me into a warm hug which broken up seconds later by a soft growl.

I was quite taken aback to see Damien snarling at Great Father while Ari and Ben giggled in glee till Damien shot them a glare.

"Why is he glaring at his grandfather?" I thought, as he rolled his eyes as Ben and Ari continued to snicker.

"But I can carry my purse, right?" with twinkling in hope as I tried to cover up the akward moment. 

"Of course, why not?"

Beaming, I snatched my purse with a fake sophisticated huff, pointing my nose up in mock pride. I comically held my shoulder high trying to vain and egotic as I could, encouraged by Ben and Ari's laughter before I then held their hands as I led them out of the jet.

"Oh, I almost forgor to tell you this, child." Great Father Long started, stopping us in our tracks. "I have to apologize in advance..."

"Whatfore?!" I thought. 

"...for the cameras!"

"Cameras!" Blaise and I mentally screamed. 

Just as I had inherited some of Blaise's dragon abilities, it had inherited some of my humanity - manifesting in most of my likes, dislike and fears - For instance, we hate being the center of attention but we crave to be in the limelight. I also try to avoid anything makes me self-concious ever since I had my first panic attack when I was 11, while auditoring for a play in the 7th Grade, and cameras were one of these triggers.

"Your grandmother told me of your phobias but do you want to know a secret? I have the fear of flashing lights too, all these publicity stuff was my son's idea."

"Un-huh?!" 

"But that's by the way, I really wanted to personally show you my house but I can't because I have some business attend to." he explained

"It's ok,sir." I beamed in understanding and bowed. "I wish you a safe drive and lots of luck in your endeavours."

"Thank you and amen. I can assure you that your stay here will turn out to be a very fruitful and magical one." he smirked glancing at Damien, whose ear turned red unlike Kai who was confused as I was.

"Who knows how life changing that would be?" he added, his cryptic grin spreading, as Ari and Ben began to smile like Chesire cats!

"I pray so!" I muttered, trying my best to show how I wasn't uncomfortable with their wierd behaviors.

"Who cares!" Blaise said, airily "We're going to be on TV!"

"I am going to be on TV!" I corrected.

"Whatever!" Blaise grinned "I never liked flashing lights."

Just then, Ari and Ben impatiently pulled me towards the exit, which was opened by a grumpy man in white suit. I dimmed my eyes a bit as we were greeted by bright lights and the roaring crowd below, causing me to blanch in fear. But Ari and Ben so engrossed in enthusiastically waving at the crowd to notice.

I had no choice but to be strong...I knew it was time to face my fears! 

It was time... my time!

I felt wave of courage surging through me, taking abreath deep breath before I help them down the stairs, holding thightly unto Ben and Ari as I had momentarily been blinded by the million flashes of camera light.

Deep down. I felt Blaise smile, it knew I was ready!

Ready be in the spotlight...

Ready to live my new life!

Read to live the Long Life! 

***

Meanwhile,

At a Motor Park, 

Lokoja, Kogi State.

Nigeria.

Alice

I couldn't stop my tears from falling as I pulled my mother in for a last hug. She was about to board a chartered car to Okene. It was just a 60 min drive Mama insisted on going back early because of some work she had to round up in her church, as it's Financial Secretary.

"Your heart is heavy, why?" she asked, jolting me out of my thoughts as we disengaged from the hug.

"Ma?"

"What's wrong, Alice? "she purred, cupping my face, her eyes twinkling in concern.

"I'm worried about Angeline, Mama!" I confessed, trying to dam my tears. 

"I'm scared because l have a bad feeling she might get into rouble she can be. You yourself know how restless she can be. I'm sure she's already caused havoc as we speak..."

"Calm down, Alice! Our child I has just woken up her destiny!" Mama said, cutting me off as she took my hands in hers. "You don't have to worry about her anymore, because not only is she in safe hands, she's now been endowed with gifts that will make her soar higher than her contemporaries. She will surely face a lot of oppositions to her destiny but in the end she will crush them all and reclaim what has always been hers!"

"W-what are you saying, ma?" I stuttered in confusion.

Mama just replied with a beautiful mysterious grin and pulled me into another hug.

"Why do I feel like there's much more to this?" I thought, as I slowly hugged her back.

"Don't worry, everything is going to be okay." she whispered, rubbing my back. 

And at that moment, I felt at peace! My mother and I, alone in our own world, oblivious of the usual daily hustles and chaos of a typical Nigerian motor park.

What's up with the Ice Prince?

Mama knows something, doesn't she?