Chapter 32

Eddie had missed his class the previous day. Today, even before the sun was up, he had asked his hosts to help him get home and prepare. Deborah had been unwilling to part with him-for she had grown fond of him in the little time they had shared-but understood. She had driven him to his house then to school. He had agreed with Jane that they would meet after the class was over.

When he walked to the class, he had found Canya seated, her head lowered in thoughts. He was surprised not to find her there but because of the grimace on her face. She was hardly a displeased girl. If she wanted something, she always got it, damn the means. He was just about to ask but when her head lifted and their eyes met, like an arrow leaving its bow, she jumped out of her chair and shot at him. The hug she gave him was so tight that if she fastened her arms a little harder, a few of his ribs would break.

"You have no idea how happy I am to see you." She said, tears already welling from her eyes.

"I am happy to see you too, but I have been gone for only a day." Eddie rolled his eyes skeptically. 

"I know, still, it is a long time for those in love, don't you think?" 

"You are right, Canya. I know you have missed him more than anyone else." Loreen's voice sounded at the door making Canya release Eddie. The flash in her eyes disappeared as soon as it appeared, not getting Eddie's notice. However, Loreen had seen it, and knew why it had. She wanted to tell Eddie but for some reasons, she couldn't.

"Good morning, Loreen." Eddie hugged Loreen, much to Canya's anger. She was not normally jealous but with the status quo, seeing Loreen's hands on Eddie made her feel sick.

"Good morning, I can see you are back to this witch's side…"

"She is not a witch, please stop calling her that." Eddie protested. Loreen went to her seat with a shrug. Canya was really angry but with Eddie present, she could do nothing, lest her secret came to the surface.

Canya had decided to sit close to Eddie for the entire session. While her grandfather had told her how things would be between them, the fact was she loved him and since the day the assassin was to do what she had paid the organization to do, she had been wallowing in self-reproach, getting little peace than she had got in a long time. When Doctor Jesse walked out of the class, she had hooked her arms in Eddie's as they walked towards the gate. However, he had to excuse himself, after all, he did not want to be late to his meeting with Jane.

"Do not forget to meet me at dusk in the paradise."

As he went past the gate, Anna reminded as she walked past him. He gave a nod and took a taxi to where he was to meet Jane. He found Jane seated at a table reserved specifically for them. 

"As efficient as always." He smiled in approval.

"I have to be, especially when I need my man back." They both laughed as he sat across her. 

A waiter saved them from a silence that had followed their hearty laughter. He had brought a tray with delicacies that wafted with aroma so strong that the two moaned involuntarily. Upon uncovering what he had brought, Eddie had to struggle to keep his salivary glands in check.

"You even ordered fuke meat, it seems you are really prepared."

"If there was anything better, I would have ordered it."

He knew there could never be a better meat than that from fuke, a beast reared in Nores village, that small village within Noya District. The flesh of this beast was known to have benefits beyond its exemplary taste. Many spent thousands of hogs just to consume the beast's flesh. Since it was only found in Nores village, those who bought the beast for slaughter showed the customers no mercy. There was no meat that was as expensive as fuke's meat.

"Jane, you know I have never loved a woman like I loved you. What you did really broke my heart and if you do not explain to me exactly what happened, I am not going to risk being in a relationship with you again." As much as the flesh was delicious, it could never be more important than the information he needed. It only took him two bites of the meet to start.

"Please, I am here to do exactly that. At least, eat first."

"You know I should meet Brenda after this, I cannot live with this pain for the rest of my life." 

"I know. Even so, finish your food first."

Eddie knew better than anyone that there was nothing that could make her resolve budge. He decided not to waste his time and eat. After all, the food before him was best taken in silence.