A Secret Revealed

Theresa shook her head steadily, as she digested Egan's words. "Okay, if you're a Phoenix then I'm a Griffin."

"I'm serious, Theresa. Do you think I'm cracking a joke?" Egan's composed demeanor was a proof that he was spilling the truth.

Theresa scrunched her eyebrows, chuckling. "You gotta be kidding me!"

"Unfortunately, I am not." Egan's eyes glowed golden yellow, his muscular physique changed into a nonpareil flame through which emerged the one and only legendary creature, Phoenix.

Theresa's pupils dilated in surprise. Her brain stammered and her eyes unable to adjust to what she was witnessing. It was beyond her wild imagination, the very freaking moment chilled her down the spine.

The phoenix circled and towered over Theresa, flapping its golden majestic wings.

After a while, the phoenix landed in the lawn besides Theresa, transforming back into his human form, Egan.

"This is insane." Theresa murmured. She rushed, returning to the exit of the 'Garden Of Aida.'

Egan yanked her waist in an instant, her body on his embrace. "Theresa, don't leave me. I know I shouldn't have lied to you about my identity, but I had no courage to confront you until now." Egan was short of his words, guilt covered his voice.

His mind was imagining the possibility of Theresa leaving him which brought up a flock of terror in his soul. He had never felt so vulnerable in his whole life. The fear engulfed him so deeply, and at this rate his heart could explode.

Theresa shoved away from his touch. "Egan, this is a lot for me to digest." This was indeed a shocking revelation for her. Theresa believed she was dreaming not until she pinched herself to know that she wasn't.

"Give me some time to recollect my thoughts." Theresa patted Egan's shoulders, her lips turned into a thin line and plodded back to her home.

~~~~~~~~

"You're back." Thalia welcomed her, taking a pause from her chores in the kitchen. "So, how was your time with Egan? Did you guys solve your misunderstandings?" She queried, anticipating for a response.

Seeing Theresa not respond as she ascended the stairs and enter her room directly, made Thalia wonder. Her voice surely buzzed through the stairs.

"What's wrong with this girl?" Thalia rolled her eyes as she rubbed the plates before placing them on the cupboard.

Theresa locked the door behind her with a soft click, upon entering her room.

"Oh goodness! Something that I just saw isn't normal." She placed a tentative hand over her mouth, pacing back and forth with her steps. Awe and bewilderment crawling over her.

"I saw Egan transforming into a Phoenix. Can anyone believe? A Phoenix?" She threw herself in the soft mattress that weighed down on her weight.

"I have to clear my head, so that I can be able to respond wisely in this situation." Her fingertips caressed her brow with her heart beating million of drums.

"Staying here, probably won't help me. It's better if I go somewhere far from here." Theresa jerked upright, her brown eyes on the ceiling. No sooner than that, she closed her eyes just to fall asleep and get wake up by her brother, Kevin.

"Sis Theresa. Wake up! It's already supper time." He looked over Theresa.

"Huh?" Theresa was still in her sleep, drooling like a baby. She stretched her body with a yawn, before rubbing her sleepy eyes. "How the hell did I end up falling asleep?"

"I don't know, but it's so cute you were even drooling."

"Asshole." Theresa threw a pillow at his face. "How was your day?"

"Well, it was nice. Do you know I'm promoted as the Class Captain?" Kevin caught the pillow as he settled himself into the couch across the bed.

"Wow! That's amazing. I'm super proud of you." Theresa exclaimed with joy. "You'll be the best Class Captain."

"I sure will be." As a little brother, Kevin felt a sense of pride at Theresa's praise.

"Okay, that's enough. I came here to wake up for supper, Mom must be waiting for us. So, let's go."

~~~~~~

"I thought Kevin also ended up sleeping with you. Nevertheless, it took a long time for him to wake you up." Thalia smiled at them, as they descended the stairs. Kevin took his beloved seat while Theresa walked over her mom and placed a kiss on the top of her head before taking a seat across from her. "The date was absolutely phenomenal." She murmured.

"That's not the case, Mom. We were just chatting with each other." Kevin had a spoonful of Stifado, a Greek Stewart made with beef, onions and tomatoes.

Being a step brother to Theresa and Demi, Kevin was very understanding and learned than his age. He was only eleven while Theresa was already twenty-three.

During Thalia's business tour to Ireland, she met Kevin's father, Sean, and they fell in love.

Unfortunately, Sean was already married and had two children, a daughter and a son. Well, the most surprising part is Thalia knew about this and had an extra-marital affair. Regardless everything, Theresa and Demi supported, accepted and loved Thalia and Kevin wholeheartedly.

"Mom, I'm going to Patras, for some days." Theresa finished the last piece of Moussaka.

"Why, all of a sudden?" Thalia raised her concern.

"Simply because I miss Demi, Granny and Dad." Theresa took the dishes in the kitchen-basin.

"When will you go?" Thalia joined her to wash the dish together.

"Tomorrow." She answered.

Thalia nodded her head. In silence, they washed the dishes and went to their respective rooms for a beauty sleep.

~~~~~~~~

The dawn was crisp and clear, accompanied by the chirping of birds. Theresa rubbed her eyes and walked to the window, she opened the curtains which were made up of silk and embroidered with Jinchan flower. The rising sun shone softly on Theresa's beautiful face.

Theresa took a shower and packed her essentials in a travel bag. She didn't know for how long would she stay there, but there was one thing which she was completely sure for and that was, she wouldn't return until she had an answer for Egan.

Theresa examined her wardrobe and found a perfect dress for the day. She wore an Amalfi Green Long Sleeve Lace Up Mini Dress and matched it with a thin Golden Cuban Link Choker. She chose a minimal makeup, her hair loose curls and a pair of green lace up circle heeled sandals, matched up her whole look.

Theresa went downstairs where her brother was getting ready for school and her mom was preparing lunch for Kevin.

Theresa went to the dining hall for breakfast. She put out three plates in the table, took out some breads and spread butter and honey on it and served it on the plates, along with some mixed fruits.

"Thank you, Theresa." Kevin munched on his breakfast. He poured the fruits on yogurt and ate it.

"So, when will you return from your Dad's house?" Kevin asked.

"Honestly, I don't know." Theresa shrugged her shoulders.

Kevin made a sad face, "I'll miss you."

Theresa grinned, "I'll miss you the most. Come here, my kiddo. Let me give you a huggie."

Kevin giggled as they embraced each other. Theresa lightly pressed a kiss in his forehead, "Take care of yourself, okay?"

"Sure, you too."

"Here, take your lunch box and water bottle." Thalia handed the bag to Kevin.

"Thanks, Mom. Bye Mom, bye Theresa." Kevin took his departure as his school bus just arrived in time.

"I have called a cab for you. It must be on its way." There was bitterness in Thalia's voice.

"Thanks, Mom. I love you a lot and I'll miss you very much." A bittersweet smile lingered on her mouth as she threw herself on her mother's embrace.

Unexpectedly, the cab was pretty early, so she took it for her journey to Patra, bidding farewell to her dearest mother.

"Here I come, City Of Patra." Theresa mumbled as she made herself comfortable in the cozy seat of cab.

She stared outside at the deep densed dark woods, covered with fog. A chill shivered down her spine, an unpleasant feeling devoured her. Neither did she know that this day would be unusual than the rest of her days.