Florencia, 10:30 pm, in a medium-to-high budget hotel.
'We arrived late from the trip', I thought upon noticing it was almost 11 at night.
I stretched my joints, I had just eaten something and felt fatigued from the trip like everyone else. It wasn't comfortable, being on a bus for more than eight hours on a partially fixed road made your glutes scream in pain.
"Snf"
I smelled my clothes at that moment, they reeked of sweat from the trip and the heat that seemed infernal in the room.
'…They said there was a pool in the back, I should go refresh myself'
Without more, I decided to get ready and refresh myself for a while. I didn't want to think about tomorrow, I knew it could be dangerous, trying to get close to the airport due to the guerrilla's influence in the town, even so, I didn't get discouraged, it was perfect to test the team's coordination in the face of possible conflicts.
Like on the trip here.
When they were 3/4 of the way through, a police checkpoint stopped us, that in appearance, we already knew they were bought by the nearby guerrilla, fortunately this was common transportation and since they didn't see something that would make them perceive any threat they let us go.
The weapons of course were disassembled and hidden merged with the suitcases, a prefabricated way at will, each member of Caleb's team had requested it like that, for my team it was a little more complicated, in the end we managed to make them invisible between the compartments of the suitcase before sealing it.
Fortunately, it wasn't like in past times where they could loot your most precious belongings. Undoubtedly the most conflictive part was the bags of money, with great cunning we managed to put them in a compartment that the driver had, who seemed to do this regularly in exchange for a profit that for us was a bargain.
'Speaking of tomorrow…..it's the 31st, it's my first Halloween outside the district…"
I had never had the opportunity to celebrate it, only once I saw how Ana dressed up as an elf, of course what stood out the most was how beautiful and erotic the situation was.
'Since I was on a mission at that time, I couldn't accompany her and I only stopped by to say hello….'
"Haaa", a sigh came out of my mouth thinking about the little time I had for myself.
Without more, I headed to the pool.
***
"Are you sure you don't want to accompany me to the pool?"
Cloe asked upon seeing that Emily lay down on the bed with her face in the pillow.
"…I'm tired from the trip, I just want to sleep, besides the water is too cold"
A hoarse voice was heard from those words, it was clear that she was too lazy to go with her. Cloe knew that she was very bad with cold water, she preferred hot springs or something air-conditioned to this.
"Fine, don't wait up for me then"
"Jum", a nod between a groan, was heard from the girl with her face in the pillow.
"Clank"
She closed the door and started walking down the hallways with the towel in her hand, she was wearing a black bikini, covered by a jacket that covered her chest and only let her firm but pale legs show.
"..I should try to get a tan"
She said upon seeing that her feet had the same pale tone as her, it wasn't uncomfortable to look at, anyone would think she was an albino girl, just that she thought she was more like a ghost than something that could grab the attention of men.
After walking to the first floor level, she went straight to the back. The place was closed except for the top part that showed the starry sky, the light blue color gave a soothing contrast to the place, when she approached the white resting chairs, she took off the jacket and left it on top.
Just as she allowed herself to turn to enter the pool, a voice called her from behind.
"Cloe?"
At that instant, her body froze, she hadn't thought that other people would also be in the pool, since they had been very meticulous about the place where they would stay and to be more sure, in their days in Puerto Victoria they searched and found this place, renting out the entire hotel.
The owner was understanding upon intuiting that it was for privacy and decided to negotiate the rate, it came out expensive, but compared to having unexpected visits or informants it was better than nothing.
That's why it had slipped her mind that her own companions were also there. She particularly didn't care about anyone, with her team they already had trust, they were like siblings, and the other boys and Rudolf seemed to be decent, except Jesús who sometimes came out with stupidities, although that didn't take away from being very considerate when necessary.
There was no one who disturbed her, except Heiss.
The thoughts overwhelmed her, everything she thought about him clumped together in strong feelings, and to make matters worse she felt even more nervous thinking that she had come in a bikini, and he was watching her at this moment.
Turning slowly she saw him, he was shirtless and wearing shorts, held his towel on his shoulder, he didn't seem to have any particular emotion, that is until he realized it was her.
"Oh, if it's you!, I thought I was the only one when the guys said they were going to the sauna, I'm glad to have company…eh, are you okay?, you're a bit red"
His hair tied up was partially collected, leaving some strands of hair on her blushing cheeks, his white blonde color dazzled with her beautiful skin. She was a beauty unmatched, and her surprised face with the flush on her face made her look more enchanting.
When Heiss saw her expression he felt his muscles tense a bit, it was for a brief moment, then as if a bucket of cold water fell he relaxed.
"Y..It's you Heiss, I thought the pool was empty…,I won't bother you enjoy the pool"
She turned around quickly and got ready to flee, but that idea would never come to fruition.
"Tac"
Before taking another step, her hand was stopped, before some mischievous and seductive words stuck to her ear.
Personality #16: "Are you thinking of running?, don't tell me you like this guy?"
She froze, it wasn't just because they took her hand by surprise, but because of the voice that came behind her, it was totally different from before.
Looking back at the person who was holding her, her surprise and shock did nothing but increase.
There in front of her, was the boy who confused her so much, who she could feel respect for and at the same time fear. Emotions that contradicted each other because she knew he was a good person, perverted and crazy, though good; that's why his personality changes always showed her a facet that demonstrated a new experience, wisdom hidden in those mysterious ways and above all, an objective each time they showed themselves.
However, this was the first time she saw that Heiss's body fought against itself, his right hand held her and his left seemed contracted, almost as if convulsing. His smile was coquettish and overwhelming, each part told her that he was playing with her, his eyes full of amusement and play, his iris a plum color, different from the amethyst color she saw on the boat.
Everything was very confusing, it was a new facet, one that fought for control with Heiss, or so it seemed until she saw that something changed.
Personality #16: "You're a great girl, from what I've seen, I'm not surprised that Heiss has you so in mind. You're beautiful, gorgeous you seem to be able to measure people…..maybe he'll need you a lot in the future, either as a friend or girlfriend hehehe…"
A mischievous laugh came from her mouth, it was as if she was chatting with a demented girl, although her eyes seemed sincere, like approval.
Personality #16: "If you're with him, I have nothing to worry about…., or Heiss, please, let me go, just get over it and move on, for me won't you?"
That was the change that left her in shock, the iris of Heiss's left eye had changed again to gray, while his left eye maintained the amethyst color.
Unexpectedly, his left eye filled with tears and dropped a tear down his cheek.
Personality #16: "¡…!, haaa, fool…my biggest fool..."
At that point, Cloe's head was chaos, it was like seeing two people fighting for control of a body.
At the same time he stopped talking, Heiss let her go, his right eye returned to normal and his face became neutral again, at first, a sad face formed for a moment and his hand touched his right eyelid, as if he felt something that troubled him as his hand passed over it.
After a few seconds, he calmed down and lowered his hand.
"I'm sorry you saw that"
"...", Cloe didn't know what to say, she didn't have the courage to ask and was afraid to, she didn't want to touch a sensitive nerve.
"I think we can't relax anymore…."
He looked at the pool with regret before turning to her for an instant.
"I'd better go to my room"
Resigned, he turned toward the exit, he didn't want to make her uncomfortable or scare her more than she already was.
"Wait!"
However, a voice almost scared stopped him. Cloe with her greatest effort said those words, although her already numb body told her to want to leave.
"¡!", Heiss, just watched her, waiting to see what she would say.
"You can stay….., I won't ask you to tell me what's happening, with me, but…"
She wanted to tell him, she wanted him to trust her. They had barely known each other for a week, and despite that, she wanted to understand him, she wanted to know more about him.
It's naive, almost stupid to try to think that one should try to get to know a stranger, even more so to ask him to tell you about his private life; even when society would judge her attitude as hypocritical or trying to build a codependent relationship, the truth was that she felt comfortable in his company.
That made her take the risk and speak.
She had no idea if being saved by him had something to do with it, because of his attitude, his unstable personalities, trust or sincerity, she didn't know what made her want to stay by his side.
There's no love at first sight, she didn't believe it and didn't envision it, and as surprising as it was, she never expected to get along well with someone of the opposite sex. No man gave her the feeling of comfort to be more than 5 minutes by his side, she even limited herself with her team members, feeling a bit overwhelmed by their strong personalities.
And although deep down she couldn't understand it, that peculiar existence called Heiss gave her a certain peace; that's why she stopped him before he left, because she didn't want everything to fall apart due to difficulties she still couldn't understand.
She wasn't going to let that strange feeling go without an answer, not without trying.
"…..", Heiss looked at her for what seemed to her like an eternity, she looked at the ground unable to see him, she felt tense and embarrassed.
"Okay", a solemn look appeared from Heiss while looking at her
Surprisingly, he said yes. When she lifted her head and looked at him, he was already turning toward the pool.
He left his towel on the chair next to Cloe's, and some almost whispered words were released into the air, almost imperceptible, yet she heard it.
"And, above all, thank you"
She was stunned for a second, then just smiled.
Heiss was the first to enter the pool.
"It's pretty cool, hey, do you want..?"
He couldn't finish his words upon seeing that Cloe was heading in his direction, jumping and falling in front of him.
"Splash!", water splashed everywhere, Heiss had to cover his hands so it wouldn't fall in his eyes.
"Ah, it's pretty cold", he said after coming out of the water.
"Plop!"
Suddenly, a wave of water in the form of a splash was directed at her.
"..¡eh!, ¡hey!", her anger was palpable.
"Jajajajaja, that's for splashing me", Heiss's laughter was like a jolt to Cloe's ego, she felt she had to get revenge.
"Plop!", another splash now approached Heiss.
"You'll see, you'll pay for this!"
In that way the two began to play amidst laughter and splashing, almost as if what had happened earlier hadn't happened
It was a pleasant sight, as if it took a weight off to see the tranquility and happiness of each one; that's what both felt, each one felt comfortable with the other.
They lasted until late, it was after getting even and chatting pleasantly, that after almost an hour and a half, Heiss decided to tell Cloe a little about his life.
What made her inevitably ask herself, what was the world doing against the districts and what had she done these past months in Kazakhstan against them. She didn't judge herself for following Kalika, because she owed her too much, but she did ask herself if she could do more, she felt pathetic before the great conflict that was created before everyone's blind eyes.
***
The next morning, she was standing on the balcony thinking about last night's conversation, she couldn't sleep much after what he told her, and of course she wasn't going to talk about this with anyone, it felt too guarded in Heiss's past for anyone to find out.
Only a few hours were left before they could take a flight and return with lady Kalika, nothing made her feel more at peace, normally it was like that, and for the first time in Kalika's service she questioned whether she wanted to fight that insignificant war for power. She knew what it meant, but compared to the fate of humanity, the struggle between heirs seemed like nothing more than trivial to her; only because she knew what Kalika was planning did she stop thinking that way, she also had a reason to fight and for that goal all the risks were worth it.
'He said to tell lady Kalika everything when I'm ready…..I shouldn't worry for now…."
In a blink she squeezed her hand with anger thinking about the district and what it made Heiss and his siblings go through, they were simply human garbage.