Accepting Yourself

Leticia noticed Mandy's worried gaze and sighed, rubbing her shoulder as a sense of encouragement. "You're going to do just fine. All you need to do is to tell her what she needs to know." She said, almost in a whisper while her mouth curved into a lopsided grin.

Irianda on the other hand was so distracted, watching through the slightly narrowed window as their car drove passed the trees lined by the sides of the quiet street.

The Moonlight was still smiling brightly in the sky assisted by the stimulatingly cool air. Soon, the cozy breeze began to have it's way with Irianda as her eyes slimly shuts and opens anonymously. Her bones and body still wrecking tired from the impact of the earlier incident as she hadn't fully recovered yet.

She tried her best to keep her focus and herself awake but nature couldn't be cheated as she slowly drifted off to sleep. Mandy slightly turned to have another glance at her after Leticia's encouragement and noticed her fast asleep.

She instinctively twitched her lips with a sharp sigh, lifting up her shoulder in a half shrug as she gazed back at Leticia while fiddling with the wheels.

"I think you're right." She muttered with a smile that looked forced.

Leticia smiled in turn, at least happy that Mandy has for once agreed with her since she had never bought the idea of her telling Irianda about the true identity of her father earlier on. They've been close friends ever since Mandy joined Phoenix TV. They both met as Interns on the very first day in the company and had since been joined at the hip. They knew almost everything about each other.

With nothing more to say, she turned her gaze back to the road while Mandy focused on driving. After a few miles, they hit the main streets of Seoul and within an hour, Mandy pulled up in front of her apartment. Irianda was still fast asleep though.

Gilding down the car, Leticia picked up Irianda's things whiles Mandy trod over to her daughter's side of the car. Seeing how comfortable and peaceful she was sleeping, she decided not to wake her up but rather carry her. With much effort, she lifted her over her shoulder.

"She's so heavy." Mandy grumbled, snapping the door shut. "When did she became this heavier?" She commented, her face evident enough of the amount of effort she was putting in to hold up Irianda .

Leticia chuckled, slightly shaking her head as they sauntered into the house. They headed straight to Irianda 's room, dropped her things beside the bed while Mandy gently laid her on the bed, covering her up with her blanket. She drew in a deep breath with a sigh, staring down at Irianda for some few seconds.

Looking at the clock hanging at the right corner of the room, Leticia noticed it was already nearing day and they both needed to get some rest before the day fully breaks for work. Getting Mandy's attention, she tilted her head towards the clock and she instinctively knew what that meant.

Without wasting another second, She reeled towards the door and Leticia followed after. Escorting her to the yard, she handed over her car keys to Leticia and watched her sped out of the compound.

"See you in the morning and don't be late in picking me up." She shouted after her. Staring for some few seconds as the car disappeared through the street, Mandy returned back into the house. She sauntered straight to the washroom, freshened up and retired to bed. She tossed and turned on the bed for a while before finally drifting off to sleep.

******

It was a clear and beautiful day. The night before had been nerve wrecking but Mandy started the day off blistering with positive vibes. The sweet smell of freshly baked cookies filled the atmosphere while Mandy moved to and fro in the kitchen, putting breakfast together before Irianda wakes up.

She was still enjoying the refreshing atmosphere coupled with the bright day when a blood curling scream startled her.

"Ah–" She heard Irianda screamed from her room. She instantly put away whatever she was doing and rushed up to see her struggling with nine white tails but this time, her chestnut eye hadn't turned blue.

"Irianda?" She grumbled underneath her breath, slamming the door shut as she rushed over to her. Nearing Irianda, she hastily knelt before her, curbing her face in the process while she held her gaze. "Calm down dear." She muttered softly while Irianda looked into her eyes, her chest rising and falling in a rapid manner. "Just keep breathing." Mandy encouraged, gesticulating with her head the manner of breathing in and out.

With her continues encouragement, Irianda's breath slowly fell while she gradually calmed down, her tails disappearing in the moment. "That's it." Mandy commented, briefly drawing her daughter into a hug.

"What's happening to me mum–" Irianda asked as they drew back from the hug. Her face a bit pale with sweats trekking down her face. She looked as though she had had a nightmare which woke her up from her sleep, causing her to briefly shapeshift to her fox form.

"I can see you're having trouble handing it." Mandy grumbled to herself. "Alright, " She muttered while getting to her feet. "Guess it's time." She added, staring at Irianda who gave her a quizzical look. "Come here dear." She continued, holding her daughter's shoulders as she gently guided her to sit on her bed, settling beside her in the process. "Now listen," She went on while taking Irianda's hands into hers. "I don't know how to go about this but I still have to do it."

"What's it mum–" Irianda instinctively snapped in. "You're really scaring me." She added, her eyes a bit twitched with nervousness. Mandy took in a deep breath.

"Okay." She said, a bit hesitant. " I know how you're feeling now dear," She started. "but I want you to know and understand that you're a very special one."

"Special?" Irianda muttered sceptically with confusion written all over her face. "How do you mean, special? "

She threw a quizzical look at her which made Mandy

sigh. She curbed Irianda's face while she tried to gather some courage.

"Well..," She started but paused. "The thing is, your dad and I." She went on, narrating the whole story of how she met Drake, their love story and how they had to escape in other to save her.

"Ar– are you saying I'm a half breed?" Irianda stuttered, "A gumiho?" She remarked, her eyes glistering with mixed feelings. Whether to panic, cry or scream, she didn't know which emotions to express. "No," She suddenly muttered, slightly shaking her head. "No, this can't be mum–" She continued as her body shook with tears. "Why can't I be like all other kids." She said while jolting to her feet. "Why mum.." She added amidst tears, sauntering backwards.

"Irianda.." Mandy mumbled, watching as her daughter slowly trekked backwards to the door still in her night wear.

"Irianda you have to calm down." She commented but Irianda was not ready to accept the fact.

"I WANT TO BE LIKE ALL OTHER KIDS." She hastily shouted amidst tears and stormed out of the room with the speed of lightening, slamming the door half closed.

"Irianda !" Mandy cried, rushing for the door as she went after her.