Binding Ties

After what seemed like an emotional run down through memory's lane, Mandy finally managed to put herself together. Sniffing back her tears, she stared into the eyes of the mysterious young man with looks that screamed her curiosity– her question of who he was yet to be answered.

The latter noticed her gaze but needed a more confined place before he would say anything.

"Can we go in?" He muttered with a creased brow as if in doubt– whether or not the former would accept him in.

Without hesitation, Mandy threw the door wide open– side-stepping to allow him in. With a slight bow– coupled with a smile, the young man yet to identify himself sauntered into the house; followed by the former.

Meanwhile, Leticia was still in her room with ears on edge just to hear anything from Mandy after she had called out to her following– the ring of the bell. But for some reason, the house felt surprisingly quiet with no sound of a moving object whatsoever. Swiftly tilting her head with some sense of confusion still lingering on her mind, she jolted to her full length– strolling straight for the door.

A few steps down the stairs from the room, she caught a glance of a male figure seated on the sofa with his back facing the stairway while Mandy remained glued on the opposite sofa with curious eyes fixed on him. Judging from his back view, Leticia could tell he was more or less of Irianda's age.

Just on descending the last stair, the latter's gaze traveled her direction; followed by the former as if in sync.

"You don't have to worry about her." Mandy sharply muttered on an impulse as if she could read the lad's mind– swiftly turning her attention back to her friend.

"Am I interrupting something?" Leticia uttered, quite skeptical as she headed towards them.

For a moment, she thought the face looked familiar but then, where? She just couldn't figure it out. Settling beside Mandy, she briefly threw a quizzical look coupled with raised brows that shouted her curiosity.

At that moment, she allowed her gaze to travel between the two but then; noticed something else which caught her attention– the lad was at the edge of his seat as if ready to attack at any point in time.

"Guess I really am interacting something." She muttered with clenched jaw as she glanced at her friend then back to the young man who had become more relaxed than earlier. Without waiting for another utterance from them, he spoke up.

"I'm Kim Chanyeol." He began, introducing himself as an answer to Mandy's earlier question. "I guess from what you've seen, I wouldn't need to tell you my true nature." He went on with his eyes fixed on Mandy "but then, there is one more thing you should know." The former uttered with a brief pause– knowing they might be shocked with what he was about to say. "I'm Drake's son."

Just as expected, both Mandy and Leticia's eyes flew wide open while they deftly glanced at each other then back to Chanyeol. The latter's lips instinctively curved into a smile– becoming relaxed in his seat.

"I was actually expecting that." He commented.

For a moment, they were both confused on how that could be possible but then, the evidence was clearly before their eyes. He was so much like his father and Irianda was their female version. But in it all, Mandy wasn't sure about one thing.

"So did you know about us?" She asked.

With a sigh, Chanyeol nodded. "Getting to know you were the reason why my father left my mother and his responsibilities, I hated you– but after finding out I had a younger sister; I became more tuned to finding her which I did some years back.

"You mean you two have already met?" Leticia inquired, looking as shocked as Mandy.

The latter intuitively bobbed his head as his face lightened with a bright smile. " Yeah, but she still has no idea about it. I thought staying beside her will put her in danger but I got it all wrong. This is the more reason why I am here. Irianda's life is in danger and it's better she doesn't use her abilities or shapeshift either. It's not like she can control it though, that's why Dad asked me to bring her this bracelet." He uttered, drawing out a light blue pearl bracelet from his pocket.

*******

Meanwhile, Irianda paddled briskly through the busy streets– anxious to get home soon as her pulses tensed up with the fear of anything happening to her mother and auntie. Being on the blind side, she still had no idea Neo was trailing after her.

With a sharp turn, she curved into the alley that leads to her destination. Within a few minutes, she deftly pulled the brakes– instantly coming to a halt as she glided down the bike. At that moment, Neo motioned the driver to a stop at a distance away as he watched Irianda navigate her bike into the compound of the fenced house in a haste – as if she was being chased.

Intuitively, he drew in some air while his head tilted in confusion. With an excuse to the driver, Neo got off the car. Carefully studying the environment for a while, he glided back in. Though he had his doubts, he thought at least knowing now where she stays was good enough.

Throwing a last glance at the structure before him, he signaled the driver, and soon– the car was sent back on the street with the latter staring through the narrowed window as his mind remained crossed with doubts of his own; the reason why Irianda always runs from him still unknown.

Back at Leticia's apartment, the former and Mandy were still in talks with Chanyeol when the door suddenly swayed open– sending their gazes flying to it. Only to see Irianda at the foot of the door with anxiety written all over her face as the door slowly closed behind her.

At that moment, Mandy noticed Irianda's gaze was fixed on Chanyeol as she remained frozen in her steed– looking as pale as ever.