The Bond

Evo's POV

I handed Bella the hot dog sandwich and put our drinks on the side while they waited for our friends, who were still inside.

"You are as strong as a bull and as brave as a lion, but you are afraid of reptiles," I said. "Do you have ophidiophobia?"

Bella shook her head. "Maybe. I hate snakes because they scare me and make me feel sick."

"But there aren't just snakes there. There are also lizards, iguanas, monitor lizards, turtles, and other cold-blooded creatures."

"I'm still not interested."

"I find it hard to believe that someone like you, who resembles a dragon with a fire on its nose when you're in front of me and an enraged tiger when you're behind me, is afraid of reptiles. I'm surprised," I said.

"Even Superman has flaws. I'm not God, so don't insult me as if I don't exist. Even superheroes have weaknesses," she said harshly.

"Jeez, that's not what I meant. Don't get me wrong. Nothing surprises me except you, so I'm sorry if what I said offended you. I didn't expect your reaction earlier, so that was new."

"Tell me, what makes you unique? How did you resolve the situation at our school? What are your abilities?" Bella asked.

"Kaycee possesses a powerful kinesthetic ability. That's her ability, besides being smart. I'm uncertain, but it's possible to see memories in objects you touch. It might be visual memory reading."

"Why didn't you answer my question? Are you scared that I can read your memory?"

"You touched me earlier, and now you ask me if that means you can't read my memory, just as I can't read yours."

Both Bella and I were stunned. She may not be able to read my memory because I can't read hers either. That makes sense, and we may be blocking each other's abilities.

None of us said a word. I stay quiet and eat as if I'm hungry.

"Thank you," Bella finally said.

"Small things," I replied. I glance at her. "At least your skin color is back. You looked like you'd drank a bottle of vinegar earlier. You're not even breathing. I thought you were going to die!"

Bella ate a little bit of the sandwich she was holding. "You used to be afraid of tigers, too," I said.

"Yes, because they're wild animals."

"But our friends are feeding them, as you saw."

"I don't trust wild animals. To me, it's in their nature to be wild, so even if you treat them nicely, they'll still be wild."

"You have a trust problem." I finished my sandwich and took a quick sip of soda. Then, when I saw our friends walking towards us, I glanced at Bella.

"Are you okay now, VP?" Laurie asked. Bella nodded.

I looked at Kaycee, but she was looking at Bella. "Tonight's dinner is on me. Let's find a decent restaurant." I said.

—

Our group went right into the restaurant. Our driver will join us for dinner. The food server quickly found a suitable seat for us to see the fantastic sea view from there. The food server gave us the menu, and I let them order whatever they wanted. After a while, the waiter writes down our orders on his notes.

"Hi, son..."

Everyone, even the food server, turned to the newcomer. I didn't expect to see my parents at the restaurant. My father stared at the food server.

"I'll take care of their food. Give them what they want."

"Yes, sir," said the food server, then quickly left.

I stood up and introduced my friends. "Guys, this handsome man beside me is my father, Tomas Montenegro. I know you already know him, but introducing him to you personally is an honor for me." I said, smiling. "Meet my friend's dad."

After I introduced everyone, my dad stared at Bella. "Hi, Bella. You look familiar. Have we met somewhere?"

"Ah, I don't think so. I'm a homebody." Bella said.

"Hmmm, you seem familiar," Dad said as he glanced at Kaycee. "Hold on, are you famous?"

Kaycee giggled. No, but you are."

My mother visited us. Her hand immediately wrapped around my father's arm.

"Ah, guys, meet my mom, Mildred Evangelista Montenegro," I said.

"Hello, youngsters." Mom said, "It's nice to meet you here."

"I will introduce them to you, Mom." I started to speak, but Mom interrupted me before I could finish.

"It's not necessary, Evo. All I want to do is see their faces," Mom said with a smile. "It's wonderful to meet you all. Take care of my son, please."

I smiled. My mom always likes it. She expressed no interest in names when I introduced them to her. She expressed that, while she might forget their names, she would not forget their faces. My mom welcomed my friends warmly and even joked with them. My mom looked at Bella and frowned.

"Anyway, who are you?" Mom asked. Everyone looked at Bella. "Are you my son's girlfriend?"

"W-what?" Bella asked in confusion.

"Well, you're wearing a couple's shirt," Mom said.

"Oh, I didn't notice that," Dad said. "Is she your girlfriend, son?"

"No!" "Not yet!"

Bella looked at me, and I glanced at her with a smile. Bella raised her eyebrows.

"Something happened earlier, and we had to change clothes. We didn't know we had a couple's shirt." Bella explained. "I'm not his girlfriend."

"Oh, okay," Mom said. "I'm just warning you that Bella, my son, is a playboy, and I hope you don't become one of his victims."

Bella scoffed. "That's impossible to do, ma'am. In the first place, we hate each other."

"Is that true? Don't be too sure, because the elders have a saying. The more you hate, the more you love." Mom even winks at me.

Dad squeezed Mom's arm. "You're such a tease, hon. Leave those youngsters to their love lives."

"We should go. Enjoy your meal; we're just at the other table." After saying this, my mother quickly left with my father.

My friends watched Mom and dad leave together with bodyguards. They sat down at a nearby table.

"Your parents are awesome, Evo, especially your mom," Kaycee said.

"Yeah. You've never met your mother's brother. He is cooler than Mom. Andrew and I are very close to him."

"Your family is perfect. It's too appealing to be true. I sincerely hope everything goes well for you." Bella said it seriously.

I watched Bella thoughtfully stare at my parents, who were sitting at a table across from us. If Bella were like my other friends, I'd be able to hear or read her thoughts, but unfortunately, I can't.

--

"You're here," I said. "Where are you going?"

After eating at the restaurant and walking outside to look at the beautiful scenery, we returned to the hotel. Everyone rested earlier than usual because it was late at night. I couldn't sleep, so I left the room and went to the coffee shop below the hotel. When the elevator was about to close, a hand stopped it. I immediately pressed the button, and the elevator door opened again.

I was a little surprised to see Bella. She has already changed her clothes and smells like a new bath.

"In the coffee shop, I can't sleep."

"Hmmm."

Bella scoffed and said nothing.

–

After placing my order, I was searching for a comfortable spot when I noticed a woman seated near the glass wall, gazing outward. She's looking at the beautiful view from the glass wall. I turned to Bella, who was still ordering coffee and walked closer to the table.

"Kaycee?"

She looked at me and smiled slightly. "Is anyone here with you?" Kaycee shook her head, so I sat on the other side of the table. "Why are you here by yourself?"

"I'm bored."

I suddenly felt guilty. Despite her wrongdoing, I allowed her to come here. And since the people in USBO aren't her friends, I'm sure she feels out of place.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry? What for?"

"I imagined you might feel like you don't belong with the group, so..."

"I'll never feel that way," she says. "There are times I yearn for solitude, but that does not mean I don't want you now."

"Are you alone?" Bella inquired as she sat down on the other side of the table. "I did not notice that you weren't in our room." She quickly looked at Kaycee's coffee resting on the table.

'Why are they together? Are they okay now? What happened earlier? Why are they now so close?' Kaycee's thought

"You know me," Kaycee said, then turned away from Bella.

Even though they are a team and Kaycee is friendly, I've observed that she and Bella do not get along. They have their personalities.

"Do you guys like stars?" I asked.

I immediately knew Kaycee's answer, even though she hadn't said it.

"Yes. Why?" Kaycee said.

As for Bella, I still have to wait to hear back from her. "Don't tell me you'll go to the stars just because I say I love stars," Bella asked seriously.

"No. It is impossible to do that." I looked at my wristwatch, then at Bella and Kaycee again. "I can, however, show you both."

Bella and Kaycee glanced at each other, and then looked at me.