✍️Oath Of Shadows

Oath Of Shadows | Chapter 1!

January 1st, 2024

As I served the last customer in line his drink, I took out my phone and began scrolling on Wattpad screaming a bit too loudly that my favorite author updated: Ice & Rose, the story is about a scandalous musician named Rose, who's trying to redeem her fame. However, everything she did is to no avail and so when she meets egotistical rapper Mackiah, who goes by the stage name Ice.

I wouldn't say their meeting was exactly pleasant, but it's where Rose's dream begins to shine and Ice takes her under his wing. The two began working together bickering nonstop, disagreeing about his songs---but soon, it wasn't long before Ice started to soften towards him, even his fans noticed he wasn't the egotistical and arrogant rapper anymore.

However, I think there's more to it because every story I've read of Yan Ru (the author of Ice & Rose) always ends with a cliffhanger or in tragedy. I mean regardless she is still my favorite author on Wattpad, I mean I don't only read on Wattpad but also on Yonder and Webtoon. As soon as I clicked on Chapter 14 to read, the bell rings signaling that a customer is here; "Are you kidding me?" I murmured. However, I immediately changed my mood as my crush entered, his name is Xiao Jianhong, the local police chief. He's also my next neighbor, the only time we have a full conversation is when he orders Hot Americano, but today he's here with a girl. She's very beautiful, but I'm not threatened.

"Hi, Jianhong, the usual, Hot Americano with two sugars," I said.

"Hello, Fathiyah. No not today, I'll have Latte with whipped cream and caramel swirl," He replied.

My smile turned upside down, but I entered it on the computer regardless, "Babe, what would you like?" He asked. My eyes widened in shock, but I tried to play it off as if I saw something strange on my phone; "I would like Caramel Macchiato with two donuts and an oatmeal cookie," the girl replied. As I entered their orders, I told them the total; "That'll be 60 dirhams, please," I said.

Jianhong paid and went to sit at a table in the middle, that's not where he usually sits. I mean he always sits near the window and watches as the passerby walks the streets of Rabat. I went to make their drinks and asked my co-worker, Aisha to serve them the food. "Thanks Aisha," I said. She smiled, winking at me. Aisha was born in Canada, but her parents are Moroccan true and true, I always mock her that she can't speak Arabic.

When I served them their drinks, I went behind the counter, but even while reading I couldn't stop glancing at them. They seem very close, like they've known each other forever, or maybe they have. I was too blind to think that I had a chance with Jianhong, my parents wouldn't even let me talk to boys, let alone date one.

"Fathiyah, you're staring too much?" Aisha whispered.

"What? No, I'm not. I'm reading can't you see?" I replied, denying completely.

Even though I know deep down that I was staring at them too, "Okay whatever you say, but I did convince you to confess sooner," Aisha utters.

"Yeah, I know. But you know my parents would give me a whole powerpoint lecture," I said. She went to clean up the empty tables and while laughing to herself, I continued reading Ice & Rose, trying to ignore Jianhong and that girl's presence. However, it's too hard, I mean come on what can I do when my crush since junior high school is here with a girl, and they're being lovey-dovey.

I know he doesn't mind, but I hate the thought of seeing him with someone else. As I finished reading Chapter 14, I frustratingly screamed because again Yan Ru ended it with a cliffhanger, "No, Ice and Rose can't break up! She has to choose him besides love conquering all, right?" I said, I was talking like the characters were real and could hear me.

"Not another cliffhanger, Yan Ru, please tell me that they'll be together and nothing bad will happen," I commented. I decided to go on to read another story, it's a Korean story: The Crown in The Air. It's not Wattpad, but Yonder. I loved the description so well-written and the setting as I imagined is just so magical. The author has written about 304 Chapters and it's still on-going.

"Fathiyah?" Jianhong calls me.

"Yes! Was there something wrong with your order?" I asked.

"No, it was amazing. But I would like my usual please and also, I wanted to chat with you," he said.

"Sure, it's coming right up. You can have a seat, I'll take it to you," I said.

As soon as I made his Americano and took it to him, Jianhong asked me to sit right in front of him. I placed my phone on the table and started fidgeting with my fingers. I don't understand why I'm so awkward around him, like Ya Allah please make sure I wouldn't embarrass myself in front of Jianhong, I thought.

"Can you tell me the story you were reading? It sounds interesting," Jianhong said.

"Yes, do you have a Wattpad account?" I spoke.

"I mean yes, but I barely used it because I don't have time. We can follow each other too and you can also read my stories," he said.

"The story is called Ice & Rose by Yan Ru, and also my username is princess_fathiyah96," I replied.

"Awesome," he said.

"Uhm, Jianhong! Can I ask you a question?" I questioned.

"Yes," He replied.

"Uhm, that girl is she your girlfriend? I'm curious, that's why," I spoke.

"I mean you can say that, she is someone my parents want me to marry so I have to play along because I know they were spying on me," he said.

After work, I got off the bus, but then a very handsome young man stopped, "Miss, do you like reading?" He asked.

"I'm sorry, I don't know you," I said and started to walk away, but he stopped me. I turned around to slap him, but he handed me a book called: Oath of Shadows! "Read this book, I know you'll love it and anything I'll help you with your quest," he said.

Before I could say anything, he disappeared into thin air, "What the fudge? That's freaking flipping freaky," I replied. I did all of my chores and headed upstairs to do my night routine, afterward, I grabbed the book, turning on my night light. "It can't hurt to read it but I'm still freaking out," I said.

As soon as I opened the book, the first sentence: "Ready to be taking on a life adventure full of mysterious desires, come join Kim Dong-Hyeon as he deals with the death of his parents and older sister, while managing to evade his own demise."

"Well, that's intriguing------yet somehow very creepy," I muttered.

See you next chapter...

Fatima!

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