My Words Are Law

A Cat's Blessing (1)

Tuesday... She never dreaded it like she's dreading it now. After hearing the conversation yesterday, uneasiness loomed over her like a phantom. So much so that she had a panic attack in the restroom while conditioning herself a few minutes before Mr. Rowland's class. Her vision spun, and she fainted. The thought of meeting with Chryses felt so terrifying that she conked out.

She'd always have nightmares whenever she fainted, but this time, it wasn't a nightmare that haunted her.

She was sitting on the wooden terrace of their old house, blankly staring at the rain falling on the lush green leaves of the bushes in their garden. The scene was reminiscent of her childhood, sending a familiar ache in her heart.

"This child... If you remain stubborn, your misfortune will only grow bigger."

Amaryllis stared at the black cat that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The animal sat beside her, licking its paws as if it had just finished eating a sumptuous meal.

"You're that cat..." Her eyes widened slightly at the realization.

It's been a long time since and she never admitted it, but she regretted saving the cat, thinking if she didn't, her parents wouldn't have driven to the hospital in the pouring rain only to meet a terrible accident. Her parents always told her that all lives are equal, but there was a part of her that insisted the cat's life was nothing compared to her parents'. She hated herself for it. Hated herself for thinking that way.

If her parents were alive, they'd surely be disappointed with her.

"Indeed." The cat responded as it craned its neck to cast a scrutinizing gaze on her expression. "Aren't you tired of enduring everything? I told you to call for me, but you're as stubborn as a rock. Do you enjoy suffering?" The woman's mature voice that came out of the cat was admonishing.

There was a moment of silence before Amaryllis responded. She looked away and sighed, hoping for the throbbing pain in her chest to disappear with her breath. "No, of course not..." Is there such a human who feels happy suffering..?

The cat's pupils dilated as her eyes squinted at the human child with irritation. "Then what's the reason?"

A wistful smile appeared on Amaryllis' lips. "I was scared... that no one will come..."

The cat hissed. "I am not like humans! I do not spout promises as if they're mere ordinary words." She seemed insulted, so Amaryllis offered a sincere apology.

Another silence ensued before the cat spoke again. "If you had just asked for me earlier, I would not have let you meet that man, but it's already done... Maybe fate has something more in store for both of you, but you will not survive it. That favored existence has too much rein on your life..."

Is the cat talking about Chryses, perhaps..? She tilted her head at the black furball, trying to decipher the complex metaphors that came out of its mouth.

"You lack the ability to establish balance between the two of you... Therefore, I will grant your voice the power to command the person who holds your fate. However, you must remember that everything you say will only last for each day. Use my gift well... little Amaryllis."

When she woke up, she wasn't surprised to find herself in the school clinic. What was surprising was the presence of the person who was watching over her. She blinked numerous times, the dream receding in her subconsciousness as she stared in confusion.

"You suddenly fainted in the restroom, so I carried you here. The nurse was called somewhere, so I'm told to keep watch."

The curt explanation startled Amaryllis. "Y-you..? How..?" Is that even possible..?

"What? Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I can't do what men can do." Samantha huffed as she crossed her arms in front of her voluminous chest.

"O-of course! It's just that..." Amaryllis didn't expect that Samantha who looked very feminine, had this unique ability. However, she doesn't know how to say it in a way that the other party will not be offended.

Samantha's eyes squinted. "It's not lady-like, I know. And neither is it attractive for a woman to have this much strength. You think I haven't heard those words before-"

"No! I think it's amazing! Thank you very much... for carrying me here." Amaryllis fervently denied the person's assumptions, but Samantha was not humored as the corners of her mouth lifted in a sardonic smile.

"You're saying that only because we're talking face to face, but once I turn my back-" Samantha pursed her lips momentarily as a frown laced her smooth forehead. Amaryllis was suddenly regarding her with an admiration that wasn't there before. "You- Why are you looking at me like that?"

Amaryllis smiled at her ruefully. "I was sincere when I said you're amazing, you know. You can do a lot of things without any help, and... People can't push you around."

Samantha stared at Amaryllis who seemed lost in thought. Her quiet and graceful demeanor didn't hide anything malicious and her clear, deep blue eyes weren't mocking compared to the previous people who said the same words to her. Her cheeks felt hot for a moment before she steeled herself. Samantha cleared her throat before speaking, "Whatever... I'm not here to talk about this... It was you, right?"

Amaryllis stared at her silently.

"You heard our conversation yesterday. I saw your bag peeking through the door for a second... That must've been you." There was no doubt in the way she delivered her words.

Amaryllis pondered a bit. Since she brought it up... I might as well confirm everything... "Yes..." Amaryllis sighed as she propped herself up and leaned on the wall behind her. Licking her dry lips, she asked, "Is it true..? Melinda and Harrison... Was it really Chryses' doing?"

There was a moment of silence as Samantha scrutinized the other woman's expression. Her anxiousness was evident in how her fingers aggressively clutched the fabric of the blanket as if her life depended on her response, and maybe it did...

"It's true..." The instant she finished speaking, Amaryllis' face went pale. "Just... Be careful around him," Samantha added, looking away from the other party towards the door that suddenly swung open.

Kayce emerged first... then Chryses.

Samantha shifted an uneasy gaze to the woman who stared at the arrival of the two men. Even as Amaryllis tried to hide her anxiousness away, her body language was a dead giveaway. Just a little... she felt sorry for her.

***

A/N: When I wrote this chapter, it was too long so I cut it in half...