Chapter 1 - My Basic life
“Hey, Jess!” Mrs. Bonnet’s voice pierced through the chaotic kitchen. “Hurry up with that order, will you? They’ve been waiting for over 30 minutes! And remember, if they ask for a refund, it’s coming out of your paycheck!”
As Mrs. Bonnet continued her usual tirade, I shot a sharp look at Rick, our chef. “If she messes with my pay, better keep an eye on your precious car, Rick. I’ve got a Snickers bar in my pocket, and I’m not afraid to use it,” I whispered, rolling my eyes.
Rick burst into laughter, his knife dancing across the cutting board as he prepared the order. After what felt like an eternity, he finally plated the dishes. “Thanks, Rick, for only stealing an hour of my life!” I shouted, snatching the order from the counter. “You’re welcome, sweetness!” he yelled back with a grin.
With the steaming plates in hand, I made my way to the table, apologizing for the long wait. But the couple’s expressions turned sour as they examined their meals. The husband sneered, “I won’t be coming back to this place. My plate looks like a swan took a nosedive into it.” Meanwhile, his wife snapped photos of the disastrous dishes, ready to unleash her disappointment on social media. “I’m telling everyone how awful this is!” she exclaimed.
I forced a smile and nodded, silently retorting in my mind, “Says the guy with a botched haircut. Where does your forehead even end, sir? And your wife, she looks so trashy, I can’t even decide if she’s having a midlife crisis or if this is her style.”
Inside my head, I could be the biggest a-hole, cutting people down with my words. But in reality, I held my tongue, recalling the lessons my late parents taught me. “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Oh, how I missed them. They were so deeply in love that when my father tragically died in a mining accident, my mother couldn’t bear to live without him. She followed him to death just a few months later.
Yet, they weren’t my biological parents. I always wondered why my caramel skin clashed with their pale complexions, or why my hair, long and curly, differed from their blond, wavy locks. And my eyes, black as night, stood out against their vibrant green ones.
I was found abandoned in the woods outside the capital, cold and alone. My mother, the woman who discovered me, took me in and raised me as her own. But along with her love came a series of strange issues that no one else had to deal with.
At the age of 18, I began experiencing recurring headaches, some so excruciating I would scream in agony. The doctors assured my parents that it would pass as I grew older, but it never did.
And then there was the sleepwalking. One fateful day, I woke up near the border of the capital, dangerously close to shifter territory. It wouldn’t have ended well if I had crossed that line. You see, in this world, there are seven nations, each ruled by a different species. Wolves held dominion over Wolverine, cats reigned in Katon, humans governed Tamarian, vampires controlled Loraine, dragons soared above Gandora, fish folk swam in Teiana, and Rathian stood as the only free country.
Years ago, a devastating war-ravaged these lands, prompting the rulers of each nation to sign a law prohibiting any race other than the ruling species from crossing borders, except Rathian, the free country. Only in Rathian could you find a melting pot of different races coexisting, some even finding their soulmates amidst the diverse populace.
But humans were strictly forbidden, all thanks to our King. He and his family considered all supernatural creatures to be nothing more than beasts. Once, Rathian had a king and queen court, but during the war, our king ruthlessly slaughtered them. No one knows how they managed to kill a fae, but he boasted about it at every opportunity. And as if that wasn’t enough, he achieved immortality by enslaving a fae and draining him of his power. Since then, no human was allowed near a supernatural being, not even within the borders of Rathian.
Oh, how I longed to meet a supernatural creature. They seemed far more fascinating than the monotony of this mediocre place.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ungrateful. I have a roof over my head and never go hungry. But there’s always this lingering feeling that something is missing, like a void in my heart.
I’ve tried dating, of course. But the guys I meet are either unattractive or downright boring. And my inability to keep my mouth shut doesn’t help either. Just last time, I couldn’t resist pointing out a guy’s choice of sandals for our fancy restaurant date. I ended up shouting it loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear, and everyone burst into laughter. Needless to say, he never contacted me again.
As I prepared to leave work and walk home, I sighed, preparing for another day that would blend seamlessly into the next. I strolled down Redland market, the bustling atmosphere providing some distraction from my thoughts. Finally, I reached my dusty apartment, a humble place I called home. I dropped my purse onto the couch and collapsed, kicking off my shoes before turning on the TV. Ah, the simple pleasure of mindless entertainment.
“Good morning, folks! This is the Tamarian Daily News, bringing you breaking news!” The anchor’s voice filled the room, catching my attention. “A portal has appeared at the border! Could this mean the fae have returned to our realm?”
Years ago, the fae reigned supreme in the free nation, and I had heard tales of its breathtaking beauty, with flowers adorning every corner and stunning fae men with cascading locks. But after the war, they retreated, wanting no part in the conflicts. Occasionally, whispers of portals opening for brief visits or clandestine encounters circulated among mortals, but no human had ever laid eyes on a physical fae.
I shook my head, slightly annoyed by the news, and changed the channel to cartoons. Just another day in the life of Jessy Chante, navigating through the mundanity while secretly yearning for a touch of magic in her world.
