Octavio clapped loudly, smiling hard, “I knew it! Thank the Goddess of our Creation!”

I felt my face burn even more, “I didn't think you'll be this excited,”

“Miss Layla, you don't understand how much of a miracle this is. I was willing to sacrifice one of my horns for my brother as this has been a pressing matter for a while now,”

“Your horn?”

He smirked as he brushed his hair to aside from the blue ‘strand’. My eyes widened at it as I noticed the ridges. “Can I touch it?”

He shook his head, letting his hair fall around it, “You can't touch the horns as it's sacred and a sensitive spot, but you may touch Nemesio’s horns if he allows you,”

“So, what are you and Nemesio? I don’t know of any creatures with horns. Oh, are you related to rams or gazelles?” I asked, intrigued

He looked at me, offeneded, “I never in my entire life have heard that. But to answer your question, we are a creature that many have not seen in a while. Me and my brother are the last two remaining here in Itosan while the others travel to different places. Can you guess what we are?”

“I really don’t know since I haven’t taken a class on that at all,” I picked at the skin on my thumb, “Wait, you aren’t… Hold on, are you a dragon? I’ve heard stories about them but I didn’t think they actually co exist with humans and the outside world,”

He stretched his back and arms before crossing his legs and arms, “They are true about not wanting to co exist with humans. It took us a while to come to terms that it’s alright to take chances and make our future fruitful. Nemesio has always been on bad terms with humans but here in Itosan, he seems quite alright due to it having a diversity of creatures. But, I’m beyond shock that he began to like you when he told me, I was worried he hit his head or drank poison, but when he started to speak about you, I knew it was his time,”

“His time?” I tilt my head

He smirked at me, “Have you heard of fated ones?”

“Yes. We had a case surrounding that. I know that fated ones are sacred and they are your lifelong partners,”

“Well, you are correct on that, but there are certain measures that must be taken. So, due to our hertiage, we have fated mates and it’ll either be a female or male. Once we come into contact with our fated ones, our bodies start to change in a way. Like for me, I found my fate one and you may know him, it’s Wesley. My body changed, well the inside of me did. We are born androgynous, so we have both male and female reproductive organs, but it’ll change. It’s a way to keep our line growing as we had to adapt to not become extinct. But, our fated ones do gain some charateristics or abilities. Once we are fully bond, they’re lifespan will extend and will live beside us until mother nature takes them. Some say its a plus, but others deem it as unfair and prolonging death. The other ability is that you’ll gain at least half of our powers, it’s to keep you safe whenever your in danger. There are more but I’ll tell you all of that later. Now, more about fated ones, it’s a one of a lifetime, so there’s no second chance unless our Goddess allows us,”

I sat there, trying to comprehend what he was telling me. So, basically, I was Nemesio’s fated one and… that’s about it. That’s all i could comprehend as all of this was new to me and I don’t understand why this would happen to me when I’m human and I won’t be able to help him in the long run.

“Wait, but how will I help him? I have no magical powers, that’s why my parents disowned me and I’m becoming a lawyer. Is there any way that he can find a new fated one?”

His gaze hardened and I saw the smile fall into a straight line, “I’m going to ignore your last question. But, your parents told you, you didn’t have any magical powers? Well how is that possible when I can I see it being withheld inside you,”

“Withheld inside me? That’s not possible since I’ve always failed my magical tests,”

“Pardon my hands,” He touched the center of chest and pressed hard on it to which i let out a scream due to the pain and his fingernail clawing into my skin, “You have a kink in your magical hold and I wonder how long this has been since if I let it out full force, it may harm you to the point of falling into a coma and we can’t let that happen. But I could let it out little by little so you can get use to the magic flowing through you, but it’s up to you whether you like me to,” He looked up at me

“First, could you stop touching me there as your nail is cutting into me? And I’ll need time to think about this,”

“Oh yes, sorry. I got ahead of myself. If Nemesio saw me, I would’ve been decipatated,” He smiled

“You’re right on that,” We both jumped and looked at the door to see Nemesio standing there, his tie undone and the top buttons of his white dress shirt undone

I shifted in my chair, not knowing why was my heart was pounding like crazy and I’m feeling uneasy. I felt eyes on me and looked to my side and noticed Octavio full on grinning at me and stood up, “Well, my job here is gone. Now, Nemesio be on your good behavior as I truly don’t want to settle any problems. I just want to rest for now,” He walked over to Nemesio, “Be a good boy for once,”

He closed the door behind him and it was just me and Nemesio. I looked around, not wanting to pay attention to him as I needed to calm my heart.

“Is it fine if I sit here?” I looked back at him and he was pointing to the seat next to me

“Of course. This is your office and couch,” He sat down and faced me

“I want to apologize for how I acted earlier. It wasn't very professional of me. I shouldn't interfere with your personal life as that's your choice and I can't change it,” He smiled at me

I could see the sadness in his eyes. I fiddled with my thumbs, wondering what I should do next.

“I know this may seem sudden, but why didn't you tell me I was your fated one?”

He froze, his eyes wide and his mouth gaping open and close. He looks like a deer caught in the headlights. I could see his horns slightly raise and brighten.

“I know my question is a difficult one, but you have to give me some time to process all of this. I can't just jump into this without knowing the pros and cons. So bear with me,” I smiled at him as I placed my hand over his

Then all of a sudden, he grabbed my head and dropped to his knees from the couch. He placed the back of my hand on his forehead, “Thank you, thank you. I know I haven't been the best kind of person, but I'm willing to make changes for you as long as you'll stay with me,”

I could see he was shaking. I patted his head with my free hand and I could see his shoulders droop and knew he seemed relaxed now. He raised his head to which his lips connected with my knuckles and my chest squeezed.

“I’ll like to apologize for my behavior as of now and in the future as I’m happy. I never knew I could experience this type of emotion, so thank you Layla for giving me this opportunity of a lifetime,” He kissed my knuckles once more and lift his head up more, “I’m sorry for the cut my brother made on you. I would like to heal it for you, but that would be inapporpriate,” The tips of his ear started to blush red, “So, I can only bless you with this temporary healing water,” He got up and walked over to his desk, grabbing a water bottle and started speaking in a ancient language and I noticed the water started to glow

He walked back over to me and handed me the water bottle, “Here, this will help heal that cut, but it won’t be immediately, it’ll take some time,”

“Thank you,” I took the water bottle and drank from it, not noticing any difference, “So, was that languagae you spoke ancient?”

“Yes, but I’ll tell you more about that later. First, we have to talk about our relationship,” He sat on the coffee table

I patted the seat beside me, “Come sit right here. If we are fated ones, then its best to slowly get things started,”