1.1 THE ONE

As embarrassing as it may be to admit, it was love at first sight. 

Go ahead and laugh. 

But it's true. 

The moment he came crashing through the trees, I knew that he was the one for me.

My sister (who is a trauma psychologist and a part-time Potioneer) says that I was disillusioned because I met him in a situation where my life was in danger so I naturally clung to him and developed some sort of attachment. Not uncommon in people who develop admiration for their heroes or idols. She says that I'm probably suffering from PTSD and she wants me to book an appointment with her. I told her there was no way I was going to book an appointment with my own sister, and that if I ever need a shrink to look after me, I would choose anyone but her. She said that I'm in denial of my own condition and that means I seriously need help. That made me hang up the phone and temporarily (she's still family, after all) block her number. 

 She's convinced that I'm not really in love--that I just got caught up in the moment and the moment will pass.

But it's been a month. And I feel the same. Actually, I think my feelings have grown. 

I haven't seen nor heard from him in a month, so shouldn't this mean that it's real? Yearning for someone means love, right?

Doesn't this mean that I'm actually, really in love? 

I leaned back against the pillows piled around me and reached for the remote. A section of the wall in front of me flickered to life. Maybe a bit of TV would help distract me...

"...update on the developing story for tonight, we will switch to our on-site correspondent Ms. Gabi Hay."

"Good evening Ted, and all our viewers. This is Gabi Hay currently reporting from outside the restriction zone of the Fault Line 45 just outside the Western Manila area where a confirmed Anomaly Gate materialized. The Gate was evaluated to be at Rank A-5 by the Anomaly Guard and as such was put on the Clearance List. Well, just three hours ago, we received information that a Freelancer was taking on the task solo, and he has just finished! A marvellous success, as expected from S-Rank Necromancer Jester Lee--"

I sat bolt upright and let out an unintentionally high-pitched squeal. I failed to hear what else the reporter said about him the moment she mentioned his name, and instead focused on catching a glimpse of the man who stole my heart. 

It was difficult, to be honest. Jester Lee hated the media. Despite being one of the most well-known Adventurers out there, he was incredibly reclusive. He refused interviews and hid from the public. It was rumoured that every public appearance he's ever given was solely because the Chairman of the Adventurer's Guild Associations had ordered him to. 

It wasn't because he was hiding something. I think he's the type who just doesn't like all the attention. My sister said maybe he was antisocial, but I think he's just really shy and bad with crowds.

I can't help but agree with his fan club (yes, I confirmed the existence of a legitimate fan club) that Jester Lee should definitely expose himself more to the public because there is nothing for him to be shy about at all. I mean, he's got it all: skills, power, intelligence and incredible good looks.

I think I have the authority to say that Jester Lee is definitely one of the best-looking humans that I have ever met (and I have quite a large sample of faces to draw from). He had a tall, lean build like a professional athlete and wasn't at all bulky and burly like most Adventurers. He may not appear brawny, but I guarantee he has muscles like steel packed into that body. And his face! I had been fortunate enough to have a close-up view of his face, and I can only describe it as an artist's masterpiece: fine-boned features, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline, grey eyes like a stormy sky, and neatly-trimmed black curls. Oh, and a small mole under his left eye, so small that it usually wouldn't be visible--unless you were really, really close. 

And how did I come really, really close enough to see it? How did I know that he had solid muscles despite his slight frame?

Well, it was because Jester Lee carried me in his arms for approximately five minutes, exactly thirty-one days and twenty hours ago, while he was fighting an escaped Anomaly beast. It was the night he saved my life, and I will never forget it. 

I never thought I would ever be grateful to a monster, especially one that tried to kill me. But everything can be forgiven, since I got to meet THE ONE because of it...

32 days ago.

It was 3am and I couldn't sleep. So I poked around the fridge in my hotel suite to look for the only drink that could possibly soothe my nerves enough so I could rest: strawberry milk.

The fridge was filled with sports drinks, softdrinks, juice, tea, beer, iced coffee and sparkling water. But no strawberry milk. Then I remembered Bea (my PA) telling me that the milk I drank this morning was the last one. 

I really wanted strawberry milk. So, against all rules and risking the fury of my PA, my manager and my director, I rushed back to my room and pulled on a pair of denim shorts, a dark oversized hoodie and my special pair of silver glasses. I looked in the mirror and surveyed my appearance. My eyes, which were normally brown, were now black and my blond hair was now a dark brown. The glasses were magic, of course, and they work by altering how other people see me (which means my hair and eye colour don't actually change). I grinned. As long as I keep my head down, people shouldn't recognize me. 

I snuck out of the hotel (not difficult since everyone was passed out drunk or sleeping anyway) and was outside in less than ten minutes. I winked at the doorman who recognised me and put a finger to my lips. The man gave a slight nod and pretended not to see me.

We were in an island resort just off the coast of Palawan. We were scheduled to finish the last stretch of filming for a movie coming out in a few months and we needed someplace with beaches and forests but close enough to Manila where we would be filming the last scene. That was harder to do than you might think, because not a lot of places can be considered Safe Zones. Once you get out of the City State Borders, there's always the risk of a Gate materializing and Anomalies appearing, especially at night. That's why this island was a really great find. It was close enough to Puerto Princessa that it was within its Borders despite being a few miles out at sea, so we were protected from any unexpected Breaches. And because it's a Safe Zone, there weren't any Anomalies running wild either. 

The closest convenience store to the hotel happened to be several blocks away, near a public park. I skipped over, humming to myself. The only people I encountered were a pair of drunk elves who couldn't even walk in a straight line, so I had no worries about being noticed. But when I got to the convenience store, they were out of strawberry milk. The clerk said that the next store was on the other side of the park. I sighed at the thought of more walking, but there was no way I'm going back without it when I already went to so much trouble. 

So I was crossing the park, walking on a well-lit path, when I thought I heard a noise. I tapped my earpiece, turning off the music I was listening to, and I looked behind me. I thought I heard something rustling by the trees, and I peered into the darkness. Nothing. Not even the wind. I turned away and kept walking, but I activated the dial function of my earpiece in case I needed to call the emergency hotline. 

There it was again, a soft noise, like something was treading very lightly on the rocky ground by the trees. That definitely got my heart beating faster, and I could feel goosebumps on my skin. And the familiar sensation of something crawling all over me. I didn't turn around this time, but I listened very carefully, and a moment later I could swear I heard a soft growling noise. Like something was watching me, and it was just waiting for the right moment to pounce. 

Well, sorry, but I'm not going to play along. 

I suddenly spun around and shot a spell in the direction of the noise. A low BOOM echoed through the park and a rewarding yowl of pain from whatever creature that was told me I hit my mark. But I didn't bother to look to confirm. I ran as fast as I could, because I knew that a simple air cannon like that won't take it down completely. I bought myself a minute, or two, that was all. 

I hit the call icon on the holo screen that appeared in front of my face as I ran. 

"Emergency Services, how may I help you?"

"I'm being pursued by a beast in the park!" I huffed and puffed, trying to say it quickly without biting off my tongue. "Anomaly! It's an Anomaly!"

"May we ask permission to tag your location?"

"Yes! Hurry!" There was a sudden crash behind me and I risked a look. Just in time I saw something black leaping for my throat. I gave an involuntary shriek and stumbled over my own feet. It saved my life as the Anomaly flew over right where my head was a moment ago. "Help!" I yelled, rolling on the ground and getting to my feet as the Anomaly shook itself off from crashing into a garbage can. 

Barrier spell, I thought, panic clawing at my throat as the Anomaly padded towards me. Under the bright streetlights, I could clearly see it. It was like a very big panther and it wasn't black but a rather dark brown with spots of red fur. And instead of having a tail it had three snake-like things waving around behind it. The tails hissed at me and I realized the red spots weren't fur, but blood. Its red eyes glowed with hunger.

Oh, lord, this is bad. This is really, really bad.