THE HIGH GODDESS

Four

   It was a new day and Reina wanted to forget everything that had happened the previous day. She was in a new city, ready to start a new life with endless possibilities. Dwelling on things that made her angry wasn't going to solve anything. So she'd made a list of what she needed to do. Finding a job was first on the list. She was sure she could make more money here than in those small towns they'd lived in. There were so many places of business which meant more opportunities for her. Along the street she lived in, she'd already spotted three coffee shops, a yoga studio, a gym, a convenience store, and a restaurant. One of those places had to have a vacancy. If not, there were many more. With that thought, she started with the coffee shops.

Twenty minutes later, Reina was walking out of the manager's office with a big smile on her face. Luck was on her side that day since she'd scored a job on the first try. Their waitress had quit -bless her for leaving at the right time- so she got to start immediately. The other staff welcomed her with big smiles and told her what to do. They explained the small details she needed to pay attention to while serving customers. Being polite was the most important thing. Even to rude customers, she couldn't talk back or get into an argument with them. She had to be patient and polite. Always. After that, she was put to work immediately.

An hour later she noted that the customers were more polite and friendly. Reina decided being a waitress was the easiest, funnest job she'd ever had. People ordered drinks then they were given a pager and called when their coffee or refreshments were ready. The only time she was needed was when they wanted more accompaniments or after they'd left and she had to clean the tables. It was awesome. She was having the time of her life until she spotted him. The guy who'd been standing outside their gate. He had chosen a table in the corner and sat down with his friend. He was talking but since his friend's back was to her, she couldn't tell what he was doing. Reina craned her neck to see if they had a pager on their table. It was empty. Biting her lip, she started counting. If five minutes passed and they still hadn't ordered anything, she was going to kick them out. Idlers weren't allowed in her place of work.

Pretending to be busy, she moved to a table that had just been vacated and started clearing it out while keeping an eye on that man. The second five minutes were up, she stormed to their table "Excuse me, you're not allowed to sit here without ordering. Would you like some coffee, tea?"

"Don't mind us and get back to work miss" that came from the friend who didn't even bother looking at her while he was speaking.

"It's my job to mind you. We don't allow idlers in this place so if you're not going to order anything I suggest you leave" she told them reminding herself to be polite. Instead of answering her, the weirdo from yesterday snapped his fingers in front of her face. Reina jerked her head back wondering why he'd done that. Ever since she first laid her eyes on him, she'd had the feeling he was strange. His actions just proved her right.

"Why are you still here?" He asked looking up at her. At least he had some manners.

"That is what I'd like to know. Why are you guys still here? Do I have to call security?" He snapped his fingers again. Starting to feel annoyed she snapped hers too "See, I can snap my fingers too you weirdo. I bet everyone can do it so no need to show off" As she said that, she noticed just how perfect his hands were. Long lean fingers, perfectly manicured nails. Maybe he had a right to show off but then again, so did she. Her fingers weren't as long as his but they were pretty too.

"Excuse me?"

"That's right. You are the guy who was standing outside my house yesterday. I remember that arrogant face of yours. Then you show up here today and don't order anything. If I was crazy, I would say you're stalking me. But since I'm not, I'll ask you to leave on your own before I have security throw you out" she shifted her eyes to the other guy only to realize he was out of his chair and bowing. Whatever happened to normal people?

"What are you doing?"

"I.. My Lord... Sir... I don't know... It was... "

"Goodness, could you guys be any more weird?"

"What's going on?" The manager whom she hadn't seen approaching them, asked.

"These two have been here for more than twenty minutes" it was an exaggeration but she didn't care. At that moment she would have said anything to get them kicked out of her new workplace "I asked them to order  but they refused so I told them to leave and do you know what they did?" Reina didn't wait for the manager to answer her. She snapped her fingers in front of his face "That is what they did. I'm new to this city so I don't know how people communicate but surely it isn't by snapping your fingers at them. Right?"

The manager looked at her intently then just when he was about to speak up, that weirdo snapped his fingers again. Reina watched how the manager's eyes lost focus for a second then he spun around and went back to his office. She swung her head towards the man then back to the office door that had the word Manager written in italics. What the hell was that? Did the weirdo just.... She looked at him again.

"What just happened? Why did he leave like that?" Then a thought crossed her mind and she blurted out "Do your wishes also come true?"

"Wishes?"

"Yeah. Like you wish for, let's say a swing to break while someone is riding it or for someone to fall down the stairs and boom! It happens. Have you ever experienced that?"

"Who are you?"

"Oh, my name is Reina. What about you? What's your name? Where are you from? Do you know...."

"Reina" someone interrupted her. She turned around to see who it was and was surprised to find out it was her brother.

"Raye, how did you know I was here? I don't remember telling you where I was going when I left the house"

"That's exactly why I'm here. I brought you lunch and a phone"

"Phone? What for?"

"So I'd know where you were without looking for you all day. Who is this?"

"I don't know his name but I think we're alike"

"In what way?"

"He just snapped..." She paused remembering his reaction every time she told him about her wishes coming true "It's none of your business. You should leave because I'm working and can't afford to be distracted"

"You've been standing here for more than ten minutes talking to this guy and I'm the one distracting you?"

"Ten minutes? You've been watching me for ten minutes?"

"Yeah. I thought you were interested in him and didn't want to interrupt"

Reina scoffed. Interested? "You told me to stay away from men after the Jack incident. Did you forget already?"

"Not really. I was simply waiting to see if you remembered that"

"Just how stupid do you think I am? Of course, I remember it. Putting someone in a...." She trailed off when Raye raised his hand and did a sweeping gesture in front of them "I can't decide who's weirder. Me, you or him" grabbing the bag he was carrying, she made her way to the break room where other employees were already having their lunch. Maybe she needed to accept that everyone was a freak in their own way. Wishes did come true. Once in a while.

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"Fancy seeing you here Ahrein. What do you want with my sister?"

"I think I'm more interested in you. Just who are you?"

"Someone you should stay away from. I'm not looking for conflicts with any of you but I will destroy anyone who comes anywhere near Reina"

"What makes you think you have the power to destroy me?"

Raye snapped his fingers, sending him and his servant back to his office then murmured "What makes you think I don't?"

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From the looks of it, Raye and Ahrein aren't about to be friends. What's your take?

We know Ahrein is one of the senior, most powerful gods. So if Raye can address him like that, what is he? Another god no one is aware of or something else? Let me hear your theories.