Chapter 25: Parting Ways

Stacy nodded. “It’s alright. You don’t have to beat around the bush,” she assured them, “I will move out as soon as possible.”

“That’s not it.,” Chad spoke a little too quickly. “The thing is, we never had a girl join our gang before. In the past, everyone made a pact to not bring their female companion back to the clubhouse,” Zalen explained. “Don’t worry, I understand,” Stacy replied calmly.

The room was quiet for a while. “So, you're really leaving?” Zalen was the first to break the silence. Chad was sitting quietly at the side.

Stacy nodded. “I don’t want to stay in a place where I’m not welcomed,” she smiled as she said those words. There’s a bitter feeling in her heart. It always turns out this way, isn’t it?

“What’s your next step?” Chad voiced out from the side. Stacy shrugged. “I’ll move back to the hotel and see where things go.”

“Actually, we have a proposal. Would you like to listen to it?” Zalen offered. “Go ahead.” She signalled for him to continue. “We hope that you can move over to Nelly’s inn. Would it be too much to ask?”

“Moving there means I will stay hidden for two years?” Stacy asked for confirmation. Both of the men nodded in unison. Stacy thought about it for a second.

“I’m afraid I have to pass,” she said. “I know staying hidden for two years is a little too long,” Chad started, but Stacy interrupted, “there are things I have to do. I can’t afford to stay hidden for two years. Staying in here all this time while I was injured was long enough.”

Her explanation stopped Chad from trying to persuade her. “If you don’t mind me asking, what do you have to do? What’s your goal?” Zalen chimed in. Stacy answered with a smile, “yes, I do mind.”

The room was plunged back to silence. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll start packing,” Stacy stood and headed to the door. She left without looking back. Chad and Zalen stayed in the room, watching her leave. Zalen shrugged. “I guess that’s it,” he said, "things are going back to how they once were.” There was no response from Chad. Zalen turned to look, just in time to see him leave.

Chad left the meeting room. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know what to do. He didn’t know what happened to himself. Now that Stacy's leaving for real, he feels empty. Were they that close for him to feel so strongly when they parted?

Chad went straight to the kitchen and poured himself a glass. Downing the first glass, he poured another. A hand reached for the bottle and he looked up to see Mark with a glass. He poured himself a glass and sat beside Chad.

Chad drank a mouthful and set the glass down on the counter. “She’s leaving,” he told Mark. Mark nodded. “Hmm, great to know.”

The atmosphere was quiet for a while before Chad raised his glass and gulped down the liquid again. Mark gave him the side-eye. “Girl problem, huh?”

Chad glared at him and reached for the glass again, this time downing all its contents. He didn’t feel like talking about it. “It’s written all over your face. You’re smitten,” he continued.

“I’m not,” Chad managed with a hoarse voice.

He promised himself to not look at another girl the same way he looked at Sofia since the day she took her last breath in his arms.

But, Sammy, she’s.. different. He couldn’t seem to understand what the feeling was. She got his attention the first time he saw her. No matter how he tried to pull away and distance himself, he only seemed to get closer to her. No, he didn't have any romantic feelings for her. It’s wrong. It shouldn’t happen. It’s not true. Mark’s talking bullshit.

“I know you might call this bullshit by how infatuated you are with her, but I need to say this as your friend and as a member of the gang. Just, beware of her, alright?” Mark said.

Chad looked up from his spot. His brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know what your deal is. You never let those women near our clubhouse. Even Nelly stays in the inn because apparently, it’s not safe for them here and it will complicate the evacuation process if we are under attack, according to you. This Viper girl just appears out of nowhere and you take her in without question. We are all concerned,” Mark voiced his dissatisfaction.

“What do you mean you all are?” Chad replied with the same force.

“Don’t you know? Everyone is concerned about her. She might be a spy you willingly let in. You are too into her to see that. I’m glad she’s finally leaving. I hope you’re not trying to make her stay," Mark replied.

Chad was at a loss for words. He clenched and unclenched his fists. Taking a deep breath, he asked, “why are you so against her? Have you ever taken the time to understand her?”

“Do you hear yourself? Why did you take her in in the first place? Have you ever thought of that? It contradicted everything you used to believe in. Explain that! Give me a reason why she is an exception,” Mark was in disbelief.

“She’s different. She’s trained. She can fight like the rest of us. And she’s hurt and alone. We couldn’t just toss her out with her in that state, could we?” Chad debated.

“And now she’s all healed. Let her go. Doesn’t it make her more of a threat when she’s trained? Do you want another repeat of inner spy?” Mark faced Chad with his arms folded in front of him.

Lost for words, Chad reached for the bottle and poured himself another drink. Immediately, he tilted his head back and downed the entire glass.

“I know you spent a lot of time with her but do you know her story? Do you know who she really is? Can anything she told you be trusted?” Mark decided to probe further.Chad slammed the glass down on the counter. “I don’t, alright? It was like that with you and all others as well, isn’t it? We didn't know each other when we met and decided to trust each other with our lives. Isn’t it what we do? Why can’t you guys accept her? Because she’s a woman?”

“Yes, and we have the right to believe that she’s had you seduced. You’ve changed.” He downed his liquor and turned to leave. “Stay strong! We all need a leader,” he said before leaving.

Chad looked at the glass in his hand. His head was spinning and he was still reeling from the whole exchange with Mark. “Damn it!” He hit the counter with his fist.