Chapter 183: Strange Situations

“Yeah, it’s a bit strange but it’s probably someone who let their crazy ass dog loose and then when it bit people, he or she probably hid the dog so as not to get into trouble,” Lila added with a shrug. She looked away from the television and took a big bite of her blueberry muffin, chewing thoughtfully.

Theo leaned back in his chair, stirring his iced coffee. “Maybe… but three nights in a row? And the wounds are apparently really deep. Like, not normal dog-bite deep. Sounds more like something escaped from a lab or some rich guy’s illegal fighting ring. People do wild shit with animals these days

Kai nodded slowly, his usual calm voice thoughtful. “Exactly. I read the article this morning. The bites were… abnormal. Almost like the animal was bigger than a normal dog. Or more aggressive. The police are treating it as a possible wild animal now.”

The table fell quiet for a second, the cheerful café atmosphere clashing with the morbid topic.

Mia sighed, setting her latte down. “Guys, enough about this dog stuff. It’s so morbid. We’re supposed to be relaxing after class, not talking about people getting mauled.”

Marita, who had been quietly sipping her hot chocolate and listening, tilted her head. “What’s morbid?”

Kai smiled gently and explained. “It means something dark or disturbing. Like talking about death or scary injuries. It makes people feel uneasy.”

Mia nodded, then added without thinking, “Don’t you want to have a proper education? And like… be able to speak good English?”

The table went silent for a second.

Mia quickly raised her hands. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way! I swear. I’m just asking.”

Leitana looked at Mia, then at Marita. Marita’s expression shifted, a mix of embarrassment and quiet pride. She glanced at Leitana before answering.

“Well… in Vanuatu, we grew up in a Catholic orphanage under the nuns,” Marita said, her voice steady but softer than usual. “We were very poor. We did have some school, small government school near the orphanage and lessons from the sisters. But it was not for long. Many times we had to stop because there was no money for books or uniforms. We learned basic English and Bislama, but not proper like here. We spent most time helping in the garden, cleaning, singing in chapel, taking care of the smaller children. That was our life.”

Mia’s face flushed with regret. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I’m sorry.”

Leitana’s voice came out firm but kind. “Mi will love to go to school one day. Proper school. But mi English is proper to me. Mi no shame of how mi talk. It is part of who mi be. If mi learn more proper English, mi will be happy. But mi no go forget where mi come from.”

Marita nodded, squeezing Leitana’s hand under the table. “Same for me. Mi proud of where mi come from. Even if mi speak like dis, mi heart is full.”

The table stayed quiet for a beat, the earlier lightness tempered by the honest moment. Even Mia looked a bit ashamed.

Mikey broke the silence with a soft whistle. “Respect. That was real.”

Ethan cleared his throat gently. “You both speak beautifully. And honestly, your accents make everything you say sound warmer.”

Theo grinned wider, trying to lighten the mood. “Yeah! Keep talking. I could listen to Marita all day.”

Marita blushed but laughed, the tension easing a little.

She reached over and squeezed Leitana’s hand under the table, proud of her sister.

The conversation slowly moved on to lighter topics, upcoming auditions, funny stories from class, and Marita asking excited questions about American food and music. But the warmth at the table had shifted just a little.

Leitana looked down at her tea, a small, determined smile on her lips.

She would help her sisters back home.

She would keep learning.

And she would never be ashamed of where she came from.

“Mi so happy mi get to meet all of you,” Marita said brightly as the group stood outside the café, the afternoon sun warming their faces. She was still buzzing with energy, her curls bouncing as she looked at each of them. “Yu all so nice. Mi like all of you already!”

Theo grinned, cheeks a little pink. “We like you too, Marita. You’re a breath of fresh air.”

Lila nodded enthusiastically. “Definitely. Come back with Leitana anytime. The group isn’t complete without more island energy.”

Ethan smiled warmly. “It was great meeting you.”

Theo stepped closer, still smiling. “Yeah, and thanks for looking at the photos I showed you earlier, I’m taking photography classes, so I always have my camera ready.”

Marita’s eyes lit up. “Those pictures were so beautiful! The way yu capture light and people… mi never see anything like that before. Tank you for showing mi.”

Leitana stepped forward, hugging each of them quickly. “Goodbye for now. We go see tomorrow in class. Take care.”

They waved as Leitana and Marita climbed into the waiting black SUV, the bodyguards sliding in after them. The car pulled smoothly away from the curb.

Inside, Marita immediately reached over and gently pulled Leitana’s head to rest on her shoulder. She stroked her friend’s hair affectionately as the car moved through the streets.

“Mi like all of them,” Marita said happily. “Even if Mia is somehow… different. She look at Ethan like she no like when he close to you.”

Leitana smiled softly against Marita’s shoulder. “Mia is good. She’s protective of her friends. She no mean bad. She just… careful.”

Marita made a thoughtful “Hmmm” sound, then asked, “What about your husband? Why the blindfold?”

Leitana stiffened a bit, the easy smile fading from her face. She stayed quiet for a moment, staring at the passing trees outside the window.

“Mi don’t know honestly, Marita,” she admitted softly. “Mi ask before but he… he no like talking about it.”

Marita looked at her closely, her playful expression turning serious. “There is something about him, Lei. Mi don’t know how to explain… but mi feel it. Like he carrying something heavy. Something dark.”

The car continued down the long private road toward the villa, the late afternoon light casting long shadows through the trees.

Leitana didn’t reply.

She only held her stomach a little tighter, wondering the same thing.