Lunar Legacy: Rise Of The Beastlord
Chapter 107: Ms. Sparkles

Chapter 107: Ms. Sparkles

As they stepped out into the evening air, the city’s sounds enveloped them – the hum of hovercars, the chatter of pedestrians, and the distant thrum of music from a nearby club. Jayden’s eyes still lingered on the notification floating in his view, his mind racing with questions.

Cassandra noticed his distraction and nudged him with her elbow. "Hey, you okay? You look like you’re a thousand miles away."

Jayden’s gaze snapped back to hers, a sheepish smile spreading across his face. "Just thinking about how being your bodyguard would be like."

Cassandra chuckled. "It’s gonna be a blast."

Jayden smiled. "I hope so." he muttered. He was thinking about the system notification that had suddenly appeared just after he defeated Cassandra in a game. There was no doubting it... he was rewarded exp for defeating her.

His lips curled into a grin. This was something that felt too good to be true. It was like discovering a cheat code. But he still needed proof. He made a mental note to come back to the arcade another day to test it out.

As they walked, the city’s light swirled around them, casting a vibrant glow over the streets. Jayden’s senses were on high alert, his eyes darting between the pedestrians and the towering skyscrapers. Cassandra, on the other hand, seemed at ease, her confidence and poise drawing admiring glances from passersby.

"Y’know," she muttered, staring at Jayden. "I didn’t expect you to be that skilled. Mum said you were strong, but i wanted to see for myself."

Jayden smiled. "So, what do you think?"

Cassandra turned her gaze forward. "I think you’re incredible. But.. I’ll probably kick your ass next time we spar."

Jayden chuckled. "I’ll be looking forward to it."

Cassandra let out a cute giggle. Then she leaned closer to him and book her arms into his. "As my bodyguard, you’re to protect me from all the dangers of the world.. including sidewalks."

Jayden laughed slightly. "And how does sidewalks pose a threat to you?"

Cassandra shrugged. "Well... I could trip and fall. We don’t want that do we?"

"No, we don’t." Jayden replied. "But something tells me you’re gonna take advantage of this whole bodyguard thing."

Cassandra chuckled with a mischievous grin. "Oh, you ain’t seen nothing yet, Jayden. You’re mine now. All mine." she cackled, before switching into pure laughter.

Jayden laughed as well, the more he got to know Cassandra, the more she turned out to be fun.

She turned to him again, her voice soft. "Hey, Jayden. What happened the night you went on a date with my mum?"

Jayden’s eyes widened, his mind froze for a while. He didn’t expect Cassandra to ask him about that night. And he didn’t even know what to tell her.

"Well... it was fun, having dinner with your mum." he began, making sure to choose his words carefully. "She made the entire night a memorable one for me. And i think she somehow holds a high position in the restaurant we went to."

Cassandra chuckled. "Yeah, mum does command respect everywhere she goes. But that restaurant you went to.. it’s hers. Infact, the food you ate that night.. it was her who cooked it. All of it."

Jayden was fazed. He’d already guessed that she had to be the owner of that restaurant. But he didn’t expect her to be the one who cooked their meal that night.

"Wow. That’s amazing. She’s a really good cook." he muttered with genuine admiration.

Cassandra shrugged. "Yeah, she is. But tell me, did anything else happen that night?" she asked, her eyes furrowed in curiousity.

Jayden exhaled. "Well, we... i got into a fight with some guys. But your mum handled it."

"Anything else?" she asked, sounding unsatisfied.

Jayden paused for a while, then he shook his head. "No. Not any that i can remember. Why’d you ask?" he replied with a question of his own.

Cassandra sighed. "Nothing... it’s just y’know, my mum can be a maniac sometimes. I’m just checking to make sure she didn’t do anything... crazy that night."

Jayden smiled wrly. "No... she didn’t do anything crazy. I can assure you that i had a good time with her. Infact, throughout the whole dinner, she mostly talked about you. And i enjoyed that." he chuckled.

Cassandra smiled. "She talks a lot, doesn’t she?"

Jayden smiled back. "I think she just loves her little fire cracker."

Cassandra nudged him. "Don’t call me that." she said

Jayden raised his hand in defeat. "Okay, whatever you say, Ms. Sparkles."

Cassandra’s eyes widened in shock. "What? How did you know that name?" she asked sharply, her face turning red from embarrassment.

Jayden chuckled. "What’s the matter, Firestar? Are you ashamed of a little nickname?"

"Shut up." Cassandra pushed him slightly, covering her face with her hands. "Ahh, i can’t believe she told you about that."

Jayden burst into laughter. "Hahaha! You should’ve seen the look on your face. It was so priceless."

Cassandra groaned. "Shut up. Shut up. Shut up!" she scowled, then chased him.

Jayden ran, laughing as he did. Cassandra eventually caught him, but all she could do was throw light punches which Jayden caught effortlessly. As he held onto both her fists, Jayden stared into her eyes. And they both locked gazes.

At that moment, they didn’t even care about the people staring at them as if they were some lovesick couple. All they wanted was to just stare at each other.

"You’re really beautiful." Jayden whispered, his gaze lingering on her face.

Cassandra’s cheeks reddened instantly, she immediately withdrew her hands from his and turned away, clearing her throat awkwardly.

"So.. guess i owe you a chocolate now, huh" she chuckled, as they continued walking.

Jayden nodded. "Indeed. But since i owe you one before, it cancels each other out. And that makes us even."

Cassandra shook her head. "Nope, i don’t agree to that. I still want you to get me my chocolate. And I’ll get you yours."

Jayden chuckled. "Okay, if that’s what you want, Ms. Sparkles."

"Argh!" Cassandra groaned in frustration, as Jayden laughed continuously. "Stop calling me that."

Their banter continued as they walked, the conversation flowing easily between them. Jayden found himself laughing more and more, his initial wariness giving way to a growing sense of comfort around Cassandra.

They arrived at the mansion moments later, stepping into the living room which welcomed them with the scent of fresh flowers and polished wood. Cassandra stepped forward and called out to Penelope.

"Mum, we’re back!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying up the stairs.

Penelope’s response came a moment later, her voice warm and welcoming. "Oh, I’ll be right down."

A few seconds later, Penelope descended the stairs, her elegant presence filling the room. "Hey, you two," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "So, how was the spar? Who won?"

Cassandra grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Jayden did. He was amazing, Mum."

Penelope’s gaze lingered on Jayden’s face, her expression thoughtful. "I see," she said finally. "Well, I suppose we’ll have to see more of Jayden’s skills in action. Perhaps a spar with me next time?"

Jayden’s eyes widened slightly, his heart racing at the prospect. "I’d be honored, Miss. Isley," he said, trying to sound confident. He hadn’t seen Penelope fight before, but he was sure as hell that he wouldn’t stand a chance.

Penolope smiled, then turned to Cassandra. "So.. does this mean you accept Jayden as your bodyguard?"

Cassandra chuckled. "I guess so," she muttered, then began heading towards the stairs. "I’ve got to take a shower and maybe a nap. See you later, Jayden."

She waved and winked at Jayden, then climbed up the stairs, heading straight to her room.

Penelope turned to Jayden, carrying an expression of gratitude "I knew you wouldn’t let me down. Thank you." she said.

Jayden smiled. "The pleasure is all mine," he said. "Although, I must say, Cassie’s combat skills are really impressive. I think she can handle herself pretty well."

Penolope sighed. "I know she can, but... she almost died, Jayden. And from a mere lightening storm."

She walked closer to Jayden, her voice lower now. "Cassandra is strong, i know that. But she can be clumsy. And that could one day cost her a great deal. I don’t want that to happen, but i can’t be with her all the time. Which is why I’m placing my trust in you to protect her."

Jayden nodded. "I understand. I’ll do my best to keep her safe."

Penolope sighed in relief. "Thank you, Jayden." she said, before walking to a nearby couch and taking her seat. She also motioned for Jayden to sit, which he did.

"So, let’s discuss your first payment," she continued. "I’m inclined to count your outing with her today as part of the job. Which means, I’ll be giving you your first set of beast crystals by the end of the week."

Jayden’s face lit up. He didn’t expect that. "Um... thank you, Miss. Isley. I’m really glad to hear that."

Penolope smiled. "You’re welcome, darling. So, which beast crystal do you want?"

Jayden didn’t need much contemplation on this. He needed beast crystals to rank up his beast gene. But he only had one Integrated beast gene, which meant he could only rank up that gene at the moment.

Without further ado, he responded. "Wolverine Stalker."

Penelope furrowed her brows. "All ten of them?"

Jayden nodded.

"Okay," Penelope said. "I’ll have ten Wolverine Stalker crystals delivered to you by the end of the week."

Jayden stood up and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Miss Isley. I’m really grateful for everything."

Penelope stood up as well. "It’s fine, Jayden. Are you leaving already?"

Jayden nodded. "Yes, I still have some things to take care of."

"Oh, alright then," Penelope said softly, her voice a bit somber. "Say hi to Harleen and the girls for me."

Jayden nodded. "I will. Goodbye, Miss Isley," he said, and began walking out of the room.

Penelope stared at Jayden’s back as he walked away, feeling a pang of disappointment. She thought Jayden might bring up a certain topic, but he didn’t. And that could have been fine if it weren’t for the unexplainable feelings she was starting to have towards him.

It was as if she didn’t want him to go. As if she still had a million things she wanted to say to him. And without thinking, she called out to him before he could exit into the hallway.

"Jayden, wait," she said softly.

Jayden paused in his tracks and turned. "Yes?"

Penelope swallowed, unsure of how to phrase her question. "Are you annoyed with me... for kissing you that night?"