Mate 01 - Thirteenth Birthday

Sage's Point of View

The ray of light was hitting the lids of my eyes which made me wake up. The traces of my mom were left in the bed, I'm sure that she is now in the kitchen preparing our breakfast. I stood up to wash my face in the bathroom, my reflection in the mirror put a smile on my face because I resembled my beautiful mother. The straight silver hair is my favorite part. Fair skin, and perfectly proportioned lips. Deep-set eyes, Sadly, I didn't get the color of her eyes because mine was aquamarine which I inherited from my father.

When I go back to our room to get a towel, my eyes wander around the whole room. I could say that it's small compared to others but, I'm content living here as long as I'm with my mom.

I walked downstairs and went to the kitchen. There, I saw the slender body of my mom.

“Good Morning, Mommy!” I happily shouted and hugged her from behind.

“Hm. My baby woke up early, I'm planning to surprise you in the bedroom but I'm still not finished cooking our breakfast,” Mom stated and turned around to face me.

“I'm so excited about the gift today that's why I woke up early,” I replied while looking at the sienna brown eyes of my mom.

My mother's eyes are so magnificent and her smile is so comforting.

“I promise that you will love it. Before that, could you sit in the chair, baby? Wait for me there. I'll just finish what I'm cooking,” She said, which made me nod.

“Okay, Mom. Make it faster, please. I badly want to see what my gift is for today,” I answered and walked faster to our mahogany table set.

When I sat, I couldn't help but think about what gift my mom had prepared for my thirteenth birthday.

On every birthday, my mother didn't fail to give me a gift which, according to her, is a precious thing that has a special story.

When I was six years old, she gave me a gold necklace that had her initials engraved. According to my mom, my father was the one who gave it to her before leaving us to participate in the war.

Every time I ask her about my biological father, she just kisses me and answers that my father is a great man. Moreover, the only thing that I know about him is that he has a lot of responsibilities in the Empire which is in the city.

My forehead furrowed as soon as I heard a knock on the door.

“Baby, open the door. I think it's your uncle Cedric,” Mom said, which made me roll my eyes.

That man is here again.

Why does he need to go here every day and ruin my morning?

When I opened the door, I saw the figure of a man that made my blood boil.

“Happy Birthday, Sage,” Cedric greeted and smiled at me.

Not paying attention to what he said, I straightforwardly asked, “What brings you here?”

“Is that how you should act towards your father? I'm here to celebrate your birthday. Look, I also brought a gift for you,” He said and patted my head.

“I'm not interested, and you will never be my father. Stop dreaming,” I hissed and removed his hand.

“I'm just concerned for your mother, and besides, show some gratitude. Without me, both of you will barely survive here,” Cedric whispered in my ears, which made me tremble in anger.

“Why are the both of you still standing there? Come inside to eat,” Mom said and held my right hand.

“Good Morning, Reia. You're always beautiful as ever,” Cedric said and pecked a kiss on my Mom's hand.

“Y-Yeah, Good Morning Cedric,” Mom uttered and tried to get her hand back.

“Have you thought about my offer? I can't help but feel excited about what you'll answer,” He grinned and gave Mom a bouquet of red roses.

“Sage is here. Can we talk about it later?” Mom replied and forced a smile.

“I think it's fine for Sage to hear that I will be her father,” Cedric boasted, which made me knit my eyebrows.

There's no way that I will consider someone like him as my father.

I asked, “Mom, is that true?”

Mom turned her gaze to me and took a deep breath.

Please, say no.

“Cedric, I'm not ready to be in a relationship again. I hope you understand,” Mom answered, returning the flowers to his hand.

Cedric gnashed his teeth, “Is this because of him?”

“Stop. I just don't want to have a serious relationship, right now, my focus is only on my daughter, Sage. This has nothing to do with him,” Mom affirmed but Cedric threw the bouquet on the floor.

“I'm not an idiot, Reia. You still haven't moved on from him after all these years,” He stated and gripped my mom's shoulder.

“Let go this instant,” Mom demanded.

“My mom said to let go,” I yelled and stepped on his feet but he didn't even budge.

“Fuck. Why are you still hoping that man will be going back here for the two of you? All these years, I'm the one who is here to support you and Sage, yet, you still loved that man who abandoned both of you for his desire!” Cedric growled while a vein on his neck popped out.

“Get out, Cedric. I don't want to hear any words from you,” Mom calmly said.

He added, “Why are you deaf when it comes to him? I will repeat it many times for you to understand, Reia. That man didn't care about you or his child.”

She snapped, “Get out!” and forcefully removed Cedric's hand on his shoulder.

This was the first time I saw her to be this mad.

“How ungrateful of you, Reia. You're lucky to have me in a high status to love you. I even tried to ignore many women just to be with you, yet, this is how you will return my feelings,” Cedric thundered and stepped on the roses before walking away.

“You will regret this,” He warned us before slamming the door.

When I turned my eyes to Mom, I saw her hands were shaking.

I held her hand, “Mom, are you okay?”

When she turned her eyes to me, Mom took a deep breath and kneeled to hug me, “Yes, I'm so sorry baby because you heard those things. It must scare you, this is all my fault.”

“I'm fine, Mom. Don't worry about me,” I replied and smiled at her.

“I hope that you didn't pay attention to your uncle Cedric's words,” Mom uttered.

“Mom, does father love us?” I asked out of curiosity.

I saw in my Mom's face that she was shocked but still answered. “Of course, baby. We both loved you so much.”

I questioned, “If Father does, then, why isn't he coming here to see us?”

Mom brushed my hair using her fingers, and gave me a fake smile, “There are a lot of responsibilities in the Empire that he needs to fulfill. After that, I'm sure he will come here to see the both of us. Be patient, baby. Okay? Now, let's eat our breakfast.”

When Mom stood up, she looked at the ceiling, therefore, I could not see her face, but I knew for sure that she was holding her tears again.

I can't help but sympathize with Mom because she is going through a lot, and the reason for it is my father.

Mom is always putting her hopes up in my father who doesn't even visit us throughout the years to see if we are fine. I'm starting to believe that Cedric is right, he abandoned us.

Mom and I sat in the wooden chair facing each other.

“I'm sorry, baby. This is all I can afford for now. I promise on your next birthday, Mommy will work hard to earn a lot of money to make you experience a grand birthday party celebration,” She stated while putting a cup of rice on my plate.

“It's fine, Mom. I'm happy to celebrate my birthday like this,” I replied and plastered a smile on my face.

“But, my baby deserves a….”

I cut her words off, “No, Mom. This is enough, as long as we are together.”

To be honest, I don't need a grand party.

What I want is to experience celebrating my birthday together with Mom and Dad.

“Oh, I can't say a word. My baby is so sweet and mature, here, Let me hug you,” Mom uttered, and got on my side to embrace me.

“I'm so blessed to have you as my daughter. How I wish that we could continue to be together like this. Always remember that Mom is always on your side.” She added, which made me burst into tears.

I replied, “I'm the one who is lucky because the Moon Goddess gave me a loving mother like you. Besides, what are you saying, Mommy? We will always be together forever.”

This time, tears ran down to Mom's cheek.

“I just wish for you to be genuinely happy. If you ever hated me for what you found out soon, I will understand,” Mom said which left me confused.

I replied, “That's impossible. No matter what the reason is, I know that I can't bring myself to hate you, Mom.”

She sobbed, “That makes me feel at ease. I love you, baby.”

I responded, “I love you too, Mom.”

After minutes of embracing each other, we finally calmed down. Mom sat on her chair.

“The food will be cold,” She said and put a piece of scrambled egg on my plate.

I suggested, “How about we pray first, Mom before we eat?”

“Can you lead it, baby?” Mom's request made me nod.

I held both of her hands and closed my eyes to feel the presence of our Goddess.

“Moon Goddess, I have adored you so much ever since I was a kid. Not just me, but all the werewolves in this world.

I'm thanking you for giving me a beautiful and loving mother. Also, we are so grateful for all the blessings we received.

I want to confess that sometimes, I'm jealous of other kids who have a complete family. I always wish that I could experience that kind of thing too, but, I know that there's an important reason why I can't be together with my father for now.

So, please, always lead us with your strength to continue striving in life and…. I know that it's a hard request but, can you protect my father whenever he is? I hope we meet and get together soon. Oh, bless us, our Goddess.”

“I'm probably sure that the Moon Goddess will hear what you're praying for,” She stated and gave me a half-smile.

When I opened my eyes, I saw how Mom looked at me with a pitiful look.

“I'm probably sure that the Moon Goddess will hear what my baby is praying for,” She stated and pinched my cheek.

I answered, “Yeah. I hope so, Mom.”

Mom asked, “Do you want to roam around in the village today?”

My face lightened up, “Yes, Mom. It's been a long time since we visited Aunt Cecilia. I missed her so much.”

She replied, “Then, finish your food. We will visit them.”

I enthusiastically said, “I'm done!” while Mom got our plates on the table to wash them in the sink.

She said, “Go upstairs, baby. Change your clothes, I will come after I finish the household chores.”

“Can I help?” I asked, blinking my eyes like a cute puppy while putting both of my hands together to make Mom accept my offer.

Mom replied, “Hm. Not today, baby. This is your special day.”

I pouted, “But, I really wanna help you.”

Mom pinched both of my cheeks, “My baby knows how to use her charm but, Mommy's answers remain. Therefore, get upstairs and change your clothes.”

I can't do anything but accept that my charm doesn't work with Mom today.

After I took a bath, I glanced at myself once again. I can say, I'm very lucky when it comes to appearance because I have the genes of my parents.

“Baby, are you done getting dressed?” Mom shouted. I immediately went down.

I wore a knee-length lilac dress that my mother gave me when I was ten years old. She sewed it herself, that's why it has a sentimental value to me.

“Yes, mom. I'm sorry if I take a long time before going down. I took a bath because I want to smell nice,” I stated while I saw my mother folding her sleeves.

“My daughter is a grown-up woman now. Sit here in front of the mirror, I will design your hair,” She said, to which I immediately obeyed.

When Mom finished braiding my hair, she wrapped a purple scarf around my neck.

“It's cold outside, wear this,” Mom said while putting gloves on my hands.

As soon as we stepped outside of our house, I noticed the lanterns hanging in the streets.

I mumbled, “They are so beautiful.”

“The festival is near. I'm sure someone out there is selling your favorite barbecue,” Mom said which made me jump because of excitement.

“Can we buy some when we see a stall?”

She replied, “Of course, baby. Let's walk quickly and buy two pieces for you.”

I answered, “Yes, Mom,” and held her hands tightly.

It took us ten minutes of walking to see the stalls. “Two barbecues, please,” Mom said to the saleswoman who was smiling at us.

“It costs two copper each,” the saleswoman replied while Mom took some money but she only had two copper.

She stated, “Baby, can we get only one? Mom doesn't have enough money for now but, I promise, when we come back here again, we will buy a lot of barbecues.”

I replied, “It's fine, Mom. We can share in this one.”

“My baby is kind and understanding, but that is only for you,” Mom uttered, and paid the saleswoman.

I saw kids running around, “We can't miss the performance in the plaza, faster!”

“Are you also here to watch in the plaza?” The saleswoman asked, to which Mom shook her head.

She added, “Why not? I heard you just need to register, it's free.”

I asked, “Mom, can we also watch it? I'm curious!”

Mom answered, “Okay, baby. If that's what you want.”

When we reach the plaza, there are so many people. “Wait here, baby. Okay? Don't move around. I will just register our names quickly,” Mom said and left me on the bench.

I wandered my eyes, and there were so many families here. I wish we could be like them too. Suddenly, someone caught my attention, a man I think just near my age was looking in the trash can.

I can't help but walk towards him. Like, some kind of force pushes me.