Hello guys! I would like to apologize for the late update! I hope you are all well in these tiring times. I know this update may not be the best one yet to provide you entertainment as we go through this virus, but I assure you that I'll try harder to update. I am earnestly hoping for you and your loved ones' safety. May you all stay safe.

Phase II:

Midway

The Pigeon Outside the Yellow Cage

Once upon a time, there was a little pigeon who dreamt of bigger things, vast skies and encompassing greens. Her pigeon papa always fed her, taught her the skies and what it must've felt like to finally fly. He told her one day she'd get to fly so high, she's to feel the clouds in her wings, drench on the rays of sun as she became one with air. He always told her she will, and she is, he assured her he will help her grow strong so that her wings will never falter. It never occurred to her there was a ground to fall, the world too large, and her pigeon papa will one day be a fleeting life.

Everything can also be too far from the skies.

"Ready for the last show, Olive?"

The light above her vanity mirror shone with yellow glare, she saw herself in the circle halo and she vaguely remembers flying close to the sun, her younger self staring back, full of bright, silly ideas for a future she was so sure to have. In that moment, both of them became one.

"I can't barely sit still"

There was light and flight, bodices as stars glittering in every angle they move, soft feather skirts were wings that carried their human bodies across the heavy dark walls of the night sky. Eyes watched dazzled as they fly like vagabonds which tried to reach for more than the galaxies. When she was little, she used to think Heaven can be found above space. Possibly there was truth in that. As she soared so high above the galaxies, up above her father stood proud, up above the pigeon flew and she felt everything her pigeon papa described.

But below, there will always be the ground. The dark place, the scary muchness of the world. She saw her amidst the crowd, a brilliant sun that hurt her eyes because she was deemed unworthy enough to touch. She couldn't understand why life led her to believe that was her goal, only to let such thing kill her. Her own mother, the woman she looked forward to become for so many years.

She blinded her, lets her fall to the ground with her wimp wings and fragile bones, it hurts, still. It hurts even more when there was still hope in her heart, a swell of joy seeing her. Despite everything, she still craved to reach her blinding light.

Upon that ground, amidst the stomps of feet waiting to crash her, she saw a tiny banner held in two strong grips, a smiling crowd above the threatening world. There was her family. One by one, she saw them. Ronaldo with his little banner, Mama Dust with her timid smile, Claire and Horace grinning from ear to ear, and of course, Bronwyn and Sam teary eyed and capturing her moment on their phones, there were also few new but welcomed faces, the O'Connor family present and supporting..

Yet, there wasn't an Enoch.

Her mind stumbled, crisscrossing from the sadness that threatened to stomp on her little body. Despite that, she pushed through, blinking the tears away, continuing to fly as the disappointment try to catch her feet and prevent her from flying.

Just as she performed for all the world to witness, twirling and flawless, fluid and seemingly otherworldly, as though it cannot touch her, she however had the world clasp her toes in a tight resolve that she felt tiny and afraid, lost. She flew her way through, remembering unclasped hand, blurry motherly smile, and slippery, sweet lips, strong, penetrating cold ocean eyes.

There was an ache in her that pushed her to deliver. She danced through life with swollen ankles and failed twirls. She will not falter now, not when the music had stopped and she stood tall against the blinding light, her family, those who stayed and loved her were standing in their pride, joy, happiness. Her ears drummed with the claps of a stadium full of people. She smiled, airy and light, her heart was beating hard against her skin, reminding her of such moment, the consistent tugging of dream fulfilled, but it weighed heavily, still.

It didn't dawn her that everything was finished until Zachary slung his arm around her and gave her a tight hug, "congrats to us, love"

Fortunately, they both share a dressing room, along with one of the ballerinas who ought it to be her responsibility to give the two of them some "room". They didn't mind the slightest as Zachary still continued to be his sweet, caring self despite the ache in his heart for what they could have been. He said he'd love her still, and would very much be happy as long as she is. She always pray with all of her heart he'd receive the love he earnestly give.

She slung the door with a heavy exhale, feeling the frenzy die down as the room wrapped them in sleepy, yellow light.

"Sooooo"

Yet, Zachary still stood next to the vanity table, planting one elbow to the hardwood for good measure. There were gifts littered upon it, most was for him - he attracted quite a lot of admirers. But there was a bouquet of daisies that looked too much of her liking that she wished it was for her.

He looked at her with a pointed glare, as though waiting for something.

"Yes, Zachary, what is it?"

"I'm not sure if I saw Mr. O'Connor out there, but I definitely saw his blondness and scary eyes"

For a moment, her heart tugged. She clutched her pillow, burying her frown.

"No, that's not him. He didn't-" come like he promised he will, she wanted to say, but she was too let down to admit it out loud.

"Really? Cause I swear I've seen him"

She stood up, choosing to ignore his eyes because she did not want any pity as of that moment. Instead, she climbed in the stool of the vanity mirror, releasing her hair from the intricate do.

"I gave them tickets for tonight, he's busy, I guess," she tried to shrug, but he only raised one brow and stayed silent, "what?"

"Boo you, stop pretending that didn't bother you. You love him, Olive. It's okay to feel disappointed"

She stared hard at her reflection, hating the way tears try to sprout from them. It wasn't just Enoch, wasn't just her love for him that broke her heart. It was her own mother and his broken promise. Suddenly, she was eight again, abandoned to a new life as she clung to their love, blinded and child like - simple and powerful. She didn't know what to believe as she believed perhaps, too strongly, too encompassing.

"These are beautiful, I love daisies" The daisies smiled to her with their bright, rich shade. She cradled the flowers, closing her eyes as the flowery scent eased her heavy heart. The smell was fainter than usual, she guessed the bouquet was actually given prior to their most recent performance that night, possibly it was from the early ones.

"If only I've known those can easily win your heart" she giggled, slapping his elbow lightly. There really were only a few who knew of her love for them. Much so of her favorite activity of giving and receiving notes.

Told you you'll be phenomenal :)

There was a single one taped in the middle. She glared at it with squinted eyes, her mind quite familiar with the writing, though she was also still puzzled. Albeit being one to give people random notes, she hasn't received any notes recently, the last one being back when she was a teenager still. But the phrase was too familiar.

There was a knock on the door that halted her mind from wandering and discovering things farther. Zachary took the initiative to open it.

Visitors normally do not visit at such time, especially that they weren't expecting anyone. As far she knows, Wyn preferred to visit her on her hotel as they're going to go out and see the city. Mama Dust and Ronaldo, them she does not know of. And so she smiled widely, hoping it really was them.

However, that upturned lips and excitement died down once a set of familiar brown eyes peaked in the room.

"Wow, oh wow, Miss Constantine, lovely to see you tonight"

"Yes, I would like to congratulate you both. That was a splendid performance" The compliment made the charming man blush and speechless, but it felt hollow against Olive's ears. She can only stare, her body calm as though not even registering who it was who came inside the room. But deep inside she was fuming, trying to hold herself back as she felt her breaths can no longer be contained and regulated by her heaving lungs, heart tugging so loudly, everything's running all at once.

"May I speak with Olive alone, please?"

The sweat the clung to her skin from the performance was cold and made her feel exposed. She wrapped her arms around herself, nodding weakly as she cannot trust her voice now. She cannot speak.

Olive. That was the name her mother gave her, something so intimate and somehow theirs. She named her as if she preferred her instantly from anybody, it was a bond of some sorts, one that she always thought as a declaration of 'I favor you', as if a promise, the first part of a life led by always being chosen and guided.

Suddenly, her name felt like ashes swept from her mouth.

It was a grim thought, to remember that the last time she felt like she wanted to beg for someone to not leave her was when her mother did, and now, she is at little Olive's place again, only this time, she wanted Zachary to stay, and so badly for her mother to leave.

He left even before she could dare herself to blink, before her eyes blurred from her tears. The door was shut and she realized there's no escaping this.

She can't remember ever seeing her mother level to level. She has had always been high, up above, the woman Olive longed to become, always ever so hard to reach. However at such moment, as her mother allowed herself to fold down to a chair, the chair Olive so carelessly put her clothes upon, the chair Zachary occupied and chatted with her in, the chair so many people have had probably used; when she has now fully grown and her eyes have had shed tears, her mother meets her eye to eye, and she didn't have to tilt her head to the skies.

Against the thumping of her chest, she forced her eyes to stay still against the smoldering browns that haunted her all her life. She sees them, but she still sees hers' as well, and she remembers Enoch saying her eyes were like chocolates.

"You've grown so much, Olive" It was an observation most often pronounced by distant relatives.

"That's what time does to people, they grow up and they get old" Olive says, rather lame, somehow biting, but her mother managed to smile. Before she could take offense, her mother skillfully adds, "you are so much like him, Atticus"

By the mention of her father, Olive breaks the contact. It wasn't fair, that such simple utterance can revert her back to their old home, the creaks of their wooden floor, the warm mug next to fresh daisies in that yellow living room with the fire crackling in front. Back to that familiar couch, inside her father's arms, her mother's hand squeezing hers as she sleeps, her parents' soft laughters drumming softly to her ears, against her father's chest.. He was the life of their family, the heartbeat that kept everything warm and running. He taught her she could fly.

How unfair it was when he died. He brought her home, her memories, her life with him. Her mother made sure she was a whole new different person.

As if the family that loved in that yellow home didn't exist.

"Why are you here?" It was foreign from her mouth. Never did she thought she'll ask with such spite when the opposite was what she wanted all her life. But now, looking at the woman who looks like her, but entirely different altogether; those same far off reach eyes from the different tellies she's had watched her performances on, the same cold hands she can no longer remember what had once felt to provide her tenderness, the same smile that said a million of untold stories of her past, Olive knew that at the back of her mind, she will never come back, but she just refused to accept it.

She blamed herself sometimes.

"I remember you, Olive" remember, like a misplaced ballerina shoes she discarded because they were already worn out for wear. They were never to be seen and are only a passing thought once or twice, better left just to reminisce.

She scoffed, her tummy tying in knots as she heard her name again. It was different now, something of familiarity. If she'd close her eyes, she can go back to that yellow house. But it didn't help.

"You didn't even recognize me when I basically look like you"

With that, whatever pretense Constantine believed, whatever fantasy it was that she held in order to grow a backbone, fell as Olive's eyes swept them like dust. Constantine shied her eyes away, looking at the vanity mirror behind.

"I was hoping," hope, such a treacherous word. They were both alike, Constantine and her, as they both hoped for something from the latter. In the end, none of them ever mattered as both of their dreams were crashed by the other, "not to see you again".

"Wow"

Suddenly, whatever front she has, the tough Olive, the always optimistic Olive, was nowhere to be seen as she failed to prevent the tears from streaming like the waves that danced harshly against the steep of Enoch's sanctuary. If she could scream, she's most certainly will be thrashing, but instead she fell silent, lamenting to the end of her hopes.

"It is not as how you think it is, pigeon-"

"Don't use that. Never use that. Only he can use that" She pretends, for a moment, that her father was there with her. He would've loved her better - she would've been loved. But he's long dead. She was left behind.

"Why even bother to see me then?"

"I owe you an apology"

"Bullocks to that! It's been almost two decades and you have only just bothered to show up?" Constantine flinches as she barked. It seemed that her hope was canceling out Olive's.

None of them won. No matter how hard they tried, they both lost.

"Why-" Olive tried to regain herself, holding herself up by her wings as she tries to look up ahead. She was already down on the dirty ground, there isn't anything deeper to fall into. There was no sun now left to reach, her mother was just a mere human. "-Why did you leave?" she fought so hard to leave out the 'me'. It was a weakness she's willing to swallow to give herself strength.

Up, Olive. Fly. Have courage.

"Everything's falling apart and I was so alone. We were so young, Olive. He promised me the world. We don't know what to do, no family to turn to. I thought, oh god, I was so naive to think we could survive that, together. I sacrificed everything for him, my life, my dreams. But he left me"

"It's not like he had the choice to leave you" Her heart hurts, her head spun memory after memory of her father's smile, his calloused hands, the way he held them both as if he can take the sun in his hands just so they will never be afraid of the dark ever again.

"But he still died. And I was left to take care of you." Constantine tried to justify. Olive flinches by her intensity. It was as if it was such a burden to love her.

She remembered her mother, her lovely smile, her light feet, as if she can never hurt even a fly, more so her own daughter.

"And you left me, because you had the choice. Makes you feel powerful isn't it? A life for a life"

It was screwed up. Everything was screwed up as she sees how ugly and scary the world looks from below. Eveybody's just minding their own business, their eyes never wavering from their prize as they stood their ground, stomp their feet, not caring if there's anybody being trampled upon.

As it is, Constantine still pushes, "I choose to give you a better life".

"And once you did for yourself, where were you when you promised to come back then?"

The life she had, was any from it ever true? Was it only a fantasy she created just to comfort herself?

She remembered she has a sister, one who is loved, seen, basking from the rays of her mother's love. There were questions running in her head, spiteful emotions hurting her heart. Did the girl ever feel as if she has to suffer just to make her own mother happy? Has she thought of disappearing just so her mother would finally reach her fame as she's always wanted?

"Have you ever thought of me, at all?"

There was a pause. It wasn't possible but it shattered her.

"I thought you and I have finally gotten the lives we wanted" Constantine widened her eyes to prove her her point, nodding slowly as if she's trying to convince herself as well.

Olive scoffs, her lips vibrating by her watery throat. She couldn't believe anything she's hearing, lest they were the truth. No matter how much painful and warped it was.

She wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all. As if she was expected to thank her for the nights she couldn't sleep, the anxieties she had to overcome as she was still grieving, still adjusting to what death meant, still trying to understand her father will never come back to hug her again, then she was left to a new life filled of new people, when her mother promised a vain return, never truly adjusting to the next step because she clung so desperately for the love that died along her father. Was she supposed to be grateful for that?

"Who are you to say I wanted to grow up chasing my mother's shadow when no child ever should? Who told you I wanted to live my life asking myself if I just didn't deserve any love at all? You have gotten the life you wanted. You just wanted to get rid of the guilt, because no matter what you do, you can't ruin the home you walked away from"

She was midway, her heart was beating loudly in her ears, the air gave her a lungful to breathe. Her body aches, and it reminded her that she danced in euphoria, she danced in lamentation, and she'll fly up ahead still, she'll reach the skies again.

If Constantine wanted to erase Olive so bad, then she'd be gone. And Constantine, she will be nothing but a memory, a distant reel from Olive's life. Almost like a dream, perhaps a nightmare.

"It may not seem like it, but I am sorry, Olive. If things just turned out different..." It wouldn't be different, she followed Constantine for so long that she understood some things cannot be chased anymore. Wishing things to have been different will only make her miss to enjoy and appreciate the things she still has. Despite the sun, there are trees where she rests, the wind that carries her to fly, the moon which guides her nights.

"But they didn't" and Olive knows, if she didn't even attempted to show up to her mother's life again, she'd still remain forgotten. Sometimes she wondered how ironic it was, that Enoch's mother, Sarah, lived behind her mask but still held such a heart which loves something fierce. While her mother, who looked sullen and ashamed at that very moment, still looked shallow; that amidst her difficulty growing up without her, Constantine will still not choose to go back to the time she left Olive, her present is grand and wonderful as it is. She will never go back just to suffer with the girl she erased from her world.

And Olive knows that.

"I've already accepted it, I'm setting myself free. I'm sorry, I can't forgive you. You can't bring back the years I've spent pining over just to have a glimpse of your shadow. Who knows, maybe someday, just to ease your guilt, I can find it within myself to forgive you" It was at that moment, as Constantine releases a breath they both didn't know the woman was holding, her brown eyes blurred from the tears, tears Olive didn't know she's still capable of shedding for her forgotten daughter, that Olive admits to herself that yes, she still loves her mother, but it will take years, hell even a lifetime just to forgive. But there was a finally a period in the pause of her relentless journey.

Like the one she had witnessed on the cliffs, she has now seen the sunset.

"I may have lost you, but I've gained my mothers, my family. I am not without love." Memories of troubled nights but warm mornings flooded her as did her tears. There was Madame Peregrine's story telling, Bronwyn's comforting hugs, Mama Dust's reassuring smiles.. Then there was also her father, who still held her high, providing his mug of hot chocolate to warm her lonely heart. Her friends were also there, they grew up together, and together they still proceed with life.

"I am glad" Constantine whispered, a small smile playing on her usually radiant mirth. At once, in that, Olive lets herself to see sincerity. "Can I at least hold you again for the last time, Olive?" she adds.

A breath, then a heartbeat. The sun begins to get engulfed by the soft comforting blue in the horizon. The oranges were light now, never glaring to blind her.

Olive nods.

Constantine stood, then she looked older than the one in the television set. Olive was taller, she noticed.

As Constantine wrapped her arms around her, her chest felt like it was smothering itself with the way her heart hurt. She couldn't pretend she's not moved by her wretchedness, her tears were falling to paint her face an anguished portrait. She was not little Olive anymore, she grew up, and she accepts the part where she finally has to let go.

"For what it's worth, you didn't follow my shadows, you created a life for yourself, pigeon. There wasn't a hint of me in that stage, that was Olive. Anybody will be proud of her," Constantine caresses the back of her head as she did when she was little. Olive lets herself lean in for a while, takes her words to fill the longing in her heart, tries to let it help her heal, "especially her mother".

She is Olive Elephanta, and she is not alone. She dreams to reach the Heavens just to remember the love that teaches her how to fly, and she already has.

It was crap. Everything's crap as she lay numb from all the crying. As soon as Constantine left, she collapsed to the sofa, wailing as she tries to purge the hurt and ache in her chest. She was angry, but she was also facing the truth. She'd rather have that than forever chase something for nothing. Someday, she'll be stronger, but for now, she'll let herself feel.

Zachary didn't show up as she was scarily expected him to. He must've felt it, and she's quite stubborn to have him see her like that. Plus, she's not strong enough to tell him everything just yet.

She sniffled, inhaling the scene that achingly reminded her of her mother. Behind the perfume, there was a natural scent that reverted her back to her childhood. She lets herself thumb through them, like photographs, accepting that those were memories which can never be recreated, thus somehow, in the midst of things, she'd still treasure.

It was in fact, part of who she is all along, thus she reminds herself that it's her life, she is the protagonist of her own story, this too is her life which she grows to become her own person. Never Constantine Abroholos' shadow, never just a ghost of her childhood home.

Removing her train of thoughts to such, she diverted the direction and glanced at the daisies upon her vanity. immediately, she remembered Enoch. She told him once, during one car ride home that her favorite flowers are daisies, he laughed her then, because he figured that was what she'll probably say. When she probed as to why, he only continued driving, smiling without meaning to. The gleam in his eyes told her that like how daisies do to her, she makes him smile and hope for youthful better days as well.

The daisies winked at her beneath the vanity lights, like an unassuming spring sun choosing to give life to remind her of something to look forward to.

Her phone buzzed for a video call and she didn't have to look at her screen to guess who it was.

She rolled her eyes and sniffled again, choosing the let the sound fill the silence.

Rung and rung it did. Then it stopped for a heartbeat's pause, and then a bell notified.

Grumpface: I am pretty certain you're mad at me

Enoch must've been feeling really guilty as he didn't bother deleting her nickname for him at such time. She stared at it for a good second, letting him know she's choosing to have him on read.

Then her phone rung again. Once.

She was really really hurt and still ugly from all that crying.

Twice.

She wanted to be in that cliff and scream the hell out of her heart's desire.

Thrice.

Then she reminded that Enoch was there, and he showed it to her. He said they'll move forward in life, she's glad he said that and she can now remember that. The daisies glared at her, the yellows reminding her of hope.

Four times.

She couldn't understand why he's trying to reach for her now. Was he playing some trick on her not realizing she's in some sort of accepting her existential reawakening?

Five times.

Of course, with Enoch, he always look, sound, and okay, live like a jackass, but he truly means well. She knows him.

Six times.

She's hurt still though, and it didn't help that her mother turned out to be quite a narcissist.

Seven times.

She waited, almost picking the call. Then it stopped.

Grumpface: Where's Zachary?

If it wasn't for the odd question, she wouldn't have answered him.

But he must've anticipated it as as soon as she clicked the video button, he immediately accepted.

"What do you want from Zachary?" Before she can let him get the upper-hand in the conversation and completely sidetrack her, she immediately one upped him, not wasting a breath as she asked.

Strangely, his eyes were a bit screwed up more than before. She remembered he has dark rims under his eyes very clearly, as his eyes always draw her in, but they were deeper now; evidence of his lack of sleep. He usually does though, but there was signs of his unease in the way he looked at her as though shocked, confused, and somewhat restless.

Still though, against her puffy eyes she pushed herself to appear threatening.

"Why isn't he there with you?"

"Why are you so insistent to know?"

There was a pause as he stared right through her. She couldn't stop herself from rolling her eyes again, annoyed that he looked more pissed off than she was, "nothing, it's nothing" He firmly said, as though he knew something she couldn't quite grasp.

"Did he like, I dunno, called you or something for not showing up?"

For a brief moment, Enoch let pass his surprise, but she has mistaken it as his guilt for being caught.

"I'm sorry, there was just something important that came up" He explained, wiping his forehead as he tries to avoid her eyes.

She broke eye contact as well, looking down towards her lap as she blinked a few, nodding mutely.

She understood that business for Enoch was a whole new ballgame. The man prides himself for his success. But she guesses she just hoped he will, at least, be there. He was one of the people she honestly and sincerely loves after all.

And it hurt.

"How was it?"

"It was magnificent"

"Told you you'd be phenomenal" There was softness in his tone, and she remembered it too well with the feeling of his arms around her, his lips against her forehead. He told her that, and she believed. At least there was some promise that was fulfilled.

She tried understand.

She tried to brush it off.

"Whatever," but she couldn't.

Instead, she side glances, blinking a few as to hide her upset tears.

"Hey, Olive"

"Hum?"

"I really am sorry" He leans forward, his words light but heavy. "Did I say that right? Was my tone okay? Pretty sure that's how normal people apologize" It was odd for him to admit his mistakes, as he often act calloused and unfeeling. But that wasn't him for her at all. In fact, as she lets to tilt her head back to the front camera, his light eyes were deep, searching for hers amidst his idiocy and her crumbling resolve.

Despite her being hurt, he still get to have her involuntarily smile. "As you should you idiot," she says, hiding everything altogether behind her ire.

"Do you even know why you're saying that though?" Her voice cracked in the end, before she could stop it.

She still looked ahead, staring at him as he stares back. Their eyes were daring the other to falter but she was the earth and he was the sea. When they connect, life happens.

They were complementary, and despite their differences, they understand each other.

He mirrored the frown of her eyebrows, the sadness in her eyes. The sun had set and they both calmed as they see the beginning of night's eventual rest. Suddenly, they were at the cliffs again, at the steeps above the ranging sea - her sharp anguish, his harsh agony. Together.

"It's your mother, isn't it?"

There was a small sigh that escaped her mouth. He was annoyingly right, his intuition always on spot when attuned to her, as he always was. For the life of her, she still couldn't understand how her day reverted to such emotional heights.

Fly, Olive, her heart begged.

Such high, overwhelming height, there she is.

She was never afraid of heights and thus she remembered once again she is on one. Underneath her light feet, the ground was too far gone. Scary, unpredictable life is up ahead, she feels alone but freed, alone but loved, alone but with hope.

"I'm angry at her, and I have finally forgiven myself"

With her tears, she allowed herself to smile. She hurt, and by that she reminds herself that she ended something which trapped her.

Inside the silence, she can hear the waves crashing, the sun finally deciding to rest.

She inhales, she remembers, she's free.

He looked at her, smiles subconsciously, that one that makes her tummy tie in knots. It pisses her off.

"No offense Enoch, I understand why you didn't get to go, but I'm pretty pissed off with seeing your damn face. Let's not talk for a while, okay? I have to go"

"Oy Olive-" He was trying to mumble something back, but she already hang up. She'd face his annoyance later on, they're bound to see each other again at the wedding anyway. But at that moment she allows herself to feel the emptiness in her heart.

Atleast there was peace now, and anticipation of an unknown future.

Twice in her lifetime, her pigeon papa promised her that the world is beautiful when overlooked in the skies. She used to fear falling then, never trusting her own wings, afraid of leaving and being left behind, and what would happen then, if she'd fall? Will she never leave the cruelty upon ground, will she never see beauty ever again?

But upon ground she saw her feathers, looking up she has seen a new perspective, the big picture of the coming of days and the comfort of the night. Her pigeon papa held her as he always promised to, he kept her strong, the wings being her loved ones, she's never alone after all.

She stood up from her spot, carrying the bouquet in her arms and closed her eyes to breathe deeply the essence of new beginnings.

She will see through it thrashing and flying. She will.

Zachary was staring at her wide eyed, a forkful of French toast left hanging mid bite, Bronwyn held a sheepish smile, a hand ready to grab her shoulder as tell tale signs of an outburst was begging to jump outside her skin. Ronaldo can only smile apologetically as he revealed Enoch's stupid, but self sacrificing stunt.

It was too late when he realized Enoch had other plans. It was one missing cranky man and a chat addressed from New York a few minutes later did he understood, and all he could ever do was to giggle in the silly romanticism of it all. Then a glare and sign from his mother made him realize the silly romanticism of it all.

"Wait, are you saying Enoch was there?" Olive asked, then she reverted her glare at Zachary, who was alarmed and visibly nervous, "and you knew it all along?"

.

.

.

.This confrontation scene had been in my head ever since I started this story, that's probably why it took me this long to will myself to write, I just couldn't picture it the way I did before and that frustrated the heck out of me. Hopefully I did it justice.

Also, I am kind of curious if you guys prefer this to be escalated as a rated M fic? or you'd rather stick to the T one? (Yup, spoiler alert, I may or may not have thought of writing some steam in this so please do leave a review! I wanna know your thoughts on this!)

And by the way, have you guys read the Conference of the Birds already? If not, then I suggest you do, it was really good you guys!