She had just completed her latest assignment successfully. Her team managed to rescue the hostages held by the terrorists, as well as capture the terrorist leader to interrogate further. Just as she was about to celebrate their success, she was pulled aside by the general and told that she had an urgent summons from her grandfather. She rolled her eyes and groaned implying that she’s complaining. But she was sent first to the hospital to have her wounds treated.

Andromeda Mondragon looked younger than her age. She is 25 years old. She had sharp eyes and a fierce gaze and her powerful aura shone no matter what she wore (which at this moment was a very ragged and dirty combat attire). Wherever she went, everyone would bow or salute her. She was, after all, the heiress of Dragon Security Empire. These Elites were sent on covert missions all over the world to help win wars or diffuse potentially disastrous situations and prevent wars. These were the unsung heroes of the nation.

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“The chopper is ready, Lady Andy.”

“Thanks, Cardinal.” She dismissed him, picked up her army bag, and entered the chopper which took her from the army camp to the nearest airport.

It didn’t take long for her to board a plane. She opened her phone and saw a lot of messages from her grandfather. She hadn’t taken over the company yet. James, her elder brother, and the first son didn’t know well about their family’s secret business. He was a technological genius and a great inventor. He only focused on raising their technology business.

Andy utilized the twenty hours of flying to sleep off the painkillers that she took for her wound- a gunshot injury to her arm. But this pain was nothing in comparison to all the pain she had experienced before. Her grandfather had taught her a lot of things and taking physical pain was one of them. He wasn’t abusive, just strict in her training to ensure that she could take care of herself in any situation.

But the long sleep gave her a nice dream that suddenly turned into a nightmare. She jerked awake, her heartbeat racing. She reached for the water and drank it. The plane shook a little as it hit turbulence. She glanced at her watch and since it was advanced technology, it immediately showed the standard time for where they were located. She got up and rang for a stewardess to ask for food.

As she ate, she thought about the dream. Somehow, it all felt so real and the nightmare was the worst. She rubbed her chest over her heart. It still hurt her there whenever she thought about that time. She finally went back to sleep and woke up just when they landed in the Philippines. She changed her clothes first in the airport bathroom and hurried outside. Since it was already seven in the evening, she knew she was probably late for the party.

Outside the airport, her butler was ready with her motorbike. So she tossed her bag to him and took the keys. She turned the ignition and squeezed the handgrip of the bike. She made it to the mansion in just under 30 minutes while following all the traffic rules. If she used a car, it would have taken at least two hours to get there.

Lots of cars were in the driveway but she didn’t stop until she reached the main entrance of the mansion. She removed her helmet as the butler came and she tossed him the keys. She ignored the murmurs and whispers as well as few people who called her. She directly went through the guest area toward the family meeting room. She opened the door wide and greeted everyone inside in Spanish.

“Buenas Noches!”

Everyone turned to stare at her. There were a lot of people…more than just her immediate family. Besides her mother, father, and brother, there are also her relatives. Her father’s brother and her cousins and then few bastards of her uncles were now accepted in the family. She didn’t notice the Pattinson’s as the family guests. Everyone looked dazzling and they all wore expensive designer clothes to impress. Mostly women who would show off their beauty together with the dress. If the party isn’t about her grandfather’s gathering announcement—she would have thought that it was a party of dresses.

“It must be a big announcement that’s why everyone is gathered.” She murmured. However, she didn’t glance around and walked directly to her grandfather who was standing at the center of the stage.

“You are late.” Former General Alexandro Mondragon said aloud with a small, indulgent smile on his face.

“You can’t blame me. There’s a lot of traffic around. Besides, I still got a jet lag from the 24-hour flight.” She hugged her grandfather. She then greeted her mom and dad, then James her brother who threw his arms around her and she winced. James shook his head.

“Trying to get yourself killed?” James asked. She just winked at him.

“So what’s the fuss? Was it my birthday today? But I distinctly remember that my birthday was last month.” Andromeda rubbed her chin thinking about the purpose of the party.

“You didn’t come home.” Her father Aaron said coldly. “No call.”

“Hey, dad I was in the middle of having a good time at that moment.” She hugged her father and he embraced her.

“It is indeed a big fuss today.” She looked around and found a few annoying people. Her relatives. She never like Kathleen, her Uncle’s daughter. Then there are her annoying cousins from her mother’s side. She called for a server and was served a margarita.

Everyone is dressed up in gowns and looked glamorous. Except her.

“Dress up upstairs. Your gown is there.” Her mother Fiona told her.

“No thank you. I’m comfortable with these.” She’s wearing black leather pants, a leather jacket and a t-shirt with a print on it, Badass.

“I don’t like the shirt that you are wearing.” Fiona frowned.

“Mom. It’s trending these days. Also, I got a grandpa one as well.” She called her butler and told him to get her bag.

“Here,” She removed the shirt from the plastic and showed it to her grandpa. Cool Grandpa was the one printed in front and at the back was Badass Grandpa.

“Thank you.” Her grandpa said sarcastically, knowing quite well that he would probably never wear it.

“Greet the Pattinsons. You didn’t greet everyone here yet.”

She froze on hearing that name. Her face darkens as she clenches her fist.

Pattinson.

Once, she knew a man so well and his last name was Pattinson. She wanted to strangle him at that moment, but she calmed herself and faced the Pattinsons. The head of the Pattinsons, Former General Manuel Pattinson’s wheelchair is pushed forward towards her.

“The Legendary Heiress of Mondragon.”

“Former General Manuel, you look very old.” The elder laughed aloud and he looked younger than their age as they laugh and smile.

“I am indeed old, Lady Andromeda, and a little bored.”

“We could start firing at the lawn and scare off these people.” She joked that makes them laugh. She didn’t dare to look around again, afraid to see the one that she hasn’t seen for two years.

“Should we break the news now?” Elder Pattinson asked Elder Mondragon.

“Let’s head to the dining hall first. I am sure that she’s tired and hungry.”

They started eating in silence but the gentlemen soon started discussing business.

Andy ignored all the questions thrown at her and concentrated on eating. But she was acutely aware that ‘the-man-who-shall-not-be-named’ was sitting right in front of her and he kept glancing at her throughout the meal.

Their dessert came up. If she turned back first, it would mean that she lost. So, she pretended to enjoy the food even though she wanted to puke at that moment. Kathleen didn’t stop talking about shopping with the Pattinson girls and how she got a limited-edition Chanel bag.

“Next time they’ll probably talk about all the ugly, expensive things their (future) husbands would buy for them, just to show-off.” Andy thought to herself. She was tired of hearing these useless gossips so she chose to live away. Also, she couldn’t take bullies. Katherine was the biggest bully at all.

“Excuse me.” She stood up and went to the washroom.

She washed her hand and face, trying to calm her racing heart. She didn’t know why her heart reacted like this every time her eyes met his. She slowly bit her lower lip and wanted to punch the mirror, but she punched the wall instead. She felt nothing at all but the pain in her chest.

She breathed and composed herself. She had expected the Pattinsons to be present. But not him. She hadn’t heard from him for like two years. They broke off and he left without a proper explanation.

She smiled at the mirror and fixed herself before going out.