Heart of the Huntress: The Blooming Second Chance

Another week went by, and I settled into my temporary room in the hunters' dormitory.

I got a call from Paul that the higher-ups took my overdue response positively and were told to show up for the integration assessment tomorrow. I was so happy I barely got any sleep.

I headed to the main headquarters in sector 12 first thing in the morning. From the minute I walked in I was ushered into the testing center where they checked my overall condition. I underwent a series of tests to measure my capabilities as a hunter with application through a fight simulation. I’m confident I nailed that part. However, the interview somehow gave me mixed feelings.

After the physical test, I was told to wait in a room with nothing, but white walls and one set of tables, almost like a prison interrogation room.

I sat there, waiting for ten minutes when an invisible door opened and a dashing man walked in. I didn’t know if it was because of some jittery nerves but I’m feeling overly conscious in his presence. He had this uncanny familiar feeling, especially in how his gaze almost bore holes in me the entire interview.

Well, it could be because he was one of the elite hunters.

“The review board was happy with your initial results. Before we end this discussion…”

I think he was supposed to say something important, but my Codewatch rang and interrupted him.

“Sorry, I forgot to put it on silent.” I felt my cheeks burn from embarrassment. When I checked it out, I suddenly had an urge to strangle someone. It was Calvin!

“Don’t be. It must be important.” He said, permitting me to answer.

I ran to a corner and kept my voice as low as possible.

“What?”

“Where are you? Commander Harris is expecting us at his dinner party tonight. I’m coming to pick you up,” he casually said.

“Excuse you! What makes you think I’m coming with you? Hell no.”

I quickly hung up and blocked him.

His audacity got a bit under my skin and I forgot I was still with someone.

“Your boyfriend?” The assessor asked with a smile. His tone was now more casual.

However, there was something in his eyes that made him look insincere.

I didn’t want to dwell too much on it, so I simply replied, “No.”

An awkward air suddenly floated around us and I pulled whatever came to mind to disperse it.

“I take it I passed your assessment. How long will it take to complete the integration process?”

“You seem eager to leave. Why?”

I didn’t know how to respond to him. He seemed overly interested in my personal life, and I took it quite personally. It must have shown on my face.

“Don’t misunderstand, Miss Foster. It’s all part of the protocol. You’re soon going to undergo a three-month-long closed reinforcement training. We needed to know if there’s anything that could distract you,” he said, smiling as he stood up to organize his documents.

As he passed by me, I caught a glimpse of his ID.

“Liam Ross.”

The name looked familiar, but I couldn’t place it.

With only a few hours left before the Commander’s party, I hurriedly left the headquarters and caught a cab to another sector. I’ve done a lot today that I’m almost spent, but I couldn’t miss my most respected mentor’s special event.

At the venue, I walked as fast as I could, hoping I made it on time, but as I opened the door to the private room, I didn’t know I would be in for a surprise.

My eyes locked with Liam Ross’s intense gaze from the far corner of the room. Then, there was Cathy, clinging to Calvin’s side at the next table.

“Hi, Ava! I happened to tag along with Calvin. Since we all knew each other, you wouldn’t mind us sitting together, would you?”

I ignored Cathy. Much as I wanted it to be deliberate I just couldn’t break my gaze away from Liam. I had this nagging feeling inside that seemed to pull me toward him. Have we not met before?