Dove's POV

"We need to follow that old woman," I said pointing at the woman who was sitting under the sacred tree.

"Why?" Vinter asked. We were very far away from the tree since we were at the bank of the lake, I don't think the old woman noticed our presence at all.

"She's the one who knows how to break a soulmate bond," I replied as I sat down on the ground. If my predictions are right then she'll be leaving to go home soon since it is getting dark and no human on this planet can survive without eating. She will have to go back home to eat her dinner.

"How do you know all this?" Vinter asked.

"Someone told me about it," I said. Vinter sat beside me as we both stared at the sacred tree. It was truly beautiful— nature is so magical. If I had a long time I would have sat here and written a few songs.

"You had an opportunity to leave me at the shopping mall. Why didn't you do it then?" Vinter asked. I shrugged.

"Who knows," I replied with a grin. He raised his eyebrows at me in curiosity.

"Tell me! I know you are planning something," he said.

"Well, you are Vinter Harris. I thought bringing you along would save me from many troubles, and even might help me persuade the old lady because you are loved by women of every age," I grinned cheekily. He shook his head.

"And here I thought you were liking my company," he mumbled a bit disappointed.

Even if I did enjoy his company a bit, he doesn't need to know that. Vinter will eventually use that as a bargain and might end up manipulating me to not break the bond. Vinter has gotten very smart in a very short period, and it is very annoying if you ask me.

"Ah! Finally! She's on move!" I said as I saw the old woman get up from under the tree. She touched the tree, and later her heart, it looked like she was praying to the tree. Observing the scenario it feels like it will take me forever to convince this woman to help me break the soulmate bond.

"What are we supposed to do?" Vinter asked.

"Follow her," I replied.

Vinter got into the driver's seat this time, while I settled on the passenger's seat. But what surprised me next was the fire that surrounded the perimeter of the tree. It wasn't burning the tree but it seemed like the fire was especially ignited there to protect the sacred tree.

"What on Earth is that?!" Vinter spoke with an 'awe' expression.

"Magic perhaps," was the only reply I could give to him. 

I saw the lady has reached the other side of the bank on a boat, and there was a car parked there which I assume is her. It was a small two-sitter car.

"We need to get to the other side and follow that old lady," I told Vinter. He turned the engine on and drove off to the pathway which was connected this side of the bank to that side.

"I got this," he said. This man sure is a flawless driver.

Soon enough we caught on to the old woman's car keeping our distance from her, we kept following her. She park her car outside a small pathway since there was not enough space to drive in there. We parked our car farther than hers and waited for her to get out of her car.

When she stepped out of the car, she started walking on the narrow pathway. After I saw her figure going further and further away, I gestured for Vinter to get out of the car. When both Vinter and I stepped out we followed the older lady shortly after that. We still maintained our distance not giving her any chance to suspect that anyone was following her.

After a while of following the lady, we reached a place that looked like a village. The houses were built in rather a very unique style than we see in big cities. I won't say the houses were not properly constructed, they were just different than how they normally are built. It felt like we were in a completely new world, and surprisingly there was not even a single soul outside, though I can hear the TV, music, and chattering of people from inside the houses which show that people do live here.

We kept following the lady and that is when I saw a kid on the balcony of one of the houses playing with a flower vase. The vase was placed on the parapet of the balcony, and instead of pulling it inside the kid was pushing the vase outside. If that vase falls from there the old lady is gonna get heavily injured, looking at her age she might even die. No, I can't let her die now, if she dies I'll never be able to break my soulmate bond.

"He-hey lady! You'll get hurt! Get away from there!" I yelled. Maybe her hearing is weak cause she sure as hell didn't hear anything I said.

"Hey lady!" Vinter yelled too. But she again gave no response.

"Ah! Damn it!" I cursed as I dashed towards the lady.

"Dove! No!" I heard Vinter yell but I didn't stop.

The vase was about to fall, but I was able to push the old lady away on time.

Lucky for me that even I didn't get hurt. I mean the vase would have hit my head if I didn't move out of the way on time. I looked at the old lady who was staring at me in surprise.

"Are you okay, lady?" I asked. She gave me a small nod.
She looked like she was very surprised and scared.

A man came out of the house running with a worrisome facial expression. He looked at me and then at the old lady. Vinter also came rushing towards us as he hugged me almost immediately.

"You are an idiot, Dove," Vinter spoke as he hugged me tightly which made me chuckle.

"Are you okay?" I heard the man ask the old lady probably. Vinter didn't look like he was going to let go of me any time soon.

"Ye-yeah, I'm okay. Please check on the young girl. She might be hurt," the lady finally spoke. I heard the man's footsteps approaching us.

"Vinter, let go. I'm okay," I spoke.

"I promised Leviathan I would protect you. One of us has to be responsible, Dove," he said letting go of me. I sighed.

"Are you okay, miss?" The man asked. I nodded.

"Don't worry about it," I said.

"I didn't realize when my son went in the balcony-"

"That's what kids do, they are unpredictable. Don't worry about it, sir. I'm glad that everyone is okay."

"Please! Let me repay you three. You and the young man look like you are tourists, come on in. I'll serve you dinner as an apology," the man spoke. He gestured for the old lady to join as well. This looks like a good chance to create a bond with the lady. I'll accept this offer after refusing once, but I hope she accepts this offer as well.

"No! We don't want to bother you!" I said.

"Yeah..." Vinter said.

"No! I insist!" The man spoke.

"I don't think I'll be able to stay. I need to get back to my job soon," the old lady said. No! No! I need to stop her!

"Ma'am! Please! Stay... I'll feel good if you stay," the man spoke. Yes! Convince her!

"No, I-"

"Ma'am please!" I said giving her puppy eyes. She won't say no to her savior now, will she?

She stared at me for a moment contemplating whether to leave or stay. My bets are that she will stay, a person with self-respect says no to their savior's requests. That's what I've learned by observing people.

"Okay fine. But, not too long," she finally spoke. I did a bit of a victory dance in my head.

"You know how to turn a situation in your favor, don't you?" Vinter mumbled standing behind me. I smirked. To reach my goal I will do whatever it takes.

"My name is Elijah," the man introduced himself. He gestured for us to get inside his house. The three of us followed the man.

"Nice to meet you, Elijah. I'm Dove," I introduced myself.

"I'm Vinter," the annoying man behind me introduced himself. Though I'm still glad Vinter is here right now. He has been a help to me so far.

"I'm Gabriella," the old lady introduced herself.

"Vinter? The famous pop-star Vinter Harris?" Elijah asked. Vinter rubbed the back of his neck as he nervously chuckled.

"Yeah, Vinter Harris," he said. Elijah seemed shocked. He did not expect an infamous pop star to visit his house like this.

"Oh my God! Sir! I'm a big fan!" Elijah spoke excitedly as he shook Vinter's hands. Vinter chuckled, there was a light in his eyes I have never seen before. He sure loves his fans a lot.

"I'm glad to meet a fan on this trip," Vinter spoke.

"I can't believe Vinter Harris is standing in front of me and I didn't even recognize him. I mean I listen to your songs all day long— I see now! You are in disguise!" Elijah exclaimed. Elijah sure is a very energetic guy, kind of reminds me of Dylan.

"Sir! Can I have your autograph?" Elijah asked.

"Please call me Vinter, and sure I would love to give you my autograph," Vinter politely spoke. Elijah got a pen and paper for Vinter to sign on it.

I looked at Gabriella who was looking at everyone and everything with no interest. She doesn't look like she knows who Vinter is, not that I blame her. She doesn't exactly look like the type to have any social media or television. Also, she looks senile if I consider Bethany's words.

"We should eat dinner," Elijah said. Everyone agreed upon it.

~~

We all had nice chat over the dinner table. It was pretty lively with Vinter and Elijah's son. While Vinter told everyone stories about his celebrity life, Elijah's son kept us entertained with his antics. No one recognized me though which was a good thing. Looks like I'm not so famous in the outskirts of the city.

"We should leave now," I suggested as Vinter nodded.

"Yeah."

"Where will you guys go? You should stay here for the night," Elijah suggested. I got up from my seat.

"No! Thanks for the offer but we have somewhere to be actually, Elijah. We had a great time here though!" I said. Elijah smiled. Gabriella got up from her seat as well. We all went outside Elijah's house after that.

"I'll come by whenever I can. I had a great time here," Vinter spoke. Elijah nodded with a grin.

"You are welcome here anytime, Vinter."

Elijah's wife was out of town for a few days. His wife works while Elijah is the house-husband, it's actually kind of cute.

"See you then!" I waved at Elijah. As everyone bid goodbyes later. After Elijah went inside the house Gabriella turned to look at us.

"You two are soulmates, aren't you?" she spoke. I nodded.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"These old eyes can see things normal people cannot," she spoke with a poker face. She turned around and proceeded to walk ahead.

"I know you two have no place to go, if you like you can stay at my place till your trip is over. Take it as a payback for saving my life," she grumbled without looking at us. Not so grumpy towards the person who saved her life huh?

Does this mean I can pursue her into helping me break my soulmate bond? This plan doesn't look that impossible to me anymore.

♤♤♤

Sometimes it really is better to be dumb :)