Blessed by Night

Chapter 22: Fated Meeting

For two entire hours, Malachi was beaten like a toddler's drum set.

Due to his enhanced physique and healing factor, no bruises were left behind but the mental scars were more than enough of a reminder.

He still had no idea what he'd done to piss Rose off so bad but he made a silent vow to never do it again.

As the fight went on, much to the surprise of the girls watching Mal showed gradual improvement.

He'd slowly learned to defend her blows and counterattack with his own.

While his skill was not prodigal or masterful, it was impressive for a beginner and worth praise.

Malachi lay on the floor breathing hard and holding his ribs after Rose launched a devastating kick to his side.

"Can I ask.. huff huff.. why does it feel like you hate me?"

Seeing him play dumb made Rose even angrier and she prepared to strike him again in the face only to be surprised when she gave him an honest answer instead.

"You think you can pretend to flirt with me so that I'll take it easy on you? I'll make your training a living hell!"

"…Excuse me?" Malachi stared at Rose in complete shock. "When did I do that?"

"When I punched you in the face and you acted like you were so interested!!"

'Why am I telling him this? I can't stop myself!' Rose was screaming at herself internally.

Malachi slowly picked himself up off the ground and looked Rose directly in the eye.

"I wasn't flirting with you. I do think you're beautiful but I was sincerely interested in the punch you threw. I don't know where the misunderstanding came from but I hope we can be friends."

Even though Mal's eyes were hidden behind dark sunglasses, that did not stop Rose from noting the seriousness in his gaze.

"Y-you think I'm.. beautiful and cool?" She hesitantly asked to confirm.

No one in the guild or even in her life had ever told her she was cool or even beautiful.

Scary? Yes.

Brutal? Also yes.

But she'd never been complimented as sincerely as she was now!

She was already twenty eight and she'd never had a boyfriend!

"Yea. You actually seem kind of nice when you're not trying to take my head off." Malachi responded without much thought.

"O-oh I'm sorry about that.."

"Don't worry about it just take care of me in the future alright teach?" Malachi gave her a warm smile and once again held out his hand for a handshake.

Rose stared at that captivating smile and outstretched hand for what felt like an eternity before she hurriedly turn around and ran out of the training room. "Training over great first day see you tomorrow!"

With that she was gone leaving Mal scratching the back of his head in confusion. "I thought we were getting along better but was I mistaken?"

Luna and Aisha suddenly approached Malachi from their spot on the wall and he was immediately reminded that there was another woman who wanted to kill him earlier.

"You bastard! You got another girlfriend and didn't tell me?!" Aisha roared.

The subject of the woman who was now his put a giddy smile on Mal's face that only served to infuriate her even more.

"I was gonna tell you eventually. I just kind of forgot since it still doesn't feel real."

"This is Serana's mother right?" Aisha asked while looking at the picture again.

'M-mother?!' Luna's entire world trembled with just those simple words.

"Yea.." Mal's voice was so delirious it was as if the mere mention of her was enough to put him under a spell.

Aisha nodded, seemingly satisfied that her deduction was correct and with his choice of partner.

"W-wait Malachi!" Luna suddenly intervened. "How old is this woman?"

"She'll be 38 in the spring. Oh! That reminds me I should start thinking of birthday plans for her."

"Maybe you could take her on a trip?" Aisha suggested.

"That's good but where would we go?"

As she listened to Malachi and Aisha plan for this woman who was about the same age as her, Luna felt like she was going insane.

"Mal you.. like older women?"

"Loves them." Aisha responded dryly.

"It's an addiction really." Mal confirmed without an ounce of shame.

'Then does that mean I… No what am I thinking I'm his boss!' Luna stuffed her impure thoughts down almost as quickly as they formed.

Mal's phone suddenly vibrated and he smiled when he saw that it was a text from Sei asking him to come to the restaurant.

He hurriedly changed out of his sweats and put on normal attire before bidding the two women farewell and running out of the building.

On the way to the parking lot he ran into Bianca who scowled at him and yelled something about not giving up before she turned around and ran off.

'I didn't think Serana had so many followers, seems like a lot of people saw that picture."

At the time Malachi was still unaware of his new fame and didn't think that the picture spread so far simply because he was tagged in it.

-

Arriving at the restaurant, Malachi could see that it was busy but not quite as bad as yesterday.

Word seemed to have gotten around about how good the food served was and now Sei had herself a number of new regulars.

Sei was waiting for him outside when he pulled up and he happily hoped out the car and embraced her.

"I missed you.."She shyly returned his hug and hoped that Serana wasn't hiding somewhere taking pictures again.

"I missed you too." Malachi planted a kiss on her forehead and Sei's face became as red as her underwear.

Deciding to focus before she fainted, she led him inside so she could talk about why she called him here.

In the corner of the restaurant there was a man sitting down holding a large briefcase in his lap.

"That man showed up looking for you about an hour ago and begged me to call you. I thought about kicking him out but he looks so…desperate." Sei explained.

Malachi looked at the man seated and was able to confirm that the man did have an aura of desperation and hopelessness, not only that but he could hear his heart beating rapidly as if he was incredibly nervous.

Malachi sent Sei away and walked forward to meet the man.

When the man's eyes landed on him they flashed with hope and he stood up and offered his hand.

Mal didn't know at the time that what this man wanted from him would change his mentality about life going forward and make him the most powerful blessed in the world.