Chapter 269 - El Sandrios

Suyin looked at the blonde woman warily, her hands reached for the poisonous dagger inside her knee-length boots.

Before coming here she had transformed herself completely. There's no way someone could recognize her in this avatar. 

She had shaved her long hair, supporting a bald head. The spiked shoes, multiple piercings, and the hideous dragon tattoo peeking from the collar of her black shirt ending on her cheek made her look like the type of person parents advise their kids to stay away from.

Her overcoat and trousers were baggy to hide her voluminous b.r.e.a.s.t and feminine figure. She had ditched her contacts, replacing them with the geekiest and widest glasses found on the shelf. Her lips chapped. Her natural complexion covered under dark shade of foundation, and her eyes baggy. Well.... the bags under were natural. Curtsey sleeplessness. 

When you are sneaking inside a country that belongs to your enemy and with no doc.u.ments, you get to change your looks. 

"I'm sure you don't need that." The woman said pausing in her steps. "Whatever that thing is in your boots. You don't have to use it on me. I'm harmless."

Suyin curled her fingers around the dagger, not trusting the woman who had look through her facade.

The woman smiled, "You have his eyes and features. How can I not recognize you? He had once shown me a picture of his kids."

"Ma Roma?" 

"It is," Suyin withdrew her hand from the dagger, scooting uncomfortably as the woman joined her on the floor. "Sorry we couldn't meet before. I was busy with the crew."

The ship Suyin was using as a medium to cross the border belongs to this blonde woman and her four sons. It was her eldest son who had received Suyin while boarding it. 

Zhao Shu was somehow acquainted with Ma Roma and asked her to help Suyin cross the border. To him, the woman was trustworthy and can prove to be a great asset at the time of need. Though Suyin doesn't know how this woman can help her?

"We are about to reach. My son will help you in the city--"

"No need. I'll manage."

"You can't young lady. Trust me. Though I don't know what reason you have to enter El Sandrios secretly, you must know the country is anything but safe. There's a constant clash between militias for the power over the country."

(El Sandrios is the name of the fictional country I created)

As if Suyin doesn't know. Since El Sandrios' independence in 2005, the country is in chaos because of two militia groups headed by different leaders (who took part in the independence movement) seeking control over the nation. 

Instead of getting a bright future after overthrowing and killing its oppressive dictator, the country's situation turned worse after independence in the absence of an organized military and government. 

But who cares? Suyin had no interest in this politics but only care about the man named Alpha running a secret organ trafficking racket from there. Let's leave politics to the politicians.

"No need to be concerned. You are not my mother."

"I'm not. But had something happened to you in my presence, I won't be able to face Shu."

"Shu? I beg your pardon."

"Shu." Ma Roma said, "And yes, I like your father. That's why I agreed to help you."

Suyin stared at the woman long and hard. She was wearing old military trousers, the one with holes in the knee. Matching it with a green shirt and boots. Coupled it with a black leather jacket and an army pouch at her waist, made her look like she's prepared for emergency combat.

"You have guts to admit it on my face. Beware, I won't be a good stepdaughter if you have any long-term plans." 

That made Ma Roma smile, "Ah, I know how to fix brats. Besides, I always wanted a daughter. Sadly, your dad had long rejected me." It was Suyin's turn to smile, "Ah, you smile. And it's a beautiful one at that."

Suyin thought to change the subject, "Is my disguise that bad you recognized me in a single glance?"

"No. I recognized you the way you were looking at that picture. Your eyes, only a woman can carry this love." Ma Roma pointed at the picture, "Your son?"

Suyin nodded. 

"Cute. I won't ask why you left him behind and is now heading for a dangerous country, but for his sake, let my son accompany you. We are the people of El Sandrios, and know the country like the back of our hand. It will be helpful to you."

Suyin squinted her eyes, "What's the catch? Why are you so eager to jump in between an ongoing civil war and help me? Don't tell me you are a saint, willing to sacrifice your son for a stranger. And it's definitely not just because of my father. Come to the point." She had doubts from the beginning when Ma Roma didn't take a second extra to help Suyin cross the border and that too without asking anything in return.

Her doubts confirmed when Ma Roma pursed her lips, breaking the eye contact. 

"Just tell her." Suyin's head snapped from where the voice came. A man was standing facing the ocean. His face wasn't visible to her eyes because of the darkness. From how long he wasn't standing there? She didn't even notice.

"T-They have my youngest son in captivity. We have inquired about you, you are a prominent figure in your country, have connections with United Nations Human Rights Council, and many other people in power across the world. This visit of your can't be a simple one, otherwise, you won't be going there secretly with no doc.u.ments."

"Oh, so you people want to use me to find your son." Suyin again reached for the dagger, "What if I say no?"

"With you or without you. I'm still going there." The man answered, gave a hand to his mother, "We have acc.u.mulated enough money to search for my brother again. If failed, we will again start from scratch, save money, and go for the seventeenth time. And trust me, it's a win-win for us. Your avatar won't be able to keep you alive in that chaos. You need help."

Ma Roma glanced at Suyin. Suyin knew she wanted to say something, but decided against it. 

This would be their sixteenth attempt to search for her lost son!

"There's no guarantee I will be able to locate your son or be helpful in any way," Suyin said, "Besides, I'm a selfish person. I won't stay there for another second after the completion of my mission."

"We are ready." Ma Roma grabbed Suyin's hand. "With your help, we can broaden our search. At this crucial time, any news of my son would be enough for me. Just any news."

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