Chapter 30

3 Months Later

Rani groaned when her phone's alarm clock rang insistently to make her get up. Rubbing her temples, she had to mentally note to herself to buy an analog alarm clock so that she could save the battery in her phone. "You are THAT persistent," she muttered to herself before shutting the alarm before it could give her a headache.

Giving herself a stretch and cracking a few joints, Rani was ready for the day. She still couldn't believed that she had found herself a job at the zoo, even without any requirements of core subjects. She never knew time would flew by so quick with a blink of an eye.

The young woman let out a soft eye. A lot had happened ever since she met the Bad- Good Guys. Some of them have already found a new job that was on the right side of the law rather than what they were used to before. Of course, they were still themselves... just doing things right.

"Is it morning already?" a voice from behind asked in a grumbling tone. Rani smiled, turning to the groggy figure that sat up on the bed. Mr. Snake flickered his tongue out, flashing her a lazy smile. "Yep, and we both better get to work. You have to fit yourself into a box, right?"

"An eight litre water bottle with a tiny hole for air," he corrected her, stretching his entire length out. The both of them shared a soft kiss, both of them wanting more than that. However, Mr. Snake stopped her with a breathy tone while his body was getting hot, "Go before I steal you away." Rani entered the bathroom but before closing the door, she glanced behind, wondering if-

"Don't worry. I'll make the breakfast while you get ready," he assured her as he was putting on his shirt. "Besides, I want to see the kids before I leave with Wolf. Although, I can join ya for tonight~"

Rani giggled, thinking how sweet it was to called the rescued snakes at the zoo and Sol as their kids. She had settled into her new role after three months at the zoo along with training at the gym and hanging out with the gang.

Life really was like a box of chocolates: never knowing what she'll get.

During those months, she had been receiving calls from unknown numbers. Rani only blocked them since not once had any of those numbers messaged her. While adjusting to her new life, she would lie if she had said that she doesn't missed her family.

Everyone except her mother for that matter.

After a good shower, Rani got herself ready for work, where she had her uniform and a belt around her waist. This time, she had a sheath she could placed her blade in. Mr. Snake had been giving her some knife lessons during the night. Whether it was the blade he gave her or be versatile with every kitchen tools.

"Mmm, is that banana pancakes I detect?" Rani sauntered into the kitchen, helping out with the dishes. The Eastern brown snake chuckled, his tail was holding both the frying pan and spatula. "Sure is, sugar dumpling. Don't forget that I made some eggs."

While the both of them were having breakfast, Rani's phone buzzed, wondering if it was a message from either Ms. Tarantula or Chief Luggins. She frowned when she read the message that was sent to her, causing her stomach to form a knot that made her lose her appetite. It's been months but Rani does not think that she's ready to meet her family just yet!

"Something wrong, Rani?" Mr. Snake had slithered behind her, coiling himself around her waist. The young woman showed him the message from her phone, her hand was getting clammy from holding her electronic device. The Eastern brown snake read the message before he sighed, "They can't leave you alone, huh? Do you want Webs to block them?"

Rani shook her head, holding him for comfort. "No, Hubert. I might give this a chance since I'll be prepared. Sure it's just my sister, Mira and my father but you'll never know. I might answer them later today. Shall we?"

Mr. Snake smirked, knowing that there's so much to do. After breakfast, the both of them made their way to the bus stop. The said serpent was wearing his disguise for his mission, where he will rendezvous with Mr. Wolf at the zoo.

When they reached the zoo, the both of them made their way to the reptile house where their attention zoomed to a particular enclosure just off the side of the entrance. It was none other than Sol, who was peeking out of her little den.

Picking her up, Rani cradled the baby corn snake in her arms. Sol flickered out her tongue, which tickled her fingers. "Morning, sweetie. Have you had breakfast yet?" Mr. Snake approached from behind, giving Sol a flickered tongue as a greeting.

"Hey there, squirt," Mr. Snake smiled, letting the corn snake coil herself around his neck. Rani took out her phone to silently take a photo of her lover nuzzling Sol affectionately. "How's Daddy's little girl?"

It was clear that if the three of them were together, they would be like an odd family. Sol was the best part of their day, taking their time to cherish the moment before starting work. Rani would always check on the snakes at the reptile house before her daily tasks of planning for upcoming events, discussing with other keepers and study more about the different types of animals.

Because that last part was a big help in helping Mr. Snake with his mission via text messages.

Whatever it was, at least being part of the zoo gave her some perks to access to areas that were off-limits to guests and lunch at the cafeteria. Who knew that food at the zoo's cafeteria could taste so good?

"Speak of the devil, he's here," Mr. Snake gestured to a familiar car. Rani waved when Mr. Wolf rolled down his window. She knew that he had to go on this mission but a part of her feared for his life. Ever since the stalker incident, training from both the gym and private lessons from Mr. Snake had prep Rani for any danger.

The young woman cupped his cheek, letting her touch linger for a bit before they parted with a kiss. "Be careful, danger noodle."

"I will, sugar dumpling."

...

It took her the whole day to finally make a decision to meet up with her father and sister. However, she won't be alone as accompanying her were the former Bad Guys. Too bad the police chief was busy, or else she would've joined their stakeout.

Operation: Family Meeting.

"This looks fancy," Mr. Shark whistled as they stopped at the restaurant. It was called Dancing Fish, a Malay-Indo restaurant that served authentic dishes from the archipelago. Rani was skeptical because there were some restaurants that do not promised anything authentic, just for the food to look and sound exotic.

"Aww, I thought they'd be other dancing fishes," Mr. Piranha pouted as they entered the establishment. Of course, the customers paused their conversations to stared at them except a single hand that was waving at them. Reluctantly, Rani walked forward, feeling Mr. Snake holding her right hand while Mr. Wolf held her back, steadying her steps.

"You okay?" Mr. Snake hissed his question in a whisper. Rani only nodded, unable to formed words out of her mouth the more they approached the table that contained a man with a wheelchair by his side and a young, tall woman that was sporting a short pixie bob hairstyle. It felt awkward, since Rani had not seen her sister for two years while her father for four years.

The rest of the former Bad Guys sat down, with Mr. Shark and Mr. Piranha exchanging nervous glances at each other. Mr. Snake and Rani were confused until it dawned on Rani what was happening. She immediately whispered into Mr. Snake's ear hole, causing the Eastern brown snake to let out a mischievous grin.

"You're thinking what I'm thinking?" Rani whispered excitedly. Mr. Snake flickered his tongue out. "Hook, line, sinker, baby. Saltwater and freshwater."

"Rani," the old man breathed, looking up with a small smile. "My dear Rani. You've grown."

Rani scoffed before greeting her father by kissing his hand and then nodding at her sister's direction.. "I stopped growing when I was twenty, Papa. So, where's Mama? Don't try to do anything since I'm armed. Mira, still quiet as always."

But her father assured her, gesturing her to sit down. She was surprised when both him and "Your mother doesn't know that Mira and I planned to see you before she finds out. We wanted to know how have you been and we saw the event at the gala. I want to say that I'm sorry for not being a better father to you or your siblings. You don't have to forgive me but let me compensate my guilt by giving you money that can help pay your bills and rent. It's the least I could do."

This made Rani stiffened, unable to comprehend that her own father and sister would watch the gala live on television. However, she composed herself as she introduced her father and sister to her newfound friends. Of course, her father's expression shifted from humorous to serious. Mr. Snake arched a brow at him. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Since I have an outlaw for an in-law, have you and my daughter...you know..."

"Papa! I don't think that's appropriate to ask!" Rani was horrified at what her father was implying. Both her and Mr. Snake blushed, unsure if they should tell the truth. Because the said question got the entire table intrigued.

"I know you two are close but are you THAT close?"

"Did you really do it?"

"Chica, are you carrying anything inside-"

"Enough, guys," Rani laughed, red in the face. "Can we turn our attention to how Mr. Shark and Mr. Piranha are giving my sister googly eyes?"

Immediately, the whole table targeted both of the aquatic members of the group. Rani and Mr. Snake fist-bumped each other as the chaos played out. Rani leaned close into his earhole and whispered, "How long until we stop them?"

"Eh, give them a few minutes. Wanna have some dessert afterwards?"

Rani flashed him a sultry smile. "You're going to give me a banana split?"

"Oh, I'll give ya a banana split. Only if you have two of my Push Pops, sweetheart," he drawled out the last sentence. He placed his tail under her chin to tilt her head up. While the others were distracted, the both of them closed off the space between them with a kiss.

Oh yes, tonight was going to be a looooooong night~

Well, that's the end of this story. I'm having mixed feelings where one part of me is happy that it's done but another part of me wished that there's more. I want to thank all of you for following me through this journey and reading this story. It warms my heart that you like the story and how Mr. Snake gets someone who loves him.

But don't worry! I'll see if there's a movie sequel and maybe I might get back into it. For now, I want to focus on a oneshot lemon I have in mind between Rani and Snake so stay tune!

Thank you so much!