I was sitting at the table alone drinking warm chocolate milk. Everyone has gone to bed but I just couldn’t find sleep.
“Couldn’t sleep?” I turned round to see mama standing at the kitchen door.
“No” she poured herself some chocolate milk and joined me. We sat in silence just staring at the stars.
“Nevaeh didn’t mean any of the things she said. She’s only upset”
“Why does she have to go. Why does any of us have to go to the beasts?”
“It’s how it’s always been. From the time of your great grand parents till now. We can’t change it”
“And so we have to accept abnormality as normal? It’s like you don’t even care you’re sending your daughter away”
“Don’t say that. Of course I care. I’ll do anything to stop it but I can’t. If we don’t send Nevaeh, the wrath of the beasts will be upon us. Upon the village. Do you want so many to die because we don’t want our daughter taken?”
“Why must Nevaeh be the savior?”
“Other families have sent their daughters too. If they decided to keep their daughters, we won’t be alive now”
I didn’t say anything. I won’t let them take my sister away without a fight.
“Every family that has a daughter expects this from when she’s born. My mother prepared me as the eldest daughter, Nevaeh has been told this…”
“Wait. She knew there was a chance she’ll be sent to the beasts even before the choosing?”
Mama nodded. “Yes. As the first twin. I talked to her about it but I hoped we would not be chosen”
“I’m not letting her go” I dropped my cup in the sink and climbed into bed. How will I get Nevaeh out of this mess.
My hair was brushed out of my face and I opened my eyes. Nevaeh was sitting by my bedside and I jumped up.
“Nevaeh?”
“I’m sorry for the hurtful things I said to you. I didn’t mean any of it. I don’t hate you and I’m sorry I sounded so selfish”
“No. I forgive you for everything you said”
“I was horrible to you” she cried and I hugged her.
“I forgive you. You don’t have to go to the beasts”
“You want to… you want to go”
“No. None of us will have to. I’ll find a way out for us”
“You promise?”
I nodded. “I promise” I didn’t know how I was going to make it work but I was going to do something.
“Want us to go to the bakery?”
“Yes” I squealed and jumped from the bed.
“Let me get dressed and we can go together”
“I’ll wait for you out front” I got into the bathroom and brushed. I took a quick shower and wore a blue gown that stopped above my knees.
Mama was in the kitchen. “I’m going to the bakery with Nevaeh and after that, I’ll stop by Edel’s place”
“Okay. Say hi to Edel for me and don’t stay out late”
“Okay mama” I called but I was already outside with Nevaeh. Our village was a small one and we could reach everywhere with legs so there really was no reason to drive around.
There was a small crowd outside Nevaeh’s shop. They probably wanted a taste of her goodies but unfortunately, they’ll be available later today.
“Guys. Guys. No pastries until 2” I announced and I heard groans but the people started moving away and the crowd thinned out until there was nobody there.
The new equipments we ordered had already been delivered and the workers were already working on the extension.
“I’m so happy I finally got the extension. It’s just sad that I won’t be able to enjoy it” her face fell.
“What? No. You’ll enjoy it. I’ll make sure of it. I promised remember” she nodded.
“Now give me that wide smile” she smiled brightly and I chuckled.
We spent the day fixing in the new equipment and moving some stuffs to the extension.
The front bell rang and I ran to check who it was.
“Paisley?” the girls shouted and I hugged them.
“Who is there?” Nevaeh called from the back.
“It’s Bellamy and Waverly” I shouted and I could hear her making her way to the front.
Bellamy and Waverly were twins. They were not identical like Nevaeh and I but they were our friends. Only they were two years older than us.
“Bellamy. Waverly” she hugged them.
“Sorry we are only just coming now. We had to drop off the children”
Yes. They were also married. They didn’t live in the village but they always visited.
“We heard about the choosing” Bellamy said.
“No. None of that. Today is for celebration and we will not spoil it with sad news” I said quickly. I tried so hard to cheer Nevaeh up and I didn’t want them to spoil my efforts.
“But…”
“No Bellamy. We have pastries to make and customers to keep happy”
“Okay then” and so they dropped the issue while we went into the kitchen to make pastries.
The rest of the morning was spent making cakes and doughnuts and putting them in the display case.
The customers were trooping in before 2. There were a lot of people to serve and even though Edel kept calling, I had to put him on silent.
There was no way I was going to leave Nevaeh and the girls.
After two hours, the customers had reduced a bit and I could leave now. I saw Edel’s text.
‘Meet me at the pink place’
“Nevaeh. I have to leave now. Edel has been calling”
“It’s fine. Most of the work is done anyways. You can take some for him” she pointed to the cupcakes still in the display and I nodded.
Edel loved everything Nevaeh made and I know he wished I could bake as well as she could. Too bad.
I grabbed the cupcakes and put them in the takeaway bag.
“Goodbye. I’ll be back before you close up” I shouted so she could hear me before making my way outside.
“Hey. Where are you going?” Waverly called after me. She was outside with her phone in her hand. Looks like she just finished taking a call.
“I have to see Edel” her face changed immediately. She didn’t like my fiancé. At first, I thought she needed to warm up with him but that didn’t happen.
Bellamy and Nevaeh didn’t like him at first but now, they liked him way too much. But it didn’t upset me or make me uncomfortable. I was happy to know that the man I loved and the most important people in my life got along so well. Well except for Waverly.
“I thought you’ll be spending the day with us”
“Yeah but he has been calling and I promised to see him today”
“And he can’t wait?”
“I’ll only be gone for an hour or two. I’ll be back before the shop is closed”
“Alright. I’ll see you later honey” she kissed my cheek.
“Bye. I’ll tell Edel you said hi” she snorted and I chuckled.
Waverly was not a people person and I think that is the reason she doesn’t like Edel but she respected my decisions and I and she didn’t call him names like she did with others.
I clutched the pastry bag tightly in my hand and made my way to the pink place to see my man.
The pink place was busy as usual. It was an upscale restraint owned by Edel's sister Rhea and she was a bitch.I searched for Edel and when my eyes found him, I smiled. He waved me over and I joined him at the table. I leaned in for a kiss. He tried to deepen it but I chuckled and pulled away. "You brought cupcakes?" His face lit up as I handed the small bag over to him."I did. Nevaeh asked me to give them to you""Ohhhh. That was sweet of her. I love her cupcakes""You're not allowed to bring food in here" Rhea's annoying voice said from behind me."Don't start Rhea" Edel grumbled."It's the rules""Then maybe we should leave""I'm not saying that" she muttered before leaving our table."I don't know why she likes to act like that every damned time" he said with a frown."You should ignore her""Tell me. What has your family said about the choosing" I looked around. We were at a public place. "I don't want to talk about it here""Come on Paisley. I'm dying to know. We can talk in
"Shit. Shit" I muttered under my breath as I grabbed my bags. I ran out of the room only to realize that I was barefoot. I dropped the bag and ran into the room searching for my shoes. I found them and grabbed them putting them on as I ran out again grabbing my bags."Be careful Paisley" my mother shouted at the same time I hit my foot on the chair."Fuck" I cursed."You have to be careful. You'll hurt yourself" Nevaeh said from the kitchen doorways as she watched me run around like a headless chicken."I'm late Nevaeh. I'm in so much trouble" I hurried for the door."Don't forget to Kamiko" she called out before I slammed the door shut. Shit. I forgot to call her yesterday. The call would have to wait until later today. Firstly, I needed to get to work.I couldn't run on my feet. I was already so late. I took a cab to the office."You're late" the receptionist Patricia said to me cocking her head to the side."I know. My alarm didn't work this morning""You'll have to explain to the
I closed the last folder and grabbed my bag. It was evening already and I was exhausted. Most of the staff had gone home already. The light in the boss’s office was still on so I knew he was still around.Patricia was still at her table and I felt pity for her. I wonder who put up the stupid rule that the receptionist had to be at her desk until the boss decides to leave.“I’m leaving Patricia” she yawned tiredly.“I wish that bastard will finish already. I’m tired” she grumbled lowly.“His light is still on. I don’t think he’s going anytime soon. Give him an excuse or something”“Excuses don’t work on him. I’ll have to wait. Goodbye love”“Goodbye Patricia” I waved at her and exited the office. I reached into my bag and dialed Kamiko’s number. She picked on the first ring.“I’ve been waiting for your call”“I’m sorry. I had a lot to do and there was no time”“I’m upset with you”“And I’m sorry babe. Let’s do dinner”“At the pink place?”“Where else?”“I hate seeing Rhea’s face”“We h
I woke up early today and it didn’t take me long to get ready. I had about thirty minutes before work officially started.I knocked on the Nevaeh’s door but she didn’t respond.“Nevaeh”“Coming” she shouted from inside. Her voice sounded much better so I felt at ease.She opened the door and I entered.“You didn’t open yesterday” I said in an accusing voice.“I’m sorry Paisley. I just… we have only four days until they come for me”“Stop talking about leaving Nevaeh. I’m going to see Silas today”“Promise me Paisley. That you’ll get me out of this”“I promise Nevaeh” I squeezed her hands. My phone rang and I reached into my bag.“Patricia. I’m awake and already on my way”“There’s no need for that” I frowned.“Why? Did I get fired”“No. The boss asked us not to come in today”“What? Are you serious?”“Yes. He said we should consider it an off day”“I can’t believe it”“What’s that?” Nevaeh asked. “The boss gave us an off day” her eyes widened.“I’ll talk to you later Paisley. I have
BRAYANS POV There was a loud banging on my room door. I opened my eyes and looked around. The girl on my bed was sleeping soundly. I frowned. I thought I asked her to leave. Now I'll have to change the sheets and the bed. "Brayan i know you're in there" mama shouted from the other side of the door. I pulled on my pants tossed on the floor and grabbed a shirt while I went to open the door. "Mama" "Brayan what the fuck is wrong with you. I've been knocking on your door. Is that? Is that a woman in there?" "Please don't start" "When are you going to stop doing all this. Your mate will be coming in four days. You have to stop sleeping around" I rolled my eyes. I didn't want a mate much less an arranged one. "A mate that I don't want" I pushed past her and walked down the hallway but she followed me. "You've not even met her" "I don't need to meet her to know I don't want her. How do you expect me to tie myself down to a woman that I don't even know" "She'll be here for a mon
Kamiko and I went to the mall. "What are you going to get?""I don't know. Anything""Don't be boring. Let's buy something sexy""We are not going to a club and Nevaeh will never wear something revealing" that was the definition of sexy. Wearing skimpy clothes that barely covered anything."We'll find you something... decent but sexy. Come on""Whatever" I grumbled and she pulled me to the clothes section."Try this" she thrust the clothes into my hand. I went to the dressing room and put the clothes on. It was a red backless gown stopping below my ass.It did look good but I would never wear something like that in public. I stepped out of the room so Kamiko could see it and I could take it off."Damn girl. You look fire" she complimented in a loud voice."It's too short" she rolled her eyes."Turn around and let me see you" I turned round while she made cheering noises."I love it. It suits you perfectly""Didn't you hear what I said? It's too short. If I bend over all my goods will
“No. No. She’ll never do that” I shook my head in disbelief. “She left a note. I found it in the wardrobe” She handed me a small paper but I refused to look at it. Nevaeh didn’t run away. She would have told me if she wanted to leave. We were together last night. She would have said something. “No” I ran out of the house with my phone in my hand. I called her phone but it wasn’t connecting. I was at the front of her shop waiting to see if she would come back. I decided to call Lucretia. “Hello. Lucretia how are you doing” I wiped the tears from my eyes. “Fine honey. How are you” “Good. Have you seen Nevaeh today?” “Yeah. Earlier today. She was in a hurry” fuck no. “Is something wrong?” “No” I said quickly. “Thank you Lucretia” I hung up quickly. I sat outside the shop for a long while. Mama kept calling but I ignored her calls. It was very late in the night when I went back home. The house was silent but mama was waiting at the kitchen. She ran over to me the moment she
The ride was so long. The two men at the front remained silent while I just stared out of the window. Outwardly, I was calm but inside, I was a mess.After the long drive, the driver stopped in front of a large mansion. They stepped down from the car while I wrung my hands nervously. "Take a deep breath" I said to myself. After a long inhale, i exhale and step down from the car. One of the men was already moving my luggage into the house. I expected the beast and his family to step out any moment from now but I didn't see anyone.Instead, a girl who looked younger than I did came rushing out. "A pleasure to have you here. I'm Rivka" she smiled warmly."I'm Paisley" I said before remembering I was supposed to act as Nevaeh but it was already too late."You have a beautiful name. Please come with me" she took my hands and led me inside the beautiful mansion. Everything in the house looked beautiful and expensive. From the flooring to the chairs and even the light bulb. The beasts live