Chapter 80
(Author’s POV)
Elio was happily excited like a chirping bird where as his brothers were being a pair of angry birds. They were fuming inside looking at Elio’s cufflinks.
Dion was irritated as he thought, ’Are these gifts for adults or for some four year old children, huhhh? It’s not that I don’t like it but, why are all these same? She’s treating us like toddlers p>
Alaric was repressing his vexation as well, ’She even bought matching sets for all of us. At this rate, I can tell what Brave’s gift will be. Should I be happy or angry p>
Nora laughed seeing Elio’s cufflinks, she light heartedly commented, “You bought all of them the same pair of cufflinks, just the color of the gemstone is according to their eye. Brothers, I suggest you all should wear it together on a fine occasion. It will look like a theme or maybe it can start a new trend, ummhmm, what’s say? “
Elio eyebrows creased at his sister’s words, and then he looked at Dion’s wrist. The excitement in his eyes sank in a flash and turned into despair as soon as he saw Dion’s cufflinks.
Myra wasn’t the least bit embarrassed listening to Nora’s joke. After all she intentionally bought them. They tried to prank her with some childish stuff, so it was sort of a revenge.
Elio licked his lips and sighed, then he handed Myra an ordinary paper bag. “This is from me p>
Myra was somewhat relieved to see the normalcy of that bag, at least someone from the Everests knew how to be modest in gifting something, but she didn’t get her hopes high. After all, Elio too was an Everests. Inside the paper bag was a simple pale white cashmere woolen scarf. The texture of the scarf was smooth and warm, perfect for the upcoming winters.
Elio said sheepishly, “It’s just a small apology present from my side. Hope you wear it, well. I heard the winters in Damona are harsh, so use it then.” He purposely didn’t mention that it was a custom made piece from Alana.
Myra crinkled a bit seeing his gift and listening to him. She was truly moved by Elio’s thoughtfulness, his gift had a more personal touch than any others. Myra thanked him from the bottom of her heart, “It’s truly gorgeous. I like it very much, thank you Elio p>
Alaric and Dion’s face turned all the more unpleasant looking at their interaction. It burned into their vision, ’She called him by his name and even her eyes were smiling looking at the scarf.’ They really lost this round to Elio.
Oblivious to the brothers inner turmoil, Myra said to Nora, “And this one’s for you.” She handed Nora a silver box and looked at her with expectation, waiting for her reaction.
Nora hurriedly unfastened the wrapping and her eyes immediately turned watery.
Myra asked clearing her throat, “Do you remember these p>
It was a pair of personalized gold friendship bracelets with their names written neatly on it. Nora with her eyes rimmed, spoke with a lump in her throat, “How can I forget these p>
All the people were flabbergasted looking at Nora getting emotional, so Sara asked, feeling concerned, “What are these? Why are you crying p>
Nora with a hoarse tone explained her reaction, “Mom, when we were seventeen, one day we both were passing by a jewelry store who used to sell personalized products. There was this shiny and golden pair of bracelet with names written on it. I had my eyes set on them and I wanted to buy it, but neither of us couldn’t afford it at that time. So, Myra promised me to gift the bracelet on my twentieth birthday. But Myra, where did you even find these? As far as I know, they are off market p>
Myra scratched the back of her forehead, with an embarrassing look she said, “Ummm, I bought it and have it customized at that time p>
Nora was taken aback, “You bought it at that time? They were quite expensive, how did you~?” her voice was loud and the surprise in it was for everyone to see.
Myra pressed her lips, not wanting to answer in front of everyone. She whispered in Nora’s ears, “I bought it with the money that I received from my scholarship. After all, I really wanted to give you these as a memento p>
Before Nora could react even more dramatically, Myra calmed her down, she teased her, “Okay, okay. I know you are touched and all but don’t show your runny nose face in front of everyone. It’s embarrassing p>
Nora laughed at her words while small droplets of unshed tears were finally flowing from her eyes.
Sara’s clap bringing everyone back to reality, “Now that we are finished with the gifts, let’s in dig in.” With that the omega’s started serving them the delectable looking platters, most of which were made according to Myra’s preferences as she was the star of the evening. The group enjoyed and laughed while having their meals. Half through the dinner Sara remembered, she mind linked Alaric, “Al, you said Brave was on his way? Why is he not here yet? He is not even answering to my mind links p>
Alaric too recalled and looked at the time, ’He should have been here by now.’ So, he immediately got up, went to some distance and tried to mind link him but as Sara told him, Brave was not responding to the mind linking. That made Alaric tensed, he tried to reach out again and again, but there was no answer whatsoever. That got him perturbed even more. He took out his phone from his pocket and dialed Brave’s number; an automated generated voice greeted him, “The number you have dialed is busy or out of coverage area, please try again later *beep, beep, beep* *cut p>
Alaric clenched the phone tightly, the unsettling feeling in his heart only deepened. The rain from earlier has slowed down quite a bit into a light drizzle. But it was still persistent enough, “He sounded fine when he left the office. Did something happen to Brave on his way home?
In a desperate attempt, Alaric once again called out, “Brave, Brave, are you there? Answer me right now, BRAVE EVERESTS.” But no matter how authoritative or loud his calling was, Brave’s answer still did not come.” He said to Alex, “Trace him”. Alex did just as he told and started tracing Brave’s scent.
Without wasting any more time, he returned to the table and said, “I need to go to the office for some urgent work. Brave has returned to the company too.” And then he left, with hurried footsteps.
Seeing Alaric’s hastiness, Noah mind linked, “What urgent work does need your attention right now? Did something happen p>
Alaric didn’t have much time, so he briefly explained, “Brave is not answering to the mind link as well as any of my calls. His phone is unreachable at the moment. I will go get him p>
Noah understood his meaning and didn’t stop him or asked any more questions. Sara too was uneasy seeing Alaric’s departure, but before see could get up and go after him, Noah intervened, “The contract with the South Paw’s Clan has faced some problem. So, he has gone to resolve it. Don’t worry, after dinner I will ask him for the update p>
Sara was not fully convinced by her husband’s explanation but she did not try to leave the dinner mid-way.
Alaric quickly got into his Maybach and zoomed off to search for Brave.
The dinner finished in no time and after finishing their desert, Nora, as promised, took Myra for a walk.
Myra asked, looking at the direction they were heading to, “Where are you taking me? You said we were going to the lake p>
“It is still drizzling outside, so I am taking you from another route. We can reach there from the other side of the greenhouse” Nora told her.
Myra looked at her surroundings; the place was a heaven in itself for a plant lovers. After walking for a few minutes, they reached a garden of roses which was filled with different colors. Shades of white, pink, orange, yellow, red and even blue roses were adorning the beauty of the picturesque garden, astonishing her. The pathway was decorated with lush green vines with deep red and Persian rose hanging from them, adding to the grandeur of the place.
At the end of the garden, a small white painted wooden gate covered with yellow thorn less roses could be seen. On passing it, they reached the other side of the lake. “Here we are p>
“Your place is like a maze” Myra commented. “One can easily get lost p>
Myra sat near the rocky edge of the lake, which was protected by the uncovered wooden shed.
Nora fidgeted with her hands as she settled beside Myra all nervous. Myra being unaware of Nora’s anxiety was enjoying the slightly cold wind that was blowing and reaching her face with her eyes closed.
Nora started, “Ra-ra, here you go, your present p>
Myra opened her eyes and looked at the tiny gold box. She took it from Nora’s hand and unlocked it at once. She found a gold and pearl infinity design pendant inside with a small hand written note. She read, “For my soulmate, who I cherish the most p>
A lump formed in Myra’s throat as she chewed on her lower lip to refrain her from crying.
Nora continued, “Ra-ra, you know I treasure you the most in this world and can do anything for you p>
Myra was silent all along listening to Nora, the latter further added, “I have something very important to tell you. I have been suppressing this secret for a while~” Nora’s words were cut off by a grunting sound.
The girls became alert at once. Myra was horrified by the sheer voice, her voice trembled, “What was that? Did you hear it too p>
Nora observed their surroundings but couldn’t trace the source of the painful voice. She alerted her brothers, ’Brothers, there’s a problem. Come fast p>
To Be Continued…….