2 The Start Of My Love Life (Almost)

The first day of the new year, my favourite day No.6, new year resolutions, new starts, and the most important of all, the only day when my mother dearest doesn't remind me that I don't have a soulmate, yet.

'This is going to be a good day or, so I thought...'

"Elena, Elena are you listening to me?" asked my dear mum, finding me stuck to my cell phone, yet again.

"Yes, Mother,"

"Did you hear what I just said?"

"Umm... something about the ball last night."

"Yes, did you see Mrs Winterbottom's eldest daughter, last night? She declared her soulmate; the youngest son of the Woods family, they are said to be a quite powerful family, among the vampires. You know, she is just about your age, and look at her, you should have seen her mother last night, she was so proud of her daughter. I couldn't help but feel jealous"

'The cursed, annual ball. where every year, without fail couples declare themselves mated.'

"Awww, come on!

"Jealous? What are you jealous of? In case you forgot, we are more influential than the Woods and Winterbottom's, combined."

"Yes, but both my daughters are mateless."

"Mateless is not a word mother, besides, I'm only 19. So you should worry about Layla, as she is older than me by 4 years, and yet you only nag-- I mean to remind me of my 'mateless status'."

"Layla has a boyfriend, while you do not."

"Come on, Mother, it's the first day of the new year. Please let me be, today".

"Fine, fine don't listen to your mother. I won't say anything, anymore."

'Yes, you will.'

I inwardly reminded myself.

"Thank you, Mum."

"Now finish your breakfast, we have to go."

"Go? Where?"

"To the modiste, both your sisters need new dresses."

"For what?"

"The engagement parties, bridal showers, weddings and whatnot. It's already the wedding season if we don't hurry all the designers will be booked, and you know most matches are made at weddings, maybe one of you will get lucky this year."

"Only one? Why don't you wish for us both?"

"Well I don't want to tempt fate"

"Whatever you say, Mother"

There were bustling throngs of people, at the Winterbottom-Wood engagement party. The white marble tiled hall was decorated with fairy lights, and little white blossoms, which no doubt, were created by a mage; and a good one at that. As I entered the hall with my family, Mr and Mrs Winterbottom greeted us.

" Good evening, Mr & Mrs White. How good it is to see you and your family, please come on in."

After meeting and greeting just about everyone. I quickly found my way towards my friends, Chloe and Ashley. Who like most things shared my mateless status, while Layla found her sugarplum\boyfriend, Michael. I spotted my friends near the white stone pillars at the corner of the hall. Unlike me, Ashley was a vampire and Chloe a wolf shifter. The three of us have been best friends since preschool.

"Someone is here to catch some fresh mate/bait," said Chloe, as she spotted me in my pink satin and lace gown embellished with little rhinestones, and pearls.

"Don't mock me, Mum worked hard turning me into a freaking barbie, despite my unnaturally long dark brown hair and you both look pretty much the same as me."

"My my, the things we do for family," said Ashley, dressed in an olive green lace gown that complemented her red hair. standing next to Chloe who wore a white net gown matching her platinum blonde hair.

"You mean mothers," corrected Chloe.

"Well looking at you both, I feel reassured."

"Reassured? Of what?" asked Ashley.

"Misery loves company," we all burst out laughing, earning ourselves not one but many wells deserved judgy gazes, so to escape our predicament, and our respective mothers' rebuke, we retreated further into the corner for our most stimulating debate on whose mother knows best, and that's when I saw HIM.

Little did I know at the moment that my life was about to change, CATASTROPHICALLY.

***************************

As far as attractive men were concerned, he could rule them all with his tall build and muscular physique, which was clearly discernible in the black suit he wore.

"Elena. Dear, you are drooling," chided Chloe.

"Hmm."

"Elena."

"Hmm?"

Then Ashley's words broke my stupor.

"OH MY GOD!! IS HE YOUR SOULMATE?!!"

'And here goes my beauty buzz.'

"No, he's not! But look at him, with his black hair and grey eyes, it's as if Adonis is his biological father."

"Seriously, woman! Stop with the drooling, and quit staring. He might notice your lecherous gaze," rebuked Ashley.

"I want him to notice my lecherous gaze," I replied, still admiring him from afar.

"What?!!" Chloe and Ashley simultaneously exclaimed.

"I mean look at him, I think I'm in love," I declared dreamily.

"You mean in lust, right? Your eyes are glazed, I'm getting worried now," pointed Chloe.

''Are you sure he is not your mate? I mean celestials, mages, humans and any non-predatory race don't always feel the pull as intensely as shifters and vampires do''.

''I think I would know if 'Dear Miss Destiny' decided to bless me, but you know despite that, I am not as inclined as everyone to find a mate. I think I would be very happy if one day, I simply fell in love with someone of my own volition.''

''Come on now you're just saying that," said Ashley.

''No, I am not! I have seen couples who don't know a single thing about each other, mated, without even stopping to consider, whether they are suitable for each other or not, and we all know not all mated couples experience the promised happily ever after.''

''Yeah, but come on, all relationships need work,'' pointed Ashley.

''You are right, but when the carrot known as the predestined mated aka the one made for you is dangled, people often forget that the stick is known as incompatibility also exists in this world.''

''So you are saying, you would reject your mate if you didn't like him,'' asked Chloe.

"Definitely.''

''But you won't dislike him once you feel the pull of the bond. Fate is not something you can defy. You can't ignore something like this," pointed Ashley.

"Maybe....."

As the festivities came to an end, we said our goodbyes and sat in our car.

Predictably, mother started prattling about the 'blessed bride to be' as if to shame both me and Layla. I inwardly sighed as I awaited her upcoming interrogation.

"So, did you find him?" asked Mother, with glittering eyes, as we arrived home.

"Find whom?"

"Your soulmate," mother continued.

'Curse my luck.'

"No, Mother. I did not."

My mother was one of the very few people, who could wear disappointment like a designer gown, with diamond earrings.

"Mother, I need a torch."

"A torch? What for?" Asked my mother, confused at my request. "I am going to find my mate for you, with the help of the brightest torch that can be found in our home. Wish me luck, Mother." My reply earned quite a few chuckles from Dad and Layla. Whereas, Mother replied, as she was barely holding onto the reins of her sanity,

"Dear God! Reward me, for my forbearance. This girl will drive me crazy."

"Come on, Mum. You know I love you, but some things are not be rushed. Finding the love of my life is one of those things."

"I know. I just wish that you had someone like I have your father, or how Layla has boyfriend, what was his name again?'' asked Mum, wanting to tease Layla.

I decided to lend her my support, ''Malcolm.''

''It's Michael,'' replied Layla irately rolling her eyes at us.

''Come on ladies it's been an eventful day and a long night you need rest, cause, God knows I do,"

"Good night, Dad. Mom.'' Both Layla and I said as we ascended the stairs to the second floor where our rooms were located.

When I laid down on my bed, I couldn't help but think about the guy, I saw today.

''I wonder what his name is?''

``