Chapter fifteen : Everly

I woke up at eight, with my competition scheduled for at eleven, I still had some time. So without waiting any further, I rushed to the bathroom to get ready.

At nine-thirty I was all ready to leave, with my bags packed and everything ready. But one thing still bugged me, there was no way I would ever be able to pay him back. He'd done so much for me but I... Never mind I'll get something for him I got back. I took one look at myself and then I was out.

As I walked my way down the hall, I heard Lucifer's voice. Reaching the living room I saw him pacing around. He was in a pair of charcoal grey slacks that fit perfectly on his long let and a crisp white shirt that moved with his muscles every time he flung out his arm. He was talking rather barking in his phone. Was this the way he started his mornings?

After a moment he finally ended the call and cursing something under his breath he turned around and his eyes fell on me. "Everly," he said surprised, "how long have you been standing there?"

"A few minutes I guess. Anyway thank you so much for helping me out yesterday. I'll never forget what you did for me."

"You don't have to," he smiled. "But where are you heading now with all that stuff," he motioned to my bags.

"Oh, I mentioned about the competition right, it starts at eleven. And I have already reserved my seat in a train. So I'll leave as soon as the competition is over."

"No you're not," he looked at me, "you'll leave that stuff here, there's no way I could let you go like that."

I really appreciated his concern toward me but to be honest I really didn't have any time for it now. I still had to make it to the venue on time. "Lucifer please understand, you've already done so much for me. I cannot burden you anymore. Moreover I have already reserved my seat, there's no way I'll miss it." I said it out loud and clear.

And then his phone rang again, he sighed frustrated and then made his way back to his room without another word. Okay, now what was I supposed to do? Leave? Or maybe wait? Damn it, I was literally losing my wits.

After a long negotiation with myself I came to a decision on waiting for him. And it wasn't long until he returned, this time in his full business suit, with a vest of the same colour and a black tie. He extended his hands to put on his watch and I noticed he was wearing cufflinks. Damn this man was the definition of perfection.

"Everly, hey," and I realized I'd been staring at him, "it's okay, you can take your stuff along with you. But I'll drop you at the venue." With that he strode toward the door and then out. What just happened?

"Everly," he shouted again and I rushed outside.

Down in the lobby, Linda, his personal secretary was already present. "Linda," Lucifer called out and she was immediately by his side, holding a folder open in front of him. As he went over the details he cursed and then mumbled something to her. Turning to me he started, "I won't be able to accompany you, so Alistair will drop you."

"But–"

"Alistair will drop you." he cut me, and his decision was final.

A few minutes later a man who seemed to be in his early-fifties approached us. He greeted Lucifer and Linda. And then Lucifer turned to me, "Everly this is Alistair, he'll be the one dropping you." With that he turned to leave. "Thank you," I said, but he surely didn't hear it because he was already way ahead of us. Way ahead of me. But he wasn't the one to blame, he was busy man and he had other things to do other than just looking after me.

I shook my head and scolded myself for having such a thought. For a moment there I almost lost myself and forgot my rule, depend on no one.

"Miss Madigan, if you would?" Alistair said with a kind smile.

"Please, there's no need for that, I'll go by myself. There's no reason for you to drop me." I said politely.

"I'm sorry but Mr. Adler has strictly asked me to drop you no matter what reasons you give. So please, let's hurry or you might be late."

I sighed, "Last time," I told myself and then nodded at Alistair. He smiled politely and then guided me to the car waiting outside.

"Also Mr. Adler asked me to give you this," he handed me a box of a new phone, "He wants you to have it." It was a phone that would take up all my savings and still I'd fall short of some. When I opened my mouth to say something, Alistair just shook his. There was no other way.

***

Alistair dropped me outside the auditorium and it took a lot of persuasion to make him leave without coming inside. I made my way to the registration table. A woman with huge curly hair smiled at me, "Good morning, can I have your name?"

"Everly Madigan,"

"Everly Madigan," she repeated it and went through the excel sheet in front of her, "There you are. Everly Rose Madigan?" She looked up at me and I nodded. "Here you go," she handed me an ID card with my name printed on it, "Hall 5, right down the hall." I nodded and then made my way there.

The students were already seated there, I found my seat toward the end of the room and settled down. The competition was divided into two phases, the first being a written exam and then a quiz. Not many students were selected for this competition, just a little over hundred which made it all the more harder and competitive. The invigilator entered the room with an envelope in his hands and slammed it down on the table, "Okay everyone quiet down. It's time for your phase one exam."

I braced myself, this was the sole reason I came here for and this was the reason I was forced to borrow money. I had to repay him, I had to make sure I didn't owe him anything.

An hour and half later our sheets were taken back from us. The invigilator counted them and looked around in the hall, "Half an hour later the results will be displayed out on the notice." And he walked out of the room.

For the given free time I headed out to cafeteria, finding an empty table at the back I made my way there. I sat there looking around when I heard a shout. All the eyes fell on the table where a group of girls was seated, they were chatting about something excitedly. "Are you really sure?" One of them shouted, "I mean he's not someone to make an appearance to an event like this."

"Yes I know but the news is one hundred percent true, my father told me and he is the event manager." Another replied.

Their joyful discussion was interrupted when the announcement about the declaration of the results was made. The cafeteria which was brimming with students became empty within a few seconds. I took a few calming breaths and then got up, I had to make it to next phase if I were to repay him.

The students had all flocked around the notice board. I'd get squished in there if I tried to move close to it, so I did what was best and waited. There were cheers of joy and a few grunts as the students returned after seeing their results. When the crowd had lessened by a decent amount I moved to the front. I looked at the sheets in front of me and then my eyes started roaming about looking for my name. I almost gave up but then my eyes found it. There it sat, Everly Rose Madigan. I released a breath I didn't know I was holding and then smiled to myself. I did it, I actually made it to the next phase. Now I was just a step away from my goal.