CHAPTER 1

*EVELYN'S POV*

The dim rays of sunlight streamed in from the window into the chamber as I stood before the mirror covered in a pink towel that showcased my curves. The mirror on top of my vanity table reflected my ambiance as I applied lotion to my face.

I was captivated by the music that played in the background as I moved my body to the rhythm of the song.

All I could do as I stared at the mirror was smile. That feeling of assurance washed through my body. My kind never spent a long time staring at the mirror but today was an exception as it was raining and there was enough time on my side.

On the bed beside me was a pile of cloth from whence I was planning to select an outfit for the day.

Unexpectedly, my favorite love song started playing on the stereo and I sang along. Just as the words flowed, I sighed and moved to turn off the music. The song reminded me of things I wanted to forget. There was an emptiness I felt inside which that song just triggered and I never want to feel that way.

For now, there was no time for a pity party and the last thing on my mind was what I was currently thinking about.

I turned and faced the pile of clothes again as I removed the towel wrapped around my waist, deliberating on what outfit to wear for the day.

Suddenly, the doorknob jerked as a familiar voice called me from behind the door.

"Open up, Evelyn," the voice yelled, "there is something I need to show you, did you lock the door?" She yelled from the other side of the door.

"I will be right there, Mom," I yelled back amidst the platters of rain. The last person I wanted to see this morning was my mother but there was nothing I could do because I still lived under my parents' roof.

I quickly covered myself as I stepped forward to open the door.

"We've talked about this mom, you need to learn how to knock, seriously," I told my mother as she stepped in, "what if I was naked?"

"Oh please," my mother retorted, "I cleaned you up myself until you were old enough to do it yourself." She patted my cheek with her free hand which was covered in jewelry.

I rolled my eyes. "Even though Woman, I need my privacy and you know that," I said calmly. My mother turned to face me. I was an exact copy of her with a slight difference in height and our choices of dressing. While I preferred modern clothing, my mother, Elena, preferred classic outfits.

She turned and looked into my eyes. I think she noticed I was in no mood for her lectures since she decided not to drag the matter further. "I'm so sorry I barged in on you that way," she said, "However, you know that Mooncrest's charity event is just two days away and I am yet to pick the jewelry to wear."

"Mom! You seriously came all this way just to pick your jewelry?" I was bemused. I knew my mother never joked with her jewelry but it is unprecedented that someone else would choose for her.

"Just this once, darling," she said.

I motioned her towards the dressing chair. It was all a waste of time but I had to try. My mother followed me to the chair.

"Did you know that other werewolves from other cities would grace this year's event?" My mom said in excitement.

"Mom, you know you don't need to tell me, right?" I said as I laid the jewelry one at a time on her neck. My mother is aware that my organization was one of the official sponsors of the event, so why wouldn't she know?

"Bless your heart," Mom said, "I almost forgot." She looked at my reflection in the mirror and exclaimed, "What a beauty! I'm certain you'd attract some men this year."

"You know I don't have time for love. It's a lot to deal with," I said as she looked at me in the mirror.

"You still think about him," Mom said, "Do you?"

I stood tongue-tied and stared at her from the mirror. As if on impulse, I comforted myself and focused on the jewelry. The last thing I wanted this morning was to be lectured by my Mom.

"This sapphire necklace will match the royal blue dress you want to wear." I said, "But if you want to go with the vintage black, then wear those diamond earrings Dad got for you last winter along with the ruby necklace and onyx ring."

"Alright, now we have two suggestions," my mother said as she looked down at the other jewelry I handed back to her, "what of the remaining jewelry? Where do they fit?"

"Right inside the jewelry box, Mom," I said as I returned to the pile of clothes on the bed, "I know you'd make the right decision and my choice doesn't matter."

"Same way you will make the right decision on the clothes to wear today, huh?" My mother was good at throwing quick jabs.

"Why exactly are you here?" I asked out of the blue because I knew my mother was not here for a fashion opinion.

Elena was not the type to be startled by a statement; something I learned from her.

"I asked you a question if you missed him," my Mom said, "I know you do." I looked at her in disbelief and was about to say something but she hushed me. "I heard the song and I knew the exact moment you turned it off. That shows how much it still hurts."

"Mom, I'm going to be late for work if you don't let me be," I said impatiently.

It was still drizzling outside but it didn't matter because I had my vehicle parked in the garage.

"You do forget you're the boss, right?" My Mom reprimanded me, "and bosses are never late. You asked why I was here so I'm telling you."

There was no point quarreling with My mother as she'd always have the upper hand just like my father. I quietly lifted her from the dressing chair and shoved her towards the door.

"I will not hear the end of your tales," I moaned as I grappled with her weight as well as struggling not to ruffle the jewelry, "And I don't want to be the boss who never shows up. I need to be a good example to my staff."

"Thank you for helping me to the door, darling," looking unruffled by the confrontation, "You can wear that yellow dress in the pile, I'm sure, it will bring you luck." She said as she strode down the corridor.

"What luck are you talking about," I howled at her.

"I read your signs this morning, Eve," She said, "It says you will see somebody who will make you happy forever."

"Mama, you know I don't believe in the stars or any of that thing your friend, the fortune teller tells you." I whimpered.

She placed just a finger on my shoulder. "Sometimes, love has a means of finding you, especially when you don't expect it. So don't close your heart to that possibility. Don't be too quick to dismiss unexpected encounters."

I stepped back and closed the door as my mother stood in the door. I then turned to the bed and picked up the yellow dress.

"Too quick to dismiss encounters, huh?!" I soliloquized. If it's a man, he better stay clear of me, I mumbled to myself as I quickly put on the dress.