Chapter Two
1075 Words
EMILY'S POV
My brow knitted in confusion as I peered into the mirror, lifting my eyelids again but saw nothing. "What the hell is going on?" I took another look but it was gone. My forehead folded into layers as thoughts spiralled in my mind. I almost had a panic attack.
For my sanity's sake, I batted my eyes again, rolling them this time to be sure nothing of such was there. A wave of relief rushed through me the moment I confirmed nothing was in my eyes. I picked up my face towel, trudged out of the bathroom and got ready to leave for the kitchen.
"6:45 a.m.!
Gosh! My mum would have my head for being late," I blurted out, tying my apron around my waist as I ran out of the house.
Jennifer's eyes narrowed on me like a predator locking onto prey as I joined the queue. Avoiding her gaze, I straightened out the folded edges of my apron from the race I had just run.
"What happened?" Mira, my closest friend, whispered almost inaudibly, slightly nudging my shoulder.
A half-smile tugged at my lips while I rolled my hair into a bun. "I had a crazy morning," I whispered.
"Maybe both of you should continue with this meeting while I stay shut!" Jennifer spat, her gaze fixed on us.
"Gosh" I mumbled, standing like I was just asked to take a mugshot. My heart thudded in my chest.
Jeez... why is she so stiff this morning? One would think my mum was raised in the army the way she strode when giving instructions at work. I thought to myself but dared not speak a word. As much as my mum was caring and soft, she had zero tolerance for incompetence and wouldn't hesitate to punish me if I faltered.
"That will be all for today," Jennifer finished her speech. As the other workers dispersed, I joined them, hoping to escape a backlash, but a word from her was inevitable.
"Where do you think you are going, young lady?" Chills ran down my spine.
I didn't need a soothsayer to know she was referring to me. "Gosh," I cursed under my breath, walking back towards her with my head down like a lamb sent to the slaughter.
"Why are you late, young lady?" she queried. "Just because you're my daughter doesn't give you a ticket to misbehave!" Her brow arched as she spat.
"I am sorry, mum," I said, lowering my gaze with a sigh. "But, something strange happened to me this morning." My brows knitted as I lifted my head to meet her gaze.
"Do not patronize me, Emily, just get to work!" She ordered, picking up the food menu for the day.
"My eyes turned green this morning in the shower!" I dropped the bomb.
The menu list fell from her hand.
"What did you just say?" She spun around immediately, her eyes widened as she looked at me. Before I could react, she yanked me closer, cupping my mouth with her palm.
"Shhh!" She ordered. Her eyes darted across the room like an alien would hop out and get me for what I just said. "Keep your voice down," she muttered almost inaudibly, pulling me into the storeroom.
I mumbled behind her palm in protest, but she wasn't willing to give up her hold until she had shut the door behind us before turning back at me in bewilderment.
"Mum, you are scaring me," I whispered, my eyes wide in shock. "Am I going to die or something?" Panic was written across my face.
She grabbed my face, peeling my eyelids open like an optician, examining my eyes, but the color had faded. She let go of me, rubbing her forehead as she paced the room. "Are you sure about what you saw or is this some elaborate prank?" she queried, her forehead creased with worry.
I swallowed hard. Chills ran down my spine, numbing my fingers, but I managed to get a hold of myself. "I'm not kidding, mum. I had this dream about some place... and... and some baby with green eyes and this tunnel, then I woke up, and I looked in a mirror in the toilet and I saw it. They glowed green like emeralds," I explained, tears gathering in my eyes.
"Come here baby, come here," she extended her arm and wrapped me up in a hug, stroking my hair. "It's okay baby, it's okay!" she cooed.
"Is this some sort of disease?" I continued sobbing.
"No!" She cut off my thoughts. "Look at me, Emily," she said, breaking up the hug. "You are not dying, nor are you cursed with some sort of ailment..."
"Then tell me what's going on and stop scaring me," I pleaded, my tone slightly raised.
A crease formed between her brows as she stared at me. Her lips parted like she was about to say something but no words came out. She folded her fingers into a fist, walking towards the small window of the storeroom, staring blankly outside.
After a moment, she heaved a deep sigh, her shoulders slumped in defeat as she turned towards me, her eyes filled with unspoken words.
"I have always thought to myself how I'd react when this day finally comes, and now it's here." She gave a weak smile. "It's time you know everything. Who you truly are," she caressed my cheek softly, her voice calmer but somehow laced with fear.
I swallowed hard at this juncture, my eyes widening with anxiety.
"Hmmm," a deep breath gushed out of her. Holding my shoulders, her hands felt warm as I battled the lump rising in my gut. This was more than I had imagined and was not just a mere occurrence.
"What I'm about to tell you is a secret that should not leave this room and has to do with your life and destiny. Swear it to me, Emily," she continued, her voice calm but firm.
I stared at her face, my lips parting... "Yes... Yes, Ma, I swear it," my voice breaking.
"You were born under a blood moon the same day your parents were killed, Emily," she said, almost like a whisper.
Those words hit me harder than a log of wood on my head. She was not my mother?
Did I just hear her right?
"Open the door!" Someone twisted the doorknob, pushing it violently.
We froze.
- Writer
