The Prophecy of Hydrangea

TWENTY FOUR *BUTTERFLIES*

Constantine’s POV

I packed at the only available packing space in the packing lot of ‘The Maxity Villa’ hotel at exactly 9:01 pm and I quickly rushed out of my car, and walked towards the main building of the hotel. I tried to walk a little bit faster as I was already a minute late for the dinner with my friends.

As I walked down the hall of the hotel, heading towards their restaurant, I looked round me and can’t help but admire the fine structures and serenity of the hotel. This place is really a very nice place, I thought within me.

Andrea had requested we meet here and I was beginning to see why she had suggested this place. Also, coming from Andrea, I know their meals will be amazing too. When it comes to food, Andrea only goes for the very best.

One of the reasons why I haven’t to ‘The Maxity Villa’ yet is because it was opened the year I went to college and I never made out time to check it out during any of my vacations from college.

During my graduation from college, Andrea had suggested I use the event hall of the hotel for my graduation party, but her suggestion came a bit late because as at then, I had already booked for a venue at “La Vainqueur Croisiere” which is the highest and most expensive hotel in the city.

Looking at ‘The Maxity Villa’, I can tell that in the nearest future, it would be competing with “La Vainqueur Croisiere” and other five stars hotels in the city. It’s state of the act are top notch. The management of this hotel must definitely be a man with high taste.

Eddy had invited me on two or three occasions to this hotel for his numerous parties, but on those occasions, I had politely turned down the invite for the parties. But now I think I am beginning to regret not honouring at least one of such invites.

Speaking of Eddy, my younger brother has grown into a fine handsome gentleman. I am surprised at how he turned out, as I used to see him as been up to no good during our teen age. But right now, he is every woman’s dream, his looks, combined with his success draws the finest women to him, and most times, I get jealous of how much he has achieved these years. He is now a high profiled technology personnel, traveling to different countries for his business contracts.

Don’t get me wrong, I am proud of my little brother Eddy, and would give my all to make him go even higher, just that most times as humans, we feel the grass is always greener on the other side.

I stepped into the restaurant and introduced myself to the security at the door post, and he directed me to where my friends were already seated.

On seeing me, they all stood up and I gave each of them a hug and a peck. I can’t help but notice how sweet and elegant they all were. They were beaming with smiles. It was just like only yesterday that we were all out playing in the snow and sands.

I took my seat in the table, and gave a heartfelt apology to the girls for coming late.

“Sweethearts, I am so so sorry for keeping such pretty ladies like you all waiting. Believe me it wasn’t intentional. It’s really not in my nature to keep princesses as you lovely ladies waiting.” I apologized.

“Its nothing Consty, we are glad you are here now".

“Actually, the thing is, I didn’t check the actual time it would take me to drive down to this place. It’s my fault though. Hope I am forgiven”.

I blamed it all on not running a proper check on how long it would actually take me to drive down.

“You are Consty, welcome already” Brenda said.

I looked at Andrea to tell me that she has accepted of my apology, but she hesitated to say anything. On seeing that I wasn’t ready to give up, she said at last.

“We are happy to have you here Consty, you are welcome.”

Andrea can forgive a person for virtually any wrong, but not for making her wait a second longer to eat her food. I know this very well, and that’s why I had to make sure I give a sincere apology.

I think the only reason why Andrea had forgiven me was because I was not known for lateness. So she is well aware that my lateness wasn’t an intentional act.

“So what are we having for dinner, let’s make our orders, the aromas in this place is unresistable, I am starving” I said

I was looking around our table as I spoke.

Brenda signal a female waiter to come take our orders. When she came, we placed our orders. Actually, Andrea personally made the order for all of us. We would be having some mouth watering steak tartare and also some onion soup, and I just can’t wait to devour them.

Brenda’s POV

These foods taste so lovely, this is not the first time I would be dining here, but each time always seem like the first.

All the time that I have been here, I had always allowed Andrea pick for us, she knows just the right meal for every occasion.

I looked around the table, watching my friends enjoy their meals. I eyes first caught Lilium, she appears to be enjoy every bite. She has been an amazing fellow, always there when you need her. She looks up, her eyes meeting my gaze, she smiled at me and I smiled back and she continued with her food.

Then I turned to the next person Andrea. She was really into her plates, savoring the food. Seeing her happy completes me. She is my friend and my sister.

I looked at the last person, Consty. Yes Consty. I can’t explain the ways I am beginning to feel towards him these days, it’s been going on for about a month now. The butterflies in my tummy whenever I hear him talk, the excitements I get whenever I see him or I think of me. How do I even start to explain it all.

Earlier at the dinner, when he had hugged and pecked me, I felt like I was in high heavens. I had looked at him, expecting that he felt same way, but he had felt nothing, absolutely nothing.

Even when he had touched my hands tonight to get my attention, it caused me an electric shock, my whole body froze at his touch.

He is seated right between Andrea and myself, but throughout the night, I felt like it was just the two of us here, having dinner at “La Vainqueur Croisiere”. Lilium and Andrea were not part of my little fantasy, it was just Consty and myself. No, it was just me, only me in my little fantasy world, Consty felt no part of it.

To say I was disappointed will be an understatement. I was disappointed, not at him, but at myself. I shouldn’t be lusting after Consty, not when he never hesitates at the slightest opportunity to show his likeness towards Andrea.

I don’t know, but I feel shattered, completely alone. I needed to talk to someone about this, but I couldn’t possibly think of anyone. My mother had told me very clearly that I would find my wolf on the full moon, so there can be no talking to her on this.

I wish to share this feelings with the girls, Andrea and Lilium, but for the first time since our friendship, I doubt if there would understand me.

Andrea has been really close to Consty and he shares same feelings too. what if they both ends up as mates. I wouldn’t want anything that would strain my friendship with them, so I better keep this feelings locked inside of me.

What if this is all only but an illusion. Consty can’t be my mate. Because as my mother clearly told me, I can only find my mate after my first shift, on the mid night of the full moon, and he should feel same way towards me too. Anything contrary to that is a mere infatuation.

“Brenda, anything the matter, why are you not eating your food, are you okay”

Consty’s questions brought me back to reality. I didn’t realized I had been in thought for long. I tried to respond, but couldn’t bring myself to utter any word.

“Come on Brenda, what is the problem, you have been okay all night, did you remember anything” Andrea asked.

I still could not say anything. I looked at her and hoped she would understand me without me saying anything, but she didn’t.

“was up Brenda” Lilium said.

“hope you aren’t worrying yourself over the upcoming full moon?” she added

This appeared like the perfect excuse, so I quickly grabbed it.

“Yes, obviously, I must be worrying myself over nothing”. I murmured

I avoided their gazes.

I was so grateful to Lilium, her intervention came at the right time. I had almost wanted to say what I was thinking about and might not have turned out well.