Chapter 11
1905 Words
Laying in my bed, I keep tossing and turning. It’s already two am and I’ve had enough.
Sitting in my bed, I rub my face with both my hands. I’m tired but I can’t fall asleep.
‘Maybe it’s because it’s your birthday tomorrow, we’re going to fake our first shift, and also you’re nervous to find out if Blake really is our fated mate or not. That there is a slight chance that he isn't and that Jeremy might be right that he’s only playing with our feelings. That our heart is going to be broken if that’s the case. But that’s just me guessing’ Sacha says, voicing out pretty much all of my concerns.
‘Faking our first shift won’t be that hard. But what if Blake really isn’t our mate? What do we do then? We’ve had this… thing. Whatever it is we’ve had going on, for years now.’
‘There’s not much we can do for now. We can only wait until we see each other tomorrow.’
‘I know, but it’s still bothering me.’
‘Are you going to wear that dress he got you for the party?’
‘Well, duh! Why wouldn’t I?! It’s gorgeous and fits so well in all the right places.’
‘True. And he did pick it out for you.’
On our lunch date, Blake got me to try on a few dresses for him.
I loved coming out of the fitting room each time I tried a new one. The lustful and wanting look his eyes were showing, gave me satisfaction.
And a few naughty thoughts.
If he truly is our fated mate, I will give him the best thing I have.
My heart, body, and soul.
Why would I wait for a moment longer if he’s my mate?
We have known each other for long enough, and I trust him.
Scooching over closer to my nightstand, I pick up my phone and turn it on.
“Ugh! It’s already 4 am and I haven’t slept a wink! I’m going to have ugly bags underneath my eyes when I get up!” I whine.
‘Get yourself a glass of water and try sleeping again. Don’t worry about the day ahead. We’ll get through whatever happens together.’
‘Thanks, Sacha. I can always count on you.’
After drinking my water, I lay back in my bed and finally drift off, thinking about all the possibilities of a future with Blake.
☙❧
“Wake up, birthday girl! It’s already 10 o’clock in the morning. You need to get up and get ready for brunch with the family.” My mother coles, gently rubbing my arm through the blanket.
“Hummmm. Five more minutes,” I reply, turning over and getting myself in a comfortable position.
“I already gave you an extra hour. Get up now if you want to have enough time to shower and do your hair and makeup.” She says, swatting my behind a few times to wake me up a bit more.
“Fine!” I grumble with a huff, sitting in the bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
My mother knows me well. She knows how much time it takes me to get ready and that I won’t go out without everything done perfectly.
Especially today!
After my mother leaves my room, I finally get up and take a quick shower.
How should I wear my hair? I question while drying them.
‘Blake always says you look beautiful when you straighten them up.’
‘That’s true. I’ll do that ’ I say with a light blush, warmth filling my heart at the thought of pleasing him with something as simple as my hair.
I want to please him in every aspect I can think of.
Even though today’s my birthday, it might also be the day we, Blake and I, become true mates.
‘I’ll put on some shorts and a tank top for now and keep my dress for tonight. I want this to be special and I can’t show up there with a dirty dress’
‘Good idea’
Taking one last look in the mirror, I’m satisfied with how I look for now. I’ll give myself some special attention later today for tonight’s party.
Making my way to the kitchen, I see my whole family, aunts, uncles, and cousins, waiting with a huge amount of streamers.
As soon as they spot me walking through the door, they all start shouting happy birthday, throwing the tens and thousands of streamers, making me laugh.
‘They are so silly. I’m not five anymore.’
“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” My father says, kissing my temple gently.
“Thanks”
One after the other, my family wished me a happy birthday and wished me a safe first shift.
I had almost forgotten I had to fake my first shift.
After my aunt Sophie let go of the thigh embrace she was giving me, I saw Jeremy fidgeting a few steps away, looking towards me nervously.
‘Why is he acting like a dog that got kicked and is looking at his master unsure of what might happen next?’
With a deep exhale, I walk up to him.
“Hi.”
“Hey”
Why is he acting this way?
“Humm… Happy birthday, cuz” He strutters, scratching the back of his hand with one hand, while the other stays in his pocket.
“Thanks”
Why is there such an awkward silence between us? Ugh!
“So… Humm… Are you ready for your first shift?” He asks, trying to make conversation.
“Not really.”
“That’s good. That’s great!” You know we’ll be here for you when it happens though. So… Everything's going to be ok.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
“Look, Lana, I know I said some pretty harsh things to you, but you have to know I only want to protect you and that I love you so much. You are my family and I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. Whether you listen to my advice or not, I just wanted you to know that, ok?”
“I know, but it doesn’t change the fact that you hurt me. You, not trusting me in telling me why you don’t want me around Blake, hurts. And it’s not that I don’t want to listen to your advice, I just can’t.”
“Why can’t you?” He asks, his brows scrunching.
“Well, that’s for me to know,” I answer with a little too much attitude than I intended.
For a moment, he closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath. I can see the vein on his forehead bulging out.
He’s getting angry again.
“We’re not going to do this again. I’m not going to piss you off and have a fit like the other day. Not on your birthday.” He says after he opened his eyes.
I don’t like the disdain I see in them.
“You’re right, we're not going to do this again on my birthday. I won’t let you ruin my day!” I spat before turning on my heels and leaving the kitchen.
“Where are you going sweetheart? You haven’t had brunch yet.” My mother asks, stopping me on my way out.
“I suddenly lost my appetite. Sorry, mom. I need some fresh air.”
“It’s ok honey. It must be the nerves of your first shift. Go take a little walk and relax. But don’t go too far in case your shifting starts sooner than expected. It does happen sometimes.” She says, softly patting my cheek.
Taking one last look at Jeremy over my mother's shoulder before exiting the kitchen, I can see the regret washing through his eyes. I can tell he wants to come over and apologize, or at least say something along the lines, but I’m just too annoyed at the moment. It’s better for me not to say anything right now. I’d probably regret it in the end too.
☙❧
‘Do you think he’ll like this?’ I ask Sacha for the millionth time, looking at myself from every angle in the mirror.
‘Yes! He will! Now get going. You don’t want him to wait forever, do you?’
‘No, I don’t’
Taking a deep breath, I make my way to the party.
The music is blaring and everyone seems to be having a good time.
I get people congratulating me on my ‘first shift’. I smile, nod, and say thank you, even though I faked it all. It did go well.
Making my way around, I keep searching for Blake.
Where is he? Am I going to search for him again like I did the other day?
The oh-so-welcoming shivers suddenly crawled all over my body.
“There you are, princess. I was wondering if you were going to show up to your own party.” The sultry voice says from behind me.
‘Here it goes Sacha.’ I say, bracing myself for whatever is about to happen when I turn around.
Slowly, I turn around, keeping my line of vision down, nervous at what the outcome might be.
I see his shoes stepping closer to me, his left hand coming up under my chin, lifting it up gently.
His chin, his lips, his nose, are perfectly shaped. I’m so scared, so nervous…
‘What if he isn’t our mate?!’
“Look at me, princess.” He commands, making me gasp at the need to do as he pleases.
Finally lifting my gaze to meet his, my heart stops.
“Mate!” I gasp.
“Mate.” He repeats with a satisfied crooked smile on his lips.
OMG! We really are mates! I can’t believe this! I’m overjoyed by finally knowing for a fact that he is mine! He truly is mine!
“Well, well, well. All my years of waiting weren't in vain after all.” He says slowly bending his head sideways and kissing my lips softly.
Sparks erupt at the contact of our lips, making me want him more than ever.
“Come with me. I have something special planned for the two of us.” He says breaking our kiss and pulling me along with him.
What could he have planned for this special moment?
- Writer
