Six
1321 Words
~Eighteen Years Later....~
*Pierre Mansion....*
The night was cold. The stars were absent in the sky. The moon sat gracefully up in the sky gracing the earth with its beautiful light.
The moonlight shone through the window; its rays illuminating the room.
The room was beautifully decorated with golden curtains. A huge chandelier dangled at the center of the room; It's light radiating directly on the big queen-sized canopy bed.
Though the room was dimly lit, it couldn't hide the beauty and elegance of the room.
On the bed was a young woman sleeping soundly. Her petite frame laid gracefully on the bed like she had no worries.
Her beauty was ethereal...
The rays of the moon settled on her face, defining her extraordinary beauty. Her white skin was the exact replica of the moon.
She had a round face with thick brows and long lashes. Her nose was thin and pointy. This beautiful face housed a thin lip which was as red as blood. The woman slept soundly and her raven black hair scattered exquisitely on the pillow.
Suddenly, the calm woman squirmed. Her forehead creased and a deep frown appeared on her beautiful face.
She adjusted her sleeping posture and covered her ears with her hands, hoping that would stop the strange voices in her head.
This action only seemed to make it worse as the voices grew louder.
"Veni ad nos... Shannaya ..."
"Fatum tuum te expectat ....."
"Factum amplecteris Shannaya ...."
"Surgit Shannaya ...."
The woman rolled from one side of the bed to the other as the voice grew louder. Her hands covered her ears tightly to keep the voices out, but the harder she tried, the louder the voice grew.
"Veni ad nos .....!"
"Expectamus .....!
"Venire ..... Venire .....!
"Surgit Shannaya .....!
"Surgit!
The woman's eyes shot open and she sat up swiftly. She was perspiring and panting heavily.
Her hand rubbed her face while the other was placed on her chest to stop her heart from flying away.
"Shannaya!"
A knock came from the door, startling her to sit straight. She looked towards the door and her heart skipped a beat.
Those voices had haunted her sleep for a long time, yet she didn't know who they were or why they kept calling out to her. Every effort she made to find out who they were or what they wanted was futile.
"Shannaya! A soft baritone came from the door again.
This time Shannaya sighed in relief as she realized that it was Declan, her Fiance.
Shannaya let out a yawn and stretched her hand to switch on the bedside lamp.
"Why is Declan here at this time? She wondered aloud. Her clueless gaze stared at the door.
The voices from her dream bothered her so much that she didn't remember that it was her birthday until she opened the door.
Declan came in singing and clapping with a huge smile plastered on his face.
"Happy Birthday to you!
"Happy Birthday to you...!
"Happy Birthday dear Shannaya...!
"Happy birthday to you...!
Declan clapped as he ambled into the room. A maid followed behind him with a trolley.
The trolley held a red velvet cake with a heart shape. Shannaya's name was written boldly on the cake.
"Hi baby," Declan kissed her cheek. He stood before Shannaya with a sweet smile plastered on his face.
His eyes were filled with love and admiration for the woman.
Her long raven hair fell gracefully over her shoulder. Her lips were alluring so much so that Declan couldn't stop staring at them. He so badly wanted to kiss her lips. She was looking very beautiful in her pink pajamas that he couldn't help pulling her into his arms.
Shannaya was surprised by the sudden pull. Her eyes widened as she let out a low laugh. "Hi Dec."
"Happy birthday," Declan repeated.
"Oh, Thanks Dec." Shannaya pulled away from his arms. She looked at the clock on the bedside table and she confirmed that it was indeed midnight.
She had completely forgotten that it was her birthday.
"Happy birthday, Aya dear," A woman walked in with another young lady that looked to be of the same age as Shannaya.
"Thanks Mom," Shannaya left Declan and went into the woman's open arms.
"Happy birthday, Shannaya," The young lady, Korra stated begrudgingly. It was obvious that she didn't like being there and as much as she tried to put on an act of being happy, it was obvious that she wasn't.
Korra was Declan's sister.
Korra hates Shannaya for stealing what she holds dear; Her family's affection.
"Thank You, Korra," Shannaya hugged her.
"I can't believe you've grown so much." The woman stroked Shannaya's back.
This woman is Kim, Declan's mother.
"I also can't believe it Mom," Shannaya laughed.
"I got these for you," Kim passed a gift box to Shannaya.
"Wow! Thank you mom," Shannaya placed the gift box on the bed.
"You should wear that tonight." Kim advised.
"Why? What's happening tonight?" Shannaya pursed her lips.
"Tonight, Declan is throwing a surprise party in your name."
"Oh no, Mom, you ruined the surprise." Declan grumbled.
"Oops, Sorry dear, I was only giving Shannaya a heads up so she can be well dressed and prepared for tonight."
"Thanks for the heads up, mom," Shannaya hugged Louisa.
"You two are inseparable, aren't you?" Another woman stepped in with a bigger gift box. She is Louisa, Shannaya's mother.
"We sure are." Shannaya beamed.
"Mom can't keep a secret" Declan pouted. "You ruined my surprise."
"I'll pretend I didn't hear about the party. How about that? Shannaya smiled.
"That's okay" Hudson clapped to shoo everyone away. "Why don't we give... Some space to ..." His eyes winked playfully at Declan as he spoke.
Declan knew what he meant so he shook his head. "No dad, that's not ....."
"Come on, let's go," Hudson pulled everyone of them out of the room.
"Dad! Mom!" Shannaya was about to go after them.
"I can't believe that you've finally come of age" Declan placed his head on her back and hugged her from behind.
"I don't believe it either." Shannaya smiled.
"So how do you intend to spend the day? Declan moved to hug her waist.
"I don't know. I'll just stay back at home and prepare for the coming exams."
"Exams?" Declan repeated with a scoff. "You want to study for your exams on your birthday?"
"Of course," Shannaya shrugged. "Is something wrong with that? Why do you look so surprised?"
"I have never met anyone who wants to spend their birthday reading for an exam that is two months away."
"You asked what I wanted and I told you." Shannaya broke away from him.
"That isn't the right way to spend the day, Aya." Declan held her arm before she could leave.
"I can't think of anything else but that." She shrugged again.
"Then, will you go along with my plans?"
"Declan, you know I don't ..."
"Don't refuse." Declan wrapped his hand around her belly.
"Okay," Shannaya sighed. "What plan do you have for me?
"It's a surprise." Declan kissed her nape.
"And the party?"
"It was a surprise too until mom ruined it. Anyways, the party will take place tonight."
"Night party?" Shannaya grumbled. "You know I don't like that."
"You don't have a choice, honey, it's your day. We should celebrate with style." Declan hugged her tightly. "You're finally coming of age. So we should paint the town red, don't you agree?"
"Alright, I will go with your plans." Shannaya agreed. Her face showed a hollow smile as Declan hugged her again.
Declan's hand tightened around her waist and he kissed her cheek. He has waited for her to come of age so he could profess his love for her and now he will put all he's learnt into good use.
"It will definitely be an exciting experience, I promise."
- Writer
