deathless (chapter nine)

The moment Laverne has been dreading had finally arrived. The party is to start exactly at seven in the evening. It’s still fifty-five minutes away but Laverne is all set. At least, her outward appearance is. She’s wearing the rose-colored long gown, one of her three gowns for the evening, especially designed and made by one of Europe’s best designers, Antonia Villars. She’s sitting in front of her superbly sophisticated dresser, while staring deeply at her reflection on the mirror. I thought scenarios like this only happen in the movies. Now, it is for real and she is the main character. In just a few more minutes, she will be presented to the guests that are already arriving and filling the grand garden of the Beaufort mansion. How many of them knows that the celebrant is actually an immortal and that parties like these are such a waste if there would be another lifetime waiting for me? She suddenly wondered.

Immortals should not be allowed to celebrate their birthdays. It doesn’t matter if they age. They would be born and live once again after two generations. What is the essence of birthdays to them? We celebrate our birthdays because it is the time we look back on the day we are born and be grateful that we were given the chance to live on earth. And that is because we know that we would never be given another chance to live. That also makes up the essence of life. You start to value the people, the experiences, the feelings you have while you’re still alive, for you will never have it again. Never. Does this essence still live in the hearts of immortals? Or do they even value their life, the current life they have?

Laverne suddenly saw her mother’s reflection beside her. She was so deep in thought that she didn’t notice her mother come in her room.

“You look so beautiful tonight, sweetie. More beautiful,” said her mother, smiling.

“You think so? I’m worried that the gown’s shade is too dark than I said it should be.”

“It’s fine, sweetie. You don’t have to worry about it. Any shade fits you. Are you ready?”

“Is it time?”

“Yes, it is. And the guests are waiting for you.”

Laverne took a deep breath before she stood up. She took her mother’s arms as they walk out her room. At the bottom of the magnificent stairs, her father was already waiting.

She never imagined her parents invited these many people. Most of them, she doesn’t know who or from where. In fact, she could count in her fingers the people she personally knew. So, for the most part of the party, it was all introductions to the different guests which really gave her a migraine. Deborah slipped an ibuprofen in her fingers and secretly drank it, just to keep her going for the rest of the party.

When she thought the introductions were all over, her parents took her arms and led her to a table which was obviously larger than the others. The occupants were all looking up to her as they were approaching.

“Now, it’s time to introduce you to another immortal family,” her father gently whispered to her.

That means, in all those people they have introduced to me so far, not one of them is immortal. How much longer is this going to last? Laverne asked herself but still managed to keep a smile on her face as they finally approached the table.

“Laverne,” her father started. “This is the Van Burkenne family of Germany.”

She gave them a slight bow. “A pleasure to meet all of you.”

“And this is their son, Mitchell.”

A young man, who is six feet and two inches in height with a quite muscular body, stood up, took her right hand and kissed it. Laverne smiled and blushed, but not because of the young German’s action, but because he reminded her of another man who is about an inch or two taller than him and almost as athletic as his body is. Caleb.