deathless (chapter six)

The next morning, Caleb woke up early. He was determined to ask Fiona if she knows anyone in school by the name of Laverne. I hope she does. That would make my research easy. In the breakfast table, he found Leonard and Fiona busy talking.

“Don’t you know what’s going to happen tonight?” Leonard asked his sister.

“Of course I know, dummy. It has been the talk in the school for months now.”

“What I know is that it has been the talk of the whole country. It is said that today she will be formally introduced to the public.”

“I don’t get the idea why they need to do that.”

“This time you’re the dummy, Fiona. Their family is one of the wealthiest and most influential families here in Switzerland. They need to do that for business, at the same time, social purposes.”

The topic was getting interesting so Caleb couldn’t help but join in the conversation.

“Who and what are you talking about?” he asked curiously as he sat down beside Leonard.

“We’re talking about the Beaufort’s youngest daughter. Today is her twenty-third birthday and tonight is the party the whole country has been talking about.”

“Really? Did you guys receive an invitation?”

“No, of course. We don’t belong in their group. In fact, only a very few
people in school were invited. Only the elites among the elites are expected to be in the party of the year,” said Fiona.

“Seems like it’s grand.”

“Sure it is,” Fiona answered. “What do you expect? She’s the youngest daughter of the Beaufort family. She’s the favorite, as what I have heard. I actually wonder if it’s just a birthday celebration they’re having tonight.”

“What do you mean?” asked her brother.

“I mean, something this big just for the twenty-third birthday of the Beaufort’s daughter. I think, in some way or another, there will be a wedding proposal behind it.”

“So, you think the Beaufort’s are putting two celebrations in one? Hmmm… Quite possible. Who do you think is the lucky guy the Beaufort’s daughter is about to marry?” wondered Leonard, as he poured chocolate syrup on his Belgian waffles.

“Why do you keep on calling her `the Beaufort’s daughter`? Doesn’t the girl have a first name?” rejoined Caleb.

“Of course, she has. But I can’t seem to remember her name. It’s quite long and unique so it’s hard to memorize. What’s her name again, Fiona?”

“Its Laverne Gwendolyn Daniels Beaufort,” answered Fiona.

Caleb was shocked. “How did you know her whole name?”

“I told you, she’s popular in school.”

“Would you describe what she looks like?”

“I can’t. I haven’t met her or even bumped into her. Remember?”

“Why are you all of a sudden so interested in her?” Leonard jokingly asked Caleb.

“Nothing. I was just curious if she looks like a witch or a zombie like what you told me.”

“Pshaw that talk of a nonsense, will you?” Fiona butted in. “If you wanted to know what she looks like, watch the evening news. For sure, they would be featuring the party.”

However, Caleb couldn’t wait for the evening news. He needs to know, and he needs to know now. After breakfast, he needed to lie to Leonard to escape from his invitation of playing a friendly game of football with his friends. He ran up to his room, turn the computer on and clicked the shortcut to the Internet on the desktop. He went straight to the search engine and typed Laverne Gwendolyn Daniels Beaufort. Within a few microseconds, articles and websites about the very popular member of the Beaufort family appeared on his screen. He clicked on one and immediately a picture of the young woman was produced. Caleb couldn’t believe his eyes. The girl who took his breath away with her smile back in Fiona’s school and the out-of-the-ordinary girl he met at the park last night was none other than Laverne Gwendolyn Daniels Beaufort. So it was her. I never realized I have already met this mysterious girl. But Caleb wasn’t to be daunted. This girl had challenged him and he’s not about to give up. Besides, she’s a worthy prize.