Capítulo 3: Red Envelope
Wow ? I can't believe my own eyes, so much of love and response on the very first day. Hence as promised, here comes the new chapter.
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The final bell rang, school was over for the day, the students thanked the teacher in unison and started wrapping up the stuffs from their desks. “Did you hear that new ice cream shop is giving handsome discounts to students?” Aria was already on the high desk swinging her legs, “let’s hit it on our way home,” prompt, came the suggestion from Noah, both were now looking expectantly at Evelyn who had already finished packing her own stuffs and their stuffs too.
Evelyn knew her two best buddies at school, were waiting for her to say yes, “Here you go” she handed their bags one by one.
“Oh Eve please don’t dump me this time” Aria was back with her puppy eyes.
“Aha” Evelyn covered her eyes gently, “not your puppy attack please. You know I have to return to the shop before afternoon, so that daddy can go for his duty at the factory.”
Noah suggested hesitantly, knowing well the chances were weak, “It won’t take long Eve.”
“Yes Eve, please, another semester and our high school life will be over forever.” Aria pouted.
These were the times when Evelyn felt genuinely sorry for her friends; however, her situation was such that she would never be able to explain to anyone.
She smiled her usual honey dew smile which reminded of sun shines, her dimples embossed deep on her cheeks were a charm as unique as her persona. Evelyn hugged Aria, “Aria my sweet love, please forgive me. You guys carry on, you know I can’t. Why don’t we make a plan on the day of the fireworks?”
“No Eve” Aria was about to protest.
“Wow, I think that would be a great idea” Noah interceded, he was already dragging Aria, “Come on chummy let’s go before your favourite bubblegum flavor goes out of stock.”
Evelyn waved good bye to her friends, and mouthed a silent “thank you” to Noah, he was her savior every time. She looked at her watch, it was fifteen minutes past three, it was already late, she ran on her way back home, she needed to be there in another ten minutes, and then be there at the shop by four.
“Grandma I am home.” The smell of freshly cooked food welcomed her; Evelyn rushed to the kitchen and hugged her grandmother. “Eve, my darling” Immediately she felt her grandfather's hand patting her head from behind, while he was handing the chopped vegetables on the board to her gradma. Both of them were old and ailing, “grandma, grandpa why did you come down to the kitchen? Didn’t the doctor tell you both to rest? You know, I can cook the meals.”
The old couple looked at each other, there was an unfathomable emotion in their moist eyes, her grandma held Evelyn’s hand, “This is the least we can do for our precious granddaughter. You are the daughter of the Betrice family; this isn’t how you should have been living my child, we should have taken better care of you. What would we tell…” her words were interrupted by the door bell; Evelyn hurried to open the door.
“Mrs. Verne?” She was Evelyn’s homeroom teacher as well as she was their Food and Nutrition Science teacher, her visit was totally unexpected, the fair woman stood there smiling at her.
“Good evening Mrs.Verne” Evelyn gained back her composure and ushered her inside, “Please come inside Mrs. Verne”, Evelyn was extremely fond of her, she admired how wonderfully Mrs. Verne motivated each one of her students, and guided them towards their goals in life.
“I am sorry Evelyn, but some other day, today I am really in a rush. However, this matter couldn’t be pushed until tomorrow, since we are in a shortage of time.”
“What is it Mrs.Verne is everything alright?”
Evelyn was a smart student who was not only good with her grades, but she was also the leader and representative of the culinary art club of which her school greatly took pride of. It was said the lady who was the founder of the school had been from family who had been once the personal etiquette teacher of the royal family of Magnolia, so when the school was founded the culinary art club was given a special importance.
“It’s about the baking competition for which you had participated.” Evelyn’s eyes brightened up right away, the previous month Evelyn had enrolled for a competition organised by famous Harfield Baking School, after an intensive screening the first five selected candidates would be offered a complete three months certificate course at the Harfield Baking School, the one achieving the first position would be offered hundred percent scholarship by the best baking school, it was Evelyn’s dream to be a part of Harefield.
“The results of the semi final rounds are out today.” Mrs. Verne’s words brought back from her thoughts “And… ” she paused for a moment
“And ?” Evelyn was unable to handle the suspense. Mrs. Verne was trying hard to keep a straight face, “And you are selected for the finals.”
Evelyn gasped in absolute disbelief, “Yes my dear” Mrs. Verne patted her head fondly, “You never let us down. However, “I had to rush here today because the dates of the final have been pushed ahead, on the guest of honour’s request. So, we need to leave for the venue a day ahead of the main event. We don’t have much time left Evelyn, you better start preparing.”
A rollercoaster of emotions were twirling inside Evelyn, she was thrilled, excited and nervous all at the same time, “Thank you so much Mrs. Verne, it wouldn't have been possible without you. I will start preparing right away Ma’am.”
“We believe in you Evelyn, we know you can make it.” Her eyes sparkled fondly at this brave girl, who always dared to dream, despite of all odds in her life. In her heart, she murmured a silent prayer for this little girl, ‘I know you can fulfill your dreams Evelyn, you have the courage to take the leap. May you find the light in your life.’
Evelyn walked her till the gate, “Oh! I completely forgot, the mail man was on his way to your place when we crossed path and he handed me this when he heard I am headed to your place, his age is getting better off him, there were too many deliveries to make today.”
Mrs. Verne handed the red envelope with the golden seal. It had the symbol of the Magnolia estate embossed on it, and with the customary calligraphy carved upon it was their family name, Betrice.
“So it came this year as well” Evelyn sighed, looking slightly burdened by her own thoughts, her sudden change of demeanor surprised Mrs. Verne, “Are you Alright Evelyn?”
Evelyn realised she had blurted her thoughts loudly. Shaking her head frantically, and covering up her emotions with her bright smile, Evelyn said “Of course I am alright. See you tomorrow Mrs. Verne”
“May you make a good business today. Good bye Evelyn.”
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NOTE FOR MY READERS
I desire your constant support and feedbacks as they keep me going. I promise you things would turn way more interesting soon. So if you are curious, don't stop putting up your thoughts in the comments section. If I recieve atleast three comments for this chapter. I promise, instead of one chapter I would update two chapters tomorrow. Take love ❤
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