A Silver’s Allure

I stood frozen in front of my monitor as disbelief surged through me. The horror in my face so evident, as I scrolled at the bottom of the page I had just written.

"I made a mistake." I concluded as I read the last line of the novel I was currently writing.

I smacked my head in disbelief, with frustration building up inside me. How could I possibly miss that one thing? That was utterly unnecessary!

"Is everything alright, Nych?" a voice asked, prompting me for an answer which I would gladly give.

I turned my head to the voice, only to be met by the usual brown eyes of Rosette, who looked concerned to whatever is happening to me.

Rosette was my editor, the one who cleared some errors in all of my compositions. Now that she is here, then I'd have to inform her of this.

I then gathered my composure and heaved a sigh before deciding to reply to her.

"Unfortunately, no. I made a mistake in the novel I am writing." I honestly responded without an ounce of lie in it.

Her brows furrowed, one that I know the reason why. Rosette knew how meticulous of a lady I am with things, so it confused her of the mistake I have possibly done.

She then neared me on my desk to take a look at my monitor with concentration.

I gave her my mouse to have her scroll on the last chapter, as I took off my glasses to clean the spot that blurred my vision.

"I don't see anything wrong with it?" she soon uttered, not catching up with what I was fussing about.

Of course, the error afterall is not in the last chapter but in the whole flow of the book.

I set my lips in a thin line.

"Nevermind about it, then. Maybe I should clear my head and fix it later. I'll just go out and wander, will you join me?" I asked her as I stood up and took the umbrella which I placed beside my desk.

Nearing the mirror of the room, I then started brushing my silver locks as I waited for her to reply.

"Oh no, you can go freely. I need to run some errand a little later." I saw her shook her head at her reflection in the mirror.

I stopped midway, generally curious of the errand she'd run soon. But since the time was running, I later dropped the idea of asking her before taking a pin to style my wavy tresses.

My gaze flicked from her to my face in the reflection with a visible crease on my forehead. I have just calmed down, and now the frustration is building up again!

"Where are you off to this time?" Rosette queried, as I often left without letting anyone know of where I am going.

Well that is what they get for rejecting my offer of inviting them, fair enough.

As I finished fixing my hair, I faced her with a bland look on my face. It seems like my energy is draining rapidly with these frustrations stressing me out.

To end my conversation with her, I then took the umbrella and left with a mysterious "somewhere" to stir her with curiosity further, to which Rosette giggled, knowing I was teasing her.

Finally taking my exit, I went out of the bookstore with a chime as the outer world embraced me with a chilly air.

The weather was sunny, but it was better prepared than be drenched in the rain later, serving the purpose of my umbrella.

I then walked on the pavement of the enormous buildings, with vehicles that disturbed the lone streets of Aeiro. The city was busy, and so are the citizens that ran their own businesses.

This is my life. Dull, boring, and meaningless. Especially after the accident that ended both of my parents' lives.

I was sixteen then, but fortunately, they had their fortunes left under my name which supported me throughout my youth. I am a young adult now, as three years have officially passed.

To survive this world was incredibly difficult. I strived to become a novelist who somehow managed to live with stability, thanks to my brain. I grew up to be independent, because nothing will make it of me if I were to become tedious and lazy.

As I strutted along the roads of the busy streets, I held my diamond pendant that my biological mother gave me when I was only nine. Specifically, it was a diamond. Because it was the very birthstone of my birth month—April.

I then recalled the memory of the very day my mother gave it to me.

...

I was once sitting upright on my bed, my dress a light shade of blue, matching my cute shoes. We had an event that night, and yet I read with ease, not minding the occasion we were to go to later.

It kept me wondering, honestly. Because for the fact that our family was invited knowing that we are only a part of the higher middle class and not an elite, it made me think if there were conditions set with our invitation for this dinner.

Later, my mother knocked twice on my door that was left ajar, taking my attention. She then went inside as I followed her steps with curiosity.

My mother Nigel Arah, is a blonde woman of beauty with a tinge of simplicity. One who is contented, and one who is loving. Her eyes are a sparkle of blue, one that I inherited from. But my mother was never ambitious, a trait that was the very opposite of my father.

"Are we going, mama?" I asked her, my doe eyes sparkling with wonder with her presence in the room.

She slowly knelt down in front of me, a soft smile plastered on her lips with her gaze loving. It made me comfortable everytime, a reason why I always believed in the positivity of this cruel world.

Lowering her gaze, she soon took out a diamond pendant and presented it to me. It was in a simple princess-cut, one that shone with glam of both elegance and grace.

My eyes widened, already knowing that she is planning to give it to me, but astonished at the fact that I were to receive such an expensive gift.

"Nych, I want you to wear this everytime." She started, as she went to unclasped the lock and put it around my neck.

I could feel the added weight on it, as the cold chains left a shivering feel. Nevertheless, it looked pretty, so I couldn't help but smile in ecstasy.

When my mother was done, I immediately held the pendant with care, ashamed of the possibility to have it ruined, as I deemed myself undeserving of it. It made me question why of all stones, a diamond.

"It is your birthstone, Nych. Diamond is the birthstone of your birth month—April." My mother replied, having seen the confusion that radiated in my eyes.

My mouth then formed an 'o' as I blinked a few times—knowing the fact.

"Why base from my birth month, mama?" I inquired, unable to stop myself from the curiosity creeping unto me.

Mama chuckled at that, and her eyes squinted as she did so.

She then took her chance to sit beside me, as her hands went to reach my hair. Soon, I could feel her fingers comb my silver tresses, one that I got from my father—Alessio.

"Your birth means more than just bringing you in this world, Nych. Because your birth was the foundation of our family, one that strengthened your father and I's marriage." Mama said sincerely, whilst she secured a lock of hair behind my ear.

...

That night, when my mother revealed the reason why she gifted me a diamond pendant, a path for me was made closer to them.

Warmth fevered my silent heart, as I felt more at ease with them.

I could feel the love emanate from both of my parents, but nothing felt to the feeling as my mother sealed that with a gift. One that proved my essence to them. A diamond pendant, which I wore until this very day.

My thoughts soon came back to reality as I saw the familiar building that stood tall. Its proud structure glistened under the sun, despite the worn out paint of beige and cream.

It was formerly a library, but it was left unattended after the owner died. The employees of it deeply grieved, but no one took action in taking care of it, leaving it in crumbs. Now the once meaningful library that the city held as asset faded with nothing in return.

A shame, it trully was. Afterall, it was the very building that my father worked hard for. The very building that my father was proud of. The very building that held us together. The very building that my father shed sweat and blood for. All gone after their accident.

I was greeted with the usual melancholic ambience as I went inside. The usual headboard stayed intact, as our family name was engraved in it.

The counter was empty, clean ang covered. The shelves around the first floor were mostly filled with dust, as books occupied each space.

There were only five rows of shelves in the first floor, and a lounge was set for those who will be reading.

Then, the staircase was presented on the centre, all through the way up to the rooftop. It was made of strong wood, one that my father could only afford of at that time.

I grippled the metallic handle, as I trotted ascending to my hideout. The scent of dust lingered in the air, as my heart remained unbothered, yet thoughts of mine were hazy.

Finally, as I reached the final floor, I led myself to a door from a corner. It was a plain one that my father set, to not attract the people who were interested in reading from the rooftop.

I opened it wide, as the cold breeze once again embraced me.

Unlike the interior of my father's building, the rooftop was had a lighter sense of ambience around. It was basically empty, peaceful, and silent.

I then walked on the far end, as I sat on the usual spot of mine. I soon took out the book that I got with me, a novel of my favorite time.

Birds chirped on the rails could be heard, as the building beside ours covered some shadowed space. I then opened the book to start reading, stopping on the mark I left for myself.

But as soon as I got myself immersed from the book, I heard footsteps entering my very spot. A faint woody scent lingered in the air, one that was very new to me.

So at that moment I turned around, curious of who could that possibly be. But as I angled my head to a certain point, I was met with a sharp russet eyes that locked gazes with me.

One that belonged to a man.