The Soul Promise

chapter 4

After a quick shower, i threw on a pair of dark blue jeans, red stiletto's and vintage white silk off the shoulder blouse. I lived in a beautiful 2 storey house on Oceano Drive,Brentwood, Los Angeles and very close 5 minute drive to the main street full of shops and restaurants.

As i'm driving to the restaurant i think about the strange dream i had and how utterly real it seemed. For some strange reason, it felt REAL. The experience FELT real, looked real and sounded real. Not at all like your typical dream or nightmare for that matter.

Before i could really delve further into my thoughts i saw my mother waiting outside Giorgios.I pulled up for the valet to take my car, walk up to my petite and beautiful mom and hug her fiercely.

"Hello darling, happy birthday" she laughed lightly " you look lovely....

Seated at a private table, my mother presents me with a pale blue box.

"Your father cant join us as i'd hoped darling, but expect a video call later today " she smiled lovingly at me

My father is an self made millionaire, born in italy and raised in Beverly Hills. Tall, dark and handsome is what i heard many of moms friends call him as I was growing up and even now he is still pretty much the same only slightly grey at the temples. He is a formidable business man but a very loving (albeit busy) and caring father. He taught me to fend for myself early on hence the tough times a few years back but i appreciated it as i have truly learned the value of the dollar.

He owns quite a few vineyards back in italy and now is the main importer and supplier of his own brand, De Rossi Wines, which is stocked in every liquor store and restaurant around the country.

At the young age of 22, my father Paolo De Rossi met my mother Jaclyn Maree Renaud, who at the time was working for my french grandfather Pierre Renaud...at yeah you guessed it ... Giorgios. They were meeting to discuss stocking De Rossi Wines and as they say the rest was history.

Looking into my mothers chocolate brown eyes, i try to guess whats in th pale blue box...."is it a pendant??

"No..."

" a bracelet?"

"no....

"a ring?"

"no, sweetie take a look, i hope you like it"she smiled lovingly

I usually played a guessing game but i never got it right so resignedly i opened it up and sitting beautifully upon the cushion was a white gold scroll which appeared to contain a prayer or a poem of some sort. Looking closer, i started to read the inscription but my mother took my hand and said" This you should read just before you go to sleep and it will help to bring to closer to your true love, your soul mate ..."

"Oh gee mom, now i need a scroll to help me...are we on that ride AGAIN????"

"Sweetheart, dont you think its time to put yourself out there and meet someone? You haven't dated since your break up with Thomas 4 YEARS AGO!!!! " my mothers eyes welled with tears as she brushed her dark bangs out of her eyes.

"Mom, please lets not start this again. I dont want to spend my birthday arguing with you" i plead with her.

"Promise me ONE thing Eva, and i will leave you be from now on" she smiles at me with a knowing look in her eye.

"Depends on what is is Mom..." i caution her

"Promise me that you will read the inscription tonight and every night for the next 7 days." she stated with clarity.

thats it???? " Thats all you want me to promise?" Is she feeling alright...my moms usually harping on for hours and NOW not only does she do as i say, she asks me to read a poem or prayer for the NEXT 7 DAYS only??? Strange but fair, I think to myself.

"Promise me Eva..." Its her turn to plead

"I promise Mom..."upon which she bestowed upon me and the young waiter coming for our order with the most amazing smile.

After somelight conversation, a delicious seafood salad and a light soy latte, i checked my watch and noticed the time was nearly 2pm. I decided to forgo shopping and get back to work. My cell phone silently registered quite a number of missed calls and messages. Check them later...i thought to myself.

Bidding my mother farewell, i headed back home and decided against taking the day off. i'll have fun with my friends tonight, i thought as i drove down my street towards my house. They were planning a "SURPRISE" birthday dinner at my best friend Susie's house and i knew all about it.

Getting straight to work i answer all the emails and try to call back a few clients before i started in on the mound of work that appeared daily. Hours later i look up surprised the time was 6.30pm and call it a day.

C'mon Eva, time to get ready for your party, i peeled myself off my chair and out of my home office. I was about to head up the stairs when my ears started to buzz...oh crap not again............