Claiming What is Rightfully Mine (Walter Deville)

Chapter 8

Current day

Nicolette was lying in bed tossing and turning, having the same dream that always haunted her ever since she had turned sixteen years old.

Dream:

Nicolette was sitting in front of a beautiful vanity, getting ready for the festivities that were taking place downstairs. She was just about done when a maid walked into the room, telling her that her parents requested presence downstairs.

Nicolette turned to the maid and was about to reply to the maid that both of her parents had died, but before she could respond with that, a different response escaped her lips. "I'll be right down."

Nicolette then got up and made her way to the door, walking out of the room; making her way down the grand staircase that was in the house. Once she reached the bottom of the stairs, the scene changed before Nicoletta's eyes, leaving her confused as she walked into a formal-looking dining room.

Nicolette looked around the room, noticing all of the guests sitting around the table, as if they were waiting for someone to arrive. "I'm sorry for intruding. I wasn't here before honestly. I was in my room making my way down the grand staircase, because I was summoned down by my parents. And everything suddenly changed before my eyes."

"That sounds like a lovely story dear, but now isn't the time to tell stories like that. We're holding a celebration. Now come to the table and take a seat with us, so that way we may feast," One of the guests said.

"I don't think it's right that I intrude on your feast," Nicolette said before noticing the look that she was receiving from everyone sitting down. "Am I interrupting a fancy dinner party or something?"

At the head of the table a handsome man stood up, making his way towards Nicolette, gently grabbing a hold of her small hand in his big one. "Don't be silly love. You're not interrupting anything. In fact, we were waiting for you to join us."

"Sorry, I don't want to intrude on your little celebration. I should be going. My parents are waiting for me," Nicolette said while turning around to walk away. Nicolette was quickly stopped by someone wrapping their arms around her waist, preventing her from walking away from them.

"There is no need for you to leave. As I said before, this celebration is for you, Colette. Don't be so quick to leave us now. Come and take a seat at the table," the mysterious man whispered into Nicolette's ear.

"I'm afraid you have me confused with someone else. My name isn't Colette. It's Nico-" Nicolette began, only to be cut off by the mysterious man.

"Why don't you make your way to your seat, sit down and enjoy the dinner that was prepared in celebration for you," the man said while Nicoletta to her chair, pulling it out while Nicolette stood there watching him.

"Why are you holding a celebratory dinner for me," Nicolette asked while the man guided her into her seat, pushing her to sit down. Nicolette refused to sit until she got the answers she was seeking.

The man laughed while Nicolette took the time to look around the table, glancing at all the other guests joining in on the inside joke that the mysterious man shared with them. "My dear, we're all celebrating your return, because my beautiful Colette, you are going to take your rightful place by my side."

Before Nicolette had a chance to react, she felt the sting of teeth sinking into her neck.

Nicolette jumped away gasping for breath, all while reaching up to her neck, checking for any bite marks that might have been left behind on her neck. That damn dream keeps feeling more and more real every time I have it. And those damn guests at the dinner table, they weren't there before during all my other previous dreams. What could that possibly mean? Actually, I don't have time to sit around and contemplate the meaning of my dream. I have to get up and get ready to head to work. I don't want to risk pissing off the manager, Nicolette thought as she got up and out of bed, while throwing her hair up in a messy ponytail.

Nicolette made her way all the way to the kitchen to make herself a cup of coffee, when Evie walked in.

"I heard you jump awake again. I take it that you had that dream again," Evie said.

"Yeah. But it was a bit different this time," Nicolette said. "I'm sorry if I woke you up. I know that you don't have to wake up now, because you have work later tonight. I feel bad that I woke you up, when you could have had a few minutes extra sleep."

"Don't worry about it. I wanted to get up early anyway, that way I can try and find some sort of inspiration to sculpt something," Evie explained.

"Still having issues with finding inspiration," Nicolette asked.

"Yeah. Ever since my mother passed away, I have been in a bit of a creative rut. My mom was the only family that I had. She always helped inspire me to create something. I feel like I lost the only person who always believed in my ability to create beautiful pieces from clay. Though I have my mom to thank for getting me interested in sculpting clay. Though my mom enjoyed it when I would paint, if I wasn't working with clay," Evie said.

Nicolette made coffee for herself and a cup for Evie, walking over handing the coffee to Evie, with a small smile on her face. "I Know you feel like you're alone. But keep in mind, you're not. You have Grace, and you have me as well as your other friends that you have at your job. This funk that you're in right now, is temporary. It won't last forever. Your time to shine will happen. But you need to grieve and feel ready to throw yourself into your art. I know that you will make something amazingly beautiful...much like you."

Evie smiled at her friend, who was doing her best to cheer her up. "Thanks for always being here for me Nico. Seriously, if it wasn't for you wanting to move in, I wouldn't be able to do all of this on my own. Yes, I do have Grace, who also has been there for me from the beginning, but you are also an important part of my life. Please don't go and change."

"You don't have to worry about me changing Evie. You and Gracie are stuck with me," Nicolette said. "Speaking of Gracie, is she coming over before I have to head out to work, or do I have to drop by the art museum to pay a visit?"

"I think it would be best to wait for Grace here, unless you're working both jobs night," Evie asked.

"You caught me. Jay asked if I could come in since when I work at the club, business is always booming. I keep telling him that the crowd loves a barista who has a personality and isn't afraid to hold conversation with them. Besides, being a personal therapist for half those patrons makes for great tips if all you do is sit there and listen, allowing them to talk without interrupting them. But I should be getting ready. I'm sure Mandy will be happy when I show up to help save her from Carrie; as well as take some of the tables off her hands. She's always worked so damn hard, but won't say anything to Carrie, because Carrie is always threatening to fire Mandy. It's just a bunch of drama that I chose not to get involved in honestly," Nicolette said.

"Find out what's going on. Grace is always asking if you told any new stories about work and gets upset when I tell her that you haven't shared anything new with me," Evie said.

"You tell Grace if she wants the scoop, all she has to do is come down there for lunch or dinner, and she will get her drama fix," Nicolette said before walking away to get ready.

Nicolette got her uniform on, taking care of her morning routine. She then felt like putting on a little bit of makeup, before taking one last look in the mirror giving herself a satisfied nod. Nicolette walked out of her room and was making her way to the door, when she quickly glanced over and saw that Evie was facetiming with Grace.

"Oh my god is that my Nick Nick?!? Where the hell do you think you're going without saying hi to me," Grace said.

"To work before Carrie decides that I did her wrong and threatens to fire me," Nicolette said.