(Author’s POV)
Receiving Noah and Sara’s ’small token of appreciation’ Myra thanked them respectfully, "Thank you Mr. Everests, Mrs. Everests. It is really beautiful."
Sara corrected her, "Myra dear, you are family to us. So, it is either uncle and aunt or you can just call us by our nas alone and I am glad you like your present" her eyes ford a crescent saying that.
She then turned to Dion and Alaric, calling out to them, "Boys are you waiting for any invitation or sothing? Give your presents to her. Don’t mind Myra, they are just being shy. They haven’t gifted anyone other than their sister."
Myra’s eyes widened in shock, ’There are more gifts to be given? Arghh, I feel like a headache is coming. Can I not just reject it?’
She imdiately tried to decline, "Sara, no need for more. You are all family, one gift is already enough" she tactfully tried to turn down.
Sara intervened, "No won’t do. They have ssed up while on the camping trip, take it as an apology. And also you are just like a part of our family. Don’t refuse, otherwise, I will feel sad that you didn’t like our hospitality."
Listening to Sara’s intervention, Myra was left with no other choice because she did not want to upset Sara. She took care of her like a mother, even reprimanded and punished her own sons for her. So, there was no room for negotiation, she had to concede, so she did.
Taking his cue, Dion who was just seated beside Myra, handed her a red box which was beautifully wrapped up with a golden net ribbon. The box was so exquisite and graceful in it and looked quite exorbitant.
Myra took the gift from him under everyone’s expectant gaze but didn’t open it. Dion insisted, "Open it and tell , do you like it? Is it to your taste? If not, I will buy you another one." Sara too said, "Let see what he has got for you."
To appease Sara’s curiosity, Myra untied the ribbon delicately, slowly unwrapping the expensive looking present. Inside it, there was a pair of peacock blue butterfly shaped diamond stud earrings. They were small but their worth wasn’t.
Nora, who was peeking from the other side of Myra, exclaid loudly, "Wow, these look so dazzlingly stunning, nice job Bro. You have an eye to pick up gifts", and gave him a thumbs up sign.
Myra too liked the earrings; they were laden with refined elegance and were exactly Myra’s type, there was no denying it. But the issue was not the beauty of it for Myra, it was the price. ’The word modesty and humility is not in Everests family dictionary.’
She nodded politely and formally thanking Dion.
Next was Alaric’s turn, he licked his lips and was frowning when Dion handed over his gift to Myra. He saw the look in his brother’s eyes, a tender anticipation, which was a rare emotion for soone like Dion to express. Then, when he saw Myra’s stunned and astonished face, he felt an itch in his heart. It was making him uncomfortable; maybe Alex was feeling like that.
Comparing to Sara and Dion’s thoughtful presents, Alaric’s was just a random one, which he picked up in a passing, from an online auction. Unknowingly, he was feeling regretful.
But Noah sternly asked him, "Alaric Everests, where is yours? Did you not bring any for Ms. Miracle?" Sara was also looking at him with narrowed eyes. "Did you really not bought anything?"
Scratching his forehead, he uttered, "I have."
"Then where is it? Why can’t I see it?" Sara was giving him a death stare.
Biting his lower lip, he called to one of the ogas, "Bring it in." On his orders, an oga wearing black leather gloves carrying a large size mud green tinted box, entered the greenhouse. Alaric explained, "It has just been delivered." The oga placed the box in front of Myra.
Myra was overwheld by the sheer size of Alaric’s present. The top of the box had a logo of Hermès on it, which made Myra felt dizzy. She was speechless. ’At this rate, I can even buy a house from these gifts.’ This was more or less the sa at what happened at the breakfast table when Sara and Noah offered to sponsor her and buy a house for her family. ’They shouldn’t be called Everests, but Extravagant.’
Myra’s hands shook while opening the box, she was afraid to damage the box. After opening it, she found a Hermès limited edition Faubourg Birkin. She didn’t touch it, scared to leave a print or a scratch on the bag. Internally, her hands were on her head, he was contemplating whether to reject it now or after the dinner. ’This is way too much for .’
Sara and Nora saw the bag and the forr finally smiled at Alaric, complenting on his great taste. Alaric, who was suppressing a smile, simply brushed it off, "I just picked it up randomly, and my assistant helped in it as well."
He was waiting for Myra’s reaction but that girl was way too gobsmacked and conflicted by his gift. Earlier in the day, she was the one who asked Alaric to behave civil with each other and if now she returned the present that he bought, he will only think she was pretending to do a peace offering. They will be back to square one.
Nora quickly whispered to Myra, breaking her chaotic chain of thoughts, "I will give my present to you when we two are alone. I also have sothing very important to tell you. Let’s go for a walk to the lake side after dinner, okay?"
Myra was absentminded and didn’t see the tensed look on Nora’s face and simply humd and nodded at her in the affirmative.
"Now, shall we start the dinner" Sara announced.
"Wait, sorry to cut you in Sara but I have also so gifts for you guys. Although it may not be that valuable" Myra said with kind smile plastered on her face.
"Awww, you didn’t have to dear. Your presence is more than enough for us" Sara spoke gently.
"No, you have been a great host to and it is only right if I show you my sincerity" Myra’s words were convincing.
She took out two humble looking books, one for Noah and one for Sara, "This is for Mr. Everests and this is for you Sara." Eagerly, Sara open her box, there was a set of essential oils lined up neatly inside. She exclaid, "It is so thoughtful of you, I have been feeling tired these days because of work. This will definitely help in my rest. Thank you, Myra."
Sara then nudged Noah with her elbow, urging him to open his package. He unlaced the satin ribbon and open the lid, a dark grape purple hued tie with micro sized polka dots was kept inside. Noah gave Myra a subtle smile and formally said, "Thank you Ms. Miracle. I will use it well."
Myra returned a kind smile at him.
She then took out two more tiny identical looking boxes and passed them onto Alaric and Dion.
Both Alaric and Dion were wide eyed, not expecting anything from Myra.
Dion grinned from ear to ear looking at the pretty small box and without wasting anyti he opened it with anticipation. There was a pair of gold cufflinks just like Dion’s eye color. He took them out of the box and wore them on his shirt asking, "They match perfectly, thanks Myra." The radiant smile was intact on his face.
Alaric was a bit dazed, Alex was wheezing inside, urging him constantly ’she bought a gift for us. Open it, open it fast. See what our mate has got for us.’
He opened it and found the exact sa cufflinks as Dion’s. The only difference was their color; his was embedded with sapphire colored stone, sa as his orbs. They were indeed simple yet elegant but his eyes drooped in slight disappointnt. He didn’t like that his gift was the sa as soone else’s. Nevertheless, out of curtsy and his mother’s glaring stares, he just said, "I’ll use them well" and shut the box, keeping it aside.
Myra didn’t bother with either of them; the gifts were rely a show of civil gesture from her side, nothing more.
A lively voice interrupted them, "Where is mine?"
Everyone turned to see the source of the voice and found Elio walking towards them in a raven shirt and sa shaded pants.
Nora exclaid, "Twinnie, you finally ca." Elio took his seat beside Alaric, and just across Myra. He then asked again n a friendly tone, "Don’t I get any?" making an innocent puppy face.
Myra took out his box, "Here you go."
He urgently and impatiently unwrapped it, Nora laughed at him, "Why are you so impatient?"
Sticking his tongue out, Elio unfurled the box, sounding astonishing, "Thank you. I like them so much." His cufflinks too were sa as the forrs but they were in erald color.
Alaric and Dion as well as Alex and Drey’s mood soured at the sight.
To Be Continued . . . . . . .
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