AUTHOR'S POV
Diana knew that Alva will just laugh if she asked whether she's a wolf. Her mind is getting blown with different revelations, thinking what her mother exactly is hiding from her. What an exhausting moment for that is with her mother at the start of the day.
Diana wore a black long sleeves dress with a square neckline and black and white pumps, as she hold onto her white medical coat. She looked straight in the mirror and stared at her own reflection before leaving her bedroom. The weather today is as gloomy as how she feels. She took out the tarot card from her pocket and thought of Emilia, refusing to believe the card is from her.
Arriving at the hospital, Diana smoothly made her rounds among her patients and then completed a meeting with her residents. She glanced on the people's faces wondering if anyone of them are wolves, vampires or nagual. 'Must be good if I can tell who's what', she thought. Diana passed by the laboratory. When she suddenly thought of having her blood taken to check what's in her blood that her father was worried about years ago. 'Might be nothing now, but still', Diana thought, given that she still gives out her blood until today.
She went inside and looked for Calvin. No one's around so she just decided to draw her own blood. Diana tossed her coat on the table, prepped everything she needed and sat comfortably on a chair. She pulled up her sleeves, secured the tourniquet and cleaned her brachial area. When she's about to stick the needle, she heard someone open the door.
"What are you doing?", Calvin's voice sounded in the lab, puckering his brows at Diana who's about to stick herself with a needle.
"Harvesting", securing the needle in place, pricked her skin, as she aspirate the blood out.
"What for?", Calvin kept his distance while Diana is doing her business.
"I want a comprehensive metabolic panel, and a toxicology test", once done, Diana stuck the needle out, and removed the tourniquet.
"Okay? Have you been taking drugs?", Calvin placed a cotton adhesive on Diana's arm and pressed on it gently.
"Just for wellness monitoring, Calvin", she smiled at him like normal. Afraid that he might get an inkling of her suspicions. If he would, he'd definitely let Alva know. They are too close like that, Diana believed. Diana wanted to ask Calvin about wolves but, she don't want to end up having him tell Alva about it too. So, she just let it go.
"Got it. It will be done in no time", Calvin took Diana's tube of blood, and smiled showing his deep dimples.
"I'll get going then, thanks Calvin", Calvin opened the door for her as she went out. On her way to the elevator, she was reminded by her coat that she left in the lab. In quiet footsteps along the white empty hall, Diana returned to the laboratory without making any sound. In the small crevice of the door, Diana was appalled to see Calvin drinking her tube of blood. Her eyes nearly jumped out of her sockets as she cover her mouth, not letting out even a soft shriek. Breathing heavily in disbelief, she dragged her weakened knees to the elevator not minding her coat anymore. Panic-stricken, she pressed on the button heavily and repeatedly to have the doors open. With heightened fear with her cold sweats blotting on her forehead, Diana watched the floor counter from the 8th floor until it reaches the second floor. Distraught and almost frozen, she felt a cold presence getting closer. When she turned her head, Calvin was already behind her. "You forgot your coat, Diana", handing Diana's piece of clothing.
Diana gasped in dread, yet, she pretended to be calm. "Oh yea, thanks Cal. Getting forgetful lately", Diana forced a smile as she took her coat.
Calvin didn't let go easily, and moved his face closer to her. "Are you sure you are okay?", he said with furrowed brows and partly showing his dimple.
"Why wouldn't I be?", Diana took her coat as the elevator door opens. She went in, took a very deep but shaky breath, staring at Calvin as the door closes.
MEANWHILE
Time went by so slow for Scott who kept looking at his watch on his wrist. It's already half past six, as he wait by the cars for Priscilla and Stanley. Dapper in his white longsleeves and matching back coat and trousers, he made sure he look his best for his Luna. As soon as the couple went out of the Devlins mansion, Scott couldn't hardly wait further to head onto the restaurant for their much awaited dinner with the Woodsworths.
They reached the restaurant on time in separate vehicles, and immediately went to the private dining room Priscilla reserved for the family. The feast and drinks have been served and yet no Woodsworth have arrived yet. Priscilla can feel the tension in the air at every tick of the clock. She kept the room lit with her jokes and stories but then, she could still sense the strained atmosphere in Scott's frequent time check, and Stanley's loud grunts. "They will surely come", she nervously laughed, batting her long lashes, forcing a smile.
"Alva is smart. She make deals on her own terms", Stanley warned as he close his eyes, with his hands trembling uncontrollably on his lap.
"Like how all meticulous mothers are", Priscilla assured, not to make sound too alarming for the son.
It didn't bothered Scott at all. Diana is his Luna, and there's no other way but to proceed with the wedding, he thought. He stood by the window, fiddling with his lighter and his other hand tapping his bulging pocket where he kept a tiny box. He would've smoked a few sticks, but maybe it can wait after meeting The Alva Woodsworth. He have heard so many business matters involving her name, and yet he have never put a face on such prestigious woman. Moments later, he then looked out at the brick patterned entrance of the restaurant and smiled seeing his Luna get inside.
EARLIER
Diana requested the medical team to have the surgery performed as earlier as possible. As soon as the operating room was available, they started the heart operation at once. Given that she's still suspended on performing surgical operations herself, Diana could watch over the heart operation at the viewing deck of the OR until it has successfully finished by six in the evening. Perfect timing made possible by the best doctors whom she personally chose.
She left the hospital at exactly seven, went home to freshen up a little to remove the stingy smell of blood and medicines, and changed in a blush pink tulle frilled dress. She then grabbed her purse and went out where her mother's black sedan is waiting. As soon as she head in her mother's car, Alva, wearing a grey suit, was already waiting inside. They were silent, until Alva break the air.
"You don't have to say anything. I just want you to be there", Alva said as she stare out the window with her hands crossed on her lap. Diana was too tired to respond. She never meddled with her mother's businesses anyway.
The car stopped at the entrance of the restaurant, as the staff open the car door for them. Setting her eyes on the rustic charm of the restaurant, Diana noticed a blue sports car parked at the valet service. Her heart pounded trying to figure out who exactly are they meeting with. She deciphered deeply what's ahead of this business meeting that her mother involved her with. Diana followed her mother from behind, like an obedient gosling tailing its mother goose. She kept her hand in her pocket, with her purse hanging from her other arm. The anticipation got worse at every step.
The restaurant was beaming with warm lights from classic vintage chandeliers. There were stunning iconic visuals of cozy seats, gallery walls, fresh flowers, and intricate designs of the renaissance. Far from her mother's dim and all black preference, Diana thought that whoever chose this restaurant have good taste. They went to a private dining up the second floor and as the door opened, the first thing whom she saw was Scott standing by the window with a glass of wine on his hand.
"Hello to the both of you! Such lovely ladies!", Priscilla clapped joyfully as she kissed Alva on the cheek. She effortlessly made the room warm and vibrant, wiping out the worries that she had earlier whether the Woodsworths are coming or not. While Alva kept her composure and elegant poise, she stared down at Priscilla as if the bubblyy Devlin is an insect.
"Stanley, you look awful", Alva bitterly said, boldly the sick old man looking daggers.
Stanley struggled to stand up to greet them. He gazed at Alva who's looking at him in disgust. He wanted to prove that he doesn't feel awful as he looks. Diana reached out to Stanley to shake hands with the old man's clammy palms. She instantly noticed his visible tremors, and big droplets of sweat coming out of his forehead. "Nice to meet you, Sir. Please, be comfortable on your seat", she encouraged preferably, as Stanley just replied with a soft chuckle. Alva gave her a side eye not expecting a warm greeting from Diana to a person she just met.
"You look so beautiful, my dear. I hope you still remember me?", Priscilla hugged Diana and kissed her soft cheeks. Avidly, Priscilla grabbed Diana's hand and keenly delivered her to her son. "This is our son, Scott Devlin", she introduced the two with much giggling and excitement, shipping the two on their very first meeting. "Scott this is Diana Woodsworth".
"Pleasure is mine", Scott took Diana's hand and kissed it, pretending they don't know each other. As soon as Scott's lips brushed the back of her hand, Diana felt something riveting through her skin. She just smiled, trying to act normal as she glower at Scott's mischievous grin.
"Enough with the introduction, shall we begin?", Alva was starting to get bored when she sat down in one of the leather seats of the circular table pulled out by the attendant. She didn't even gave the Devlins a chance to formally introduce Scott before they could even start the dinner. Priscilla and Diana sat on each of the sides of Alva, as the attendant pour wines in their glasses.
"As you know, it is not my son's plan to runaway from the wedding. Let's clear that out", Priscilla detailed as she put her palms facing down the table. "It was a bad joke of his siblings to take him away on your very special day. That's why… we are here as a family to give our sincerest apologies for what happened….", she clasped her hands together as she bat her lashes.
"Apologies accepted", Alva drank some wine and asked for more. Diana was all ears, as she remain quiet on her seat as told. She glanced at Scott, who seemed focused and all serious in this 'business meeting'. When they met their gazes, he had this impish sparkle in his eyes that made her blood come rushing to her face.
Scott pulled his eyes away from Diana, despite not wanting to. He set his interests on Alva, trying to sense her being. No scent of any form of beasts comes out from her. She had this critical and demanding personality, oozing with superiority... typical of a person engaged in the competitive jungle of businesses. Nevertheless, he can't help but compare the mother and the daughter from their clear distinctions. Diana must have taken so much form his father, he supposed.
"Oh.. Thank you, I knew you are very kind hearted. Well then, we still wanted to pursue the we…" before she could finish, Alva roared to disagree.
"Declined.", Alva stared at her daughter, whose eyes are pinned on Stanley.
"P.. pardon?", Priscilla's face was painted with concern and worry. She really wanted to have the wedding out of desperation. "Like.. Like I said, it wasn't really intentional. It was a terrible mistake", she submitted herself in the possibility that Alva would change her mind.
"My daughter and I have talked about it. We refuse any negotiation of marriage between the Woodsworths and the Devlins", Alva pursed her lips as she squinted her eyes on Diana and Scott who have been exchanging glances for quite a while now.