Chapter 5
Noelle Evergreen
I could not believe it. I was on a transit merchant Drackon ship in space. It had been two years since I had made the same journey. Yet, it felt like it was yesterday. My stomach was a pile of nerves. I was constantly thinking about Gavonn. Would he get my letter? What were the chances that Betty would come across his path? Maybe he was already on Sala doing some work? Maybe he wasn't alive at all. These thoughts went through my mind over and over again, making me extremely anxious.
I pulled out my work: the orders for the materials that we were to get from Sala. I would be in charge of making sure it all went according to plan. I would make sure that we got a good deal and then I would make sure that the shipment was on board with me on my return to Earth, but part of me hoped that I would not be returning to Earth. Was it too much to ask that I have my own Christmas miracle? All I wanted for Christmas was the love of Gavonn.
“Miss Evergreen, we are approaching Sala,” the human attendant said to me.
“Thank you. What is to happen when I arrive?” I asked.
“You will be escorted through the log process and shown to your living quarters. Then you will be shown to your contact,” he said.
“Thank you. I am anxious to get started on the work,” I said. I was lying. I was mostly anxious to see if Gavonn would be waiting for me.
Half an hour later, the ship was landing in the port on Sala. It was a different one than the one that I had gone to years before. That one had been destroyed by the battle, I was sure of it. This one was very new and different.
I went through the process of logging my information and identity in the official records. Everyone that arrived had to do that. It was part of the process. It was strange to be there on Sala for business, instead of a marriage arrangement like my first time.
Then I was shown to a very small living quarters. It was about the size of a modest hotel room on Earth. But it did have a great view of the red desert-like landscape outside. It would do for now. It had everything that I needed.
I waited for thirty minutes and used the time to change and freshen up. I wanted to look my best. It was possible that it any moment I could see Gavonn. I wanted to look my best when I ran into him, if it happened. I hoped that it would.
A buzzing noise went off. I finally figured out that it was the door. I walked to it and opened it. A very tall Drackon weredragon stood in the doorway. He had long blond hair and piercing blue eyes.
“If you will follow me, I will take you to your contact for business,” the weredragon said to me.
“Thank you,” I said as I followed him. Walking behind him, I looked at his tall physique. His broad shoulders and strong arms reminded me of Gavonn. All of the Drackon had this muscular physique that was sculpted and toned; it was beautiful. Even the weredragon that I followed was downright sexy, but not as sexy as my Gavonn.
“Samara, this is the human female sent from the city of New York,” the weredragon said, stepping into a large warehouse.
“Good, it is about time. I have other business to attend to,” the female Drackon said. Shrewd. She was tall and elegant, just like the other Drackon. But she was obviously arrogant.
“Hello, my name is Noelle evergreen. It is nice to meet you. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I am excited to do business,” I said with a smile.
The tall Drackon female looked at me up-and-down. She was judging me. She obviously did not like what she saw. I think it was disgust that was registering across her mouth.
“Yes, Miss Evergreen. Delighted,” she said. But her tone did not seem like she was delighted. She was annoyed.
“If you will follow me,” she said turning and walking further into the warehouse.
“Now, your corporation said you were interested in these types of materials. We have this entire wall on the right. Look through them. Touch them, test them out. See which ones are to your liking. There are employees here to help you with samples. Once you have decided which ones you would like to take back to Earth, fill them out in your report. It will be sent to me, and I will come and meet with you again, and we can discuss the matter further,” she said.
“And what of the price? We were quoted these prices before I came. I want to make sure that these are still going to be held to,” I said handing her a piece of paper.
She grabbed it with hostility and rolled her eyes. She looked it over for a couple of minutes. She was making it seem like I was inconveniencing her by making her work. What could she have that was more important than a meeting that was already scheduled between us? It wasn't like I was intruding on her time in surprise. She knew that this meeting was going to happen and that I would have questions.
“Yes, these are all fine. If you find something that is not on here, whatever this employee quotes you, I will stick to that price,” she said pointing to another Drackon female that nodded her head to me.
“Now if you will follow me, I will show you to a room that you can call your own to work in, an office,” she said.
“Thank you, that will be most helpful,” I said.
I followed her out of the warehouse of material and down a long white hallway. It was so white that you could almost see your reflection on the walls and the floor. Her boots clicked on the hall floor loudly.
“This is it,” she said opening a door. I walked in. It was perfect. There was a large table, perfect for laying out material. There was a comfy sofa and coffee table as well as a drink area. A large window gave me a view of the red landscape outside. New pair
“This will do nicely, thank you,” I said.
“Now, is there anything else you might need from me? Do you have any more questions?” she said crossing her arms over her body.
“No, nothing that I can think of at the moment,” I said to her.
“Miss Evergreen, are you sure? I am only here on Sala until this evening. I will be returning to Mooreah; I won't be back for two days. I want to make sure that you are settled. I would not like to be called back during those two days; I have some business to attend to with my husband,” she said.
“No, I cannot think of anything. If I do, I am sure that your employees can help me,” I said putting my hands on my hips and narrowing my eyes at her. I had enough of being treated like a child by her. I was no longer going to play pleasantries. She was obviously a bitch, and I was going to treat her as one in return.
She was quiet as she caught my sassy tone. Then she gave out a little huff and turned toward the door.
“Very well. Carry-on with your work then. I will see you in two days to discuss business further,” she said and then walked out.
I was thoroughly annoyed. So much for a friendly greeting, I thought. I put my work bag on the table and laid out my work orders and reports. I got to work. But as I sat there, I wondered: if Gavonn did show up, how would he find me here?
I walked to the door and opened it. I left it wide open. Everyone that walked by caught my attention. I saw a few Drackon weredragons passing here and there, and with everyone, I thought it was Gavonn, but it never was.
I went into the warehouse and got to work. The employees were helpful, much more helpful than Samara. They were nice and eager to pull bolts of cloth for me. I was becoming distracted by the work; I was engrossed in it. The materials were fantastic. It was going to create an amazing clothing line. The colors were vibrant: colors that we did not have on Earth. There were all kinds of textures to the materials ranging from silky soft to hard and sturdy. It was phenomenal.
The day turned into evening, and before I knew it, I had worked into the night.
“Has anyone come looking for me?” I asked at the log desk where I had registered upon arrival.
“What is your name?” The weredragon asked.
“I am Noelle Evergreen. Have I had any visitors or messages?” I asked.
“No, nothing,” he said.
“I am expecting a visit from a friend, or a message. If anyone should ask for me, you have permission to give my number of my living quarters and the office where I am working during the day,” I said.
“I understand,” he said as he typed in the information into the database.
I took one last look around, especially toward the port. I looked at every single weredragon walking around; none of them were Gavonn. I took a deep breath and then left. I went to the communal kitchen and ate with a few of the human females that were living on Sala. They were very nice, and it was interesting to hear about their lives, even though it made me jealous. All of them were happily married to weredragons.
After dinner, I went to my living quarters and took a long hot bath. Then I finally went to sleep. I was exhausted from the space travel and the long day of work. I wanted to get rest. I was hopeful that the next day, I would experience my Christmas miracle.