Page 2 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

Chapter One

Six months later

“Eve,” my sister’s voice was nagging me from somewhere. “Wake up.”

I refused to open my eyes. Oblivion during sleep was better; it was the only time I got some reprieve. Sometimes I dreamt they were still with me. It was the only time I didn’t feel complete desperation.

“Eve, that’s enough!” she begged. “I can’t bear this anymore. You have to snap out of it! Open your eyes or I’m calling the ambulance.”

I didn’t want to deal with anyone or anything. I opened my eyes and met my sister’s worried gaze.

“Here,” I muttered. “Now go away, Elise.”

“No,” she objected. “I’m not going anywhere till you get back up on your feet. You can’t keep going like this.”

I closed my eyes again, wishing she’d just disappear, go away. Anything just so I wouldn’t have to hear anyone’s voice.

“You are not ignoring me this time,” she ranted softly. “I know you are hurting, but it’s time to get back up.”

She lifted my upper body. “Jesus Christ, Eve. You are practically skin and bones.” I guess it wasn’t that hard to lift me up then. “You are withering away. I left you alone for almost six months. Since you haven’t snapped out of it, I will make you.”

“Why can’t you just go away?” I whispered in desperation.

“I’m not going anywhere because I love you,” her voice was firm. I knew my sister well enough to know she wouldn’t go away. “You’re going to take a shower, and I’m taking you for tea and a light lunch.”

“What are you doing here anyhow?” I mumbled, not moving at all. “And how did you get into my place?”

“I took a vacation,” she replied while pushing me, forcing me practically to get out of bed. “I’m staying here till you get out of this coma.”

“Ok,” I told her. “I’m out of it… all good. Would you leave now?”

“No,” she retorted. “Go get in the shower. Then we are going for lunch.” She practically pushed me into the bathroom and into the shower.

An hour later we sat in a small bistro cafe, in downtown Edinburgh. There was a sandwich in front of me but it held no appeal. Elise kept chattering while I sipped on my tea; although, I hadn’t heard a damn word she’d said.

“Have you written anything?” she asked me out of the blue.

I stared at her unsure if I should tell her the truth or not. I had been writing since I was a teenager, and it was only due to royalties income that I was able to afford my apartment in a new country.

To hell with it, she probably already knew I screwed that up too.

“No,” I told her. “I quit and broke off the contract with the publishing company. I couldn’t do it anymore.”

She studied me for a while without words, and I didn’t care about the silence that stretched. Honestly, it was more welcome than her constant chattering.

“Brandon talked to a friend who has a company here,” she started, and I couldn’t even pretend the slighted interest. “He can get you a job and it’s in finance.” I raised my eyebrow, I wasn’t expecting that at all. “Finance was your minor and you paid for your tuition exclusively working for investment companies. If you are not writing, maybe you just need a change.”

My big sister, always trying to fix everything. It took me back to my high school year when she tried to explain to my math teacher I’d never be his protege because although I was the best in his class, I had no interest. To this day, I wasn’t sure how she convinced him to stop nagging me to join his math groups for national competitions.

“I’m fine,” I mumbled. Really, I just wanted to be left alone.

“No, you are not. Please, Eve,” she begged. “It breaks my heart to see you like this. It could be good for you. Just to get out there and get a routine going.”

“I don’t want to get out there,” I uttered.

“Maybe,” she pushed in a pleading voice. “But it is what you need. Brandon said his friend, Colin McLaren, needed someone to take care of light finance data entry tasks. See where it takes you till you decide what you want to do.”

“Whatever,” I mumbled flat.

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