THE GODDESS WITHIN

Part 1 of a 3 part short story written by Jennifer Nicole

It was a hot afternoon in New York City and my soul was tired from Cindy’s bitching and my boss being a total control freak all day. The only thing on my mind was a smooth Cosmo Barbie Cocktail to settle my aching spirit, but with it being 11 in the morning, I guess I’ll settle for a standard Vanilla Coco Mocha.

Evelyn was a beauty editor who always struggled to keep up with society’s beauty. It was time to go out into the world and see the beauty all around me. Evelyn proclaimed.   

With the entire office now looking her way, a standing Evelyn said the one thing, all editors know too well. “Coffee?”. 

Of course, nobody really cared, but at least they understood her slang for I need a break and I’m having one. 

As Evelyn arrived at Heaven Gate Coffee Shop, she noticed a bell hanging on top of the door, which rung every time someone came in or out. “Ding!” 

The noise made her feel almost regal, a celebrity even. But the thought of everyone staring at her as she walked in, kind of made Evelyn feel uneasy. You could say it was the imposter syndrome or the scam artist of her ego, presenting itself again.

Once Evelyn stood in the queue, she noticed an intoxicatingly beautiful woman standing tall in her power. The same one who always ordered her favourite, Vanilla Cookie Dough Latte and she was there, standing right in front of me. It was only 6 feet away which I suppose was okay, given the current circumstances of the world.

“Oh, Colton dear, you forgot the Extra Hazelnut Syrup”. She slyly requested, standing there smiling. 

“Oh apologies, I’ll fix that right away!” Colton replied.

She even had the barista hooked in awe. 

This woman turned to look around and little by little, Evelyn saw her beauty, sharp like a crystal which was glistening and glowing in the sun. Her summer Tennis dress was pristine, kind of an off-white colour and she was rocking it. Evelyn thought to herself. Her green eyes sparkled like the green earth she walked on, this woman, who ever she was, seemed just as powerful as the universe. 

Her silky Irish tones were smooth like honey and her hair was Auburn Brown which matched her fiery attitude. God, Evelyn was hooked! And she stood in this mysterious woman’s presence, noticing that time seemed to stand still.  

Evelyn admired this woman’s impeccable beauty, she wanted to be that girl. Whatever confidence food she was selling and eating, Evelyn definitely wanted to buy. 

“Evelyn Summers… Vanilla Coco Mocha with Coconut Milk, an extra shot of honey and Caramel Syrup?” The Barista called out. 

Hearing the Barista call out her order, felt like school over again. When Mrs Doors used to call out her personal business every time she acted up in class. 

“Thanks”. Evelyn replied as she reached out to take her coffee.

Evelyn took a seat opposite this mysterious woman. Who was she? Evelyn pondered this question while sipping on the luxurious velvety taste of her mocha.

Just then, the Red-haired beauty noticed Evelyn staring and proceeded to walk over. “Excuse me, I just had to ask, where did you get your Jacket from? It’s so chic and ever so classy. I love it!”.

“Ahh Thank you, it was a gift from an old friend from the UK”. Said Evelyn as she touched her Jacket like it was this year’s runway look.   

“UK?” 

“Yeah… London specifically” Evelyn replied grinning ear to ear as if she morphed into the Cheshire cat in that split second. 

“Well, it’s so beautiful… I’m Mavis. What’s your name?” Mavis asked as she proceeded to sit down besides Evelyn. 

“Evelyn, I’m just here on a coffee break”. 

“Oh, me too”. Mavis beamed. 

As we sat in this Coffee Shop, talking about Crystals, meditation and Chakra Music of ocean waves splashing across the rocks. Which let’s face it, it really is the perfect lullaby for a child to sleep to. It was hard to accept that she was talking to me. Could this be the day I discover what real beauty is? Would this be the day, my Editor-in-Chief finally likes my work? With all these questions swirling around in Evelyn’s head, it really was no surprise that she didn’t hear Mavis’s question. 

“Did you hear me?” Mavis asked. 

“Erm” Evelyn replied unsure of whether to tell her the truth or a little white lie.

“I said how did you get so beautiful? What products are you using? Because I was looking at you from the waiting area down there admiring how gorgeous you were and of course saw that your Jacket was really nice and I had to come over here and talk to you”. Mavis said

Evelyn was astonished with what Mavis had said. Whilst staring at Mavis, pretty hard. It was in this very moment that Evelyn realized she was looking everywhere else for beauty when it was within her the whole time. 

Just like Mavis, asking her about products and beauty, she understood that she had been that girl. Trying to find the next best thing to make her beautiful, from serums to Make up to even Hydrochloric acid regimes. It never was about the products or the notion to drink more water and eat right, it was all about choices. Choices to what makes us feel good as women. Choices to how we can look good for us and not for anyone else. 

Evelyn finally got it! The beauty that she had seen radiating out of Mavis like some Goddess, was radiating out of her too. Seeing Mavis standing tall in her divine power meant that Evelyn’s divine power must have been there too when she was standing tall in front of Mavis. 

“I have to go”! Evelyn said as she grabbed her coffee and coat and bolted through the door. 

I have a story and a bloody good one. Evelyn thought to herself 

Now back at the office, Evelyn understood the assignment… Finally! 

Rushing back to her seat, almost falling over, Evelyn had to get these thoughts on the page before they escape her memory. 

“Chapter 1”! She wrote.

What is beauty? Is it inner beauty or the beauty placed on from societal standards? 

Typing away, Evelyn was in the flow and her story about beauty was finally gaining momentum. 

Maybe the fresh air helped her or meeting Mavis. But whatever it was, it definitely was needed for Evelyn to see that beauty is not sometimes on the surface using fancy products but rather beauty is skin deep to a soul level and as women, we determine how beauty should look and feel.  

Stay tuned for part 2!

Meet Jennifer:

I grew up watching Aladdin with my dad, and it was, in this very moment, that I felt I was travelling on a journey with these Disney characters. Ever since then, all I have ever wanted to do is write stories that have purpose, meaning and storylines that matter. My main goal is to write stories that give people hope and inspiration in some way, and after excelling in the Real Estate Industry for +3 years and even gained an R.I.C.S (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) accredited Degree in Commercial Real Estate, I made the bold leap to turn my passion of creative writing into my profession. 

When I am not creating a world where readers are fully immersed into the journey of my stories, I usually spend my time in my favourite coffee shop, Starbucks or I am busy cooking new recipes from the hit reality show, MasterChef. I also enjoy catching new shows to binge watch on Netflix and is very much enjoying the hit period drama Bridgerton. I can usually be found travelling the world exploring different cultures and their food. 
I love to write mysteries full of drama and plot twists and my motto is. “A good storyline must have some intrigue in it, otherwise is it even a good story worth reading!”