Chapter 1 : Welcome to Gralynes!

" Parallel universes. Going back to our previous lessons which are the idea that space-time is flat, the number of possible particle configurations in multiple universes would be limited to 10^10^122 distinct possibilities, to be exact. So, with an infinite number of cosmic patches, the particle arrangements within them must repeat — infinitely many times over. This means there are infinitely many "parallel universes": Cosmic patches the same as ours that containing someone exactly like you, as well as patches that differ by just one particle's position, patches that differ by two particles' positions, and so on down to patches that are different from ours.

Famously, the physicist's Stephen Hawking's last paper before his death also dealt with the multiverse. The paper was published in May 2018, just a few months after Hawking's demise. About the theory, he told Cambridge University in an interview published in The Washington Post, "We are not down to a single, unique universe, but our findings imply a significant reduction of the multiverse to a much smaller range of possible universes."

I closed my eyes because of the boring discussion of our professor. Honestly, I am not interested in his topic. What will I do to the Multiverse Universe? It is just a theory, wild guests of the scientists!

This topic is useless! How can I use this topic in my daily life? How can I use this topic for my future? To my job as a businesswoman?

"Sir, is there any proof that the Multiverse Universe are existing?” my classmate asked our professor.

“Not everyone agreed with the parallel universe theory, however. A 2015 article on Medium by astrophysicist Ethan Siegal agreed that space-time could go on forever in theory, but said that there are some limitations with that idea,” our professor answered her question.

“The key problem is the universe is just under 14 billion years old. So our universe's age itself is not infinite, but a finite amount. This would limit the number of possibilities for particles to rearrange themselves, and sadly make it less possible that your alternate self did get on that plane after all to see China,” he continued.

“Also, the expansion at the beginning of the universe took place exponentially because there was so much "energy inherent to space itself," he said. But over time, that inflation slowed — those particles of matter created at the Big Bang are not continuing to expand, he pointed out. Among his conclusions: that means that multiverses would have different rates of inflation and different times, longer or shorter for inflation. This decreases the possibilities of universes similar to our own.”

The discussion continued and here I am, I’m bored!! I want to go out and go somewhere! But I can't. I don't want to disappoint my mom, I want to be successful in the future! 

After two hours of this class, I was the first one to get out of the classroom and go to the cafeteria. I feel like I lost haft of my energy by listening to the discussion of our professor about the multiverse universe!

“Hi, Erica, Do you have some time this afternoon?” a woman asked me, she is Liza, one of my classmates.

I looked at her and smiled, “I’m sorry but I need to go home early,” I answered her.

“Aww, I thought you will going to watch the friendly game of our American Football team in the field after class,” she said with disappointment.

“I loved, too but my mother told me that I need to go home for something important,” I said to her.

She smiled at me, “Ok, I will be going to ask Alison if she is free this afternoon to watch the friendly game,”

After we talked, I continue to walk to go to the cafeteria. I immediately order some cake and water and after I ordered, I sat in the empty chair in the cafeteria.

When I finished eating my snack, I went to my classes. When all my classes were over, five in the afternoon, I went home immediately according to what my mom told me this morning.

I don't know what there is but when mom told me that I need to go home this morning, she seemed we have a very important conversation to talk about because of her serious look.

When I got home, I saw an unfamiliar car outside our house. Although I was wondering, I chose to just go inside our house.

When I entered, I found my mom in the living room and she is talking to a man who I think is just the same age as my mom. Also, a man is sitting next to the man where my mom is talking to. He has a good posture, smooth skin, and well-groomed clothing. He has a glass on his face that suits him.

“You are already here, Erica. You are on time because our dinner was just ready. Change your clothes and just follow us to the dining area, ”my mom said and ordered me. 

Before I left, I kissed my mom on her cheek. I walked to my room to change. Since we have a guest today, I adjusted myself a bit because it would be embarrassing for our guests if I was not presentable.

When I changed, I walked to the dining area again. I saw my mom and the man talking again while the companion of the man was just quietly listening to them.

I approached my mom and stood beside her and she introduced me to our guests.

"This is my daughter Erica, Samuel," my mom introduced me to our visitors.

I looked at the man named Samuel and smiled at him.  

“What a beautiful girl, Amanda. I think they are perfect with my son, ”the man said to my mom that made me surprised! What did he mean for that? 

"What is the meaning of this, mom?" I stammered a question to my mom.

"Let's eat first and we'll talk about that later, honey," she said to me. 

Because of what I heard earlier, I could not concentrate on eating. It was as if I had lost my appetite even though there is much delicious food on the table.

When we finished eating, we went to the living room together to talk. I immediately asked mom about what the man had said earlier.

"Before I answer your question, Erica, I would like to introduce to you Xander Montefalco, the son of Samuel Montefalco for whom they are the owners of the Montefalco Company," mama introduced our guests to me.

Montefalco Company is one of the largest companies here in the country as well as abroad. They are the owners of large malls, airlines, clothing brands, and hotels.

"It is not unknown to you that our company is in crisis right now, Erica and to solve the company's problem, I agreed with Samuel to merge our companies but there is one condition," mom explained to me.

"What condition, mom?" I asked her even I have an idea of what is happening.

"The condition is that you become the wife of Samuel's son," she answered.

I am right! A fixed marriage! What do I expect to this kind of being a daughter of an owner of a company?

I stood up in my seat and looked at my mom.

"I will think about it, mom! Excuse me, I need to rest!" I said to my mom. I looked at our guests. Xander smiled at me that I ignore. 

I know my mom knows that I don't agree with what she said. When I walked, I didn't look at them anymore and I went straight to my room.

When I entered, I immediately lay down on my bed and closed my eyes. I don't believe that mom will do that thing! honestly? Fixed marriage is something that I did not agree with! 

Ten minutes have passed when there was a knock on my door. It opened and my mom entered. She approached me and sat on my bed.

"I know you do not agree with my decision, Erica but I hope you understand me," mom told me. She is seriously looking at me. 

"Since your father died of heart disease, I have had a hard time running our company and if it continues, your father's hard work for us may lose the value," mom told me. I closed my eyes because of what she said. 

It's been three years since dad died and I know how my mom struggled to lead our company but is this the answer to the company's problem? To marry me to a man I do not know? I do not have a feeling at him? 

“But, mom I don't know him. What if, he has a bad temper? What if, he does something to me after we get married and I don't love him, mom! ” I said to mom.

“Love is learned, Erica and I make sure Xander is a good child. I already know him because I always see him when Samuel and I meet. Xander is polite and hard working so you will not regret marrying him, Erica ”mom assured me. 

I gasped, “I'll think about it, mom. I need to get to know Xander first before I make a decision, ”I just told her.

Mom hugged me because of what I said.

“Thank you, Erica. You will not be going to regret it when you get to know Xander well, ”mom said to me as she hugged me.

When mom and I finished talking, she left my room. I looked at my ceiling and thought about what she had been said.

While I am lying on my bed, I suddenly feel dizzy. I sit down on my bed and roll my eyes. My room is spinning! I don't know if I have something to experience this or what but I know that there is something that is happening to me right now!

I closed my eyes to fight the dizziness that I feeling right now but I still feel like I am spinning. When I felt I was no longer spinning, I slowly open my eyes.

When I opened my eyes, I immediately stood up. I rolled my eyes to the place where I am and saw the five old men around me!

"Who are you? Where am I!?" I shouted at them. I feel afraid because I do not know them!  

"The summoning for the Alpha’s bride is a victory!” shouted by one of them.

Alpha? What the heck is going on!

"Tell me who and where I am!" I shouted again at them. They all looked at me. 

"You are here in Gralynes, the world of vampires and werewolves!"