|| Secrets or Just Untold Truths?
We got out of the car and walked into the medium sized shop, one of the staff members quickly walked to us and asked, “For the Royal Galle?”
“Yes, please.”
She nodded and we followed her, there were many people in the sections of gowns- what can you say? It’s going to be a very special day.
She reached near a long rail of fabulous dresses and gestured to us. So many colorful gowns all lined up one by one. I looked at Vivi and tried to say in a serious tone,“No black dresses.”
Vivi slumped her shoulders and let out an exaggerated sigh, “I’ll try,”
We split up and searched for dresses, black coloured dresses are the only thing she found in this entire boutique. For me, I couldn’t decide.
I searched and searched and searched,
I finally found a raven black gown, it was light and flowy and really beautiful.
“Hey check this one,” Vivi called me out, I turned and saw her holding a simple yet beautiful ombre gown. I looked at it with awe so did she look at mine with the same expression.
She read my expression and handed me the gown, “I think you should try this one.” she said. I agreed and handed her the black gown, and walked in the changing room.
I gasped when I saw the dress on me, it fitted perfectly on my body and hung elegantly from my waist- a gosh was it so beautiful. The ombre of beige and purple brought out my grey eyes, making me smile.
The corners of her mouth lifted in a bright grin as I walked out, “You look hot- like really hot,” she gasped, examining the dress as i twirled around, “Damn, Zen’s gonna lose his mind.”
“I love it,” I say as watching the dress move with elegance with the slightest of movement, I’m definitely getting this one. “why don’t you try that one?” I asked her, pointing towards the black gown.
Vivi made a face, “I’m not wearing that.”
I raised an eyebrow at her in confusion, isn’t it black?
She scowled at me, “It’s too girly,”
“Well you are a girl,”
“I’m NOT wearing that to the bloody Galle,”
“You are.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“NO!” she yelled, everyone paused and stared at us, “Bloody hell.” she muttered, grabbing the dress and walking into the room.
When she came out, she looked magnificent. It looked like the dress was made for her. I beamed at her “This one!”
AIDEN
I stood in my dark room and closed my eyes. I focused on her, my MATE and called her through my mind
“I don’t want to lose her,” I finally spoke.
“You won’t,” her voice sweet as always, brushed my ears. Her voice gave me some sort of relief, even though she wasn’t here anymore.
"Murders are increasing day by day, Lia." i said, "Same way of death and same place. I cant risk Adria going to the Royal Galle."
"You shouldn't stop her Aiden, her presence in the Empire will be changing the fate of millions." sternness in her voice, the way she says my name makes me go crazy, “Tell her about the Realm of Caeleste.”
“What if she doesn’t believe me?”
“She will, amor.”
I contemplated the idea, “You wont lose her, Aiden,” she assured me, “The Skya will keep her safe.”
I pursed my lips, “I don't want to do this without you.”
She giggled, “I’m always with you, Aiden,” hearing her giggle gives relief to my ears, just like rain does in droughts.
I smiled to myself, “Should I tell her who her parents were?”
“Not yet, and do not stop her from going to the Empire”
ADRIA
We purchased the dresses, and walked out
And
It's night.
Great. Where the hell did the time go?
Eugene had already arrived with his car, and he dropped me home. I opened the door, the sound of laughter filled the room. I glanced around to find dad laughing with Zen. Oh shoot, I forgot.
“Oh hi Adria.” Zen greeted when I walk in, “Your paintings are amazing!” he complimented the colourful paintings hung on the wall.
“Er…thanks?” great job Adria, that definitely did NOT come out as a question.
“He's our new neighbor,” dad smiled. Wait, what? I bet I would've been looking like a tomato right now. I excused myself and made it towards my room.
I dropped the bag and heard the front door close. After a while I got down, “We need to talk,” dad said in a serious tone, arms crossed over his chest and his smile had faded. He was back to his tired look. My heart pounded in my chest.
This was very rare, ‘we need to talk’ never really happened between me and him not to brag or anything, I WAS a pretty innocent kid back then.
He gestured to me to have a seat in front of him, I took a seat. He massaged the back of his neck and raked his silky brown hair, messing it up. “Look I know I’m going to sound…crazy, but I need you to listen to me carefully..” I didn’t know having a date was weird until today.
I nodded and he continued, “I don’t know how to say this but I have to,” my heart pounded faster in my chest.
“There are many people out there to hurt you Adria,” he said, “and I really need you to believe me because I feel so helpless right now. The Empire you’re going to go to is filled with,” he paused, “Vampires.”
A shiver ran down my spine, “Seriously dad?” I snapped as I got up. What was wrong with him he literally scared me to death.
“No.” he commanded, “Sit down Adriana” Right, he’s dead serious, “I never wanted you to know about this,” he spoke softly.
I raised an eyebrow at him, “So you’re telling me vampires live in the Aldridge Empire?”
“Yes,”
“Like the vampires who sleep in coffins, hate garlic and turn into ash when in the sun?”
“Not really,” he said, “And listen to me carefully. They are cruel, merciless creatures who take pleasure in sucking blood from their victims dry.”
I looked at him, speechless. Completely and utterly speechless. He looked dead serious right now. A thought crossed my mind and my blood ran cold, I sucked in a breath, “A-are you one of them?”
“What?”
“Are you a vampire?” I asked again, fidgeting with the gem of my necklace.
He looked down, “No,” he replied, “I’d never be like those creatures.”
I let out a sigh of relief, what would it be like if my dad was a vampire?
“So, this empire I’m going to is filled with vampires?”
“Possibly.” he says while shifting in his seat, “Please, if you feel anything is wrong. Just get out of that place and come here, alright?”
I nodded, I don’t know if I should feel scared or happy. I’m not terrified of vampires, in fact I’d love to meet one IF they exist.
“How is this related to my mom and dad? Were they vampires too?”
“No they weren’t.”
“Then who were they?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Why can’t you dad?!” I snapped, standing up from my seat,“For years you’ve been avoiding the topic as if it's nothing. Don’t you get it, I miss them..” tears were now threatening to fall, no I won’t cry in front of him.
“You have to understand this Adria,” he replied, “It is for your own g-”
“By not telling me about my parents? By pretending that everything is okay? I can’t dad.” I interrupted, my voice threatening to break, “I can’t keep pretending that everything is fine anymore. I need to know wh-what happened to them, I need to know why my mom abandoned me like I was... nothing.” I looked down and blinked my tears away. Was I that bad that she had no choice but to leave me in a cave?
How does it feel like to be abandoned by the only person you trusted?
The room went silent, none of us spoke a word- only the sound of my sniffing echoed across the room. He got up without speaking a word and walked over to me, and pulled me into a tight warm hug.
“Who told you that you’re nothing?” he murmured softly on my hair.
Dad pulled back and placed his hand on either side of my face, and looked me in my eyes. He smiled sadly, “Me and Cerelia were so happy when we found you.”
A smile graced my lips, “And have fun tomorrow,” he says, removing his hands, “that boy is great.”
“What can I say?” I plastered a smile, “My choice.” We both burst into laughter, these moments are the ones I never want to lose. Ever.
“Alright now go to bed, it's late.” he said, shaking the tip of my nose between his first two fingers, “I want to see my girl in that gown.”
I batted his hands away and groaned as I walked upstairs towards my room. Will the vampires have blood in their glasses instead of mocktails? Will they attack us? But one question was ringing in my mind.
How did HE know about them?