SLEEP-TALK

Tonight, the rain was falling thickly, forcing everyone to wrap themselves into the thick blanket or warm up. The coldness of it was soothing with the breeze. Trees danced to the rhythm of the music formed by the rain and the cold wind.

Two souls were awake. One was confused while the other was controlling the anger that bubbled in him, "Malcolm, get me the whole information of Fenans. Especially, Eric's," he said over his phone.

"Right away, sir," Malcolm groaned internally putting down the phone, as he rolled down his fluffy blanket and wore his sleep robe and woolen slippers.

He started to browse and collect information about the Fenans, lined and filed it the whole night. He emailed the folder and took a print of it too. It was quarter past two when he slumped to his bed.

'Just three hours to sleep?' his head screamed. He was thankful that he was still single or that it would be another load to stack in his busy schedule.

Lighting the third cigar, Astrel continued to read a thick black book, taking a drag from the cigar and blowing out rings of smoke from his lips. It was a book that belonged to Kenia's mother. She had stolen the book before she was abandoned. The book was about supernatural creatures that were long extinct.

Some of the creatures were circled with red ink, while some were underlined with blue. And the green inks were of the abilities of some of the creatures. Not every creature was highlighted.

Astrel rubbed the cigar on the ashtray and placed it aside as he stood up and walked out of the room. Long strides padded on the floor, making no noise.

Cool air passed through his shirt top. The first three buttons were unbuttoned, leaving his chest exposed, while he was in black casual pants.

His feet had their own mind taking him up to the third floor. By the time he realized where he was, it was too late, for he was already standing in front of the door in the deserted hallways.

He stood outside the room for a few fleeting seconds and turned the handle, opening the door with a click sound. He walked through the dimly lit room, his eyes never leaving where he spotted at first glance.

Inserting his hands inside his pocket his shadows hovered over the sleeping figure's face. His attention was completely on her, and unable to take his eyes away.

Vilian was half asleep. She was struggling to sleep for every time she tried to do so, his blue eyes and his comfort gestures would disturb her. She'd curse, giggle and whine foolishly but sleep never knocked her. It was around that she finally fell asleep upside down on her bed.

Astrel felt amused as he glanced at her. Her feet were below the headboard while her head was resting down. She was hugging a pillow above her chest, and her mouth was slightly ajar.

If he had a heart he was sure it would have skipped a beat and rejoice at the sight. He sat on the edge of the bed and slid the curtain-like hair away from her face and slowly lifted her and laid her on the bed properly. She squirmed in her sleep closer and embraced him closer to her. Astrel turned stiff as he glanced at her.

"You don't know what you're doing," he whispered.

"Mmm... Whach am I zooing?" He heard her sleepy voice. She was sleep-talking, he thought as he chuckled.

He leaned forward and murmured, "Cute," before leaving a kiss on her forehead. His eyes widened at his unbelievable action.

Just what was happening to him?

______

Weaving through the curls of her coffee brown hair, Cathy held the wooden comb and combed her hair slowly as she admired herself in glancing at her reflection in the mirror, humming a french song.

"I see my dear Cathy seems to be extra happy so early," Fredrick spoke, standing behind his wife and taking the comb from her hand, he graced his hand purposefully on hers and combed her hair soft and slowly.

"What can I say, honey? It's been so long since we've got to spend time together and it turns out coming to Lucerus was the best," Cathy said as she smiled shyly.

"I think so too..." said Fredrick as he left a kiss on her cheek and then continued, "So... what do we do?"

"Mmm... there's a beautiful restaurant. How about we spend some quality time with Eric and the girl, Vilian?" she questioned as she turned around and glanced at her husband.

"Superb! We'll spend our dinner there, okay?"

"Fantastic!!" she squealed as she stood up and hugged her husband. "Haa... Speaking of the girl, don't you think she's so cute and pretty? I think she'd be a perfect match for our son," she dragged her husband hand in hand and sat on the bed as she praised Vilian so highly with much delight.

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation.

"Sorry to interrupt, dear love birds," said Eric as he came in with a big grin.

"Ah... Ah... Eric? You're up so early?" Mrs. Fenan was surprised to see her son rise so early and dressed up so handsomely. She stood up and walked toward him. "Tell me, isn't it all because of her?" She teased.

"Uh... mother. It's nothing like that. I've got to meet a client in an hour," he said as he hugged his mother and kissed her cheeks with so much love.

"Looks like everyone's so enthusiastic today that they've forgotten me," said Fredrick, "And it's all because of Demus' daughter. I must thank them," he said as he patted Eric's shoulder, and the father and son hugged side by side.

"Awe... I can't wait to see you get engaged with her and finally marry that sweet lass," yipped Eric's mother dreamily.

"But you have to..." teased Eric and chuckled. Cathy flipped her hair behind her shoulder as she walked toward the vanity table and sat down. She took the brush to apply her eye shadow and glared at her son and husband for making fun of her.

Some of the guests were getting ready to leave the mansion soon after their breakfast meal. While the people in the mansion were lively in the morning, the third floor was deadly silent.

Vilian was sound asleep. "Oh... Sebastian..." she murmured as she hugged in her sleep. "From... the very beginning... of our acquaintance, My Love was there..." She felt the heat radiating above her, and she curled near to it as she murmured, "And it is a love that will never change. It will only deepen from day to day and year to year. My Love is forever, Monseigneur!" She screamed the latter louder and heard someone hiss beside her.

She frowned as she tried to find out what it was with her eyes still shut. She moved her hands forward, and they came in contact with something warm. "Sebastian?" She squeaked with a little astonishment as she ran her fingers up and down slowly, "Is it you?" she questioned and got a hum in response, "You've got an awesome body, you know?" she murmured with a wide grin and heard him hum again. She felt the skin below her palm vibrate as he hummed.