THE FAMILIAR FACE

"It's not what you think it is," she heard him say but took the can and uncanned it. She was about to place it in her mouth, but suddenly the can went missing.

"Eh?" She glanced sideways confusedly and huffed soon as she saw him gulping down the drink. Little red drops slipped down to his jaws as he drank down noisily with his Adam's apple bopping up and down. Vilian shook off her head and reached out for another can, but the glove compartment shut louder.

"Hey!! That's not nice... Selfish demon..." she muttered the latter as she crossed her arms over her chest and gazed out through the open shutter. She twirled her golden strands in her hand as she sunk into deep thoughts. Wind swiping through the shutter played with her hair giving it the form of buoyant waves as the waves in the sea.

A big hurricane was running through her mind. She didn't know what Astrel had meant earlier. What did he mean by contracted wife? Didn't her parents have a normal marriage? Weren't they lovers before? Wasn't that what her mother told her so?

Her mother used to tell her too many incidents about her parents' love story. She grew up with the stories her mother told her of her life and not those fairy tales. Little Vilian would always insist on more stories of her mother even though her mother would want her to listen to those little fairy tales. As she grew up, she found it confusing at times like her father being so intimate with his second wife. She did not understand. If what her mother said was true, why would her father take an interest in another woman? Did he not love her mother? Was he playing with her mother's feelings? Did her father build up a relationship with the woman behind her mother's back? Whatever it was, what was this contract? Would it be better if she asks it from Astrel? But then, what if he was lying?

She groaned, feeling her head about to explode with the too many questions bothering her.

"Meow, kitty," Vilian snapped out of her opinion poll, "What's bothering you?" He questioned, his slitted brow raised. An action Vilian took notice of whenever he was serious.

"Ehh..." she cleared her throat and turned fulling toward him. Astrel waited patiently for her open up. Taking in a deep breath, "Earlier... What did you mean by contracted... wife?"

"Uff... that was something I really didn't mean to say," he said, confusing her more than she already was.

"Didn't mean to say?" she questioned him with a frown. Astrel hummed, slowing down the car, "You're not lying, are you?" If not for lying, why would someone bring such a thing out of the blue? Unless there's something he knows that she doesn't.

A loud chuckle escaped Astrel's lips, "Lie? What for?" Pulling the break back, he placed his hand above the shotgun seat and glanced back, reversing the car. His neck and chiseled chest came into view, diverting her attention to his reflex. Vilian tried not to make it too noticeable. But she could not help letting out her deep breath. Her breath fanned over his exposed neck.

Astrel gazed down right into her eyes. The way he looked hitched her breath. He came closer, licking his lips to see her eyes widen and a wide smile came upon his lips.

'Why is coming closer to me? Is he... gonna-' A loud gasp left her lips and before she knew she blurted, "I didn't mean to kiss you earlier!" She covered her whole face with her hands, eyes shut tight. Her heart pounded harder as she waited for anything to happen. Instead, she heard the door open beside her.

"Get off the car if you don't want me to kick you out!" she heard him say. She slowly peeked through her fingers.

SLAM!!!

He got off the car before she could get a glimpse of him and slammed the door shut, deafening her ears.

"Kiss, you say, Vili?" she glanced at the rearview mirror with her red cheeks, "Why do you keep being a laughing stock?" she fisted her palms with anger

"Come on, little kitty. We don't have much time," she heard the devil's voice coming out of the car. She stepped out in a hurry. Vilian cursed and kicked in the air, following after Astrel.

'Cold ass devil! How dare he tease me!'

"Sir!" Someone called the vampire, and a man appeared in a neat and polished black suit.

"Reez," Astrel greeted the man. The man was tall but a few inches shorter when compared to Astrel. He was a clean-cut guy with black-brown hair styled in an ivy league hairstyle. When the man looked at Vilian, who stood behind Astrel, met his gaze, he bowed his head slightly. He seemed too rigid. Or it was his way.

"Please," he said and led them the way. Walking up the little stairs, they were led by the black-brown-haired guy into a lavish hotel.

The hotel lobby was illuminated with a soft and welcoming light as if it were a burst of sunshine.

If it weren't for them being led or if she were all alone by herself, she would have stopped by observing everything in detail. It was easy to get lost in the design elements – colors, lighting, art, and furniture. Why wouldn't she when she was in a stunning and flashy hotel lobby such as this?

Aesthetics were playing a major part in the designs. The functionality of the hotel lobby seem impressive with the superb service they were providing. They served a free flute of champagne to whoever walked through the entrance.

'Seems like they've designed the hotel just to impress and show off,' thought Vilian.

Not stopping at the reception, they headed straight through the lobby toward the elevator. The elevator was a sort of giant-sized jewelry box, and she felt like a ballerina in it. Reaching the eleventh floor, they stepped out of the elevator. Walking through the black and white hallways they stopped in front of a room door. The guy named 'Reez' spoke to Astrel in a hushed tone. Vilian did not know what they spoke. She stood idol, gazing at her surroundings. She was used to being an observer.

Swiping the card in front of the device installed beside the door, Astrel entered a key on the device. The black-brown-haired guy left bowing his head to them.

Vilian tailed the man into the room silently. Conflicted thoughts swirled, "Why are we here?"

"I was wondering when that pretty little question would come out of your mouth," he said, unbuttoning his shirt, revealing his black tattooed chest Vilian's eyes went wide in an alert.

"W-what are you d-doing?!" she yelled, pointing at him and covering her face with the other hand. She heard him chuckle.

"Malcolm, my assistant would knock-" they heard the door knock, "He's here. Go open the door. I'll be in the shower."

Vilian dashed toward the door immediately, calming down her heart.

She opened the door and let the man in. The man walked in with two big shopping bags in his hand. She closed the door behind her and walked in behind him. Placing one of the bags on the king-sized bed, he faced her. Malcolm extended his hand.

"This is for you, Miss Vilian," he handed her a red bag and left her alone before he glanced at her for a while.

"Wait!" she stopped him.

"Yes, miss? Is anything the matter?" He looked straight into her eyes. Vilian raised her eyebrows with a strong gaze.

"Have we met before?" his face seemed somewhat familiar. She saw his face turn cold.

"Um... Miss-"

"Have you, Mal?" came the question from behind.