CHAPTER THREE

"GOODBYE, Mother Theresa. When I get the chance, promise, I'll come to visit you and the children."

Mother Theresa held her hand. "It seems like I can no longer delay your departure. I will miss you, Czelvie. We will all miss you. Please take care of yourself, okay?"

Since she started packing her things, Mother Theresa has been there with her. She helped her with everything. Maybe it's also her way of maximizing the time they could spend together. And now, the time has finally come. She has to leave.

Before, she wanted to get a scholarship for her to have a better future. But now, it's no longer just about that. It's not even just about her finding her parents. She's actually more concerned about Mother Theresa, the children, and the orphanage.

Whoever sends Mother Theresa that letter, for them to threaten the person who raised her, she doesn't think she's going to meet good people. Even so, she has to face them for everyone's sake and safety.

"You're studying there?" asked the cab driver when she told her where she was heading. "It's not my intention to insult you or anything but I'm just really curious. From what I know, only children from rich families can afford that University."

"The University offered me a scholarship," she answered shortly.

"I see. I wish I could congratulate you. It's not that I'm scaring you but if I were your parent, I will never let my child get there. That place is surrounded by blood-thirsty creatures. Who knows, maybe the government is just covering it up so we won't get scared but for sure, those vampires still have a lot of victims until now."

She honestly has no idea what Paramount University looks like. She tried to search about it but all that was posted online was the University's entrance. But with all she's heard about it, she pictured it as an old and creepy building. She wonders if that's really how it looks.

"Good luck, young lady. I hope you can come home to your family safe," said the cab driver after he drop her in front of the University.

On their way there, with everything that the old man said, her fear and nervousness actually heightened. What if when she gets inside that huge gate, she can no longer get out alive? Seeing how the pathway looks endless, she doesn't think it will be easy for her to escape.

She let out a deep breath.

"Stop worrying, Czelvie. You're already here. There's no turning back now."

She carried her bag and went to the guardhouse to show them her pass.

"Good morning. I'm Czelvie Grace Asombrado. Here is my invitation letter."

She gave the old man the envelope containing the letter and other identification documents.

"You can now get inside, Ms. Czelvie," the old man said while smiling at her when he didn't even check what was inside it.

Though confused, she entered the gate. Maybe they have a hi-tech gadget that can recognize her.

Just when she got in, a black car stopped in front of her. From there, two women came out of the car.

"Welcome to Paramount University, Ms. Czelvie."

Do they know her too?

"Let me carry your luggage, Ms. Czelvie," said the other woman.

"Y-you don't have to. Thank you but I can manage," she said with a smile even if it was a little awkward.

The women are wearing all black which made their pale skin stand out. Even if they're wearing sunglasses and she can't see their eyes, she guesses, these women are vampires. After all, the University is owned by the Vampire Queen. All the stuff in there must be vampires too. From what she knows the University only became available to humans that school year.

Despite her objection, they carried her luggage inside the car.

"It is our responsibility to take you to the dormitory safe. Let's go, Ms. Czelvie," said the taller one.

Take her to the dormitory safely? Does it mean there's a possibility that she can't reach there alive? She gulped. She suddenly had goosebumps. While she still can, should she just back out?

It seems like they noticed the fear she was feeling at that moment. Suddenly, their aura became less intimidating. If they were so serious a while ago, they are now smiling at her.

"Relax, nothing bad is going to happen with you. I'm Samarra, by the way. And she's Amanda," she pointed to the woman who's now in the driver's seat. "Amanda was just scaring you since we know what's your assumptions of us, vampires. Don't worry, it's really just our job to take you to the dormitory. Of all the students, you're the only one who doesn't have a car to take you there, and it's quite far from the main entrance."

With Samarra's explanation, that's only when she noticed that there weren't students around aside from her. But she noticed some private cars coming in.

That's only when she gets inside the car. She was in the backseat while the vampires are both in front.

"I'm I the first scholar you fetch for the day?"

"Actually, you're the only scholar in the University."

She was astounded.

"Do you know why I got chosen? Do you know who's my benefactor?"

She saw Samarra and Amanda look at each other before the latter talked to her.

"I'm sorry but we can no longer answer your questions, Ms. Czelvie," said Amanda. "If you have more concerns, please ask the Head Mistress."

She guesses Samarra just made a mistake in telling her that. It made her more curious about who brought her to that University. Is it the Head Mistress?

"IT'S them who created this problem and now, they want us to look after these mortals?" Khai groans, obviously hating their new mission. "This is the worst and most boring mission I've ever had. Tell me Xent, are we being punished? For what grounds?"

"Just shut up, Khai, and follow orders," said Scarlet as she went out of the car carrying her luggage.

Khai clicked his tongue but no longer said a word. He went out of the car carrying his backpack which doesn't have much. Xent shakes his head. It seems like this guy has a plan on using his clothes instead.

Honestly, Xent also wonders why they were given such a mission by the Vampire Queen. His team is doing well in their previous missions. Why all of a sudden, an elite group was assigned to a human. Who is this Czelvie Grace Asombrado that seems important to the Vampire Queen?

"WOW."

In the short time that she was in the car, Czelvie felt like she traveled to a different country. And now, she can't help but be more amazed when she went out of the car and saw the dormitory. It's so beautiful and huge. She guesses it has around five floors. It's more like a palace than a dormitory. Based on what she learned at school, the design is close to Victorian Mansions in the past.

"Here is the key to your room," Samarra handed her an envelope. "But don't worry, we'll still guide you till you reach there so you won't get lost."

She saw a card attached together with the key. It says there that her room is on the fourth floor. It wasn't really a big deal for her. What actually surprised her is when Samarra mentioned that there was an elevator that they can use.

"Thank you so much," she said when they finally reach her room.

Amanda only answered her with a nod while Samarra smiled at her. She's about to enter the room when she thought of something to ask Samarra. But when she turned around, they were no longer there.

She went near the balcony and exactly when she looked down, she saw the car they use leave. Did they jump from the balcony to the ground floor? She can't help but be amazed by those vampires' abilities. If it was her, she could have been dead.

"Hi."

She looked around after she heard a woman whose voice was so cold and emotionless greet her. She unintentionally gasps after seeing her face. Who wouldn't get surprised to see a woman like her? She's undeniably beautiful but looks so scary with her all-black dress, black lipstick, and straight hair which almost reaches the ground. And most of all, her eyes were red. No doubt, this woman is a vampire. Is she going to be her roommate?

"You got it right," she said as if she heard what was on her mind. "I'm Scarlet Bozworth. Don't worry, I'm very meticulous when it comes to people that I bite," after saying that, she turned her back on her and entered their room.

She's not sure if she'd feel relieved with what she said or get insulted. It's as if Scarlet is telling her that she didn't pass her standard.

"Why, are you willing to let her drink your blood?"

She looked around and end up screaming after she saw a guy sitting at the balcony's railings. How did he get there?

Unlike other vampires she saw that day, this guy doesn't have overly pale skin. But for him to get there, and with his red eyes, this guy must be a vampire too.

The guy stood up and walk towards her. At 165 cm in height, she's already taller than the average woman but this guy still looks way taller than her. She guesses he's about 185 cm tall.

She froze in place and had goosebumps when she felt his breath on her neck. She clenches her fists in fear. Is he going to bite her?

"What are you, really?" he asks as he moves two steps away from her. "What are you doing in our territory?"

She got confused. What exactly is he talking about? Were the vampires not aware of their arrival in Paramount?

"That's enough, Khai."

She looked behind when she heard another man's voice. Do all vampires really look handsome and beautiful? Though the first guy also looks great, this new guy looks extraordinarily handsome. She has never seen a guy this handsome before.

He's also wearing all black which makes his pale skin look extra brighter. And she guesses he's also around 185 cm tall.

The new guy's voice has authority in it that the guy named Khai no longer talks and walks toward- her room? Does it mean he's also her roommate?

She looks back at the handsome guy who happens to be staring at her as well. She knows because he had already removed his sunglasses.

She can't help but appreciate his beautiful eyes. That was the first she saw someone with different eye color. All the vampires she met that day have red eyes but this guy has red and blue eyes. Before she melt because of his stare, she looked away.

"Xent Kirkwood."

She looked back at him. Did he just say something? Is that his name?

He no longer repeated his words. Instead, he carries his luggage and went inside- her room again?

"All my roommates are vampires?"

She was spacing out for a few seconds before she disheveled her hair. She thinks she's about to get crazy!