SET UP, TRUTH REVEALED AND BETRAYED (2).

CHAPTER TWELVE.

DAWN'S POV.

My lips quivered, a violent shiver wracking through my body, as though a tub of icy water had been poured over me.

' Why didn't I just look where I was going?' I questioned, blaming myself.

I could feel the guy's gaze looming over me and not just his, but that of his brothers as well, or was it simply my imagination?

I didn't know which of the triplets I had bumped into, but I prayed within to the moon goddess for it to be the gentle-looking guy sporting glasses. I didn't know why but he seemed less frightening and strict than the other two.

" Raise your head," I heard him utter softly, realizing that my head was completely bowed, my face adjacent to the ground. This was a habit I had developed during times of fear.

I didn't heed to his request.

My heart pounded unceasingly, my chest heaving, and soon enough, I found my entire body convulsing violently.

" I said raise your head,"  He repeated this time with a tone of firmness and authority that seemed intolerable of any form of defiance. Disobedience at this point would be a terrible idea.

My form rustled like leaves in a storm, as I slowly raised my head, whilst ensuring to keep my gaze away from him.

I instead directed it toward the wall behind him, heaving a sigh of relief as I inadvertently noticed the glasses on his face.

It was the calm-looking guy just as I thought.

My hands trembled like Jell-O on a plate, all efforts to calm myself down proving futile.

I knew I was supposed to feel less fear knowing it wasn't one of the scary triplets standing before me, but I was unable to as this gentle guy right in front of me all of a sudden seemed more terrifying than the other two.

Well, as the adage goes: the quiet ones are not to be underestimated.

"Look at me," He muttered, a palatable hint of annoyance in his tone.

' But why? Why would he want a peasant like me who isn't even worthy to clean his shoes to look at him?' I pondered, millions of thoughts billowing through my mind.

I disobeyed his order once again by refusing to look at him.

I was sure that my defiance would piss him off but I simply couldn't look him square in the face.

The thought of doing so scared me for reasons I didn't understand.

My nostrils picked up the mesmerizing scent of exotic cologne wafting off his clothes as he was not too far from me and simply wanted to drown myself in its fragrance.

It was everything. Rich, strong, and intoxicating. It reminded me of the sweet, summer, childhood days with my parents, when we would run through fields of wildflowers and feel the warmth of the sun kissing our faces.

I sighed sadly, reminiscing on my once-happy days and wishing I could return to those blissful moments.

" You know it's funny how much I hate repeating myself yet here's a little kitten right before me, making me do one of the things I despise the most," I heard him say, snapping me out of my thoughts, Startled, I jolted, fear returning to my being.

' But wait! What did he just call me?' I wondered and Moon, all of a sudden let out a moan of ecstasy, seemingly finding pleasure in his words.

My breath began to quicken, my heart throbbing within her chest.

My reaction was one more of excitement than fear, to my absolute amazement.

' What is happening to me?' I questioned within.

" So tell me what punishment would  befitting to atone for your transgressions?" He asked, with a stern baritone which sent ecstatic shivers down my spine.

' Okay! This is getting out of hand' I thought, forcing myself to maintain a neutral expression, which proved fruitless.

My hands continued trembling, beads of sweat trickling down my forehead, and my eyes widened with fear, giving away my inner turmoil.

I tried to maintain my composure by inwardly telling myself to stay calm but the nervousness bubbling within my being nearly sent me off the rails of my sanity.

" Look at me" He ordered again in a firm, authoritative tone.

This time I simply couldn't defy his command.

I took a deep, firm breath, my head still buried as I inwardly gathered the courage to do what was needed.

Gradually I began to raise my head.

I elevated my face towards his and our eyes met. His grey eyes were like storm clouds, with flashes of lightning hidden in their depths. They were mysterious and captivating, drawing me in and holding me spellbound.

All of a sudden, I began to feel a burning desire to know him more, to uncover the secrets behind those alluring, silvery eyes of his.

We stared at one another for a while before I noticed his eyes drift to my lips.

I was confused, my bewilderment only growing as my ears suddenly picked up a faint groan from him that was so inaudible that if I hadn't paid attention clearly, I wouldn't have heard it.

He turned abruptly and returned to his chair, sitting on it, before flashing at me a stern, intimidating gaze.

I cowered in fear, staggering a few steps back.

" So what brings you here?" He asked.

At his words, my face fell, my hands which were curled into fists trembling frantically.

"Are you dumb?" A voice asked in a deep baritone, that echoed across the room.

I glanced in its source's direction, realizing it was another of the triplets.  

To my absolute puzzlement, I felt a rush of excitement surge through me at the sound of his voice.

However, his statement instilled in me a fear much more profound than my newfound joy as I began to shiver, my heart racing faster.

I noticed a perplexed look on his face and wondered if he had perhaps noticed my displays of fear.

" What do you want?" Another rasp and harsh voice asked. It didn't sound like the gentle-looking guy or the playboy's voice. It was obviously the third triplet's voice.

His voice whilst firm, possessed a unique charm which I found my body reacting funnily to.

I heaved an exhale, still vibrating like a tuning fork as I proceeded to speak.

" I want to deliver a message Sca—" I had hardly completed my statement before the nice-looking guy abruptly cut in.

" Come here and give it to me" He ordered but I refused.

I just stood, rooted to one spot, gazing at the three of them with uncertainty, my darting eyes filled with wariness towards them.

I strongly felt within my heart that giving them this letter would have disastrous consequences.

' But that's what I was meant to do' I thought feeling overwhelmed with worries.

My face began to tighten up and turn pensive and my body posture was rigid.

My demeanor made it quite clear that I did not want to move even a step nearer to any of them.

" Seems our little kitten here is too frightened to come to give the letter. " The gentle-looking guy muttered nonchalantly, adjusting his glasses, his elegant mannerisms taking my breath away.

" Devon, please assist her with it," He added and on hearing his words, I froze.