Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Nivera’s POV]

The drive home had been peaceful and awfully quiet. After we left the boutique, he had taken me to an exquisite restaurant where I had had Chicken Fried Rice for the first time, Banana Spring Rolls for dessert, freshly squeezed orange juice and a shot of tequila.

The awkwardness between us didn’t stop me from enjoying the meal as I had previously been starving. He had barely even touched his meal, and I didn’t really care since I now knew that food wasn’t exactly going to fill him up.

The gates automatically opened as soon as he pressed a remote control to my surprise. It was as though I was on a planet different from earth. Everything just seemed so different from my Pack; things were easier and simpler, and people were more accommodating.

I gasped as he drove into the large compound. It was my first time of ever seeing his house from outside. It was a mansion, three times bigger than the whole of the palace back home and in the garage, there were different cars of different sizes just lying around.

I couldn’t keep up with the silence. I needed to speak.

“Do you have neighbours or do these cars all belong to you?” I inquired, breaking the silence.

He seemed stunned as he probably didn’t expect me to speak after not saying a word to him for at least, two hours and fifteen minutes.

“They’re all mine. I don’t have neighbours, but I own some other apartments in the neighbourhood where I have tenants. We could go there if you’d be more comfortable being around other people,” he said.

“No, I’m comfortable here. I was just wondering,” I said, stepping out of the car instead of waiting for him to open the door for me this time around.

Before he came out, I had already left the garage and went to the main entrance of the house, admiring the beautiful garden, and trees and flowers that he had planted. The house was occupied by fresh green lawns on each side which made it even more beautiful and as I walked up the stairs leading to the main door, I could see a reflection of myself in the glass tiles.

“Your house is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It’s already late, but you can give me a tour tomorrow, right?” I asked.

He nodded his head in the affirmative, looking too stunned to say anything.

He then entered his fingerprint and the door opened, after which I came into the living room where I had been in the other day. It was big, bright and beautiful like the first time I had seen it. It also smelt really nice and I guessed he must have asked someone to do a thorough cleaning since he was bringing a guest.

“Come with me,” he said, going upstairs, and I did as he had instructed and followed him closely behind.

It was a three-storeyed building and he took me to the second floor. There were several paintings on the wall of people I had never seen in my life and I admired them as well as the lovely decorations as we walked down the hallway. He stopped walking when he got to the last room on the floor and I stopped instantly as well, nearly bumping into his back.

He unlocked the door, and I kind of felt relieved that he had used keys to unlock something for the first time since we arrived.

“Wow!” I exclaimed, as I walked into the bedroom. It was painted in pink and lilac, with two crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and antique items. There was also a bookshelf filled with what I guessed were romance novels, a desk and chair, a huge closet, an air conditioner, flower vases, a bedside table and more things that I could have never dreamed of even in my wildest dreams.

“Do you like it?” he asked.

“Wait… is this… is this my room?” I inquired in disbelief.

He nodded his head in the affirmative. “Yeah, it’s all yours,” he replied.

I stood in the middle of the room, unable to believe my eyes. “You mean… you mean all this is mine? Jeez. This space is enough for a mini flat, and you’re saying it’s just my bedroom? Someone, please, wake me up from this dream,” I said, collapsing on the huge bed covered in pink and lilac bedsheets and closed my eyes.

I heard him chuckle, and my eyes immediately flew open.

“You just smiled,” I pointed out and his lips immediately squeezed back to a frown.

I got up from the bed and surprised him by hugging him tightly.

“What… what do you think you’re doing?” he asked.

I hugged him tighter. “Thank you so much. I know I don’t know who you are and I would probably not be able to ever repay you, but I am grateful for all you’ve done so far from me. Thank you,” I said to him.

He calmly stepped backwards and stopped me from hugging him. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you like your room. I’ll get going now,” he said and turned around to leave.

I wanted to say something to stop him from leaving, but he probably wanted to be alone for now and I didn’t want to bother him. He stepped out of the bedroom and closed the door gently behind him and I just stood right in the middle of the room looking at the door longingly.

Just as I walked towards the dressing table and began to take off my earrings, I heard the door open and he came in, looking as though he had had a change of heart.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey.”

“Um… about what happened earlier, I… I am sorry and I wanted to apologise to you,” he said.

“Trust me, it’s all okay. You don’t need to apologise. I was being insensitive,” I said.

“No, it’s not your fault. I was being stupid, and it’s okay if you’re scared of me. You don’t have to act like everything is okay. Feel free to always keep your doors locked, but, I really just want you to know that I will never do anything to hurt you, never ever. Yes, I’m a vampire, but I can control myself. I won’t come in here in the middle of the night to do anything to you. I’ll protect you with my life, I promise,” he said, and as he spoke, I could see the sincerity in his eyes.

I walked towards him and ran my fingers along his neatly trimmed beards. “Believe me when I say that there was not a second where I was afraid of you. I know you won’t hurt me,” I said.

“What if… what if I somehow lose control and drain you of all your blood?” he inquired.

I smiled at him. “That won’t happen, but even if it does, be rest assured that I will die with a smile on my face. I’d be happy that I could finally repay your kindness by being your meal which is much better than dying at the hands of the people who I have always considered my family,” she said.

He returned my smile and brushed his finger along my lips. “You’re so sweet. How could anyone even think of harming you? Thanks for being so understanding,” he said.

“Of course. So, tell me, is it true that you can teleport?” I asked.

“Yes. How do you think I came to your prison cell?”

“Wait. It means you can also compel people to do your will. That’s how you got Malia to leave me the other day,” I said.

“You’re right,” he admitted.

“Wow. What else can you do? Can you rip people’s hearts out? How did you become a vampire? Also, how old are you?” I asked.

“I can do so many things and I can’t even begin to name them, but my favourite ability is the fact that I can heal people. Yes, I can rip out people’s hearts. I was bitten at the age of twenty-four and that was how I became a vampire. Finally, I am four hundred and seventy three years old,” he responded.

“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! That’s a lot of information to take in at once,” I said.

“Well, take your time to process it,” he said, and then, we both started laughing out loud. After a while, it quieted down.

I stepped even closer to him, then in a calmer tone, I asked: “How about Eloise? Did you ever feel drawn to her blood?” I asked,

He swallowed hard.

“You don’t have to answer the question,” I said.

“It’s… it’s fine. Yes, yes, I did get drawn to her blood,” he answered.

“But you never hurt her, did you? Did you ever drink from her blood?” I asked.

“I never hurt her, but… but I did drink her blood. She offered it to me willingly,” he replied.

It was at that moment I knew exactly how to repay his good deeds and kindness. He didn’t just go around drinking from every random person’s blood. For some reason, he felt particularly drawn to mine and I wanted to make him satisfied, even if it was just once.

I embraced him and flicked the hair that was covering my neck. “Do what you must do,” I said.

“Nivera, I…”

“Please, just do it,” I said.

He hesitated for a few moments, but the next thing I knew, I felt his teeth sink into my neck and a moan escaped from my mouth as he held me lovingly in his warm embrace and sucked my blood gently; his lips sending tingling sensations in my heart.

It was the closest I had ever been to someone of the opposite sex, and it was truly the most romantic experience I had ever had. If anyone had told me that a vampire sucking your blood would feel so special and beautiful, I wouldn’t have believed it.

He cradled me in his arms as he lifted his lips from my neck and wrapped his arms around my waist.

“Thank you,” he breathed into my ears.

I just smiled without saying anything and ran my fingers through his hair. The memories of Alpha Tyler were slowly fading, but just then, I heard his thunderous voice yell my name.

I had also heard his voice at the boutique, but I had pretended not to. I was terrified. If he ever caught me, my life would be over. I held on to Lucien tighter; he was the only one I felt I could trust, but maybe I should have never used the word, “trust”, carelessly.