Chapter 40: Chapter 40

"I missed you!" Rihana threw herself at him and I could still see the shock on Alex's face before he pushed her away from him, staring at her in disbelief and confusion. Hell, even I was just as confused as he was, wasn't this girl supposed to be dead? And is she really Rihana? Because that doesn't make any sense.

"You-you're dead, I saw-"

"You saw him stab me in the heart and throw me into the sea, Alex. But, I didn't die, I'm not dead-"

"No." he hissed, backing away as she tried to explain what happened . He shake his head repeatedly. "Who are you? Did Terry send you here?! The fuck-"

"Alex ." her sweet soothing voice made Alex freeze . It caused a lump in my throat as I stared at these two.

"He turned me into a vampire before he stabbed me."

I glanced at Ana, who was now giving me the crazy look and then at David who was still staring at Rihana in shock.

"Whoever you are, you need to fuck off right now before I-"

"I'm telling the truth! Why can't you hear me out?" she raised her voice, hurt clearly evident in her voice . Alex flinch a little before his eyes fixated on hers, making my heart drop to the very core.

"I-I think we should hear her out..." David finally agreed, giving Alex a nod as his eyes softened a bit, letting out a deep breath in a process. I saw a sign of relief on Rihana's face before she sat down on the bed, inhaling deeply before looking at us.

"Talk, I'll give you five minutes." Alex muttered, trying to keep his cool but he was really failing to do so right now.

"Like I said, he turned me into a vampire before I was stabbed-"

"That's bullshit, only a pure blood can turn you into a Vampire, Rihana, and that too with their consent . So cut the lies and-"

"He had your blood, Alex. I don't know how he got it or how he did it back then but it's done and it worked. And as for consent, I had yours a long time ago, remember?" She walked towards Alex as he backed away a little.

"Prove it." He demanded through gritted teeth and I heard Rihana let out a sigh before she disappeared out of our sight for a few seconds and then reappearing in front of Alex again, causing his eyes to widen.

"I'm telling the truth, Alex, the whole time, I was compelled."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Alex asked in a confused tone.

"I never cheated on you.he made me do it. I was under his compulsion, Alex. I thought you knew me better than that." hurt and disappointment was clearly evident in her voice as Alex's eyes soften before he went silent again. I don't blame him.

"So let me get this straight. All this time you were kidnapped? What happened later?" David suddenly broke the ice and she snapped her head towards him.

"He came back for me. Forced me to go and live with him and his brothers. He threatened to kill you if I disobeyed him. I had no choice."

"You always had a choice." Alex finally muttered, but his voice held no emotions.

"Maybe I did, but I was afraid to make that choice. If in case he hurt you, I cannot live with myself." her lips pressed together into a thin line before going silent and for the next few minutes, we all are silent too. I was just hearing all this out and I am still trying to wrap my mind around the whole thing, I'm sure Alex is too.

"Still not buying it. I suggest that you kindly fuck outta my house."

"Alex, come on. Can we talk? In private? This isn't you. Aren't you happy that I'm back?" she asked him, taking a deep breath . I bit my bottom lip as her fingers brushed against his jawline, causing his body to tense up once again, which only made me feel both annoyed and somewhat hurt. I waited anxiously for what happen next.

"Let's talk." Alex dragged her out of the room, leaving me in confusion.

"What the actual fuck? Is that "the" Rihana you just mentioned?" Ana couldn't help but finally burst out. David give me a look from the corner of his eyes before he disappeared out of the room as well.

"Wasn't she supposed to be dead?! Why is she even here? " I inhaled deeply, turning around to face her as she gave me a confused look and I returned the stare.

"Guess she wasn't dead after all."

It's been six days since Rihana came back from dead. Everyone seemed to buy Rihana's pity story, expect me and Ana of course, and she had been welcomed back into the Ivanov Family as "one of us". Apparently, she's got a whole lot more to reveal about her past but David suggested that we all should give her time to recover from the horrible "trauma" she went through. I call it bullshit, I mean yes, maybe it was true but somehow, her story doesn't add up well. I mean, She's been with Terry for more than two years after she was assumed dead and you want me to believe that she had no chance to escape the entire time or come up with a plan? Also let's not forget that she has inhuman powers, she could have easily found ways to figure it all out and escaped. Even I managed to escape. She is clearly hiding something. Or do I force myself to believe that it's all a lie because I refuse to see the truth? I don't know. As for Alex? He distanced himself from me, much to my disbelief and surprise but then again, I should have seen this coming. He barely utters a word or even throws a smile at me, which is very upsetting and hurtful. Even during dinner or lunch, he would just sit quietly, not saying a word to me or anyone else for that matter, until we were finished. Rihana, on the other hand, was a complete opposite of my character but I don't know how these people came to the conclusion that we had something's in common. We had absolutely nothing in common, not for music, not our taste for clothes and not even when it comes to food. She was a charming goddess and god knows what I am. In short, I didn't want her here. I know I have no reason to hate her besides the fact that she was going to steal my man one way or another and-

My man. Gosh, I am jealous. I shouldn't be. I must be happy with him ignoring me, but no.

"Stop!" I scolded myself before letting out a groan and leaving the room with Ana following me behind.

"God, she is so fake." She hissed as we walked downstairs where everyone was, discussing some news on the couch.

"Ana, quiet!" I mumbled through gritted teeth as my eyes wandered onto the boys, who were now talking to Rihana, all of them cracking jokes and having a great time. Great.

"Hey, Katy! Come join us." Rihana called and I mentally cringed before shaking my head.

"We're busy." Ana replied with her obvious fake smile, slipping her hand around my upper arm.

"Actually, we're planning to go to the beach. We still haven't given her a proper welcome so we thought it'd be nice to give her one today." Joey grinned as I mentally rolled my eyes before nodding with a weak smile.

"Hey, that's near your house! Maybe we can visit Mrs. Hamilton and-"

"Katy is not allowed to step out of this mansion," David cut off Ana, and both Ana and I looked at him in confusion. "She's not safe outside. We were told to keep her in here until Alex takes care of things with Terry." He finished making me scoff in disbelief.

"Oh, that's true. We can't let anything happen to you, sorry, darling." Rihana gave me an apologetic look and I simply narrowed my eyes at David, who shrugged in guilt, making my blood boil.

"Don't you think that it's a little unfair to keep her in here when everyone's out having-" Ana was finally starting to catch up on the situation of this fucked up household but I dragged her away from the room before she could finish.

"Is she mad?" I heard Rihana ask softly and hearing her voice only pricked my nerves more.

"Katy, you are not going. You're staying here with Danny until we're coming back." David pulled me back by my shoulder. Ana rolled her eyes at him.

"Danny? Of all people, you are leaving me with Danny?" I asked him bitterly.

"Katy..."

"No, it's not fair. I have been stuck here for a week and I promised to be careful-"

"It's final, Katy..." David cut me off and I gave him a hard look. He was getting on my nerves lately.

"I want to talk to Alex."

"Yes, we want to talk with Alex." Ana repeated what I said.

" Can we hold the party here? Katy has a point, I don't think that it's fair we all get to have fun while she's stuck in here." Rihana said while running her hand through her hair and tapping her heels on the ground. Why does she have to be so tall and beautiful and sweet !

"No, we're going now. We'll see you later,Katy." David grumbled before Franklin and Joey followed him out of the mansion, blowing me a kiss.

"Can we take her along with us?" Rihana turned to look up at David, he hesitate a bit.

"She's not going." Alex's voice caused me to flinch . Both Ana and I snapped our heads to look at him walk up to us, his eyes has no emotion in it.

"Alex, that's-"

"It doesn't matter what you want right now. We all know it's not safe for you out there . So, stay here until we come back." I was surprised. This was the first time in days that he had said more than two words at me. I just stared at him as he too stared back causing more tension in the air.

"Alex, let her come." Rihana held his arm and I saw Alex flinch before his eyes moves away from mine. "Please, Alex?"

I couldn't take this shit anymore. It's annoying me.

"You know what? I think I'll stay here." Alex seemed to notice how upset I was and before I could turn around, he grabbed my wrist, making my heart freeze. His touch was intoxicating, sending electric sparks down my whole spine but I can't say he felt the same way anymore.

"Barbie doll, don't-"

"Barbie doll?" Rihana cut him off, his eyebrows shooting up and I pressed my lips together into a thin line, trying to slightly free my hand but Alex held a firm grip, although his eyes were on Rihana as she looks at him unbelievably.

" You call her by nickname. "

"They call each other lovey-dovey names all the time. Not a big deal, you know, it's normal with them, you'll get used to it." Ana purposely emphasized and I tried to bite down a smirk.

"Really?"

"Mhm, they've been at it since she's been chosen by him. To be his keeper." Ana waved her hand at Rihana like it was no big deal or anything. I could see the small frown appearing on Rihana's forehead as she tried to keep her cool.

"Anyways, you guys can go." I inhaled deeply as I saw Rihana's intense stare on Alex . He immediately released the grip he had on my wrist. "It doesn't matter."

"Katy, can you please try to co-operate?" Alex grabbed my upper arm before turning me around again, his eyes slightly softening as I gave him an emotionless look. "I'm trying to keep you safe."

"Why can't you stay here then?"

"Yeah, why can't you?" Ana repeated, raising her voice and I let out a huff before giving her a warning look but she shrugged me off as well.

"Because I have to take care of Rihana too. She can't be alone outside right now either. Not when Terry is looking for her too." My heart completely sank at his words. We all know how it sounded, and I wasn't dumb nor am I going to play dumb.

"What about me then?" I didn't mean to blabber those words out but I was hurt and couldn't help it.

"It's not like that, I told you to stop making it sound like it's a competition." Alex's tone turned all low and deep . Rihana fold her arms across her chest impatiently but still give me a genuine smile. How am I supposed to hate this girl if she is being so nice?

"So stay. Everyone is going so it's not going to make a difference if you just stay," my voice was starting to get too weak. "Just stay with me instead..."

"Can we go,Alex? you owe me ice cream afterwards. It's the only thing I'm still obsessed to eat, even as a vampire." Rihana finally grumbled and I raised a brow at Alex as he let out a small huff.

"I'll be back. Stay here and don't go out. I won't be long, I promise." He said softly, not even looking at me as he left, Rihana wrapping her arms around his arm as they walked out . Alex mutter something along the lines "keep your hands to yourself" but at the same time, he didn't brush her hand away. The message was too clear.

"What a bitch!" Ana let out a growl and I heard a familiar voice laugh behind us, making my heart skip a beat.

"Careful now, Alex could have heard that." Danny grinned as we turned to face him and I glared at him.

"Alex doesn't give two craps about her." Ana scoffed, brushing her golden hair to a side and Danny raised a brow at her.

"Yeah, of course he doesn't. It's so not obvious right?" his gaze turned to me. "You notice it too, right Katy? How he's slowly starting to replace you..." his harsh and blunt words caused my heart to drop but I couldn't show it. No, not to him. He's just trying to get on your nerves. Danny pulled away and I was about to say something when Ana grabbed my hand, dragging me upstairs to my room. Before I could even say anything, she slammed the door behind us and let out a frustrated groan. I laid bck on my bed and closed my eyes.

"No! You are not doing that." She said sharply, grabbing my hand and I gave her a look. "This love triangle shit is already cliché as fuck and you are not going to make it worse by handing him over on a silver platter!"

"Ana, what are you even saying-"

"And since you are the dumb one here, I'll tell you what's going to happen next. We are going to have a party, right now." I just stared at her for a few minutes, waiting for her to tell me it's a joke but she had a firm look and I finally looked at her in disbelief.

"Are you crazy?"

"You're crazy. Letting your man get taken away by the dead girl, who was by the way, supposed to stay dead but god knows, this bitch had to come to light and ruin-"

"He is not my man."

"Point is, we're having a party and I am going to call everyone I know. They'll go crazy if we invite them here. Plus, you'll have a great time and I think you deserve one." Ana was already on her phone . I was about to protest but stopped to think. Should I? Alex will go nuts if I hold a party here and plus Danny would never let anything bad to happen-

"Hey man, spread the news, we're having a party. I'll text you the place and time, don't freak out. Just make sure you come and spread the word around!" With that, Ana hung the phone and looked at me, her green eyes flickering in excitement as I held back a small smile as well. It was hard to ignore the excitement. You know what? Screw it.

Vampires aren't the only ones who knows how to party.

" Let's party! " I said and pulled her to my closet to pick the dress.