CH 4
For decade, the Nawahdee are rumor to be vampires among the hi-so community and the mystery surrounding their origin was often a topic at social convention. The head mistress, Ms. Nawahdee is widely known for hosting social function and party inside the mysterious mansion. The guests are consist of wealth classes and they are more than eager to receive an invitation , regardless of the strange rumor that circulate the family , the guests are drawn to the mansion luxurious design and the antique artifact. The ballroom itself is like a museum of art with European ‘s painting and lining up along the platform near the wall are Medieval Armor such as gauntlets, breastplates, thigh plates, helmets, and from top to toe in a form of a Knight guarding the gate .
The Nawahdee are rumor to be a royal descend from England that came to settle in Chaia Mai three century ago and to this day they are known to be the richest family in Thailand. This is sorely the main reason why most guests bring their son and daughter to such a social event held by the family, they hope to become a part of this wealthy family thru marriage if possible. And everyone know the eldest daughter is looking for a groom, Ms. Nawahdee had clearly stated if any available male seeking her granddaughter affection are free to do so and if one happen to become her favor , an compensation will be rewarded to the family . One can argue this is buying affection and somewhat awkward to be known as the girl who use her family money to buy a husband.
Jade sighed inwardly while adjusting her silver glove and then move to sit down on the table. Tonight was another of her grandmother social party to promote her to the public which she dread to be a part of. Even the soft music playing by the band could not cheer her up and the food is uneatable, luckily she had her blood meal more than usual and was able to control the hungry. The mini chandeliers and candle light was making her dizzy, not in a harmful way, though she might be a vampire but only direct sunlight can deteriorate her skin , she can goes outside during the daytime but only when she had her blood meal first , the blood will circular her body and protect her from the heat wave but only for two hours . That’s why her parent always remind her to pack her blood meat if she travel.
“Are you ok?” said Lime, the youngest brother . He was dress in black tux and red bow. Out of all the sibling he was the only one that posses their mother gene , his eye are warm with kindness and handsome as well.
“It’s the lighting”
“I’ll the tell the servant to close some of the light then”
“No, it’s ok. It’s not the lighting”
“Ah, then it must be love sick”
“Don’t be absurd, there not a man in this room I would be love sick with”
“You have to open yourself up and give these men a chance. I saw how you just walk away from them when they approach you”
“Those men are not being sincerity. It’s the prize they are after.” she sighed
“Let’s not forget, you are the one who will be biting them later, it’s a small price to pay” he teased
She roll her eye, “Please do not remind me”
“How about this, just dance with the next guy that’s ask you , at least have some fun choosing your meal” he chuckle and elbow her arm
“Lime!” she pinch him on the arm .
“Ok , big sister . I’ll stop with the vampire jokes.” he turn to the guests and search for a candidate, “How about this sister, I’ll pick the guy out for you”
She pop her elbow on the table and rest her chin on her hands. She nodded her head. “Sure” she reply, bore out of her mind.
“How about that one over there” he pointed toward the entrance door where a man stood with a glass in his hand .
She lift her head and stare toward the direction. At that moment she felt as if the music had stop and all she could hear was the beating of her heart in a slow rhythm. It was him. The man from the lake . The only difference is he fully clothes, elegantly dress , black hair slick back , his smoldering eye caught sight of her and she let out a short gasp . He was walking toward her , easily making his way toward the crowd as if everyone and everything seen to move aside for his grand entrance . There was something else about his movement , swiftly , dominating and sexy to the bone . His eye never leaving her and before she could even breath again , he was at her table and with his deep voice he said “May I have a dance” he lean closer and all she can do is look upward .
“Of course she will dance with you” said Lime excitedly and pull his sister to stand up.
“I-I..I didn’t agreed” she manage to speak at least and then turn to Lime to frown at him.
Lucus wrap one of his arm around her waist and draw her in . She gasp at the sudden contact and turn to her brother for help but the little rascal was half way down the other end of the room . She turn to face him and was shock at the closeness of their lip .
“Does my closeness bother you? I’m not a fan of shouting out” he whisper against her lip as his hand spread on her small back .
She silently sigh , the man was impossible to argue with and she was in danger of loosing her head . He sweep her toward the dance floor as the music begin to play. Her hand rest on his arm and shoulder . Their body move swiftly into their own according .
“You look almost like a child . Not a twenty-seven years old woman” he said
“Should I take that as a compliment?”
“It’s an insult” he bit off .
She frown.
“I assume you are very wealth. Why stingy with the nutritional food?” he asked while studying her pale face and small frame
“I eat plenty and very healthy” she would love to say, vampire doesn’t have to eat much to live, thank you very much Mr. Nosy.
“Eat plenty? Are you sure?” he stare at her doubtfully.
“Does my teen bopper look bother you?”
“Yes. It does”
“Why is that so?”
“I hate the thought of wanting a child-like woman and most importantly an odd looking one”
She swallows and felt his palm behind her back tighten. They had stopped dancing but not untangle from each other embrace. Was that an insult or a compliment? Should she be furious? Or flatter? The man even has the audacity to stare at her as if she was a foreign object or an alien perhaps. She might not be beautiful because of her pale skin and age too slow for her own good , causing her to appear as if she in her teen than a twenty-seven year old woman!
“Well, I’m pretty sure there other man in this room who wouldn’t mind a child-like woman such as myself” she snapped and drop her hand from his shoulder, she started to move away from him when he reach over and grab her upper arm. She was being pull back against his hard chest.
“I haven’t finish .Don’t move.” he demanded.
“Well, hurry up!” she was terribly annoyed by his constant grabbing and pulling of her arm. Just because he is physical build from the head to toe, doesn’t mean he can just swing her around like a rag doll. He is not the only handsome stranger in the room!
He pull her closer, her backside was leaning on his solid torso , he bend his head low , his lip barely brushing her ear “You fascinate me” he said roughly and flick his tongue around the edges of her ear . Jade felt a chill down her spine. His breath was warm against her hair, the man was dangerously seductive with his deep voice –
“And call me Lucus”
Even his name sound sinful. She was losing her mind . Her heart seen to never stop beating and she can hear it’s pounding louder and louder , “I..I have to go” she step away from him and march toward the stair way. She didn’t even hear her brother calling her name or her grandma asking where she going. Up the stair and into her bedroom , she close the door and lean against it . She put her hand over her heart to stop it from throbbing. This is madness. What is wrong with her? Suddenly she heard a wolf howling from the distance. She walk toward the window and look out into the night . There is something out there calling her , she can feel it and her body shook with enticement , the urge to follow the sound was like a drug , she have to go , it’s calling for her .