by Anna Santos
Looking back, I saw my aunt, cleaning the dishes in silence. I was left in a really uncomfortable position.
“She is being selfish. Just go to your room and get dressed. You are going with her,” my uncle said as he walked to me.
I stared at my aunt as if asking for her help. She simply smiled at me and waved for me to move along. Apparently, I had no say in the matter either.
“I’ll be right there to help you get dressed,” my aunt added.
All I could do was head to Gabby’s room and hope she wouldn’t look at me with daggers in her eyes.
“You better talk to your daughter. I’m not paying the bills in this house to have to deal with her bad temper. She is becoming impossible since she started going out with that boy,” my uncle grumbled to my aunt while I was walking to the bedroom.
I didn’t listen to anything else. They clearly had their problems, and I startled and confused by Gabby’s behavior. I had never disrespected my parents like that. Sadly, I was expecting a terrible night in the company of a cousin who hated my guts!
When I entered Gabby’s bedroom, she seemed calmer. She was sitting in front of a mirror, applying her makeup.
I cleared my throat. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t want to impose. I tried to explain to your dad that I didn’t want to go.”
“Just lose the lame outfit and get dressed with your best clothes. My boyfriend’s boss is extremely rich and there will be a lot of wealthy and important people there. I don’t want you to make me look bad,” she said.
“Okay,” I whispered “But…I didn’t really bring anything fancy to wear,” I explained, staring at her new cute dress that lay on her bed. It was gorgeous and really stylish. I would look ridiculous wearing that, but it didn’t mean I didn’t find it stunning. It was clearly expensive.
Gabby stopped what she was doing and stared at me from top to bottom. After a moment, she got up and headed to her wardrobe.
“Show me what you’ve brought.”
Before I could, she browsed through and removed my clothes from the wardrobe, making a mess in the process.
I tried not to make a fuss about her grabbing and throwing my clothes all over her bedroom. I wanted us to be friends, and we hadn’t started out on the right foot. Thus, I shut up and agreed with everything she said.
An hour and a half later, we were ready. Gabby wore the gorgeous, sleeveless, short pink dress while I wore a black-laced dress that showed too much cleavage. I didn’t feel comfortable in it. At least, it wasn’t short like Gabby’s dress. Yet, she had the legs to pull it off.
My aunt had been rather helpful with applying some makeup to my face. I couldn’t walk in high heels, so I chose to wear my flat shiny shoes that my mom bought for me to wear on my prom night. I didn’t have a boy to go to prom with, but I went with my friend, Jennifer, who wanted to wear a prom dress and take a picture for posterity.
Basically, my prom was the fanciest event I had ever gone to. I had no idea what to expect from that night out with my outgoing cousin Gabby.
CHAPTER TWO
PHILIPPE
Every other Friday, I would give an unforgettable party in one of my glass-encased boats. It was a very restricted and private event where only a few lucky ones could join. We would invite gorgeous girls, famous people, rich spoiled playboys, and a handful of selected tourists with the promise of an unforgettable cruise on the river Seine. The trip had a panoramic view of the most important monuments like the Cathedral of Notre Dame and passing by the Eiffel Tower. Of course, it was just an excuse to find new prey and to lure young women to our beds.
Girls stood in lines on the pier to be selected. Every time, ten random girls would be chosen to spend an unforgettable night with me and my men. We charmed them off their feet, drank their blood, used their bodies, and sent them home, totally unaware of what had happened to them. Compelling them to forget the feeding was one of the perks of being a creature of the night. Obviously, we would only let in the hottest girls.
Yet, that night, something happened that I wasn’t expecting. I left the captain’s cabin to join my guests when all my senses became fascinated by a young girl in a Lolita dress. The people around me were having fun, drinking and talking over the loud music, but I singled her out in the crowd and kept following her every move.
The girl had big eyes, brown like her wavy and long hair that the wind kept whipping against her face. She was plain and completely forgettable. I wouldn’t have looked twice if I’d seen her pass on the street. I wouldn’t even try to bite her if I were hungry. She was too young and innocent. So why was I attracted to her? Why was my nose selecting her scent and my eyes roaming up and down her figure?
She seemed out of place and was clumsy, bumping against everything while being run over by others. I had no idea who let her in.
Calling for my first in command, Gerard, I inquired, “Who’s that girl and who let her in?”
“I have no idea, sir,” Gerard said after staring at the girl I was pointing at. She was shy and kept adjusting her glasses against her nose like a frightened kitten.
“So find out!” I growled, upset.
He turned on his heels and left.
Clenching my jaw, I grabbed a drink from a waiter and tried to distract myself by talking with my beautiful female guests. It was pointless. Her presence was like a beacon of light in the darkest night.
Moments after, Gerard came back, and we went to talk privately.
Bowing his head, he informed me, “She came with Sean’s new obsession. The tall and good-looking girl with green eyes and gorgeous legs.”
I sighed with impatience as I looked around, trying to find Gabby. Sean wanted to seduce her and make her his pet. I thought she was just using him to get inside my pubs and my private parties. I had caught her staring at me with lustful eyes, trying to get my attention with her generous cleavage. She wasn’t my type. I had girls like her in every corner of every place. Besides, we could be selfish bastards, but we wouldn’t hit on someone else’s prey. We had a code. Gabby had been claimed by Sean. She was off limits to everybody else until he got enough of her.
Frowning, Gerard asked, “Do you want me to escort her out?”
“How are you planning to escort her out? We are on a boat,” I snapped at him as I pressed the glass harder between my fingers.
“She’s…just…a kid,” Gerard said the obvious as he looked down at where she was. “She’s not even that attractive with that ugly dress and those glasses.”
“That’s why I didn’t understand what she was doing here.”
“Sean let her in to please his pet.”
“Do you smell her from here?”
Gerard looked at me with puzzled eyes. “Can you?”
“Is she human?”
“Yes. She poses no threat.”
I nodded as I played with the glass between my fingers. “There’s something about her…” I muttered.
Gerard pursed his lips. “The boat has to make a final stop. I can escort her off and send her home.”
I mused as I drank the rest of the alcohol. Sighing, I called one of the waiters, placing my glass on a tray and grabbing a new one. “Let her be. I’ll talk to Sean later. I don’t like having guests on my boat without my authorization. She is clearly out of place.”
“I’m sure we don’t need to be concerned about her being an enemy in disguise,” my man said as his lips curled into a smirk.
I glared at him. I knew she wasn’t a witch or any other supernatural creature. She smelled deliciously human. Yet, that didn’t mean that I wanted her here. She was making me experience strange reactions. I didn’t like to lose control over my emotions.
Arching an eyebrow, Gerard asked, “Is there anything else you need, sir?”
“No, just control the men and don’t let anything bad happen. I really don’t want any of those idiots to lose control and for someone to get killed.”
“We have a lot of willing prey and the youngest ones
are being supervised by the oldest,” he stated, and I looked at him, pleased. “Sir, just relax and have fun. I have everything under control.”
“I hope you do.”
Glancing away from the girl’s figure, I ignored the peculiar sensation in my chest and went on with my own business. I had people to meet, guest to greet, and a line of hot women ready to go with me to my private quarters, so I could feast on their necks. I had a craving for something exotic that night—someone with olive skin and big brown eyes. They normally tasted like summer, and I was craving summer that night.
CHAPTER THREE
ARIA
I was feeling everything but relaxed. There was a dangerous aura surrounding the boat that was making me want to run and hide. It could also be the fact that I didn't like crowds, and Gabby had left me alone. I think she didn't want me around. She was off somewhere, talking with a tall, handsome guy with raven hair and blue eyes. He smiled at her as if she had some kind of spell on him. It was clear that he had a huge crush on her or loved her. I didn’t know. I don’t understand what love is. Well, my parents seem to be in love. But it’s a mature love. They share more than physical attraction, they share intellect. I guess that having a loving family, with parents who are madly in love, made me really picky about my future relationships. I expect nothing less than love from a man. If there was such a man willing to look at me twice.
My first night in Paris wasn’t working quite as I had planned. The music was too loud and the crowd was noisy. Everybody was in groups, drinking and talking. Others were on an improvised main dance floor, dancing their hearts out. Everyone had huge grins on their faces, happy to be there. Not to mention that the women were dressed like they were at the Oscars! I was feeling like an ugly duckling amongst these people.
At least, the view was gorgeous. I found a safe place in a corner, away from the fuss, and became enthralled by the city. I actually held my breath when I saw the City Hall and, from the other side of the river, I noticed the Notre-Dame. Despite being alone and feeling like a little girl at a grown-up party, the trip was really worth it just for the view. If only I had brought my camera to take pictures! My phone wouldn't do the trick. The image would be blurry and dark. Maybe I could do the trip again, another night, on another boat with tourists like the ones that were passing by our boat. There were a lot of other boats on the river. Which was surprising since it was night. Paris is the city of light, everybody knows that. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling of a cold darkness surrounding everything.
The moon in the sky was huge, but I couldn't see the stars as there was too much light for that. Nevertheless, up in the air, away from the lights of the city, stood an empty dark space that caught my eyes for a long time. At least, until my thoughts were interrupted by a sexy voice next to me.
“Quelque chose que ne va pas, mademoiselle?” a tall and really gorgeous French man asked me.
I stared at him, completely awestruck and having no clue as to what he had just said.
“I don’t understand,” I babbled, feeling my cheeks turn red and my heart pounding in my chest. I quickly stared down at my feet only to see his hands holding two flutes of champagne.
“So, you are not from around here?” he asked in English.
I looked up, getting caught in his mesmerizing brown eyes. His face was familiar. I haven’t seen him before, but I had seen him around the boat, staring at the crowd with pensive eyes. Who wouldn't notice him? He was drop dead gorgeous. He looked like Prince Charming.
“No.” That was the only word I could think of.
“Was there something interesting in the sky?” he inquired, drinking a sip of the champagne while offering me the other flute.
I declined with my hands, feeling ashamed after doing so. I was not allowed to drink alcohol. I had never tasted champagne either.
“A girl that doesn’t drink. That is a first,” he said with a dazzling smile.
I felt my legs lose their strength. He was so handsome, it hurt to keep my gaze on his face.
He placed the flutes on a tray of a waiter who happened to pass by. “Aren't you liking the party?”
“No. I mean yes. Why?” I asked, unsure why he would come and talk to me.
Putting his hands in his pockets, he indulged my curiosity. “You are the only one who isn't smiling at this party. Besides, I couldn't help but notice that you are here by yourself.”
It was hard to concentrate on what he was saying. I could only stare at his lips. I should act more mature and stop drooling.
Trying to put enough air in my lungs, I built the courage to face him, taking in how hot and elegantly dressed he was. He also had a mysterious sparkle in his eyes. There was something about him that drew me near. He also smelled like heaven. He must be wearing some expensive male cologne. France is known for its fragrances. Gabby had a ton of designer perfumes in her bedroom. She let me try them before coming to the party. But, I was sure I didn’t smell that good.
“I'm sorry. Am I disturbing you?” the young man asked with furrowed brows.
I was just staring at his face like an idiot. I am smarter than this, so why have I lost my ability to form coherent sentences around him?
I gulped. “No, I'm sorry. I'm not alone. I came with my cousin. She is around here somewhere with her boyfriend. Actually, her parents forced her to bring me along. I was better off at home. I've just arrived today from California. I've always wanted to come to Paris. It was my parents’ birthday gift,” I explained, giving away too much information and looking like a silly girl, no doubt. I felt my cheeks burn brighter.
“Yes, Gabby is your cousin,” he said, smiling once again.
This time, I didn’t smile back. Why would he know something like that? Why would he care to know something like that?
“I'm Philippe,” he introduced himself. “And you are Aria, right?”
I believe the look of astonishment couldn't be concealed from my face. He had a beautiful French name and knew my name. He knew my name! A man attempting to flirt with me was extremely odd. That’s never happened before. Were French men that different from American boys?
He leaned down and asked closer to my blank face, “Didn't I remember your name correctly?”
I nodded, still panicking and sweating like the clumsy fool I was.
“It’s a lovely name. Aria,” he said with his French accent that made my head spin and my throat dry.
Jesus, does he have permission to be this sexy? It was like God was extremely inspired when he made him. God? Okay, I'm losing it. He is the product of genes. He probably has a gorgeous Mom and a handsome Dad who combined their DNA and created that charming and stunning creature. We have to be amazed by nature to create something like him.
Someone slap me out of my stupid fantasies, please!
“Philippe is a ni-ce na-me too,” I stuttered.
Rolling my eyes, I wished for a hammer to slam me across the floor, so I could hide from my smooth talk. Yes, I have a really nice way with words. It comes from all the practice I’ve had talking to guys, which is none whatsoever.
He smiled, and I frowned when he asked, “Aren't you liking my party?”
Blood must have drained from my face. “Your party?”
That was just great! He was the rich guy Gabby couldn’t stop talking about. Come to think of it, they had the same name, so I had to be pretty stupid to not realize it sooner. But, I had come to terms about my IQ experiencing problems since he came to talk to me.
“Yes, you don’t seem to be enjoying yourself.”
“I'm enjoying the view,” I explained, pointing at the buildings on the shore. “I don’t know anyone else here,” I whispered, so he would be the only one to hear me.
Even if I was in a foreign country, English was a widely spoken and understood language. Therefore, a lot of people there could understand our conversation. Many were staring at us with curiosity since I had the host in front of me, giving me attention. Then it hit me. He was just bein
g polite and talking with everybody at the party. How stupid can I be? He was not hitting on me. Not that I thought he was. He was probably intrigued with my presence there. Yet, he had asked my cousin about me. Maybe to make sure I wasn’t an uninvited person who had snuck into his party.
“Do you do that often?” he asked.
I frowned, having no idea of what he was talking about. Was he complaining about my contemplation of the view or my inability to mingle with strangers?
He explained as if reading my mind, “Staring at the sky.”
“No,” I replied.
Leaning against the railing, a cold breeze circled around my legs as I tried to control my anxiety.
“Can you see anything there?” he asked, pointing at the black sky next to the moon.
I turned around to look at where he was pointing. Tilting my head, I simply replied, “The city lights don’t let the stars appear.”
His hands grabbed the railway next to me as he stepped closer and looked down at the river in silence.
The water swirled in waves under the speed of the boat. Yet, I could barely listen to the sound of the engine because of the loud music.
When I looked up, he was staring at me. My cheeks burned as I wet my lips. My lungs seemed unable to function since he came to talk to me. A few more moments of awkward silence followed. His eyes were still on my face, and I had no clue as to what could be so interesting about me.
“I'm sure you have other people to meet. I’ll just go and mingle,” I said, trying to slip my way out of there and let him continue to greet people.
He grabbed my hand, and I froze. Staring at his face, I glimpsed a floating blackness in his eyes as I choked on an unwilling gasp. There was something wrong about him.
I startled myself and tried to take my hand away from his.
“It was not my intention to scare you,” he declared, staring at my hand and putting his other hand over it. His touch sent a wave of quivers down my spine. “I just want to talk to you a bit more.”
