Chapter 7: Alexandria: Running Away

–Alexandria–

I didn’t understand Vince’s words, but anyway, I’ll just wait for him until he arrives. Mina arrives to help me pack my things. I already decluttered last year and had someone send it to the Goodwill or the shelter.

“I need to go,” Sy said. “I have to take care of a few things for my boss.” He sighed. “Make sure to eat your lunch and dinner.”

“Okay, bye, Sy.”

I waved as he waved back with that playful smile.

I sighed as I stared at my books. I make sure to secure it on boxes. I want to bring it with me. My grandpa visited me and stared at my things scattered around.

“Grandpa?”

He approached me and hugged me, kissing my forehead.

“Please, save our family, Alexa.”

I hugged him back. It’s been a long time since he last embraced me.

“I am sure that he won’t hurt you.” He mumbled. “I’m sorry that this family hasn’t treated you well.” That hurts more.

My chest tightens.

Ever since I was little, I was ignored by my parents. I was always just a background. Grandpa speaks to me when he’s around.

“It’s alright.” My voice breaks. No one ever listens to me when I speak. I stopped seeking attention when I turned six. There’s a nanny who always takes care of me, but she died at an old age. Then, there’s Mina who always checks on me.

There are times that when I went to school, I would skip a meal. I have no allowance at all. Then, when arriving home, I eat a lot. Before I left home, I ate more for breakfast. I sneaked out food from the pantry and stacked it on my drawers and took a few to school… I~I never had a lunch box before.

My mother never pays attention to me. She always looked at me coldly. Dad never looked me in the eyes. Like I was a curse.

“He’ll pick you up earlier. In two days.”

My eyes widened.

“What?”

“I know, it’s hard. But the wedding will be intimate since it’s locked down. He had a bigger room for you, maids to attend you… You’ll be taken care of better than here. I know that your parents haven’t been treating you well. And I’m sorry,” He wiped my tears. “But this man has been watching over you ever since you were born.”

“W~what is he?” I asked. “How old is he, Grandpa? At least, that’s what I should know.”

Grandpa shook his head.

“I don’t know. But don’t be scared. I don’t think he’ll hurt you.”

But the thought of that person looking young made my skin crawl. What is he? And he’s been watching over me ever since I was born? Why did he never get old then?

My stomach twisted into knots as Grandpa squeezed my hands.

“My dear, call me anytime, alright? If he hurts you… You call me.”

I pressed my lips and nodded.

“Alexa!” Vince’s voice echoes in the hall. He stood by the open door of my room, and he froze. “No!” he said dramatically. “Please don’t leave us!” He approached me and hugged me tightly. “Please, no.”

I pushed him.

“Oh, come on! Stop that.”

He and his sister are the only ones with whom I am close. He’s managing his father’s club, the one that was left. He’s always good to me. He’s thirty years old and still single. His blonde hair was messy, like he had been running his fingers through it.

“I’ll let you talk.”

I nodded as Vince hugged grandpa, clingy as always.

Grandpa pushed him toward me.

“Help her pack up.”

Mina carried the boxes of books outside as Vince pulled me toward my closet, and he squeezed my hands.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“Well, I should’ve warned you, but pack up your things. I need to take you away from here.” He scooped my face.

“What?” I creased my brows.

“He’s not human,” He whispered in a low voice. “Trust me.”

He pulled out his phone and showed me photos with a date stamp on them. I stared at it. The clothes were from the 1990s and twenty 2000’s. I stared at it. The man didn’t grow old at all.

“Is~is he a vampire?”

He was silent. “He’s an immortal. That’s what I suspected. You can’t marry this man.”

“But what about our family?”

“Forget this forsaken family! They did you nothing good.”

I chewed my left cheek as I stared at the gifts and the limited edition books that hadn’t been released yet. He looks thoughtful… through gifts. Maybe it’s just a bribe.

“Come on, Alexa. Trust me. He’s old, old, rich. He can afford it all because he is an immortal.” He lowered his voice.

“You are not~~”

“I know a lot of things, Alexa. Those things you read in books, most of them are real. Now, pack a few of your things, and I’m taking you out of here.”

But Vince is very convincing. He looked dead serious. Not just that, he took something out of his pocket and put it on my neck.

“This is a protection. He won’t find you. But we must hurry up.”

I started packing a few of my clothes and more of my underwear. Then, I grabbed my wallet and stash of cash. I took my Kindle with me and my laptop. I handed him the black backpack, and he nodded. He headed for the balcony, and my eyes widened when he jumped off.

“Vince!” I hissed as I rushed to the balcony and found him waving at me, and he cocked his head.

“What the fuck? How did you~~”

Never mind about it. I put my shoes on, grabbed my phone, and my cap.

No one noticed me when I headed downstairs. Everyone is busy, and no one would ever notice me at all. I sneaked into Vince’s car, and he drove off quickly.

The guard opened the gate for him, and just like that, we left the mansion.

“Okay, Vince. Where are you taking me?”

“I have a lakehouse on the outskirts. The village Chief is a great friend of mine. You are safe there.”

“Okay…” I murmured. “What if they find me? This is really, really not good, Vince.”

“Put your mask on.” He said as I opened the compartment in front, take out a N29 mask. My eyes went to his gun.

“Why do you have this?”

“Protection.” He said and closed it. He then gave me something. “Spray it on you.”

I smelled it, and it didn’t smell bad at all, so I sprayed it on me.

It was a long drive, and before entering this weird town, we needed a pass to enter. Vince spoke to the guard and showed a letter. They let him pass. Now, this is making me more nervous.

We reached the lakehouse. He took the bag and led me to the porch.

I froze when there was a loud howl somewhere.

“Oh, it’s just wild wolves.” He said.

“Wild wolves?” I raised my brows. This is really weird. Is this better than marrying a beast?