In the lavish living room adorned with elegant furniture and soft carpets, Damon Wright, accompanied by his mother and his father, sat tensely across from Annalise and Tobias Dortmund. The new housekeeper brought over some coffee and a lovely platter of biscuits, but Damon doubted anyone was in the mood for some. It was his first time in the Dortmund mansion and he had only come as a courtesy visit because his mother insisted that they visited the Dortmunds. They were finally back from whatever journey they had been on. It wasn't unusual for them to leave home, they frequently took long trips and spent as long as a year on those trips, they never really said where they were going to or brought back anything from said trips. Damon just knew it was their way.
Samantha was still missing and no information on her whereabouts proved useful. It was sad really, that the only link they had to his bride had disappeared without a trace. Was there something else to this? And then the unfortunate death of their former housekeeper Olga, the Dortmunds had been quick to replace her but Damon didn't think she would be easily forgotten. She had managed the Dortmund mansion for decades.
Annalise Dortmund was the first to pick up a cup of coffee. She was a small woman, with dark hair and small slanted eyes. She had a sour expression on her face and as soon as her lips touched the coffee cup, she put it down immediately. Damon doubted she took a sip.
Annalise began with concern in her voice.
"Lord Damon, we're deeply worried about Samantha's disappearance.... It's been days now. Are you sure there's nothing else you can do to find her?"
Damon's mother couldn't hide her skepticism or her disdain, "I think we should be asking the important questions. Like why your daughter didn't attend the ball and gave her invite to someone else."
"And just when she was about to be probed, she conveniently goes missing. That sounds extremely suspicious."
Tobias Dortmund looked offended, "I find it odd that you are questioning my daughter's intention. Or motive, especially when her room was covered in blood... she could be in real danger."
Carolyn rolled her eyes.
"I am simply stating facts. We can't put it past her."
"Samantha has caused trouble before, honestly it wouldn't surprise me if she planned this all and ran away to some island in the Caribbean while waiting for the dust to settle."
Annalise looked offended.
"We've stood by the coven through thick and thin. Damon might not remember but I didn't forget how you were so so grateful for our help that one summer in 1856."
Carolyn shot her a look then she scoffed.
"I seem to remember us paying back the favour. Didn't we?!"
She turned to her husband.
Damon intervened, "Everyone calm down. We're here to find Samantha, not to accuse anyone."
He turned to the Dortmunds, "Do you have any idea where she could have gone?"
Annalise replied with a small sigh, "Honestly, we're not that close to Samantha... the last time we talked we were telling her about attending the ball. At first she was very hesitant to go, then she agreed to it and promised that she would be in attendance and fill in for us."
"We had no idea what she was up to."
Tobias nodded in agreement to his wife.
"We don't know where she would go, but that strange woman Denise might be the key. She was the last person to see Samantha before she vanished."
Damon nodded, "Alright, Back to Denise it is then. We'll talk to her again."
"But, if Samantha did go on her own volition like my mother claims, it's quite possible she might try to contact you. Or use her cards or anything that might be traced so let me know."
"Of course. We will inform you of every new development. Thank you for taking time out to see us Lord Damon."
Damon nodded politely and stood up, his parents too. They said their goodbyes, his father who had not said a word throughout the meeting stayed behind for a while and turned to the Dortmunds.
"We didn't forget your kindness. You should forgive my wife... she's just really worried and stressed lately. This whole situation is quite tiring."
"We understand, we want nothing more than Damon finding his bride and restoring the coven back in order, but I doubt Samantha would run away voluntarily leaving all this mess behind..."
Annalise said.
"She may be wild but she's not stupid."
..............
In the warm kitchen, Lourdes gracefully prepared the Caesar salad, carefully arranging fresh lettuce leaves, sprinkling parmesan cheese, and drizzling dressing over it. She hummed gently as she prepared plates and cutleries for the salad, ready to serve them alongside the main dish.
Just then, Olivia, marched into the kitchen, disapproval written all over her face. Lourdes was surprised to see her. Olivia rarely entered the kitchen unless she needed something. And when she did she would often boss the younger maids around about it. This time, there was a certain look on her face that suggested she was there for something else. Something entirely different.
Lourdes wondered what it was about.
Olivia folded her arms ad she glared at Lourdes. Lourdes smiled nervously at her.
"The salad is almost ready Ms Olivia. I'll bring it soon."
"That's not why I'm here."
Olivia replied.
"You did a really awful job raising that daughter of yours."
Lourdes was taken aback.
"Caelia?!"
She asked and Olivia nodded.
"Who else?" She retorted.
"I don't understand. What did she do?"
"What didn't she do?"
"I don't know what you told her, but she has no chance with my brother. And the sooner she learns her place the better it is for everyone here. I will not tolerate her being coy or flirty with my brother."
Lourdes fidgeted nervously.
"There's nothing between them. I'm sure of it."
Olivia raised her eyebrow.
"Can you swear it?!"
"Do you truly believe that there's nothing between them?!"
"Well... my daughter knows boundaries, she wouldn't dare make advances to Damon."
Olivia chuckled.
"Are you insinuating that my brother is the one making the advances?!"
Lourdes quickly apologised.
"Oh no! I wasn't. I just don't think there's anything going on between them..."
Olivia scoffed.
"I see.. The apple doesn't fall far from the treee..."
Lourdes eyes shot up.
"I don't appreciate you speaking rudely to me, Olivia," Lourdes said, trying to keep her voice steady.
"I apologize if Caelia's behavior has caused any discomfort."
Olivia's eyes narrowed dangerously, Lourdes feared that she had gone too far.
"Your apologies won't change anything. Keep her away from my brother Damon. I won't tolerate any nonsense from her."
Lourdes nodded her heart heavy with worry and confusion. "I will talk to Caelia and make sure she understands," she replied softly.
As Olivia stormed out of the kitchen, her facade crumbled and tears welled up in her eyes. She leaned against the counter, overwhelmed with emotions, and allowed herself a moment.
That insolent insolent child!
What more was she supposed to tell Caelia to dissuade her from the path she wanted to take?!
She would tell her everything then.
No holding back.
...................
"Vampires you say?!"
Caelia pretended to be too shocked to speak. Her mother nodded her head as she looked around carefully once again. The Wrights weren't home, but she wanted to make sure nobody else was sneaking up on them. She wouldn't want to risk Margaret or Rachel coming in.
"I found out a long time ago. When you were sick."
"Damon healed me?"
She asked and her mother nodded.
"Their blood was rumoured to have healing property, I didn't know that when I went to ask for their help, I just wanted to use the fact that I knew what they were as leverage. But when she promised to save your life, I had no choice but to do as she asked."
"I was so so desperate."
"That's why you didn't want me here... because of the kind of people they are."
Her mother nodded.
"Yes. More so, I didn't trust Carolyn Wright. She claimed to be the one to save you but she didn't give you her blood. She gave you Damon's."
"Mother, you understand we have to leave right?! If they are truly what you say they are, then we cannot stay here anymore!"
"I understand, but I have to pay off my debt one way or the other."
Lourdes sighed.
"If someone is supposed to go then it's meant to be you. I'll soon be done serving my time here, you should take the chance and leave while you still can."
"Especially with all this Damon nonsense."
She added.
Her mother held her hands, pulling her close.
"You're going to stay away from him aren't you? You're going to do as I ask?"
Caelia smiled nervously, almost looking away.
"Yes mother. I'll stay away."