CHAPTER 21
AVA CLARKE
I keep looking at Damien's lips, still feeling his hands holding my body, and I really want to kiss him right now. He continues staring at me, and I quickly blink my eyes when I turn my head and see Elara watching us, smiling and clapping rapidly. I smile, distancing myself, and notice that Damien also seems to compose himself and changes the music before looking at me again.
"You did well in your first lesson; we'll do this again tomorrow, little mouse...", He whispers that ridiculous nickname before approaching Elara and saying something to her. They leave the mansion's living room together, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I sigh before smiling when I remember how well I did in my first dance class, and I feel excited about the upcoming ball. The soft light from the lamp illuminates my room as I gently close the door, still enveloped in the aura of the recent dance lesson with Damien.
My body still echoes the graceful dance movements, and the proximity to Damien reverberates in my thoughts. I feel like I'm floating as I sink into my bed, where a stack of books and notes awaits my attention. While trying to focus on the notes for the important university exam, my mind insists on returning to the moments shared with Damien.
The music, the coordinated movements, the tangible connection between us—everything feels like a dream that engulfs me in a state of ecstasy. I sigh, unable to contain a shy smile as I reminisce about the dance.
I have a very important exam this week, and I need to be prepared to always get good grades, but inside my head, there are only Lucius and Damien Fell.
The next morning, I walked through the university campus with Sophia. The preparations for the mansion's ball are well underway, and Lucius was busy this morning with the company that would handle all the party decorations, so I didn't see him today.
The sun casts golden rays on the path as we chat excitedly about our expectations for the mansion's ball. She says it's the best event of the year, and the Fell family is the best at organizing a luxurious ball.
"Lucius invited me to be his partner at the ball.", I say, watching my friend's eyes widen quickly, and seconds later, she screams, drawing everyone's attention.
"Sorry about that. Oh my God! You and Lucius Fell? That's amazing, and I think he's interested in you, Ava.", she says with a mischievous smile, and I quickly shake my head.
"Of course not! He's my boss, and I'm new here, so he just wanted to do something nice.", I shrug my shoulders, and she continues to look at me with that smile.
Sophia is also going to the party, and she still doesn't know who her partner will be this year. I should be worried about that too, but I'm going to be the host's partner, and I'm very excited about it.
"Have you found a dress yet?", I ask, and she shakes her head.
I'm worried about this big detail because it's not just any dress; it's a dress with ancient and typical details from many centuries ago, and I think it will be a complicated task to find such clothing in this small town.
'Well, maybe we can go to town to see if we find something together,' she says, and I quickly agree with that idea.
"How are you feeling after that scary situation in the forest, Ava?", she asks, referring to the recent incident where I was almost attacked.
I sigh, looking away for a moment before responding:
"I'm still a bit confused about what happened that night. I'm grateful to have come out unharmed, but something strange happened."
Sophia looks at me with concern.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
I hesitated for a moment before deciding to trust my friend.
"I saw something supernatural that night, Sophia. Something I can't explain. But no one believes me."
Surprisingly, Sophia doesn't show skepticism. Instead, she nods seriously.
"Ava, this small town hides many things that most people don't know. There are supernatural secrets that few understand."
My eyes widen, surprised by Sophia's response.
"Do you believe me?"
Sophia smiles understandingly, touching my arm with complicity. No one believed me when I told them about the man with red eyes, and she doesn't seem frightened when I tell her this.
"Ava, I always knew there was something special in this town. Strange things happen, and I've also seen things I can't explain. I think you're right to trust what you saw."
I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders by finding someone who believes in me. Furthermore, I'm not alone in my strange perceptions. As we walk together on campus, Sophia begins to share her own supernatural experiences, opening up a new world of possibilities for me.
"Have you heard anything about vampires in this town?", I ask in a low tone, feeling shivers down my spine when I say that strange word.
"Vampires? I don't know, but I always heard the stories my grandmother told about this town. She's been living here for a long time, so she always had new stories."
"She told me once that I should always have holy water and things like that to protect myself from people who aren't real people, but she's 90 years old, so I'm not sure if all of this is true or just created in her mind."
"Your grandmother sounds like a very interesting person, and I'd love to talk to her about it, Sophia."
"Oh, of course! We can go today after class if you want.", she says, and I nod.
I should take care of Elara today, but Lucius said he wouldn't need my help in the mansion, so I have a few hours before returning to my job.
I need to know more about all this that happened to me that night, so I need answers, and I think I'll get them if I meet Sophia's grandmother. She said she's been living in this town for a long time, and I think she knows a lot of stories.
My body settles into the university classroom chair, eyes fixed on the professor exploring a complex concept. I am determined to absorb every word, and my mind is focused to the maximum in class.
The pen in my hands moves frantically, filling the notebook margins with scribbles that record every thought and note, trying to assimilate the knowledge being transmitted."