CHAPTER 8
AVA CLARKE
The soft morning light fills the kitchen with Fell Mansion as I sit at the table having breakfast with Lucius and Elara. The scent of coffee lingers in the air, creating a warm atmosphere. However, something seems out of the ordinary on this peaceful morning.
I notice that Lucius is quieter than usual. His distant glances and the absence of his characteristic laughter catch my attention. I observe Elara playing with her food, oblivious to the subtle tension in the air.
Curious and concerned about Lucius' well-being, I decide to address the matter delicately.
"Lucius, is everything okay? You seem a bit quiet today."
He looks at me, his eyes revealing a mix of thoughts. He hesitates for a moment before responding, choosing his words carefully.
"Ah, Ava, don't worry. I'm just dealing with some complicated matters. Nothing you need to concern yourself with."
I sense the kindness in his words, but my intuition tells me there's more behind this response. I gently insist:
"If you need to talk or if you need anything, I'm here for you, Lucius."
The older man smiles gratefully, but still retains a shadow of concern in his eyes.
"Damien is a complicated person, difficult to deal with sometimes. But we'll get through this. I don't want you getting involved in troubles that aren't yours."
I nod understandingly, agreeing with Lucius' assessment of Damien. Furthermore, I've witnessed up close the challenging and unpredictable nature of the younger brother.
Breakfast continues with a somewhat melancholic atmosphere, despite Elara's efforts to bring lightness to the setting. As the time to head to university approaches, I bid farewell to Lucius and Elara, promising to return soon.
Exiting the mansion, I feel the fresh morning breeze and the sunlight caressing my face. However, the tranquility is interrupted when I come across Damien standing near my car. Surprisingly, he seems quieter than usual.
"Damien, good morning!", I greet, noting the serious expression on his face.
"Get in the car!", he replies, avoiding my gaze. His voice is calm, but something in his demeanor grabs my attention.
I comply, entering the car with a sense of discomfort. Something is amiss with this family today, and I can sense it. Elara is acting normally, as she does every day, but there's something off with the Fell brothers this morning.
Damien starts driving, but the silence between us is almost palpable. I watch him, surprised to notice that he isn't making his usual irritating jokes this morning.
"Are you okay?", I finally asked, breaking the tense silence between us.
He sighs, briefly averting his gaze from the road.
"Can't you stay quiet for a few seconds, can you? You should know that's annoying, mouse.", he says with an irritated expression, and I realize he still hasn't answered my question.
His response doesn't entirely dispel my unease. I wonder what could have happened to make both brothers so taciturn.
"I'm just asking if you're okay, but I saw someone bite you this morning. But I know you're always in a bad mood, so I'm not surprised.", I say, crossing my arms in front of my body, sensing that he's looking at me at this moment.
The rest of the journey to the university is made in silence, with me lost in thoughts about the mysteries surrounding Fell Mansion. Upon arriving at the university, Damien parks the car, and I prepare to exit. Before leaving, I look at him, trying to understand what's happening.
"Even the strongest people can have moments of weakness, Damien. I know you don't like me, but you can talk to me if you want.", I say this in a low tone, looking into his green eyes.
He looks into my eyes for a moment, a glimpse of vulnerability manifesting in his gaze. However, he quickly averts his gaze and just nods.
"I can't be late for class again!", he says, quickly getting out of the car and avoiding me once more.
With that, I stepped out of the car, watching Damien drive away. I stand still for a moment, reflecting on the strange change in atmosphere at Fell Mansion and Damien's surprising lack of banter. As I walk toward the campus, I brace myself to face the challenges of the day, but a persistent sense that something is wrong lingers in my mind.
The morning at the university unfolds with the typical hustle of students preparing for another day of studies. I walk towards the entrance, my thoughts still lingering on the events at Fell Mansion. Suddenly, a voice cuts through the air, interrupting my musings.
"Ava!", Sophia's voice, echoes across the campus, and I turn to see my friend running towards me, a bright smile illuminating her face. We greet each other with cheek kisses, a common gesture between friends who share a special connection.
Sophia, being my only true friend at the university, brings a touch of light to my day. We walk together towards the classroom, engaged in lively conversation that, for a moment, makes me forget the concerns at the mansion.
However, as we enter the campus, I notice Damien sitting under the shade of a tree, focused on drawing something in his notebook.
"Ava, are you even listening to what I'm saying?", I blink my eyes, seeing Sophia looking confused beside me.
"Sorry, I guess I'm a bit unfocused this morning.", I say, and Sophia realizes that I was looking at Damien.
"Any girl would lose focus looking at Damien Fell. He has the power to drive any girl crazy.", she says, laughing mischievously, and I shake my head quickly.
A peculiar sensation envelops me as I see him there, distant from the usual carefree air that characterizes him. The mystery surrounding the Fell brothers seems to grow with each passing moment.
As we settle into the classroom, I try to direct my attention to my studies, but the presence of Lucius and Damien still resonates in my mind. The conversation with Sophia is a momentary relief, but the shadows of the unknown loom over me.
The day unfolds slowly, marked by intrusive thoughts and a sense of restlessness. I struggle to focus on my studies, but the mysterious aura of Fell Mansion seems to follow me even here. Every distracted glance out the window reveals the campus landscape, but my mind is on the enigmatic figures I left behind.
When the time finally comes to leave the university, I bid farewell to Sophia with a wave and a smile, but my eyes fixate on Damien, who is about to get into his car. The journey back to the mansion is long, and I realize that I'll need a ride.