Chapter Fourteen

Annika’s POV

The morning light streamed into the room, making me open my eyes forcefully. I hadn't wanted the night to end. Andro’s presence last night calmed me down and helped me to sleep for a while. I had thought he was going to stay till morning but since he's not here, I guess he has some important things to do.

I stood up from the bed and walked into my closet. It was empty and I remembered I'd packed up all of my things yesterday because I'll have to go back with Andro soon. I walked into the bathroom to get cleaned up and also get ready for my lunch with Galina.

As I stepped to the front of the mirror, I saw my reflection; my hair was scattered, and I could see some bite marks on my body. I blushed as the memories of the previous night came rushing back.

Andro gently placed a kiss on my shoulder and that made it known that running isn't part of the options. I turned to face him, stared into his voice, waiting for the courage to come so I could tell him everything.

But I couldn't. I kept mute!

“Are you okay, malyshl?” he had asked me.

“No, I'm not fine. I want to tell you everything so bad that it hurts but I can't bring myself to do that because I'm scared that you might…” I stopped as a tear rolled out of my eyes.

Andro placed his lips on my cheek, stopping the tear from staining my face. He kissed both cheeks before he took hold of my palm.

“I might do what?” he asked, urging me to say it.

“Hate me,” I whispered, loud enough for him to hear even though I wished he didn't.

He pulled me into his body and wrapped his hands around my body.

“I can never hate you, Annika. You mean the world to me and hating you is the last thing I’ll ever do.”

“How can you express so much emotion for someone you just met a while ago?”

He released my body and stared into my eyes making butterflies flutter in my stomach. I quickly looked away when the sudden urge to kiss him overshadowed me. He pulled my face back so I could look at him.

“You’re not someone I just met. You’re someone I've been waiting for my entire life. Why should I waste time declaring my feelings?”

“How do you know I’m your soulmate?” I asked him.

“It's called Emerthus, and I’ve been dreaming about you for years.”

“Emerthus. Is that why I feel this way?” I repeated slowly, trying to get the correct pronunciation of the word.

“Yes, malyshl, and you unknowingly sealed the bond when you fed on my blood the last time.” He raised my hand to his lips and kissed it.

I giggled like a child.

“All I ask is just for you to open up to me. I want to know every part of your life as much as I want to kiss every inch of your body. I want to worship your emotions and feelings as much as I want to worship that sweetness between your legs. You’re mine, Annika, and I want you to accept me that way.” His words made me breathless. I could envision him doing as he had said.

I raised my legs from underneath him and wrapped them around his waist while shifting my body so close to him. Too close if I had to say. I looked into his eyes as the desire to kiss him came to my mind. My lips hovered close to his as I was expecting him to take the lead.

“I wouldn't be able to stop if I start, Annika. Are you sure about this?” he asked, getting me all riled up.

Angrily, I molded my lips with his and kissed him like my life depended on it. Once I realized he wasn't kissing me back, I pulled away. He pulled me back and kissed me this time.

“We should stop Annika. You need to get some sleep.” Trying hard to fight back my sexual frustrations, I nodded, and he kissed my forehead before tucking me to bed.

I quickly pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind as I took a quick bath and got ready for my day. I was stepping out of the front door with a cap covering my face from the sun when I overheard my stepfather on the phone, talking to someone about meeting up soon.

He sounded so strange as he talked quietly and uncomfortably. I knew something was up and that something is what I want to know.

I checked where my mom used to park her car and I realized it was still there. I went back into the house, picked up her car keys from the table, and walked out before she could stop me.

As soon as I stepped out of the house, my stepfather was already driving off. Half running, half walking, I raced towards my mom's car and drove off immediately to trail after my stepfather.

He stopped on the way and came out of his car to walk into a florist shop. By the time he came out of the shop, he was holding some roses.

My stepfather got back into the car and began driving again. The next stop he made was in front of a playground. A little girl ran into his arms as soon as he walked out of his car, and I watched him kiss the mother of the child.

I brought out my phone and took some pictures. I drove the car closer to them and honked. The three of them turned, as I rolled down the car's window.

The shock that appeared on my stepfather's face was priceless. I knew I did that one right.

"Hello, sir, you have a really lovely family. Don't mind me; I just love love," I told him, feigning complete ignorance.

"Thank you so much, miss," the lady replied, smiling brightly.

"I'm Annika; what's your name?"

"I'm Rose."

"Wow, some roses flower for Rose. That's amazing," I said, referring to the flowers she was holding.

"He's the romantic one. He spoils me silly," she added "Till he goes about molesting the child," I whispered, enough for them to pick up some words. I laughed to cover up what I'd said.

"I'll see you again, right?" The lady nodded, oblivious of the fact that the question wasn't for her; it was for him.

He was silent throughout the whole conversation.

"Bye, little princess," I waved at the little child, and she waved back as I drove off.

I met up with Galina at the restaurant and the first thing she said was, "Girl, you look udivitel'nyy," she complimented before hugging me. (T: Astonishing.)

"I don't look different," I corrected her.

"No! No! Did you look into the mirror this morning? You look so different, so calm, beautiful, and elegant. You strode in here without care unlike before when your face will be down and you wouldn't want to look at anyone else," she explained, and I was dumbfounded.

"I don't think I notice any of these things you're saying, Galina."

"Why are you being so humble? Flaunt it in my face, you look good," she joked, and I smiled.

"Sorry I'm late, I actually was on a mission," I told her.

"What mission?"

"I'll tell you about it later."

"How about the issue you wanted to discuss with your mom. Have you told her? You just disappeared without giving me a heads-up, you got me really worried."

I folded my hands on the table, thinking about how I was supposed to tell her my mother was a part of it.

"I'm sorry I did that to you Galina, but I had to leave. Can you believe that my mother was a part of that scheme? She told him to do it," I explained.

"What?"

"I couldn't believe it myself and finding that out, killed me."

She looked at me in horror and was about to say something when her phone suddenly rang.

"Shit." As she was about to take out her phone from her bag, I think something happened.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

The next thing she brought in my line of vision made my blood boil. I could feel my fangs protruding as she showed me her bloody hand.

I gripped the edge of the table tightly and before I could do anything stupid, I speed-dialed Andro.

"Stupid me left the blade in my bag," Galina grumbled.

I couldn't listen to what she said next, all that was in my head was the smell of her blood.

I grabbed my phone and dashed out of the restaurant, leaving my bags and the car keys behind.

"Help, Andro. I saw blood," I cried out as soon as he picked the call.

"Where are you?" he asked worriedly.

I quickly described my location to him.

"I'll be there soon," he promised, and I held on to that promise as I bit down on my lips hard with the fangs, keeping it hidden and keeping control.