Groaning against the hues of the bright sunlight, I opened my eyes, blinking away the tears that formed. Once the blurriness cleared away, I found myself staring up at the ceiling. My mind seemed to be in a peaceful state of no thoughts and worries, simply blank, letting me enjoy the tranquility around me.
But I always did the mistake of wondering, thinking, letting myself remember what had happened. I sighed as everything came forward, to the front of my mind, and the once peaceful state, now turned into a torment and pain.
And as a foolish naïve little girl, I wished for it to be a dream. I wished to be away from this world, and back home. The numbing pain that ran through my leg only brought reality to crash down on me, leaving me no room for wishing.. just a false hope.
As much as I wanted to leave this at once, I knew I have gotten myself deep into whatever voodoo nonsense this was. And if that Venturi was part of it, I had no choice but to find out more. I would be forced to stay here anyways, Tristan, Austin and Alec wouldn't let me out of their sights, for I knew that Venturi and he knew me. This wasn't something I could escape on my own.
And if I was fully being honest, I wanted to find out every scheme and secret of Antonio Venturi. What was he planning next? Who was he going to fool next? I had underestimated the Venturi... I had failed to see he was more than a cowardly thief, who ran away with everything he got. If Venturi knew of the existence of such creatures and had built himself to become 'the leader of the hunters' as they called it. What else did he know? What else was he hiding?
"There're secrets buried in every family, sweet Jisoo."
His words taunted my head, making me wonder what he had truly meant.. what was he truly after.. Antonio Venturi wouldn't be doing such a thing, especially if it meant fighting for it, I knew that much about him. Only if he truly craved for something. would he put up a fight for it. Perhaps he cowardly believed he would be able to possess whatever power Tristan Slade held.
But I really didn't know what to think of him right now, the Antonio Venturi I knew, didn't care for anything but his own disgusting ass, but the man I saw recently was someone new.. he wasn't the Venturi I knew him to be. He spilled blood and tried to shoot down Tristan. From being under the role of being the Hunters' leader, he had completely changed... all for what? I still didn't know, but I knew I had to find out. He already brought too many troubles, I refuse to let him add another. I wanted him out of my life before he could do something irreversible.
I sighed, wanting to get up and stretch, but the sharp burning pain that shot up my wounded leg, prevented me from doing so. I groaned, lifting the covers off my legs. A clean white bandage wrapped around my thigh, close to my knee. The black jeans and loose top I remembered wearing from before was replaced with a soft blue-coloured dress. Running my hands over the smoothe material, I noted the heart shaped neckline that highlighted my full chest and how it ended in waves right around my mid-thigh, with tiny straps.
I didn't know whether to call the dress flashy or casual. But right now that was the least of my concerns, this I realised as I ran my hand over the soft bandage that covered the wound. It was snuggy, not too tight, letting me know it was done by someone professional. I sighed, seeing the deep red colour of blood coating the pure white bandage from the inside. How much blood did I lose?
My eyes wandered around the same black-coloured room, hoping to see a clock, a digital calendar, a phone.. anything that showed me the time or day. But even with me scanning the room for the third time, I saw no sign of any of those things.
Letting out a deep breath, I sat myself against the headboard, wincing in pain. I looked straight towards the door, hoping someone would come in.. preferably Tristan...
I would be lying if I said, I never wanted those sparks caressing my skin again. Tristan's skin against mine sent shots of sharp electrifying sparks around my body. While sparks of electricity were painful, this was anything but that.. It was a rushing of sweet pleasure that made me simply beg for more. The walls I wanted to build against this man comes crumbling down the second his skin touches my own.
The wilderness his eyes portrayed made me want to hang onto every word he said.. every word his soft sinful lips spoke. I bit my lip, wondering what the taste of his lips would be against mine. I sighed, running a hand over my face.
"I need to get out of this room.." I muttered under my breath, carefully lifting my legs off the bed. I winced at every move. Balancing myself against the wall and keeping my wounded leg up, I tried to hop once or twice. I groaned, feeling the burning pain almost intensify, "That Venturi is gonna get it." I gritted my teeth, calling him every name under the sun.
I debated whether or not it was a good idea to leave this room. But the four walls would start to cave in on me; suffocating me. I sighed, running a hand through my hair and started hopping towards the door, using the bed and the dresser to the side to my aid. Ignoring the sharp pain that was shooting through my leg, I tried to hop over the large space between the bed and the door, "Why does anyone need that much of a space?" I muttered, well knowing my room was much larger. I had even requested to have a large space between the door and the bed, also add a step or two to climb up to my bed. Now I was simply wondering, why do I need such extravagant things? Perhaps, it was simple things to show-off just how far I have built myself up, or something grand to call my own.
Being a part of my father's family, it had never given me any pleasant experience. I always had to prove myself to someone, or present myself as some sort of price for an auction; a trophy to be won by my father's favourite business partner, or become part of a deal to be set, but I refused it all. I wanted to run life my own way. I didn't care for what cost it came with leaving my father's house, I wanted live my own life; wanted to lead my own life. I felt utterly disgusted and disappointed in myself for to be treated in that manner for a long time. My father only provided the least possible he could when I lived with him. He never liked freely handing money, he was selfish -still is. Receiving money was different though, I guess that's why my education was never much of his concern, neither was Jackson's, it was mother who provided us with education and tutors, from her own. All of which I have given back to her, I owed no debts, except perhaps the kindness and love she has given me. But it was something I always failed to repay her with. But that no longer mattered now…
While, mother should have received the credit for what she had done, my father never allowed it, to the media it was he, who provided us the education, business and wealth. Mother stayed nothing but a wife of a wealthy businessman. That's all she was..
I shook my head, drowning away all the memories and thoughts that rose in my mind, and hopped and jumped across the space, ignoring the pain as best as I possibly could. A part of me welcomed it, punishing myself for never being able to repay mother.
Balancing myself against the door, I took my time opening it, gently placing my wounded leg down, but careful not to apply too much pressure, "At least no one's here to see me like this." I mumbled, twisting the door's knob and opening it.
Allowing myself to balance against the walls, I tried to get across the hallway. But as the pain grew, I found myself standing against the wall steadying myself. The pain rushed through my leg, numbing it to a lifeless state. I gulped, trying to push down the pain and not allow it to resurface. But that would be a fool's wish.
I frowned, hearing the voices of maybe Alec and Austin, coming from downstairs. I bit my lip, thinking, whether or not to yell at them to help me, but I have already been through enough humiliation by them. I will most certainly not let them put me through such a thing like that, again.
I have never been so humiliated before and I refuse to let them do that to me again. Stubbornly balling my hands into fists, I pulled myself away from the wall and towards the stairs. My strong stubbornness had caused a strange numbing sensation to run through my wounded leg, blocking it away. But I knew was going to hurt like hell, once I calm myself again.
Hopping down the gleaming marble stairs, I wondered if Tristan owned this entire house? He seemed to have some authority and ownership over these woods. If I wanted to find anything about Venturi, I needed to gain Tristan's trust. I needed him to tell me who exactly he was. But it also meant not allowing myself to be influenced under his wishes. I had to break through to him, without allowing him to do the same to me. It was the only way. I have to find out how these mythological creatures came to life. What was once told to children on sleepless nights, has become reality for me.
How that was even possible I had no idea, but I was willing to find out, if it meant putting an end to the Venturi's schemes.
I sighed, almost in relief as I reached the last step and groaned, hopping myself over to a doorway, where the voices had emerged from.
When I came through the door, gritting my teeth at the pain, I tried to force it down. My head snapped up as the voices became quiet. I found myself staring right at Alec and Austin, who were watching me silently, almost like they had been expecting me this whole time.
I raised an eyebrow, causing Alec to speak, "We heard you coming down." He said, taking a sip of his hot drink he had in his hand. From the sweet aroma, I knew it was coffee.. freshly roasted coffee that I deeply craved for. I was almost tempted to reach over the table and grab the mug for myself.
"You could have helped." I muttered, registering in Alec's words as sat myself on one of the many stools around the small island of the modernised kitchen. Deep gold decorated around sharp and pure whites, bringing a gentle touch of elegance. Now, this was my sort of style…
"You seemed to have been doing fine on your own." Austin spoke to me. I tore my eyes away from the kitchen's beauty and looked at him. His infamous arrogant smirk decorated on his lips, making me almost close my eyes in relief, and therefore realising, I have gotten used to the somewhat company they have given me so far.. or the humiliation. Austin's smirk was a sign of him not having an angry urge to throw me over his shoulder, and it pleased me happily.
But his words made me roll my eyes, "Thanks." I muttered, sarcasm dripping on each letter of the word.
He sighed looking over at Alec, their eyes moved, flickered, as silent words were exchanged between them. From the hesitance Austin displayed as he looked away, I knew he was about to do or say something he really didn't want to. I couldn't help but think it was something about me, and my thoughts were only confirmed when he looked at me, with a deep frown placed on his face. I watched the glints of suspicion cross his eyes. Austin still didn't trust me, at least not fully, but I didn't need him to, it wasn't his trust I wanted to win and use.
"I'm sorry," The words came out in a rush. I frowned, causing him to sigh again, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that yesterday."
Yesterday..
It has been a whole day since the events occurred, "It's fine." I mumbled, feeling all of it weigh down on my shoulders, making me slouch onto the table. I sighed tiredly, under the weight, feeling dead and exhausted. If I wanted to stop Venturi I need to get onto it now, because time was most definitely wasn't on my side. With each minute that passes, it was a step closer for Jackson to grab hold of my name and company.
"Here.."I heard Alec's voice, as he pushed a plate of food towards me.
I frowned, watching the fry up placed before me. The oil running down on the still sizzling rashers. The savouring smell welcomed the rumbling sound of my stomach, but I couldn't eat this. I looked up at Alec again, it was only then I noticed the frying pan behind him, the hot oil bubbling and sizzling against the soft meat.
I shook my head, looking back at Alec, "Oh no, I can't have this. It will break my diet routine."
"Diet?" Austin raised his eyebrow at me, taking a double intake of my body.
"You're too thin." Alec frowned, the worry lines on his forehead making me confused again. Alec and I were mere strangers, I couldn't understand why he was suddenly concerned over me. I pushed the thought away and simply stared at them both.
"I need to be like this," I said, gesturing to my body, confidently, "Do you have any idea how hard it is to maintain this?" I scowled at Austin's judgmental gaze, making him roll his eyes.
"Then.. what do you eat?" Alec asked, the worry lines still didn't leave.
"A yoghurt." I answered, waiting for him to get it, but he just stood there, like he was waiting for something.
I frowned, up at him.
"That's it?" He asked, frowning deeply with a confused face. It almost looked too funny., and I knew if I opened my mouth I would laugh, so I just nodded. When was the last time I felt so ...free?
"You torture yourself." Austin mumbled, looking at me again. I sighed, shaking my head at him as Alec opened the large fridge to the side.
"Who's house is this?" I asked, looking around the kitchen that gleamed with such expert craftsmanship.
"Who do you think it belongs to?" Alec raised an eyebrow, placing the yoghurt in front of me. Tristan Slade's indeed. My eyes wandered somewhat hoping he would walk in any minute. I nodded at Alec as I reached for the spoon he had given me and picked up the yoghurt, and reading over the its nutrient contents, I sighed, "What now?" Alec asked, the annoyance his voice laced with, could not be missed.
"Well, you see, it's supposed to be low fat." I said, gesturing to the plastic yoghurt carton in my hand.
"We don't have low fat!" Both of them almost snapped at me at the same time.
"Fine," I mumbled, "Twins, much?" I asked, opening the cover. I smirked as Alec and Austin exchanged dreadful glances, causing me to snicker a little. They didn't like to be referred to as twins.
"You know, for someone who had a panic attack yesterday, you're acting all too calm and demanding your type of food." Austin scowled at me, before shaking his head. At least I managed to wipe that arrogant smirk off his face another way than making him angry or suspicious.
I shrugged, taking a spoon of the smooth yoghurt, I smiled feeling it softly cold against my tongue, "You need to be, otherwsie you won't stand a chance in the business world, especially with those arrogant jerks called men. Not to mention the fact, they always have some cupid's arrow stuck up their ass." I stated calmly, reaching for another spoonful.
Alec and Austin looked slightly offended as I spoke against their… gender, "Not all men are.." But Alec shut himself, shaking his head, "You know what, forget it." He waved it off.
I nodded away, eating every last bit of yoghurt in the carton, feeling oddly comfortable with their presence. I didn't need to act a certain way or speak with a formal tone with them. I was free to be as I pleased, blending in with the warm atmosphere they had given me, and I didn't feel any need to change it or speak over them in any manner. They seemed to have welcomed whatever I had given them, but I still needed to be on top of my game, because while I knew my enemy was Venturi, but that doesn't automatically make them my ally. I still didn't know who they were, or the reason behind their battles. A common enemy only meant some bit of truce for now, and then.. who will betray once the common enemy is down?
But then again, I didn't mind Alec and Austin, it wasn't their trust I needed to gain. Tristan was the one I needed to get across with. I needed Tristan to tell me everything, or perhaps he didn't need to tell me himself.. there was more than one way of finding out secrets, than making the person talk. And maybe, I could use these "twins'' to my aid. They could possibly be useful in some way.
I was suddenly brought out of my thoughts when Alec pushed another yoghurt carton towards me. I frowned, questionably up at him, "Thought you might want another." He shrugged.
"You were licking the spoon off like a cat." Austin chuckled, causing me to look down at the now empty carton. So lost within my thoughts, I hadn't noticed how quickly I had eaten the whole thing.
Shrugging, I grabbed the other one, before casually asking them, "So.. um.. I'm guessing you really won't let me leave now?" I kept my voice monotone, wanting no more suspicion than I already had drawn to myself.
Neither of them spoke; Austin raised his eyebrow questioningly at me, a sense of obviousness. Duh!
I fought the urge to roll my eyes at him again and eat away the smooth tasty yoghurt that melted softly against my hot tongue.
Alec's eyebrows were frowned deeply together, his eyes reflected some bit of sympathy. He pitied my life, being brought into a world I had no idea how to stir control of. I was no longer at the wheel, someone drove for me, into the unknown terrors.
I chuckled humourlessly, "I won't leave. I knew Venturi was always a dangerous man, but I didn't think he was this dangerous." I sighed, "I feel like he's hiding something- and maybe I can help you...stop him?" I asked, surprising them both.