Celestia/Serena's POV:
My heart is soaring through the sky today. My skin is plump and glowy. Fun fact blood is a million times more hydrating than hyaluronic acid, so you can imagine the unreal youthful glow I have right now. My eyes are a shade or two lighter with happiness. It is because my bloodthirst is now fully satiated. Thank God I'm only a Half-Vampire. I can stay like an average human being even if I don't drink blood for the next thirty days.
My purple off-shoulder dress was calling my name from the closet. It was made up of luxurious 120-gram grip silk. The bodice part was ruched, and the waist was cinched. Ah! It's beautiful, but I need to get ready for the big day.
I checked my phone to see if I had received any important work emails, and I saw that my boss had already texted me twice to arrive at the studio early today.
I always go to my office early as I hate driving my car when the sun is shining bright. Whenever sunlight touches my skin, I feel like someone is screaming in my head. That is the reason why my Aunt Daviana and I moved to Alaska. It is always cold here, and this is the temperature I need.
I took my car keys and walked out of my house.
"Celestia, you forgot to take your bag," my aunt called out.
My heart almost skipped a beat, and a bitter taste rose in my mouth. That is how I feel whenever she calls me Celestia. I don't know what is immoral with my actual name. But it triggers some unpleasant memories in my brain that didn't happen to me at all.
Aunt Daviana saw the look on my face, and her face fell. She instantly felt terrible for me. "I am sorry, Serena," she apologized and gave my bag to me.
I don't know why but something deep inside me made me feel as if she called me by my actual name on purpose. I knew it was not true. She wouldn't do that on purpose; she knows how that makes me feel, but this brain of mine likes to overthink. I immediately walked away from there without uttering a word. I didn't want her to feel bad. My Aunt can be a little quirky sometimes, but she is the one who took care of me ever since I was a child.
My Aunt is not a half-Demonic creature like me. She is a white witch. Still, she took a deadly half-breed like me under her wings and protected me so far. I shall be forever grateful to her for that.
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The studio looked very different today. For a moment, I thought that I was in the wrong place. Because it was just 7 am, and everyone was already present. Nobody is ever here this early. What is this hustle-bustle all about?
Elaine was yelling at everyone in the office and gave them random tasks to do. She was in a royal blue power suit with her coffee in the right and sketchbook in the other. She was discussing the plan with the models when she saw me, and She stopped right in her tracks.
"Serena, it's good that you made it so soon here. I need you to pick out ten gowns for the models and another ten for the display," she instructed, pointing towards the racks at the front desk
" Okay," I said. That isn't a difficult task to do.
" And make sure that you pick the color red."
"I will do it," I replied again and started walking towards the dresses.
The models were already waiting for me in the dressing room. I don't know why they expect me to do this simple job. Why can't they just pick out a dress and put it on? All the dresses I designed are pretty; it doesn't matter what they choose. Whatever! Elaine trusts my choice.
I took out a strapless pink tail gown with Swarovski crystal embellishments and gave it to Kate. She was one of the models.
Suddenly, I felt a rise in my energy. It was as if I had taken four shots of vodka at a time. Sometimes I feel this way; however, it's very rare. I don't know what exactly makes me feel this way. I could never find out about it because there is nobody that I could ask for guidance in such matters.
"Serena, are you okay?" Kate caressed my arm with cold slender fingers. She looked concerned.
I nodded. "Yeah, I am fine."
For the next twenty minutes, I tried my level best to focus on my work, but I couldn't, no matter how much I tried. I gave Maria her lilac bodysuit. She wanted a warm tone dress, but lilac looks amazing silver. I did not have the mental capacity to go on a debate with her; thankfully, Elaine stepped into the dressing room and saved me from the mental torture I was going through.
"Serena, bring everyone backstage within five minutes," she said.
" Okay," I answered, but I couldn't move my muscles as I felt the wave of ecstatic aura getting close to me. Not only me, but everyone in the room seemed to be elated. A static buzz clouded my senses, and everybody seemed to be going far away from me.
The world was going In a whirlwind around me, but after a few seconds, a divinely handsome man entered the dressing room. He held my gaze. The magnetic pull that I was feeling made it impossible for me to tear my eyes for him.
He scanned around the room as if he was searching for someone. Finally, he fixed his sea-green eyes on me.
Those eyes were sparkling like an emerald, gleaming with the fire of recognition. As soon as he smiled at me, Dimples formed on his cheeks.
At that instant, everything else around me disappeared. What is happening to me? I have met a lot of attractive guys before. But no one has hypnotized me this way!
He stepped closer to me till we were just two feet apart. I slowly blinked my eyes; he appeared to be a thousand times more gorgeous than he was before.
His skin was creamy and smooth. His hair was thick, bouncy, and styled flawlessly. His eyes were ferociously green, but those long lashes made them angelic. His jawline was sharp, neck long, and shoulders broad. His biceps--
"Finally, we meet," he said in a baritone voice.
Wow, he did a number on me.
His voice had a soothing effect on me. I can bet on my life that he is also a singer. I smiled at him, unable to control my crazily beating heart. I wasn't able to say a word.
Elaine walked over to us and said, "Serena, meet the world's most famous photographer, Luke Hamilton."
"It is nice to meet you, Mr. Hamilton," I responded nervously.
He grinned at me and then glanced to his side. "So, where are the lovely models?"
Luke walked up to the models. The girls were all over him. They all tried so hard to grab his attention. I started to feel jealous. Why is he flirting with those models?
"Miss. Serena," he called out immediately. "I think that this red dress over here would look good on you. You must try this one out."
"Mr. Hamilton," Elaine interrupted. "Serena is just a designer."
"What?" Luke exclaimed. "A pretty girl like you isn't a model?"
"I can be a model," I said quickly. "I'll wear the red dress."
"That's fantastic," he said. "You would be the best model ever."
I was over the moon after listening to that blissful voice complimenting me. At that moment, I was willing to do anything to gain his attention.
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It is like I got cured of an illness that haunted me for several years. Bright lights always triggered unpleasant hallucinations in my mind. That is partly the reason why I refused to be a model in the past. But today, I was feeling ecstatic.
I walked up to the stage wearing my strapless red gown. Everyone in the studio gasped. My focus was entirely on Luke. He was clicking pictures of me with his camera.
Suddenly, he stopped taking pictures and gaped at me. Then he started walking over to the stage and came closer to me.
"Is everything okay?" I asked him warily.
" Everything is perfect," he said and tried to touch my hand.
I immediately moved away from him. I don't want him to fall ten feet away from me. " Please don't touch me…for your sake," I almost screamed.
He chuckled. "Don't worry about that, Celestia."
"What?" I was bewildered when he mentioned my actual name." How do you know my real name?"
"I know everything about you, Celestia," he whispered.
He took a step forward and touched my hand. Surprisingly, nothing happened to him. He placed his other hand on my face and stared down at me vividly.
"How are you able to touch me?" I gasped.
"Because you belong to me," he said in a deep tone.
Slowly, his gaze got intense. He bent down a little and kissed my cheek.
"I waited a thousand years for you," he whispered in my ear.
I had no idea what he was talking about as his touch diminished my cognitive capability completely.
"You are mine!.. You are forever mine," he said.
Our lips were just inches apart now. He was so close to me, but it didn't make me feel nervous.
When his lips brushed over mine like a wave of cool breeze, I felt a touch of divinity in my Half-Vampire body. I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave in to the heavenly bliss. Where was he all my life?
All of a sudden, there was a loud noise of thunder that startled me. Is it raining now? But it isn't the rainy season yet.
He immediately pulled apart from me and glanced up at the roof. I was astonished. What is happening?
He finally fixed his hypnotic gaze at me and placed his hand on my bare shoulder. When his fingers pressed my collarbone, I felt a tingling sensation.
"You are eternally destined to me, Celestia. No one can separate you and me this time. I'll come back for you," he declared.
After that, he vanished into thin white air in front of my eyes.
No, no-no. This can't be happening. My heart started bleeding from the sudden sorrow. It shattered my soul. I was so bleak that he left me. Why didn't he take me along with him? Why did he leave me?