Celestia/Serena's POV:
My cloudy surroundings resolved and I came back to my senses. I looked around and I realized I was standing on the stage.
What just happened to me? Why am I standing on the stage? This is not me! Something forced me to do this.
I was still trying to reassemble my emotions when Elaine came up to the stage and beamed at me. "Serena! You are doing a marvelous job! Mr. Hamilton must have gone out for a coffee or something, and he will be back soon. Why don't you continue?"
Does she think that Luke went out for a coffee? But he just now vanished in thin air! He left me. The bitter feeling started to simmer up in my chest again. I was getting more and more intrigued by this handsome mysterious man.
How come he is so powerful enough that he was able to manipulate the vision of the mortals? I don't think even I can even begin to muster up that much alluring power. But then again I am just a Half-Demonic creature, and his powers felt so pure and angelic.
"Serena, are you alright?" Elaine shouted after seeing me deep in thoughts and not posing like a high fashion model.
"Yeah, I am fine," I replied swiftly. I didn't want to talk about my confused mental state right now.
Elaine was beyond happy that I was modeling for her. Her excitement was visible through her demeanor. She turned to the other photographers and yelled, "Come on, gentlemen! Begin the photoshoot before she changes her mind."
I sighed. Nothing can stop Elaine from being ambitious. And I guess I'll let her have it her way this time.
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I was exhausted after a long day of posing and Being blinded by the flashlights. I should have never agreed to be a model, even it was for a day. But I did it because of him. I couldn't just say no to him. My mind told me to do that I had to do everything that I can to please him otherwise… I don't know. I wanted him to be satisfied with me.
I went to sit on the couch in a bit of a trance. I closed my eyes and tried to recollect everything that happened today. The thought of those passionate emerald eyes, the cocking of his eyebrows, the silkiness of his voice, all of it took me to another world. A world that was beautiful fearless and mine. But my daydreaming was broken with a high-pitched scream which made my heart gallop and I jumped to my feet.
"Serena, your neck," my aunt shouted.
"My goodness, you scared me." I pressed my palm against my chest.
"That is his symbol! He marked you! When did this happen?"
"What are you even talking about?" I screeched back to match her tone. I was still a bit in that yummy feeling of butterflies in my stomach I couldn't focus on anything completely.
Daviana picked up a hand mirror from the nightstand and gave it to me. "Look at your neck."
"Ahh! What is it?" I was extremely annoyed I had to get back to my daydreaming. I wanted to get over whatever it was that she was saying.
I took the mirror and looked at myself. There was a crescent moon-shaped scarring on my collarbone. How did I get this? I lightly tapped it with my index finger. It didn't even hurt a little.
My aunt stepped closer and touched my hand. This is strange and unwanted! She started to examine my thoughts. I hate when she does this. I feel like my privacy is invaded.
"Holy Aiden!" she gasped. "Your shield was so weak. The Silver Shadow was able to captivate you effortlessly."
Here it goes! I tried hard to control my embarrassment as she continued to read my mind. But why is she calling him Silver Shadow? His name is Luke.
"Silver Shadow has become more powerful than before! This is not good," she cried out.
"And for your reference, his name is Luke Hamilton," I corrected her.
"That is not even his name," Daviana shouted. "He has come to you under the disguise of a photographer. And you were feeble enough to fall for his charms again."
Again? What does she mean by again? Have I met him before? But this is the first time I saw him. I would have definitely remembered somebody that impressionable.
Aunt Daviana ran to her brown chestnut closet and took out a glass bottle with silver swirls. I know what that one is. It is one of her stupid potions!
"Serena, this is a Disenchantment potion. This will make you break free from all the illusions. Please drink this," she almost forced it down my throat.
"Are you out of your mind! I am not under some kind of magic spell. I am fine," I pushed the bottle which was surprisingly hot.
Daviana opened the lid of the bottle and gave it to me. "In the name of the almighty Aidan, I command you to drink this."
I grabbed the bottle from her and smashed it down on the floor. My aunt flinched at my rage. "Celestia," she screamed. "What have you done?"
"You can't force me to drink this silly potion. I don't need this."
"I can't be able to make you another one now! It takes a lot of time to make this particular potion. You are going to be under that enchantment for a long time," she declared as if she was warning me of the gravest thing that had ever happened to anybody in the entire universe.
My blood was boiling. I did not want any more of it. "All my life, I felt like I was cursed to be this thing. But today, I feel complete and blissful. For the first time, I feel love. But you are not letting me live in peace."
She rolled her eyes at me. "There is a lot of difference between love and enchantment. And you are definitely not in love with him."
My eyes got teary. "But he can touch me. No one else can do that. And his powers felt so divine. How can someone like that enchant me?"
"Celestia," she screamed. "He is a devil masquerading as an angel of light."
I shook my head in denial. "I don't buy it! If anyone is a demon, then it is me. I am a Half-Vampire born in the womb of a human being who abandoned me."
Daviana hesitated for a moment and said out the four words which would change my life forever. "Celestia, you are cursed."
"What?"
"I lied to you before. You were not born to a Vampire father and a Human mother."
I always felt terrible that my parents abandoned me. But now she says that it was all a lie? Is she kidding me? My whole life came nothing but a fable tale? My whole life I have felt unworthy of love because I thought if my parents couldn't manage to fall in love with me who will?
"Okay," I sighed. Let me get this straight. Someone cursed me to become a Half-Vampire. But why?"
"You are cursed this way because of the Silver Shadow."
I chuckled sarcastically. "Are you seriously going to pin up everything on Luke? You've got to come up with a better lie than that."
Daviana looked defeated. Maybe she is trying to come up with another colorful lie in her mind. But I am not going to fall for it. I have felt a yearning to be something to someone after so long!
"He is a Male Siren! He can bewitch others just by his voice," she mumbled. "He can read your mind without any physical touch, and he can manipulate you into doing things you do not desire."
I smirked at her. "I think he is not so different from you. You lied to me and made me believe that my parents abandoned me. But now you say a different story. I think you are the Siren here."
I was able to sense the hurt in her hazel eyes. "I lied to you because the truth is far more agonizing than that. I should have told you the truth before. And I am willing to do that now."
"No thanks. How can I trust the words that come out of your mouth?"
I turned away from her and walked to the door. I can't stay here anymore, not after knowing that I have been living with an evil manipulator.
"Celestia, don't walk out of that door for the sake of the Angels. He might try to lure you again," Daviana cried.
I bared my fangs at her and walked out of the door. I don't deserve a life like this. I want to be out there, living my life with happiness. I need to be with him. He is the only one who can give me that pleasure!