"Stella…" Nicholas lightly rocks her shoulder.
"Mmn…"
"We're here."
Stella opens her eyes and realized that they have stopped. "Where are we?" she asked.
"My place." Nicholas leans towards the door, opening the knob then steps out. He then reaches out his hand to help Stella get out of the limo.
"What district is this?"
"Sangria District. My hometown."
Sangria District a place one wouldn't expect to be a part of Wisteria, with its grim aura and rural environment. The street looks eerie with its dim skies and low beamed lamp posts.
The community isn't that welcoming either. Their eyes suspiciously peeking through their windows the moment they got there. Their stares make Stella's skin crawl.
Nicholas unlocks the padlock of an old house's gate, letting its chains fall to the ground. He then pushes it open, shoving the growing weeds behind it.
Behind the corroded fences is a bungalow house that seems to be abandoned for quite a while now. Weeds and vines have been growing around it, eating up most of the front porch. The house looks like it will fall apart in any minute.
Stella couldn't believe that a Highborn is living in such a place like this.
As they approach the front door, Nicholas unlocks the knobs, turning then pushes them hard. The sound of heavy wood made an eerie creaking sound as the door swung open.
As soon as they stepped inside, lights automatically went on. Everything inside the house appears way too different from its image outside. It is neat and well maintained.
Two female servants in their proper uniforms approached them, bowing in front of the Highborn. "Welcome back, Master Madden. Dinner is ready for you."
"Thank you. And the pool?"
"Warmed up, just the way you like it, Master," said one of the servants.
"Very good." He gently pets both servants' heads then walked straight towards the dining room.
Stella finds it weird that the servants just acted like tamed puppies, keeping their heads down the moment the Highborn acknowledged them.
For some reason, this Nicholas appears to have a different aura. More dominant than the one Stella first met at the Paramount.
The dinning room appears to be quite regular, with a round table probably enough for just four people. On it are scrumptious meals of roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and fresh fruits. There is a pitcher of water and an empty wine glass at the side. The three tall candles on the golden candelabra, standing as a the center piece, is the only thing that illuminates the room.
Nicholas pulls a chair for Stella, letting her take a seat. He then takes a seat in front of her.
Stella hasn't eaten anything since that breakfast and she is definitely ravenous now. Trying to be as polite as possible, she swallows her hunger and waits for the Highborn's command. She noticed that the Highborn has no plate in front of him.
"Of course, vampires don't eat human foods," she thought to herself. Then another thought crossed her mind. "Will this be the first time I'll witness a vampire actually feed?"
"Stella."
"Ah! Yes?" She just caught herself staring blankly at her plate.
He boyishly chuckles. "Eat. We've been on the road for the past 26 hours. You must be hungry."
She shyly giggles, immediately piking up a grape from the tray. "It must be unusual for you to take care of a human," she said, popping the grape in her mouth.
"It's no big deal." The vampire leans forward, slightly biting his lip. "Can you promise me something?"
"Uhmm… Okay..?"
"Can we spend this night stress free for a while? No mentioning about the issues that has been bothering us. Just for tonight. Can you promise me that?" Now speaking in a calm tone. No sign of the dominant vampire at all.
After those long hours of travel, the bitter feeling about everything she learned back at the Paramount is almost a blur. Not that she already forgot about them. But the overflowing emotions of rage and worry is somehow currently in tranquil. But could definitely be agitated once triggered.
She nods. "I'll do my best."
"That's better." Sighing in relief.
"Aren't you hungry?" she asked.
He slightly smirks. "You wouldn't want to see me feed. It can wait. Besides, I prefer watching you eat."
"Huh?"
"I find it amusing." He sweetly smiles.
There really is something weird about his vibe tonight but she immediately shook it off as she gets up, leaning forward to slice a piece of the roasted chicken.
He then grabs the bowl of mashed potatoes, scooping then serving some in her plate.
"Thank you." She then went back in her seat, started digging in. "So… This is your home. Right?"
"Yes."
"So, you don't live in the Paramount?"
"Not really. I come by occasionally, mostly just to clear my mind. To stay away from the rest of the Highborns." He comfortably leans back on his seat.
She pours herself a drink then takes a gulp from the wine glass. "It must be quite stressful, dealing with issues like this. The politics. The unruliness."
"It is. And you're already breaking your promise." He glares at her, smirking. "Maybe I should have you punished for that."
"P-Punished?" Her eyes widen, staring at him.
He laughs. "Just kidding! But really. No stressful topics. Let's leave the Highborns, the Paramount, your family's issues behind just for tonight."
"Okay. I promise. No more stressful topics." She smiles then continued eating.
After dinner, Nicholas lead her into her bedroom, showing her the closet where the nightgowns are hanged.
"The pool is ready for you to use. You can freshen up and relax there for a while." He then leans closer behind her, putting his hands on her shoulder, gently massaging them. "You need it," he whispers then just suddenly leaves.
Stella caught herself blushing by his sudden gesture.
These nightgowns seem quite inappropriate for her to wear, almost see through in white. But she had no choice. These are the only available clothes that she could wear besides the ones she's currently wearing. And if the Highborn commands her to wear it, she definitely has to wear it.
After gathering everything she needed in the closet, she went straight down the hall, somewhat lost along the way. Despite having a small place, it still feels like a maze because of the countless doors.
Cautiously wandering around, she came across a door, slightly ajar. When she saw Nicholas in it, she tries to approach him but stops before she should even take a step, taken aback at the sight.
In the room, Nicholas has one of his servants pinned on the wall, quickly undoes the ribbon of her apron then lets it slide down on the floor. He then pushes her hair behind her neck then presses his body closer. There is a faint sound of cloth being torn as he reaches underneath her skirt.
"Hands behind your back," he whispers in her ear.
As commanded, she held her hands together behind her back.
"Good girl." He gently kisses her neck before taking a bite, greedily sucking the blood out of the wound. While resting his hand on her back to keep her steady, he slowly slides his other hand underneath her skirt, stroking faster and faster.
Moaning loudly, she servant struggles to keep herself still between the pleasure of his bite and his touch. He opens his mouth wide, letting go of the bite then moves to the other side of her neck, taking another bite.
Though Stella's instincts are yelling her to turn around and pretend that she didn't see anything. Fighting off her curiosity is really hard.
She forcefully turns around, running straight towards the end of the hallway until she bumps into another servant.
"Ah--!"
"I'm so sorry, Ma'am. Are you alright?"
"I-I'm fine. Can you tell me where the pool is?"
"Of course, Ma'am. Right this way."
Stella kept her head down as she follows the servant towards another room.
"I'll keep the door shut to give you some privacy," said the servant as she closes the door behind her.
The pool seemed quite small for swimming but good enough to dip and take a bath. At the end of a pool is a small waterfall that regulates the water.
Putting everything in the cubbyhole next to the pool, she cautiously looks around before taking her clothes off. She then carefully gets in the pool, slowly letting her body dipped in the warm water, just levelling her shoulder. As she takes a seat on the pool's floor, she lays her head back then closes her eyes.
She forces herself to relax yet couldn't shake off everything she saw in that room. The horror and pleasure. It's not that hard to imagine vampires feeding but seeing Nicholas in that manner is new to her.
She folds her arms across her chest, slowly sinking herself under the water. She could still still hear the servant's moan in her head. His stroking hand, focused in her thoughts. His faint sounds while feeding, echoing in her ears.
Unconsciously, she slides her hand down between her legs.
She immediately lifts her head out of the water, gasping sharply. "What the fuck is wrong with you?!" she yelled at herself.
She recalls everything that Willa has told them about the effect of a vampire's bite on humans. She haven't experienced it first handed yet. She doesn't want to.
Does she?
Nicholas' face crossed her mind again. His glowing eyes and sharp fangs. She imagines him biting her neck. She can't really feel it but one thing is for sure.
It is scary….
…but arousing.