The door automatically opened when we neared so I am already nervous when we entered... looking behind and beside the huge door, searching for any possible vampire that might attack me on a blink.
But then the first floor is empty. Far from the horrifying scene I overthought.
The lobby, however, is decorated with gold and bisque-brown-toned marble tiles with rich vintage patterns. It is decorated with cream, white, or gold ornaments and the chandelier looked deadly expensive as it was full of lustrous diamonds around. At the farthest center is two extravagant stairs that lead to the next lavish floor. And in the center of it carves an elegant-looking symbol that roughly looks F or R.
Walking a bit slow because I came to pause on the things that fazed me inside the castle like the classic huge diamond chandeliers above, it must be bothersome for him to wait with my pacing.
Curious, I shifted my eyes to Akin only to see him engrossed watching me, probably six steps behind.
Intricate art...
This place is full of it.
The cemented long stairs led us to the second floor and I was again dazed when different kinds of paintings like abstract, portrait, and landscape paintings were served to me. Everything is exceptional but I came to fully stop on the smallest piece of painting in the middle of the way…
It looks like… me.
From the hair, nose, eyes…lips— I felt bluffed looking at a certain painting that looks exactly like me when I was on my 14 years old, celebrating a simple birthday surprise. I am smiling profusely there and some strands of my hair are kind of covering my face but the artist has caught how my lips curved shyly and how my cheeks turned flush.
That was when the man distance away from me right now was shamelessly teased at me. It was the first time he attended my birthday and people close to him and I teased him for wearing something "too formal" for a simple birthday celebration.
He wore his slacks and long sleeves and it definitely looked great on him, but it was awkward with our then homely-summer clothes.
I felt the same heat travel on my cheeks when I noticed a little and bold thin cursive stroke on the lower right of the painting. I emptied my throat when I realized how this shows he is really… into me.
He caught me glimpsing at him while he is intensely dark and brooding for some matter. I swiftly retracted my eyes.
I straightened my mind and corrupted my thoughts. Why am I raking an unfamiliar and significantly tricky castle like a kid? I should just focus on finding my family.
Isn't he that pretty woman's lover?
The ground, second, third, and fourth floors are empty so walking to the fifth floor, became overwhelming. There were a lot of people. No. Vampires. Some immediately set their fangs out looking at my neck and everything they found delicate to sip on. More than half of them almost run up to me if Akin isn't just striding like a rock behind me, ready to cut them in two in a snap.
He never gave them a warning look so I was stunned when they all sliced a way for us.
I stopped in front of the door, making him just exactly beside me.
I don't know but after that painting, he placed more distance between us.
He scanned me whole and I got a feeling that he does not approve of my dress in this situation. I adjusted my dress up and his eyes moved on my exposed legs.
I saw him frown to himself when he did a side glance.
But he removed himself in front of me still. And that is just when I noticed that the immensely huge door has been wide open. And there in the middle, comfortably sitting and smirking on a royal chair, is the red-eyed man. He gave me a wide welcoming smile when our eyes met and although still in fear, I am braver this time to look back at him.
I need my family.
He suddenly laughed aloud, and the only noise circulated the room. I heard Akin muttering a crisp profanity. As soon as his laugh ended, he gestured Akin something.
"Let's go out," Akin declared.
Turning our back, the red-eyed man's creepy voice halted my steps. "Man, I told you to get her to me"
With an unbothered face, Akin held me by the wrist and pulled me out of there, disregarding him completely.
His laughing continued like a crazy frenzy and it was heard even when we are out of his sight.
We walked down and I am directed to the third to the last room on the second floor.
"Your family is here."
Hesitant, I glanced back to confirm again but I disregarded it when I caught Ryelia coming towards us. I didn't wait for a second to twist the knob and saw Miro, Papa, and Grandmother soundly sleeping on their separate cozy beds. Rain however is not seen.
I turned to ask but Akin already knew even without me asking.
"He'll be sent here soon," he informed between the closing of the door.
As soon as it shut, I let all my contained emotions come to life.
"Miro..." I whispered.
They are still in the same clothes they are wearing before Rain and I attended the prom. I first sat on grandmother's bed and checked if she is really fine. I am extremely nervous as I rake all over her body. Is she burned? Did it give her a scratch? My eyes moisten when I found none. I felt reassurance, looking at her peaceful slumber in the bed.
I headed to Miro and brushed him softly on the cheeks, fixing his disheveled hair a bit. His weird text suddenly pops into my mind so I tried to look for his phone but found none. I am hopeful I will not find any scratch on him but was discouraged immediately when a long cut on his leg disclosed itself when he groaned in his sleep and pressed it gently as if covering it. It is hiding under the roll of his pajama.
When I am about to turn to Papa, he is already awake and is watching me.
"Pa," I softly mumbled and he gave me his usual comforting smile I have hoped to see after everything.
"Hey pretty," he tiredly greeted.