Alanna's blue dress glided down the stairs as she strode through it, feeling a thorn grow in her chest. A mixture of emotions filled her as she heard the sound of her heels clattering against the cold floor.
She had begged the maids to let her use the stairs instead of the elevator so she could intentionally delay because of the nervousness she was feeling. When she got to the last floor, she looked over the railings of the staircase, sighting the Flores family that sat not far away from hers, discussing something she couldn't hear or possibly wasn't interested in hearing.
When they heard the clicking of her shoes from the stairs, they immediately stood up and looked over to the anxious Alanna who had her heart in her mouth.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you my ever-so-beautiful daughter, Alanna Vales." Alanna heard her overly hyperactive father speak before he turned to her fully, where the guests couldn't see him and gave her a stern look, his eyes conveying the message he wanted to tell her which Alanna completely understood.
He wanted her to be on her best behaviour today and it only annoyed Alanna further because she figured out it was for his selfish reasons.
She finally came down the stairs and turned in the direction of the guests who had arrived. She saw about five people, two females and three males. Though she knew Justin's parents were among them, it was difficult to identify them because they all looked around the same age. She could see their eyes that flickered between red and black. These vampires didn't even bother to hide it, indicating their nonchalance in keeping their identity at a low profile.
"It is an honour to meet you, Miss Lana." A tall man with black raven hair tied into a ponytail came forward. He wore a tuxedo suit with a long tailcoat jacket that reached his thighs as he stretched out his hands to Alanna and she immediately put hers on his, then he drew it to his lips before he kissed it. "Christian Flores," he introduced himself.
Alanna recognized him. He was Christian Flores, the owner of the Flores Cooperation which was one of the biggest and most prominent in Los Alien, the country they lived in. She also didn't need anyone to tell her he was Justin's father.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Flores," she gave a tight smile as she withdrew her hand that he had let go.
She looked between the three men who appeared to be in their mid-twenties and her eyes finally settled on one.
His aura...presence...looks...style...she could already tell he was the one.
Justin Flores. Her heart skipped when he looked at her and gave her a charming smile. One that would blow any woman's heart away but Alanna wasn't stupid. She would not fall for the silly facade he put up for her.
"Please meet my family." Christian Flores spoke and as he did, the other four pulled forward to greet her.
"Ravina Flores," a teenage-looking girl spoke with an infantile voice, revealing to Alanna that she was Justin's sister.
"Nice to meet you, Ravina, I'm Alanna Vales," Alanna replied with a warm smile.
Though the girl too was a vampire, she gave off a human vibe with the way she spoke and smiled, not like the rest that seemed a bit dominating.
"Aiden Flores," a cold-looking man spoke, sending chills down her spine. He didn't even bother to smile at her or hold her hand and Alanna decided to give him the same vibes.
She simply nodded with a straight face without smiling either. She would not be nice to anyone who didn't attempt to even be nice to her.
"Pardon my brother for his coldness," someone spoke in a friendly voice with a smile. "Oh, and I am Dave Flores," he introduced himself.
Alanna already recognized him. He was a popular artist in the music industry. Some of his songs that she loved and was very familiar with.
"Dave Flores," she spoke with fondness as she returned his smile. She pulled out her hand and he took it in his, kissing it before he used his palms to caress it, the smile from earlier still plastered on his face.
"It is so nice to meet you, Lady Lana," he said with one side of his lips curled into a smile.
He had even called her by her nickname!
Alanna's face lightened, "It is a pleasure to meet you too, Dave. I have heard some of your music and-" she paused in her statement before she turned to look at them slightly embarrassed. "Sorry," she apologized, knowing she was supposed to act formally.
"Oh, I am glad my music has a great effect on you. I try my best to make an impact on the masses with my talent," he winked at her, ignoring her earlier apology.
Alanna only gave him a smile which he returned with a nod before stepping back.
She noticed one of the women who appeared to be Justin's mother didn't even attempt to greet her and just stood there, her expression aloof.
Finally, she saw a tall man step forward after the entire family had greeted her. He also wore a tuxedo suit like his father. His black hair was also tied in a ponytail but some strands of it were left hanging on the sides of his head.
He wore a poised smile that could flutter any woman but Alanna knew not to give in to those charms.
They were poisonous like she had heard from the media. A well-demonstrated facade that he put up for people to not know his true intentions. Only the vampires were truly aware of his colours. Even the media wasn't sure how to present him.
"Alanna," Justin called her name like he was very familiar with her and stretched his hand to pick hers before he brought it to his lips and kissed it ever so gently, even brushing his palms on it.
Her heart skipped a bit when his lips lingered a little longer on her knuckles. What was he doing?
Alanna was about to speak when he said, "It is so great to see you again," he said with another wide and seductive smile, causing her palms to grow cold at his touch.
Again? See her again? Had he ever met her before?
"Oh, yes, we've met before. But I highly doubt you'd remember," he answered the question in her head and Alanna's eyes widened immediately and she brought her hand back to her sides.
Could he read minds?
He laughed suddenly, confusing her before he spoke, "Oh, do not worry, I don't read minds," his red eyes gauging hers with intensity. "I can only tell what one is thinking." and then he stood straight before placing his hands behind his back. "Just like now." the smile on his face now turned into a smirk.
Oh Lord...what has her father gotten her into?