Chapter 7
In the depths of slumber, Lucius lay upon his bed, a realm where reality blurred and the mind's canvas painted vivid scenes. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, glistening like dewdrops in the moonlight. His body trembled beneath the weight of an unseen torment, the tendrils of a terrible dream that ensnared his subconscious.
In the grip of this nocturnal ordeal, his features twisted in anguish, the lines of his face contorting as he battled with phantoms only he could perceive. His breath came in ragged gasps, a testament to the turmoil that raged within his mind. The fabric of his white singlet clung to his form, a stark contrast to the darkness that enveloped his surroundings.
Suddenly, as if summoned from the abyss of his subconscious, Lucius awoke with a jolt. His body shot upright, his chest heaving as if he had just emerged from the depths of a watery abyss. His eyes, wide and wild, scanned the room, grappling with the transition from the dream realm to the realm of wakefulness.
A guttural cry tore from his lips, a primal utterance of despair that reverberated through the air.
"Nooooooo," he shouted, his voice carrying the weight of a thousand nightmares.
The echo of his cry seemed to linger, suspended like a lingering specter, a testament to the intensity of his inner struggle.
The sound of his anguish pierced the silence, a haunting melody that beckoned a response from the shadows that lingered in the room. Almost as if summoned by an unspoken call, Butler Zo materialized at his side, his presence a comforting anchor in the midst of the storm.
With a heart attuned to Lucius's distress, Butler Zo enveloped him in a tight embrace, his arms serving as a shield against the terrors that had haunted his sleep. The elder's touch was a balm to Lucius's troubled soul, a reassurance that he was not alone in his struggles.
Butler Zo's embrace was a sanctuary, a respite from the horrors that had plagued Lucius's dreams. The room seemed to shrink, its walls receding as the bond between father and son in grew stronger in the face of adversity. In the safety of that moment, words remained unspoken, the depth of their connection transcending the need for explanation.
It was a scene that had played out before, a ritual of solace that had become familiar through the passage of time. Butler Zo had witnessed these night terrors before, a recurring nightmare that plagued Lucius's sleep. The knowledge of this pattern only deepened the elder's commitment to provide comfort and solace whenever the darkness threatened to consume his young charge.
As the tendrils of fear receded, Lucius's breathing gradually steadied, his racing heart finding rhythm once more. His fingers clenched the fabric of Butler Zo's attire, anchoring himself to the present moment. The room, once shrouded in darkness, now held a renewed sense of calm.
In the embrace of Butler Zo, Lucius found sanctuary from the storm that had raged within his dream. The night's turmoil had given way to a moment of connection and understanding, a testament to the enduring bond between mentor and protégé. As the remnants of the dream faded like mist beneath the morning sun, Lucius was left with the profound realization that even in the depths of darkness, he was never truly alone.
"It's okay my child, you will overcome this one day,"
Butler Zo said, to calm him down.
"But father, what is the meaning of this dream?"
Lucius asked looking into Butler Zo's eyes but Butler Zo didn't answer, he just made a big sigh.
"This is 395 times I dreamt this terrible dream since I turned 300 years without no the meaning, please Father, tell me,"
Lucius' eyes looked teary.
"I didn't know too, my child, I would have told you if I know,"
Butler Zo said looking suspicious, as if he was hiding something for Lucius.
"And one of the monsters said to me before I woke up "You must become a monster". What does that mean father,"
Lucius told him.
Butler Zo avoided his questions and stood up to get him some water to drink. Lucius wanted to follow him but his leg seized and blood began to flow like a river from his right leg.
Lucius's transition from the realm of dreams to the waking world was met with an unexpected jolt, a collision of realities that left him disoriented. As he summoned his strength to rise from his bed, a surge of agony radiated through his right leg. His brow furrowed in confusion, his features etched with a mix of pain and disbelief.
In a cruel twist of fate, the very wound that had haunted his dream by monsters now manifested in the realm of reality. Blood welled forth from the injured limb, a macabre echo of the torment he had experienced in the depths of his slumber. The sight of his own crimson life force staining the fabric of his trousers was a surreal and unsettling sight.
With a gasp, Lucius's fingers instinctively clutched at the source of his anguish, his knuckles white against his pallid skin. The pain throbbed in time with his racing heart, a symphony of suffering that resonated through his body. Each heartbeat seemed to amplify the intensity of his torment, a reminder that the line between dreams and reality had been irrevocably blurred.
Butler Zo's eyes widened with a mix of concern and confusion as he witnessed the scene before him. He was no stranger to the supernatural and the inexplicable, but the convergence of dream and reality presented a conundrum that defied easy explanation. His lips parted as if to offer comfort, but the words remained unspoken, a testament to the uncertainty that lingered in the air.
The room seemed to contract around Lucius, the pain radiating from his injured leg becoming the focal point of his world. His breathing grew shallow, each inhalation an effort to navigate the physical and emotional turmoil that now held him captive. He was trapped in a surreal tableau, caught between the realms of reality and the echoes of his subconscious.
For Butler Zo, the weight of his charge's suffering weighed heavily upon him. He had guided Lucius through many trials, but this unique convergence of dream and reality left him momentarily at a loss. His eyes searched Lucius's face, seeking a way to ease his pain and offer an explanation that seemed just out of reach.
In the silence that stretched between them, Lucius's grip on his wounded leg slowly loosened. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, evidence of the physical and emotional strain that he grappled with. His chest rose and fell in an unsteady rhythm, a reflection of the inner turmoil that churned within him.
In the absence of words, a shared understanding seemed to pass between Father and son. Butler Zo's presence remained a steadfast pillar of support, his concern evident in the furrow of his brows and the lines etched around his eyes. As the room gradually regained its dimensions, Lucius's pain became a focal point that demanded attention, a stark reminder of the mysteries that intertwined their lives.
In the wake of this enigmatic convergence, Lucius's reality had shifted in ways that defied explanation. The pain he felt in his leg was not merely physical; it was a manifestation of the complex tapestry of his existence, a testament to the intricate dance between dream and reality that had brought him to this moment. And as Butler Zo stood by his side, a silent witness to the inexplicable, their bond remained unbreakable, a constant amidst the ever-shifting sands of their supernatural journey.
*The Moon Tech Company*
...ANNOUNCEMENT... ANNOUNCEMENT... ANNOUNCEMENT.....
"The president of our company, Mr. Lucius, will not be able to come to work today due to some personal reasons, thank you,"
a sweet, diminutive voice announced, its resonance cutting through the air.
A ripple of curiosity spread among the workers, murmurs and hushed conversations intermingling as they speculated about the nature of Mr. Lucius's absence. The sudden vacuum left by his presence fueled a sense of intrigue that hung in the air like an unanswered question.
Among the crowd, Isabella's gaze flickered with a mix of disappointment and concern. She couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the thought of not encountering Mr. Lucius's enigmatic charm, the magnetic pull of his smile, and the allure of his presence. A subtle longing fluttered within her heart, an ache that mirrored the collective sentiment of the employees.
As the announcement settled, a new voice sliced through the ambiance. It was Mr. Moon, the chairman himself, who summoned Isabella with a directive that carried both urgency and significance. The weight of his words lingered in the air, an unspoken understanding that Isabella was chosen to be the emissary to uncover the truth behind Mr. Lucius's absence.
Isabella's heart raced with a mixture of anticipation and hope. She had been singled out for a task that held the promise of unraveling the mystery that surrounded Mr. Lucius's unexpected departure. The prospect of being granted a glimpse into his world was an intoxicating proposition, one that ignited a spark of excitement within her.
Without hesitation, Isabella hailed a taxi and embarked on a journey that would take her from the familiar confines of the workplace to the enigmatic realm of Mr. Lucius's home. Her emotions danced between eagerness and trepidation, the wheels of the taxi turning in rhythm with the thoughts that churned within her mind.
As the streets blurred by, Isabella's heart beat with a cadence of its own, each pulse carrying her closer to the answers she sought. The anticipation built like a crescendo, the anticipation of a meeting that held the potential to bridge the gap between two worlds. And as the taxi came to a stop before the threshold of Mr. Lucius's residence, Isabella's heart thrummed with a mixture of curiosity and hope, eager to uncover the truth behind the enigma that was Lucius.
*Love Story began*
As Isabella crossed the threshold into Lucius's house, her eyes lowered, a mixture of awe and uncertainty reflected in their depths. Her gaze traced the path of the floor, as if each step held the weight of a thousand unspoken questions. Her jaw hung slightly agape, a silent testament to the whirlwind of emotions that swirled within her.
The interior of the house greeted her with an aura of elegance and opulence, a stark contrast to the world she had left behind. The walls were bathed in a pristine white that seemed to radiate a sense of calm, a sanctuary that shielded its inhabitants from the chaos beyond its borders. The floor beneath her feet was a canvas upon which the journey of discovery was about to unfold.
Her eyes lifted, and as if in response to her unspoken thoughts, a spectrum of colors greeted her vision. Cars adorned the garden, each a unique hue that mirrored the kaleidoscope of emotions that churned within her. The sight was a symphony of contrasts – the quiet solitude of the house juxtaposed against the vibrant expanse of the car garden.
As Isabella moved deeper into the house, after she pressed the door bell, her footsteps seemed to echo in harmony with the rhythm of her heartbeat. Her senses absorbed every nuance, the scent of polished wood and the soft play of light conspiring to create an atmosphere of serenity. The house was a tapestry of memories and mysteries, each room holding the potential to unveil a new facet of Lucius's enigmatic world.
In the living room, Isabella's gaze settled upon a figure who emanated an air of wisdom and quiet authority. Butler Zo, a guardian and father, stood as a sentinel amidst the elegant surroundings. His presence was a beacon of familiarity in a world that seemed both foreign and inviting.
Their eyes met, a silent acknowledgment that bridged the gap between guest and host. Isabella's curiosity mingled with a sense of reverence, her emotions swirling in a whirlpool of emotions. The living room seemed to shrink, the space between them pregnant with unspoken words, each a brushstroke that painted the canvas of their interaction.
Isabella's heart quickened, her steps guided by a mixture of apprehension and excitement. She closed the physical distance between them, her presence a testament to the journey she had undertaken – from the workplace to the heart of Lucius's domain. The living room became a stage upon which their encounter would unfold, a tableau that held the promise of answers to the questions that had lingered in the shadows.
As Isabella drew near, her emotions remained a mosaic of anticipation and curiosity. Butler Zo's presence was a comforting anchor, a source of guidance amidst the currents of uncertainty. Their meeting was a convergence of two worlds, the collision of individual narratives that held the potential to reshape the trajectory of their lives.
In that shared space, Isabella's gaze met the gaze of Butler Zo, a connection formed in the crucible of their circumstances. The living room bore witness to their encounter, a chapter in a story that was still unfolding. And as Isabella embarked on this unexpected journey, the living room became a canvas upon which the intricacies of her connection with Lucius and his world would be painted in vivid and unpredictable strokes.
"Good afternoon sir,
Isabella bowed with respect,
"I am Isabella by name, secretary of Mr Lucius, the chairman told me to check on Mr Lucius, to know about his health,"
"Oh, I've heard a little about you from Lucius, welcome Mrs Isabella,"
Butler Zo said with a smile
"He said, you became his secretary a week ago"
He added and Isabella nodded.
"Go upstairs, you will see his room by the right,"
Butler said to Isabella and left for his room.
As Isabella ventured further into Lucius's inner sanctum, her gaze swept across the expanse of his room. The space was a tapestry of enchantment, each element meticulously curated to evoke a sense of both allure and mystery. The walls, bathed in a muted palette, seemed to cocoon the room in an air of intimacy, offering a respite from the outside world.
Her eyes widened in wonder as they danced across the room. The furniture was an ensemble of opulence, each piece a testament to the delicate balance between function and artistry. The bed, a centerpiece of the chamber, beckoned with its sumptuous linens and ornate frame. Its presence was a siren call to comfort, a haven where dreams and reality might intertwine.
Yet, it was Lucius himself who held her attention. His form, sprawled upon the bed, appeared as if he had borne the weight of the world upon his shoulders. The weariness etched into his features was a stark contrast to the enigmatic aura that often surrounded him. Isabella's heart clenched at the sight, her empathy intertwining with a surge of concern.
Driven by an impulse that seemed to transcend reason, Isabella rushed to Lucius's side. Her movements were propelled by a mixture of compassion and a desire to ease his apparent distress. In her haste, she sought to offer a measure of solace, a gesture of connection amidst the enigma that surrounded them.
However, the moment was destined to take a chilling turn. As Isabella's figure drew near, a primal instinct seemed to awaken within Lucius. The transformation was swift, his gaze narrowing with a predatory intensity that was both mesmerizing and disconcerting. His actions defied comprehension as his teeth sank into her delicate neck, a swift and ferocious bite that shattered the realm of understanding.
Pain seared through Isabella's being, a sensation that pierced the veil of her consciousness. The world seemed to blur as a torrent of conflicting emotions surged within her. Confusion and shock waged a silent battle with the overwhelming physical response that radiated from the point of contact. Her vision wavered, the room spinning as the edges of reality began to blur.
Isabella's strength waned, her body succumbing to the all-consuming grip of darkness. As her form crumpled, a collision of sensations engulfed her – the sharp pain of the bite, the intoxicating rush of disorientation, and a lingering sense of betrayal that cut through the chaos. Her fall was a silent descent, a whispered surrender to the unknown.
The room bore witness to this tragic tableau, a collision of fate and choice that reverberated within its walls. Lucius's presence loomed over the scene, his actions a testament to the dual nature of his existence. The air seemed to thicken, laden with a sense of foreboding that hung heavy in the atmosphere.
In the wake of this chilling encounter, Isabella's world had shifted in ways she could scarcely comprehend. Her connection to Lucius, once defined by admiration and curiosity, had become entwined with a narrative that defied the boundaries of reason. The room stood as a silent sentinel, a stage upon which the intricacies of their shared journey had been irrevocably altered, leaving an indelible mark upon the tapestry of their lives.
To be continued.....
Why did Lucius do that to Isabella?
Was she alive? Or......?
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