"Let me go!" Christina's voice echoed as she struggled to free herself from the grip of the bouncer.
A familiar voice from the front seat of the car intervened, "Let her be!" Christina was shocked to see Darren, the butler sitting in the shotgun seat. He looked back at her with a calm smile.
"What on earth is happening, Darren?" Christina stammered, fear creeping into her voice.
"Elder Master wishes to meet you, Ms. Joss," Darren replied, his words sending a chill down her spine. "We are merely escorting you to him."
"Escorting? This is kidnapping, Darren!" Christina retorted, leaning back in her seat. This family was filled with crazy men! She couldn't help but think but comment as even her boss had done the same previous night.
"Master Reylan would never agree to this, so we had to do it behind his back," Darren explained, an apologetic look on his face. Christina could only stare at him in disbelief. She heaved a sigh, and leaned back on the seat, crossing her arms.
The car journey lasted for what felt like an eternity before they finally arrived at a grand mansion. Darren escorted Christina inside and gestured for her to wait in a room off the corridor. As she entered, he closed the door behind her.
Christina nervously scanned the dimly lit room. It was a large study, filled with the musty scent of old books. A wall of bookshelves towered over her, their contents barely visible in the faint light. An antique study table sat in one corner, its polished surface reflecting the dim light. Her gaze was drawn to a small window, its thick curtains blocking any outside light. She wondered why there were no large windows in this house or her boss's villa. 'Perhaps they prefer the dark.' She thought, attributing it to the peculiar tastes of this wealthy family.
As she surveyed her surroundings, the grand doors swung open. An elderly man, perhaps in his eighties, entered the room. Despite his age, there was an undeniable vitality about him. His posture was upright, his stride confident, and his striking blue eyes sparkled in the dim light. His skin, etched with the lines of time, had a surprising robustness, and his silver hair, full and lustrous, lent him an air of timeless elegance.
As he approached, Christina bowed respectfully. As he approached, Christina bowed respectfully, which he acknowledged with a nod.
The butler took his cane as he settled on the sofa opposite her, a meter-long table separating them. "Come closer, child," he ordered. Christina complied, moving to sit beside him.
Theodore studied Christina, his eyes widening in surprise. She bore no resemblance to her, not even a hint. "So, you are the woman who has bewitched my grandson," he said, his voice rough but loud. The sarcasm in his tone made Christina gulp nervously. Sensing her discomfort, Darren cleared his throat, a subtle reminder to his master.
Theodore quickly realized his mistake and stopped staring at her. He couldn't help but hope to find some resemblance to the woman he missed dearly, his once soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Despite their dissimilarities, he couldn't ignore the fact that the witch's words held for this woman.
"I apologize, you just remind me of someone close to him," Theodore said, echoing Reylan's words from the previous night.
"It's fine, sir," Christina responded with a small smile. It was then that Theodore noticed a hint of similarity. Her smile carried a warmth, the way her eyes sparkled reminded him of her. Something that even Darren had reported earlier.
"So, why do you love my grandson?" Theodore asked, cutting straight to the chase, even though he felt he already knew the answer.
Christina nervously scraped her fingernails, searching for an answer. Since she didn't know much about Reylan or his preferences, she decided to stick to the same story she had told Jessica earlier. "It might be too early to call it love, but I do like him, sir. He is kind, sweet, and although a bit arrogant at times, he treats me well."
Theodore smiled at her honesty. If she had given some absurd reason, he would have quickly assumed that his grandson was forcing her into something. It seemed like Reylan was genuinely interested in her, just like how relationships were supposed to be in this era. "
A bit? Don't lie, child! He is quite arrogant," He joked, easing Christina's worries.
"And how did you two meet?" When Christina blinked, slightly taken aback by his blunt interrogation, Theodore added, "Oh, don't mind me. He never shares anything with us, so I'm just curious."
"We met at a club. He helped me while I was dealing with a difficult breakup," Christina replied. To some extent, it was true since he had indeed helped her that night.
'His usual tactic of approaching a prey,' Theodore mused with a smile. Reylan's moves had always been clear toward his prey, exploiting their weakest point and enjoying a drink. He was glad it had also led him to someone this special to both of them.
"Does he really treat you well?" That question came as a shock to Christina.
"Yes, sir," Christina replied without hesitation. He had treated her very well so far, even if he had a purpose, at least he was honest about it.
"Are you done?" The voice from behind startled her and the old man frowned upon hearing it. The trio turned around to see Reylan standing at the door, leaning on its frame. Christina couldn't help but wonder how long he had been there.
"Don't you know it's shameful to eavesdrop on someone's conversation?" Theodore glowered, disappointed by his arrival.
"And don't you know it's a crime to kidnap someone?" Reylan retorted, walking towards them. "Where are your manners?" He added, making Christina gasp lightly.
"You left me with no options! So, blame yourself!" Theodore shot back, giving the poor butler a headache. The duo was at it again, their bickering had only gotten worse over the centuries.
Reylan simply shot him a glare before his eyes met Christina's. Walking to her, he grabbed her hand and declared, "Let's go!"
"She will leave after dinner."
"She isn't hungry," Reylan replied without even turning toward them, making his grandfather scowl. But Christina turned around and offered him a small bow as her fake boyfriend dragged her out of the large mansion.
As they descended the entrance steps of the mansion, Reylan abruptly halted and turned to face Christina. His eyes were clouded with an emotion she couldn't quite decipher. Before she could utter a word, he stepped forward, pulling her into a sudden embrace.
A wave of surprise washed over Christina, followed by a strange sensation that sent her heart racing. "Wh-what are," She stammered, but was cut off by Reylan.
"Just a moment," he murmured, his eyes closed as he listened to the rhythm of her heartbeat. "He's watching us," He lied, explaining his unexpected action.
"Did he leave?" Christina asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She couldn't see anything behind her back. She was afraid of the feelings this embrace might stir within her, feelings she couldn't afford to nurture in this pretend relationship.
"He's still watching us," Reylan replied, his voice low. He yearned for the moment to last a few seconds longer. When he had found her phone on the pavement, a wave of fear had washed over him. The thought of losing her again had sent him into a frenzy before Blaze had informed him that she had been taken to the old man's mansion.
Sensing her discomfort, he finally released her and opened the car door parked right at the entrance. As Christina got into the car, she couldn't help but glance back at the house. A frown tugged at her lips as she realized there was no one there.
"But there isn't anyone," She questioned, buckling her seatbelt.
"He left," Reylan lied again, before driving out of the mansion.
A raven perched on the high compound wall of the mansion watched as the car disappeared into the night. It quickly took flight in the opposite direction, eager to convey this new development to its master. If the old vampire took a liking to Reylan's contract girlfriend, the council seat might slip away from its master.