"H-Hello?"
"What do you mean, hello? What kind of behavior is this? You think you can play games with me?"
"Ethan, I…"
"You're coming back with me right now, and things are going back to the way they were. You think I'm just going to sleep with you? Who do you think you are? You need me, not the other way around!"
I hung up. Back to how things were? No way!
I grabbed my purse, put on my coat, and dashed out of the apartment. Outside, I ran to the black Jeep without looking back. I wasn't sure if he was really there or not. The Jeep started moving, and I exhaled. This truly scared me. I had no idea Ethan was such an awful person. If I had known, I'd never have gotten involved with him...
Anyway, I needed to focus. I was alone in the Jeep with the driver, sitting in the back seat. He didn't say anything—not about where we were going or anything else. And I didn't feel like asking either.
What kind of event would this be? Who would I meet? Ugh, I needed to think about the impression I wanted to make and how I wanted to present myself.
Although, Benjamin said I would be his special guest, so I probably wouldn't need to bother getting too close to anyone. I'm curious… so his brother, Dominik Acheron, is getting married. Interesting.
I pulled out my phone to Google him a bit. Surprisingly, there wasn't a single news article about his wedding. Well, Benjamin did say it was a private event, with no media allowed. Except me, the future podcast host!!! I'm so excited! I really hope it happens!
Scrolling through Dominik's pictures, I suddenly thought...
"Wait, wait… is that…? No way!"
I brought the phone closer to my face while zooming in on his picture.
"That guy?? Impossible! Melanie, get a grip! I don't even remember that man's face properly since we were always in the dark. And that's just fine because I didn't want to remember that night, though I can't seem to forget it… the experience… his body on mine and mine on his..."
I blushed and covered my face with my hands. The driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror, probably thinking I was weird. Well, let him think what he wants. He's only here to drive me.
After about half an hour of driving and roughly 30 kilometers later, we arrived in front of a massive mansion; or rather, the mansion was further inside, and we stopped in front of a huge iron automatic gate with guards posted at both ends. The gate was surrounded by walls covered in creeping vines and plants, all warmly lit with cozy lights. It felt like I was walking into a fairytale ball, like I was Cinderella.
The driver left, and I was alone with the guards. I thought Mr. Benjamin would greet me, but no one was there, just the distant sound of music coming from the mansion. I didn't know what to do, so I stood and waited. Luxurious cars came and went. People in pairs and with families entered while I stood at the entrance.
Then, a guard from inside came out, probably because someone told him I'd been standing there for a while, and he approached me.
"Miss, may I help you?"
"G-Good evening… sorry, I'm here as a guest of Mr. Benjamin Acheron for the wedding."
"Alright, may I have your name, so I can check?"
"Melanie Lore. Here's my ID if you need it."
"M-Melanie Lore?" he asked, surprised.
"Yes, I'm Melanie Lore."
He took my ID and said he would check with Benjamin, then escort me inside.
I waited for about five minutes, and finally, the same guard returned.
"You really are a special guest. Please, follow me."
I followed him through the courtyard. It seemed like everyone was either inside or at the back of the mansion because the front yard was empty. Suddenly, someone grabbed my hand.
"My special guest!"
Benjamin smiled as he said this.
"G-G… Benjamin… sorry, you scared me." I was genuinely startled.
"See, first I accidentally touch your hand, and now I'm grabbing it on purpose. I wonder what's next?"
The guard tried to address Benjamin.
"Sir, may I escort the lady to the hall?"
"Why would you need to escort her when I'm right here?"
"Well… I…"
"Kadjar, get lost." He ordered seriously.
"Yes, sir."
Kadjar? What a strange name. It reminds me of a car brand… I'm pretty sure there's a car called that.
Benjamin offered me his arm like a gentleman, and we walked together toward the back of the mansion. Everything was so massive; the garden was so perfectly maintained that I felt like I was in Versailles, and the architecture of the mansion reminded me of old Gothic churches, Baroque style—everything ancient and timeless.
Just as we reached the back, a woman appeared in front of us. She looked young and was dazzling in a floor-length purple gown with bare shoulders and gloves.
"Benjamin, what is this?"
"Erwina, please, just leave me alone…"
"Listen, if you're going to cheat on me, don't do it with something like this. This is an insult to me! Just look at her!" She started laughing in my face.
"Excuse me?" I was utterly confused.
"Erwina, I don't owe you any explanations." He grabbed my hand and continued forward.
"Benjamin, we're still married!" she shouted after us.
Benjamin stopped and turned to her.
"Married? Did you give me a child? Were you thinking about our marriage when you were with Wulpickt, Gozer, and Omar?"
"And did you give me a child? Do you think I would've done that if it weren't for your 'special guests'?"
The two of them were really starting to argue. I felt incredibly awkward and decided to slip away. The crowd began to focus on them as they argued more intensely.
The mansion was perched on a cliff, with the back section overlooking the endless sea. It was so beautiful. I couldn't let these events ruin the night for me.
While the other guests were engrossed in the drama between Mr. Benjamin and, apparently, his wife, the same guard approached me again.
"Miss Melanie? Would you come with me?"
"Where are we going?"
He smiled. "The young master wants to meet you."
"The young master?"
"The groom of the day, Benjamin's younger brother, the man who can't stop thinking about you—Dominik Acheron," said a voice from behind the guard.
I stood frozen in shock as he approached and kissed my hand. His gaze never left me, like a predator eyeing its prey.
His scent was intoxicating. A familiar scent. Of course, it was him—the man from that unreal night... my body suddenly felt… lighter.
"Y-you?"
He stroked my cheek. "I thought you might not come with my guard, so I decided to introduce myself personally." He placed his hand on my neck, his fingers brushing over the marks he'd made from drinking my blood.
"You're still fresh…"
"M-Mr… sir, we're at your wedding…"
"You call me 'sir,' but secretly you want me to call you 'mistress,' while you call me your slave," he whispered sharply as his mouth lowered to the marks on my neck.
"Sir, I think your mother is calling for you," the guard interrupted anxiously.
"This is exactly why I don't want to deal with this family… all I want right now… is you, Mel," he said with such passion, sweating as he spoke.
"Oh no, here comes your mother…" the guard muttered.
Dominik kept his eyes locked on me, undoing a few buttons on his shirt, clearly sweating profusely. His gaze was full of fiery passion.
"Grab him and take him away, now! I can't believe he ran off in the middle of getting dressed!" his mother shouted.
Two guards grabbed his arms and dragged him away, but he never broke eye contact with me. I was a little scared by the whole situation. Something wasn't right here.
"And who are you? I've never seen you before. What family are you from?" Dominik's mother asked me cryptically.
The woman had a terrifying aura. She wore a sheer, shimmery shawl over her head, was dressed lavishly, but was short and heavily made up. Her face had a menacing look.
"I... I'm... from the bride's side," I stammered in fear.
Her eyes lit up. "Oh-ho, a Chaldean girl! You're most welcome in this house. Of course, your sister's marriage to my son unlocks many doors for your family. I truly believe this alliance between our families will bring centuries of prosperity." She grabbed my hand and clasped it as she spoke.
"T-Thank you…"
"You seem awfully warm. Are you alright?" she frowned.
"M-Madam mother, she's understandably upset by the drama caused by Mr. Benjamin and his wife," the guard chimed in, and I quickly withdrew my hand.
"Drama!" She looked at the gathered crowd. "What kind of drama... at my son's wedding... I'm going to rip everyone's tongues out!" she angrily said as she marched toward the crowd.
"Thank you, thank you! I was so scared, I thought that woman would eat me alive!" I sighed, speaking to the guard.
"And she would have, indeed."
"What?!"
"I'm kidding. You're very precious to the young master, so I must stand in your protection."
"Me, precious? I don't believe it... impossible..."
"You don't believe me? Come with me, let's go to him. Better we go to him than wait for him to return! If he comes back, there will likely be some kind of scandal..."
Just as I was about to follow the guard, Benjamin grabbed my arm and pulled me away.