We ran for a while and then stopped, breathless. I quickly caught my breath.
"Mr. Benjamin, what you're doing isn't right!" I told him honestly.
"Again with the 'Mr.'? Melania..."
He moved to do a *kabe-don* (when someone pins you against the wall by placing their hand on it), but I quickly pushed him away. I think it's time for me to leave; I'm feeling very uncomfortable. I even feel a little nauseous. I think... I think I'm going to be sick...
"Melania, hey, what's wrong?" Benjamin grabbed me by the shoulders.
"I'm nauseous, just... just get away from me." I pushed him away again.
"Wait here, I'll bring you some water." He quickly ran off.
How could I not feel sick after all this stress... Honestly, I'm starting to question if all of this is worth it. Is it worth going through all of this? For what? A better life? I'm beginning to doubt it...
Benjamin returned with a glass of cold water. I drank it and calmed down a little. We sat on a bench in the front yard. I had no idea what was happening in the back of the villa.
We were silent. No one said a word. I started feeling sorry for him, even though I shouldn't. I shouldn't feel sorry for anyone, especially not for men!
"Are you really married?" I asked.
"On paper. No love, no children, no honor." He said it all in one breath.
"Why don't you get a divorce if you can't stand each other?"
"Hah, if only it were that simple... Our 'world' is a bit different. We are bound by blood. We have to marry people from certain families because that's what our customs and traditions demand. The heads of our families decide our fates. Especially mine because I am the heir of the Acheron family."
"Then you're the firstborn? Or how does inheritance work with you?"
"Yes, I'm the firstborn, and automatically the heir. My father and the family heads trained me from a young age to be the new head, all my duties, the morality of a head, responsibilities... I'm ready to lead our family at any cost. As for not being able to get along with my wife, I don't blame her or myself. I blame the old enmity between our two families; we've always been hostile toward each other."
"How did this enmity start?" I got drawn into the story.
"A few hundred years ago, there was a murder in both families. The head's sons were killed just as they were about to take on the role of their family's head. The Chaldeans blamed us, and we blamed them. And so, a centuries-old blood feud began. We've been avenging each other ever since because we don't know the true cause of that terrible event. My sister, and Dominik's sister Rose, had to be married into the Chaldean family, the first one, in hopes that the blood feud would end. The heads of both families agreed. However, there are no children, and her husband, an idiot, committed another murder of a member of our family. We took revenge, and I personally sentenced him. Now my sister is a widow. She doesn't leave our house and has lost the will to live."
"Good Lord! The history of your family is really... complicated. Is there any end to this blood feud?" I asked, panicked.
"We believe the end would come if our two families united under a common heir. That's why I had to marry a Chaldean girl too, but again without children. And they're difficult women, oh..." He held his head in his hands.
"And that's why Dominik also has to marry because everything will fall on him, right?" I concluded.
"You catch on quickly, dear. But if his marriage fails too, then..."
"Then..?"
I hadn't noticed the guard approach and tell Benjamin that his father and mother were looking for him.
"Why don't you come with me? We still have to discuss that business proposal, remember?" He smiled and took my hand.
"I really don't want to get involved in your family's personal affairs..." I pulled my hand away.
"Don't worry, you're a special guest. And, for some reason, I'm captivated by you. Hah, well, it's not for 'some reason.' I need to confess something to you."
"Confess to me?"
"When I brushed my hand over your cheek, I touched your neck, which was bleeding a little, and your blood remained on my fingers. I tasted it, and now I'm completely yours. You've captivated me. I can't stop thinking about you. I want you..." he slowly approached me.
"T-there's your mother... and father..." I pointed behind him.
Benjamin quickly straightened up, adjusted his collar, and walked toward them. I followed slowly because I truly had no idea how to leave or where I even was. And if I'm going to be a journalist, I need to investigate everything... This is the perfect opportunity, with so much material! I just need to stay strong and keep a cool head. Fuuu... I exhaled.
"Benjamin, my son, are you getting lost like your brother, that rascal? Don't cause us trouble!" His father was shouting.
"Sorry, father. I have no intention of doing anything against you."
"Benjamin, come and see the fool of your brother, how can we marry him off when he's covered in wounds..."
"Wounds?" He was shocked.
Dominik Acheron, wounded? When I remember that night, although I don't remember much... but I think he didn't have any wounds... But again, thinking of him and that night... my heart started pounding, and I blushed.
But I must find out what happened to him. I followed them. Luckily, no one noticed me.
We entered the villa's lounge, where strangely dressed people were, with all sorts of garments and outfits scattered across the entire room. Dominik was sitting on the sofa, wearing only pants. He looked incredible...
"Let me see you, brother." Benjamin quickly approached him.
"Leave me alone!" His head was tilted back on the sofa, and as he said that, he slammed his head down, and his hair fell over his face. And I almost ... Ehm. *cough*
He still hadn't seen me as I was hiding behind his parents and the people dressing him. But I saw him. I couldn't stop looking at him.
"Get up!"
"Brother... you're all driving me crazy! Get married, get dressed, this, that... whoever wants to get married, let them get married, but I won't!" He shouted and stood up.
When he stood, Benjamin looked at him and froze when he saw his back. His jaw dropped. He was in shock.
"Sweet Son of God Jesus Christ!!!"
"My dear child, tell us who did this to you? Was it the Chaldeans?" His mother stroked his face.
"Dominik, you can't stay silent. You must tell us what's going on."
Dominik squinted and blushed. I don't understand what's happening to him. Was he really attacked? Do they want his life? This is madness!
I pushed my way behind objects and people to get behind Dominik, trying to see what had happened to him. And I succeeded. But what a sight! He was all scratched up, his whole back covered in wounds. It was as if... wait a minute?!
"Yes, the Chaldeans did this to me!" Dominik shouted proudly.
"Unbelievable! This is outrageous! Call all the family heads immediately! Call the Chaldeans too! Let them all come to my chambers. Benjamin, Dominik, wife, follow me!" Their father was boiling with rage; I had a feeling nothing good was coming.
Benjamin and their mother immediately ran after their father, while Dominik was grabbing his shirt. Should I speak to him? I'm so scared... But... I'm curious...
"R-Really, the Chaldeans attacked you?" I said before I even realized.
Dominik stopped and quickly turned around, surprised. When he saw me, his expression changed, and he immediately ran toward me, gently pushing me against the wall, behind some black curtain.
"Fool, unless you're a Chaldean!" He laughed.
"E-excuse me?!" I blushed deeply.
"Don't you remember what you did to me that passionate night? Shame on you, I can't stop thinking about it!" He laughed and kissed my neck.
Oh, dear God! I scratched him with my nails! My heart was pounding so hard that I was sure Dominik could feel it.
"You have to tell them..."
"Tell them what..." he licked my neck. "Your nails saved me from this stupid wedding."
"Dominik..."
"Hearing my name from your lips is unbelievable."
He kissed me. Passionately. Then he started to suck the blood from my neck. He has me completely mesmerized...