Chapter 6: The Rainy Revelations
"It will be a rainy day today; everybody should remember to keep their raincoats and make sure not to get cold," the weather reader announced cheerfully. After that, the screen flashed with advertisements featuring Lucian, the country's crush and model.
Lucian's grandmother, who loved watching the news and TV commercials, smiled at the sight of him.
Bera trudged down the stairs, still in her nightwear and feeling the weight of exhaustion. "Grandma," she called out.
"Bera, you're awake! Don't worry about breakfast. I told Lucian to make some for us," The old woman replied with a warm smile.
"You mean Lucian made breakfast?" Bera asked, surprised. Since her arrival, Lucian hadn't cooked for the family even once.
"Yes! You should try it and rate him," the old woman said, pointing at the table.
Bera's steps quickened; she was eager to taste the food. She took a bite and immediately grimaced. "What is this? It's too salty!"
The old woman burst into laughter. As Bera turned to spit it out, she accidentally sprayed the remnants onto Lucian, who had just entered the room dressed in a black round-neck polo and trousers, ready for his shoot. He always looked cool, and Bera couldn't help but admire him as a friend.
Flustered, she rushed over to clean his polo, raising her head to meet his gaze. The memory of their encounter yesterday flooded back, and she felt a rush of embarrassment. Without a word, she dashed back to her room, leaving Lucian standing there, taking a deep breath before changing his shirt.
Once in her room, Bera sat on her bed, breathing heavily. She needed to calm herself down. With trembling fingers, she dialed a number saved in her phone as "My Maker." After a few rings, it was picked up.
"Dad?" Bera asked, her heart racing.
"Are you okay, Bera?" her mother's voice came through, laced with concern.
"Mom, I'm fine. I need to talk to Dad," she insisted.
"Bera," her father's deep voice finally came on the line. "What's wrong?"
"Dad, the bracelet and the silver chain—what do they have to do with me?" she asked, her voice trembling.
There was a long silence on the other end. "Dad, Dad!" she call to confirm maybe he was still there.
"Bera, you're not getting any younger. You need to know about the bracelet. It works with you to calm you down and erase your scent from danger, since it work for you, you are meant to be a queen one day," her father finally said.
"Did you and Mom know this without telling me?" she pressed, feeling a mix of anger and betrayal.
"We did it for you. At first, we didn't know, but I can't bear to see my daughter turning into that. I told your father to find something for you to do. You have to go back to the city; your vampire scent must calm. I knew I married a vampire, but I can't bear to see my own daughter turning into that," her mother interject.
Bera felt tears streaming down her face. "So, I'm meant to marry Lucian?" she cried. "Is that why you sent me to the city to live with them?"
"No, no! I didn't send you to the city for that. Did they know you are a vampire?" her father asked.
"How could they not? The bracelet itself—won't they know?" she replied, frustration bubbling up.
"I'm sorry," her father said softly.
Bera hung up the phone, her mind racing with thoughts. If only she had listened to her parents when she was younger, maybe she wouldn't have become a vampire or be destined to be Lucian's queen.
Just then, her phone rang again. It was Emily. "Hi Bera, you good?" she asked cheerfully.
"Yes, I am," Bera replied, brushing away her tears.
"That sounds nice! Let's meet up at Jazzo Club. Oh my God, they're opening tonight! It's going to have big names attending and cute music players. You wouldn't want to miss it!" Emily exclaimed, knowing that this wasn't usually Bera's scene.
"Okay," Bera said, accepting that maybe a night out could help clear her heavy mind.
"Remember to put on your coat."
Throughout the day, she stayed in her room, lost in thought, until evening came. Finally, she got up and decided to go to the club.
"OMG, this place is so big! I'm going to get a big deal tonight,"