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Victor's POV
'' This girl made you a fool, son. She used your infatuation with her. That mortal played you like a marionette, and you allowed it. I have told you should have never taken this girl into your home!'' – My father's words repeated over and over in my head.-'' If you wanted a lover so much, you could have thousands! If you wanted a private singer, you can hire someone! So why did you take an orphan mortal girl to live with you?! If it was her body you desired, than take it, one-two nights , and send her away! But you had to live with this mortal for months and shower her with gifts! And in the end she made you a fool, Victor, used your weakness! She disgraced our family!''
Daniela. How could she have escaped me?! How dare that girl! I remember waking up on the the carpet in my room, to find I was alone. The food I had ordered to be prepared for my special dinner with my pet was cold. The opened bottle of wine, the flowers on the table. The lights were still on. The only thing missing was my lovely guest. I had checked the whole mansion and Daniela was gone, she had taken some of her clothes, money and just left! The girl had even stolen one of my cars, stabbed one of the guards! Who would have thought my pet had so much courage!
How Daniela had tricked me! How easily I had let my guards down , and not suspected her. My beautiful girl had worn a red long dress, that perfume I had bought her. Daniela had looked so tempting and she was even smiling and talking to with me. It had been so long since I had a nice conversation with her, since I had seen her smile in my presence. I had been fooled, and the little fox used it against me! Daniela had even drugged me with sleeping pills! I had questioned all of my servants, but I didn't fire the woman that gave the pills to my pet. Marisa thought she was helping my Daniela sleep better.
When I catch the pretty fox again, I will have to decide how to punish her for making fun of me and my family. A 19 year old mortal girl dared to mock like this me, the prince! Maybe my father was right, I had let Daniela's charms weaken me. But since I saw her, I have wanted the brown-haired girl. Since I had heard her sing with that sweet angelic voice, I knew I had to have her. But Miss Daniela Summers had played hard to get, refusing my gifts and courting. Such a thing had never happened to me! When the mortal had told me she didn't want me, I lost it and bought her. If I couldn't have her willingly, then I shall make her my property. Daniela seemed to enjoy what we did in the bed, and I was pleased she was a virgin, it made me so happy. And her blood tasted so sweet, like caramel, and I have fallen in love with the taste. But Daniela had remained cold as ice, she had kept on asking to see her friends, to get a job. When she began to fall for that servant boy Sebastian, I had lost it and killed him. She was mine!
I will find her again. The royal guards searched the nearby towns, the train and bus stations. I didn't want Danny's photograph to be posted anywhere, I didn't want someone to abduct her, demanding a ransom, or to be killed.
Soon my little bird will be in my arms again. I had grinned when I was informed that my girl was spotted in some bar. I had called the owner, Frank, and he had confirmed that it was the same girl, and he had invited me to see for myself. I had been told so many time that someone had seen my Danny, and each time it was a lie. But I had decided to give it a try and to see for myself.
Frank had even showed me a picture on his phone. And it really was my Daniela! But I had though he had somehow gotten her picture and was making fun of me, but he denied it and asked me again to come and see for myself. And I did. My breath stopped when I saw her. The girl had blond hair, was dressed in a purple dress, and wore a mask. But the way she moved was the same, the way she smiled at the clients. I couldn't take my eyes off the girl, even though I had dancers to entertain me and alcohol. But the wine and the girls, ready to do anything I wanted, weren't enough for me. I had been watching the blond girl all night, thinking how much she reminded me of my pet, and that maybe Frank hadn't lied. The blond girl was called Nicole, some new girl, that had just started around the time my Danny escaped. It all matched.
I knew I had to meet this Nicole face to face. I had compelled the bar's owner, and he had told me he hadn't seen her with any client, mortal or a vampire one. That according to him Nicole was single.
I couldn't wait anymore, this girl was driving me insane. I could had so easily gone to her , but I might scare my Danny, or I might be disappointed again. But I had to see for myself if that was her or no. And if Frank had lied to me, I would burn this place to the ground.
# # #
I knew the trap around me was finally closed. I almost heard it. I knew I was doomed when I saw Frank walking to me. My past had finally caught up with me again. Suddenly everything around me vanished- the loud music, the voices, laughter.
'' Why me?''- I only asked, trying maybe to get out from this situation. My eyes moved to the front door, but there was no way I would reach it with so many people around, and Frank who was right in front of me. The distance was too much, there were people dancing, and I would never make it. And not with these heels.
'' Because the prince wants you, Nicole, only you.''- I tried to get pass my boss, but he blocked my way . I stepped on his foot with my heel, and Frank yelled from the pain. These shoes were very useful sometimes. I used the chance to run away, but my boss grabbed my forearm and yanked me back. –'' Where do you think you are going, girl?! Stop fighting me!''- I began struggling, but his grip was too tight. Frank led me to staircase, although I was trying to break free , I even slapped him. My boss only glared at me.-'' Be grateful you are so important, or I would have made you pay for this.''- I didn't like the look in his eyes.
'' Let me go! I don't want to do this!''- I searched with eyes some of the girls. Eliza and Lara walked to us, but Frank yelled at them to stay aside . Sally saw me too and she immediately rushed towards us.
'' Frank , what are you doing with the poor girl?!''- The older woman grabbed my other hand , but my boss pulled me more roughly and began to climb the stairs and I had to follow him.
'' The prince wants our Nicole here.''- Frank smiled at me, but his eyes were cold like a snake's.-'' He will make me rich.''- I risked glancing at Victor, and he was looking our way. I was glad the mask hid the half of my face, but his eyes were looking at me with the same hunger I knew so well.
'' But maybe I can take Nicole's place tonight, she is still new to this.''- I would have hugged Sally for the attempt, if I wasn't dragged up the stairs.-'' She doesn't have to get involved with this.''- Bless Sally and her good heart! The older woman had promised to ask one of her friends to pick me up and hide me in his basement. But now it was too late.
'' Listen, Sally, go back to the customers!''- Frank hissed.-'' The prince promised to spare all of us, if we deliver our Nicole to him.''- The way my boss said the name I was made up, made my legs buckle, but Frank was stronger and didn't let me fall.
'' You know.''- I said , wondering long how has this being going on . How long my boss had been watching me, thinking how much I was worth?
'' Yes. Sally, get back downstairs, or I will fire you!''- The older woman tried to pry me from his grip, but Frank slapped her.-'' Why do you care so much for a girl, you barely know?! A fugitive from the prince himself! You are really a brave one, Daniela!''- Frank yanked me to one room. I was crying, but my boss didn't care.
'' Because she is so young.''- Sally blocked the door, but Frank pushed her roughly away.-'' She needs to have a normal life!''
'' One last warning, Sally. Stay away from this, or you want me to tell the royal guards to teach you a lesson?!''- I prayed with my eyes the older woman to let me go, I didn't want to see her hurt. Sally ran downstairs.
My boss pushed me into the room, closing the door behind me with a kick. I have never been here, with a mortal man or a vampire. I didn't judge the other girls for doing this, it was their choice.
I looked around the soundproof room. A huge bed with red sheets. A table with a bottle of champagne on a mineral water, wine, two glasses and a bowl with strawberries. Two chairs. A stereo system. A window. I immediately ran to it, thinking if maybe I could jump from it. I would get hurt no doubt, but anything would be better than this.
'' Oh, no, you don't!''- Frank grabbed me from behind and turned me around, restraining my wrists. –'' Stop it, Daniela!''- I stepped on his foot again, and my boss hissed from the pain.-'' If you were anyone else…''- I froze on my spot by this threat, his green eyes were so cold, and the hidden threat in them made me still. Frank was much better built than me , and a man above all, and I knew he could hurt me very easy.
'' How can you do this?! Sell me to him?!''- I was equally disgusted and afraid. I still couldn't understand how the headmistress Mrs. Hunter had the heart to sell one innocent girl, like she was a doll, a nonliving thing. How that woman had been able to look me in the eyes after what she had done? How my boss could do the same thing, like I was nobody, a person without identity or feelings? Was the greed too powerful? Were the money that important? I would never sell another human being like that.
'' Because His Highness offered me a very good amount of money for you, Daniela.''- Frank let me go finally and I rubbed my wrists. I hoped there won't be any bruises, but I feared they were inevitable. – '' And he will spare all of us.''
''How did you find out?''- My boss was blocking the door. I could try the window again, but he will pull me back again. My legs gave out and the man wrapped one arm around my waist.
''No, don't faint on me , girl. You are too valuable. ''- Frank pushed me down and I sat on one of the chairs. -''Hey, stay with me.''- He shook my shoulder, and I focused his face.-'' That's it. Calm down.''- Frank opened one bottle of water and poured some in one of the glasses.-'' Here, take this.''- I emptied the glass.-'' The police had asked me one day if I have new employees and I said your name. Then they showed me a picture of this girl Daniela Summers, and what do you know- you two matched!''- The man placed down the glass I had handed him on the table.-'' I must say, Daniela, you surely are brave.''- Frank knelt in front of me.-'' To pull off an act like that.''- Then he laughed.-'' Who would have thought that the girl, that had warmed our prince's bed, will work for me?''
'' How long have you known?''- I regretted asking this, it was pointless. Did it really matter? It would only make me give into the paranoia, that my boss had plotted against me. How he had looked me in the eyes, knowing the whole truth, and pretending. Knowing the answer won't make any difference.
'' Not long. ''- Frank took my hand in his.-'' It will be so sad to see such a pretty thing like you go, but you must return where you belong.''- I pulled my hand back. I didn't have strength in me to get up. Fear paralyzed me. I only knew soon Victor will enter through this door, and that was enough to cause everything in me to go cold. My shoulders began to shake from my sobs.-'' Don't cry, girl. Your fate is wonderful, you will be rich.''- Yes, and treated like a toy, a possession. No freedom. –'' You won't have to work anymore.''
'' I don't want this fate.''- I ripped the purple mask off my face and threw it on the ground. My blond wig was next, and I ran a hand through my own hair. I felt so tired, so helpless and small.
'' Don't be sad. You deserve a much better life than working in a bar.''- If I wasn't so stressed out, I would have laughed. Yes, working in here wasn't something I had wanted, but I had no other option. Dealing with drunk guys, flirty vampires , some drunken fights, wasn't nice, but I was glad I wasn't on the streets or worse. I still had a home and a purpose. I wasn't hungry.-'' It would be sad to let you go, Daniela.''- Frank caressed my cheek and I pushed him off and stood up.
'' Don't touch me!''- How dare that man touch me after he had sold me like that!
'' You are right, you belong to the prince.''- The older man put his hands in his pockets.-'' I will be murdered for even having such thoughts about you.''- I took some steps back, but the guy grinned.-'' Don't worry, I will never touch you, Daniela. But I have thought about it in the beginning, before I knew your real name. When you came looking for job, I couldn't help but thinking how beautiful you were. You hadn't worked a day in your life, but you were willing to try this job, and I had said to myself- go ahead, give the girl a chance. But the more I saw how our clients were looking at you, the more I wanted you for myself. But then this happened, and you were off limits for me. So sad really.''- I didn't know what to say. I was overwhelmed by so much emotions, so much information, that I was lost for words. –'' Yes, me and you, my dear, might have been happy, but…''- Frank sighed. My boss wasn't an unattractive man, he had dark-blond hair and green eyes, but he was much older than me, and I would have never agreed to be with him. He might force me, but I wouldn't do anything willingly. He was older, more like my father's years if he was alive, and my boss. It was unethical and wrong. –'' Wipe those tears, Daniela, you must be beautiful for the prince.''- I wished I could hurt him, like he did me, but Frank turned around and walked to the door.
The door closed after him and I was alone. I sat on the edge of the bed, wondering what to do. I was trapped. My hands were shaking and I clenched them. What choice did I have? If I try to jump from the window, I might break something. And the royal guards will caught me still.
'' It is so good to see your face without that mask, Daniela.''- I jumped when Victor entered. The prince smirked when he saw the wig on the ground.-'' There is no reason to hide such divine features.''- His brown eyes moved from my face to the purple dress I was wearing and he smiled approvingly.-'' Divine indeed.''- I stood up and crossed my arms, hoping to hide myself from his burning gaze. He only smiled.
'' Stop looking at me like that.''- I wished my voice was strong, not the weak sound that had just escaped my lips. But the man in front of me had this effect on me, he made me feel like a kid again, like a small defenseless child.
'' But I haven't seen all of this for a long time.''- Victor walked slowly to me and I continued to back away.-'' Those eyes, hair, lips.''- The prince's eyes lowered to my body-'' I missed all of you, my dear.''- How I hated that look in his eyes!
'' I will never be yours again, Victor.''- I said, realizing it was pointless, he had won. He had found me. The prince laughed.
'' Really, Daniela?!''- He grabbed my hand and pulled me to him.-'' You are mine, girl. I thought I had made that perfectly clear all those months you lived with me and shared my bed. I had been ready to give you so much gold and diamonds, but you chose to run away. And to what? This?!''- He looked around the room.-'' To work in a bar?! To wear short skirts and men to fantasize about you?! To be stared at like a piece of meat?! You chose this over me?!''- His every word was hissed at my face. I had seen him angry so many times before, but still it made scared.
'' I …wanted freedom.''- I was crying , and he sighed.
'' You call this freedom?! I was ready to make you a queen, you silly girl!''- Victor hugged me and his fangs pierced my neck. I wanted to fight, but it was no use. His arms were holding me tight, and the burning feeling didn't stop. I hated it how much the blood drinking was pleasurable, how it made me more relaxed and hot in the same time. How I let Victor just drink my blood, without fighting him How my hands had stopped hitting his chest and were clutching his shirt instead.-'' You are coming home with me, Danny. So say goodbye to the life you had here.''- Victor's eyes changed from red to the their natural brown color.