Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight or any of its characters. Everything belongs to Matsuri Hino. I only own the OCs.
3. FALL OUT
Exam day is tomorrow, and I am nowhere near finished with my studies. How can I when Rido seemed to be much hungrier in the past few weeks?
He'll visit me for almost the entire week then, disappears just to reappear again the next week. It was a mere cycle and I was his designated supply of blood. And it shocks me that I haven't lose so much blood yet.
I groaned, throwing my pencil at my scratch paper.
To hell with Econometrics!
When suddenly, I heard someone chuckling from behind. I turned, surprised at the sight that welcomed me.
Rido was leaning on my door frame, looking as handsome as ever with hands crossed in front of his chest and a smirk on his face.
All of a sudden, I felt tired. "Here for more blood?" I asked, a tired look on my face. How many days has it been since he last took blood from me? Wasn't yesterday the last time he took a bite?
"Do you think that's the only thing I come here for?" He quirked his perfectly-shaped eyebrow, teasing.
"Would you be angry if I say yes?" I asked, unsure, trying not to offend the vampire.
Unexpectedly, he laughed. Not his normal evil laugh, just a normal one. It took my breath away, captivated by the sound. It was like was hearing bells all over the place. It was the first time I ever saw him laugh like that; so chill and carefree, like something had change.
"You're in a good mood." I commented smiling after seeing the carefree look on his face. I turn my back to him, crumpling the paper and throwing it at the trash bin. I needed to focus on my studies. I grabbed my pencil and tried once more, and I groaned once again, crumpling another paper after I failed in solving the question. There's no way I'm going to get this by tomorrow morning.
I heard him come closer but, I didn't have the time to turn when a hand suddenly came to view.
"Hey!" I screamed, trying to retrieve my taken paper. "Give it back, Rido! I still have a lot to study!"
He looked at it quizzically. "What is this anyway?" He asked.
I grabbed the paper from his hand and started solving the damn problem. "It's Econometrics; and I have an exam tomorrow so, go away because I need to study."
Instead of following my order—when did he ever follow any of them, Rido grabbed my book and took it away. I protested. What am I supposed to use as preference? My notebook? It doesn't have anything on it!
"Rido, give it back!" I chased him to the living area. The moment I entered the room, I blanched. He was pulling out a pan from one of our kitchen counters and lighting the stove on.
"Have you eaten yet?" He asked, not looking at my direction.
I gaped, not knowing what to say. And instead, I made my way to where he is. "What are you doing?" I asked.
"I'm cooking." He answered indifferently like stating the obvious.
I snickered. "You? Cook? Don't you have maids to do that for you?"
Yes, I know his family is rich—and powerful. But that's all I know.
He ignored my question, lighting the stove. "Of course, we do. I just know how to do chores because of my younger siblings."
Younger siblings? He has siblings? I quirked my eyebrows, shocked with the new information. I thought he was an only child with the way he acts.
"So, have you eaten yet?" He repeated his earlier question.
I looked at the clock, gasping in realization. It was already half past nine, and I haven't eaten anything since noon.
So, that's why my stomach was grumbling, I realized.
"No, not yet." I answered, turning a little red.
I sat on the counter, watching him cooking. One of his hand was on the pan, while the other was flipping through my book. I stared, amazed how he can do two things simultaneously. Furthermore, he looked like he could be a wonderful husband—minus, the unstable personality and vampire blood. But otherwise, he's a head-turner, tall and powerful, smart, and he can do household chores. The perfect candidate for a husband.
I crossed my legs, smiling at the thought of Rido being a husband to some girl when suddenly, something crossed my mind.
"You have siblings?" I asked.
He hummed, too busy to answer properly, also not really hearing my question.
When everything sank in, I followed the question with, "What are they like?" And suddenly, the room's temperature dropped a few degrees.
Realizing that he said something he shouldn't have, he quietened down.
Immediately, I added, "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, Rido. I was just asking. I didn't know it was a sensitive topic to you."
We were having a great time—I, especially. He was in a good mood and I don't need my loud mouth to destroy it. I want to keep this up, us knowing things about one another. Because, all this time, the only thing I know about him was the fact that he was a vampire and he probably came from a distinguished powerful vampire family—and of course his name, not his whole name though.
Unexpectedly, the temperature went back to normal. Finally, he had calmed himself down. "It's fine." He ate his words. After a few minutes, he added, "I have one younger brother and a younger sister."
"If you don't mind me asking," I began, testing the waters. "what are they like?"
He put the food he cooked on a plate, handing them to me. I jumped off the counter and went around, sitting on the stool. In front of me sat a simple egg and bacon meal but, just by looking at it, my mouth was already watering. I must have been so hungry, but I know the truth; the food looks so go! How can a simple dish be so mouth-watering?
He handed me a fork, my eyes, never leaving the meal.
"So, what do you think?" He asked, after I took my first bite.
"It's so good!" I said, taking another bite off the meal.
And within second, I've finished the entire meal.
He took my plate and washed the dishes before handing me back my book. "I know what went wrong in your computation."
"You studied it just like that?!" I asked, shocked.
"Yes, vampire. Remember?"
How can I forget. I wanted to say but, restrained myself to not to.
For the next two hours, Rido was helping me study for my exams tomorrow. He was a huge help, honestly; showing me shortcuts and explaining things much easier than that in the reference books.
By the time it was one in the morning, we were almost done with my exercises and everything was much clearer in my head.
"Rido, thank you." I stood by the door, sending him out.
He stood on the other side. Suddenly, without my consent, he touched my chin, lifting my head. With just a blink, his lips were on my head, kissing my forehead.
"Good luck tomorrow, Kaede." He said, before he disappeared in the night sky.
When I closed the door, that's when I remembered, he didn't answer my question.
The entire room was filled with the sound of papers rustling as the students passed their papers forward. The exam was now done. I sighed, I felt like was in the hotseat for the entire duration of the exam, not allowed to blink at all. Thankfully, I've answered all the questions on the exam.
Thank you, Rido!
Now that one of my problems are done, I need to solve the other one.
I looked back, searching for my best friend. I was seated in the middle. Unfortunately, our professor thought it was fun to make a seat plan for our exam and the arrangement was alphabetical and so, I was sitting near the front, while my best friend was at the back.
When our eyes met, she promptly turned her head, avoiding my gaze.
That hurt me. I didn't even know what I did wrong nor did I know that was how Rido will treat her when they first met—well, maybe I should've expected it—but, it wasn't my fault.
I gathered my things, making my way to her seat. Immediately, she rushed, slinging her backpack on her shoulder.
"Chinatsu, wait!" I shouted, attracting the attention of some students.
"I can't. I have to be somewhere else." She said, eyes not meeting mine.
"Please, just talk to me." I begged, grabbing her arm. "I just want to know why you're avoiding me."
She hesitated, eyes tearing. "Kaede, I can't. Please let go of my hand. I can't be seen with you." She said, eyes already tearing.
But I was as headstrong as her. "Please, Natsu. It'll just be short. I just want my best friend back so, please let's just talk it out.
With much hesitation, she nodded her head which brought huge relief to me.
"Do you want to go to my hou–" I wasn't able to finish my sentence when she screamed no. I assumed she doesn't want to see Rido or be anywhere near him.
"How about we go to the family restaurant we liked so much?" I suggested. "I don't have any work today because of the exams so, want to go there with me?"
She nodded in reply.
We walked to the restaurant, awkward silence surrounding us. Once arriving, I ordered a vanilla smoothie while she ordered the strawberry one.
"I'm sorry, if I did something wrong." I said out of the blue, while waiting for our drinks. "I didn't know Rido was going to come so, I wasn't able to stop him from saying anything."
After a few minutes of silence, she said, "I'm not supposed to say this to you but. . ." She halted, pursing her lips. Hesitation and fear written on her face.
"It's okay, Chinatsu." I assured her, calming my teary-eyed friend. "You can talk me. I promise."
"That's the point, Kaede. I can't tell. To be honest, I'm not supposed to talk to you anymore or else Rido will–"
I didn't let her finish. "Rido? What did Rido tell you?" Anger was starting to cloud my judgement. How can he do this when he agreed that I wouldn't be his property? But I calmed myself down. I don't want to be angry with anyone, not until I know the whole story. "What did he tell you, Chinatsu?"
She squeaked, my little mouse friend tearing up. "I-I can't tell you, Kaede. Or else he'll hurt me!"
I calmed myself down. Nothing good will happen if I let my emotions go wild. "Chinatsu, I'll talk to Rido about this just please, tell me what happened." I begged.
She wimped away the tears. Suddenly, the waitress served out drinks, looking at us confusedly. "H-He came to me after the day we stayed at your apartment." She began. This was going to be a long story if she was starting from weeks ago—almost more than a month from now.
"He grabbed my neck a-and. . ." I waited, hoping nothing bad happened to my friend. "he showed me his f-fangs, Kaede." She looked at me with terrified eyes.
"Kaede, R-Rido is a vampire. You can't be with him or h-he'll kill you!" She whispered, not letting anyone hear our conversation.
I pursed my lips. "I know, Natsu. I know." That's all I can say, and I can see that's not what she's expecting me to say.
"Y-You knew so, why are you still with him, Kaede?" She asked, begging for answers. Her mind was probably in disarray with the much information she has to take in. When I didn't answer, everything made clear to her. "No, Kaede. No. Anything but that! He's a vampire. You can't. . ."
She couldn't finish her sentence, her hands in her hair. Things are probably not making sense to her right now. "Kaede, he grabbed my neck and told me to never talk to you again or else, h-he'll suck me dry and then, kill me." She said. "He threatened me, Kaede and yet, you're still staying with him?"
"I know, Natsu." I said, forcing an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry."
She sighed before taking a huge gulp off her strawberry shake. "I don't know what to do with you anymore."
I chuckled. "Neither do I."
I arrived home after a few hours, of laughing and catching up with my best friend. When I entered the house, I felt my spine shiver. At the end of the living area, sitting on the dusty old couch was Rido, glaring at me.
"Where have you been, Kaede?" He asked, his voice icy.
I took a breath, my body froze. He's angry; it was a fact, and everyone knows it. The room temperature dropped to another degree.
"I-I was w-with a friend." I stuttered. I didn't say who was that friend, knowing that the man before me threatened my best friend. I can't let him know I was with Chinatsu or else, he might do something bad to her.
It's sad to say that the man I care for can also be the man who's going to be the death of me.
In a split second, he was in front of me. He lifted my chin up, red and blue meeting my dark chocolate ones. "And who is this friend of yours, Kaede?"
I gulped, not knowing what to say. I can't possibly drop Chinatsu's name. I can't.
"If I repeat myself again, I will kill everyone in this apartment building except you, Kaede. So, choose." He threatened. No, it was more like a warning. And he will do it within a split second if I don't give out a name.
"Rido, you can't do something like that." It was hard for me to speak as he held my chin. Suddenly, the glass cups shattered in the kitchen, making me winced.
There goes my newly bought cups.
"I told you, didn't I? I'm not going to repeat myself, Kaede!" Another mirror shattered. I can feel the anger oozing around him as the whole apartment room began to shake.
"Kaede!" He screamed, this time shattering my window glasses.
"Chinatsu. . ." I screamed, my knees trembling, my eyes tightly shut. "I-I was with Chinatsu earlier. W-We were eating at our favorite spot."
I'm sorry, Chinatsu. I'm really sorry.
Suddenly, all the shaking and shattering stopped. I looked up, shocked with what I saw. Rido was smirking. "See? Was that so hard?" He asked, letting go of my chin. He grabbed his coat, twisted the doorknob and left without another word.
Everything was happening so quickly, and I couldn't follow. Last night we were slowly getting to know each other. He even cooked me a meal and taught me Econometrics and now, now we were fighting once more.
I stood there, completely surprised. What just happened? I asked. I grabbed a fistful of my hair and slowly slid down to the ground.
I was so drained from taking the exam earlier and Rido's personality changes just kept getting worse; to the point that I couldn't keep up any longer.
He's becoming more unstable each day.
And where was he going at this time of the day?
Suddenly, I stiffened, realizing what I've done.
I searched my phone inside my bag, cursing as the clock ticked by. I dialed the only person I know Rido made contact with the past few weeks as I dropped my stuff on the floor. I opened the door, rushing out and not caring whether I locked the door or not.
To hell with the burglars! I have a bigger problem right now.
I ran and ran, turning down the street. I waited for the pedestrian light to change to green. All the while, I was dialing her phone nonstop. Unfortunately, no one was picking up.
"Chinatsu pick up, please." I mumbled. However, her phone sent me to voicemail. "Chinatsu pick up! Damn it!" I screamed, sending the mail. The people around started moving away, shocked by the crazy-looking girl beside them, screaming—a.k.a. me.
But, right now, I didn't care what they think. My best friend's life is in jeopardy.
I called her once more, but still, no one answered. "Chinatsu, answer damn it!" I screamed, out of breath.
The pedestrian light turned green and I made a dash for it, bumping into many people and almost tripping on my own feet.
"Sorry!" I shouted to them. My eyes shifted back and forth to my phone and the road.
This is bad! I thought. Chinatsu's apartment was on the other side of the university, and a few minutes away from our school I have to run faster than I've ever run before if I want to make it in time but, with Rido's enhanced strength and speed, it'll only take him a few minutes—if not, a few seconds.
I ran nonstop, just as I was calling her phone over and over again. But alas, no one was picking up. I rang her number one more time but, still she hasn't picked up.
"What the hell are you doing, Chinatsu?! Why aren't you picking up!"
From a distance, I can already see our university's front gate, just around the corner will be Chinatsu's apartment building.
I passed the front gates and made sharp right turn. I kept on running even if my feet were already burning, even if my breath was already rugged. I just kept running with only my best friend's safety in my mind.
When I see her building, I dashed even faster. She hasn't answered my phone calls, yet which made me even more worried.
I entered the building and pressed the elevator key to her floor. I was jumping on my feet; the waiting was so cruel.
Once arriving on her floor, I dashed to her door. I grabbed the knob and twisted it.
It was open.
Not a good sign. Chinatsu never leaves her door unlocked.
I ran inside, searching for the blonde. When I couldn't see her in the living area, I headed straight to her room.
I opened the door; my eyes went large, and I screamed.
Author's Note: Hey guys. Miss me? I know I missed you. So, here's the third chapter for you guys. What do you guys think? I welcome compliments, constructive criticisms, suggestions and everything else! Just a quick reminder, English is not my first language so, bear with me please. Hope you guys like this! Also, if you like this story (or any of my stories, go and check them out), let me know by giving me support and buying me coffee at ko-fi / L3L4LOF6 under the name njeuel. It'll be much appreciated! By the way, thank you all so much to the reviews, follows and favorites out there. Thanks, everyone!
