I DO NOT OWN BATB!
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Here is chap 22. Hope you enjoy.
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"It's my son. He's having another attack. Please, come. Only you can help him, sir." The woman said, her voice trembling, her eyes welling up.
As Vincent heard from Xylia that he was needed at her place, he nodded at her and took Catherine aside. She walked behind him and he led her to the balcony. Vincent wasn't sure how to explain. He had done his very best up until now to prevent Catherine from knowing about Xylia and her son. But guess fate decided otherwise.
Catherine observed his face and wondered what it all was about. Will he explain it all to her? Or not? She was so scared for that answer. Vincent held both her hands in his and looked her deep in the eyes.
"Catherine, I am so sorry. But I have to go. The woman inside is a very good friend of the family and she has a son. He is sick and very troubled. I need to go and help her with him. I really must go." He pleaded.
Catherine heard his words, but what she realized made her heart ache. She had a feeling that at the moment, he wasn't completely honest with her. Vincent was telling her half truths and she hated it. She sighed deeply and decided to let it go. For now. Cause that Xylia woman looked like she was on the verge of freaking out and breaking down. Cat was not sure if Xylia was able to contain her emotions. So even though she wanted to give Vincent a piece of her mind, Cat decided the opposite.
"It's okay, you can go." Cat whispered and looked the other way.
Vincent still had her hands in his and kissed them, before leading her back inside. He squeezed her hand one more time, then walked out the front door with Xylia.
Catherine was in deep thought, when Calinico tapped her on her shoulder.
She was startled and jumped up. " Calinico! Gosh, you scared me!" she exclaimed.
"Sorry miss, but would you like me to make you a cup of tea?" he asked concerned.
"Huh? Ummm… no thank you. I'm tired and wanna get some rest." She replied.
He nodded and wished her goodnight. But just as she was about to go up the stairs, she turned around.
"Calinico, I don't mean to be too curious but I can't help it. Who is Xylia?" she asked, while looking the butler with pleading eyes.
"Xylia? She is the ex-wife of Vincent's cousin." He replied cautiously.
Cat frowned and asked."Cousin? Which cousin? Why hasn't Vincent introduced me to him?" she asked.
Calinico knew that they were now on very dangerous grounds. So he advised." Miss Catherine, I know that you have a lot of questions and you want answers. But please, can you ask mr. Vincent about them? I don't want to be in the middle of it all. I wanna tell you, I do. But its not my place to do so."
Cat nodded."You are right. I should ask my boyfriend, not you. Sorry." She apololigezed.
Calinico nodded and walked away, leaving Catherine alone and miserable…
()
As Xylia's house came into view, Vincent's super senses went on overdrive. He let out a deep breath and stopped the car. Xylia nor he had spoken, since they drove away from the villa. He and Xylia stepped out of the car. And just as he was about to walk to the house, Xylia grabbed his arm. He stopped in his tracks and looked at her.
"What? What is it?" he asked cautiously.
"Mr. Vincent. The beautiful woman in the white dress. She's your girlfriend?" she asked worriedly.
He nodded."Yes, she is. What about her?" he asked.
"Does she know? About you?" she asked.
He shook his head."No, she doesn't. And she doesn't have to. I want to spare her the burden of knowing." He replied firmly.
The woman shook her head and gripped his arm tightly."You must tell her! You must! The risk is too great, if you don't. She deserves to know!" she pleaded, her eyes welling up.
Vincent gently pulled his arm from her tight grip." Xylia! We need to tend to your son now. I can hear that he needs me. Now!" he demanded, not wanting to talk about his precious Catherine with Xylia.
She nodded and led the way inside her house. As Vincent heard the boy, he felt a chill up his spine. Being here, reminded him of a horrible time in his life.
()
As Catherine heard Vincent's car sped away, she immediately went upstairs. The second her bedroom door was locked behind her, she closed her eyes. Her tears rolled down her cheeks without her accord, while she walked to the bathroom. She saw her reflection in the mirror; she wanted to get out of the beautiful dress. The first thing she did was to take off he tiara. Then Catherine began to undress. As she pulled it over her head, all kind of emotions washed over her.
It took so little for her to feel this insecure again. Vincent lied to her! Cat didn't think that he was romantically involved with Xylia, but the fact of the matter is that he lied to her. She wasn't a friend of the family! But sort of his family; well her son was Vincent's family. Why didn't he just tell her the truth? What secret or SECRETS was he hiding from her?
Vincent didn't trust her enough to confide in her. If he didn't trust her, what the hell was he doing calling her his girlfriend?!
Sighing deeply, she tried to calm herself. But it was no use; the whole situation made her on edge. At the masked ball, he promised to tell her the whole truth. And when it came down to it, he lied in her face…
Tears rolled down her cheeks, while she thought about her relationship with Vincent. Was it based on a lie? At the moment, Catherine felt so lost. She immediately thought about what had happened to her a couple of months ago. What Philip had done to her. Cat's relationship with her ex was based on lies and betrayal. And when she confronted Philip, he did the unimaginable! She felt like she was experiencing a déjà vu. Doesn't fate want her to be happy?
After she had collected herself a bit, Cat took a shower and climbed in her bed. She had on a thin nightgown, so she pulled the thick covers over her body. Catherine couldn't help, but to think of Philip, her fingers automatically ending up on her only scar. She traced the line of the scar, making a gut wrenching memory pop into her head, her whole body shivering. Her body was nice and smooth…except for that particular scar. And evil Philip was the one who gave it to her…
Catherine didn't want to fall asleep, but the events of the day and evening had taken its toll. So before she knew it, Catherine drifted off to dreamland…
()
It was 2:30 at night, when Vincent came home from Xylia. He was beyond exhausted. Vincent walked passed Catherine's room, a sharp pain gnawing at his heart. He lied to her! He didn't want to, but he felt that it was for the best. He wanted to kick himself for lying in her face. Did she notice that he lied?!
And just as he was about to walk into his bedroom, he heard Catherine cry. Without thinking twice, he walked back and broke down her bedroom door. The light was out, but he could easily see in the dark, cause of his super senses. When he saw Catherine, his heart ached. She was tossing and turning in her sleep, with her hands covering her body, pleading:" Philip, stop it! Stop hitting me… Please stop! I am begging you…"
Her eyes were closed; she was having a nightmare. And as her words sank in, Vincent walked closer to her. He realized that this Philip guy had hurt her… As realization hit him hard, his inner Beast roared! That scum had hurt her! That scum had hit her! That scum will pay with his life! Vincent couldn't help it and felt himself changing! He was turning into the Beast!
He felt a sharp pain in his gums and felt the veins in his neck almost popping. He saw yellow!
And suddenly Catherine sat up in her bed. She saw someone standing near the bed.
"Vincent? Is that you? What are you doing here in my room?! What's the matter?" She asked worriedly.
Vincent was being all quiet, making Catherine very nervous.
"Vincent? Are you okay?" she pleaded.
But he didn't budge, cause he was concentrating on staying in his human form. He felt his claws and fangs retract slowly, as he concentrated on things that would calm him down completely… Catherine.
He didn't want her to see him in his Beast form. Vincent slowly felt his control coming back and opened his eyes. As he did so, he saw that Catherine was out of bed and was walking towards him. She was worried about him.
"Vincent, are you feeling alright?" she asked, as she got closer to him.
Her sweet scent invaded his nostrils, making his head spin. As she stood in front of him, he realized that she was wearing a gown made of very thin material. By the faint light of the moon, he saw the curves of her gorgeous body…
The sight of her was driving the Beast crazy! Vincent was still Vincent, but not quite…
Because Catherine gasped softly and asked with a trembling voice."Vincent? Why are your eyes glowing yellow?"
Oh oh! Will he tell her? If u want to read the next chapter, PLEASE leave me reviews?
Ruby
:)