Angelina's POV
I stared at my reflection in the mirror as I was still gripping the sink with such a force like my life depended on it. My hair was a little messy, the face was pale, my eyes were puffy from all this crying, and I really looked pretty scared and in stress. I looked like I was about to pass out , and I took some deep breaths to calm myself down. My head was still dizzy, I was sweating from fear and stress and my clothes stuck to my skin a little unpleasantly. My ears were buzzing, and I lowered my head and closed my eyes and took some deep breaths again. I remained like this for some minutes until my body stopped shaking and my ears stopped buzzing, and I could breathe easier. I managed to use the bathroom, although such a simple activity nearly drained me out again. When I stood up my legs nearly failed me, and I gripped the sink for support.
'' Come on, don't cry. Please.''- I said to myself, and my voice sounded strange and so small. –'' Come on, you can do this.''- I released a deep breath as I washed my hands. My hand shook a little when I ran my fingers through my hair as I looked around my abductor's bathroom. I didn't want to face him again! I leaned my back against the wall as my eyes scanned the surroundings. This bathroom was very clean indeed, not like other male ones I had seen. My boyfriends weren't a big fans of cleaning, not that their homes were dirty or anything like that, just they weren't so organized. This was the first bathroom I had seen that looked so good, and not only because of the modern looking douche and bathtub. I opened the bathroom cabinet left from the mirror just from curiosity. It was tidy too and full of shaving equipment, spare toothpaste, spare toothbrushes, aftershave, teeth floss, mouthwash, hand cream and some painkillers. Nothing out of the ordinary. The shampoo and shower gels were pretty normal too and good brands. Normally I would never look around someone's home like this, but this guy abducted me and I didn't care about his privacy, he hadn't cared about mine, right? I didn't touch anything , just looked around. A normal looking bathroom. I leaned my back against the wall, as I stared at the door. I knew I had stayed in here maybe a little longer than I had to, and Christian would come to look for me. And I needed a plan and fast. What should I do? What?! Should I knock him out with something and break a window and escape, snow outside or no? Or should I just talk to him so he can lower his guard and then I could knock him down and escape? Somehow the second option seemed a little more reasonable, to try to earn his trust and to strike when he least expects it. Will I make a mistake?
'' Lina, you okay in there, angel?''- The sudden knock on the door nearly gave me a heart attack. I hadn't locked it, what was the point. He was a vampire, a locked door won't stop him. It was pointless. –'' Angelina?''- He knocked again like a real gentleman.
'' Yes, I am coming.''- I swallowed hard and my hand turned the doorknob and the door opened to reveal Christian on the other side. He gave me a kind smile when he saw that I was all right, although I was far from all right. But he must have thought I had fainted or something. The relief in his eyes seemed genuine.
'' I was beginning to worry for you.''- His voice sounded so concerned, at the way he looked at me, like we were a couple and he was a caring boyfriend, was alarming.
'' I'm fine.''- The lie couldn't fool him, and he crossed arms over his chest. –'' Can I still use the shower?''- I didn't know what made me say that, it just slipped. I felt dirty just from being here, he had touched me, and I felt violated. Also I had sweated a lot, and I was disgusted with myself. And that will save me from a least a few minutes from Christian. But I didn't want to make him angry too, and what if he was joking about the shower? What if he wanted something from me for this? - '' I mean you said I can take a shower, and..''- I bit my lips and waited for his answer.
'' Of course, darling!''- He grinned at me, and I immediately released my breath.- '' Come, I will give you a new towel.''- The dark-haired vampire turned around and I followed him after closing the bathroom door. Christian headed to the closet near the bathroom and turned on the light. He knelt and took out one purple towel.-'' It's brand new, don't worry.''- The man handed it to me with a soft smile.-'' You will be the first woman to use it.''- I nodded as we headed back to the bathroom.
'' It's so tidy in here.''- I said to fill the silence. I didn't mean it as a compliment, more like to try to find out if there was a maid or not. If some woman came to clean this whole place, maybe I could ask for her help.
'' Do you like it?''- Christian eyed me a little shyly.- '' I take care of my home, and I organize everything.''- My eyes widened a little. My previous boyfriends could never achieve such a clean and good looking house.-'' I use the services of one woman once or twice a month, but mainly I took care of my home. ''0
'' That's impressive.''- I said as I hugged the towel close to my chest. Will my abductor let me shower alone, or he will stay? I nearly gagged just thinking I had to undress in front of him. I would scream and kick him if he makes me do this.
'' Here is a new soap, angel.''- Christian saw my distress and handed me the soap with a kind smile. It was a strawberry one and I clutched it close to my chest. –'' You can use whichever shampoo you like.''- He pointed at the several bottles on the shelf next to the douche cabin. –'' There is a lot of hot water, so don't worry about that. The hot water is from here, the cold one is from there.''-Christian showed me how the shower worked.-'' Feel free to take your time, I won't bother you.''- The dark-haired vampire rubbed his neck nervously as he eyed me.-'' I know you have no spare clothes but maybe I can give you some.'' - I blinked a couple of times. Was he offering me some of his victims' clothes? My head was beginning to cloud again and I swayed a little.- '' Angelina!''- Christian grabbed me by the forearm to steady me, and I was glad for that because I didn't want to fall on the floor. We remained like this for a while, as I finally gathered myself and stopped shaking. I could feel his brown eyes on my face, even though mine were closed. The wave of dizziness passed away.
'' What clothes?''- I whispered as our eyes locked. His hand around mine was burning me up and Christian released me carefully, trying maybe not to scare me more than I was already. Like a good gentleman.
'' New ones, of course. I hope they fit you.''- He took some steps back to give me breathing space. Why was he acting so nice? Why? Why did he let me sleep, why the breakfast, the coffee and now this?
'' You bought clothes… for me.''- The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. That guy had brand new female clothes prepared for his victims, and this caused ice to creep through my veins. How many had he tortured and killed?
'' Well, something like that.''- He actually looked embarrassed as he eyed the floor. –'' I realize how this sounds, Lina, I do. And you are the only woman I had bought clothes for, there was no one else.''- Christian added as he looked up to me and his brown eyes were burning me up like a literal fire.-'' I know it's crazy but I couldn't help it. I wanted you to wear something mine.''- The possessive tone gave me chills. I tried not to imagine the vampire in some store to look at female clothes and to picture it they would fit me. I tried so hard not to imagine that, but the image was just stuck in my mind. –'' I will leave you to take a shower now.''- Christian cleared his throat and passed me on the way to the door.-'' Please, don't lock the door or use the window to escape.''- He said with a hand on the handle.-'' It's freezing outside and you will get seriously hurt from a jump from here. And I will give your privacy, so there is no need for locks. I won't come while you are showering.''- Somehow I seriously doubted that, but my abductor sounded sincere.-'' Promise me you won't do anything stupid.''- His brown eyes changed their color to bright red and suddenly I felt a pressure in my mind to obey whatever he asks of me.
'' I promise.''- I said without difficulty, although I wanted to badly to just try my chances with the window, broken leg or not. I couldn't bear to be in this house any longer.
'' Good.''- Christian smiled.-'' I will leave the clothes in my room on the bed, you can change there. Do you remember where my room is?''- I nodded and his smile got wider.-'' If you want to dry your hair, there is a hair dryer in my room, I will put it next to the clothes. Also you can wash your teeth, I have extra toothbrushes, just open the cabinet and you will find them. Do you need anything else or am I forgetting something?''- My abductor asked like a concerned host. Like I was his guest and he was showing me around his house and making sure I have anything so I could shower. It was so surreal, so insane that I had a hard time figuring out his motives. Why these kindness?
'' Why are you doing this?''- I asked, as his eyes were never leaving mine, and the look in his brown ones were like we were a couple. Christian was confused why I had asked that, like it was natural for a abductor to provide a delicious breakfast, nice coffee and his own bathroom to his hostage or whatever I was to him.
'' Because I want you to like it here.''- The man said so softly, that I almost felt it like a caress on my cheek, and I took a step back to prevent him from actually touching me.- '' It's that simple, Angelina. After you shower, I will give you ice for the bruises… I deeply apologize for that again.''- He bit his lips, looking like a lost child again, and that made me sick.-'' You can leave the dirty clothes here, I will put them in the washing machine.''- Without even eyeing me, like he was embarrassed to face me, Christian left the bathroom and shut the door behind him carefully.
# # #
I didn't lock the door behind him, I decided to trust Christian as crazy as it sounded. But I would definitely watch out for him, just in case. He might be trying to give me this fake sense of safety so he could attack me later. This might be some sick game, all of this. The sleep, the bed, the breakfast, the coffee and now this.
I admit I never would imagine that if I get abducted, the guy would act so nice to me. I had expected ropes, chains, to beat me, to let me starve, but not this. And especially if the abductor was a vampire, and I could be used for blood and even dead by now. But Christian never tried to bit me , not even once by now. He only insisted I was his soul mate and we were meant to be .
I took off my clothes quickly, fighting with the buttons of my trousers. I still glanced at the door often , expecting the vampire to just barge in and to hurt or force himself on me. But I was met with only silence. I folded my clothes and put them in the basket for dirty laundry in the left corner of the bathroom. I still didn't want to wear anything that creep gives me, but I didn't want to offend him. If I refused, he might snap and hurt me. So I would have to push down my disgust and to just put on his choice of clothes for me.
The water was wonderfully warm as I turned the douche and closed the cabin. I was shivering from fear and exhaustion so the warm water was a welcomed gift. I applied some of the shampoo on my hair and began rubbing it in. I didn't know how much time Christian would give me for this shower, so I tried to be as quick as possible. I scrubbed my body and my hands were still shaking. Tears were appearing in my eyes, but I tried to fight them off. I leaned my back against the wall as the hot water was pouring over me.
What should I do? Dozens of ideas ran in my mind, and each one of them was bolder than the previous one. Should I attack him again, and take his car? Should I jump from some of the windows and risk breaking and leg or get lost in the snow outside? Should I pretend I fall for his game and act nice with him? Maybe flirt a little? The thought itself made me gag. I was never much of a flirt, besides I couldn't force myself to flirt with this guy. I just couldn't. The disgust would choke me to death. So maybe I should ask him normal questions, so he could let his guard down easier.
I turned off the water and exited the douche cabin. Christian hadn't come in, not even knocked, he gave me privacy like he promised. But I was still eyeing the door suspiciously. The purple towel was big and I wrapped it around my body after I dried my hair as best as I could. I released a deep breath, as I opened the door, but my abductor wasn't there. The corridor was empty. So he must be downstairs again in the living room. I stood there for a couple of minutes, but Christian didn't show up. Carefully I entered his room, and again he wasn't there. On the bed I had slept in, his bed, there was a nicely folded clothes like he promised. And they were brand new too, like he said, all of them had their price tags on. And they weren't cheap. The green cashmere sweater was from a brand I liked and I had wanted to buy something from it. The dark jeans were nice to touch. My cheeks got redder as I saw the red bikini and a matching bra, they looked like my size. Everything looked like it could fit me. It was disturbing and creepy and I nearly threw up again, but stopped myself just in time. Christian must have known my sizes or guess them .He bought these clothes just for me.
My hands were shaking as I put them on, and they fitted me. The sweater was maybe a little longer, but everything else was like made for me. I bit my lips as I dried my hair with the hair dryer my abductor left on the bed. How I ended up in such a mess?! How?! Why?!
Christian had left for me my own comb so I could brush my hair. How thoughtful of him! My abductor had gone through my bag, touched my things. I felt so violated that I wanted to shower again. But sadly the hot water and soap won't rid of my problem. I clenched my teeth as I prepared myself for facing the vampire again.
# # #
Christian was watching TV , like it was a normal Saturday morning for him. Like it was normal for him to have a hostage . Or maybe it was? How many he had killed and tortured? I was rooted on my spot at the door, my hand on the handle as I stared at the dark-haired vampire, who sat in the armchair so peacefully. That man looked completely normal, he had a nice face features, actually quite handsome. If things were different, that man could make my knees weak. I would never admit him that, but Christian looked just the way I had always found attractive and fascinating in a guy. Also his brown eyes were really sensual. But he was crazy not to mention a bloodsucking monster. His handsome face was just an illusion.
'' Come, sit.''- He motioned for me to take the sofa again, and I did.-'' I am glad my clothes look good on you.''- Christian eyed me from head to toes in such a way only lovers look at each other.
'' How long have you stalked me?''- I asked so he could stop with this burning stare.-'' Where did you see me?''- Have I met him in some bar, or on the street or just forgot?
'' Some months ago in one store.''- Christian rubbed his eyes and leaned his head back.-'' You were buying an ice cream, a chocolate and raspberry one. Your favorite.''- He swallowed as I hugged my knees.-'' You wore black trousers, red T-shirt and a black leather jacket. And your scent was heavenly.''- His eyes met mine and they were red again and I shivered.-'' You were the most loveliest woman I had ever seen, and you completely enchanted me, Lina.''-Christian cleared his throat and his eyes returned their color to brown again.-''My nature found its other half in you that day.''- The voice was so sweet, so kind, that it made me sick.
'' But that's wrong and crazy.''- I shook my head and my abductor eyed me with sadness and pain.
'' I don't have a choice, Angelina. I just don't.''- Christian ran fingers through his hair and groaned.-'' My nature damned me with you.''- He didn't have a choice?! What a joke?! That guy was mental! I had to force my voice to remain calm.
'' How old are you?''- Christian eyed me, surprised I had asked him a personal question. Maybe if I learned more about him, I could trick him easier.
'' I am glad I am interesting to you, darling.''- The dark-haired vampire gave me a smile I was sure many women would fall for. Of course if they didn't know he was a maniac and a vampire.-'' I am 29 and a half years old, or I was actually before I was turned. I have walked on this earth for 400 years, angel.''- The number shook me. I knew that in the movies and books vampires were old, but hearing it in real life and actually seeing it was another thing. Also the guy in front of me didn't look a year older than 30 years old.
'' But how?''- I whispered as I tried to imagine actually living for over a century, not to mention 4 centuries.
'' When I was turned, my body stopped aging, and I remained like this.''- Christian smirked at my disbelief. –'' The blood keeps me alive too, but I will always look like this. One of the gifts of my nature. The other gift is you, the woman I had spent 400 years searching for.''- I shivered , his tone was like a caress on my cheek.
'' Can you tell me more about you? Christian?''- I faked a smile, remembering my plan to act nice so he could drop his guard.
'' With pleasure, darling. I will make us some tea, don't move.''- The red eyes pierced me again, and I nodded, unable to fight the compulsion. Christian smiled as he left the living room.