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Chapter 17: All That Matters

My eyelids suddenly felt heavier and I yawned. Suddenly feeling the need to sleep, I pulled open the covers and crawled in, didn't bothered to change into more comfortable clothes and before I knew it, I was engulfed by darkness.

I awoke to my own tears.

I turned my head slightly to look at the book on the nightstand next to me.

Maxine.

I understand what they have been going through now, thanks to Sebastian's blood I got a chance to see through his memory what had happened to them. And through the book The Night Princess, I got to know that that book is no story but based on real life. They had lost people important to them too, and the pain they felt is forever. Maxine lost his Reina, his supposed soul mate and Dominic, my heart clenched at the thought of him, lost his Ashlie.

But there is still one more thing that unsettles me.

Why do the vampire hunters look so familiar?

It is troublesome not knowing their names when they look so vaguely familiar to me. Sebastian didn't seem to know the hunters names too because I never got their names from his memory. I sat up and flipped through the book, trying to look for the hunters name but found none.

Frowning, I placed the book back at the nightstand and went into the shower. I took a full half an hour soaking in the tub and stood out when I have gotten tired of the bubbles. Remembering that I didn't bring clean clothes with me, I wrapped myself in a white towel and went out into my room to take my clothes.

When going through the closet to find my favorite pair of jeans, I suddenly remembered the hunters look and I dropped what I was doing and still in my towel, I ran to the dressing table and pulled open the drawers. True enough; there laid my little black book like Grace had said. Pulling it out, I flipped to the last page and I stared at the old photograph for a long time, my face draining off its color as realization hit me.

No wonder I find the vampire hunters' looks so familiar.

They were my parents.

"Adele?"

I turned to the person standing at the door and I closed the black book behind me. I smiled at him nervously, "Oh, hey, Dominic. I didn't hear you enter."

Dominic smiled slightly, "Sorry, I knocked but you didn't answer so I just came in myself and...What are you hiding?" He moved closer and I moved to block his view of my book. "Adele, what are you hiding?"

"Nothing, I am not hiding anything." I answered a little too quickly, "Will you leave me for a sec? I want to get dressed if you haven't noticed."

"Don't fool me," Dominic inched closer, "what is that behind you?"

"It's just a diary."

Dominic narrowed his eyes at me, "Really?"

I nodded, "Yes, really. Now get out!"

"What else is in it?"

I shook my head. I know he is pocking inside my head, trying to see through my mind what is inside the book. But I cannot let him; I have to block him off my mind. Get out of my head already! I snapped at him mentally.

He moved closer until he was standing right in front of me; his cold breath sending shivers down my spine. He narrowed his eyes at me, "What is in the book that you cannot show me? And stop pushing me out of your mind, I can still read it perfectly well. Tell me now; what is in that black book of yours?" Dominic purred seductively as he leaned onto my body.

I let out a little gasp as his ice cold skin rubbed against mine. I clenched the towel tighter to me and in a threatening tone said, "Get the hell out of this room before I make you."

Dominic did his infamous smirk and leaned so close his lips were inches away from mine, "Oh that, I want to see."

I narrowed my eyes at him and smirked in return, "Then watch me."

And I did what he didn't expect me to do.

I screamed.

"No! Help! Somebody! Anybody! Help! Pervert! Stay away!"

Dominic looked at me wide-eyed, surprised that he didn't see what I was about to do.

True enough; in came Grace with her beloved Christopher tagging along, panic written all over their face. "What is it?" She looked at Dominic before turning to look at my naked state and she shouted, "Dominic! What the heck are you doing to Adele? She's a virgin; shouldn't you at least approach her nicely instead of this? My god, I always knew you were desperate but not to this point!"

"Stop screaming 'pervert' in your mind! This is a misunderstanding!" I had to suppress my giggle; if Dominic could still blush, he would definitely be redder than a tomato by now.

Christopher, standing at the door shook his head and gave out an exaggerating sigh, "Sorry, Adele, I never thought that my little brother would be so daring as to attack you naked like this. Dominic, I am seriously disappointed in you."

"Brother!" Dominic groaned and glared at me. I know he can read my mind and he definitely knows that I am laughing like crazy now. "This is crazy; I would never attack someone with a flat-chest. You know I like the big ones."

Dominic snickered at me and I blush a deep red, "I am not flat!"

"Yes, you are. I can see everything under that towel of yours."

He smirked when I blushed even more. Grace shook her head and Christopher smiled a little, "Dominic, please let Adele get into some more proper clothing. I don't want you to see more of anything."

Dominic shrugged his shoulders and simply said, "Well, there isn't anything else left interesting to see so I guess I will just leave."

"Yeah, just leave." I hissed at him, face hot.

He smirked at me before disappearing behind the doors. Grace and Christopher followed out and I was left to get dressed myself. Quickly, I threw on a sleeveless black tank top and jeans before pulling my shoulder-length hair into a ponytail. Picking out the old photograph from my little black book, I lie on the bed examining the picture.

The photograph was getting yellow and the sides slightly torn. It was a picture taken when I was five with my parents. They were beautiful people. I had always admired their beauty; both of them had natural reddish-black hair and beautiful brown eyes. I inherited the same look, except for my eyes that were a shade brighter than my parents. It was surprising that the Donahue's didn't figure out that I was their enemy's daughter. Maybe they knew it but kept silent? But that is not possible because from the way they talk to me, it is as if they knew nothing about it. They would've killed me if they knew.

I continue to stare at the photograph, taking in every little detail of my parents. Mom's favorite strapless white dress, Dad's favorite black tux, the large ruby ring he always wore, and…wait a sec!

I sat up almost immediately. I remember that ruby ring; Dad wore it all the time. I even remember playing with it when I was six and I loved the way the ruby glisters against the firelight. Where did I saw it before...?

Horatio waved his hand at the door and I saw a large ruby ring on the index finger of Horatio's glimmer against the firelight. Somehow the ring looked so familiar…

I remember Dad saying that it was one of the kind…then why did Horatio have the same one…?

Coincidence? Maybe.

But…

"We met at the car accident four years ago."

"I was passing by that part of the town when I saw a red jeep losing control and crashing into a blue Mercedes from another side which, you would've known is the car you and your parents are in."

"There wasn't anybody around the street at that time and I was the only one there. I checked the driver in the red jeep, hoping to be able to save him but he was already gone. Then, I went to your car. I didn't know a child was in there until I checked on the young couple. Your parents weren't breathing anymore when I checked on them."

"But you were still breathing so weakly. I wanted to walk away but I could not just leave you like that, you were so small and young. So I did what my instincts told me to. I gave you my blood." Horatio smiled slightly when I frowned hearing that I've actually drank blood, especially from a vampire. "Our blood has fast curing abilities, and you survived because of it."

Suddenly, I felt sick.

Horatio knew everything.

From the start, he knew everything.

My parents, me, the accident…he knew everything.

I was here on purpose.

Horatio planned this.

Horatio knew who my parents were, he knew who I am, he knew.

It was no accident.

He killed my parents.

"I have to get out of here." I whispered out loud.

I pushed myself up from the bed; my legs wobbled, weaker than I thought. I went to the cupboard where my suitcase was and opened up all the drawers, throwing all of my clothes into them. I tried to be as quiet as possible or the vampires would have heard me with their sensitive hearing. I place the photograph back to where it belonged; in the black book and kept it in the suitcase.

There was a knock at the door and I quickly pushed the suitcase beneath the bed. I stood up at the same time the door opened.

"Want to join us for dinner?"

"To be dinner or to eat dinner?" I asked sarcastically.

Maxine chuckled, "I am surprised you still haven't figured out that we want you as a bride not food."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Do I have to go?" Maxine nodded his head and I sighed, "Ok, I am going." Maxine held out his arm and I reluctantly took it. He led me down stairs and on the way I decided to make small talk.

"I have read the book."

Maxine looked surprised at first, but he smiled, "So you have."

"Is it true about your father and Reina?" I glanced at him sideways and saw him tensed. Still holding onto his arm, I continued, "Do you think your father could have asked Reina to kill you?"

In a flash, I was pinned to the wall with Maxine's hand at my neck.

"You held her exactly the same way you're holding me now." I said calmly, trying not to show fear. Maxine narrowed his now red eyes at me, his fangs bared.

"What are you trying to say?" he hissed angrily.

I smiled slightly at him, he was choking me but I looked at him straight in the eye. "You'll understand soon enough."

Maxine released his grip on my neck and I stumbled a little but he caught me. I looked up at him; his face portraying confusion and suspicion. When he looked like he wanted to ask me something, I patted him slightly at his arm instead and said, "Now, should we go have our dinner?" He didn't say anything at first but later nodded and we went to the dining hall.

I held my breath as Walter the butler pulled open the door of the dining room. There sat Horatio at the head of the table with his sons next to him. I shuddered when Horatio smiled at me; I didn't like the way he smiles one bit. I let Maxine led me to my seat at the other end of the table, facing Horatio. The other Donahue's nodded slightly at me and I nodded back in acknowledgement. I pretended not to notice Dominic drilling a hole in my head and smiled sweetly back at Horatio.

You might think I am so laid-back after I knew what happened, but the truth is I am actually hibernating in my seat. I just plastered a fake sweet smile on and acted as if nothing is wrong. I have to make it seemed like everything is perfectly fine so Horatio will not suspect a thing.

"How do you like it here? I see you are getting used to this now." Horatio smiled at me and a cold shiver ran down my spine.

Does it really matter? But I said, "Of course. Everyone here is very kind to me."

Dominic scoffed and both Horatio and I threw him a dirty look. Horatio smiled 'sweetly' at me, "That's good. I was thinking since you're about to be my daughter-in-law soon enough, it'll be great if we could spent more time together to understand each other better."

I paled, "Soon enough? How soon?"

"Dinner, is served." Mindy the housekeeper came busting in pushing a silver cart, her voice a little too cheerful. She served only me since the rest are vampires and they don't 'eat'. She winked, smiled, pouted and waved her commercial hair in every Donahue's direction before going back to the kitchen. I had to close my eyes the whole time in fear that it will drop out if I watch it any longer. It was seriously scary how desperate one can be. "Please, eat." Horatio nodded to my food and I smiled slightly. I don't really like to eat with people staring on but I poked my food for Mindy's sake.

"When is my deadline?" I asked without looking at Horatio. I have to know when the date for the marriage is so I can plan my escape. I need to get out here. The wedding was just an excuse; if he had a chance, he would definitely kill me. I heard him chuckle a little.

"Deadline? Dear, why do you make it sound as if it is a death penalty?" He smiled at me and I had to resist the urge to wipe that smile of his face. "I hope it can be as soon as possible; I can't wait to welcome you into our little family. How about next week? It will be a full moon next week, a beautiful night to be wed, don't you think so?"

His hands are folded on the table but I can see the ruby ring perfectly well on his index finger. I tighten my fist under the table; this sick bastard is actually enjoying this. He might know or might not know that I knew about his little party plans but whichever way it is, his acting skill is so great. It was so perfect it was sickening.

"Adele, are you alright?" Christopher asked across the table. I snapped out from my train of thoughts and smiled at him.

"Yes, yes, I am fine. I was just surprised that's all."

The twins snickered. Edwin leaned on the table and a playful smile tugged on his lips, "What, worried who will be your bridegroom?"

I snorted, "Heck, I am fine with whoever it is as long as it is not you."

Edwin scowled, obviously offended.

"Are you really fine with whomever?" Horatio asked.

I narrowed my eyes at him; he is planning something. I smiled at him, "Yes, since I have no special favorite-" Dominic scoffed and I glared at him, "-in this."

"Is that so? Then," Horatio nodded his head as seem as if he is deep in thought, "should it be Christopher?"

I nearly jumped out of my seat. "Excuse me?"

There was different expressions from his sons; shocked, surprised, amused and disagreement. I understand the rest but disagreement? That's odd.

Horatio looked at us what I'd call fake innocent, "What? Is that not fine with you? Or do you have someone else on your mind?"

I gritted my teeth; this guy chooses Christopher on purpose. Does he know about Grace and Christopher? He must have known to actually do this, putting Christopher as my fiancé. This bastard, I'll kill him!

Dominic turned to me abruptly, as if I have said it out loud. He narrowed his eyes at me and I looked away, silently scolding myself for screaming that thought out loud. "No, I am fine with Christopher but I'd-"

"Dessert, is served!" Mindy came busting in again; her smile reaching both ends of her ear. I closed my eyes again, avoiding having to see through all the same procedure of Mindy flirting with the Donahue brothers. As soon as I heard the double door leading to the kitchen closes, I opened my eyes back again. Horatio was smiling intently at me and I shuddered. The way he was smiling was as if he was daring me to disagree with his choice.

I swallowed and smiled at him, "Yeah, Christopher would be just great."

Horatio smiled, as if satisfied with my answer. I didn't dare to look at Christopher; he must be mad at me right now. Great, Grace will be willing to turn me into steak later. Dominic was drilling another hole in my head again but I ignored him, focusing instead on the caramel pudding in front of me, while silently wishing that the dessert was poisoned so I could just swallow it and die right there. Safe the trouble of facing the deranged Grace and the disappointed Christopher.

"So it will be Christopher than. Now, if you don't mind us, we have a midnight to catch." Horatio smiled at me and stood up to leave. He walked out with his sons followed suit, leaving only Christopher, Dominic and me behind. I stood up myself and walked over to Christopher, somehow I could feel anger radiating off him. He must be disappointed in me for agreeing to Horatio when I already knew he was with Grace. I reached out to touch him but when he didn't pull away, I hugged him. He tensed at first but didn't push me away, and I was grateful for that.

I know Dominic was standing there, staring on.

"I'm sorry," I silently whispered in Christopher's ear so only he could hear it and not Dominic, "but for a little while more and you'll be free."

Christopher looked up to me abruptly, confusion written all over his face. "What-"

I smiled at him slightly, "You'll understand soon enough."

Christopher wanted to ask more but I pulled away and walked out, with Dominic silently following behind. He was curious, I could tell. I walked back to my room, not once saying anything to Dominic. But he held the door open before I could close it. He looked at me; an expression I could not understand. His eyes showed that he had lots of questions he wanted to ask, but he didn't know where to start. So instead he said, "You look nicer with your hair down."

I laughed at his uneasiness. It was hilarious looking at a what, hundred-year-old vampire getting all nervous and tongue-tied. He frowned at me, "What I wanted to say was; what are you hiding?"

I raised an eyebrow at him, "Huh?"

"During the whole dinner, you were singing 'God Save The Queen' in your mind so there is definitely something you're hiding."

I couldn't help but smile a little, "So what? I was just in the mood to sing."

Dominic snorted, "Yeah, but for more than ten times? I don't think so. You are obviously doing that to hide your mind from me."

I looked at him innocently, "What, when I am thinking about other things, I can actually hide my real thoughts from you?"

Dominic rolled his eyes at me, "Yes, you can. You control what I see. If you focus well enough to concentrate on 'fake' thoughts instead of the real one, it will be the 'fake' ones I see. That's one of the ways how to protect your thoughts from me." He looked at me, smile fading, "And I just taught you how to hide yours from me."

I laughed, "Oh, silly Dominic. If you didn't tell me, I would also figure it out myself!" I stopped short; there is no way Dominic wouldn't know about Horatio's plan for so long. Unless Horatio was feeding Dominic his 'fake' thoughts all this while, that would explain why Dominic didn't know anything.

"Well, you did slip once, just now." Dominic narrowed his eyes at me, "you said, 'I'll kill him'. What was that supposed to mean?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "It was just a moment of overly anger. Him patching me up with Christopher wasn't the best of ideas."

Dominic smirked, "What, would you prefer me instead?"

I smirked back, "In your dreams."

"Well, too bad I don't dream." Dominic purred as he lingered close. "And the basement is not locked today."

"What?"

"I figured that you probably might want to see him for the last time so I left it opened."

Julian.

"I don't think I will go." I smiled slightly, remembering what had happened when I visited him. "He won't want to see me, anyway."

Dominic rolled his eyes, "Oh for the love of God, just go. Stay as long as you want with him, it is your last anyway."

My head snapped up, "What do you mean by that? Are you going to kill him? You guys are going to kill him, aren't you? You bastard-"

"Oh, shut up, we are not going to kill him! We are just letting him back to lead his pack, that's all." He chuckled at my 'oh' and ruffled my hair, "Go meet your pet dog before I change my mind and lock the door."

I couldn't help it, I hugged him. I was smiling from ear to ear; finally I could see Julian, my soul mate. Dominic hugged me back and a weird sensation formed in my chest, and I realized how much I will miss him if I really leave here. If I stay here long enough, will I fall in love with him?

Unlikely, but possible.

Thank you.

I released myself from him and without looking back at him ran towards the basement. I eased open the basement door and went down the creaking stairs. My heart did a flip-flop when I saw him and I threw myself into his arms.

Julian.

We bury ourselves in each others warmth; I let him hold me, caress me and for the last time, let him remember how it's like to have me in his strong arms. In his arms, I silently cried; can I really leave him when I leave this place?

I am sorry for being so selfish.

Maybe I will regret this moment in the future; but it doesn't matter.

For now, I am in his arms.

And that is all that matters.

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