Hip hip HOORAY! I updated! Yeah, you're all permitted to throw rocks and knifes at me. It's JANUARY and like Dominic's favourite line (Dominic's fans SCREAM!!), "--For the love of God!--", I finally updated. Took me long enough. Let me delay you all no more. Read on and tell me what you think!

Chapter 12: Sudden Surprise

The phone was ringing.

I pulled my pillow over my head, trying to shut out the annoying ringing sound of the phone. Surely Fragrance or Nathaniel would get it? As the irritating noise persisted, I realized it was a Tuesday and the kids are probably at school. I began squirming to the side of the bed and reached out for the phone that was placed on the bed table. Unlucky as usual, I fell off the bed with blanket around my legs and caught the falling cordless phone just in time before it crashes onto the floor.

I grumbled miserably into phone as I pressed the pick-up button, "What?"

"That's a very dark hello, Adele; and morning to you."

I groaned as I tried to free my legs from the blankets that are wrapped around my legs as if they are going to eat me up alive. It took me a minute for me to register who was on the other end of the phone. "Are you a stalker?"

Marcus laughed, "I would be if it is for you,"

I rolled my eyes, "Uh, no thank you. Seriously, why are you calling me this early in the morning? And how'd you get this number anyway?"

"I did a little magic with the phone book," I could very well imagine Marcus smiling at the other end of the phone as he said that, "And it's noon already; I hardly call that early."

I turned my head to look at the digital clock beside my bed to confirm whether he's lying or not, and to my horror, it is already ten minutes pass twelve. I muttered some inappropriate words as I make a dash to the washroom. As quickly as I could, I threw on a pair of denim cut-offs and a white turtleneck before running the brush through my hair that has magically seemed to tangle themselves even more. "You sounded like you're in a hurry?" Marcus voice from the phone reminded me that I'm still on.

"I nearly forgot that I promised the kids that I will drop by the bookstore to get the books they wanted before my shift starts! Where is the list…?" I cursed a little when I nearly tripped over the rug as I dig through the drawers. "Ah-ha! Found it, you miserable piece of paper!" I smiled to myself triumphantly, proud of myself for being able to find it under pieces of letters and bills. That reminds me, I need to sort out those letters soon or the drawer will no longer be able to close.

"Are the books that important?" Marcus voice sounded from the phone again, reminding me that I haven't hanged up on him yet.

I looked through the list; Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne, Roses for Rebecca by Margaret Kaine…most of the books is romance genre. "Well, they're just normal—" My breath was cut short when I saw the titles of the books at the bottom of the list; Don't Talk Back to Your Vampire, Because Your Vampire Said So both by Michele Bardsley.

I chuckled, funny seeing werewolves reading about vampires; especially when they're my own kids.

But what made my heart really stop was the title at end of the list.

"Can I call you later?" I asked, barely even listening to whatever Marcus was saying at the other end of the phone as I hang up on him. I don't even remember how I arrived at the bookstore. I just walked straight to the shelves and one by one, my eyes scanned for the familiar title.

"Miss, may I help you?"

I looked up to see a friendly-looking girl smiling kindly at me. I returned her smile half-heartedly, "Yes, err—can you tell me where I can find these books?" I passed the list to her and she took it. She took a moment to study the list before smiling broadly to me and passing me back the list, "Ah, they're all in that shelf over there. Do you want me to get these for you?"

I shook my head, "Ah, no, that's not necessary. Thanks, anyway."

"No problem; call me if you need any assistance,"

"Sure," I replied and moved towards the direction of the shelves. I scanned the rows of books one by one while I pick out the books that were in the list. There were so many books that catches my eye; I had to refrain myself from buying them as I am running on a tight budget. Thanks to Fragrance who understands well enough my desire to buy every book that catches my eyes, which mostly means the whole bookstore, placed a strict rule on how much I could spend on buying books. So I just sadly stare at the books as I walk by. That's when the familiar words in silver caught my attention.

My heart stopped almost immediately as I stood and stare at the book. I reached out my hand to take the book from the shelf, barely realizing that my hand was shaking until my fingers came in contact with the black cover. I took in a shaky breath before pulling the book out from its place. Staring at the book that is now in my hand, my heart started to pump back again as I read out the title printed in silver on the very black velvet cover.

"…The Night Princess,"

Maxine.

Somehow, looking at this book brings back memories.

"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."

I sighed; I was so determined to reveal Horatio's dark secret that I forgot about the costs that I will have to face afterwards. Like they say, secrets are revealed with a cost. But I have never imagined the cost to be Maxine's life.

Wet, slimy, warm liquid splashing all over me.

I opened my eyes immediately and let out a long shriek.

I couldn't see the face but I recognize the curly blonde hair.

"Maxine!!"

"Oh hey, we're in this situation, again." He smiled a cheesy smile, his mouth dripping with blood, "Except that this time it is me who is all bloody."

"Maxine, are you ok?" I asked him and he smiled his crooked sexy smile, still so charming and dazzling. Then I remembered blood pouring down on me, "Wait, where are you hurt--"

I looked down and I saw it.

Horatio's hand sticking through his chest.

"Maxine!"

A sudden urge to throw up overwhelmed me and I had to cover my mouth with my hand to prevent myself from pouring my guts out on to the grey carpet. I shut my eyes tightly, mentally scolding myself for remembering the scene of Maxine's death. I could still vividly remember the feeling of Maxine's blood all over me and it makes me sick. Why'd I even replay back that memory? I stare at the book in my hand, The Night Princess, and cursed silently. This book is bringing back memories that I hate…

"Are you not feeling well, miss?"

A sickeningly familiar sweet voice from behind made me turn abruptly, not bothering whether I might crash into the lady. I had a smile plastered on my face to look polite, just in case it turns out to be some annoying worker but as soon as I saw the carrot red hair and bright violet eyes, my smile faded. I swear my eyes must have been as wide as the biggest pancakes because the lady smiled in a menacing way that reminds me of someone from my dark past and said, with the uttermost fake sweetness in her voice, "Aw, I'm so flattered that you actually remembered me."

I didn't even get to back away from her because as soon as her delicate-looking as ever fist came out of nowhere in a blur of speed and smashed into my face, I felt myself fall backwards and the same blackness that I have always hated engulfed me.

This is definitely an unexpected surprise…

Surprised? Ehehe, can you guess who that mysterious LADY is? Can you all figure who she might be? The clue is the 'carrot red hair and bright violet eyes'. View back the first book and you all might find out who she is! Or you all could wait for the next chapter to find out. Review and tell me what you all think. Cheers!

P/S: Next chapter will be out as soon as possible...maybe let's say...next week? Hehe...