Vampire's Rose..

Chapter 8 - Dreams Coming True..?

2009-03-27T01:30:00.001+08:00

Chapter 7 - Daymare..

2009-03-09T22:01:00.017+08:00

Things were happening too fast, I was in a daze for a few moments. I then realised that I had to get prepared so I took a quick shower, brushed my teeth and I ransacked my room to find something not so formal yet comfortable to wear. Right at the moment after I was done, I heard a car turning into the path in front of my house. I ran down the stairs and shouted to Nara that I will not be home for dinner. I then ran to the door. I opened the door and there he was, leaning at the side of his car. He dressed smart today.The way he looked at me, his smile, his physiques, got me mesmerised. I felt like I floated towards him. Before I knew it, I was right in front of him and his car. He opened the door for me and closed the door after I got in his car. After a few seconds later he got in too, he looked at me in the eyes and smiled before he started the car.

The drive was quiet because I couldn't find the right words to speak. However, I wasn't bored because my mind was filled with thoughts. Thoughts about why was he suddenly treating me so nice and always seemed to eager to see me. I knew I can't in love with him because from the way his actions are, I think it's better if we remained as friends or even best friends. I do not wish that one day he become my prince, the next moment something bad happened and we might never be friends again. Even if we are friends, I believed that nothing will be the same again. Though I have many thoughts cooped up in my mind but I was tired and very soon, I drifted into a deep sleep.

This time, I wasn't in the dark room anymore. I was at a dark forested area and I was running, running away from something that was a threat to me. The forest's trees passed by me really quickly, even faster than Alexander's driving. The weirdest thing is, I avoided every tree and branches that was in my way. There was something, someone, chasing after me. I was crying and fears conquered me. Suddenly there was a bright flash and it seemed like I jumped into another scene. This time it was total darkness and all I could hear was a soothing melodic sobbing and crying out to me.

"Rosabella Ophelia! C'mon, wake up. Rose.. Please open your eyes.." slowly the voice faded and I could feel water dripping on my face. No, they were not any ordinary water. They were tears of sadness. Why did that voice called me by Ophelia? Aren't I Cordelia? Did that person know who my real parents was?

I opened my eyes and I realised it was dark, it wasn't night but it was raining heavily. I touched my face and it was wet. I looked around and I realised that his car seats were wet too. It must be when Alex was driving halfway, it rained all of a sudden and he didn't react fast enough to cover his car. After a few moments I then realised that Alexander wasn't in the car. I noticed there was a fold able umbrella on his seat with a note pasted on it, saying 'use me'. I took the umbrella, opened the car door and umbrella then stepped out of his car. Though it was blurry and all I could see was every details of every drops of rain but the half-opened cottage wooden door with beaming lights caught my attention. To save myself from further annoyance, I quickly ran inside the cottage.

I was shocked when I saw Alex giving the inside of the cottage a little make over. There were light blue curtains made from satin, big red royal-like carpet on the wooden floor that matches the stone walls. He also added a few matching arm chairs and couch. The couch looks like those olden European Victorian style with rose patterns on it and I love it. He also added a few cupboards that were leaning against the wall. Though the changes were amazing, the only thing that really caught my eye was this thing hanging by the wall covered with a red sheet.

"What is that thing you are hiding by the wall? Show it to me, pretty please?" I said in a higher pitch, trying to sound pleasing and convincing.

"It's a surprise, I'll show it to you once the cottage is fully refurbish." he replied delightedly.

There was a pause but he continued.

"Sit there by the couch and rest, you look exhausted. Did you have enough rest recently?"

"No, I didn't have enough rest recently. Though I was already tired, my mind was so occupied with thoughts and troubles until I could even forget to sleep. I'll just take a little nap, wake me up when you are done."

From what I remember from that moment, I fell into a deep sleep. For some reasons, I seemed to no longer have the 'nightmares' while I was sleeping and I slept through comfortably on the couch. When I opened my eyes and I looked outside the windows, it was dark. Not raining dark but night dark. I stretched myself and I looked around the room. It was beautiful.

The lights were hanging down by the ceiling and there were crystals hanging downwards, the curtain glistens under the beams of light that was shining through the crystals. There was a coffee table right beside me, in front of the couch. The top of the coffee table was made out of glass and framed up with wood that had roses carved on it. The roses were also carved on the legs of the coffee table and there was a crystal vase right in the middle of the table. There was also a small and round dining table with two chairs at two ends.

I turned to look at the surprise that Alex wanted to give me and noticed that the object was still covered with red sheet. I looked around and saw Alex sitting right on the arm chair, the one when I first saw him. He was reading the same book and having that very same emotion, so dashing looking. I was staring him long enough that he had come to realised that I was staring at him. He met my eyes and smiled. He then closed the book, stood up, place it on the chair that he was sitting on and walked towards me.

"Did I wake you up? You slept for the whole day, I didn't want to wake you up because you look like you were enjoying yourself." he asked.

"No, you didn't wake me up. I woke up myself and wow! Look at this place. It's really amazing."

"Thank you, since there is a beautiful garden outside, I wouldn't want the inside of the cottage to spoil the overall image of this place. I just thought of making this place a more comfortable place to rest and run away to."

"You done a great job, it's really beautiful and I feel very comfortable being here."

I paused for a moment and continued.

"Hey, didn't you say you have a surprise for me?"

"You are really anxious to see what I purposely bought for you isn't it?"

"Hell YES!" I demanded.

At that moment, there was a crooked smile on his face. No matter at what angle I look at and what emotion he showed, it always got me trance and mesmerised. He put out his left hand, palm up, showing the gesture of inviting me to stand. I place my right hand on his palm and he guided me towards the present he wanted to give me. I felt like I was a princess for that short period because of the beautiful room, the red carpet and the lights that made the cottage seemed more like a room in a castle rather than an ordinary stone cottage. I stood in front of the present and he was standing beside it.

"Close your eyes and when I count to three, you open it." He whispered into my ears.

His voice is always soothing and melodic. I nodded in agreement and at the same time I still could feel his every breath near my neck.

"One... Two.. Three!"

I opened my eyes and I was shocked, dazed, staring at the present or so called 'surprise'. I really was surprised...

Chapter 6 - Stumbled Upon..

2009-03-08T17:48:00.005+08:00

After the phone call, I lay on my bed for quiet some time before going for a shower. I walked towards my drawer and looked for a spaghetti top and a cotton shorts to slip in for the night. I went in the bathroom and looked into the mirror. I realised that something was different with my face. My skin was paler and smoother than before. I checked for anymore changes but there wasn't much change so I continued with what I wanted to do. I took a warm shower, brushed my teeth and went back into my room. I sat in front of my window and it was raining. I looked out the window then noticed something had changed, I changed. I could see every spec of dust, floating in the room, moving very slowly. Every drop of rain, dropping at random speed and different position.

I knew something was not right about me. Also, I know I wouldn't sleep at night. It have been this way for more than 17 years already. I am not sure about when I was just an infant but I am pretty sure when I was about three years old, when I start to know things, I never sleep at night. For tonight, I decide not to just lie down on my bed. Instead, I went up to the attic.

I opened my room door, I didn't realised that it was actually very late at night. In fact it was in the 'early' morning already. Without making any noise, I managed to crept across the third floor corridor and down the stairs. I took an unwanted cloth, then took a small plastic bucket and filled it with water. I then crept up the stairs to the forth floor, which is where the attic was at. I opened the attic door and it was pitched black. I turned the lights on and I could see more dust specs floating in the attic. My vision is so focus till the state where I am irritated by it. I tried to ignore the dust particles and started with the cleaning. I damped the cloth with the water in the bucket then wipe every object. There were furniture covered with white sheets. I took down every white sheets I see and placed it near the stairs which I intended to wash them later. When I turned around, at the corner of my eyes, something caught my attention. I stumbled upon a very extraordinary little wooden jewelry box with a golden rose protruding from the top of the box. The wooden jewelry box holds inquisitive attention, I opened the box to see if it's empty. To my surprise, the back of the wooden box cover carved 'Rosabella'. In the box, there was a letter.

The letter wrote:
This letter is for the Cordelia. Please adopt our daughter, Rosabella. We love our daughter very much but this is the only way to keep her from danger. We are doing what's best for her, putting her in the hands of your family. There is another letter in the wooden box in the baby carriage. That letter will explain it all but you will have to destroy it after reading it.

On her 18 th birthday, February 12, please give this locket to her. Tell her we love her and this is the only thing we were able to give her.

Love,
Sirius & Elisabeth Ophelia

I looked into the box once more and there really was a golden necklace with a locket with the shape of a rose. A sharp pain, needles, pierced through my heart. I was in tears over the death of my parents. Though I don't remember how they look like or what was their name. There was one thing I know. They loved me very much. What puzzled me was the sentence 'this is the only way to keep her from danger'. Why were my parents in danger? I had to find out what happened seventeen or sixteen years ago. I looked around the attic for any object or item that was emblem with roses but to no avail. I knew I couldn't ask my foster parents because they might not tell me what the other letter wrote. I need to know what happened to them. Before I could do any research I have to get ungrounded first.

Soon it was dawn, the time passed extremely quickly that night. I put the letter and the box to where I found it and continued cleaning. By the time I was done, it was already in the late morning. I picked up the white sheets on the floor, ran down the stairs and to the laundry room to wash them. Nara, at the same time was there too. I couldn't hold back the urge to ask her about my past, my parent's past.

"Nara, you have to tell me something." I demanded.

"Well, someone looked energetic this morning. Yes my dear, what do you want to know?" After Nara finished saying, she was humming a tune.

I wanted to ask her about the other letter in the box but it would sound too much to demand for and it might upset her. So I thought of another question to ask her.

"How did you adopt me?" I made up a curious tone, covering up what I actually wanted to ask.

"Vincent found you in a cemetery. You were placed beside Vincent's mother's grave. Your parents were good friends with Grandma Cordelia. I am not very sure what was going on that day either. Vincent was holding onto a letter but before I could read it, he burnt it and he wouldn't speak a word." There was a pause and she began to speak again, "Why did you suddenly ask this type of question? Is there something wrong?"

I shook my head, "No, nothing wrong. I was just wondering. Anyway I ungrounded? I finished cleaning the attic already."

"Are you sure you finished cleaning?"

"Yes, very sure."

"Alright I'll trust you. Don't ever be late for dinner again. If you are, you should have called home."

"I'm sorry Nara. It won't happen again."

After that, I ran up the stairs and called Alexander.

"Hey Alex it's me."

"Is there something wrong?"

"No, it's just that I am ungrounded already. I'm just wondering-" before I could continue I got cut off.

"Would you like to meet me at the cottage, I can drive you there if you like."

"Well, if you insist-" I got cut off again.

"I'll see you in 30 minutes time then. Bye." before I could say my goodbye, he hung up the phone.

Chapter 5 - Busted..

2009-03-07T02:24:00.013+08:00

I knew I wanted to ask a lot of questions but after looking at this exquisite view, I was lost for words. I had lived in Boult for so many years and yet this is my very first time watching the sunset. A plus point from my surroundings and Alexander being beside me. After a few minutes passed, finally one question appeared in my mind.

"Why were you here alone?" I didn't want to look into his eyes, so I looked onto the ground.

"I found this cottage a few months ago, around the period when school had just started. I wanted to be alone and I went wandering in the forest. I came upon this cottage and naturally the rose shrubs were there already, only they were not trimmed. I thought that it would be a pity that flowers like roses should be maintained in good condition. I went back home and took some gardening tools and groomed the garden all by myself."

Silence broke. After hearing him say this, all I could think about was him. Sitting on the arm chair reading that book. I wanted to know what was so interesting about that book that made him so focus on it. I gather up my confidence and took in a deep breath.

"What were you reading? I saw you reading that book, by looking at your expression that book seemed very interesting." Inquisitively, I turned and look at him.

"Indeed, that book is interesting. There is a whole series of it, Shape Shifters, Witches & Wizards, Vampires and more. That book I was reading is about vampires."

(Vampires are preternatural being, a blood-sucking ghost; a soul of a dead person superstitiously believed to come from the grave and wander about by night sucking the blood of persons asleep, thus causing their death. In Eastern European folklore, they believed that it is a corpse, animated by a yet departed soul or demon, that periodically leaves the grave and disturbs the living, until it is exhumed and impaled or burned. This superstition is now prevalent in parts of Eastern Europe, and was especially current in Hungary about the year 1730. Also some believed that the persons who turn vampires are generally wizards, witches, suicides, and persons who have come to a violent end, or have been cursed by their parents or by the church.)

He paused for a moment, and began to speak again. "Do you believe in such things as vampires?" He looked into my eyes and smiled. His smile was again, heart melting. I took a deep breath again and I began to speak.

"Well, I'm neutral about it. I couldn't say I totally believe it because I would sound superstitious and noxious. Yet, at the same time, I couldn't say it is a total erroneous."

"Why?"

"It's because somewhere out there there might be vampires, though I am not sure about it. It's only a myth you know?"

"You will never know." He answered with a smile again.

I wanted to know what he meant but I couldn't find the right words to speak. Though we were both silent but because we were looking at that amazing view, it seemed to me that we don't need words to let time pass quickly. Soon, the half-dipped sun sank into the ocean and the sky was soon filled with tiny diamonds in different size. It was a beautiful night. Crisp. Clear as crystal. The stars looked like a smear of luminous, cosmic spillage. There was beauty everywhere, if one looked closely enough..

"Dinner! I'm sorry but I have to go!" I stood up and ran but after a few seconds I stopped.

"Which way back? Can you lead me?" I know for sure this time I was late for dinner, Nara was going to be unhappy about it and I might get into trouble.

"I will drive you back." Alexander volunteered. He quickly stood up, held my wrist and started walking briskly into the forest.

As we were moving closer to the cottage, a black coloured BMW appeared clearer in sight. For sure from what I remembered, I don't think I noticed it was there before. The BMW has red leather seats and it is a convertible. By the looks of it, he seemed to be like a millionaire's son or some sort. I couldn't care less because all I could think about was, what will be Nara's reaction be after I already promised her that I will not be late for dinner. I know for sure that Nara is the type of person who hates people breaking promises. Including all the hard work she puts in meals, especially dinners, I couldn't imagine how will she react towards me.

Alexander opened the door for me, I got in and he closed the door. I put on my seat belts and he then got in. Soon, he started the car and drove off. From the side mirror, I could see the distance between the cottage and the car increased. After awhile, the cottage disappeared into the woods and all I could see was the darkness and trees. The speed he was driving was definitely above the legal speed and I couldn't believe that I actually ran that far from home. I didn't feel tired at all from running that distance. That again, left me premonitions. For sure I know there was something not uncanny about myself.

"Direct me to your house." Alexander demanded.

"Make a left turn here and straight till the end where you will see a distinct mansion." I answered warily.

Soon the car came to a complete stop. The next thing I knew he opened the car door for me.

"When will I see you again? Is tomorrow possible?" Alexander asked while I stepped out of the car.

"I'm not sure about it because I won't know if will Nara ground me. I'll give you a call to let you know."

"Let me give you my number then." As soon as he finish saying, he took out a pen from the coat I was wearing.

"Your palm please." He demanded.

I stretched out my palm to him and he scribble some numbers on it. After he was done, he smiled at me. I quickly withdraw my hand and clench it into a fist behind me.

"Bye Alexander, it was nice meeting you." After I had finish saying, I gave him back his coat and started walking towards the house.

"You can call me Alex if you want to. Bye." He replied, a little louder as I was already quite a distance away from him.

I walked briskly and soon I was in the house. I quickly ran towards the kitchen to see if the whole family was waiting for me. I past the living room and everyone except Nara was there. I knew for sure that Nara will be in the kitchen waiting for me. Surprisingly my guess was right and Nara's arms were folded across her chest.

"Where have you been young lady? You didn't even call home and you missed dinner! I thought you promised! Also I cook your favorite dish!" She yelled at me as soon as I entered the kitchen. I looked around the kitchen and I saw the whole bowl of untouched spaghetti on the table.

"Jackson and Vincent could have just eaten and finished it off, why didn't they?" I asked curiously.

"Because I made this specially only for you! You are grounded you hear me?! Until you cleaned your room, then this punishment will be lifted! Shopping, television and usage of computer is prohibited. You understand?!"

"But my room is clean all along."

"Then go clean the attic! Now march to your room!" Nara unleashed her fury on me.

I couldn't say a word, I know I couldn't meet Alex tomorrow and so I ran up the stairs and into my room. I passed-by Jackson, he laughed at me and shouted "BUSTED!" at my face. He then immediately ran down the stairs. Not only Nara was fuming mad, so was I. After going in my room, I picked up my cell phone and dialed the number that was on my palm.

"Hello? Alex? Hi, it's me rose. I'm sorry but I couldn't meet you that soon. I am grounded and I am punished to clean the attic. Until I'm done, the punishment is then lifted."

"It's fine by me, just call me when you are done cleaning. I'm just numbers and a drive away. Just give me a call if you need my help."

"I will. I'll talk to you some other time. Currently is not a very good time to talk. I'm grounded remember?"

"Oh right, sorry. Goodnight, bye."

"Goodbye." I hang up the phone as quickly as I could. Soon, in my room, came to a silent.

Chapter 4 - Once Upon A Dream..

2009-03-06T14:57:00.020+08:00

I was in a trance - looking at him being so concentrated reading the book. I wanted to get a better view so I peeked in more. I did not realise that I was actually opening the wooden cottage door wider for a better view. All of a sudden, the door let out a tiny creak. I was so nervous that I quickly hid myself against the wall that was beside the door. I was very afraid, afraid that I was trespassing a private estate. Though my very first thoughts were to run away, but my decisions were made. I had chosen to face my fears. I put on a gallant emotion and peeked into the cottage once more. However, Alexander was the same, sitting as still as ever. As I have concluded before, he doesn't seemed to behave like any other average people do. It is like as though this is his own particular idiosyncrasy.

I opened the door wide enough for me to go through. I walked slowly and carefully towards him. The closer I was to him, my heart beats raced. One beat after another, the speed kept increasing. With every step I take, the floor too, creaked. Though I was about two meters away from him but to no avail. Decisively, I took one last big step and, at the same time, squat on the floor at the area where I believed, his eyes could have seen me.

Alexander suddenly got startled after seeing me. I thought his first reactions were to stand up and hit my head with the book, but he just remained seated and he smiled at me. His actions were like how a real gentleman would have reacted after getting startled. What really made me wonder was why didn't he react long ago while I was making all those noise.

Then I finally realised that he has his MP3 player plugged onto his ears. How silly of me to think that he actually knew I was here for quite some time already. Alexander stood up and at that same moment I stood up too.

"I am sorry for being rude and not officially introducing myself, I am Alexander Dreyken and you are?" His voice, the voice that dreamt of had spoken. The sweet melodic voice that rang in my dreams had become all so clear now.

I cleared my throat, preventing myself from speaking off pitch. "Rosabella Cordelia." I paused for a moment and I began to speak again.

"What are you doing here?" I am sure of myself that this time the question sounded a little demanding.

"I would like to ask the same." He smiled.

"I was wandering aimlessly by myself and I somehow got lost." I lied, I meant to get lost on purpose. "I saw this breathtaking beautiful garden that surrounded the cottage, just that I would like to know who is the person responsible for it."

"Well, you are looking at him." Placing the book back onto the shelve, he looked at me and smiled once more.

I flushed. At the same time I was shocked to learn that he was the one, that person who took care of the delicate yet lovely red roses. He began to walk towards the door and further out, so I followed. I stared at his every move, his hair glisten under the horizon round. Invested with bright rays. His eyes locked onto one particular rose, the rose that was standing in front of him.

"You have beautiful eyes, they are like emeralds that glistens under a spotlight." He slowly reached his hand for the rose shrub and pluck one stalk of rose. He held the rose up to chest-level and using the other free-hand to gesture me to come closer.

"For you, a rose for the Rose." He smiled again. I knew I had to say something. I had been keeping quiet the whole time. I was so speechless, I couldn't explain to myself, the Alexander Dreyken that I had misunderstood from the beginning, about his weird gestures and character, was in fact a very nice person.

"Thank you." I reached for the rose and at this moment our hands touched. His warmth was exactly the same compared with the shadow that appeared in my dreams. Could he be..

"Are you feeling cold? Your hands are as cold as ice. Here, take my coat. Though it's summer, but well you know, Boult is known for it's cold temperature and high precipitations. It's not such a big deal here feeling cold during summer." He put his coat over my shoulders and took one step back.

"Black matches your skin." He smiled again.

I was still stunned and it was like as though I was paralyzed temporary. Again, Premonitions. I wasn't cold at all. I place my palm on my neck to feel was my hands really that cold. They were not ice cold at all but the fact that they were at the right temperature, warm. I couldn't care less, all I wanted was to know more about him. To know why was he treating me differently. It was like as though he can read my thoughts and he knows what I want. I know for sure curiosity kills the cat, that's what a lot of people say, but I want to know. It wouldn't be polite to shoot a bunch of questions to him all of a sudden. When I was about to open my mouth to speak, I got cut off by him.

"Why don't we go some place else suitable for a nice chat. I would like to know more about you."

I nodded in agreement. He suddenly grabbed my wrist and started walking.

His grip weren't painful at all, it was more like a vine wrapped around a rose - like a necessity to protect such a fragile flower. We walked a short distance, not very far from the cottage, and reached the top of a cliff. The ocean view was magnificent. As far as I can see, the ocean stretched across the horizon with the sun half-dipped into the ocean. With no islands blocking, the blue ocean was crystal clear. The smell of the ocean, mixed with the aromatic plants was like once in a lifetime short-term perfume that filled the atmosphere. That moment was definitely a breathtaking one, I was too astonished to actually believe that this was real. It felt like any moment, I would wake up from it and it will all just be a dream. Another once upon a dream.

We sat down on a rock that was shaped like a bed and started our 'questions and answers' talk.

Characters Of The Story

2009-03-06T14:51:00.006+08:00

Lead Characters:
Rosabella Cordelia
Alexander Dreyken

Foster Family of Rosabella:
Foster Father - Vincent Cordelia
Foster Mother - Nara Cordelia
Foster Brother - Jackson Cordelia

Family of Alexander: (not yet thought of)
Father - Dreyken
Mother - Dreyken
Sister - Dreyken

Friends:
Rosabella's - Luna Reinald
Alexander's - Desmond Collins
Alexander's - Russell Gale

Venue of story:
-Boult (It doesn't really exist - I made it up. Including the description of the town)

Boult is a town where it has high precipitations. The temperature is always between 8 to -10 degree Celsius during winter & 28 to 18 degree Celsius during summer.

Chapter 3 - Inevitability..

2009-03-05T15:20:00.017+08:00

As the light shone through my window, I began to feel sleepy. Perhaps a short siesta will do, I told myself. I shut my eyes once again and I fell into a deep sleep.

Here I am again, in that very same dream, in the dark room. There was a scent of fresh blood flowing in someone warm, flowing in someone healthy. I stretched out my hands once again to reach for that someone and I leaned onto the warm body. Grasping that someone as tightly as possible, not letting any chance to slip by. My instinct told me that something was not right and I did not understand what it is or why. Yet again, I couldn't see the demeanour of that person. Minutes passed, I glanced around the darkness and in the far end of that dark room, I see a mirror. A mirror that was dimly lit with a stream of light that shone through the gap from the stone ceiling. I let go of that someone and I walked towards the mirror. The huge mirror was decorated with a golden glittery frame, carved with tiny roses that twisted and twined around it. There I was standing in front of it, looking into my own reflection. There was something different about me, my physiques, and at the same time I am having premonitions. What was that thing, that object, that someone who thwarted me.

"Rosabella, you are safe with me.." the voice of that shadow, that beautiful soothing melodic voice rang with clarity in my head again. Why wouldn't I be safe? What is going on? Why is there a difference when I look into the mirror, looking at my own reflection? What did that someone meant when that someone said I am safe with him.

"Rosabella.. Wake up.. Rose.." the melodic voice slowly fade away. I tried to listen to what that voice is trying to tell me. I know I opened my eyes wide enough and I am awake but it seems that I am not listening to that voice. Silence broke.

The next moment. I realised that I was sitting on my bed, panting and gasping for air. Beads of cold sweat started to roll down from my forehead down to my cheek. No. It is not the beads of sweat that rolled down my cheeks. It was the tears that was gathering in my eyes and formed a stream that flowed down my cheek. What was I crying for?

I wipe off my tears with the back of my palm, not realising what time it is, I jumped out of bed and walked to the window. The sun was covered by thick white clouds. However, it doesn't seem to me that it will rain. I did not intend to stay home today, so I went to wash up. I looked into the bathroom mirror long enough to make sure that nothing was different about me comparing to the moment I last looked into the bathroom mirror. There was nothing different and so I continued with what I was doing and took a cold shower. After going back into my room, I searched my closet for something casual and sporty to wear. I have decided to go for a jog so I grabbed my Ipod and headed downstairs.

"Morning Rose, I made breakfast." Nara called out to me while I headed for the door.

"I'm not hungry mother. I'm going out for a jog." I replied as I paused my steps to look at her.

"Don't be late for dinner. Tonight I am making your favorite dish."

"Don't worry, I won't be." I smiled at her to hoping that she doesn't see through me. That I actually was troubled. Troubled with the dream I had.

It wasn't cold today, just the right temperature to sweat all my sorrows out. A jog was what I actually needed. I switched on my Ipod, I put the headphones over my head and started jogging. I have no idea where I am heading but I kept on going.

Until I ran to a forested area, I stopped. I took a deep breath and I could smell the fresh morning dews on the leafs of the trees. A cool breeze blew past me. It felt so comfortable that I feel that I am compelled to close my eyes. Not wanting to know where I was going, I kept my eyes closed and followed my instinct. With no hesitation, I walked into the forest. I was having thoughts of myself hitting a tree or tripping over my own foot while walking in the damped forest floor but that was what I actually presumed. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't realise I was walking uphill, towards somewhere I have never been before but somewhat familiar. I didn't stop until I felt that there was something huge in front of me, preventing me from walking forward. This time I really have to open my eyes.

To my surprise, I saw a deserted cottage built from different sized stone fragments. Outside the cottage, there was a beautiful garden that surrounded the house. The garden was fenced in by tiny shrubs of rose bushes that were neatly trimmed and groomed. How can something so beautiful be hidden in the middle of the forest. At the same time, it is not possible that nobody owns this place because rose shrubs doesn't groom naturally by itself. I was curious and I walked towards the cottage. The door was left half-opened and I took a little peek.

As far as I can see, there were streams of sunlight protruding the dusty window panes. Alexander was sitting on an elegant-looking arm chair that was leaning against the wall near the window, reading a book. There was a book shelve near-by and the thick hard-cover book he was holding was about the size of an A4 sized encyclopedia. His eyes, concentrated on the book to the extent of unexplainable joy, a form happiness.

At that very moment, it felt like it was inevitable to see Alexander here, in the little stone cottage.

Chapter 2 - - Our Eyes Meet..

2009-03-05T02:26:00.007+08:00

Alexander's sudden rivet on me caught me by attention. That was the very first time our eyes met. Even though the cinema was dark but I can see his bright amber coloured eyes staring into my eyes, as though my eyes are like windows, as though he can read my thoughts. He then smiled at me. At this very moment, I feel like as though my heart, from ice crystals, had melted and evaporated. There is just something inside me stirring up, making me feel warm from the inside. It felt like I know him very well, familiar in a sense that there was an inevitable force that kept pulling me towards him. I couldn't help it but to stand there in a trance, mesmerised by his perfect physique.

Alexander is like a forest fire during winter. Blazing hot character that is locked up inside a 'cool', cold, perfect looking person. Until now, I still couldn't believe that such person actually exist in this world and he is just standing right in front of me. So perfect that, a lot of times, I thought I am in a dream that is waiting for me to wake out of and he would just disappear any moment. I can feel a sudden gush of my blood from my toes to my face and it made me flushed. I shook my head quickly stopping myself from looking at him and at the same time, to make thoughts about him disappear from my mind. I looked at Desmond and Russell once more and I started to laugh again. Both Desmond and Russell shook off the popcorn that was covering them. At the meantime Luna pulled me out of the cinema, feeling embarrassed.

Luna decided to take a cab home, preventing us from meeting the boys again. To save her from further embarrassment, I agreed with her. In the cab, it was too quiet. Luna wasn't herself, she had vacant looking eyes and immediately I know what went wrong.

"Luna, don't worry about it. I believe Desmond will not be angry about it, I bet tomorrow he will use this incident and make a joke out of himself. He is not such a petty person and you know that." I know I have to say something to make her feel better after such embarrassment in front of the guy she is crushing on.

"Rose.." she let out a sigh. She paused for a moment and she continued, "You should have seen Desmond's eyes. When he looks at you, you are like some shiny and glittering gem in front of him and his eyes are always glistening whenever he looks at you. It just breaks my heart, after realising who he truly likes, who he is crushing on. Especially when that girl is not m-"

"Luna," I had to cut her off because I know she will continue to say negative things about herself and will only stop after she cries until her eyeballs pop out of her head. "You know better that I will not want to snatch your Desmond from you. We have been friends for like twelve years and you know me since at the age of five. Up till now, I don't even have a boyfriend. I never believed in crushes, only true love. Girl, cheer up! Now wipe off those tears including that frown and give me a big bright smile."

I believe that after hearing what I said she should be relieved because she let out a smile. Luna leaned on my shoulders as the cab drove smoothly and silently on the road that leads to her house.

"Bye Luna, I had fun today. Call me anytime when you feel like it."

Luna nodded and she disappeared into her house by a blink of an eye. My house is just a few blocks away so I decide to walk home. As I walked home, I got lost in my own personal wondering.

Before I knew it, I was standing at my doorstep. Did I mentioned that I was adopted? I have a foster family and a foster brother named-

"Jack I say, JACKSON YOU BETTER COME DOWN AND CLEAN UP YOUR OWN MESS BEFORE I GO UP THERE AND DRAG YOU DOWN!"

That is my foster mother named Nara.

"but mom I-"

"No buts' young man, you better listen to your mother."

That is my foster father named Vincent.

Jackson stomped down the stairs with fiery but after he saw me, he let out an evil smile and walked towards Nara. I know that look, he wants me to help him please our parents so that he will not get grounded for the mess he made in the kitchen. After a short moment of pleading by me, Nara let out a sigh.

"Go to your rooms, the both of you. I will clean this mess up by myself."

I hurried up the stairs and before I enter my room, Jackson thanked me for helping him again and he promised he will pay back the gratitude is someways someday. I just do not understand one thing for sure is that since Jackson is such a bad cook, he always make a mess in the kitchen and end up he still have to order takeouts, why doesn't he just order takeouts without having Nara to clean the mess after him. Nara doesn't work, she stays at home all day and he could have just asked her to cook something for him. He is just too stubborn to admit that he is a bad cook and he needs help - cooking his own meals. His ego is just somewhat too high.

I slammed the door shut behind me and I walked nonchalantly with an air of nonchalance across my room. I pulled open my drawer and look for something comfortable to slip into for the night. Though I am not tired, I always am never tired at night, I took a quick shower and went straight to bed. I didn't sleep, as usual as it is with every other nights, I shut my eyes and I drifted into a reverie. Images of Alexander flashes through my mind, every detail of his physiques from head to toe. His shiny dark brown curvy hair, glistering amber coloured eyes, beautifully perfect-shaped lips, muscular fit body and the perfect ideal estimated 6.2 feet in height. I got so caught up in my thoughts, I didn't notice that in fact many hours had passed and it is already dawn.

Chapter 1 - The Dream..

2009-03-04T20:19:00.007+08:00

In this dark place, there is a scent. A scent that filled the room, so sweet smelling and it made me thirst for it. I stretched out my hands to reach for it. I touched the sweet smelling object and it felt warm, a very nice feeling that made me lean closer to it. I took a deep breath and I recognised the scent immediately. The scent of fresh human blood. I hear a voice, a voice that got me mesmerised. So soothing, lovely and melodic that it is so hard to even miss. I recognized that voice, but the image of that person is like a shadow. I couldn't see the demeanour of that person, only the outline of that shadow.

"Rosabella, no matter who you are, what you are, you only have to remember that I will always love you.. No matter what..." the voice slowly fade away. Who I am? What I am? I don't understand what the voice is trying to tell me.

"ROSE! SNAP OUT OF IT!" a voice different from the one before suddenly called out to me.

I opened my eyes and I realised it was all a dream and I am drooling on Luna's shoulder. Luna is my childhood friend, she can be a pain in the ass at times but she is my pain in the ass.

It was estimated to be evening. Even though it's summer, as usual in the town of Boult it is always rainy and cold throughout the year. Right outside the window all I could see and hear was the pattering sounds of the rain hitting against the windows of the bus.

"You are creeping me out! You were sniffing my arm and you nearly kissed me! If you ever try to kiss me again.." Luna said with an unwilling tone and she was unable to complete what she wanted to say after looking into my eyes.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to but I was just having a dream." I couldn't describe to her what that dream was about because I, too, had no idea why did I have that kind of dream. Who was that person, that shadow, with that beautiful melodic mesmerising voice.

My name is Rosabella Cordelia, I have caramel coloured hair, green eyes, pale skin colour and about 5.4 feet in height. I love outdoors but I hate the sun. I am human, obviously, though I love the smell of blood.

Currently we are having our summer vacation and Luna doesn't want to spend her whole summer holiday at home. That's when she decided that we should go out for a good movie some time.

Luna and I were on a bus, we were on our way to the theatre to watch a movie called, 'When Zombies Attack'. Thanks to Luna, my Ferrari was wrecked and we have to take the bus. After arriving at the theatre, right outside, there stood Alexander Dreyken, Desmond Collins and Russell Gale.

To me, Desmond and Russell are just some average people you see everyday while walking on the street. However, the person that stands out, the person I have mixed feelings for - Alexander.

Though he is the most handsome, perfect looking person I have ever seen. However, whenever I look at him, he seems to have a strange aura, a very strange feeling. A feeling that cannot be describe merely by using words. There is just something not right about him, physically of course. How can anyone look so perfect physically? The perfect dark curvy brown hair, beautifully shaped amber coloured eyes and muscular fit-built body, just nearly too perfect to even exist in this cruel and unfair world. The main reason why I have mixed feelings towards him is because, I am always in the middle of the lime light. Not that I am an extrovert, but I would really appreciate if someone treats me like a regular average person. People, especially guys, always look at me and diverts all of their attention towards me. Somehow I never caught Alexander's attention before, he always seemed to treat me like everybody else and I realised that he never looked at me for more than two seconds. That is why he made me pay much more attention to him compared to others.

"Hi Desmond! What are you doing here?" Luna shouted out to Desmond with a tone that sounds too happy to be her.

"We are here for the movie called 'When Zombies Attack', how about you?"

"Same here! Hey! We might be sitting at the same row!"

I started to mumble to myself "Of course Luna will be delighted to sit beside you since she have a HUGE crush on you."

Obviously the boys will not be able to hear what I just said but I know for sure Luna heard it. That's why she gave me a little nudge on my arm. I glanced around and I realised that Alexander is still the same, emotionless and never shown any feelings of attraction towards me. I have no idea what was his problem but he is just the type of person I am interested to know.I want to know what is he thinking, what are his thoughts about me. I have never hear him speak a word before. When people talks to him, he just smiles when he agrees. His smile is perfect too, his lips are perfectly shaped in a way that when he smile, the corner of his mouth looks like it just tilts up just a little. When you look at it, you only can say it is the most beautiful smile you have ever seen.

After purchasing the movie tickets, I realised that he is sitting just right behind me. When the movie was playing, all I could hear was his laughter. It sounded so majestic, so beautiful that the only thing I can think of is imagining him talking to me.

During the movie, the parts where the zombies tear the humans alive - eating them, Luna hid her face behind the popcorn bucket. I couldn't help laughing to myself because her scared emotion is like a once in a life time - golden moment. I had known Luna for twelve years and this is the first time I have seen her having this expression, expression of fear. I couldn't just let that moment end so soon, I know that moment will end right after the movie had ended, so I decided to make that moment a more memorable one - to scare the jeeves out of her. Halfway through the scene of the gruesome-blood spilling part, I let out a high pitched scream of fear that startled her. The best part is, she really did get startled and she threw the popcorn bucket backwards. I didn't dare to look back, preventing my own eyes from meeting Alexander's eyes.

After the movie ended, I turned around and what I saw was another hilarious scene. Both Desmond and Russell are totally covered in popcorn. I couldn't hold back my laughter and I let out a really loud laugh. This is then my first time realising, he is finally looking at me..