Vampire Princess

Prologue: In London

Dedicated to JoanaAngelicaFTam because she was the first one who added Vampire Princess to her reading list! :D

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“Melanie!”

I stopped fussing on my outfit and then turned. Mom was outside my room, a smile on her lips. “Jerome’s already here.”

I returned her smile and nodded. “Okay. I’ll be right there in a jiffy.”

With that, Mom closed the door and left me in peace. I turned back to the mirror and inspected my outfit once again. Tugging on my knee-length skirt, a sigh escaped my lips. Was it short enough? Or was it too cliché? Ugh, damn this all to hell – I’m going to wear whatever I like, even though Jerome wouldn’t like it.

Grabbing my purse on top of my bed, I slung it on my right shoulder and left my room. I slowly walked down the stairs so I wouldn’t fall on my three-inch stilettos. When I arrived on the living room, I saw Jerome wearing casual white button-down and black pants. He was talking with my mother about some Italian food -- again. I rolled my eyes, but there was a smile on my lips. Jerome always wanted to be a chef. 

“Stop bugging Mom about your precious Italian food, Jerome,” I playfully scolded him.

The both of them turned to me. Jerome got up from the couch where he was sitting. He gave me a breathtaking smile. His chocolate brown hair was on their usual messy look. His startling blue eyes were watching me lovingly. I always knew Jerome likes me -- Heather always tells me -- but he doesn’t know that I know. Mom said that he’s going to ask me “the question” tonight, but I’m not sure.

“Hi, Melanie,” Jerome said, his voice angelic.

I approached him and then he gave me a kiss on my cheek. This simple gesture reminded me of my best friend back in Chicago, Jasper. As always, the thought of Jasper gave me a pang of longing in my heart. I missed him so terribly but in the same time, I know I can’t see him again.

Shaking my head mentally, I pushed any thoughts of my old life back to where they belong -- the back part of my mind. Anyway, I turned to my mom who was watching us with a twinkle in her eyes. She wants me to be with Jasper, saying that he’s the right guy for me. She said that to me about Garret, too, but then look where we are now.

And just like that, when I remembered Garret’s name, his face sprung inside my mind like a sudden lightning. His beautiful, one-of-a-kind grey blue eyes... His always untidy blonde hair... His perfect smile... His kisses that made me the only girl in the world... Everything about him came to me.

Tears were now on my eyes, threatening to fall. I blinked them away rapidly. Get a hold of yourself, Melanie! It’s five years after I’ve left him and I should have moved on. I should have forgotten everything about my past relationship with Garret. 

But then why do I feel such longing for him that it almost hurt?

“You two looked so cute together,” Mom gushed.

Again, I pushed any thoughts about Garret and everything else that I don’t need to the back of my mind. Focusing on the present, I gave my mom a scolding look. “Mom.”

Jerome just laughed. “We do look cute together, Melanie. Don’t we?”

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.”

“Well, you go now. I don’t want to keep you here,” Mom said. “And remember, our flight is tomorrow so Jerome, please take Melanie back early.”

“I won’t keep her that late, Mrs. S,” he promised. “Come on, Melanie.”

I said my goodbyes to my mother and followed Jerome out of the house. He guided me to his car and I sat down on the passenger’s seat while he sat down on the driver’s seat. Before he started the engine, he turned to me, grinning. “You do look hot, Melanie.”