The Devil's Trap

Chapter 29: Nouveau Vampire

Chapter 29: Nouveau Vampire

Madilim na nang muli akong lumabas ng kwarto. I was already made up for the party. I'm wearing a silver fitted dress down to my ankles. It has bits of crystals on the fabric that are sparkling beneath the golden lights of the hallway of River's mansion. My hair is up into a delicate bun, with supple lips and mid-tone smokey eyes.

I was instructed that River is in the other room, also preparing. Nang makarating ako sa kwarto, bahagya itong nakabukas. Kinatok ko ito. I don't want to invade any privacy in a house where I'm the stranger.

Walang sumagot sa mga unang katok ko. Kalaunan ay wala na akong nagawa kundi ang pumasok. We are going to be late kapag hindi pa kami umalis.

Napaatras ako nang makitang kwarto ni River ang pinasukan ko. There's his bed, black with large white pillows. The stuff around his room were either gray or dark blue.

Nakita ko si River sa loob ng isa pang kwarto. A walk-in cabinet. Nakatayo siya sa harap ng drawers na puno ng necktie. Kasalukuyan niyang inaayos ang neck tie na suot niya.

I was always taken aback whenever I see them this formal. They are intimidating by day and even more mysterious by night. River is wearing dark blue tuxedo with white polo and a dark blue tie. His hair was styled as if he just comb his fingers through it.

Lumingon siya nang maramdaman ang pagdating ko. "Sorry," hingi ko ng paumanhin. "The door was open and-"

Ngumiti siya. "Do you always have to apologize for your every action, Denise?"

"But it was-"

Lumabas siya mula sa walk-in closet. Sandali siyang natigilan nang tuluyan akong makita.

"What?"

He averted his gaze from me. Napahawak siya sa kanyang batok, saka tumingala at bumulong.

"What?"

Other vampires know how to block sensitive hearing. At yon ang ginagawa ni River.

Sa halip na sumagot, kinuha ni River sa kama  ang isang kahon. "Pasensya na nakaligtaan kong dalhin sayo." It was a shoe box.

"Sit here."

Umupo ako sa bed. I was about to wear the shoes when River stooped in front of me. Kinuha niya ang sapatos at isinuot ito sa akin. Tinitigan ko siya habang kinakabit ito sa aking mga paa.

"River."

"Yeah?" Sagot niya na nakatutok parin sa ginagawa.

Hindi ako sumagot. Sa halip ay tahimik ko siyang pinagmasdan. Whoever you'll fall for will be lucky to have you, River.

--

The party is going to be held at Yllona's residence. At katulad ng iba pang mga properties ng pamilya, sa unang tapak palang ay makikita na ang engrandeng estraktura ng lugar.

Mula sa maluwang na lawn kung saan dinadaos ang pagdiriwang, hanggang sa mansion sa gitna ng property. There was a pool, a wide terrace overlooking the woods, and several gazebos in the garden.

Lanterns and bulbs attached to strings adorned the place. The party has a motif. Black tables with white accent, silver and gold ornaments.

The driveway was filled with luxury cars. People stepped out of their cars doning the aura of grace, elegance, and class.

The atmosphere was intimidating. It was like a convention of the most powerful families of their kind from Conventry city and nearby cities.

"You okay?"