We all got to the manor much later in the night as the ball took much longer than expected. Everyone were practically dragging their feet as they entered the place, with Adam especially, struggling to keep his eyes open by the time we got there.
"This place looks creepier than your castle" Edward's mouth agape, he looked around the inside of the manor along with the rest of us, for some reason it was giving a very 18th century gothic style, with little to no wallpaper and angelic statues greeting us we entered through the massive doors. Wait are those gargoyles?
"Well Antheia found her lair" he continued to joke, eyes widened as he scanned the cherub statue adorning the start of the staircase railing. I really am dressed for the place perfectly this time. "It's cute right?" Erika squealed, pointing at the chandelier that's probably the size of a continent, I wouldn't wanna be below that at any cost. There's something just too eerie about this place its actually making my skin crawl.
I could feel Adam gently pinch my shoulder, gesturing to me that I follow his gaze.
Oh my god, stained glass paintings.
The two of us shared a look, we don't fuck with actual ghosts. This is going to be a long, tiring getaway.
After designating rooms for everyone, which there were an abundance of, Adam and i got the room that faced the back of the manor, which meant we had a clear fucking view of the thick long forest, that is currently covered in a veil of mist. I shut the curtains immediately as we went in. I am in no fucking way, going to see anything creepy, even by accident.
I pouted as i watched Adam crash onto the bed, like literally crash as if he just passed out. Yeah he needs this weekend more than anyone. The silky white sheets wrinkled under his moving body, this idiot really just went to sleep with this tux on.
I struggled to take off his shoes already, but getting on top of him to ease his belt clearly sent him different signals. Half asleep and completely groggy, he place his hands on my waist, a small smile appearing on his lips, "Stop-you're not m-my girlfriend" he muttered, his helpless hands flailing on top of mine.
Huh?
"What?" Brows knitted, i stared at his sleeping face. He'd send aurora a run for her money because he looked almost ethereal just peacefully sleeping under me.
"Y-you're-where's Antheia?" He muttered, scrunching his face, struggling to move his body to mount me over. How much vodka did he have tonight? I facepalmed, if this wasn't so cute, i kinda have an idiot for a boyfriend.
"Adam its me, I'm Antheia" i sighed, using all my might to take off his belt, which was just too hard to do that it actually threw me off of him. He can sleep with his shirt and pants on, that's his problem now.
Changing into my casual clothes felt relieving, that dress was great but coming home after a long night out to take off the heels and the outfit is a different level of satisfaction.
"Meet us downstairs" my phone pinged, Rhiannon's name card appearing bright over the screen.
I mean sure it's only 2am, no big deal.
If i could best explain the interior of this place, i would say it comes awfully close to crimson peak the movie. It's giving very castlevania vibes. I mean sure, the architecture, the interior is eerily beautiful, but I would not be here alone even if i was paid to. Even walking down the stairs alone just for those few seconds to reach the kitchen was making my heart jump on overdrive, i was basically skipping steps by the end of it.
"RhiaNNON" i called out, running to the kitchen as if my life depended on it. All of their heads shot at me in unison, "you look like you've seen a ghost?" James added, a casual sweatshirt and sweatpants on, he was cutting a cheese block for his fiancée who was seated on the counter next to him, eagerly watching.
"Well i didn't, but I probably would" i walked in, taking a seat at the dinner table, joining the rest of the gang who has changed into their casuals and were hanging out, grabbing some late night snacks and drinks. "It's not that bad its cute" Erika pouted, fully denying the place is actually creepy. I'm surprised she even bought this place, given her aesthetic is stark different. But i guess this is more to do with James than her.
"Where's Adam?" Edward chimed in, throwing olives into Liam's mouth from three feet away, the two clearly has begun their antics at the witching hour. "He's asleep"
"He's either sleeping or working, how boring is that" Rhi sighed, taking a sip of her wine, "or fucking" she playfully nudged at me, making me roll my eyes at her sudden bouts of teasing. She has never lived down that hot tub moment, they're all gonna live that out till they reach their grave together.
"Okay we're gonna play some pool-James?" Edward called out, assembling the men together to go do their man things.
I haven't seen Liam after that moment in the ball, he was casually avoiding me almost, as if nothing even happened. His usual warm presence seemed to have burned out, I'm almost starting to not recognize him. Our eyes locked for a brief moment as he followed behind Edward out of the kitchen, not long before he broke his gaze and walked out. Well realistically, I don't expect him to just get over that conversation immediately and things go back to the way it was, but hopefully it does.
The girls and i sat around the dinner table, three glasses of wine and catching up about the night. The loud yelling and cheering from the men along with faded sounds of pool balls crudely knocking against each other, echoed within the halls.
Finishing our first glasses of wine together, we debated if we really needed to get into another bottle, i mean falling asleep intoxicated will have you sleeping like a baby, but knowing that that's all were gonna be doing this entire weekend so we opted not to.
"FUCK DID YOU SEE THAT FUCK" Rhiannon jumped from her chair, her voice high pitched and pointing at the far end of the kitchen, shocking me and Erika enough to result in us screaming in unison, the three of us out our seats and huddled together. "WHAT WHAT?" Erika whined in fear, pushing me forward and hiding behind me.
Uh uh i am not dying first.
"I SAW THAT FUCKING BOTTLE MOVE I FUCKING SAW IT"
No thats it, we're leaving tonight.
Just the idea of anything even remotely haunted is enough to set me off, its an instant fresh fucking nope from me. "OH MY GOD" I howled, covering my face with my palms as if that would create the defense i need from a demon. It's the same theory as covering your feet under the sheets so whatever thats under the bed can't get you, amazing logic.
"WHAT HAPPENED?" James' familiar voice barged into the kitchen along with the other two who shared widened eyes and concerned look over their faces. They assumed that either one of us fell or, accidentally cut ourselves by trying to cut off a piece of cheese. But when Rhi described that she saw and i quote "literal fucking ghost activity", the three smug bastards shared a look with each other as if it were an inside joke, and proceeded to laugh.
"I'm serious" the Aster heiress whined in annoyance, slamming her glass on the table and flipping off her boyfriend. "Maybe it's just the manor being at night thats getting to you, give it till morning it'll be fine" James added, calming down the room.
Just one look at this place and you can tell its probably infested with ghosts from the Victorian era, and they are worst ones. They're bored from having been around for centuries and clearly wants to fuck with you. Why can't there be ghosts like from the early naughts, all they're gonna do is whisper "it's Britney bitch" over your bed at 3 in the morning.
But fine, ill give it just this one chance, if there's another instance such as this? I will literally call a priest and go sleep outside.
We all hung out in the living room for a while, by living room i mean a massive hall with a majestic fireplace and large French windows leading to the garden. I thought i was smart to sit on the couch turning away from the garden so I wouldn't see some demonic shit outside, but that meant i would directly face Liam. I had to pick my struggles tonight, death? Or awkwardness?
Having a casual conversation with each other, neither one of us wanted to leave each other's presence, we were just too cozy by the fireplace and the dimming lights, it was putting us all to sleep right here. "How about a ghost story? It seems fitting" Edward whispered, already attempting to set the mood. "I will literally stomp on you" Rhiannon groaned, playfully punching his stomach as she snuggled onto him on the couch, "yes please" he cooed, as the rest of us mocked in disgust or hooted at him. Like i said, no privacy.
As the hour passed, one by one wished each other goodnight, furiously yawning and dragging their feet off ground as they sluggishly walked up the stairs to their rooms. Leaving a very obviously sleeping couple on each other, being Rhi and Edward, and Liam and I who is unfortunately wide awake.
I didn't even realize the two fell asleep on each other, one minute they were loudly conversing and with a blink of an eye, here is Edward snoring and Rhi blissfully asleep on his lap with her lips slightly apart. They really are made for each other.
Watching them in awe, it suddenly dawned on me that I'm not exactly alone. He's sitting on the large velvet chair right in front of me. If I stand up and leave now it'll be too obvious, right?
Liam scoffed, softly shaking his heads, "you're thinking is all too obvious", resting his head on his palm, his glistening blue eyes stared at me. The crackling fire in the fireplace, illuminating the entire hall, accentuating his face.
Yeah okay pack it up Charles Xavier.
I awkwardly chuckled, "um no-i-uh-I'm gonna head to bed-"
"Antheia" his voice was stern, catching me by surprise, stopping me from shifting on my seat to stand up. "What are you doing?" He questioned somberly, his demeanor and expression faltering.
Brows furrowed, i stared back, "what am i doing?" Realizing i was getting louder and could possibly wake the couple up, "what are YOU doing?" I whispered the rest.
A small smug smile appeared on his lip, changing his position to lean forward, "what I'm doing?" He mocked, "I'm not gonna stop Antheia"
A confused expression visibly washed over my face, what the fuck is he on? "What?"
The crackling of the fire got louder, drowning out Edward's gentle snores, my vision was blurring out the couple next to me, completely emitting out the sensation of other people. Heat pooled on my cheeks, the hair on my skin rising as i watched Liam grown more intimidating by the second.
"Whatever i have to do for you to see-"
"What the fuck are you on about? What do you want?" My patience has clearly run dry, words escaping from my lips without a second thought. My heart was slamming against my chest, our eyes locked and refusing to leave each others.
An extended silence surrounded us, the shadow of the dancing fire lingering on the walls. "You" his brows furrowed, he shook his head, breaking our stare, his gaze fell on the floor, seemingly angry. Angry at himself for having to say what he just said.
My back hit the couch, leaving me speechless, my eyes faltering to leave his angered expression. Mouth slightly apart, I couldn't find it in myself to speak.
Why did it feel as surprising as it did the first night he told me before he went to England? Why does it feel...this awful?
Hollis was right, being in England didn't help him at all. It's unfair to expect that from him, he had to separate from everyone here, hoping it'll help. I was the newcomer, not him. Although, Adam will literally contact embassys in whatever country i run off to just t0 look for me but thats beside the point.
"I'm with Adam"
"I know" his voice was cold, holding no emotion, what was once warm welcoming ocean blue eyes were now dark, empty.
"He's your friend, I'm your fri-"
"No he's not-"... "what?" I jumped, finding myself more surprised at his words than the last.
"We're not friends Antheia, we never were. We don't know shit about each other-" he suddenly stood up from his seat to walk over to me, kneeling in urgency in front of me, his arms holding onto the edge of the couch. "It's obligation, the Kings, Adam? It's obligation by our families- he- he's closer to Edward, the girls, even fucking James than he is to me" i could sense the helplessness in his voice, my heart violently beating inside my chest.
I couldn't find it in myself to utter another word, my eyes searching for any hints of the past, any familiarity within the storm crashing in his eyes.
He sighed deeply, driving his hand through his hair before biting his bottom lip.
"I- i have to go"
"Antheia" he protested, the desperation in his voice getting louder. Gently moving out of the way as i stood up from the couch, feeling dizzied from the painful conversation.
"I care about you" he stood up, his figure towering over me. "And I'll always be there for you, i was your friend first a-and I'll always be that friend"
I pursed my lips, thoughts flooding inside my head. There's so much that i want to say but I found myself frozen in place, my figure turned to stone, many thoughts, mouth empty.
All i did was give him a soft nod before making my way towards the dark gothic stairway. Earlier it would've scared the shit outta me to go up here alone, not even my phone was on me to use the flashlight, but now i don't even care if some demon thing grabs me because I'm sure as hell, with one second in my body? It'll call an exorcist on itself.
Just wanna add a little note here - as this book is ongoing, I sometimes see the early comments when I come onto Wattpad to update chapters. And I wanna say, I can't satisfy everyone, and the rude comments and even messages I personally receive are getting out of hand. And, it sort of makes me not want to update regularly. And it's unfair for other readers who actually enjoys the story and messages me to update :(
I try my best to lead the story where it's a win for everyone? Although the entire story is already drafted, like I really try rip. And it's stupid to let comments and messages get to me, I try not to for the longest time since I published book 2, but it still does unfortunately. But!!!! I see readers that are actually respectful and patient if I make sense? And y'all are the sweetest, and it makes me feel a lot better❤️
But anyway, rude or not, a reader means a lot to me, so thank you for reading my story thus far, and giving me a reason to do what I love doing.
Here's an extra chapter because I won't be able to update tomorrow, most likely.
And of course, thank you!💓