I opened my eyes groggily and yawned. Garret groaned and pressed me closer to him. I smiled and then snuggled closer to him, resting my head on his chest. Suddenly, Garret’s alarm clock rang causing him to jump, startled, his eyes wide open.
I laughed at him. Then he looked down at me and smiled tenderly. “Good morning,” he murmured and kissed my lips softly.
“Morning,” I replied.
“What time is it?”
“It’s eight, I guess,” I said, shrugging.
“You sure the King and Queen are okay with you spending the night with me?”
“Well, I think they’re okay with it,” I said dismissively.
He grinned and pulled me closer to him. He placed his head on my shoulder, burying his face on my curly blonde hair. “So were going shopping today?”
I rolled my eyes. “Well, duh. It’s already December Twenty-First. Christmas is four days away. And we don’t have any presents for our family and friends yet.”
Garret pouted. “But I want to stay at home… with you.”
“Nope, can’t do,” I teased and started getting up. I grabbed my jeans and my blouse on the bedside table and went inside the bathroom that’s attached in Garret’s room. I slipped on my jeans and took off the shirt that I borrowed from Garret. I put on my blouse and stepped out of the bathroom.
I glanced up at Garret, who was already wearing his jeans and shirt. I tried very hard not to stare as he covered his bare chest. When he looked up and caught me staring, I blushed and looked away. He chuckled smugly. “Whoa, you’re turning into a pervert, Melanie.”
“Whatever. Shut up.”
He laughed and then walked inside the bathroom. But before he closed the door, he turned one last time and said, “Oh by the way, Roxanne already prepared breakfast downstairs. If you’re hungry, just go downstairs, ‘kay?”
I gave him a thumb up. “Will do.”
As he stepped in the bathroom, my stomach began growling. I smiled to myself and went downstairs to the dining room. There was Roxanne, her eyes plastered on the TV screen. I glanced on the screen and realized Gossip Girl was showing. “Good morning, Rox!”
Roxanne looked up at me and smiled as I took the seat beside her. “Hey, good morning, Melanie. You hungry? I’ve got some food here.”
“Yeah, thanks.” I picked up my utensils and began filling my plate with Roxanne’s food. “So. You already bought some Christmas presents?”
She grinned. “Yeah. I bought them last week with Xayranne and Flynn. And get this: Xayranne and Flynn are going to get married in February fourteen next year! I’m so excited!”
I gasped, surprised. “Really? That’s sooo nice. And so romantic. I mean, getting married in Valentine’s Day? So freaking awesome.”
“I know, right? Only close friends and family will attend,” Roxanne gushed. “So you don’t need to worry about other vampires. You’re invited, of course. Xayranne really adores you.”
I laughed. “Yeah?”
“Yep.”
“Well, I’m sure I’m going to attend. I wouldn’t want to miss Xayranne and Flynn’s marriage.”
Roxanne sighed dreamily. “You know, I would love to meet the guy who would like to spend rest of his life with me.” Then she blushed. “I mean, you know that I used to like Garret… but not anymore. I have totally moved on from him. I know that he’s for you now and… I’m happy for the two of you.”
“Thanks, Roxanne. That really means a lot to me,” I said sincerely.
After that, it was only silence as the both of us watched the Gossip Girl. A few minutes later, Garret appeared, wearing dark washed jeans and a grey-blue sweater that really matched his eyes. He smiled at me. “Hey. You want to go now? You need to take a shower.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Aren’t you going to eat breakfast?”
“I think I won’t die without eating.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.” I stood up as I finished my breakfast. “I have to go, Roxanne. Garret and I need to go back to the Lillian’s so I could take a shower. Then after we’ll buy Christmas presents.”
Roxanne smiled. “Yeah, sure. And don’t forget to buy me some gifts!”
“Sure.”
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“So Xayranne and Flynn are getting married?” I asked conversationally as Garret and I stepped inside the mall.
He shrugged. “That’s what they said. I still can’t believe my younger brother is getting married before me.”
“Well, at least you have me.”
“Will you marry me?”
I pretended to think, tapping my index finger on my chin thoughtfully. “Hmm… I’ll think about it.”
Garret blinked. “You’re not going to marry me?”
I smiled at him playfully. “I told you I’m thinking about it.”
“But why think about it? It’s just a yes or a no.”
“Well, it’s spending the rest of our lives together, Garret. That’s no joke.”
“I know, but we love each other.”
I feigned a look of surprise. “We do?”
He bumped his hip to mine, making me laugh. “Don’t play with me, Melanie.”
“Just teasing!”
“Well, look what we have here,” an unfamiliar voice said.
The both of us turned. In front of us was a teenaged guy with startling evergreen eyes. He was smirking slightly and his messy brown hair made him look even more handsome—if that’s possible. He was holding some packages as if he was shopping for Christmas presents, too. I felt Garret tense beside me as he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer possessively.
“Hello, Garret. And you must be Melanie,” he said, smiling at me.
“Um, hi. I… uh, don’t know who you are,” I admitted, smiling sheepishly. “Do I know you from somewhere?”
“Oh, I’m sorry for not introducing myself,” he said, chuckling lightly. “I’m Dr. Jensen Weston. I was one of those doctors who tested your blood. Remember?”
As realization dawned, I also realized why Garret was feeling tense and nervous all of a sudden. I remembered what he told me about Dr. Jensen Weston. He’s hungry for power and wealth. And I must avoid him.
I plastered a fake smile on my face. “Oh, I do remember you…”
He grinned. “That’s awesome.” Then he turned to Garret and gave a small wave. “Hello, Garret. What are you doing here with Ms. Melanie?”
“I’m shopping with her,” he replied, gritting his teeth.
“Shopping with her?” Dr. Weston echoed suspiciously. “You are one of the people who know what’s up with Melanie’s blood, Garret. You sure you’re not using her?”
Garret glared at him. I grabbed his wrist and squeezed reassuringly, as if calming him down. “Hey, punk,” he began, stepping forward, despite me holding him back. “You think I’m using my girlfriend? Well, you’re wrong, doctor. I’m not using her. I love Melanie and I don’t care about her blood. I don’t give a damn if her blood will turn me the most powerful vampire in the world. I love her and that’s all that matters.” With that, he pushed Dr. Weston on his shoulders, making him lose his balance slightly.
“Garret!” I hissed as I hold him back.
Dr. Weston just chuckled and brushed off his shoulder. “Don’t worry about me, Melanie. Everything’s okay,” he assured me. Then he stared at Garret right in the eye. “You will hold your ground. Your mother has talked to me, you know. You don’t know what I can do.”
Garret gave a low growl. “Stay back, Weston! I don’t give a fuck whatever my mother have told you!”
“Oh?” he said conversationally. “Or you just don’t want your girlfriend to know what we both know?”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
He turned to me, smirking. “I guess I mustn’t tell you. Your boyfriend wouldn’t want me to say anything.”
“Garret?” I turned to him, knowing he would tell me whatever I want to ask. We are not keeping secrets from each other.
Are we?
But before he could say anything else, Garret’s phone rang. He rolled his eyes then pressed a button on his phone, even though he hadn’t read the caller ID. “What?” he snapped. Then his expression softened. “Alexander? Oh… I’m in the mall, with Melanie. The two of us are shopping… Now? But I can’t just leave her… Okay, okay. I’d be there… I’m on my way.” Then he hung up with a guilty expression.
I frowned at his expression. “Is anything wrong?”
“No, just an emergency meeting,” Garret assured me. “I’m afraid we need to cancel the shopping today, Melanie. How about we go back?”
I can’t help but feeling a little bit disappointed. I was looking forward in my Christmas shopping. Dr. Weston noticed my expression and immediately went to my rescue. “I’ll keep you company, Melanie,” he told me.
Garret turned to him and glared with all his might. “No. Melanie’s not coming with you.”
“Can you see her expression? She’s disappointed, Garret. Why don’t you just give her on what she wants?”
“What I want is for you to stay away from her.”
“Hey, Garret,” I called him softly. He turned to me, frowning. “I think I can handle it. I can take care of myself, you know. I’m sure Dr. Weston won’t do anything to me… There are a lot of witnesses here.”
“Melanie—”
“Garret, it’s okay,” I assured him. “You go on to that meeting. I can do this.”
“I’m not leaving you with him,” he insisted.
“I can take care of myself.”
“Still.”
I rolled my eyes. “Do you want to make a big deal out of this? I’m a big girl. Dr. Weston won’t hurt me.”
Garret narrowed his eyes. “Yeah? I’m sure he could hurt you.”
“But he wouldn’t,” I shot back. Then I turned to Dr. Weston. “You wouldn’t hurt me, right?”
He chuckled softly and shook his head. “Nope.”
I turned back to Garret. “See? Everything’s fine.”
“He could be lying.”
“There are other people here, Garret. No one could hurt me in this public place,” I said with an eye roll.
Before Garret say anything, his phone rang again. He cursed under his breath and then sighed, defeated. “Whatever, fine. I’ll pick you up after the emergency meeting.” Then he glared at Dr. Weston. “Don’t you dare hurt her. If you ever do that, I’ll make sure you wouldn’t live to see another day.”
I laughed nervously. Garret’s being way dramatic. There’s no way Dr. Weston could hurt me in public. Well, he might kidnap me but I could always shout for help, right? And besides, I want to know more about this Dr. Weston. I have a feeling he and Garret are keeping something from me.
“I’ll take care of your girl,” Dr. Weston replied and winked. “And I won’t hurt her.”
“You better,” Garret growled quietly. Then he kissed me softly and left.
I sighed and then turned to Dr. Weston. I forced a smile. “Dr. Weston—”
“Jensen. Call me Jensen.”
“Jensen,” I corrected myself, “are you hiding something from me? Because if you are, you better blurt it out.”
His eyes twinkled. “If I’m hiding something from you, why would I tell it to you? What’s the point of hiding something when I’m going to tell you anyway?”
I pursed my lips. “Jensen—”
“Why don’t we start your Christmas shopping?” he interjected, smiling at me sweetly.
I sighed, defeated. But I can’t help wondering what the hell they’re keeping from me. What is it that they know? I have a feeling it’s very important and it’s something about me.
My eyes widened. Garret and Jensen couldn’t possibly know who my parents are… right?
But then again, nothing is impossible.
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This chapter wasn't long enough. -.- I have no inspiration to write today. xD Hahaha. I'm exhausted, lol. But I hope you would like this chapter. :) A comment or vote would make me so happy. I'm still thinking about who would play for Dr. Jensen Weston's part. Who's better? Chace Crawford or Brant Daugherty? :) Also comment to let me know. Hahaha. :D Thanks for reading!
- Bella, xoxo.