The Phantom and Night (BXB Story) - COMPLETED

Chapter 9

I waited 'till Liam got absorb with his mountain of paper works. He was always buried in his work during this hours but even while working he prefers to have me near him and he'll always notice me when I leave but I only needed a minute to get out of the house. Standing up from my seat after flipping through the pages of the book I’m holding. I am not even reading it. Liam suddenly speaks without looking up at me. I knew he’ll notice me. He is even typing none stop at his laptop. Scanning to papers in an amazing speed. Well he is a vampire. I keep forgetting he's different. Maybe I just got used to it.

"Ren, where are you going?" he says while typing so fast, I wonder if his computer can keep up with his speed or not.

I pointed outside and I know he saw that even without looking at me.

"Comfort Room?" I nodded big and sidestepping slowly towards the door, still waiting for his approval.

"Hurry back or I'll come after you." he says. I know you will. Well he always finds me anyway. I don't feel nervous in going out now. Smiling to myself and nodding big as I storm out of his study. Quickly sneaking around, avoiding the maids. I almost made it out but Marco saw me.

"Human. What are you playing at?" I look up at Marco and stood up from the huge vase I was hiding at. I wave my hands at him saying not to mind me and his frown deepens.

"Tsk." He hissed and just walk off, making me sigh with relief. He's always mad at me. Whatever did I do to him? I shrug, turning abruptly and I think I hit a wall.

"Warren?" Not a wall. That's Cros. Oh no…

"Where are you going? Please don't go outside. Liam almost lost it when you disappeared last time." Shaking my head, he narrows his eyes at me. Cros is very kind like Liam but he is more like a brother to me. He is so protective like Liam. Cros treats me like a little brother too. I look up at him, blinking. How will I get out of this situation?

He just smiled at my pout and ruffles my hair.

"Don't go outside okay?" I nod quickly and he pats my head again and left.

Cros is sharp too. Tsk. Vampires are so unfair with powers like that. Were they using powers or was I just too obvious? Shrugging to myself, I got out from the back gate. Looking outside, I saw a black limousine and approach it. The driver bows at me and opens the door for me. I hop in and was amazed by the spacious car. I never road one before. Are all Vampires rich? I keep myself busy with the things I kept finding inside the car, and what felt like few minutes later and we were already in front of a huge Palace like house. I didn’t even notice that the driver was speeding off. The ride was smooth even with him speeding. Plus the roads were clear. Not even anyone in sight. I walk out of the car and one maid shows me the way.

"Come this way, Young Master." Young Master? Shrugging, I followed her while looking at the vintage furniture and old paintings. Wow. That man wasn't that old right? Liam's house is more modern and I think this house has stood for centuries. It look so old but it was very-very clean though. Wow. I was in awe. How many maids do they need to clean old stuffs like this? Liam would flip if one of his antiques got even one scratch. Tsk. Here I go again. I keep thinking about him.

"I'm glad you came." Jumping slightly at his voice, I turn to him. Entering the room the maid led me too, she then left bowing at us, closing the huge door after her. Looking around the room, huge. Of course.

When he finally speaks again, I look up at this man’s light blue eyes. He is ethereal. He doesn’t look real at all.

"Want to know about your job?" I look at him, shrugging my shoulders. Putting my hands in the pocket of my jacket.

"You really…" He pauses. "…don't speak?"

I knew he would ask that. Pursing my lips shut, I shrug again avoiding his questioning eyes. He sighs, giving up.

"You need to take care of someone. She's old, weak and very ill. Also... she also doesn't speak." A Caregiver? Doesn't he have maids for that? He has a lot too.

"I know you are wondering why I didn't get maids to do that. I only need this one night. The doctor's said she won't make it that long." He says as if it was nothing. How can he looks so compose after saying that? She’s dying?

Looking at him and what I saw in his eyes were different on how he talks about it. He look like he was about to cry but still masked with his stoic appearance. You won’t see it unless you look closely. I nodded at him and he sighed. Why was he relieve that I agreed?

"Come." He says and walking out and I followed him towards another room. Inside, there is an old woman on an old rocking chair. She was pale, wrinkled and attach to her are tubes of IV drips. Might be filled with medicines.

"I'm back." The man says as he approach the old lady. He kneels in front of her holding her frail wrinkled hand. She didn't respond. I approach them, making a clearer view on the old lady and what I saw made me tremble.

Her hair was white. Long and wavy. Her eyes were dark but filled with tears when she saw me. She lifted her hand. Reaching out for me and I back away. What?

"B-baby..." Her voice was hoarse and broken. Slapping my shaking hand over my mouth, trying to stop myself from sobbing. It can't... be... No way.

My eyes widens and suddenly floods with warm tears. That man quickly gets up, looking back and forth from me and her.

No…

“Baby.. Wa-"

"Mom…" My voice came out, taking her reaching hand and what happened made that man gasp in surprised. I was in awe as well but that's how I usually see her. Young. Full of life. Smiling at me. I found her. Mom... Her wrinkled skin slowly smoothens out and she became young again. Her white hair slowly turns golden brown again. As tears stream down her now full flush cheeks, she gently wipes mine.

"Warren... My baby." I fell on my knees and she just open her arms for me, embracing me.

"I found you. I found you. Mom… Mom! You said you'll go back for me. You told me! You promised!" My voice breaks, sounding like I’m forcing it all out in one go. Even I, myself don’t know how it sounded before.

She just smiles at me and she comb my hair back and away from my face, cupping both sides of my face, wiping my tears with her thumb.

"I’m sorry, but you know I love you so much honey, I'm really sorry that I failed to return." I shake my head, melting in her hug. Her hand patting my back softly.

"Ardent.. Take care of him. Please."

"Lyzel… I'm sorry... Can you ever forgive me?" I heard the Man called Ardent speaks, his usual tone gone. He sounded broken too. Like he’s trying hard to keep in his tears.

"You always apologize. Don't. It's not your fault. It was never your fault." Looking up at my mother, she kisses my forehead and then my cheek.

"Cherish him. Care for him because I couldn't. Don't leave him. Ever.”

"I promise." That man said but I shake my head.

“The reason I left is to look for your Dad, he’s the only one who can take care of you, Baby… I’m sorry that I can’t do that. I’m sorry."

"No, mom no! You won’t leave me right? You can't leave me! No… You did that once so please! I beg you. Why're you all leaving me alone?! Don't! Please Mom… Mom!" I hold onto her like my life depends on her. She could only console me with soft kisses on my head and she kisses my tears, my hands and she caress my back calming me down as she whispered 'I love you’s against my ear.

"I love you, baby. I'm sorry." She look up at that man and she smiled even with tears.

"I love you so much, don’t forget that I never stop loving you... my dear Warren."

She then turns to the man who’s standing so still right next to us.

“I love you so much, my Ardent… Good bye…” She says and then her eyes slowly drifted shut.  A smile remained on her beautiful face.

“Mom?” Shaking her a bit, she didn’t respond to my call.

Then her tight hold on me loosens as her hands fall on her side. Staring at her in shock as more tears stained my flush cheeks. My swollen eyes widens as I hug her.

"Mom.." Calling out to her using the voice I once forgot to use.

"Mom.. Mommy! Mom please!!" I was panicking. Why won’t she open her eyes?! Why won't she hold me?! She can't leave again!! She can't!! She...

She's…

"Warren!" That voice? Liam? How... before it registered to me that he’s here, he yanks me away from my Mother and once I let her go…

She turn back into her old appearance. Old. Wrinkled. Frail and cold… My mom. She's dead…

"She's not... No! Mom! Open your eyes and look at me! You'll just leave like that again?! Don't keep apologizing when you know it wouldn't change anything!! I don't need your apology.. I need you...

Mom!!!"

Liam spun us around and he held me secured in his arms. My cheek place firmly in his heaving chest.

Liam. He can feel it. My pain. My suffering. I tried to calm myself in his hold but I just can't. Fisting onto the fabric of his shirt and inhaling his calming scent but even that didn’t help in silencing my sobs.

"Shh… I'm right here. Ren." I look up and I saw him eyeing that man who's still kneeling in front of my mom. He holds her hand and kiss her forehead. His usual impassiveness gone as his face contorts in pain.

"I love you too, Lyz... so much…" He smiled as tears fell from his eyes. His eyes… I blinks my tears off my eyes and look at Liam's pendant… His eyes, were like mine.

That man. He is…

"Liam…" He nods at me and he hold onto me tight. Pulling me off my feet in one swift move. Carrying me in his arms. I buried my face onto the crook of his neck. My arms circling his neck as he kept me close to him.

"Ardent. I'm taking him." He said, as if he is asking for permission though he didn't wait for the man to reply.

That Man...

Is My… Dad.

**************************

She was buried in the back of his house. Liam told me the details about it. I wish I could visit. But I couldn't. Not because of anyone. Nor Liam. He even wanted to escort me there. I just couldn't.

I can only remember few things about my Mom. Waiting for her to come home and take me felt like forever and I never let a day pass without missing her. But everyone ends up always leaving me. Everyone I cherish... That's why I'm always hesitant with Liam. Though now I know that he could be the only one who will never leave me.

I felt bad for Liam because I know he can feel my pain as well but I just can't help it. I know he does since I feel his pain as well. All of these seems so overwhelming.

It hurts.

It really hurts and every time I open my pendant, my tears would fall. How could I not notice? Ardent, than man, he's my Dad. His bleach blonde hair. His pale skin. Those eyes. How could I not notice the first time? It's so funny I wish I could laugh.

But then he noticed the first time he saw me. Who I was. His son.

He really did recognize me. Back in that shop.

"Ren..." I felt his hug even before he speaks. Leaning over his chest. I let out a deep breath, melting in his embrace, holding onto his arms that are around my waist.

"You're hurting." He mutters against my ears and I watch his face contorts with pain. His eyes shut and his eyebrows meeting, forming a crease between them. He can feel it quite well. I really felt bad…

I still got Liam.

While Ardent… Lost everyone…

Even my Mom.

So I decided.

"Liam. Take me to Mom." I said and he eyes me. Smiling at him and he sighs then drops a kiss my cheek. I didn't blush nor put meaning onto that kiss. I find it sweet and calming. Liam had always been like that to me. I'm thankful I got him.

"I honestly don't want you to go back there since he's there too. I'm scared, Ren. I can't and I will never give you to him. He'll have to kill me first."

I lean back at him and he supported all my weight. I wonder if he noticed. How I perfectly fit against his body. But then again. I'm always the last to notice.

"That man. He's my father." He tighten his arms around me and hides his face on my shoulder and on the curve of my neck.

"How come she aged so much? She looked so young when she left me." I look up at Liam and he sighs again looking hesitant whether to explain or not.

"You decided to speak this much, now?" Looking down at his arms around me, he lifts my chin 'till our eyes meet. Making me lean back my head over his shoulder.

"I don't really know how to explain this to you the way you can understand. I know you're still trying to comprehend the fact that we're different. We're not human." He pauses. His perfect features contorting again, as he thinks for a way to explain this properly to me. His forehead creases as he continue to talk.

"Ren, we Vampires find time slow and still. We don't value time because we don't really age. We get to a specific age where our aging would stop. You too. You didn't realized it but more than 50 years passed since you were born."

What?!

50 years?!

"You're a half Vampire. As Ardent's son, your mom conceive you double the period of a human baby. You were in her for 18 months and that weakened her. Humans are forbidden to be together with us because of that fact. We are just not compatible with them. I didn’t even know you are a half Vampire, I felt you all this time but I never would have imagine it’s because you are a Half Vampire. You are already alive when I felt your presence. We can’t sense nor scent any Vampire blood from you though. That’s the questionable part. The only thing I knew is you are a human." He paused again and I felt his arms tighten around me.

"Though I can't help but be glad that Ardent's your father because I don't know what I would do if I lost you like how Ardent lost your Mother. I'd die... I’d really die with you, Ren." I reach out and cup his cheek that warms with my touch. He smile down at me as he place his hand over mine.

"I'm so glad about that. I love you too much, Ren." He says softly as he takes my hand and kiss my knuckles then my palm.

"I love you so much." He says in almost a whisper against my ear.

He lean forward and my breath hitched. I turn my head away from his lips and he let out a chuckle as he eyed my flush cheeks. He then quickly pecks the corner on my lips and my face turns red.

"You're still not used to it? Though you initiated last time." He burst out in laughter when I glared at him. Escaping from his hold but he quickly caught me and held me like before but this time, we're facing each other.

He wanted to tease now? Though I felt like he was cheering me up instead. I appreciate it very much. I just smiled and hug him instead. I'm still not sure what to make of this. I meant 'us'. Liam pretty much says and express himself freely. While I'm too shy and timid.

"What's wrong?" Shaking my head, I just smile again and hug him. He breathes in my scent, pulling me closer in his arms.

"Get ready then. I'll take you to him." I buried my face on his shoulder, nodding at his words.

This is it then…