Master of the Dark

Chapter5

Sarah

We all live on the Julian estate; it’s a quiet estate on the outskirts of town with several buildings. The main house is an old Victorian-style mansion; close to that is the Bustlers' quarters, where my dad and I stay.We’ve lived there for as long as I remember. Close to the little bungalow is a stream covered with a tiny forest; the serene greenery gives peace to the mind.It’s where I go to clear my head and think; I often go for night swims and the occasional smoke.Into the distance is another more modern-looking building, where Duke stays; Julian's dad had it built as a sort of boys' club, but it was later given to Duke. It has its own entrance and facilities.Scattered are other buildings, mostly utilitarian.After I left the Julian Tower. I came back to an empty home; clearly Dad hadn't been home. So I guessed we would have to meet at the dinner.I know he wouldn’t be happy with that, but I don’t really care at this point. He has always felt the need to shield me from the Julians. I’ve never understood it.I recall how mad he got when I was little and he caught me spying on Duke taking a bath in the river. I’ve never seen him that mad. I avoided Duke for the most part ever since that incident.Though the memory never left me.I sway slowly to music, trying to calm my nerves before the dinner. The door rings and snaps me out of my thoughts.I gather myself and walk slowly to the door, not expecting anyone, I decide to take my time.I immediately flutter seeing Duke at the door when I open the door.Mt brain races, it by 6 pm, I figured the dinner will be for much later yet here he is in a full suit dark tuxsido looking almost divine, looking at me with a dark smirk, clearly amused by something.I immediately feel underdressed and self-conscious.“Hello”He says calmly.“Hi”“Sorry to disturb you. I was hoping I could walk to the dinner.”Can this day get weirder? Here is the almighty Duke Julian standing on my front door, asking to walk to dinner; is this a date?I snap out of that thought and focus on him; I smile and answer.“I wasn’t expecting anyone. Good thing I got ready early. Let me just get my shoes.”He nods and turns his back to look at the distance.I take a brief moment to take in his broad-shouldered back and faint fragrance before I step in to wear my shoes and pick up my bag.Only Duke would dress so formally for a casual family dinner, wearing a cute, peach-colored, flowing gown. I rethink my choice of clothes before I step out but think against it.I walk out; he turns around, flashes me a smile, and reaches out his hand and grabs mine, leading the way as we walk slowly to the main house.He is quiet at first but later speaks up and casually converses about random things.I was flustered, to say the least, yet I kept my cool and kept on walking, smiling sheepishly as we walked.