Chapter 8
1076 Words
Threat
Zara's Pov
"You didn't sleep?"
My eyes went to my seatmate. She was chewing bubblegum while sketching some weird faces in her notebook. I glanced in front. The old professor had no idea that his students weren't attentive anymore. He just continued to write on the white board and mumble his lesson.
"He is boring, so it's not questionable that you're feeling sleepy."
But it's not his fault. The past few days have been really sleepless nights for me. I felt like Mr. Gray's eyes are following me everywhere I go, so I couldn't calm down. It's depressing. Even in my dreams, he was there, watching me with hawk-like eyes. It makes me extremely anxious.
I feel like he would appear out of nowhere and bite me on the neck.
"Does your boyfriend make you sleepless then? F**k all night, huh?"
I glared at her again. She laughed quietly. "Just kidding."
My eyes dropped on her drawings. I statued. She saw my reaction to her sketch.
"What?" She asked curiously.
I cleared my throat. "That's a f-fangs." I pointed to her notebook. She has the talent, but her drawings are creeping me out.
She smirked. "Yeah, vampires, Zaraniel. Are you in awe? I'm a real artist, right?" I cut her off. I suddenly have this feeling that I can talk to her about them.
I looked up at her and sat properly. We are sitting in the last row, so the professor won't easily see us. "Dani, do you believe in vampires?"
She stopped sketching. Her eyes went to me. "Do you?"
Am I? I wasn't at first. But after what happened, who wouldn't be?
"I asked you first."
We stared at each other until she faced me. She tapped her pen on the table. Then she asked me to come near her.
"Yes, because their kinds were quite mentioned in the history books, and they're hot as hell in the movies. I even tattooed them in my chest coz I'm a big fan. Wanna see?" She whispered while stiffling her funny smiles. She doesn't believe in them.
I moved back to the proper position. I ruffled my hair. This is crazy. No one's going to believe me if I tell them. So this is exactly how Bea's feeling, huh?
"Oh? Are you disappointed? Why? Are you one of their fans too? Don't worry, I don't judge." Her smile widened. "It doesn't suit you, but I'll support you."
I gave her a fake smile. If I can't ask anyone, then I'll use another method.
I pressed enter after typing the word "vampire" on the search bar. That is ridiculous. I never imagined myself in that kind of situation.
I saw several articles and websites about them. I have never been interested in their kinds, but I need information. I don't care if it's true or not. I need to find protection for myself.
I ended up reading their weaknesses. I'm not even sure if I was still on the right mind to belive those things.. There's no chance that they're facts, but I still clung on them, thinking that they're helpful.
"Zara?"
My father went to my room again with a tray of food. He didn't smile. I watched him put the tray above my table.
"I'm not hungry." I said even I haven't eaten anything.
His face was serious. "But you haven't eaten anything. These past few days, you've been starving yourself. Look, you get thinner and thinner."
"I eat when I'm hungry."
He heavily sighed. "Lately, you're acting different too. What's wrong, Zara? Is it about your school? You can tell me-"
"You're just imagining things. You're free to go to your girlfriend if you-"
"I said I have no girlfriend!"
I was shocked by his sudden burst. He looked pained and hurt. "I'm your father, Zara. As you father, I'm jurst concern to you."
"I want to know what you're thinking, your feelings. I want to know everything about you. But why can't you let me? Why are you so cold? Why can't you accept me?'
I couldn't believe what he's saying.
'Why can't you see me as your father? Please, let's build this family again."
My heart ached. Warm tears flooded. "You're still asking me with that questions even though you already know the answer."
I saw his eyes redden. He wiped away his tears.
"And family? Who?Y- You're the reason... why my mother died! It's you—why she chose to leave me! You ruined her! You ruined this family!"
He sobbed, then covered his eyes with his hand. My heart ached more. I love my father even after he disappointed me. I still love him because he is my father.
The threats of Gray flashed. Can I let him hurt my father? No...I rather hurt my father than let those monsters hurt him. If I can save him from those monsters by hurting him, then I am willing to carry the guilt forever.
"We're not a family anymore, dad. I don't want to be your daughter anymore."
A flood of tears gushed down his face. "Please don't say that."
I turned away when he reached for my hand.
"Y-you're my daughter, Zara.I can't bear to lose you too."
Here is the first man that I loved. But I need to lose him to be able to save him.
"N-No, dad. I want you to leave. Just go back to your penthouse. I can live without you."
His lips parted.
I removed his hands from me. "I will be happy if you will leave me alone. I closed the door without looking at his face.
Gray's Pov
This is getting more interesting.
I watched Zaraniel on the screen. She was crying after her deep conversation with her father. It seems like she's trying to remove her family from the scene. She knows very well how dangerous her situation is right now. So, to save his father, she spewed those dramatic words.
Excellent woman. This is what I'm expecting from her.
I tilted the wine glass. But can you save yourself, woman?
I was about to raise the wine glass, but our eyes met. She stared at me like she could really see me. Impossible.
It lasted for a minute. She hugged herself and then bowed her head between her knees. What was just happen? Did she just stare at me?
A different kind of excitement gushed within me. Indeed, interesting.
- Writer
