West Heights

Safe

Eleonore,

"My house." He said. My eyes widen as a beautiful house came into view. Deep within the woods was the Demian's mansion. It was a huge modern house which has more glasses than solid walls. He opened the door for me, as he always does. I wobbled out of his car as I felt completely jello. Thank goodness I managed.

"Why are we here?"

"I don't wanna seem rude, or insensitive but our research is due tomorrow. I figured you wouldn't want to go home just yet, or let alone head to the library so I thought my place would be just fine." He said, his face void of any emotion as usual and I couldn't help but wonder if he does smile at all. I fought a smile as I realize how thoughtful he was.

What better way to distract my self other than work on a research? Normally I would have sit at home and work on some of my writings but he's right. I don't want to go home just yet. I don't want Isabel or Mike finding out about what happened between Matt and I. I would've headed to the library if it wasn't for my busted lip.

"Thanks." I muttered.

"Plus we have a doctor, we could at least have someone look on your bruise." He added before leading the way to the lovely Demian home. The house appeared large outside, but it is even bigger inside. The house was spacious. It was preheated, so Vaughn and I left our coats and jackets on a rack before heading upstairs.

The house was modern built with so much space. The colors ranges from black, white to metallic silver. The flooring is of marble and the ceiling stood high above our heads. Just on the fancy sofa set sat Nadine with a knowing look on her face. She smiled warmly at me before standing up.

"Hello Eleonore, nice to finally meet you." She greeted. I smiled back at her wincing slightly as I felt a pain on my lips.

"Nice to meet you too Nadine." She wasn't surprised to see that I know her name, unlike me who's jaw almost dropped when she mentioned my name. Her smile widen, as she went away skipping.

"How'd she know my name?" I turned to ask Vaughn who's lips were somewhat curved into a smile. I gasped and covered my mouth in feign shock.

"I didn't know you can smile." Vaughn coughed into his fist before facing me with a wider smile. "What do you think of me?" As if on cue, his family came out of hiding and I was blinded by six good looking individuals save for himself.

"Isn't this the first time Vaughn brought someone into our home?" Said a woman who looked to be in her mid twenties.

"He was always the antisocial one." A man said laughing. The man was incredibly good looking and so was the woman. And I was guessing they were the parents. No wonder they have good looking children.

"We're just here to work on a research." Vaughn said.

"A research huh?" Eli teased, wriggling his brow suggestively. I laughed but it was cut short as my lips stung.

"Oh dear you're hurt." Mrs. Demian said worriedly. She quickly came into my side and wrapped an arm around my shoulder, unintentionally hitting the burning part in my arm.

"Ow." I yelped.

"Oh gosh. What happened?" Mrs. Demian's eyes widen when she realized I have other injuries.

"Come dear, let me look at you." She said kindly. "Nadine, why don't you ask someone to prepare something for our guest." I was then pulled into what looked like a study with Mr. and Mrs. Demian. They tend to my wounds and I could see the looks of shock when they saw the bruise forming on my arm.

"Who did this to you?" Mr. Demian asked, he looked angry, as if he would sue whoever did this to me.

"Don't worry about it."

"I think we have every right to be worried dear, you're the first person to visit our humble home. And I swear, Vaughn would not simply bring anyone home." Mrs. Demian said. I blushed in embarrassment. The way they put it makes me feel slightly uncomfortable.

"It was, my ex." I said timidly.

"Oh my lord." Mrs. Demian breathed.

"He should pay for this." Mr. Demian said with a deep frown.

"I think he already did, Vaughn punched him." Mrs. Demian gasped before breaking into a hearty laugh with her husband. "Oh dear." Mr. Demian leaned down and started patting ointment to my now cleaned lips.

"I'm sorry dear, it was quite rude of us to forget. What was your name again?" Mrs. Demian asked.

"Eleonore, Eleonore Amherst."

"You're Irena and Jack's daughter?" Mr. Demian asked in surprise and I nodded.

"You know them?"

"Yes of course. They were old friends of ours. I'm very sorry for what happened to your parents." He said sadly.

"It's quite alright, at least now they are in a better place." I said with a sad smile.

"I am Samuel by the way, and this is-",

"Carmen." Mrs. Demian said, cutting his husband off.

"Alright, now let's leave her with Vaughn so they can work on their research." Carmen said with a wink. I frowned playfully at them before making my way back to the living room.

There I saw Vaughn and Pierre speaking with hushed voices.

"Uhm, hey?" I spoke, awkwardly making them aware of my presence.

"Hello, Eleonore." Pierre said with a sly grin. I almost cringed. Pierre slowly walked away brushing his shoulder intentionally against me, making me frown.

"You're brother is scaring me." I whispered once Pierre was out of earshot.

"What did he do?" Vaughn asked, his voice tinted with anger. I wanted to tell him, but I don't want to offend him so I decided against it.

"Nothing." I said.

"If by any chance he did something you didn't like, please tell me." Vaughn said softly, his voice laced with concern. I looked at him with curiosity. I don't know if it's just me but I don't think Vaughn is in good terms with his elder brother.

Vaughn started walking off somewhere and I stood there awkwardly for a few seconds before I started to follow him.

The house was even more old fashion inside. It was as if generations to generations had lived here.

"I like your house."

"Can't say the same for myself." He said so softly I barely got it. I gawked at his back and I was opting to ask why when he decided to open a huge wooden door to the left. I frowned and followed closely behind him afraid I would get lost inside their mansion. I barely even remember how we got here.

My jaw dropped at the content of the humongous room. It was a library, filled with so many books that I can't even take all in with one look.

"Wow." I heard a low chuckle and I turned around to see Vaughn smiling. "This is amazing." His smile widen. I followed him at the table in the middle of the room.

"Have a seat." He said. I was about to get my things when I realized something. I have left my things in school. All of our research materials were there. Vaughn seemed to have the gist of it.

"Don't worry I have my copy. Can you wait for a minute?"

"Yeah sure." With that he stood up and headed for the door. Just in time, his sister Nadine walked in with a tray in hand. She smiled brightly at me casually ignoring Vaughn before making her way towards where I sat. I find it weird that I feel comfortable around this girl.

Nadine placed the tray on the table and sat beside me. She took my hand on hers and she studied my face with a sad look.

"I heard what happened at school today." She said softly.

"Mason never treated me that way before." I said sadly, getting chills from the strange look on Matt's eyes earlier that day. I still cannot believe he hit me. Matt was the least likely person to resort to violence.

"Oh but I've seen him do worst." Nadine said, placing my hands back to my lap.

"What do you mean?" I asked completely puzzled. 

"Nel and I made you some sandwich, I hope lemonade is okay with you." Nadine said, lifting the dark veil as she once again revealed her bubbly side. She poured me some lemonade and placed a plate of sandwich in front of me.

"Nadine what do you mean by that?" I said a bit louder than I intended. She looked at me with a blank expression. "Sorry, I didn't mean to raise my voice at-"

"What do you think he's been doing this past few weeks?" She asked, cutting me off.

"I don't know he said he's been busy with training."

"Are you sure that's all he'd been doing?" Nadine has this expression, as if she knows something I don't. We heard the door open and she stood up and walks towards it the same time Vaughn walked in.

"I brought snacks." Nadine said cheerfully to her brother as if nothing happened.

"Thanks." Vaughn muttered before placing walking to the table to place his belongings. "Are you okay?" He asked, but I barely heard it. I was too preoccupied in trying to figure out what Nadine was talking about. "Carynne?" The sound of my almost unused first name made my heart raise in surprise.

"H-how did you- what?" I stuttered, suddenly feeling flustered. "What did you just call me?"

"Carynne?" Vaughn said, the sides of his lips curling a bit. I feel the strange twisting of knots in my stomach. "You don't like being called by your first name?"

"No, it's just. It's been so long since people called me that." I said looking down. "It actually feels kind of nice."

The rest of the day was surprisingly normal. Save for Pierre and Nadine's casual interruptions. Which I found very amusing to be honest. Well scratch that, I only find Nadine amusing. Pierre on the other hand is very... I cannot find the right words but just being in the same room with him makes me so uncomfortable. We ended up spending more time on working on our research due to aforementioned distractions.

By 10 pm, I was saying my good byes at Mr. and Ms. Demian.

"Thank you so much for accepting me in your lovely home." I said with a smile. Carmen pulled me into a motherly embrace and I couldn't help but melt into it.

"The pleasure is ours, come visit us again. Alright?" Samuel gave me a pat on the head as he stared at me with his beautiful amber eyes.

"Are you sure you don't want to spend the night?" Carmen asked one more time, she'd been reluctant to let Vaughn drive me home because of the time but I insisted.

"Thank you Carmen but my aunt would be crazy about me not going home." I said apologetically.

"Alright then. See you soon." With that, Vaughn led me to his car. Not failing to beat me on opening the door. I was silent the whole time. To say I was scared would be an understatement. It's true that I feel sort of secure having Vaughn with me but whenever I catch a glimpse of the dark road and the woods a strong sense of fear filled me. Instead of looking outside, I started to play with my nails. Staring at my lap as if it's the most interesting thing in the world.

"Is everything alright?" Vaughn asked.

"Y-yeah." I barely managed to choke out.

"Are you scared?" He asked, concern lacing his voice. I couldn't bring myself to answer. I froze when his hand reached for mine. He grabbed my hand and hold it tightly in his while his other hand remained on the steering wheel. "Don't worry, I'll protect you." Funny how those last three words managed to calm my nerves. I felt myself relax feeling the warmth of his hand making up for the coldness of mine.

"It's big." I said looking at his hand covering mine. I heard him chuckle and started to wonder why not too long after I realized that I must've sounded somewhat weird. I felt the heat rise up to my cheeks. "That's- ugh!" I grumbled. His chuckles grew louder and I looked at him in surprise.

His eyes were focused on the road but I didn't missed the glitter in them. His smile is so beautiful. For the first time since I first saw him, he actually looked somewhat happy. And he didn't just look like it, he feels like it. There seems to be a faint glow of light radiating from him and I don't know if I just imagined it but it was captivating and it took my breath away.

Vaughn having to have noticed my stare looked at me with the same look and I felt I painful squeeze in my chest. What is this feeling? I looked away feeling embarrassed. And I hate him for making me feel like a pathetic teenager.

When we got into our house, Michael and Isabel are on the front porch waiting for me.

"Carynne Eleonore Amherst. Where were you?!" Isabel sounded mad. Michael didn't look anything less. Both of them were surprised to see Vaughn walking beside me. I'm glad they haven't noticed the bruise on my cheek. As if Michael heard me, his gaze focus on my burning cheek which I have long forgotten because of my raging hormones.

"What happened to your face?" Michael was furious. He ran to my me and pulled me to his side, carefully cupping my face with his hands. Studying it for further injury. I felt my heart melt at the gesture and I fought the urge to cry.

"Oh my God!" Isabel screamed. "Who the hell did that?" She demanded. Her gaze shifted to Vaughn and she lunged at him with her hands raised.

"No, no, no! Not him. It was Mason!" I yelled, moving in front of Vaughn afraid that he might get hit.

"What did you just say?" Isabel was flabbergasted.

"I don't want to seem rude but can you please go inside? Carynne is freezing." We all looked at Vaughn in surprise. One, Michael and Isabel had never heard anyone call me that since I was five. Two, I wouldn't have realized I was shaking and indeed feeling cold if he didn't say so.

"You two come inside. You have a lot of explaining to do." Isabel said before stomping her way into the house.