Soulmate

Chapter 3

  "You."

  I froze in my corner. I heard quiet whispers around me as people turned to stare.

  My breathing was raspy. My heart quickening by each second. 

  "Her? I doubt she's gonna last," somebody whispered. 

  "Look at her outfit. Geez, looks like she just stepped out of a sewer."

  "Alright, everyone!" the blonde shouted. "My lady, why don't you come up here and introduce yourself."

  He was looking directly at me. All of them were. I closed my eyes instantly and the moment I opened them, the blonde had appeared right in front of me, the tips of our toes touching. 

  'How did he get here so fast? Insane.'

  He smirked. "Don't embarrass me anymore."

  He grabbed my wrist and jerked me towards the stairs.

  "Ouch! f*****g let go of me!" I screamed.

  No reply.

  "Who the hell do you think you are, jerk?!"

  Still no answer.

  "If you don't let me go, I swe-"

  He turned around suddenly and spoke through gritted teeth. "Why don't you shut the f**k up?! You're annoying the crap out of me."

  My eyes widened and I quickly shut my mouth. My heart rate never fully slowed and scary thoughts swept across my brain. People are probably staring at my bizarre appearance and strange behavior. The world seemed to be spinning around and it felt like forever until we reached the stairs. And when we did, the blonde let go of my aching wrist and I was standing next to the new guy, Joaquin.

 'There's bound to be bruises later.' I thought, silently.

  "Ok, everyone!" The guy with the hazel eyes spoke up, "Why don't we let this fine lady here introduce herself?"

  I gulped, running a hand through my hair. 

  "Go ahead, Ariella," his hot breath tingling in my ear.

  "Ho-How do you-you know my name?" I stuttered, frowning.

  "That's not the point now, is it?"

  I looked up at Joaquin who was way taller than me. The top of my head barely reached his shoulders. I found him looking at me with that same smirk on his face- I had the urge to slap it off of his face but I knew better. 

  I felt a sudden twinge of alarm flow through my body and without a moment's hesitation, I ran and tried to escape for my life. I heard gasps from behind me but I didn't care. I kept running but before my arm reached out to grasp the doorknob, a strong arm pulled me by my waist and another arm pushed the door shut.

  "No need to escape, my darling," the person behind me said, sarcastically. "The party's only getting started."

  "Let me go, you sick monster," I screeched, attempting to pull away.

  "If I were you, I would be careful who you're talking to. I could ruin your life forever, I give you my word on that." 

  He kissed my earlobe and I shivered, even though it's warm inside. I pulled out of his grasp and turned around to meet a familiar face: Joaquin. I lowered my gaze to the ground as he wrapped his right arm around my waist.

  He then began to acknowledge the crowd. "The introduction will not be necessary. Party's over."

  I heard groans and shoes shuffling across the floor. I stood still as people pushed past us, some giving me dirty looks before rushing out. 

  "What a b***h," I heard someone spit indignantly. It had made me flinch a little.

  I desperately needed water to help soothe  the dryness of my throat.  The event of just what had happened, haunted me. 

  A few moments afterwards, the room was empty. 

  "Well well well, what a beauty," the guy with blonde hair stated abruptly. " Let me introduce myself, my lady. I'm Robert Sullivan, A.K.A. Joaquin's older brother. It's a pleasure to meet you." He held a hand out for me to shake.

  "The pleasure's all mine. Now, can y'all tell me why I'm here?" I said, ignoring Robert's outstretched hand.

  "Rude, don't you think? I'm hurt, babe," he said sarcastically, his left hand pressed fondly against his chest.

  I only rolled my eyes in response.

  "Don't mind him, he's always like that," the blue eyed guy said. " I'm Liam, Joaquin's other older brother."

  I nodded my head at him, acknowledging his polite greeting. 

  The only female spoke up after patiently waiting for the guys to finish. "Ariella, right? I'm Rosalie Caprice Sullivan, these idiots younger sister. I'm so excited! We're gonna be best friends!" She squealed, wrapping her arm around me and squeezing my shoulder. 

  "Alright, cut the crap already," Joaquin spoke. "Dorota!" 

  A young lady that looks to be in her early thirties or late twenties at the least, hurriedly rushed out of the kitchen.

  "Yes, sir?" Her voice was soft and innocent. She wore a black polo shirt and blue jeans with a white apron over it. Her outfit seemed to fit her petite body. She looks vivacious and elegant. 

  "Show Ariella to her room, please. And prepare her for tonight," Joaquin ordered.

 'What's tonight?' I thought. 

 "Of course, sir," Dorota said, dutifully. "Right this way, ma'am."

  She gestured for me to follow her and I did, voluntarily. She lead me up the flights of stairs and we stopped in front of a closed door. As we walked in, I looked around the room, amazed. Just like the rest of the house, it was magnificently decorated and paintings were hung up on the walls. The room is about the size of my living room back home. 

  The big queen size bed was pushed up into a corner near the small window. Next to it was a bedside table with a lamp on it. Across from the bed was a black dresser and a huge mirror. There was also a small couch and a television located in the middle of the room alongside a coffee table. There was a door that appeared to be the bathroom and next to it was a big walk-in closet.

  "Amazed?" Ask Dorota.

  I simply nodded my head. 

  "Come on, let's get you out of that unpleasant outfit." 

  Dorota closed the door behind us and strode to the walk-in closet as I follow behind her footsteps.

  'Woah, the closet is even bigger than I thought.'

  Next to the closet door was a shelf filled from top to bottom with many accessories from sunglasses to hats to jewelry. Then there was a rack of big jackets and comfy sweaters made mostly for wintertime. Next to those were long and beautiful dresses that stretch to the floor. Across the bottom shelves were shoes from sandals to high heals. There were like fifty pairs. The dressers to the left of the door contain sleepwear and undergarments.

  "Wow, this is amazing," I stated in awe.

  "Let's hurry. We have to get you prepared for tonight," Dorota told me.

  "What's tonight?" I ask.

  "A feast."

  "Who's attending?"

  "You, Joaquin, his brothers, sister and other guests."

  I groan. 

  Dorota gave me a look. "Not happy to be chosen?" 

  "I don't even know why I'm here in the first place."

  "Then what brought you here? I mean you can't stumble into this place accidentally."

  "I don't know, some stranger kidn*pped me and brought me here." 

  "Stranger? Any ideas who he might be? Or what he looks like, at the very least?"

  "Um, he has golden eyes and uh, fangs. Yeah, fangs in his mouth. Grayish hair, maybe in his late thirties. Average height." I said, recalling the strangers appearance.

  "Ah, Jim, I assume. Don't pay him any mind, he's always looking for trouble."

  "Who is he?"

  "Joaquin's uncle."

______

  I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a long towel around my body. Even though this mansion is fascinating, part of me is aching to go home.

  I wondered what my parents are doing right now. What is Caroline doing? And Emma?

  'Omg, Emma. I'm so worried about her,' I thought to myself. 

  "Ariella?" A knock on the door. "Are you  almost done?" 

  "Yeah, almost. Just give me a moment," I called.

  I took long deep breaths through my nose to calm me down.

  'It's gonna be okay, Ariella. You're gonna be okay. You're gonna go to the dinner with the idiots and come up with an escape plan.' I told myself. 

  Not waiting another minute, I walked out of the bathroom and stopped when I saw somebody sitting at the edge of my bed, eyes on his phone but looked up when he saw me. I put my whole weight on one foot as Joaquin eyed me head to toe. I clutched the towel closer to me, completely embarrassed.

  Joaquin's mouth turned up. "Beautiful."

  I rolled my eyes. " Can you get out, please? I need to change." I eyed the door, looking frantically everywhere, except him. 

  "What for? Just change in front of me," he stated, and walked up to me.

  I scoffed and gave him a disgusted look.

  "Woah, watch the attitude missy or I'll f**k the living hell out you tonight in front of everyone as you please." His fingers traced the outlines of my jaw and down my neck. I took a step back only to have him take a step closer to me.

  "Hot," he whispered into my ear, making me shiver a little. 

  Giving me a quick smile, he disappeared out the door and I let out a breath that I didn't even know I was holding. 

  There was an outfit on the bed that I assumed Dorota laid out for me. It was a short black dress and black boots to go along with it. I changed into them and stared at myself in the mirror. 

  'This is a totally different me.'

  "There you are," I heard Dorota say. "Let's go do your hair and makeup." 

  "You look so much better than before," Dorota said as she finished doing my hair and makeup.

   My light brown hair that reached down to the middle of my back had been curled perfectly. Dorota had applied black eyeshadow and mascara on my face along with red-colored lipstick. She definitely was trying to make sure that I stick out.

  "Done," she stated. "Wait here, I'll go get you some jewelry."

  "Knock knock!" Rosalie chirped and walked in. Her eyes widened at the sight of me and she quickly rushed over. "Woah, oh my gosh, Ariella! You look so gorge!" 

  I giggled. "Thanks, Rosalie. Same goes for you."

  I stared at her through the mirror. She had changed her outfit after the party. Now, she wore a sleeveless white dress that goes down to her knees and white, laced sandals. 

  A couple minutes later, we were completely finish. 

  "Let's go, Ariella. Everybody's probably at the dinner table already," Rosalie said, looping her arms through mine and we strode down the stairs.

  Rosalie was right, everyone was already seated at the table. Rosalie and I were the only ones missing. 

  Every pair of eyes looked up as we walked in, looking at us like we were were angels just dropped from heaven. I saw Joaquin seated as his eyes roam all over my body. I started to feel uncomfortable. 

  There were only two vacant seats left. Rosalie strode straight towards the empty seat next to her brother, Robert, and I slowly walked to the last unoccupied seat, next to Joaquin.

  "Welcome everyone! Let's have a feast, shall we?" 

  I looked up and saw the stranger who dragged me here and seemed to be Joaquin's uncle, announce to the group of people. He gave me a wink and sat down as everyone began digging in.

  I just constantly stare at my food without taking a bite.

  "No appetite?" Liam asked me.

  I didn't answer.

  "She must be shy," somebody whisper.

  I ignored the eyes that were looking at me.

  'What is their problem? Do they have staring issues or something?'  I thought. 

  My mind wandered back to my family and Caroline. Just being away from them was like living without my two hands. I felt a throbbing pain inside of me. A pain so great that I couldn't bear to just sit and dwell on it.

  "Eat," Joaquin simply said. 

  The food looks delicious but I just couldn't bring myself to eat it. Everyone was now chatting among themselves, not giving me another glance.

  "Eat," Joaquin forcefully said again.

  Grabbing a fork, I stuffed the food inside my mouth, chewing carefully. Joaquin seems satisfied that I took a bite.

  Halfway through my plate, I stood up and everybody just stared at me. " Uh, I-I need to use the bathroom. Excuse me."

  Liam nodded his head while others gave me disapproving looks. I speed walked out of the dining room and up the stairs.

  I barely made it up the stairs without stumbling. Before I reached my room, I thought I heard a moan coming out of one the room near mines. Curious and nervous, I tip toed my way into the room and gasped loudly.

  Laying on the bed, a guy with silver hair was laying on top of a girl who I could barely see from my view. Both of them looked up to me with a blank look. The guy seem to have been sucking on the girl's neck, blood was dripping down onto the bed sheets. I saw blood on the guy's lip as he snarled at me, showing me his fangs.

  "Go away!" He sneered. 

  I backed out of the room and ran as fast as I can to my room, only to find Joaquin sitting cross legged on the couch.

  'How did he get here without me noticing?'

  "Restroom, huh? Couldn't you think of a better lie?" He smirked.

  I closed the door and pressed my back against the door, staying as far away from him as possible. 

  "Um, I-I wa-was going to-to use it," I stammered, stupidly. 

  He raised an eyebrow, amused. He stood up and made his way towards me. It only took him three long strides to reach me. One of his hand touched my bare cheeks while placing his other hand on the door, above my head.

  He stroke my puffy cheeks and I trembled under his touch.

  He leaned to whisper something in my ear.

  "Sleep with me."