Chapter 2 This Will Be The Death Of Me
861 Words
"Miss Stella… Miss Stella…." I could hear a soothing voice calling out to me.
"Hmmm… Just a little longer…" I mumbled. I have completely forgotten where I was! This was the first time I've managed to have such a good quality sleep in a long while.
"We have arrived."
"Eh? What? Who's talking?" My eyelids shot open immediately. Wait… I'm not at home! It took quite a while for my sleep-addled brain to register that I was curled up in the back seat of a car, and the first thing I saw was Kevin's smiling face.
Memories began flooding back into my mind, and I remembered the situation that I'm in.
I'm here to attend a date in my sister's stead!
Sunlight was pouring into the car through the windows. Wait… It's morning now?
But the date was supposed to happen at 6.40pm!
I could vaguely remember getting into an expensive looking car and… Don't tell me… I've been sleeping for an entire night?!
I've never been a heavy sleeper. There was simply no way I could sleep so well in a moving car.
Wait a minute… There was this pleasant smell in the car. That could be why!
Was it some sort of drug? But I'm not feeling any side effects right now. My mind is functioning quite well. I feel sober.
Is this some sort of kidnapping? But will someone as rich as him kidnap a poor girl like me? I doubt it… There's nothing he could've gotten out of my family anyways...
Did he do it because of my appearance? But someone as handsome as Kevin could easily get a girl. I don't think he needs to resort to something like this.
I gave Kevin a wary look, "I need an explanation! Where am I? What do you want from me?"
Kevin held the door open for me and responded politely, "My mission is to bring you to the castle. Perhaps the answer you seek lies within. This way, please."
The castle?!
It was a familiar yet alien word that only existed in novels and movies to me.
But my curiosity triumphed over my anxiety and fear. I walked out of the car, past Kevin, and was shocked by what I saw.
I was in a courtyard surrounded by a sea of roses. The first glimmer of dawn reflected off the morning dew on their petals was a wonderful sight.
And not far away, a large castle stood. It was big, mysterious, and very old, just like how I've always imagined an old castle to be. A three meters Gothic-styled metal door loomed at the entrance.
Two wolf heads were carved into each side of the metal door on a spot just slightly above my head. The masterful craftsmanship made the wolf heads remarkably true to life. Blood red gems were embedded in slots where the eyes of the wolves were supposed to be. The sight of them baring their fangs gave off an intimidating aura to anyone looking up at them. A golden metal ring was attached to the lower mandible of each head.
I looked back at Kevin, who gave me an encouraging smile.
Mustering my courage, I gripped one of the metal rings and knocked on the door.
The door began to rumble as the mouths of the wolves opened up, just like the low growl of an angry wolf that sent shivers down my spine.
Click… Click... Click…
The door swung open, and an old man with long silvery hair stood before me. He bowed at me, speaking with a polite tone, "Welcome, Miss Stella. I'm the butler here. Please, follow me. The young masters have been waiting for you."
Young masters?
Stella's date is the master of this castle? And there's more than one of them?
Stella! What the heck?
My mind had completely stopped working.
Stella was someone who would not hold anything back from me. Jesus, Stella! Just how many secrets have you been keeping from me?
I didn't even know where I was. If something is to happen… I can't even escape!
Oh no! I have to show up at the shootings of a few movies too!
What if I got fired because of this? My career is finished!
I pulled out my phone to call in sick, but… There was no signal.
Damn it Stella! You'll be the death of me!
I had no choice but to follow the butler into the mysterious castle.
The hand-carved furniture, the polished marble floor, and the expensive-looking oil paintings that lined the walls were all signs of the taste and wealth of the owner of the castle.
I've even pinched myself as we walked down a long hallway. The pain I felt told me that this was not a dream.
The butler stood in front of a door and gave me a smile, "The young masters are waiting for you."
I could feel my heart rate rising. I took in a deep breath, and mustered enough courage to push open the door.
There was fear in my heart, as well as anxiety and confusion. There was also a little hint of… Anticipation?
- Writer
