Serpent Twins: The Fall

Milano da bere

Kimberly’s POV:

I was sitting in a quite big white helicopter with their house symbol in the few parts of interior. It has a forward four-place club, an art five-place club seating in all white leather and khaki wood grain veneer, a lavatory, and khaki carpet. It was more like in private jet rather than in helicopter.

“Stop gawking, Kimmy,” Nicholas’s trendy leather dress shoe softly kicked mine. 

He was smirking in his seat across from me.

“I’ve never seen a helicopter with such interior, Nic. Please allow me,” I honestly told him. And this is a good diversion after the kiss. 

God, why would I think about it right now, with him in front of me. 

I could feel my cheeks were burning, so I tried to ignore his intent gaze. 

I’m so dead, how could I kiss two brothers only a night after the older one left? 

I’m so disappointed with myself, but I tried to comfort myself too, thinking that I was fragile in such romantic place with most gorgeous man I’ve seen, sitting that close while I was still missing that face. 

But how could Nicholas kiss me knowing his brother was with me? Oh, my heart. 

Please slow down, I almost couldn’t breathe with its fast beat. I closed my eyes and tried to inhale and exhale softly. I stopped when hearing his chuckle.

 “You look nervous on your not-the-first time helicopter ride, Kimmy,” he said coolly, putting on his dark sunglasses.

Did he tease me? 

He was probably aware that he caused this, so I rolled my eyes on him and hid my embarrassment by looking through the window. Such a beautiful view, it was almost like a month ago I had fantastic romantic moments with Alexander, he was like gone replaced by his twin who has exactly same face, but with longer hair and different personality. I actually could talk better with Nicholas rather than with Alexander, but it didn’t justify our kiss. 

Why did I keep thinking about the kiss? 

It was just one second kiss, but it was rougher with passion. 

God. 

I love it and by admitting it, I was officially a slutty one. 

øøøøø

The ride was only fifteen minutes and we were transported to the private jet. Another luxurious one, as big as Alexander’s last jet with slightly different interior. Again, Nicholas sat in front of me.

“Do you want to take a quick nap first, Kimmy?” he offered, but I could see that he was only teasing me.

I sighed, “Please stop teasing me, Nicholas. Or you’ll be unfriended in New York later,” I warn him.

He laughed, “We-European kissed a lot, Kimmy. Don’t worry about that.”

“I thought you originally Canadian like your brother? But you’re born in Romania and parents do living in there...” I was mumbling without thinking.

“No, Kimmy. My brother is Canadian, I’m Deutscher, my sister is Australian, and my parents are Romanian,” he replied. Two beautiful stewardesses came to pull out a table in the middle of us from the wall and placed two glasses of wine and a platter of croissants and pastries with lots of chocolate mixed with caviars. 

How could I resist such temptation when we were going to have lunch in two hours? 

Nicholas sipped his drink and gestured me to drink mine. I cleared my throat.

“How could that possibly be done, Nic? You’re too young to be granted for citizenship alone when your parents didn’t even immigrate,” I spoke.

“Do you want to see my passport, Kimmy?” 

He took my passport instead of his from his blazer pocket.

“Hey!” I tried to reach for it. 

Alexander must have given it to him, “Please give me back mine,” thinking that from now on, I should hold my own passport. 

How could I be this careless, not thinking about my passport even once? 

All I was thinking about is the twins.

“Let the captain hold ours, Kimmy. For the passport control agent to check. Oh, nice picture, by the way,” he was grinning, gave me a wink. 

“Thank you,” but I rolled my eyes, knowing that my passport picture was awful.

“Now would you please excuse me, Kimmy. I have little things to deal with Ivan,” he nodded with a smile and left to the front seat whereas his handsome security he previously introduced was standing with a silver MacBook.

 I looked at him bowing to Nicholas before sitting in front of him. Their voices were probably very low. I couldn’t hear anything. 

What was with these people, were they really putting handsome and beautiful as standard in the job vacancies?

øøøøø

In less than one and half hour, we landed at Milano Malpensa Airport. I wore my black overcoat as we were about to step out of the plane after having immigration and customs clearance on board. Nicholas is more like a model on high fashion magazine. I let him to hold my shoulder. I couldn’t stop blushing, seeing some women who saw us like a couple and bluntly gave amusing stare to Nicholas. Ivan was quietly following us from behind. It was only ten past forty, we still had enough time. A grey Lamborghini coupe was waiting for us with another handsome man in suit standing next to it, then gave Nicholas a bow and handed the key. What a lavish way to exit the airport, but such a very low ground clearance car got me awkward to sit. Nicholas helped me to gracefully get inside, before he went to the driver seat and drove the car with roaring sound, while his two securities were following us with black Hummer from quite far behind.

“Do you always have security personnel following you around, Nic?” I looked at him after gawking at the car’s interior in black and noticed his house symbol in black was on each of the headrests.

“Not always, but it’s their job. Why, do you feel uncomfortable with their presence? Don’t be, Kimmy. They are here for our protection,” he said while driving the road.

Oh, my mom will go insane seeing Nicholas, not only for his look, but his filthy richness. This isn’t good as I don’t want to keep explaining there is nothing between us. She won’t believe and will keep nagging on me for going abroad with a friend. As she will judge me instantly after seeing Nicholas, I also better not telling her anything about Alexander because she knew Daniel has just passed away. I sighed.

“Look, Nic. Will you please do me a huge favor?” 

Ireally don’t want to ask for such thing, but I’m not ready yet to talk anything about Alexander to my mom.

“Spill it out, Kimmy,” he gave me a wink.

I smiled. 

God, he is so charming.

“Are you okay meeting my mom? I mean, she will shower you with uncomfortable questions even when we told her that we’re just friends.” 

Why I didn’t think about this before making decision to come here. Fool me.

“Sure. Mother is just parent. Parents always want the best for their children,” he said coolly.

Wait, is he a mama boy? 

I thought he’s kind of the rebellious or trouble maker, while Alexander’s being the obedient perfect son. Apparently how he said about his parents showed me that he put respect and trust to his parents. 

Wow, I should learn something from him.

I chuckled, “I might be so wrong about you, Nicholas. Well, if you think you can handle my mom, I’d love to let you.” 

“I suggested you should treat me as your boyfriend, that will help me to deal with her even better. You know, to avoid the awkwardness as you don’t seem to have experience on bringing home a man,” he gave me a knowing look.

Wait, did he know that I’m a virgin? Did Alexander tell him? No, perhaps he meant about the serious relationship kind of.

“You should look at your face, Kimmy. C’mon, I’m just teasing you,” he laughed and when I tried to hit his arm, he caught my hand.

“Please watch the road, Nic,” I tried to pull out my hand from his grip. 

His green eyes were lit, piercing into my soul. I couldn’t breathe. 

Please don’t look at his lips. Look somewhere else, Kimmy! 

“Nicholas!” I shouted at him. 

He let go off my hand and smirked. 

God. He’s dangerous. Dangerous temptation. 

I couldn’t win over the twin brothers. And I couldn’t stop my silly blush.

“Can we stop by at my place first, Kimmy? It’s just five minutes from the meeting point,” he said calmly.

Oh, no. 

He has a property there too. But that’s not wise, I can’t be alone with him in his place.

“I have moved my business meeting there, it would probably take half an hour,” he continued.

Business meeting. 

I felt an instant relief, “Sure, Nic.” 

I smiled sheepishly with my previous thought. 

I mean, we’re now practically alone, why would I scare being alone at his place? 

And last night he was proven as gentleman. I sighed heavily, trying to calm my nerves.

øøøøø

In less than an hour, our car entered into a garage in prestigious modern eight floor building in historical center of Quadrilatero. I could see the building was surrounded by some historical landmarks and parks.

“I bought this property early this year, so it’s still under construction on its attic and basement as I was about to install the rooftop swimming pool on it. So, please wait for me at the seventh floor only, Kimmy. There are many books and things you might be interested to spend for thirty minutes. I’ll try to make it less,” he smiled and opened the door. 

He quickly went to my side and pulled me up.

“Okay, Nic,” I replied, seeing so many expensive cars in the big garage. 

“I don’t own all of those. They only sold few floors to me,” he answered my questioned look.  

I smiled and let him hold my hand to lead me to the private elevator to the seventh floor. I stayed quiet inside the all mirrored elevator, I could see that I only had a little sun kissed skin but it gave a healthier glow to my usual pale complexion. Still a bit contrast to Nicholas as he is still as pale as the first time we met. 

The seventh floor was still empty, except for few loveseat and tables but he high ceiling rooms were designed in the modern mixed Italian luxury.

“The study room I mentioned is on the right side. Are you okay being all alone here? Kitchen may not be properly working now, but I’m sure we have all drinks you want,” he pointed to my left.

“I’m okay, Nic. Go, please make your millions,” I smiled and nudged his arm. 

He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it with a smirk.

“La mia bellissima.”

øøøøø

I was sitting on the ivory chesterfield in the study room, there were row of books filled the high big shelves. All of them were medical, botanical, and animal life books. Not the kind of books that I thought he likes to read at, as he seemed like a laid-back person. 

Okay, laid back neurosurgeon. 

There was one book on his desk next to silver iMac, with a leather cover got me interested. If it was a diary, I wouldn’t dare to open, but there was title on it. Serpent. 

Snake? 

I opened the brown old book, but it was in Latin, so I gave up after opening the pages seeing some bizarre drawings in it, until I came to the back of the book. It was his house symbol, so I put it back and took one random book from the big shelf. It was about snake again. I laughed, but then I remembered about Vladimir. 

Is he still alive? Was he being kidnapped by some organized crime like Amber’s theory? Or did he just decide to disappear without bringing his clothes and food supply? 

I cried for him for so many nights, it was miracle I could score my MCAT high during my grief. I was shocked myself. That was the reason I hate being uninformed or neglected. Just like what Alexander kept doing it to me. He failed me three times. 

What did he do to me after saying that he immensely loved me? 

I don’t think I will ever forgive him even when he decided to return. He will repeat to hurt me again, I’m sure.

øøøøø

I went to the big window twenty minutes later as I heard so many cars were leaving. Expensive ones, but all of them were black. There was one car stopped in the middle of the way and a blonde woman wearing all black got down the vehicle only to move to the other car, but before she opened the door, her eyes were up to my direction. She is beautiful. She seemed a bit stunned, holding the door, then suddenly she went inside almost like being scared.

“Any interesting view?”

I startled and turned around, only to be caged by Nicholas’s arms. I pushed him away.

“You startled me, Nic,” I was pouting while he raised his two hands, laughing.

“Come, let’s go to meet my future mother in law,” he held my hand and dragged me out to the elevator.

øøøøø

“Are they your business partners, Nic?” I was still wondering with all those black cars and the beautiful woman who switched the car.

“Yes and no. Some of them are my security personnels and the rest are… I would say, business colleagues,” he replied and parked the car, “Have you called your mother?” he asked.

“Yes, I did. She was on her way alone as Raul’s plane was delayed. He has business trip in Spain.” 

Raul is Spanish, but he has been living in Italy since he was at my age. He is a wealthy man, but I never thought that I met people with even beyond rich like the Mircea brothers, or even Dylan Knight. I felt bad of ignoring Dylan’s messages all the time, now I knew how it felt to be ignored. Nicholas nodded. We entered the five-star hotel lobby and gave his key to the valet. Soon after entering the lobby, a familiar voice called me.

“Kimmy!” she came over to hug me in the lobby, so I hugged her back and kissed her cheeks.

“Mom, you look fantastic,” I told her sincerely. 

She was wearing a light grey midi dress with a cream coat and light nude kitten heel pump, carrying an expensive Kelly in in Gris Asphalt with gold hardware. She was wearing black sunglasses on her now blonde hair. I was smiling widely, seeing how well she has been.

“Kimmy, aren’t you going to introduce us?” she seductively gazed at Nicholas. 

Oh.

I sheepishly smiled to Nicholas, “It’s Nicholas Mircea, Mom. My friend,” I told her.

“Boyfriend,” Nicholas took my mom’s hand to kiss. 

“Maria Diaz,” she replied, looking amused with Nicholas. 

Well who doesn’t? 

But I could see that she felt a bit strange with his cold hands.

“Come, let’s get to the restaurant,” Nicholas told us and held my shoulder following the hotel staff who was welcoming us to their second courtyard.

øøøøø

Nicholas was being gentleman who helped us to open our coats, then we sat at the window side, facing the open kitchen and delightful view of the garden. Mom and I ordered same wine food pairing in seven courses with one glass of wine each, while Nicholas ordered anguilla with a glass of red wine.

“So, Nicholas. How did you meet my Kimmy?” mom asked to Nicholas, I could see that she was judging. 

Like mother like daughter, I chuckled. Mom squinted her eyes to me.

“We met through a friend, Mom,” I replied.

“And how long did you get together as I honestly never heard Kimmy saying important thing like having a boyfriend,” she scolded me in front of Nicholas. 

Oh, my.

“Not for too long, Mom,” I replied sourly.

“Kimberly Vanderwood. I asked to him, not to you. Now, please excuse me, sit and watch, Young lady,” she said sternly.

I sighed. She was being difficult not in the right moment. I anxiously gave a look to Nicholas.

“Mrs. Diaz, although I just met her not too long ago, I am very fond of her and want to have serious relationship with her. It’s cheesy, but I fell in love with her at the first sight,” he said calmly, giving my mom a friendly gaze.

I wanted to kick his foot, but it would be too obvious to my mom. This man was overstepped the line, my mom will kill me if knowing this was all just an act.

“One step at all the time, Nicholas,” I smiled sweetly, but gave him a warning look.

He took my hand, “I need your blessing, Mrs. Diaz.”

Holy Molly! I’m died. 

I tried to take out my hand, but he didn’t budge. He stared at my mom who seemed like under his spell, smiling and giving an amusement look.

“Call me Maria, Nicholas. And sure, please make my baby girl happy,” she said sweetly.

What was that? How could she fall for Nicholas this fast? Didn’t she have to ask for his family and job first, at least? 

She didn’t even know where Nicholas was living at. 

Nicholas turned to me, grinning, “See, your mother gave her blessing, Kimmy,” he kissed my hand.

I bit my lips in confusion. 

øøøøø

The food was delicious and I actually wanted to eat less since I already ate pastries on the plane, but I love every single course with the wine pairing. Ever since giving her blessing, mom didn’t bother to interrogate Nicholas, she kept talking about how wonderful being married with Raul and kept giving me a sign to get married soon. 

My, I’m still twenty-six. 

I don’t even start my fellowship program yet and I just got dumped by my boyfriend for unknown reason, I bitterly realized. Mom told me that she will go to England visiting my brother, Alexis. I couldn’t hate or avoid the name as it is similar like my own little brother. 

How ironic.

“Well, Nicholas. You have beautiful green eyes,” Maria turned to Nicholas.

I rolled my eyes. 

Not again.

 “Mom.”

She ignored me, as Nicholas smiled and nodded, “Thank you, Maria. But you actually have prettiest blue eyes.”

My mom widely smiled, “I got it from atya, my father.”

“Are you a Hungarian descendant, Maria?” he asked, raising his eyebrow on me, clearly because I never mentioned about it. 

Well, I didn’t have a chance to tell him. I stick my tongue out and pretended to ignore him as I was still upset about previous talk.

“Yes, I still have a cousin there,” she answered. 

The last time I met family of mom’s cousin was when I have just graduated from high school.

“Erdekes,” Nicholas said. 

I frowned to him.

My mom laughed, clapping her hands, “You amused me, Nicholas. Unfortunately, I don’t speak the language ever since my parents immigrated to The States before I was even born. You should teach me, Nicholas.”

Nicholas nodded and gave her a warm smiled, “Sure do, Maria.”

“Well, about the green eyes, I was into it before I met his father,” mom gazed into Nicholas’s eyes.

I sighed, “Mom, you didn’t even know the guy nor remember his face, but you kept telling about him since I was a little when you’re with dad and now you’re with Diaz, still talking about that green-eyed guy,” I scolded her.

“What green eyed guy?” Nicholas asked intently.

“Well, I was twenty-two when I was saved by a man with green eyes during morning jog with two friends at Central Park. I got left behind and someone attacked me, grabbing my neck from behind. The funny thing, I couldn’t remember about my attacker, only remembered that a handsome man with green eyes kicked my attacker in his balls,” she told.

“Did you go the police?” Nicholas curiously asked.

“Since I didn’t remember exactly about what was going on and didn’t see my attacker, all I could remember was a man saved me. That was before the brutal murder on jogger happened there, so I regretted not going to police before coming back to Baltimore at the time,” she replied.

It’s ironic, my mom had experienced with someone with green eyes she couldn’t even remember his face and was infatuated ever since. And I saw strange things with green eyes, only the difference I could remember the face and even met him.

“Well, I’m glad you were okay and met Kimmy’s dad later, not the green-eyed guy,” Nicholas winked to my mom and she laughed.

Suddenly I felt Nicholas squeezing my hand lightly, I turned my face to him. He was so handsomely smiling. 

Right. 

I couldn’t forget that Alexander too because his brother has identical face as him. I sighed. Suddenly his jaw clenched and his grip was tighter. 

Ouch.

 I took out my hand and frown to him.

“Kimmy, Maria. Please excuse me for few minutes, I’ve just remembered that I have to make some calls,” he smiled and politely left the table to go out somewhere.

“Is he modeling?” she asked when Nicholas was out of her sight.

“No, he’s actually neurosurgeon but currently not practicing, to handle family business,” I told her the truth.

“Two doctors will be in the house. Fantastic!” her blue eyes were lit, she smiled widely.

“Mom, what were you doing?” I questioned her strange too friendly treat to Nicholas.

“What? Nicholas? Kimmy, I saw that boy was driving one of most expensive car and you seemed enjoy being his company,” she sipped her wine.

I started to get boiled, “Mom, you knew me better.”

“Kimmy, you don’t have to be offended. He’s the most handsome boy I’ve ever met, he’s more than liking you, very well educated, and it happened that he’s filthy rich too. So, you hit the jackpot, Kimmy. He’s perfect for my perfect daughter,” she told me while holding my hand.

“Mom, I barely knew him,” I told her.

“Yet, you went abroad for romantic getaway with him, so tell me, have you given yourself to that lucky boy?” she asked.

“No, Mom. Eww, gross question!” I let go off her hand and crossed my arms on my chest.

“Well, that’s a rare quality, Dear. No i***t would let you untouched after pampering with such luxury trip. So, where have you been with him?” she asked curiously.

“Mykonos,” I almost whispered. 

But not with Nicholas, but his brother. Duh.

“Mykonos, Positano. He must be desperately in love with you, willing to wait or struggle that hard. I just love that boy!” she laughed. 

Mom, you know nothing. 

My heart was aching. But she was right, it didn’t make any sense Alexander would leave me hanging alone without strong reason. He literally gave me three million dollars of diamond watch. 

But if he truly like me and not in life threatening danger, where is he? Wait, did he try to test me with his brother? 

Then I completely failed. Alexander was dumb of sending his twin because I could fall for him, not just about his look, but he made me laugh. Before checking out from the villa this morning, I sent text to Alexander to inform my plan to return his watch and gown through Nicholas. Still, he didn’t bother to reply by now.

“Enough about him, Mom. Why not asking me about my work or upcoming fellowship?” I rolled my eyes to her.

“Kimmy, you’ve been working non-stop for almost two years, that was the last thing I wanted to know now. Just text me when you have an updated story,” she gave me boring look. 

I laughed at her.

“What I really want to know, are you happy with him?” she continued.

Alexander’s POV:

I was waiting for Nicholas inside a baroque-style Roman catholic church only less than two hundred meters from Seta. I was sitting at the mid pew with head bowed, eyes shut, and hands closed on my lap. He came sitting next to me in two minutes after.

he asked. 

There’s annoyance in his tone.

I tested him coldly.

he insisted, reminding me of the King’s order.

 I ignored her words.

he stated it smugly.

 I asked him in defeated.

he reminded me.

I requested. 

I could feel he was giving me a nod. 

he replied.

So, I stood up, tapped my hand on his shoulder, silently walked to the shadowy white pillar and teleported back to my castle.

Nicholas’s POV:

“My apology for leaving the ladies for too long,” I told them when getting back to our table. 

I previously asked Ivan to guard them, he left out of my sight soon after I arrived in the restaurant.

Both of them were smiling, “It’s okay, Nicholas,” Maria responded with a big smile upon her face. 

She is pretty middle-aged woman, I guess the daughter took the mother side. Kimmy stared at me, she was still upset that I said those things to her mother. As I smiled sweetly to her, she looked away to the window.

“What time are you leaving? I wish you two can stay over here,” Maria said.

“Anytime when Kimmy is ready, Maria,” I smiled and held Kimmy’s hand, stopping her from fidgeting fingers.

“Well, do you live in Milan too, Nicholas?” Maria asked. 

Her questions were safe enough, so I don’t have to hypnotize her again. I literally owned castles, mansions, penthouses all over places in Europe, but most of them were acquired and handled by Barbara, my head financial planner and advisor, through real estate brokers and fair auctions, and being rented to humans after undergo renovation. I don’t need money from pitiful humans, but being strongly advised only to avoid of those places being abandoned and ruined, as I only have human slaves in my main castle in Germany and even most lowly level vampires are obviously not into house-keeping work.

“Occasionally, Maria. I’d love to stay in New York City with Kimmy, but my permanent place is here in Europe. I wish someday Kimmy would agree to move out here when we get married,” I told her.

Kimmy chocked on her cake, “Nicholas!” she glared at me angrily. 

Have you lost your mind? This is way not acceptable. How could you play my mom this way? She will nag on me for the rest of my life!

I smirked and pulled her shoulders closer, she squealed.

“She’s New Yorker, it will be a battle for you to get her leaving that place, Nicholas. Good luck,” Maria smiled widely, but she raised her eyebrow to her daughter’s strange behavior.

“Okay, Nic. It’s already two fifteen. We have to leave,” Kimmy changed the subject and got up to call the waiter.

“I got this Kimmy,” I hurriedly gave my card to the waiter before she could reach hers. This woman was just difficult to accept the fact that I’m the one who have to pay. And she was angry with me. 

Sofuckingcute.

And as her mother’s eyes were following my black trimmed in gold card with diamond set in its center on the server pad holder, Kimmy nudged her mother’s arm softly.

øøøøø

I watched Kimmy hugged her mother when she was about to leave with her driver. Kimmy had teary eyes, although she was still mad at me, she took handkerchief from me.

“Are you still angry with me?” I asked when I was taking exit to the main road.

“Wouldn’t you if you were me?” she asked me back and looked away.

I took her hand, she turned and glared at me, “I’m not a toy, Nicholas. My mom as well. Just because I requested you to lie, but it was supposedly a white lie, not the whole lies. Now how could I keep lying to her and I bet she has told my dad by now,” I held her hand tight.

“Why would I lie, Kimmy? Do you believe love at first sight?” I gave her a smile and loving look. 

I could feel her heart rate increased.

“What do you mean, Nicholas? We have agreed to be friends. I was with your brother. And we just met yesterday,” she uttered softly. 

You were with my brother. He won’t ever come back for you, Kimmy. 

“I couldn’t hold it, Kimmy. You can trust that I’ve never felt something like this in my entire life. I love you, Kimberly,” I told her. 

I don’t know whether it is love or not, but the urge to have her is unbearable. But I know how humans are attached to that kind of feeling.

“Stop it, Nicholas. I made out with your twin, I’m not embarrassed but I’m not shameless one. We can’t be together even if I’m not with Alex anymore,” she took her hand and crossed her hands on her chest.

“You didn’t sleep with my brother, so practically nothing had ever happened,” I told her. 

The truth is even if she slept with him, I would still want her. 

“Nic, I don’t have feeling for you!” she almost shouted in despair.

She was being persistence, perhaps I have to use different approach. I pulled over the car suddenly, quickly unbuckled the seatbelt, leaned to her, pulled her head to my mouth, and kissed her roughly. She was squirmed in shock and tried to push me, I held one of her hand that was about to hit me and pressed my lips even harder on hers and forced her to open his mouth, as she opened it I shoved my tongue into her mouth, slowed down my kiss, then kissed her more sensually. She let out a moan of pleasure when I played her tongue and started to kiss me back. I ended the kiss and moved back to my seat. I could hear that my guards were approaching and wondered why I made a sudden stop, so I asked them to stay away and kept the distance.

She was panting hard with widen eyes.  She was burning, as I was. 

Fuck.

 She closed her mouth with two hands. 

I couldn’t believe my body betrayed me. I even tried to kiss him back. I’m a slut. Oh, God. This is beyond embarrassing.

I smirked and tucked my hair lock behind my ear, “We’ll arrive in forty minutes. Do you need something at the airport, Kimmy?” I asked her softly, pretending to act normal as I calmed my hard d**k. 

Her respond kept getting better, I licked my lips.

She shook her head and bit her lips, “Look, Nic,” she started to say something. 

She wanted me to apologize for the kiss so that she wouldn’t blame herself, but fuckno, I won’t. I guessed I gave her my blood too little.

“Stop thinking so much, Kimmy. Just be true to your feeling.”

What feeling? My ex-boyfriend has just tragically died fifteen days ago, only to find out that he sincerely loved me, then I rejected someone to be with another one only to be ditched abroad with his twin whom I kissed. My feeling couldn’t be trusted, betrayed the logic. It foolishly chose the wrong person. 

She sighed, deliberately took a quick glance at me. I kept my hands on the steering wheel and kept peeking into her mind. 

I ignited the fire by kissing him on our first meeting. It was a reckless kiss as my intention was kissing Alexander, but Nicholas probably felt it differently. I might not feel butterflies in my stomach with Nicholas, but I honestly admitted that I’m attracted to him physically just like how I felt to Alexander, their touches equally burnt me with passion like I was on the edge of my own lust probably because of Nicholas’s splitting image of Alexander and the fact that alongside with his twin brother are the most gorgeous men I’ve ever encountered in my life, although their personalities are the exact opposite to each other.

She secretly took another glance, making my lips twitched. Humans do tend to think too much, then confused with their own, and still did nothing about it after. She was no difference. Although she doesn’t fall for me yet, but at least she wants me too. Patience might not be my style, but since I want to be with her forever, I’ll try playing along with my role for a while. 

øøøøø

“Busy?” I asked her soon after onboard. 

I moved her coat and handbag to the seat in front of her as I took a seat on her side. She raised her face.

“Hospital work,” she told me, giving a weak smile, then went back replying some emails.

She lied, one message she sent to another human, Dylan Knight. I checked my wrist watch, it was 03:45 p.m., we still have fifteen minutes before the plane taking off. We will arrive before 08:00 p.m. of New York’s time, so I pulled out my phone calling Peter.

“All set?” I referred to the hidden surveillance cameras my brother replaced mine before. 

I already asked Peter to make sure her apartment wasn’t on tapped except from mine.

“Already done, Your Highness. I only found one in the living room, so I installed three. You may check the footages from your phone now,” he said.

“Good,” and I hung up.

“Nicholas,” Kimmy called softly. 

She was holding her phone on the lap.

“Yes, Kimmy?”  I replied and looked at her face, quietly inhaled her sweet scent.

“Have we actually met before?” She suddenly asked something I didn’t predict her question.

“I’m sure I will remember seeing pretty face like you, Kimmy,” I answered and smiled, “Why asking?” I was curious.

“No reason,” she replied. 

Just sudden curiosity over your doppelgängerat hospital’s elevator after visiting Daniel.

Oh, that. 

“You look a bit tired, Kimmy. It’s almost nine-hour flight ahead. Do you want to sleep in the bedroom?” I diverted the attention.

“Perhaps later, Nic. Thanks,” she began to smile and looked away to the window as the plane was moving to the runway. 

She sighed, thinking either she had really saw our doppelgängers, had bizarre premonitions before meeting us, or just her being hallucinated fatigue. She closed her eyes, trying to practice yoga mediation by fixing her sitting posture and focusing on her breathing into a stable rhythm for nearly ten minutes.

“Do you believe in God, Nicholas?” out of the blue she uttered another question after the stewardess came offering some drinks and snacks. 

We took a glass each of one of my favorite 1990’s Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Burgundy.

“I was raised with no particular religion, Kimmy. But I could say that most of us were practicing Paganism and I’m more like a Heathen,” I’m good at lying, but I don’t think it’s time for me to lie at her since we’ll get married anyway, but where was her question leading to? “Is there anything bothering you?” I asked.

She turned to me with her big blue eyes, wondering about Paganism and Heathenry. Thank f**k, I no longer saw her previous anger in it. 

“I thought most European royalties are either Catholics or Christians. What do you mean by a Heathen? Please excuse for my ignorance, but I’ve just heard about it,” she muttered low, genuinely curious.

“That’s because most of us were secretly practiced or just hiding under a Christian cloak. Do you know the term of Paganism, Kimmy?” I asked and she nodded. “To be short, Heathenry is an alternative name for Germanic neo-pagan movement, stemming from Norse Paganism. We generally don’t believe in anything but system of practice, not of belief,” I continued, recalling the history when on contrary with reverence for nature, all those witches either had to be burnt alive or decapitated, because some of them refused to cooperate and helped the werewolf and even consumed the powerful combination of vervainflower and berleaves to make them immune to our hypnosis and repel some of our supernatural powers.

Although the great battle with them caused many casualties from all sides, as lesson I learnt when I was a little and my own experience, we finally managed to execute their last kind and successfully promoted human to hate the witchcraft until now.

“But do you believe in Holy Power and Demons?” she furrowed her brow. 

She thought about googling on Heathenry later.

“I would say yes, although many of us calling divine entities in something else entirely different, like the deity or even simply spirits,” I said, “Come again, is there something bothering you, Kimmy?” I asked.

“Well, yes. I actually experienced some strange things I’ve never told anyone before,” she muttered softly.

“What things?” I could see where she was about to go.

“Promise me, you won’t make a fun or tell anyone? You’re a fellow doctor, that’s why I request for your opinion,” she replied.

“Spill me up,” I replied with faux smiling. 

Humans. 

They have bad habit to beat around the bush.

“I’ve seen you and Alex before I met you two,” she told me with worried eyes, as if she was afraid of my judgement.

“When and where?” I played along, staring at her and sipping my drink.

“I saw Alex the night before I actually met him in the restaurant and I saw you the day after in the hospital. That was October eighth and ninth,” she told me.

“So? Alex and I were in New York at that time,” I told her, smirking.

“Nic, you don’t understand. I saw Alex inside the HRP in the ER,” she closed her mouth with her two hands, regretting to mention human body bag.

I grinned mischievously, “I’m perfectly aware that my brother is still sound and healthy. You should probably address your vision as you thought of seeing, Kimmy.”

She nodded, “Believe me, I tried so hard to forget about him, you could imagine I almost got my blood drained when seeing him at the restaurant the next day.”

I think, she literally got her blood drained as my brother gave her his blood.

“And when did you see me?” I asked.

“At hospital after visiting my friend, you, I mean someone like you stepped out of the elevator when I was about to go inside,” she told me, seeing her fingers fidgeting on her lap.

“The one at Lennox Hill? Well, I indeed went there once visiting a friend,” I told her.

She looked up at me with widen eyes, “Really? On October ninth?”

“I guess so,” I replied and gave her a sweet smile. 

She held my arm, feeling enthusiastic.

“Oh, Nic. Thank God. At least one of my memories didn’t completely wrong.”

“Perhaps, it’s a fate, Kimmy. We would find to each other eventually,” I told her and held her hands. 

She was hesitating to let me. She thought about my brother.

“Nic, please tell me the truth. Do you know the reason why he left me alone with you? Why he was backing off?” she asked.

“He should be the one to tell you, Kimmy. But I think you deserved to know that he’s married to Madeline,” I told her. 

The more I spilled her the truth, the more she would appreciate me of being so called honest in her mind.

“What?” her pupils were dilated in horror, “Nic, did I hear you correctly that your brother is a married man?” she was almost like whispering.

“Unfortunately, yes, Kimmy,” I took the glass out from her hands as they were shaking, put it on the table, and held her hands. 

She was cold and pale with rapid pulse and irregular breathing, “I’m sorry, Kimmy,” I gave her a hug.

She was bursting in tears, “How could he fool me like this?” 

Despite I want her to hate my brother in order to let me into her heart, I don’t want her to hate him so much that she will hate me too of sharing a face with my brother.

“It was an arranged married as he is the first son and had obligation to marry royal blood,” that’s not the only reason, but I think this would be enough for her.

She lightly pushed me away, but I held her hands. Her face was so close with mine. I literally wanted to kiss and did rough things with her now, but that would be a foolish move. I let go off her hands to cool off my desire and looked away. She kept staring at me.

“That’s not justification of what he did. He lied at me. Oh, thank God, I didn’t...” sleep with him. 

She thought how immoral and more heartbreaking if she did. Yes, thank fuckmy brother was being stupid.

Does he have kids with his wife? How long has he been married? What kind of woman he is married to? She must be a very pretty princess or something. And what about Nicholas, he said he has feeling for me, does he have same obligation to marry royal blood only? 

“I on the other hand, am free to marry anyone I want, royal or not,” but advisedly not to human, “Even if my parents forced me to, I will defy them as I’m always on rebelling side. I want to marry the woman I love,” I gave her my best loving look.

She heavily sighed, “I don’t know about this, Nic. I need a time to cool off.” 

I got up and pulled her, taking her bag and coat with one hand, “You may take your time in the bedroom. I’ll call you when it’s dinner time.” 

Then I walked her to the bedroom. She didn’t complain and just kept her head low, thinking she wasn’t hungry and all she need was laying down and crying. I kissed her head and lightly pushed her inside. 

“Take a rest, Kimmy,” I told her softly.

I could hear that she was crying soon after the door was closed. 

Good, just cry and forget him. 

I stood by the door and listened to her suffering mind. As I couldn’t take it anymore with her weeping how my brother broke her heart, I left to take the seat at the farthest and used the satellite phone to call Christian on his absence on the meeting due to going to Australia.

“My prince,” he answered at first beep.

“Have you met my sister?” I asked, I knew he was so into my sister since he was a little, but Adriana despised him. 

I gave him important task on incident happened in Kerch last month whereas a peasant had been murdered and the only witness or even suspected killer we could trace was gone missing after killing one of my stupid envoy.

He cleared his throat, “I came here to catch daughter of Lord Theodore Botkin, Your Highness,” he replied.

“Anastasia, the red-haired woman of Botkin. So, what was the reason she killed our envoy?” I asked. 

She was running quite far from Kerch.

“She does not talk, Your Highness. That is why I’ll bring her to you. May I take her to your castle?” he asked.

“I won’t be there for quite sometimes. Can you ask to Barbara, to place the woman somewhere in New York City? I’m sure she could arrange a suitable place for her,” I told him.

“May I speak freely, Your Highness?” he carefully asked.

“So, speak.”

“Shouldn’t we ask for Prince Alexander’s permission first if we intended to bring our prisoner into his territory?” he carefully asked.

“Just do what I said and I’ll handle the rest with my brother,” I told him and hung up. 

I don’t want my brother to get credit for my work or meddle into my own problem as he has his own, but I’ll call him later after I have found the lead I’ve been looking for, but I don’t want to fly back to my castle or anywhere far from Kimmy too, at least not until I got her heart opened for me.

Kimmy, she wanted to return the gift my brother gave to her. The price meant nothing to him and it held no sentimental value. But knowing that he had personally never given something to even his own wife gave me an idea. I don’t want to hurt my brother deeply, but I have to break his heart so that he will totally give up on Kimmy. 

My Kimmy.

øøøøø

“Kimmy,” I knocked to the door once. 

She opened it a little. She has puffy and red eyes, but she has refreshed her face.

“Nic,” she looked down, feeling embarrassed with her face. 

She shouldn’t be as she still looked beautiful and fragile, tempting me. I pushed the door to widely open, she almost stumbled her feet as she held the door by hand and right foot. I barged in and held her tiny waist. She instantly wiggled, but I was holding her tight.

“Kimmy, look at me,” I raised her chin to my face, her eyes met mine, “Dinner time.” 

I wanted to comfort her, but I was running out of lines.

“I’m not hungry, Nic,” she replied.

“I’m hungry and I need a company,” I wasn’t talking about the food.

She sighed, thinking that it would be rude for her to deny, “Okay,” she nodded.

I let go off her waist and took her hand, dragging her to one of the seat club. I was sitting on her opposite.

A human came over with menu books, he politely introduced himself as Maxime Vauquelin to Kimmy with French accent. I let her to choose her own as I listened to the human chef’s mind on my Kimmy, how she is a fine-looking woman with a broken heart. I had to calm myself to not interfere his annoying mind. Next time I should tell Barbara to hire an older chef, as she had tendency to hire young and handsome or beautiful ones with best qualifications, to be used for the upcoming Winter Ball.

Using telepathy, I told Bogdan, my guard, to give a little lesson to the chef and make sure that all humans, including cabin crews should be compelled first to keep their personal emotions out at work. 

I don’t need a fuckingdistraction.

I told Bogdan.

he replied.

“How’s your feeling?” I put my attention back to Kimberly after ordering our in-flight dinner to the poor chef.

“I’m good now,” she smiled, “Wow, you have your own private chef onboard, how could I refuse to eat after seeing his menu, Nic,” she stated. 

I smirked, “Occasionally.” 

This is actually the very first time I brought a chef onboard as also the first time I transported a human. Two humans.

“Kimmy, do you like camping?”

“Only when I was on summer camp, but I did quite a lot of hiking with friends during high school and college. Why asking?” she asked.

“Well, I’m into both camping and hiking. Do you like to go camping with me?” I asked.

Just the two of us? Are you being serious? I don’t think I’m ready for this as it is unwise to go with ex-boyfriend’s brother. 

“I don’t think the timing is good, Nic. Mostly I get urgent call even on Saturday,” she politely reasoned.

“You may bring your friends too, Kimmy. C’mon, it’ll be fun and relaxing. You need that.” 

If only I could compel her, none of these silly lines ever needed. Soon after mentioning of bringing her friends, she changed her mind as she started to think about Carla and Tony. 

How naive.

“Do you have a place to visit in your mind?’ she asked, her blue eyes flickered with curiosity.

“New Hampshire,” I replied, taking a glass of Shipwrecked champagne for Kimberly and a glass of Richebourg pinot noir from the stewardess.

She was shocked, “Nicholas, that’s too far for one night camping.”

“It’s approximately an hour by my jet from LaGuardia to Lebanon and thirty-minute drive to the property.” 

Barbara has just informed me that the construction and installments has been finished and ready to lease, so that gave me an idea.

“Wow, you did your research great, Nic. Fine, I’ll have my friends asked first, then. Can I bring two?” she asked, thinking about asking Carla and Tony.

I nodded and smiled, “Good, it’s settled then, next Saturday.”

She smiled back, thinking how I’m so different with my brother as I asked her first where to go and let her decide what to eat. I smirked, not because knowing my brother too well so I did the opposite, but the fact that I have a date with her.

“Look, Nic. Let’s straight up our friendship first,” she said softly. 

I nodded, “Sure, Kimmy.”

“What do you hope from our friendship?” she asked, staring at my eyes.

“I want you as a friend and a lover.” 

For eternity. That’s the only truth. Why running in circle, I know who I really want.

She sighed, “I don’t know what I want, but I love talking to you, Nic. But truth is, I probably not yet ready for new relationship. Well, especially because the very last time was with your brother. It will be unfair for you if how I felt to Alex clouded my true feeling for you.” 

“I’m not Alex, Kimmy,” I reminded her. 

But she used the L-word to describe how much she was appreciated of our friendship.

Like I fuckingneed a friend. 

“I know, but you’re too identical even I realized that your personality is his opposite. Not like it’s a bad thing, though. It’s a good thing indeed. But, I don’t think it’s morally correct for us to have relationship when I was with Alex before,” she muttered low.

“Kimmy, you didn’t even sleep with him and you only met him briefly, that’s pretty safe for anyone to let us be,” I don’t understand why it is a big deal for her.

“But how can I meet Alex if... if only we’re together?” she blurted out.

Oh. That’s the main reason. 

She still has feeling to my bother and is afraid to meet him again. 

“Do you like me, Kimmy?” I asked.

“Well, I certainly don’t hate you,” she answered. 

I like you, but I’m afraid to like you more.But how would I know if the feeling is genuinely for Nicholas?

“Ouch, that’s hurt,” I chuckled, holding her hands, “Kimmy, let me repeat this, you just think too much. If you need more time to acknowledge your feeling for me whether you truly like me or not as a man, then go ahead. I’ll be waiting for you. Just be true to your own, don’t hold it.” 

Perhaps that was the longest sentence I said ever to a human or to a woman. 

A totalbullshit.

Kimberly chewed her lips, thinking if I knew that she wants to remain virgin until marriage, I would probably back off as I look like someone who can’t be celibate. 

Damnedshe was both wrong and right. 

I’ll just have to marry her sooner.

“Nic, I took s****l activity out of the equation and want to stay that way until marriage. I’m sure a guy like you can’t handle this issue and it’ll be unjust for you to wait for me,” she muttered slow. 

Because I want the man to be exclusively with me and I won’t appreciate if he bangs others just because we don’t, so it will be too much to handle for most men, a man like Nicholas.

“A guy like me?” I furrowed my brow, teasing her.

She cleared her throat and looked away, “Well, you know... You’re hot and I’m sure you’re active on that side,” she thought she said the dumbest thing, but I could understand that she’s actually an inexperienced woman. 

Hot. 

I’ve heard it too often, but coming from her hot mouth was different.

“Well, thank you. But I still don’t mind waiting,” I replied and squeezed her hands lightly.

“Are you meant it, Nic?” she didn’t believe in me. 

Good instinct.

“Yes, I meant everything, including those I said to your mother,” I gave her my sweetest fake smile as I don’t smile often, but grinning. 

She blushed, thinking that I was too blunt with my words and that she wants to take step at a time.

“But we can be friends for a while,” I continued and kiss her hands. 

She looked at me, biting her lips. 

Fuck, I’m hungry for her.

The chef came with cabin crews bringing our dinner. Kimberly got ratatouilleand tarte tatinas desert, I had my wagyu sirloin steak in raw. The chef is apparently indeed a good one, as he managed to get me A5 grade BMS 12 of Kobe beef and he cooked it perfectly. He also presented us salade nicoiseand a platter of fresh fruits.

They share similarity on the raw steak. 

I could hear Kimberly judged my taste. Usually I wouldn’t take negativity from anyone, especially humans, but she’s not just a human, she is my mate, so I gave her a smile.

“Enjoy!” she smiled back at me and forked the salad first.

øøøøø

After having dinner, I pulled out Kimberly to sit on the couch with more drinks on our hands.

“We still have five hours more to land. Do you want to go back to bedroom?” I offered her.

“Tempting, but I won’t be able to sleep at home if sleeping again,” she laughed.

I pulled her into my chest, she squealed at first but I held her tight. Her heart rate was beating faster. She tried to breathe slowly to calm her anxiety.

“You have such a large aircraft here with ultra-stylish interior design. I never thought the luxurious spacious bedroom suite equipped with marbled bathroom with a futuristic shower pod. How long this jet could reach?” she asked as laying her head on my chest. 

She was wondering how many jets I owned as one we used from Positano to Milan was difference with one we were on-boarding now.

“It’s ultra-long range, so I can visit my sister in Queensland without a transit stop.” 

This is my family latest jet we bought early this year, we got it a year earlier of anyone. Since we’re going to have our database office set up in New York City, father instructed me to have our biggest bird there.

“So, we’re not going to land at LaGuardia?” she asked.

“I surely don’t want the engines hanging out over the grass with dirt kicking all around,” I grinned, “We can land at Newark, but since I’m about to keep it for quite some time, JFK will be better and safest considering to the length of its runway and hangar’s current availability.” 

She nodded, thinking that owning even one private jet required lots of calculation. I stroked her soft long hair. She was a bit shivered.

“Are you cold, Kimmy?” I asked.

“No!”

Oh, she was still blushing. I smirked.

“Please tell me about your sister, what does she look like?” she asked me.

I pulled out my phone from my pocket and with one hand, scrolling through my contacts. It wasn’t hard to get her picture, as she is one of those narcissistic vampires, who put profile picture on their messenger. I showed the picture to Kimberly.

“Oh, my God. She is breathtakingly beautiful, Nic. She has big green eyes, full lips, lighter blonde hair, and milky skin,” she genuinely praised my little brat sister, “You have beautiful family, Nic,” she continued.

“Likewise, Kimmy,” I lifted her so that we could lay our bodies on the couch with armrest as my pillow.

She got up suddenly, “What if others see us?”

I smirked. No one would dare to be seen around when I don’t need them. I got up and pulled her up.

“Let’s lay down on the bed, then. You do trust me, right?” I asked her. 

She sheepishly nodded, but her heart was beating faster, making my ears deaf. I held her hand and took her to the bedroom suite. And we just laid on the duvet, with her head on my chest again. She awkwardly put her hands on my chest. I wrapped one hand on her back to steady her position.

Friends don’t do this. But I’m lying to myself if I’m not enjoying attention from him. God. But there’s something I wanted to know from him. About their cold skins, as Alexander only told me it was genetics.

“Nic, can I ask something private?” she asked. 

She did ask private questions before, what could it be more private?

“Shoot,” I replied.

“Have you ever wondered about the coldness your family have?” she carefully asked, touching my jawline lightly. 

That was a wrong mistake as her move waking up my c**k, I removed her hand and closed my eyes, clenching my jaw.

“Oh, sorry,” her face was burnt, realizing my stiffness. 

She shuffled her body against mine, but I held her tight on my shoulder.

I have to concentrate on other things, “We had different opinions.”

“What?” she clearly confused.

“The coldness you asked to me,” I reminded her.

“Oh. Please go on,” she said.

“My brother thought it was because of basal metabolism, but I thought it was more like hypothalamus disorder on thermoregulation. As we all know, the brain is the central control center for our body temperature, so when the central has imbalance work with the other components like thyroid gland, body fat, blood vessels, and skin to control body temperature, the body cannot mount proper responses,” I have never done autopsy on vampires as we would turn into ashes when we’re really dead.

“Does it affect something?” she asked, raising her face on me. 

Her beautiful blue eyes were genuinely curious.

“No. We’re healthy as others, as we don’t experience shivering, weak pulse, low energy, or even feeling the cold itself,” I grinned. 

I could be totally naked in the coldest weather without feeling the frost bites.

“Have you or others in your family ever tried to overcome it, I mean seeking for treatment or relief?” she asked again.

“They were careless, as long as it doesn’t affect to our lives. But if it is caused by basal metabolism, then appropriate hormone therapy could be the answer to get the body back on track and if it is caused by compression of the hypothalamus by a mass, a surgical removal can be done to relief the problem. But none of us ever thought to do it because like I said earlier, we’re just as healthy as others,” I explained, never thought I could make up such thing to a human doctor.

I ran my fingers on her face lightly, she was shivered, and not only because of my cold fingers. I smirked, pulling her body into my arms and let my arm be her headrest as I kissed her forehead. She was so tensed, as I was when her sweet scent suffocated my respiratory system, so I closed my eyes and tried to not listen to her breath and heartbeat.

“I’m sorry asking such questions, Nic,” she muttered softly.

I stroked her shiny soft hair, “You can ask me anything, Baby.”

Baby! Anything? I must be burning hot now. 

I smirked.

øøøøø

I carefully pulled out my right arm from being her headrest, then sat and watched her sleeping. I poked her nose and she didn’t respond. I stored back the syringe needle in my left hand to its container and put it on the nightstand.

I called her.

She didn’t respond. After checking on her breathing, I kissed her lips, and my hand pulled her white shirt out of the jeans and slowly trailed into her tummy and breasts underneath her shirt. I was so aroused, I need a f*****g release.

I called her again, kissing her more passionately.

She was still being quiet like a ragdoll. I ended my kiss, staring at her motionless body. 

What the f**k I was thinking?

I fixed her clothes and took another syringe needle to awake her.

I want her to be completely mine, body and soul.