Serpent Twins: The Fall

The Flickering Tyrrhenian

Kimberly’s POV:

We arrived at Naples Capodichino International Airport at 11:00 a.m. I was in Alexander’s arms for the whole flight. He told me that his other man will escort me to Positano by helicopter while he will go with Kristof to Ravello. He kept telling me to stay in the mansion and to have lunch by myself in the mansion. He promised to come back soon after having his urgent meeting finished. I offered him a massage to reduce his tension, but he refused as he wanted to spend the time snuggling up with me on the couch which I absolutely didn’t mind. He kissed me long and possessively when we were about parting in his jet. We will probably meet again in few hours, but he acted like about to go away for long time. I wasn’t complaining, in fact enjoying. I even took a short nap in his strong arms as being full drove me sleepy.

We were transferred to helicopter parking slot using small shuttle only a minute away from the private jet area. Alexander kissed my hands in his grip as we parted to different helicopters. My pilot was already inside on his seat as two men was welcoming us to get onto the back seat, one of them is a handsome tall man with light brown hair and hazel eyes. He didn’t introduce himself, but he gave me a respectful nod differently, so I assumed it’s Jan. 

My, is there any common face bodyguard he has? 

All of them are handsome ones and dressed nicely. He politely motioned me to sit alone at the passenger seat as he took the co-pilot seat at front. Our silvery grey helicopter was soaring up into the sky soon after the door was closed. I could see Alexander down there kept staring at me while I was waving to him. His blonde hair wasn't really blown by the wind as he styled it in low slicked back. He is so handsome, I couldn’t stop admiring him. Feeling the strange fluttering in my chest, I realized that for the very first time in my life, I was finally falling for someone, hard. I smiled to myself, recalling how gorgeous my cold Alexander was.

It took only fifteen minutes to Positano and the breathtakingly beautiful panoramic from above with green mountains, blue ocean with ferries, yachts, speed boats, and the colorful buildings on the cliffside was unforgettable. The place screamed out romantic ambience. I couldn’t wait to have the fascinating coast a little explored with Alexander later. I could imagine walking hand in hand with him on the side walk like lovebird tourists. I chuckled alone.

øøøøø

“Miss Vanderwood,” Jan helped me to get down from the helicopter soon after touching down the helipad in a luxury three story villa area surrounded by blooming pink bougainvillea and red hibiscus. 

“Thank you,” I reached out to his hand. 

His hand is as cold as Alexander, are they relative? 

Honestly, I have never heard this kind of genetically cold skin.

He was leading me to the main entrance whereas several people were standing next to the main entrance. A middle age man welcomed me first, introducing himself as Luigi, the head of personal service. After briefly showing me around the twelve-bedroom villa, Luigi then took me to the master bedroom to rest and informed me that lunch would be ready anytime. After thanking him, I closed the door behind. I wasn’t hungry yet, but I was still sleepy. Feeling a bit lonely without Alexander’s presence, I decided to take an hour nap before having lunch and strolling around the beautiful villa. Just like Kristof, soon after entering the villa, Jan was nowhere to be seen. There were two doors leading to outside, the opposite of the bed is to terrace with a white sofa, two white sun beds, cute white canopy, and overlooking ocean and the famous cliffside pastel houses, while the other is a small balcony with mountain and garden view. I laid my body on the bed, feeling amazed with its decorative big paintings on the walls. The quietness made me yawn, so I rolled down the blinds as the room was too bright for my nap.

øøøøø

I was woken up when a hand lightly shook my shoulder. It was dark as I didn’t open the curtains. I turned around. My eyes were still blurry, but I could see it’s Alexander. He bent his face closed to mine.

“Alex!” I wrapped my hands around his neck, planting my lips to his cold and soft lips.

But strangely he didn’t reply the kiss and was being stiff. I cupped his cheek to get closer and brushed his sleek hair only to find a small bun. 

Alexander doesn’t have enough hair to make a bun. 

I jerked out in fear and reached for a light button on the side desk. As the light flickered bright, I could see he is Alexander, but with longer hair in a bun. Exactly Alexander. He stood up. 

“Alex?” I called out.

He stood up tall, put fingers on his lips slowly, and went to roll up the blinds.

“Who are you?” I asked him again.

I closed my eyes when sudden brightness hit my eyes and hurriedly reached out the duvet to cover my tank top. I was confused. 

Did he wear hair extension? 

But he’s not wearing same suit as in the morning.

“Alex sent me here, Kimberly. I’m Nicholas, his brother,” he said with a stiff smile.

I straight up my back awkwardly, “I’m... sorry about the kiss.” 

I wanted to get down but I wore nothing but panties behind the duvet. 

“Are you identical twins? I can’t find difference in you and you have the similar voice,” I continued.

He nodded, grinning. He has same white teeth as Alexander, “I’ve heard that enough. It’s my fault as I barged in. You didn’t answer to my knock,” he calmly said. 

His eyes were light green, exactly the same.

“Nice to meet you, Nicholas. I’m sorry, Alex said nothing about your visit. Where’s Alex?” I asked.

“Get refresh and I’ll explain later. I’ll be waiting by the terrace near the pool, on second floor, don’t get lost,” he said and walked away, but he turned around just before closing the door, “And nice to meet you, Kimberly. You’re beautiful,” he smiled and gave me a wink.

I was blushing. 

Oh, my God. 

How identical their look, but I started to feel that Nicholas has different character than Alexander. I got up and took my phone out of my handbag. I didn’t get any calls or messages from Alexander, but my boss did reply and granted my leave. I sighed, it’s just 12:05 p.m. How could I sleep that heavy not hearing his knock, usually I was more like a light sleeper. 

Although Alexander told me the opposite.

I texted Alexander to let him know that Nicholas is here. He’s probably still on his business meeting, so I didn’t bother to call.

Alex, your TWIN brother is here. I’m going to have lunch with him in the villa. When are you going to be back?Red heart emoji.

øøøøø

After refreshing, I went out with same outfit without cardigan as the weather wasn’t that cold even with the sea breeze. After checking out the patio of my room, admiring the breathtaking view for a minute, I went out of the room to find Nicholas downstairs. I wore my brown flats and brought my sunglasses and phone, looking for the pool. When I entered the long terrace, the long table with white linen has been decorated for serving lunch. The chairs were also covered in ribbon like shape with same white fabric. 

“Kimberly,” Nicholas called me out from my back. 

I turned around, staring to his bright light green eyes. He was leaning against the wall, with his loose hair on his shoulder. 

God. 

Never into long haired man in my life, but Nicholas is so handsome with it. He was wearing Ivory chino pants with light blue linen shirt with rolled up sleeves. Casual chic perfectly matched with his silky dirty blonde hair. His lips were twitching.

“Nicholas, you startled me again,” I laughed awkwardly. 

I should be careful with how I behave, he’s Nicholas, my boyfriend’s brother, not Alexander.

Nicholas didn’t laugh and walked pass me by to sit across the table, he motioned me to sit down too. 

Awkward. I shouldn’t kiss him, was he mad at me?

“You must be hungry, let’s have the lunch while talking,” he said and his eyes was staring at my back, Luigi came bringing menu books. 

He politely gave us the book each.

“Do you want to try their specialties, Kimberly?” he asked gently.

I looked up at him and put aside the book, “Sure, hit me up, Nicholas,” I smiled.

His eyes were playfully squinting, “I will.”

Then I realized, I probably used the impropriate words, “I’m sorry, I mean please place an order for me,” I blushed.

“Well, it’s my pleasure, Kimberly,” he replied, looking down to the menu. 

But the way he said it like he kept teasing at me.

Am I in trouble? 

I shouldn’t be blushing over these things. 

Clear your up your mind, Kimberly!

“The lady would like to have scialatielli ai frutti di mareand lemon sorbet for the dessert. I’d like ndunderi and we’d have share caponataas the starter and a bottle of Gaja Langhe,” he ordered it while putting the book aside and gazing at me, “How’s that sound?” he asked, grinning.

I smiled sheepishly, “Sounds great, Nicholas. Thank you.”

He smiled back, checking on my lips. I anxiously looked away to the breathtaking blue ocean view behind him. 

“How did you meet my brother, Kimberly? I heard you’re a surgeon?” he asked after Luigi came pouring us the chardonnay into our glasses and left.

I looked at him, “I met him when I was on dinner with my friends. It’s almost three weeks ago.” 

I instantly recalled the moment when we met at the restaurant, how I made out with someone I’ve just met and was ended up here with him. I blushed my cheeks thinking that I might be looked easy for his brother, especially after accidentally kissed him. He must think that Alexander and I made love while actually we didn’t.

Like he cares.

Nicholas was smirking, “I see,” and he pushed aside his shoulder-length hair. 

Unlike Alex, his brother seemed to fully realize that he is a gorgeous one.

“So, who came out first, you or Alex?” I asked.

“Alex is lucky for being fifteen minutes older,” he answered.

“You both are, Nicholas,” I smiled at him.

“Being the first has better privileges, Kimberly. And he met you first too, he’s damned lucky,” he said coolly.

“I’m sure you have girlfriend too, Nicholas,” I laughed. 

I guessed he has a bit of that sibling rivalry?

He was smirking and raised his glass to make a toast, so I raised mine too, “To the good fate.”

I repeated his words softly and clinked our glasses lightly. He sipped his chardonnay, gazing at me as I couldn’t break our stare, when his blunt eyes fell down to my mouth, I looked down to the well-decorated table. White roses mixed with white lilies added more romantic settings.

How could I fix the wrong impression I made, I hope Alex would understand my mistake and Nicholas would forget about our accidental kiss. I cleared my throat.

“Nicholas, I guess I started it wrong with you. Can we start new clean slate and forget the previous encounter?” I asked.

“Sure, let’s do it,” he showed me again his white teeth.

I felt a relief, “Do you know when Alex be here?”

 I need his presence to ease my mix up mind as Nicholas gave me a strange feeling, like he tried to hit me up all the times but part of me enjoying that. 

Perhaps because his look confusing my mind?

“About that thing, Kimberly. He won’t be here. That’s why I’m here to be your company until our flight back tomorrow,” he sipped his wine again.

I was so shocked. 

How could Alex leave me alone with no words? Was he joking?

“Nicholas, sorry I didn’t follow it. Alex didn’t tell me anything about this. How could he leave me alone here?” I started to get emotional.

“That’s why I’m here, Kimberly. Don’t worry, we have to make the best of your stay here. He has to go back earlier for family’s issue,” he reached out his hands, but I took mine from the table.

I was mad at Alexander. No matter how urgent, he should at least tell me first. He brought me here and left me, that was unacceptable. Even if he sent his twin here, I don’t know if I could ever forgive him as I told him before that I didn’t want to be neglected.

Luigi came out with his staff bringing our bread salad. They gave us a plate each. I don’t know if I’m still having the appetite to eat now, but Nicholas took his plate, filled in the salad, then gave it to me while he took my plate and filled it for him.

“Mangiamo!” Nicholas said and gestured me to try eating the salad.

It’s impolite to sulk on the table, so I took my fork to eat. It’s delicious, I quietly ate it but few minutes later I just couldn’t hold my tears building up, about to come out of my eyes. 

How could Alex do this to me? 

Two cold arms wrapped my shoulders. I looked up, Nicholas was already on my back. He handed me his ivory handkerchief and I took it. I couldn’t hold to sob.

“I’m sorry, Kimberly. Alex has strong reason. I’ll be your good company, Kimberly. I promised,” he said, stroking my hairs softly.

“I’m sorry. I’m just shocked and to be frank, disappointed with his action,” I managed to say after finding my composure.

Luigi came out with his two staffs and Nicholas gestured them to proceed the arrangement.

“Are you okay now?” he whispered it on my ear. 

His breath tickled my earlobe. 

I bit my lips shyly, “Yes, thank you.” 

I inhaled and exhaled softly.

Nicholas squeezed my shoulders before coming back to his seat.

“Good. We’ll talk later and let’s eat, Kimberly. After this, we could go swim or do you want to go strolling up the town instead?” he asked while his fork was working on his ricotta gnocchi.

Alexander particularly forbid me to go out.

But he’s not going to come again, right? Screw him.

 Nicholas was right, I have to make the best of my stay here even without Alexander. But it’s actually difficult as Nicholas exactly looks the same as Alexander, except for his hair. 

And perhaps their personality?

“Yes, I’d love to go out, Nicholas,” I finally replied.

He nodded and smiled, “We’re leaving tomorrow afternoon, Kimberly.”

I was thinking about to call my mom, I wish I could visit her in Milan. I sighed.

“Tell me about your family, Kimberly,” Nicholas smiled.

“My father is in Baltimore, my brother is in Oxford, and mom is in Milan,” I told him while munching my delicious seafood spaghetti.

“Milan? It’s only less than two hours here. Do you want to go there before leaving for New York, perhaps meeting her for an hour?” he offered.

“We can do that?” my mood was changed.

“Sure do, Kimberly. Just call her to meet us at twelve thirty at Seta. Reservation will be on my name,” he smiled.

I felt very happy. 

“Thank you, Nicholas. I’ll call my mom now, would you mind? Can she bring her husband too?”

“Sure, Kimberly,” he poured his empty glass and sipped it.

øøøøø

After having the lunch, I decided to look around the gorgeous villa with Nicholas for few minutes, it was so spacious and beautiful with old Italian luxury style. I was wondering why Alexander kept renting such big place for the three of us. This made me to wonder, where Jan was, but I saw him standing at exit bowing to Nicholas when we were about to leave. His eyes flickered in fear before hiding his sight down. 

That’s just odd. 

Nicholas opened the door for me to a grey silver Koenigsegg sport car and got onto the driver seat himself. He was wearing his dark sunglasses. Another major difference with Alexander, as Alexander is more on serious and introvert side, while his brother is more on casual and outgoing side. I couldn’t wait to see my mom tomorrow, she was very surprised knowing that I’m in Italy and about to meet her tomorrow. I couldn’t answer her questions as Nicholas was in front of me. I just told her that I would explain to her tomorrow.

“Do you want to get lemon-based souvenirs, Kimberly? Can I call you Kimmy?” Nicholas asked while driving his car down the hills in moderate speed.

“Yes, you can, Nicholas and I’d love to if it’s not trouble you,” I replied.

“Don’t be stiff with me, Kimmy. And call me Nic or Nicho or whatever nickname you like,” he looked at me and smiled. 

I returned his smile and nodded. I couldn’t believe Alexander let me out with his twin. 

Did he really trust us that high? 

Nicholas has that bad boy aura, perhaps would capture most of girls, but I was never into bad boys, just like the long-haired guys, but here I am, secretly checking on Alexander’s twin.

We arrived only two minutes at Sapori E-profumi Di Poistano. After parking the car, we walked together to enter the store. Nicholas held my shoulder. He stood as tall as Alexander. I sighed, I should stop comparing them as this would remind me of Alexander. But it was very difficult to not comparing or remembering. I could see that the moment Nicholas entered the small store, ladies kept checking on him, but Nicholas kept his hands firm on my shoulder.

“There, Kimmy. You should buy their handcrafted lemon perfume and juice,” Nicholas pointed to bottles on long table. 

A young woman came over us and offered me a sample to sniff and I love it.

“Do you like it, Kimmy?” he asked.

“Oh, yes,” I smiled. 

And I’d love to taste on their sweets too as my eyes caught with white jar, feeling my mouth started to water for its sour sweet smells. The store staff who was following me gave me a sample, it was chocolate with lemon in it. I moaned softly feeling the exact sweet sour that I was craving. Nicholas held my shoulder and pressed my back on his body. I blushed, people must be thinking that he is my boyfriend. I tried to move away, but he held me tight to stay put.

“Do you want something else, Kimmy?” he bent to whisper on my ear.

“No,” I swallowed my chocolate, feeling breathless.

Then I heard he said in perfect Italian accent to the store staff and pointed on the chocolate and lemon sweets, Limoncello, and bottles of perfume.

“Come, Kimmy,” he held my hand to the cashier and again, he refused me to pay. After paying, we left without the bags as he told me that his man would get it for us.

“What do you want to go to the beach later, for sunset? We can have dinner outside too,” he said in his fancy car.

“Sure, Nic,” I gave him a smile as he drove down his car and parked it along a bridge in less than twenty minutes. He held my hand to lead me follow the stone steps into the gorge. This rocky beach was located in a gorge that cuts underneath the mountain range with a bridge running across the top of the gorge. The turquoise water is such a lovely to place, calming my anxiety. Although not much to do there, we just sat at the sun beds. Nicholas watched me as I enjoyed the quietness.

“Do you love my brother, Kimmy?” he blurted out the most avoided question.

I looked at him, “I don’t know, Nicholas. I didn’t know before and now the more I don’t know anymore,” I was blabbing my confusion, “I just met him, but I thought I have fallen for him. You should know that the feeling is new for me, but I did like him so much. Now I don’t know anymore.”

“I see. I’m sorry about him, Kimmy,” he muttered softly, trying to hold my hands, but as I think it would be unappropriated for us behaving like that, I pretended to divert my attention to the beautiful small beach.

“Do you live here or on vacation too, Nic?” I asked him.

“I have a home at Ravello, but my main home is at Baden-Württembergin Germany,” he replied.

“Are your parents here or in Germany?” I started to get curious as Alexander said he had meeting at Ravello.

“None, they live somewhere else. We stopped living with parents after the age of fifteen, Kimmy,” he smiled. 

I guessed, their parents sent them abroad to study, just like most rich parents do, but it was amazing as they seemed to let their children owned their own private properties everywhere at quite young age, it would cause them to difficult to meet their children.

“So, how about if I go back to New York alone? I don’t want to trouble you going back forth to Germany, Nic,” I told him, his beautiful light green eyes lit up.

“We have home in New York City too, Kimmy. Worry not. I’ll be staying there for a while,” he said.

“Oh,” I never asked Alexander where did he live in Manhattan, “Where’s your place, Nic? I’m at Washington Heights, near my hospital.”

“It’s at Tribeca. You should come by later, but another one at Brooklyn Heights has so much better skyline view you might love to see,” he smiled and winked, “Do you want to get some pictures here? I’ve not seen you yet with your phone except calling your mother. Don’t you have social medias to update, Kimmy?” he continued.

“Yes, I’d love to have one or two pictures. And no, I don’t have social media, except Linkedin account,” I laughed back and pulled out my phone from my bag and handed over to him, “Take me a good one, Nic,” I stood with my back on him but I looked at him.

“You’re pretending to be candid, Kimmy,” he laughed.

“Hey, don’t judge me, you offered me first,” I scolded him sheepishly.

He laughed and took pictures. His finger stopped for a second staring at my phone, I went to him and snatched my phone from him.

“What did you look at?” 

It would be embarrassing if he saw my pictures with Alexander in Mykonos. Wait, why should I embarrassed as practically they have the same face and we’re already adult. But all I saw was my recent picture. 

“Sorry,” I muttered shyly of accusing him looking at my phone.

“It should be a thank, Kimmy,” he smiled, tucking his luscious blonde hair behind his ear.

“Thank you, Nic,” I smiled back at him. 

He did a wonderful job to take three pictures of me with the background. Although the beach got dark a little because the sun went behind the cliffs, but the rocky shore and the bridge which spanned the width of the fiord was perfectly shown in the picture.

“Fiordo di Furore,” he said.

“Excuse me?” I turned at him in confusion.

Nicholas smiled, reaching out my hand, “Name of this place. Shall we?”

øøøøø

It was nearly sunset, we were heading to a five-star hotel located twenty minutes from Fiordo di Furore and the staff welcomed and assisted us to its elegant restaurant, La Sponda, decorated with quite many flickering candles whereas people have been started to have drinks or early dinner. I wondered if Nicholas often to come here as he confidently walked in as if he has a reserved table for us, which was indeed as we got table at semi outdoor terrace with most stunning view with precariously-perched pastel houses in front of us, overlooking the ocean. It is located at terrace hall with climbing vines on every column. Nicholas took a seat next to me, facing the wonderful orange sunset illuminated the pastel houses into vibrant colors. The staff gave us the menu and politely left as Nicholas told him to wait. 

“It’s very beautiful here, Nic,” I told him. 

Romantic atmosphere was actually the correct description. Again, unlike his brother, Nicholas seemed okay with the crowd. 

“Not as beautiful as you, Kimmy,” he said calmly. 

Okay, they have same sweet mouth.

I blushed and looked at the menu.

“What do you suggest for me this time, Nic? Please surprise me,” I closed the menu and put it on the table.

He chuckled, “Well, let them surprise us with the six courses and wine pairing, Kimmy.”

“I’m okay with that,” I nodded and looked at front when feeling his foot brushed my ankle underneath the table. 

I stepped on his foot.

“Ouch, Kimmy. You have a naughty foot down there,” he leaned to whisper.

“Likewise, Nic,” I warned him. 

How could I survive not enjoying the laid-back moment with him? 

A waitress came over to us and Nicholas said in Italian and gave back all the menu. I assumed he picked on The Chef’s menu.

“How many languages do you speak, Nic?” I asked in amusement.

“Twenty-six,” he said smugly.

My jaw was dropped. 

He doesn’t look that bright with his flamboyant look, “What are they?”

“Obviously English, Polish, Russian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Slovene, French, Italian, Latin, Romanian, Spanish, German, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Turkish, Hebrew, Aramaic, Armenian, Arabic, Old Norse, Egyptian, Greek, Korean, and Japanese. I also speak some of the sub dialects,” he said while gazing into my eyes

“Even Aramaic? Wow. You’re a lingual genius, Nicholas,” I genuinely praised him. 

Gorgeous and smart, what a combination. I wonder if Alexander could speak that many too.

Nicholas clenched his jaw and turned his body to mine, “Kimmy, do you think we can be friends if you broke up with my brother?”

Why would he ask such thing? 

“Of course, we can, Nic. We’re already friends now,” I chuckled. 

Okay, I lied. 

I would probably not be able to forget Alexander completely if having Nicholas as a company and definitely I don’t want to fall for Nicholas, it’s so inappropriate making out with two twin brothers. 

Wait, how could I think that far? 

My cheeks started to burn. I sighed, unconsciously fidgeting my fingers. 

Nicholas was smirking, “Good, I really need a good company in the Big Apple,” he said.

“So, what do you do, Nic?” I asked to divert my own attention. 

As Alexander was being mysterious with his job, I assumed that his brother was probably the same.

“I was working as business and security collaborator.” 

Oh, I heard that kind of job, but not really get it.

“Would you please enlighten me?” I asked.

“Well, it’s literally as stated, Kimmy. I was working for my family,” he replied.

Right, The House of Mircea. 

They probably use different name for the companies, that’s why I couldn’t find their name in google.

 “Well, what did you study back then?”

“I’m a doctor too, Kimmy. But I don’t practice now as I have to serve my family first.” 

His answer was putting me in shock.

“Really? Wow, I really couldn’t believe it, Nicholas,” I blurted out.

"Neurological surgery with subspecialty on peripheral nerve," he answered.

"Where did you get your degrees?" I asked.

Imagine a man this handsome as doctor, I don’t think the patient would survive from heart attack. I chuckled.

He smiled widely, “I got my both degrees from Oxford.”

“Wait, my little brother was now studying finance there. He’s a sophomore,” I told him. 

Wow, what a coincidence.

“Good. And where were you from, Kimmy?” he asked.

“Um, John Hopkins and then Columbia,” I answered.

“Nice,” he commented and smiled.

The waiter brought us the first course and glasses of champagne. Nicholas raised his glass to make a toast.

“For our friendship!” I repeated his words and smiled, but something kept bothering me. 

We sipped and tried the starter course. It was marinated mackerel soup with garlic and tomato sauce. 

“Nicholas, with such prestigious background, it was a pity you didn’t practice your expertise,” I didn’t mean to judge, but it’s difficult to not to.

“In my world, family comes first, Kimmy. I may not be a doctor who was working in hospital like you, but I used my part to help my brother’s research for his pharmacy company,” he explained.

“Your brother, you mean Alex? He was doing a research?” I asked. 

I probably looked dumb of not knowing anything about Alexander but is in relationship with him. 

Was! I tried to remind myself.

“He’s a scientist, Kimmy. Didn’t you ask him? He’s the brightest in my family,” he said.

Oh, wow. 

Either Alexander is being mysteriously low profile or he simply just didn’t want to tell me.

“He said he’s a businessman,” I muttered softly and bit my lips.

“Well, surely he didn’t lie about that,” he smirked and sipped his champagne.

“But he didn’t tell the details,” I scooped my last soup.

“Kimmy, my brother is not a bad person, he’s just being too reserved and serious. Family comes very first for him as obligation being the eldest son,” he told me, “Let’s just not talking about him if your mood turning sour,” he continued.

“Deal,” I smiled and sipped my champagne.

We managed to spend the remaining delicious courses in two hours as we kept talking about his experience during internship and residency program. He became a neurologist at my age. So, I judged him too harsh and too early as he is still young and probably just took his time after studying hard for years. Knowing how opened Nicholas was, clearing out my negativities on him. I previously thought he was just a spoiled handsome playboy who did nothing but enjoying his parents’ wealth.

“Do you want to hit a club, Kimmy?” he asked. 

I felt a bit tipsy already with six glasses although just few sips for each glass, unlike Nicholas who drank them all, so I thought going to the club would be unwise.

“You drank so much, Nicholas. Can you even drive?” I asked to tease him, but alcohol seemed to have no effect on him.

“It’s nothing. Come on, it’s your last night of your vacation. You’ll be busy when you’re back,” he tried to persuade me. 

Nicholas’s POV:

I watched her dancing with eyes closed and arms wrapped to my waist as I bent to her. She is so tiny, fragile, and drank. I was smirking. 

How naive this little human can be. How beautiful and delicious she is. 

I licked my lips recalling her sweet kiss. I knew she would kiss me, but I pretend to be surprised to let her to have a guilty feeling. I held her back close to my body, her soft breasts brushed mine as she swayed following the techno music beat. I could even see through her cleavage and smell her divine scent. f**k, pretending to be a gentleman is way too hard, but it will be worth the pain once she is mine. I tried to calm down my desire.

“You’re not dancing, Nicholas!” she yelled and laughed. 

She thought I didn’t hear her due to the loud music, but I did. I could even hear her heart beating fast and blood rushing to all nerves.

I took her to Music on The Rocks, a nightclub built into a cliff cave, literally on the edge of the rocks, only two hundred meters from the hotel, but since the opening hour started at 10:30 p.m. and it was only 08.00 p.m., I took her driving slow around the town, I told her it’s dolce far nienteor sweetness of doing nothing like true Italian. Just enjoying the small talk and silence after having nice dinner, things I had never done with any of my girlfriends. When it was 10:00 p.m., I parked my car to get us enter the nightclub to order some drink first before the performance both DJ or singer started. She seemed hesitate at first, but soon after seeing so many excited tourists enjoying their night with laugh inside, brought her mood raised and she even poured herself a wine from the bottle even when previously she only asked for infused lemon water. The place isn’t big, but alive. Ivan managed to get us VIP seat at main dance floor area.

øøøøø

I spoke through telepathy because I think she wouldn’t realize it, but I brought my face to her ear as she started to lean on me, probably getting dizzy.

She nodded, so I took her back to the white sofa near the bar. She was holding my arms tightly. “Nicholas, I’m thirsty, may I have plain water again please?” she asked while burying her face in my arms.

Instead of giving her water, I poured her another wine and she sipped it. 

“This is not water, Nic!” she protested but laughing. 

Yet she drank it all, looking at me smugly and barely passed out five minutes after, so I propped up her body to get out of the club and carried her in bridal style at the outside since we had to go down some rocky stairs to the car. 

She was totally passed out once we arrived at the villa in ten minutes, so I directly carried her upstairs into the master bedroom and tucked her into bed. Watching at her to laying down in bed, with messy hair and tank top revealing her cleavage low, I started to get hard again. I was on battle with my demon whether I should just take her here while she couldn’t remember, but knowing that she’s not dumb, she would know and probably would hate me forever, so I decided to get fresh towel and wetted it to wipe her face and body from sweat so that she could sleep better. She was squealing when I started to wipe her cleavage. It was only 12:10 a.m., it’s too early for me to rest, but I laid myself next to her, facing her face. 

I touched her sultry lips with my index finger, she opened her pink lips. Then something crossed into my mind, if my brother could give his blood to deceive her feeling at first, then I could do the same. So, I cupped her face with my hands, kissed her lips slowly, and bit bottom of her lips a little and bit my own to mix it with hers. She started to squeal as I forced her to swallow my blood. Then I quickly left to the veranda, with glowing red eyes, fisting and my heart was beating. I tried so hard to calm the urge to go back to her by thinking of my brother. He must feel it too, but this time he couldn’t do nothing about it. Kimberly is mine. I went back inside and caged her warm body into my arms. I closed my eyes, realizing that I could tame my desire by thinking about my loser brother.

øøøøø

It was 05:30 a.m. when Kimberly started to awake. All she could think was going to pee, so I pretended to sleep as she didn’t notice my presence in the dark. When she finished her business, thinking how she got back to the villa, she noticed someone slept on the bed.

Oh, my God. Who is that? Am I dreaming again?Her heartbeat went faster as she went to the door to push the light buttons as the bathroom didn’t give much light to the bed.

Alex?Damned, why him?

Nicholas!She felt an instant relief, but started to wonder why I slept in her bed. She checked herself whether I probably touched her and found nothing.

I guess he is a gentleman too. Her thought made me almost blurting in laugh. How naive.

She was in doubt whether she should go back to bed or sleep on the couch, but she finally decided to take her phone first to check the time. Suddenly she felt sad of not receiving any reply or phone calls from my brother, so she went to turn off the light, lurking on the couch. She checked again to her phone, looking at her pictures with my brother and started to sob softly, calling out his name. I wanted to hug her, but I thought of letting her to release the pain would be better and just like I thought, after few minutes sobbing, she started to feel angry. She was debating herself whether she should just delete her pictures with my brother, but decided to let those pictures alone for a while, until she was sure about the whole situation.

She then read message from Dylan from last Friday, asking to hang out with him this weekend. She started to feel regret of rejecting Dylan for too soon. I clenched my jaw, suppressing my jealousy as she thought nothing about me. I should probably feed her my blood more.

“Kimmy, are you awake?” I sat and stared at her swollen lips, eyes, and red nose.

“I... just now,” she stuttered. 

Liar.

I smiled and got up, stretching my body in front of her on purpose, then came sitting next to her with an arm behind her shoulder. I hid my smirk as she secretly checked on my body.

“Hey, were you crying?” I tucked few locks behind her ear and raised her chin to my face. 

She stared into my eyes, thinking they reminded her of my brother’s. She tried to move away, but I grabbed her arms and pulled her into my chest.

 “Just let it out, Kimmy,” I could feel her emotions choked her as she burst into tears.

“I’m sorry, Nicholas. This is embarrassing, but I honestly truly like your…” 

I quickly put two fingers on her lips.

I f*****g forbade her to say that.

“Shh! Just cry and stop crying after this,” I told her and embraced her tighter. 

She has stopped crying and inhaled my scent instead, thinking how could I awake in fresh odor as she started to feel dirty and smelly. She squealed when the embarrassment hit her.

“Nicholas, I’ll go washing my face first.” 

She quickly got up and went into the bathroom. I could hear that she was brushing her teeth.

How could I hug Alex’s twin and even slept together with him? What if he thinks that I’m that easy? Oh, my God. And talking to him about Alex was the last thing I wanted. I don’t want him telling Alex how miserable I am. Okay, I have to pull myself together.

“Let’s watch sunrise and swimming, Kimmy,” I told her when she was opening the bathroom door. Her eyes were widen seeing me without my shirt as I walked pass through her to the door. “See you at the pool. Don’t forget to bring your cute smile,” I winked and closed the door.

øøøøø

She arrived eighteen minutes later in her bathrobe, wearing sunglasses. I was dipping in the pool with my back on her. I turned around a little.

“Get in,” I smiled and gave her my back again. She is damnedhot in her white skimpy string bikini. 

Perfect breasts and smoking hot ass, she will be my most stunning girlfriend. My mate.

She was stunned for few seconds, admiring the view and how the golden light illuminating my wet blonde hair and pale body at the edge of the infinity pool. I could feel she opened her bathrobe and dipped into the pool. She walked to me as the pool is only four feet three inches. She stood next to me, putting the sunglasses on her head, looking at the view in awe.

“Breathtakingly beautiful, Nicholas,” she whispered.

I wrapped my arm on her still warm shoulder and pulled her closer so that she could lean on me. She didn’t protest and just enjoying the quietness of the golden hour. I couldn’t stop staring at her light blue eyes, they are so fuckingbeautiful. After she started to realize that she was with me, I pulled her into the water. She was startled, quickly adjusted to swim.

“Damnedyou, Nic,” she cursed me from the other side. 

Her hair was dripping wet. Her breasts were up and down as she was breathing heavily. 

Fuckingsexy.

She didn’t realize that she got my c**k stirred, so I just smirked and silently swam to her side. 

“Are you feeling better?” I asked, brushing my hair to my neck. 

Her eyes were following my fingers.

“Yes, thank you, Nic,” she gazed me back. 

She wanted to ask why I slept in her bed, but decided to skip the question as nothing was ever happened anyway.

I pinched her cheeks, “You forgot to bring the cute smile, Kimmy.”

She then smiled, bit her lips and hit my arm, “Don’t nag on me, Nic. You said to bring, not to wear!” she gave me her tongue, “How about a swim race?” she challenged me.

I looked at her with my mocking face, “What will I get if I won?”

She was pouting, “I gave you a smile, didn’t I?” 

So, I pushed her down to the water as I was slowly swimming to the stairway. She was stood up and glared in angry, but I just laughed at her, “Don’t play a game you can’t win, Kimmy.” 

Then I was laying on sun bed, wearing her sunglasses I stole from her head. I felt a splash of water after a few minutes.

“Thief!” she yelled at me and chuckled. 

I smirked and ignored her. I took her phone from the table next to my sun bed.

“Hey, Kimmy. What’s your password?” I shouted at her. 

She was brushed her long hair to her neck side and panicky yelled back at me.

“Don’t touch my phone, Nic!” she was pouting and frowning.

“I wanted to click you a nice pic there, Kimmy,” I pretended to pout, mimicking her.

She laughed, mentioned some digits, and excitedly found a spot to pose. Again, with her back on me.

“Why giving me your back, Kimmy?” I teased her.

“Don’t tell me to pose, Nic. Just take me one or two,” she commanded me with cute glare.

So, I took two and switched to its front camera for us, I gave her my back.

“Come closer and smile, Kimmy,” I told her, she shyly came for few steps behind me, “Say fuckingcheese!” I said, she laughed, and I hit the button.

“Hey, I’m not ready yet!” she protested, but I just ignored and tossed her phone to the empty sun bed as I laid on previous one. She hissed and swam back.

øøøøø

This kind of relaxing mood felt odd to me. 

Was this how my brother felt when he was with her? 

I could feel she got out of the pool and sat on the sun bed next to mine. Her wet bikini body made my c**k hard again. 

Fuck. 

Ever since I spurted my cums when petting on her, I couldn’t get c*m anymore, this made me frustrated the whole week. It was miracle I didn’t rape her last night. I lifted one of my thigh to cover it from her sight. She was still breathing hard after few rounds of swim.

“Nicholas, are you awake?” she asked softly after a while. 

I opened the sunglasses and gave it to her. She loves my eyes as I love hers.

I was grinning, “Obviously not now,” I replied, brushing my still wet hair to my right side.

“Do you think Alex will return to New York?” she asked.

“I guess. He was moving his main office to New York City, but he already went back to BC,” I told her honestly as she would know it sooner or later.

“British Columbia. Where is the exact place?” she asked. 

She wanted to ask about the main office too, but held the questions so that I wouldn’t think she wanted to meet him again.

“Around Banff National Park. Didn’t he ever tell you, Kimmy?” I teased her, I knew my brother didn’t tell her much because of Madeline and our vampire things.

“No. He seemed to like avoiding any detailed information on him. I guess, I was nobody for him,” she showed her ridiculous self-pity, starting to blame herself whether she did something to upset him before.

“Don’t pity yourself, Kimmy. It’s not your fault. Never be yours. It’s his. That’s all I can say now,” I hate seeing her talking about my brother, but at least he knew his place this time.

“You don’t defend your brother,” she sounded a bit surprised, but I found zero suspicion.

“Not this time. Besides, I thanked him, I get to know you because of him,” I smirked to her.

“Why did he send you, Nic? Why not just tell me himself? I can go back by myself,” she asked. 

“I offered him to escort you back, Kimmy,” I replied, recalling the moment when I said it right into his face. 

“Oh, so he didn’t actually send you?” she was disappointed.

“No, he didn’t,” I confirmed it.

“How could you have such a douchebag twin, Nic? Please excuse me,” she muttered softly and sighed.

“He’s not meant to be with you, Kimmy,” I shrugged my shoulders.

“Why?” she raised her eyebrow, gazing me with curiosity.

She thought because she’s just a peasant while my brother’s a royalty.

“Well, look at us. You’re not with him now?” I tried to joke the truth.

“You’re a joke, Nicholas,” she laughed, “But I thank you for the good company, you’re right, I need your company. And I can’t wait to meet my mom,” she said, exactly same as my brother before, but I’m not joking, I want to be with her forever. 

I made up my mind.

“Now that’s a spirit, Kimmy,” I got up, wrapping a towel on my hips, and reached out one hand to her, “Let’s take a shower and get ourselves a breakfast,” she took my hand and grabbed her bathrobe. 

Good girl.

I smirked.

øøøøø

Her mood seemed better when I knocked her door to get her downstairs. She was wearing a white plain shirt with navy blue skinny jeans and black pump high heels, her light brunette was styled in wavy and she wore a snake pave diamond earrings with green eyes gem. 

Interesting earrings.

“Oh, hi. I just wanted to go down,” she smiled as opening the door for me, “Please wait, I’ll get my phone first.” 

She went inside as my hand held the door to open. I could hear that she was praising my look, as I let my hair loose and wore simple light pink shirt with light blue chino pants and matching blazer. She looked beautiful and chic too. She barely wore nothing but red lipstick. 

Absolutely sexy.  

We had our breakfast right under her suite’s terrace. Luigi brought us avocado and shrimp salad for the appetizer, spaghetti vongoleas the main course, lemon cake for the dessert, rose wine for me, and limoncellofor her. She ate well, I like women who eat well, although none of them were ever humans.

“Do you like snakes, Kimmy?” I looked at her earrings and smirked. 

Everyone called us the serpent princes as we can control the snake, just like Radu The First One.

“Well, yes and no. I like to see them, but scared of being bitten,” she laughed. 

I like her laugh, it seemed genuine and cute as she didn’t bother to hid her gummy smile.

“I like your earrings,” I told her.

She touched her ears and smiled, “Your house symbol is snake, Nicholas. What kind of snake is that?” she asked.

I sipped my rose wine, “Vipera ammodytesor the nose-horned viper.”

“Was there any reason of using snake, rather than lion or other mighty wildlife?” she asked.

“Pretty much the same reason as medical symbol, but the Asclepius one that a snake venom can restore the health of the sick and bring the dead back to life. It’s a symbol of remedy, rebirth, and renewal for us,” I uttered the truth with a smirk.

“Oh, how nice. I’ve never thought that way before even when I was supposed to be familiar with serpent symbol,” she chuckled, “How old is your royal house, Nicholas? If I may to know,” she asked.

“It’s been used since Before Common Era, Kimmy,” I replied shortly.

“And part of which empire?” she asked again.

One question was leaded to more.

“I’ll let you to read our translated historical books when you visit my home in Germany, I smirked, “Now my turn, why did you choose studded earrings in snake’s?” I asked.

She was quiet for a second, “No particular reason, I just thought they were pretty, but I had an old friend who loved to pet them. He was a herpetologist.” 

“Was?” I asked.

“He had lost in the expedition seven years ago.” 

I could hear that she was thinking of Vladimir, how she has been missed him. 

Was he the man in the graduation picture?

“Oh. Sorry, Kimmy. Was he your boyfriend?” I probably asked her for too blunt, but I have to know.

“No, Vladimir and I were practically like brother and sister. Although he was my crush ever since I was in high school,” she laughed. 

Oh, good thing he is dead, then.

“Where did he go missing? Did they ever found his body?” 

Why would I care? I just wanted to make a conversation.

But if this guy was her crush, I wanted to know what kind of man that she liked.

“Brazil and no, we haven’t found him yet. He’s an orphan and Russian, so it was more difficult for us to arrange the search team at first as we’re not his family nor guardian. We have raised a fund from the alumni to help the team to prolong their search, even I and my dad went to Brazil once, but still no traces and zero leads. It’s like one night he just vanished from his tent and my life. It was the most heartbreaking moment in my life after my parents’ divorce,” she said softly, sipping her wine anxiously. 

Now I could understand why she was so upset about my brother’s absence, it’s probably not because her feeling went deep, but merely traumatic on disappearance. 

This is good.

“I didn’t mean to open the old wound, Kimmy,” I came to her side, sitting next to her, smiling and stroking her hair gently.

She looked up to me, her eyes were a bit teary. I used my two thumbs to wipe the tears gently, she closed her eyes. I was looking at her kissable lips when she opened her bright blue eyes and caught me, but instead of moving away, she looked at my lips. She was thinking how my pink soft lips are and when she bit her lips, I cupped her face and hungrily kissed her, my lips brushed hard against her. She was stunned for two seconds before her sense came to her and pushed me away.

“Nicholas!” her eyes went widen, not by the fact that I kissed her, but the fact she let me kiss her and probably gave me a sign to initiate the kiss. 

She got up suddenly and spilled her wine glass.

“Watch out!” 

I stood up and pulled her back to my chest to avoid the spilling wine. My two hands just below her breasts. She was breathing faster.

“I...am sorry,” she muttered in shock, limping. 

I moved my hands to her armpits to straighten her posture.

“Leave it. Come, we have ten minutes to pack our things, Kimmy,” I reminded her as my wrist watch showed it was already at nine. 

I embraced her shoulder and back, to walk to our suites upstairs. I ordered Ivan through telepathy to ask the staff to get our luggage from our suites down in five minutes and have helicopter ready for leaving.