5

Chapter 5

ADRIA’S POV

It’s been over two weeks now, and it’s so amazing, and surprising how Professor Lucien and I were talking, and learning together. Apart from he being a Professor who knew almost everything, he still learned more and more, and that was one captivating thing about him.

I applied a light make up as I was going to his house to have dinner as he had requested for. Studying myself in the mirror, I realized how beautiful I looked, and if I must say, my beauty looked captivating.

I smiled, and walked over to the window, and breathed in the fresh air. The night breeze caressed my skin, and my tummy growled in excitement. I didn’t know why I was this excited about having a dinner with Professor Lucien, but I guess I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.

I walked out of the room, and got out to the sitting room where my mother was watching her favorite TV show.

“Mom, I’m leaving already.” I informed her, with a smile on my face.

She looked at me with a teasing expression, and then smiled widely.

“Alright, daughter. Ensure you’re careful. Although, I really don’t know why you’re dolling yourself up all because of an extra tutorial.”

I chuckled nervously as I didn’t want her to know we weren’t having any extra tutorial right now, but just dinner.

“Well, it’s good to look good, mother. Bye.” I said, and walked out of the house immediately.

I hailed a cab, and the driver drove me off to my destination. As soon as I got to Professor Lucien’s house, I got nervous, and goosebumps appeared on my body, making me feel uncomfortable.

There was this different feeling whenever I was with him, and it made me happy, feel safe, and loved. Although, I felt that way with my clique, but this one was quite special.

Before I could ring the doorbell, he opened the door, with a smile on his face.

“Welcome.”

I had been noticing strange things about him, but I just couldn’t decipher between my fantasies and reality when it came to him, so I just had to keep straying from thinking about that.

Although, I had a plan in mind, and I know deep in my heart that the result of what I had planned to do was going to be negative, but at least, my suspicion would dissolve.

“Adria?” He called me, and his voice jolted me out of my thoughts.

“Oh! Prof, I’m sorry. I guess I’m once again taken away by the beauty of your interior design.” I lied, trying to avoid any more questions.

“Well, I thought we talked about you not having to call me prof, again.” He said as he shut the door after I walked in.

“Yeah. I keep forgetting about that. I just haven’t gotten used to calling you Lucien.”

“You just did. So, continue that way.” He smiled, and walked up to the kitchen to probably bring me something.

He had changed the color of the bulb to probably make the atmosphere a soothing one, I guess, but it was nice.

“So, just have this glass of juice while I get something to cook.”

“Alright then.”

I sipped the pineapple juice, and savored the taste as much as I wanted to. It was indeed a good feeling.

“Do you perhaps have any photo album?” I asked, out of curiosity.

I didn’t want to just sip glass of juice and stare into blank space, so it was only expected of me to ask.

“Uhm… Unfortunately, I don’t have it here. My hometown is far away, and I let everything there.” Lucien replied as he began to fry the oil.

“Oh, I see. Alright, no problem.”

I stood up, and decided to take a brief look around the house. Although, that was a bit intruding, and that’s why I didn’t bother informing him.

People who act strange always had something in their house, which gave them away. Apart from being an historian, I loved being an explorer, and I feel people who loved history also love exploring.

With my glass of juice in my hand, I walked down a stair which seemed to lead to a basement. While going down the stairs, I looked back to ensure he wasn’t looking for me, and thankfully these stairs weren’t creaking.

“Explorer Adria is about to find out the best intriguing surprise of her life.” I giggled as I said, under my breath, in joy.

I opened the basement door, and I was overwhelmed with heat. I looked around, and there was literally nothing in this basement except a window which had certainly not been opened for a long while, and a dusty table at the center of the basement.

“Gosh! Doesn’t he have anything to use a basement for?” I said, squinting my eyes as I scanned everywhere.

Voila! I spotted something which looked very captivating. It was a box which looked like a treasure box, a very old one, and damn! It was a bit creepy, because why would he have something like this in custody.

I brought out my phone, and tried to turn on my flash light, but it wasn’t working.

“What the hell!” I said sharply, under my breath.

Then I put it back into my pocket, and moved closer to the treasure box. I exhaled, and hoped my hand wouldn’t be cut off the moment I touched it.

I reached out my hand to it, but I heard a creaking sound which got me spooked. I stood up immediately, and rushed back to the stair, and got out of the basement, then closed the door quietly.

It was a relief to see Lucien didn’t notice that I had gone at all. Suddenly, the light went off, and I sharply looked around me.

“Lucien?” I called out to him in a shaky breath, then I brought out my phone, and surprisingly, the flashlight worked.

I looked around with my flashlight, but Lucien was nowhere to be found, and suddenly the light came on. I turned to my left to check the kitchen again, but to my shock, he was right beside me.

“You scared me!” I voiced out sharply, with my fingers cold, and trembling.

“I’m sorry I scared you. It’s just that… just that…” 

Lucien’s voice became softer, and his eyes were filled with affection as he leaned towards me. I didn’t know what came over me, but I just wanted to go with the flow.

I closed my eyes, and Lucien suddenly turned away.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, out of concern.

“I’m fine. I’ll be right back.” He said, looking destabilized, and walked fast to his room.

I bit my lips, worried about him, and wondered what was going on. I sat down on the sofa, thinking about the kiss we almost shared, and butterflies flew in my belly, making my head feel like there were fireworks display going on.

But then, I heard a sound from his room which sounded like he was grunting. I got worried, and decided to check on him to know what was wrong.

I got to his room quietly, and opened the door, and to my shock, he had this monstrous look on his face, and hair had grown in some parts of his face. Even his ears were no longer normal.

I staggered backwards, and removed a plant which I had hid in my hair, and I stared at the plant in my hand, then shifted my gaze back to Lucien who was wheezing.

His eyes were glaring red, and he looked at me like he was staring at his meal. I moved backwards little by little, and then ran as fast as I could, down the stairs.

Unfortunately, I tripped and rolled off the stairs, then hit my head on the bare floor, and my eyes gave way to darkness.