~Chapter 4

Vera's POV

The car came to a sudden halt. I sat up and looked outside the window to see the biggest house I'd ever laid eyes on. It wasn't even a house, it was a mansion.

We were stopped in front of a huge black metal gate, I could see beyond the gate were acres of land so large you could fit three sizes of my house into this compound. A man in a black suit, his hair slicked back and eyes covered with black brooding sunglasses walked up to dad's window. They spoke in his hushed tones, before the mysterious man walked back and the grand gates were opened. I directed my gaze to Nina to see if she was as confused as I was as to why we were here. She was staring wide eyed and drooling over everything.

I looked out to the beautiful garden surrounding the exterior of the house in awe. The beautiful radiant flowers added to the exotic look of the mansion.

Beside every point men in black suits stood stoically. We drove to a fountain where the car stopped and dad came out, going to open the door for mother. Nina had literally jumped out of the car and was running to the door when mum grabbed her by her hand, stopping her. I pushed my door open, carefully stepping out, taking in the tall grand stature in front of me, gaping at the spacious greenery surrounding us.

I followed carefully behind mother and father as we neared the entrance. The tall wood door bears a beautifully intricate design engraved into the wood. I get my fingers itching to run my hands through the carvings and feel the smooth wood against my skin.

The sound of the door being pulled open brought me out of my state of administration as a maid, dressed in a white shirt, black skirt and a matching black apron came into our view. She bowed her head at us and mother, father and Nina smiled at her, seeming to have expected it. I, on the other hand, just smiled at her. She was an old woman, grey shorts curly hair, she reminded me of those grandmother's who'd sit you down at a bonfire telling stories all night long and it just so happened to be late.

She smiled back at us, stepping aside for us to come in, "Please come in, I'm Genevieve. I'll lead you to the lounge room where the sir and madam are waiting" she informed, her gaze shifting to me and we locked eyes before she directed her gaze back to mother and father.

I found it strange the exciting look in her eyes, the way her baby blue orbs sikayed when they landed on me left my brows knitted in confusion.

We followed her into the house and if I'd thought the outside was beautiful the inside was absolutely breathtaking. In the middle of the house were spiral stairs that seemed to lead somewhere. We followed a hallway to the back of the stairs. A row of doors filled the walls,each as elegant as the last.

We arrived at a gorgeous living area. The marbled tables taking up half of the room, chairs littered everywhere, couches, cushions looking so soft where stationed at very strategic places looked good enough to bounce on

The pillars were made out of marble, the cream colour scheme blended so well with the gold lining on the walls , the ceiling length windows added to the grandeur of the house. The place looked like a palace from a fairytale. Dangling ever so graciously from the roof in the middle was a diamond chandelier, light rays bouncing off,creating a Luminous glow. Only the living room was bigger than my yard.

"Please take a seat and wait here I'll go call the sir and madam" Genevieve gestured to the white pristine couch. We all sat down and she excused herself back the way she led us.

I took the chance to look around, loving the view, but something about it felt empty, the homey feeling it was supposed to have wasn't there.

I stood, making my way to my parents "Mother, could I go look for a bathroom?" I asked, smiling nervously as mother gave me a glare

She sighed, shaking her head at me, "Fine, just be quick before Mr and Mrs Chrysanthos come"

I nodded frantically before scurrying off. I went back the way we came, arriving at the grand spiral stairs. I padded up the stairs, careful not to trip myself. I'd hoped I'd just find a room to do my business and be out before I drew any attention to myself. I was already feeling nervous about this whole dinner, I didn't need any unnecessary attention.

I came to a stand still, staring hopelessly at the two hallways. The one at my right seemed less scary while it was like the one on my left was luring me to my doom. I shivered, walking to the right hallway, it was spacious like I thought, doors filling both sides of the walls, making me even more confused.

I stopped at one door, the only one that was different from all others, my curiosity peaked as I held onto the handle, twisting it and pushing it open. A masculine scent wafted through the air, invading my nostrils. I blinked twice, coming out of my haze to see a big room, bigger than the floor of my home. It had a dark and powerful aura radiating off it, it was like it was coming off in waves.

I hesitantly stepped in, seemingly in a trance. I walked past the king sized bed, bearing black sheets and matching coloured pillows, the head of the bed had these intricate carvings making me cringe at the dark look they held. Beside the beds stood statues, women holding onto what looked like a vase.

The walls were all painted a black colour, in coordination to the black marbled floors, black double doors that stood to the far left of the room which I assumed was the walk-in closet. To the right of the bed was a single door, which I assumed was the washroom which I was looking for.

About four feet away from the foot of the bed was a flat, black screen television, a stand made out of marble under it, different vases holding red flowers decorated the stand, giving the room a kind of romantic essence.

But another door caught my attention. It was straight on from where I'd walked to. It was see through, gold handles that seemed to be calling to me. I walked up to the double doors and pulled them open to see a very huge study.

Books lined the walls, roof high shelves graced each edge of the place making me gape in awe. I smiled at how old each book looked residing in their individual rows. I walked in further, staring at the shelves in front of me, I could live here for the rest of my life. My deep love for books drew me closer to one in particular. It stood to the left of the room on a shelf. I traced my fingers over the books, long the smell of old books and papers. I pulled it out, the cover looking quite aged but the book was still in very good condition.

"Excuse me!?" A deep velvety smooth voice called from the door, startling me right out of my state so badly I jumped and turned. It was alike all the air had been knocked out of my lungs as my eyes met a pair of cold silver eyes staring back into my vantablack orbs with such forusity it had my heart thumping in my chest.