Wilted Flower

Bored

Warning this chapter contains domestic violence

I wandered out of the dark room I was in still caring my tray, as I attempted to make it back up to the room I was in before

I stared at Xavier and he stared at me , I saw him signal one of the maids. As he whispered in her ear, I began to back up slowly.

"Miss," a voice called softly. I turned to see another maid approaching me.

"Miss, the master said to go upstairs and wait for him," she whispered.

"I know. I was just trying to return the tray," I said calmly. The maid took the tray from me, and I smiled at her.

"You did a risky thing, miss. The master will be mad at you," she said, concern evident in her voice.

"I know. I'll be fine," I assured her. The maid walked off with the tray, and I made my way back to the elevator and up to my room. I sat on the bed, anxious about what Xavier might do.

Twenty minutes passed, and I heard the door turn. I sat up as Xavier walked in and closed the door behind him.

"I specifically remember telling you to stay hidden while I had guests," he said, his tone calm. I understood what he was saying but was surprised by his calm demeanor.

"I thought you'd be mad," I said.

"There are things you don't know, and if you did, you'd get hurt," he replied, staring at me intently.

"Well, glad to see you care. But I'm tired, so if you'll excuse me," I said with a hint of sarcasm.

"Who said I cared? I'm just warning you. Don't mistake the two," he said, leaving and closing the door behind him. I rolled my eyes and lay down, thinking about his cryptic warning. What did he mean by "There are things you don't know and if you do you'll get hurt"?

The next morning, I woke up and wandered to the kitchen, where the aroma of toast and eggs filled the air.

"Sit, miss," the same maid from last night said as she approached.

"Okay," I replied, sitting down as she placed a plate in front of me. I smiled at her. "Thank you."

"Of course. The master wants to make sure you're healthy."

"What?" I asked, puzzled by her comment, considering Xavier had said he didn't care for me last night.

"Oh, miss, he wants you to drink lots of cranberry juice," she explained.

"Okay," I nodded, wondering why he cared about what I drank. The thought made me chuckle. Looking up at the maid, I asked, "Where is your master?"

"He's in his study, but miss, he doesn't like to be disturbed," she replied.

"Okay." As the maid left, I finished my breakfast and decided to find his study. Walking down the hallway, I noticed a pair of side-by-side doors. I opened one and found a large room filled with bookshelves. There was a desk in the center, and though Xavier must have been in there before, he wasn't there now.

I approached a shelf and picked up a book titled Blood. As I scanned through it, I heard Xavier's voice behind me.

"What are you doing in here, maya?" he growled.

I froze and turned to face him. "Don't call me that," I said, my tone sharp.

"Well, don't barge into places and be nosy," he retorted.

"I thought you said to make this place my home," I said, trying to keep my tone light.

"Correct, but that doesn't mean you can't have manners and knock first," he said.

He made a point. I nodded and headed toward the door. "Ah, ah, leave that here," he called out.

"What? Can I at least read this book?" I asked, holding up Blood.

He walked closer, taking the book from my hands and placing it back on the shelf. "Not that one."

"Why are your hands always cold?" I asked, unable to ignore the chill.

"Must be the room," he replied curtly.

I left, returning to my room. The book Blood and the coldness of Xavier's hands occupied my thoughts. Could he be a serial killer? It made a disturbing kind of sense.

Lost in thought, I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in!"

"Hi, miss. The master told me to inform you that he'll be out tonight," the maid said before turning and leaving.

That night, I went downstairs and tried Xavier's study, but it was locked.

"Damn it," I whispered. There had to be another way. Maybe if I asked one of the maids. I knocked on the doors of several rooms until one opened.

"Miss, what are you doing up? It's dark outside."

"I know, but I forgot something in Xavier's study and need it opened," I explained. The maid looked hesitant but eventually handed me a set of keys.

"Here, miss. Be quick, but don't say I didn't warn you."

"Okay, thank you." I rushed to the study, unlocked it, and went straight for the book Blood. Behind it, I found another book titled Vampire. Curiosity got the better of me, so I began skimming through it. It was written by Xavier. The first page began with a chilling line: "When I woke up, all I could think about was blood..."

As I read about Xavier's disturbing experiences, I heard a growl behind me.

"What are you doing in here?" Xavier's voice was menacing.

I spun around, terrified. "I... I wanted to get this book," I stammered.

"I'm not an idiot," he said, stepping closer and eyeing the books in my hands. "So tell me, Maya, what's got you scared if you were just grabbing a book?"

I backed away, my heart racing. "S... stay back. Don't come any closer," I said, my voice trembling.

"Why? Is it because you're afraid of me and what I might do to you?"

As he advanced, I found myself cornered against the shelf. "I'm not scared of you," I said, though my voice quivered.

"Well, that's a mistake because you caught me at a bad time. I wasn't thirsty until now," he said, grabbing me and pinning me against the shelf. I struggled, but his fangs were already sinking into my neck. I cried out, biting my lip to stifle my screams as I tried to push him away.

"The more you fight, the more it's going to hurt, Maya," he whispered. As he drank, my strength waned, and I felt myself slipping away, numb and weak. Eventually, I passed out.