Vampire Princess

Chapter Thirty: Ashley's News

You know what’s the most wonderful thing in the world? Waking up beside Garret and resting my head on his chest.

It was two weeks after we got together. All was well – my parents were happy for me, Jerome and Roxanne were having fun with their relationship, Heather seemed happy in her single life, and even Flynn and Xayranne were having their baby next week! I saw Ashley once in a while. She seemed happy and in the course of two weeks, we’ve been close friends.

One morning I woke up before Garret. I looked up on his peaceful eyes. His eyes were closed, his blonde hair was untidy, his mouth was slightly open and his chest was heaving up and down in each breath. I can stare at him eternally but then the doorbell rang.

I frowned and then glanced on the nearby clock on the bedside table. It was only seven-thirty. Even Jerome is not yet up on this time of hour! Who could possibly be on the door in seven-thirty?

I tried to ignore them but then they rang the doorbell once again. With an angry huff, I got up from the bed and threw my robe over my shorts and tank top. I quickly walked down the stairs and then opened the door. No words can explain when I saw who our visitors were.

Ashley was standing on the front porch. Her hair was messy and filled with tangles. Her eyes were bloodshot red and her lips were swollen. Her whole face was puffy as if she was crying. Beside her was a guy who looked eighteen years old. But I wasn’t fooled. I know it’s her father, since I’ve been to her house and saw their pictures together.

“Melanie, there’s something we’ve got to tell you,” Ashley started, her voice a little bit husky from crying.

I frowned, not understanding. “What do you mean?”

“We need to talk to Garret first,” the guy said. “I’m Richard Berry, by the way. I’m Ashley’s father.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said quietly. “Anyway, Garret’s still asleep. Why don’t you wait in the living room while I’ll wake him up?”

“Okay,” Richard replied. He placed his hand on Ashley’s shoulder but she angrily shook it off. I tried to ignore it but something was telling me that there’s something terribly wrong.

I walked up the stairs and then shook Garret to wake him up. He drowsily opened his eyes and then frowned at me. It wasn’t like me to wake him up. “What’s up?” he asked sleepily. “Something wrong?”

“Somebody’s here. He wants to talk to you,” he replied.

Garret raised his eyebrows. “Who?”

“Ashley and her father. I don’t know what’s it all about.” Then I narrowed my eyes at him. “Is it something you’re hiding from me?”

Garret shook his head and then sat up from his bed. “No. Maybe it’s something in the council,” he replied.

I nodded, but I’m not sure that’s what their purpose. “Do you want me to stay with you while you’re talking with them?”

He chuckled as he slipped on a plain white shirt. “Really, Melanie, it’s fine. Nothing’s wrong. Nothing can go wrong,” he assured me.

“I’m just nervous,” I confessed and sat down on a chair. “What if it’s something really serious?”

Garret noticed on how anxious I was. He went to me and then kneeled on the floor. He enveloped my hands to his. “Listen to me,” he said. “We’re together now, Melanie. Whatever obstacles we’re going to face, we’re in this together. I love you and I will never let you go again. Whatever happens, we’re together. Always remember that.”