The Vampire's Bride

Mallory had just finished taking a quick shower and changed her clothes. She was drying her hair with a towel as she prepared to do her homework.

But after a few minutes, she couldn't focus. She looked outside at the window. Although it was still afternoon, the sky was too dark. It was raining harshly and all she could hear were the raindrops and a few thunders. Sighing, she rest her head on the table.

"Father, most likely, heard about what happened to me last week. It's a miracle that he haven't come to get me. I really should thank Master Orpheus for giving me a few days away from my family. But I can't be a burden to him. When father comes, I'll leave this pla —"

"Swoosh!"

"—ace..."

"..."

Mallory slowly sat up straight. Her eyes not leaving the window. Was that... a ghost...?

She saw a shadow falling from the top. She tried calming herself when she did not feel any presence. She placed her hand on her beating heart. "Must be my imagination. Must be my imagination. Hahaha..."

"Crack!"

Suddenly, Mallory heard a twig-like cracking sound. She forced herself to breath as she stood up, wanting to know what it was.

Every step she took, the louder her heart beat. She could feel her hands starting to sweat as she went nearer the window.

CRASH!

And just before her hand could reach the window, the glass suddenly crashed and the strong wind made Mallory to close her eyes. "W-What?!"

Suddenly, she felt someone standing at her front. She was about to scream when she suddenly recognized the scent.

"B-Blood?" She quickly looked up and saw a familiar face.

"Mallory..."

"A-A-Aldo?! What are you doing here?! Wait! Did you drink blood again?! You're soaking wet! We need to dry you off!"

Panicking, Mallory tried to pull Aldo to a nearby chair but Aldo suddenly staggered and hit a vase on top of a drawer.

Seeing this, Mallory felt uneasy. Dear Lord... how much does this vase cost? How can I repay Master Orpheus?!

"Mallory..." Aldo's weak voice travelled to Mallory's ears making her focus on him.

She guided him to her bed, making him seat before grabbing the towel on the table and started drying his hair. "Why are you here Aldo?"

Aldo started at Mallory. Slowly, his lips moved and his deep voice put her in a trance—

"I wanted to meet you."

"Mallory! Are you okay?!"

The door flew open and Leo and company barged inside.

"M-Master Orpheus? Master Jillion?"

Mallory was dumbfounded as she saw Leo. Leo scanned the room and realized that there were shards of glass on the floor. He also took notice of the broken vase. But what caught his attention first was the man sitting on Mallory's bed.

"You!" Leo quickly grabbed Mallory, pulling her away as he shouted at the man. "You came in uninvited! What are you doing here?!"

"M-Master Orpheus? H-He must have something to say..." Mallory tried calming the furious man.

"Why did he need to break in the house?! Are you hurt?"

"N-no. I'm fine. I was just startled when Aldo came."

Seeing that she was fine, Leo heaved a sigh. "Don't you know that you should scream when something like this happen?"

"I... I was just surprised that it was Aldo..."

"Never mind. At least you're safe." After examine her again, Leo looked at Aldo. "So, what are you doing in my house, breaking my stuff?"

Aldo just stared at Leo and spatted out four words, "None of your business."

"Aldo!!! You bastard!"

"M-Master Jillion?!"

"Jill!"

Jillion pushed Aldo on the bed and raised his fist, trying to punch the man. "You bastard! Don't you dare dodge!"

Every time his fist fall, Aldo would tilt his head to dodge it. After a few failed attempts, Aldo asked, "Who are you?"

A vein on Jillion's forehead popped and he shouted, "Aldo, you bastard! Don't tell me you forgot?! Don't tell me you forgot that you... you..."

As Jillion remembered the incident, his cheeks flushed red and his strength had gone weaker. His eyes were starting to tear up as he tried to speak. Aldo calmly sat up straight, letting Jillion sit on his l.a.p as he asked one more time, "Who are you?"

"Y-You... you... did..."

"What did I do?"

"You..." Jillion can't seem to push the words out of his throat and was stuck. The more he thought about it, the more fl.u.s.tered he got.

In the end, he jumped off him and said, "You bastard! It's all your fault! You dare to do it then forget about it?!"

Mallory, who was about to ran towards them, was dumbfounded by what was happening. She slowly turned at Leo as she pointed at the bed, "Umm... Master Orpheus... May I know what is happening?"

Shrugging, Leo replied, "Long story short, Aldo stole Jill's fi– –"

"Ahhh!!! Don't tell her, Leo!" Jillion quickly rushed and covered Leo's mouth. He looked at Mallory and awkwardly smiled, "Mallory, don't mind them. Please pretend that nothing is happening."

"...Yes?"

"Cough. Young Master," Brian called, "What shall we do now?"

Leo looked at Aldo who was staring back. He slowly walked towards him, leaving Mallory to Jillion. "May I know why you are here? It's my business... this is my house."

Aldo stayed silent and looked at Mallory. He only replied with a word, "Her." Meaning, he was here because of her.

Everyone looked at Mallory who was confused. She slowly walked towards him and asked cautiously, "Why did you want to see me?"

"I don't know."

"How did you find me then?"

"I followed your scent."

"My scent?" Mallory raised her hand to smell. "I have a scent?" As a halfling?

"It's probably your blood," Leo said. "Your blood have a strong scent."

"I see..." Mallory picked up the towel that was thrown on the floor. "You need to dry your hair or you'll get sick. Have you been drinking again, Aldo?"

Letting Mallory dry his hair, Aldo replied, "...Yeah."

This time it was Jillion's turn to be speechless. This girl could really make him confess!

Hearing his answer, Mallory's hand stiffened for a second. "W-Why?"

"..." Aldo did not answer. He looked up and stared at her eyes. "A-Aldo?"

Hearing his name, Aldo suddenly gave a small smile, "I think I know now why I went here."

"Hmm?"

Hugging her from her waist, Aldo placed his face on her stomach as he mumbled, "When I'm with you, my mind is clear."

"A-Aldo?" Mallory was fl.u.s.tered at his actions and tried to escape his hold but the more she struggled, the tighter his grip gets.

In the end, she gave up. She awkwardly continued wiping his hair as she tried to ask one more time, "Why did you drink blood?"

"My mind is hazy when I'm not with you."

"Hazy? What do you mean? Wah?!"

"Okay, that's enough," Leo exclaimed, pulling Mallory out of Aldo's arms.

Seeing that she was gone, Aldo's brows were furrowed. "What do you want?"

"That's my line. Even if you lose your memories, remember, right now you are a wanted man. So you're coming with me to the police. Brian!"

"Yes, Young Master." Brian moved to capture Aldo but Aldo quickly ran to the window.

But before he could jump, he looked back at Mallory. "See you again, Mallory."

"You bastard! I'm not done with you!" Jillion shouted as he hurriedly followed him but was stopped by Leo.

"Brian, go and check the perimeter. Don't let him escape."

"Yes, Young Master."

"F*ck, Leo! Why didn't you let me beat him up?!"

"You lost your chance. Why didn't you beat him up when you pounced on him?"

"T-That was... because..." Jillion had no refute. He could only mumble incoherent words before sighing, "Fine. Just be sure to get him. We need to tell the principal about this."

Leo looked at the glass shards and the vase before telling his staffs, "Go clean this up."

"Yes, Young Master."

Leo led Mallory outside the room. "You sure, you're not hurt?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you very much."

"Well, Leo," Jillion called as he finished messaging someone on his phone, "I need to go. I've got another task to do. Call me if there's anything else, okay?"

"Wait, Jill."

"What?"

Leo opened his mouth then closed it. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Don't let this incident out of your mouth. Mallory is involved. We'll keep this closed as possible. I'll be the one to tell the principal tomorrow. We can't let them know who Mallory is, understand?"

Jillion looked at Mallory, then at Leo. He gave a cheeky smile, "Don't worry. I know what to do. Just make sure he isn't seen escaping your hands."

"Thanks."

"No problem." Jillion then turned to Mallory and said, "Bye, Mallory. See you next time."

"Y-Yes. See you next time..."

With that, Jillion left the house. Brian saw Leo and Mallory at the living room doing their homework and reported, "Young Master, Aldo has escaped. But we were able to injure him. I believe that he will stay nearby for a few more days due to his injury."

"Make sure that not a word will be spread about this."

"Yes, Young Master."

Leo looked at the hesitant girl besides him. "What is it?"

Mallory was surprised and stuttered, "W-Wh– Er... Yes?"

"You looked like you have something to say."

"I..." Mallory looked at her hands, hesitating. Should I tell him?

Mallory gave Leo a smile as she answered, "No, it's nothing. I'm just surprised he came."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Probably due to guilt, Mallory avoided eye contact and focused on her work. Leo knew he can't force her and decided to wait until she tell him herself.

...

The next day came by quickly and Mallory and Leo was called to the principal's office during lunch time.