Page 35

Aoi

“You must be Aoi? I’m Bellami, Visha’s brother. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I take the bottle out of his hands, smearing on my nicest and fakest smile. “Oh, my. Thank you, you shouldn’t have. The pleasure is all mine.”

I welcome our guest in and turn to Visha, standing immobile like a lamp in the hallway, guilt plastered all over his face as he can’t look me in the eyes.

“He told me so much about you, claiming you were his guardian angel and preaching his gratitude,” Bellami says, looking handsomer than I expected.

As if he ever said that. The same kid that hates strangers would never tell one so much about himself. Visha isn’t that talkative. How did they manage to grow so close in less than a day?

He’s wearing an all-black tailored suit that must’ve cost more than my rent. His black hair is perfectly coiffed, giving him an air of royalty. I can tell that they’re brothers, though it’s subtle enough. It might be due to the shape of their eyes. How old is he? He must be around my age, maybe younger and yet he has this unshakable aura of maturity clinging to him.

I hand Visha the bottle and help his brother with his even more expensive coat. Jeez I’m almost scared to stain it with my commoner’s hands.

“I didn’t know I was such an esteemed individual,” I cringe. “He overpraises me, really. I’m far from being an angel.”

He shakes my hand, imposing a firm and self-assured grip. “Oh, don’t be modest. I want to thank you for taking care of my little brother while I couldn’t.”

“I don’t deserve your gratitude.”

I really don’t deserve that much praise. I only did what any decent human would have.

Visha slithers back into the living room, waiting for us to join him. I gesture to Bellami to take a seat at the head of the table.

“Though, I do want to know how long you intend to stay. I’m sure Visha must be thrilled to have a brother he can connect with. You’re welcome here anytime, by the way.”

He offers me a courteous smile, befitting of a businessman. “Mhm, thank you but I doubt that’ll be necessary. I’m flying back for France in a few days and won’t be coming back until further notice.”

It’s to France, not for France but whatever.

One glance at Visha sitting opposite me and I immediately know he’s as flabbergasted as I am, though he’s glaring at the man more than necessary.

“Oh, I see and Visha? What about him?”

“He’ll be coming with me of course.”

“What?” I gawk at him, blinking between the two of them. “But you can’t take him.”

“I can and I will ,” he emphasizes, veins bulging on his forearms.

A shudder shoots down my spine, leaving me bewildered by his audacity. He doesn’t seem to have any regard for Visha’s or my opinion on the matter. What does he even mean by that statement? Either way, Visha isn’t going anywhere without my permission.

Cutting through the tension with a butter knife, Visha intervenes. “You made a whole feast tonight. Everything looks so good!”

I play with my fork as Bellami speaks up in a humorous tone. “I’m impressed too. I hadn’t expected you to invite me tonight but it’s a pleasure to get to finally know you.”

I see how it is. Back to fake pleasantries? Alright, two can play that game.

“The pleasure is mine,” I say, attempting to even my temper and speak up. “Enlighten me on this one thing. It must’ve been a surprise to find him so suddenly. Just how did you manage to do that?”

How about he takes his arrogance and goes back to France, huh? Mister, I am better than you because I eat baguettes and croissants. Call me petty but I don’t fucking like this guy.

“Well, it took me a while, but I obviously got the help of a little bird. Either way it doesn’t matter because I couldn’t be happier now that we’re reunited.” He smiles, sending shudders down my spine.

Visha rolls his eyes which grants him a scowl from me and a kick under the table.

“So where are you originally from? You have an accent,” I point out, narrowing my eyes at him coyly, as if I don’t already know.

Bellami drops his head backwards and smiles as he takes a sip of water. “I’m French, from Montpellier–born and raised–and so is Visha. Though, he’ll need to learn the language again.”

I force a polite giggle, starting to regret having invited him. I already know what he means and it’s pumping murderous urges in my blood. There isn’t a drop of sympathy emanating from him. His every word and move are calculated and feigned as if he’s here to complete a task. My stomach is starting to get upset, and I’m sure it’s due to the vampire we welcomed into our home.

Yeah, I know my perspective is clearly biased, but he isn’t making it easier for me to like him. If it weren’t for Visha’s sake I would’ve already kicked that jerk out.

“Oh my, French? That’s amazing. So, you made the whole trip from France to Washington? That must’ve been exhausting.”

I fiddle with the hem of my sleeve. In quiet thumps, my foot taps against the floor. I sort of want to throw Bellami through the window for daring to burst our peaceful bubble. How convenient that the moment I decide to adopt him, his brother shows up.

Visha’s involving himself with him, forming a bond we’ll never have, and nausea swarms over my stomach, cutting my appetite.

“Well, yes considering I have a company to tend to and only meant to stay a few days, spending half of that time in a plane isn’t to my liking.” He flashes a dangerous smile before turning back to Visha. “You’ll go through that experience too very soon.”

Visha tenses in his seat, suddenly glaring at his brother. He glances at me for permission before responding, “Sounds good, I guess.”

“You mean as in a little vacation?” I ask, blood sizzling.

“Well, in a way yes. I guess we could call it an extended vacation.”

I’m literally pulling at a thread in an empty room yet no matter how long I pull, I can’t see the end. He’s trying to take him from me.

“You’re funny but you know what I’d like to know?” Visha asks. “Tell us about you. I’m rather curious about your life and I’m sure Aoi’s too.”

Bellami flashes a glint of mischievous understanding and smirks. “There isn’t much to say. I lived my entire life in Montpellier and that’s where Lacroix Corp’s headquarters are. My work was my main focus until Visha came into the picture, of course.”

His subtle accent rolls off his tongue as he speaks, pissing me off even more somehow. Everything that comes out of his mouth annoys the fuck out of me.

“You two seem to get along pretty well,” I point out, biting back a wistful smile curling at my lips.

Bellami smirks, crossing his fingers over the table like a true king. “Blood is thicker than water they say.”

Maybe no one notices, maybe we all notice but my heart sinks below the surface of the Earth.

“It’s getting late, and I have school tomorrow,” Visha says, standing up. “It was a pleasure to have you.”

I frown. “Visha, don’t be rude.”

Barely an hour has passed since Bellami arrived. Why is he throwing him out? Aren’t they having a blast? I sure am. I was even about to ask him to move in with us while we’re at it since Bellami loves getting in other people’s lives.

Do I sound like a sarcastic asshole? I sure hope I do.

“No worries, he’s right. It’s indeed getting late, and we wouldn’t want our dear Visha to be tired in class.”

I can’t go against him, so I simply get up and thank him for dining with us before accompanying him to the door.

The second the door shuts behind me, I turn to Visha with a scowl. “What the hell was that about? You basically threw the man out.”

“That’s not it at all. Don’t be absurd. I’m just really tired and it’s late, don’t you think? Besides you looked like you wanted to dig yourself a grave.”

“What? No, I didn’t,” I huff. “Whatever, just get ready for bed. I’ll clean up the table.”

He’s about to retort but I hold my hand up. I want to be alone before I flip the table off the ground and start cussing that demon’s ancestors for barging into our lives.