The Lupa’s Manor:
Adriel’s Point of View:
Deep within me, I knew this evening would end up awful. I had the chance to turn and return to my condo, but I thought it would be cowardice behavior.
As I stepped out of my car and onto the winding driveway, the breathtaking sight of my family’s opulent vampire manor unfolded before me. The modern, sleek estate shimmered in the fading dark, its white walls and gleaming glass radiating an aura of luxury and power.
I felt a sense of pride and comfort as I looked at the entrance, where a discreetly placed bronze plaque bore our family crest.
There were two statues of an ancient female vampire and on each of them, the name ‘Lupa’ was boldly inscribed. In the center of the surroundings was a huge fountain pouring red coloured water.
Different maids and vampires walked about, carrying expensive decorating material to arrange the hall for my mother’s birthday party, which was still a few days away.
“This is my ancient mother’s house, I belong here. No mistress child can take it away from me!” I assured myself and took a deep breath. I roamed my hands over my forehead, and sighed. I was dressed in a black designer shirt, black designer trousers and sleek leather boots.
My hair fell across my forehead in perfectly messy locks, framing my face. I wore two dangling earrings and a tiny chain was around my neck.
“Okay man, what the hell is wrong with you?” Michael asked curiously, the red eyeshadow he used made him look like a thirsty vampire. He had been staring at me for a while, his eyes squinted as he observed my behavior.
“I was going to ask the same question,” Vagon chipped in, and hurriedly came down from his private jeep car, he stretched his hand back into the jeep car, hoping to help Philious out, but Philious hit his hands away. They both wore black t-shirts with matching jackets and boots.
“I can come down by myself. I am not a child!” Philious murmured with a hoarse voice and came down from the jeep car. He put his hands into his pocket, and put on a ruthless demeanor. Vagon watched him quietly, with a teasing look on his face.
My three friends looked at me with curiosity in their eyes, wondering why I ignored their questions.
I offered them a smile as I scrutinized their outfit with the corner of my eyes. We were dressed like the princes of darkness, and Michael’s tiger tattoo was revealed, because he rolled up his shirt sleeves.
“I think today will be great, and most especially, fun,” I murmured thoughtfully after a momentary silence, and nodded my head hopefully.
“Humm, I can also sense the fun,” Vagon sneered, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Michael looked bored and tired, while Philious had a merciless look on his face.
We all looked at one another, before moving towards the huge glass door.
“Great grandmother of war!” We cordially greeted and bowed down to the statues. Two maids ran to our sides, bowed, and collected the gift basket Vagon was holding.
“Your lordship!” The maids greeted and Vagon smiled broadly at them.
“Everytime I greet our great grandmother, Lupa, it feels like she is staring at my very soul, trying to find a stain on me.” Vagon lamented with a childish voice, as he looked at the statue. Philious scoffed at him, and shook his head.
“Of course she is staring at you! You have committed a lot of sins, and if it wasn’t for the fact that you don’t have a heart, I am sure she would like to eat it.” Philious said curtly, and rolled his eyeballs.
While the two of them began an argument, Micheal and I continued to walk towards the door.
The heavy glass doors slid open with a soft whisper, revealing a spacious foyer with a soaring ceiling and gleaming marble floors.
Upon entering, different maids ran to our side and bowed down. I didn’t pay them any attention, but Vagon kept shaking each of their hands, to the annoyance of Philious.
I was enveloped in the warm, inviting scent of fresh blood and the soft hum of subtle elegance. The interior design was a masterful blend of modern chic and classic sophistication, with tasteful artwork and lavish furnishings that reflected our family’s exquisite taste.
As I stepped into the grand dining hall, the warm glow of crystal chandeliers and the ongoing conversation caught my attention.
The air was somehow lively with the savory scents of roasted meats and fresh blood.
My best friends, Michael, Vagon and Philious, flanked me, their eyes scanning the room with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.
Before us, my family sat arrayed around the sprawling dining table.
My father’s mistress, the scheming and icy Rose, kept commenting on how amazing her son was. Her son, the insufferable and arrogant Logan lounged in his seat, his smirk a clear indication of his disdain for my mother’s presence.
My mother presided over the gathering, her piercing red eyes surveyed the room with a calculating gaze. And my father sat down near her, nibbling on a piece of steak.
My aunties and uncles, a colorful array of characters, chatted and laughed, their voices weaving a rich tapestry of sound.
Aunt Priya, Michael’s mother, regaled the table with a short story of her latest shopping mall, her voice rising and falling in a dramatic manner. Roselian and Lily kept talking about how they would visit Priya’s mall.
Uncle Polo, a gruff but lovable man, chuckled good-naturedly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. I caught him looking at my mother menacingly, but I paid no attention to it.
My sisters, Lola and Lora sat beside each other, maintaining silence, while Liam looked bored of hearing the same old story.
We stood there, frozen in the doorway, our presence unnoticed by the gathered family. The weight of their indifference settled upon me like a heavy hammer, a familiar ache that I’d grown accustomed to over the years.
I sighed, the sound lost in the din of conversation, and began to make my way towards the table, my heart heavy with the knowledge of what lay ahead.
“Welcome home, indeed.” Michael muttered and placed his hands around my shoulders. I smirked, and for a moment, my eyes gleamed with a hint of fang.