The Castle
Chapter One - The Castle
I couldn't quite remember how I got here.
I remembered the warmth of my skin radiating from the sun. I remembered the smell of the chlorine from the water mixed with the strong scent of tanning lotion that Stephanie rubbed all over her body; and me on mine. I could feel the sporadic breeze that flipped my hair and cooled my body temperature due the droplets of sweat spanned across my body.
The soft and distant sound of bees buzzing near the pool water lingered in the air. Stephanie sat up from her lawn chair, flailing her arms about. "Damn these bees! They are driving me insane!" She exclaimed, turning in circles inspecting her body for anything resembling an insect with a stinger.
The place I found myself at now was the opposite of where I came from, just moments ago. The sun was replaced by the moon. The once warm air was replaced with the freezing cold temperature of winter. Aside from the one porch light next to the two doors, everything was pitch black. Shadows danced on the walls.
Now I stood on the front steps of an old castle looking building. Be it as it may, the old and eerie castle was breathtaking. With wonderful craftsmanship, the outside of the castle was detailed with exquisite carvings. The carvings covered the walls, window sills, and lead down to the huge wooden double doors. None of which were able to be opened from the outside.
The castle doors opened from the inside and a very good looking man walked out. The gentleman had wavy dark brown hair with thick eyebrows. He was dressed immaculately in a black and white suit that hugged his muscles perfectly. He wore a particularly interesting tattoo that stood out on his neck. I couldn't see exactly what it was, but it was very intriguing.
Once he noticed my presence, he stopped in his tracks, completely stunned.
I still don't remember how I got here. Maybe he has some kind of idea.
"Excuse me, I apologize for the intrusion. But do you know what city this is? I seem to be lost." I may have been withholding information, but I was telling the truth. I was lost.
He looked at me, grabbed my shoulders and lightly shook me. I blinked my eyes rapidly from confusion.
A few moments later, Stephanie was lightly shaking my shoulders, waking me up.
"The sun must have worn you out, girl. Wake your ass up! We need to go upstairs and get ready for tonight." She nodded toward our apartment.
I climbed out of the lawn chair, wrapped a towel around my waist, and grabbed all of our belongings before heading to our apartment.
While walking up to our apartment, I reminisced the dream about the castle and that mysterious man. It was such an eerie dream, especially to have during the day. I have never had a dream like that before.
After we reached our apartment we both took turns showering and doing our hair and makeup. I walked over to my walk-in closet and discontentedly rummaged through my clothes in hopes of finding a dress appropriate for the occasion.
I wasn't elated to attend tonight's event being that it was work related. I wasn't in a rush to spend the night with the very same people that have frustrated me all week. However, I was looking forward to the free alcohol and free dinner.
Steph was only looking forward to tonight's get together to see Chad. She has been swooning over him for the last few weeks. It's cute because usually a guy is unable to keep her attention for very long.
As for me, I wasn't interested in men whatsoever. I wasn't interested in women either for that matter. I just didn't have the time or energy for a relationship. From my past experiences, I have found it never ends well. You end up losing a friend and a lover. It just isn't worth it.
I pulled out a dark red halter dress. It had a seductive open back and it was tight around my breasts, in return pushing them up to look attractive and perky. It wasn't at all short, going almost pass the knee, which balanced it all out very nicely.
It wasn't every day I was able to go out and get dressed up.
After getting my dress and heels on, I recalled my dream or day dream or whatever it was. There was something about that castle that made my stomach drop. I remembered the lake in front of the castle. The water was completely still and black. It was very eerie. I seemed to be lost in a transe, recalling the castle and all it's wonder.
"Cassie, let's go!" My thoughts were interrupted by Steph's impatience.
"Okay... okay. You are so lucky they are offering free food or I would have found an excuse not to attend!" I bantered.
*****
As the Uber pulled up to the mansion-like house, both of our jaws dropped in unison. We had always heard of how gorgeousand sumptuous the CEO Michael Grayson's residence was, but this was the first time we lay eyes on his home ourselves. Blinking repeatedly, I glanced at Steph, who was already giving me the look. The look of you need to holler at that before I do.
"Oh no, honey. Don't even go there. Not only am I not looking for a man, but I am not looking for a rich one that every woman around here wants to bag." I gave her the look in return.
We stepped out of the Uber into the driveway on the multimillion dollar home. The driveway was landscaped as you would expect. Brick walkways, several waterfalls and water fountains, the tallest palm trees I have ever seen, and a front door about two stories high.
I could smell a delicious aroma coming from inside Michael's home. Smelled like a mix between vanilla and cinnamon.
We walked up to the oversized front door of Michael's home, and entered the already open door. Candles were placed all over the counters and in candle holders on the walls. Even with the candlelight it was still very dim and hard to see clearly.
All of the men were mostly in expensive suits and the women were in beautiful dresses and jewelry. I silently applauded myself for wearing my diamond choker and diamond necklace.
We were immediately greeted by Michael himself. He graciously swayed our way, grabbed my hand and kissed the top of it in a classy and gentlemanly manner. Usually women would swoon. I just smiled politely.
I thanked him for the invite, even though I wasn't thrilled about being present, and assured him we were going to go mingle with the guests.
Michael has always had a bit of a crush on me but the chemistry is not present. We have absolutely nothing in common. I wasn't born into money and although that isn't a dealbreaker for me, it was a turn off with him. He flaunted his money and used it to get what he wanted. I found that unattractive.
Stephanie spotted Chad right away and ran off in giggles. I am sure I won't find her for the rest of the night.
A bit disappointed to spend the night alone, I walked over to the bar. Well, I guess a free bar will really come in handy tonight. I ordered a glass of red whine and began sipping away as I surveyed the crowd.
People watching has been one of my favorite things since I was younger. My mother and I used to sit in the mall and just watch people. Sometime's we would play roles and say what we thought they were saying. I found people watching soothing in times like these.
Almost instantly I caught eyes with a gorgeous specimen. He was taller than most of the men surrounding him in the crowd. His eyes were a gorgeous blue, reminding me of an open ocean. His shoulders were broad and I could see his large muscles fighting the confinement of his expensive suit. His tie had been loosened around his neck.
Immediately I thought of ways he could use that tie on me.
Snap out of it, Cassie! Has it been that long? Since a man's touch? I turned away. It seemed as though the man had similar things on his mind. I could feel him eye-fucking me from across the room. His stare was intimidating and intoxicating.
Something about him seemed familiar, but I wasn't sure what.
I ordered another drink to still my nerves.
Within the first ten minutes of sitting at the bar, about five or six men offered to buy me a drink, clearly not aware of the free bar. It was all just a muse to get in my pants, so I, for the most part, respectfully declined.
One guy refused to take the hint. After several pickup lines, he kept pushing.
"How could a gorgeous woman like you be at the bar alone? Surely your husband is in the restroom and on his way back, am I right?" He chuckled, like he something I was unaware of.
"The name's Gaston." He winked, clearly he had already watched me long enough to know I was indeed alone.
"Hey, honey," said an extremely tall and even more attractive man. He glided toward me effortlessly, placing his hand on my lower back.
Clearly his idea of being chivalrous was helping me get rid of this lunatic. I didn't mind the assistance.
"I apologize for running late, sweetie. I was stuck in traffic." He bent down to look in my eyes, and then back to the man that was bothering me.
I must admit, he was quite the actor.
"Is there something I can help you with?" He asked eyes aimed at Gaston like a gun cocked and ready. Did he know this Gaston guy? It seemed like I was missing something.
"Oh," the vexatious man murmured, disconcerted. "I apologize for intruding. I must be on my way now. You two have a nice night," he smirkedUuu and then winked right before he disappeared in the crowd. There was something very odd about him.
"Well, that was a little odd." I said, shaking my head and taking another swig of my drink.
I looked up at my knight in shining armor and choked on my drink. It was the gorgeous man with captivating blue eyes and that tie, ooh that tie. I was not expecting him to be so breathtaking up close.
I could see all of the women in the room gawking over him, t of upset that he was standing over me.
"I bet that's been happening all night." He smirked at me.
It took me a minute to come back to reality and process his statement.
I responded with a polite smile.
This guy obviously thought he could use his charm to get in my pants. Well, that wasn't happening.
"Thank you..." I paused, waiting for him to respond with his name.
"Alaric."
"Thank you, Alaric, for your kind endeavor. But the little lady's room is calling my name. Have a wonderful night." I smiled, and began my search for the nearest restroom.
After a few glasses of wine, I was beginning to feel a bit of a buzz. After walking around for five minutes, I finally located what looked to be a restroom. I opened the door to see a gorgeously decorated restroom. I could tell it was a guest restroom, yet it had his and hers sinks with a large tub, big enough to be a jacuzzi. The entire bathroom was big enough to be a small bedroom.
I locked the door behind me and lay my purse on the counter. I grabbed out my concealer to dab below my eyes and cover up any bleeding mascara. As I was fixing up my makeup I heard a knock on the bathroom door.
"Occupied, out in a minute!" I yelled at the door. There are probably ten restrooms in this mansion. They really should have just kept looking.
Again, there is a knock at the door. "Someone is in here!" I yell, agitated.
The door handle jingles and then the door bursts open. A scream escaped my mouth.
Gaston!
Author's Note:
Hello beauties, I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. It was kind of a long one, but it needed to end there. The next chapter will explain a bit more. Don't forget to hit that vote button! Love you all!
Riss<3
