DAMIAN
Several minutes earlier,
I stared out at the ocean, feeling the cold sand digging beneath my bare feet. Why was I even here? Then I heard a —
"Damian, are you even listening to me?!" Mom yelled through the speaker of my Iphone.
Ah. I remembered I was on a call with her before I zoned out.
"You know I never do, Mother." I said nonchalantly.
She heaved a sigh and I could almost imagine her palming her face. "I wish you were a girl. You wouldn't be so difficult to raise."
"Ah. That's too bad. I'm here to stay." I smirked.
She clicked her tongue in annoyance. "That's enough out of you… Anyways, I called to remind you of your BLOOD CEREMONY. You're past 18. It's time you find someone —"
"I told you I'm not ready, mother!" I don't why but I yelled.
"I don't buy that BS!" She yelled back.
"Don't swear on your son." I wrinkled my nose.
"Oh please. Damian, you're 19. Isn't it high time you stop postponing the ceremony and find your BLOOD MATE? Your cousin will have her ceremony next week and you're much older than her."
"Ah. Send her my congratulations."
"Come give her yourself, you stubborn brat."
"Can't. I'm allergic to weddings."
"What?"
"I'll send gifts to her."
"Damian! Don't you dare! I want you live at the wedding. Don't come alone!"
"Mother —"
"That's it! You're lucky your father isn't the one calling. You know how things always end up with you too."
"Don't bring him up!"
She sighed. "You are indeed your father's son. Well, prepare for Marilyn's ceremony…"
"Fine. I will," I scoffed. "When is it again?"
"What am I going to do with you?"
After the 2 hours call with mom, I turned and started towards the mansion.
The rest of the crew were probably wasted by now. If it was one thing they liked, it was alcohol and dirty games. Speaking of games, where is my Firefly?
I recalled what happened this morning — the way he blushed when I held him, the way he fit so perfectly in my palm, the way his scent reels me in. It drives me crazy.
I took the stairs to the main house when suddenly, a particular fish scent caught my nostrils. I need to tell Dominic to stop wearing whatever perfume he's wearing.
"Can you not show up smelling like you just got out of the water?" I asked as I entered the hallway.
He turned to look at me, phone in hand. Looks like he had just concluded a call, but with whom?
"It seems there's a problem with your nose." He snorted, pocketing his phone.
"I really need to find where you get your confidence from. Your vendor must oversell to you." I scoffed.
He laughs. "That's one way to put it."
"Well, I have better things to do. Ciao." I had barely taken a step when he hissed.
"Stay away from Caleb."
I turned to look at him. "I didn't quite get that. Repeat."
"I said," Dominic said, striding towards me. "Stay away from Caleb."
"And why should I? He's mine." I smirked.
"No, he isn't." Dominic hissed, curling his hand into tight fists.
"We both know he is" I nearly laughed.
Dominic took a swing at me but I caught his fist just in time and shoved him against the wall.
"Don't make a big deal out of nothing, Dear Dominic." I said, twisting his arm behind his back.
"Get off me!" He struggled beneath my grip.
"Sure thing, buddy." I grinned, letting off him.
"Don't call me that!" he yelled, more like panicked.
"I won't." I said, walking away but fish-dude wasn't done yet.
"I mean it, Damian!" A deep growl rumbled in his throat when he spoke. "Stay away from Caleb. I won't warn you again."
"Do you think Caleb will accept you when he finds out you lied to him?" I asked with a grin.
Dominic's brows furrowed. "What?"
"We both know who actually saved him last night and it wasn't you."
"That's —"
Before he could complete his sentence, I felt a deep throb in my chest.
Something was wrong.
"Swim! Swim! Swim!" I heard the crew chanting.
Who were they talking to?
Then, it dawned on me.
"Caleb!" Those words left my lips before I could think.
Crap. What were they making him do?!
"Help!" I heard him call out and my blood froze.
"Caleb!" My legs moved before I could blink and I dashed out of the hall.
I arrived at the pool house and found familiar arms flailing in the pool while the others watched, laughing like it was some kind of joke.
Those bastards!
I made my way to the pool, stripping off my jacket and shoes.
"Damian?" Valentine froze mid-chanting and her eyes went round.
I ignored her and jumped into the pool.
A second later, I found him and yanked him upward and we broke the surface.
Caleb's body jerked, water spilling from his mouth. He coughed violently, chest heaving.
I cradled him, brushing wet strands of hair from his face to see if he was hurt. He wasn't.
Caleb's lashes fluttered. "D — Damian?"
He stared at me with confusion in his big, brown eyes.
"D — Damian, is that you?" He asked again, touching my face.
I forgot how he was blind without his glasses.
I caught his wrist. "It's me, Firefly."
He froze for a second before he finally relaxed and exhaled a sigh of relief. "Thanks. You saved my life."
"Saved your life?! What the hell were you thinking, you idiot?!" I fumed.
He tried to speak but all that came out was a weak cough.
"Get me a towel!" I called out.
Valentine found a towel and tossed it over Caleb's head.
I crouched beside him and gripped his face, forcing him to look at me.
"You could've died, Caleb!" I yelled. My voice sounded strange. I never thought I'd sound this scared.
"I - Its not like I had a choice or anything…" Caleb croaked out.
Not like he had a choice?
My jaw clenched and I looked over my shoulder.
No one spoke. Not even Valentine who had been laughing moments ago.
"If anyone pulls this kind of stunt again!" I barked. "they'll answer to me!"
I turned to Caleb. "Get changed. You're no use to me if you freeze to death."
Caleb clutched the towel closer and rose to his feet.
And just like that, he was gone.