Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Aurora salvatore, if you do not want to starve for the entirety of today get up from that bed right this instant and trust me I am not talking about food". Mrs Elena salvatore threatened her daughter who had made it her goal not to get up early for once this summer.

"God," Aurora screamed out. " Why does she have to do this every morning, is it in any constitution that the female child must get up early and help prepare breakfast, this is gender discrimination at its grassroots"

Aurora salvatore is the last child in a family of five having two elder brothers who dote on her way too much. The salvatores are a 20th century vampire family living their lives as normal as they could manage and trying everyday to make sure that nobody suspects their identity.

Aurora mounts down and begins to make her way down the stairs if not her mom would gladly set the house ablaze .

" Mom". Aurora starts as soon as she gets down. "It's really unfair that you wake me up so early during my summer vacations, when every kid around the block gladly sleeps in, Mrs salvatore any other reasonable excuse for this act of yours asides gender discrimination".

"Well it would only be gender discrimination if your brothers didn't wake up early too, your brothers woke up an hour ago and went for a run and I woke up two hours ago so young lady I see no reason why you should still be in bed ". Mrs salvatore responded .

" Well obviously I am not a morning person while you guys are"

"There's no excuse for laziness Aurora"

" Did we get fresh blood this morning and you should talk to the man the blood tasted stale yesterday is he slacking in his job".

"Well consider that we all wake up as late as you do who would go to get the blood so early"

"Ugh mom, I'm up now isn't it fine already, don't be such a nag".

"I really have no idea what to do with you". She moves as if trying to hit her with a spoon

"You're not perhaps trying to bully our youngest are you mom". Damon salvatore, Aurora's second brother jokingly asked.

" So we just go for a run and next thing mom's trying to murder our youngest, moral of the story always take the youngest out for a run". Her eldest brother chipped in, Brandon is the first son of the salvatores

"Now big brother I understand that you're only showing concerns for me, nobody wants to be in the news that their mother assassinated their beloved youngest child but how could you propose taking me for a run".

"What's going on did my kind gestures come out wrong". Brandon faked an horrified expression that had everybody holding in their laughter.

"Okay hold your highhorses you all, if I don't say anything you guys would proudly let this go on and on forgetting your father deserves a breakfast before going to the office".

"It's not like he has to go to the office, he's just having too much fun playing the CEO role and flirting with all those girls in his office". Damon said with obvious disgust at their father's shameless uncovered acts .

"Damon, do you mind not expressing your thoughts everytime at least learn to read the atmosphere and circle". Brandon says looking intently at him

"It's not like she doesn't know, it's a wonder how you keep up with him with a smile on your face really". Damon retorted

Brandon swore inside of him, he looked like if their mother wasn't there he'd be digging Damon's grave graciously.

Mrs Salvatore's face had gone pale at this point, it's no surprise the kids are sick of their father's unruly attitude, but she still won't sit their and let her son crucify her husband

" Damon if you do not want to be kicked out of this breakfast table keep your mouth zipped".

"Yes mom". Damon replied , obviously displeased that their mom is still standing up for him.

" Brandon supervise the breakfast table getting set I'll go get your father". Mrs Salvatore walks out, obviously needing an escape before all this strong woman facade breaks off in the presence of her kids .

"Saint, this is not us but you". Mr salvatore explodes on the phone, obviously in a heated argument with whoever is on the other line of the receiver

" Salvatore you keep forgetting but helping to cover up a crime is also a crime". The voice on the other end of the receiver is heard sounding exasperated

"Oh now it's a crime that you came to me and I lent a hand to pull you out of trouble, Saint I never knew you were such an ingrate I wouldn't have bat an eyelid when you came crying in my house".

"Salvatore you know I'm not trying to shift blames around here I'm just trying to state facts, if she keeps on digging around like this we're going to get found out in no time and I am sure you are as aware as I am what that means". The person on the other end of the phone sounds frustrated already at this point.

"This is exactly what I'm talking about saint I want to know why you keep using we, our , it's not us it's you, okay".

"Well I can assure you that when that lady finds out the truth she would not be in a mood to hear what part you played and what part you did not alright".

"Well I don't exactly care what you want to do this time around but you can trust my words that I would not be playing any part in it ".

Mr salvatore ends the call obviously displeased by the turn of things

"Why did that girl have to start digging around and could not just let the sleeping dog lie so annoying".

Mrs Salvatore has at this point gotten up to the room she shares with her husband only to hear him having a heated argument with someone and it seems about a girl again

Kop,kop

"Yes, come in". Mr Salvatore answers the knock on the door

"Well, breakfast is ready and served would you be joining us at the table"?

"Yeah, I would like to have a conversation with the kids as well, I'll be down in few minutes".

"Alright". She starts to walk away and stops halfway at the door

" Is everything alright, I think I heard you arguing with someone as I approached the room, everything fine?"

"Yeah, just some issues at work nothing much".

"Alright join us at the table we'll be waiting for you".

She is not convinced and thinks it's probably some girl issue again.

" I just don't want to see anything in the news that will mortify the kids any further".

"Kids are you done setting the table".

"Everything in it's place asides the food itself". Aurora replied looking like she wishes the food would make a magical appearance on her plate, obviously hungry and tired of seeing empty plates .

"Aurora, come help me serve the food, your dad will be right downstairs. I want everyone on their best attitudes when your dad gets here. Are we clear?"

"Sounds more like a threat than a question, we get the gist mom". Damon replied obviously his mood had not improved from when his mom went upstairs.

Mr Salvatore is seen descending the stairs, looking unaware of the argument that had taken place just a minute ago. He gets to the table and sits everybody else takes their sit after.

"Did the cat get all your tongues? Do you guys get worse daily, now you do not even bother to say the morning greetings to your father".

"Good morning dad" . All three of them chorused

" You are cutting this children way too much slack, imagine if we had a guest over I'd be too embarrassed to eat". Mr Salvatore complains this time obviously directed at the wife.

"Like we'd listen to her, even if she says anything and I think you do know she says something so maybe the fault is elsewhere". Damon retorts

" You would talk in no such way to your father Damon". Mrs Salvatore snaps obviously annoyed that they cannot have a single meal in peace.

"I'm sorry mom". He apologizes grudgingly.

"Let us eat".

There's a long awkward silence at the table at this point, nobody wants to start a conversation so the food can just be devoured in peace.

After a while Mr Salvatore decides to break the silence.

" When do you boys want to start working at the company"?

Silence once again envelopes the room.

"You both are playing dumb now right?"

"Well I want you both to enter the company before the end of this month. I believe you have spent enough time playing around, especially you Brandon and that's my final words".

He stands up and leaves the table.

THE VEIL ON THE DARK