Blood Moon Rising

Aria's P.O.V

"Seriously! You want to do this right now?"

His touch, the taste of his lips, was all I thought of. I guess being away for too long would make a lonely girl feel that way, even though I was never alone.

"Not really. I thought maybe we could talk... about 'US!" His warm arms still did not let go of mine.

There were two things Ethan was good at. One was that he was completely handsome; those dark eyes could sweep any girl off their feet. And second: he was a master of words. And for some inexplicable reason, he had managed to have a way over my heart, even though I knew the consequence of such love.

"You know how this thing is. We must avoid suspicions," he said with a voice above a whisper. He glanced back and forth in the lobby before placing a gentle kiss on my lips. I relished its taste.

Of course it would have been hotter if the situation were different. A guy like him could not afford to be seen with me. Least of all kissing.

He glanced back and forth and sighed. "Look, I know this is-"

"There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you."

Ethan let go of my arms the moment the words came forth. He made a smile that I thought to be fake, and turned.

"I was just showing Aria where to find the wine for the auction," he lied. The grim face, now beamed with smiles.

My gaze fell to the floor in her presence. Mrs Redwood, my adoptive mother. The woman who found pleasure in my torture. Even though my feet did not move an inch, I knew I was going to get her usual remark.

"That's so thoughtful. But you know you don't have to," she smiled back.

"Ahh, I'm happy to do it. The pleasure is mine. Besides, Aria is quite cooperative," his gaze met mine for a few seconds before turning back to her. What a lair!

"Come. We have a lot to discuss. We are only a few hours away," said Mrs Redwood, placing an arm on his shoulder in an attempt to lead him away. Just then, the 'witch' shot back her venom eyes; eyes so wide that I thought she would eat me there and then.

"Have you no better use of your time?" she barked.

Of course I knew that was surely to come. It was only a matter of 'when'. I had a lot to do so I scurried in the opposite direction where I almost bumped into another maid.

"Watch it, dumbass!" she cursed.

Sorry, I forgot to tell you that I wasn't in the good books of all the maids. And Suzanne was one of them. And I never blamed her for once. How could she ever forgive me for stealing her crush?

She released an elongated hiss before swaying away. Not a word did I say to her. I wasn't afraid. No. Exchanging words with her would be futile. So I braced up and hurried downstairs.

Everything was perfect and set to host the crème de la crème of the entire city. The vast space is more than splendid and in a few hours, the whole place would be bubbling with people who had too much cash to spend. I moved around, making sure all was well displayed from the show glass. The price tags were intact. The spot where the hosts, Mr and Mrs Redwood, would be seated, was good to go. I double-checked my directory to make sure nothing would go wrong. The auction would surely be a success.

Satisfied with the sight before me, I found my way back upstairs and shut the door behind me. Only then did it occur to me that today was my eighteenth birthday. Ten years of being a human, and eight miserable years of being confined to these walls. I slumped onto the bed, only to have memories of my tenth birthday flooding back. A tenth birthday I didn't celebrate. A doomed Wednesday I will forever remember. And this was because my parents had deemed it fit to die the day before. Thanks to the car accident. The police concluded that the car had drifted off the road to avoid a collision with an animal. But I satisfied myself with the thought that fate had deemed it so. Perhaps, I was never meant to be happy. Neither would Ethan ever get to marry me.

Minutes later, I decided to try on the blue gown, the only thing I got for a birthday present. Well, it wasn't a birthday present even though Mr Redwood had made it seem like one. Perhaps the man figured that I might put the family's reputation to shame. The elite were coming to spend their money, so it was only fair and wise that his adopted daughter was made presentable.

The dress was a good fit for my malnourished posture, even though the reflection in the mirror said otherwise. My ponytailed dark hair complimented my green eyes. But my heart thundered when the door barged open. Whoever it was didn't deem it fit to knock. Besides, how could she have knocked with the stare she gave?

"Search everywhere!" she ordered.

The maids fanned out in all directions, with Suzanne leading the way. Seconds later, the cage I called a room turned upside down. The rags in the closet were thrown out. The mini-sized bed turned upside down. I watched but my heart thundered a second time at the Venom eyes she gave. Freya. My stepsister. The 'witch' who had vowed to make my life a living hell. Just like her mother.

"Pray I don't find it," she threatened, shifting her entire weight to her left foot. My heart raced faster at the things being thrown and turned. I watched, completely oblivious of what was being looked for, but silently praying that whatever it was, it should never be found.

But the odds were slim. For the record, I have not been in the room for the last couple of hours. Neither did I know who its visitors were.

Suzanne, the leader of the team, satisfied herself and said, " It's clear."

"I think I found something. This is it!" Pamela, one of the maids, held up a glistening object I figured to be a necklace. She swayed and handed it over to the boss, who in turn, curled an upper lip.

With the delight on their faces, I figured they were happy not because the necklace had been found, but because it was discovered in this room. My room. Which obviously would be too bad for a girl like me. And with a devilish smile on her face, Freya remarked, "Aha, here comes the thief."

Aria P.O.V

Freya needed no explanation; least of all from a girl whom she thought a rival. She had accidentally bumped into one of my little romances with Ethan. And it didn't sit well with her. Not that I expected otherwise. Now, it was time for payback which explained the slap I received on my right cheek.

But that was not enough. It was only the beginning.

I rolled for a few seconds, coming to a stop against the bed. A sharp pain shot through my nerves. Only then did I realize that my head had been bumped against the wooden bed frame.

"How dare you take my necklace!"

Although she had yelled, my ears and senses were too busy to notice as I continued absorbing the pain. Suzanne and her like-minded, got busy the whole time. They took turns in kicking the sobbing lady on the floor.

"Don't stop!" Freya encouraged. Dissatisfied, she grabbed my hair. I screamed while being ruthlessly dragged on the floor.

"What the hell is going on here!" Another voice echoed. A voice I recognised to be Mr Redwood. Freya now deemed it fit to let go.

"Dad, your slave right here stole something of mine." She held the necklace up, the diamond beads glistening in the light.

Mr Redwood aced forward. The pain still coursed through my veins but I picked myself up amidst the bruises all over my body.

"Is it true?" He turned to Pamela.

"Gosh, Dad! Don't you believe-?"

"Silence!" Interrupted Mr Redwood. He knew far too well that this may as well be a ploy to see me out. This wasn't the first time his good-for-nothing daughter would pull such a stunt. She had vowed to make my life a living hell. And this was one of her many ploys.

But the decision was left to Pamela who made a nod. Of course she couldn't betray her mistress.

"And why would you do that!" Mr Redwood asked, turning his stare to me.

With my gaze on the floor, and the bruises which I was silently nursing, how best to answer the question was a problem. First was the fact that the necklace had been found in the very room I slept. And second, and the most important of all was that I had no one to corroborate my innocence.

Left with no choice, I sheepishly made a nod like a girl who had been robbed off her will. I had none left.

Pamela giggled, and a loud sound echoed. The sound of flesh to flesh contact, and someone staggered to the floor, stumbling a few times before coming to a stop. And only then did I realize that it was her. Pamela. And she had dared to show Mr Redwood how stupid she could be.

Good riddance.

"The rest of you, are you that free!" Mr Redwood gave a venom look. All but his daughter trotted outside the room.

"And you, see me in my office," ordered Mr Redwood. I nodded in return.

Freya gawked. "Dad!" she grumbled.

"Don't you have anything to do with your time?" said Mr Redwood before leaving the room.

The office was down the lobby. Suzanne and her crew snickered as I walked by. But what did I care?

The office door was opened. Mr Redwood sat behind a huge mahogany desk when I walked in. Behind him was a shelf filled with books he never read.

"Sit."

I pulled back the leather chair. Mr Redwood read from the paper for a few seconds as I settled in. My gaze stayed fixed on the man who was probably going to reprimand me. He put down the paper and met my gaze. Even at fifty-five, the gray-haired man was way older than his age. The last heart attack made a mess of him.

"Look, this may not be the life you want. We all have our various desires from life, which are mostly not met," the cold emotionless but sympathetic voice came forth. My gaze moved from his lips to the wrinkled face.

"So you have to accept the cards that fate has dealt. When life gives you lemon, you make-"

"Lemonade."

He smiled at my interruption. Mr Redwood had a talent for a motivator. I guess being a professor at a university made him one.

"Does it mean you don't believe their story?" I asked

Silence ensued and uneasiness swept through my body for a moment. With the gaze, I wasn't entirely sure how he felt about the question. He found his feet, and my gaze followed as he made his way around the desk. Stopping a few inches away from my chair, he said, "When I looked into your eyes, I saw innocence. So yes, I don't believe you stole the necklace...besides, my daughter can be a pain in the ass," he added with a grin.

The uneasiness disappeared. Mr Redwood returned to his seat. A box appeared after pulling his drawer.

"Open it!" He grinned.

A diamond-beaded necklace, almost similar to the one thought to be stolen, came to sight.

"I want you to wear it tomorrow," he explained.

I gaped. The least I expected from him. First, the birthday dress; now a necklace? Unbelievable. Yes, that was what I thought with the benevolent gesture.

"Why?" The word came forth before I could hold it back. I threw a Palm to my mouth. Stupid Aria.

"It's fine." He observed for a few seconds, his gaze carefully scrutinizing the shy girl before him.

"It's your birthday. And happy birthday."

Although I delighted in the fact that he had remembered my birthday, I sensed some hidden motives. A not-so-nice man had suddenly become too nice.

Strange?

Strange couldn't describe the situation when I left the office.

*****

The long-awaited ceremony had come. The guests swayed in various elegant styles to take their respective seats. The VIP section got filled as Mr and Mrs Copper, the last couple on the list, took their respective seats.

I double-checked the list to make sure all was going smoothly.

No sign of Ethan even as I glanced around. Not a word since he left hurriedly to attend some pressing matters the day before. Neither did he care to honor my invitation to meet at our regular spot, a place we often make out.

No word. No call. No nothing. I shoved the thoughts aside for the task at hand. Mrs Redwood had specifically given instructions against any disappointment. Not too long ago, she had requested 'ZEST' in place of the red wine that was earlier served. And it was my job to do so. But here I was, completely lost in thought about a man who was nowhere to be found.

"You took your time"

I screeched to a halt, all the while holding back the tray that almost slipped. Mrs Redwood, all dressed up in flamboyant attire, registered. Of course the host needed to dress that way, all wrapped in some imported and expensive clothing. And she had grown impatient with my absence. At least her eyes, venomous as they were, revealed how annoyed she was.

I braced for the unexpected. She turned on her heel, walking as though she was on a mission, a mission to kill.

The wine was stocked upstairs. So I had to take the staircase, before taking the lobby by the left.

But to the woman before me, those analogies were bullshit. She needed the wine as fast as possible. And I had failed her.

"Sorry, I couldn't get the wine in time," I explained, silently praying that something should make sense to the woman who wouldn't stop staring at me. I glanced around for a quick second. With a few guests all moving about, I satisfied myself that Mrs Redwood would do the honor of not causing a scene.

Her elongated hiss broke the silence and I moved past her. But just then, a loud slap landed on my back, jerking my body a few steps forward.

"Give me this," she yanked the necklace off my neck, taking some flesh with it.

Someone gaped, but I didn't care to know as my nerves were too busy absorbing the pain. But I sighed in relief, thanking goodness that I was able to control the tray in my arms.

Bitch.

I made my way downstairs, all the while being followed by the woman who could not afford to have me out of sight.

Minutes later, the clanking sound of glass came forth. Everyone turned with utmost attention. And Mr Redwood, beaming from head to toe, registered his presence.

"Ladies and gentlemen, now we shall begin. Let's make some money." His arms spread wide open. The crowd cheered in return.

With all served and going well, I position myself in the corner, feeling content. Pamela threw her face away from my stare. The huge bandage on her left cheek made a mess of her beauty.

"But wait. Something I almost forgot."

My thoughts drifted back to the center of attention. Mr Redwood turned his gaze to Freya, the 'witch' he was about to call on his lovely daughter.

"Let me use this opportunity to announce the engagement of my lovely daughter to the most sought-after bachelor in town."

Faces began to turn, and eyes were searching all over the place for the most sought after bachelor. Such a man would be doomed to engage a 'witch'

But my whole world crumbled, and my heart shattered into a thousand pieces when Ethan registered his presence. He truly was the most sought-after bachelor. How stupid I was to ever think I would end up with him. He smiled, and the crowd cheered with a toast. Glasses clanked.

Aria P.O.V

Yes. The deed had been done. My heart had been shattered, and I would forever be the stupid girl with battered hopes and shattered dreams. A fitting end to a bond that had been dommed from the very beginning.

Our eyes locked for a few seconds. Those dark eyes that swept me off my feet gave a contemptuous look.

I felt betrayed. No. I betrayed myself thinking we had something even though it was clear that we had nothing.

Stupid girl.

They kissed for a second time. I shuddered at the thought of ever kissing those lips. His lips.

Bastard.

"Let's make some money!"

Everyone raised their glasses and cheered for another toast. Silently sobbing, I maneuvered my way out of the crowd. Someone snickered. Pamela came to mind. But a girl whose world had come crashing down was too busy to care.

Mrs Redwood could go to hell. Solitude was all I needed. Not serve wine and do someone else's bidding, even though it was the only thing I had done in my eighteen years of existence.

I found a room upstairs, dimly lit, but empty. Perfect. Whatever barrier that had hitherto held back the tears disappeared. After the first drop, the rest followed like a stream running down a slope.

Stupid girl.

How did I not see it coming? I guess I was blind. Yes. And blinded by a man whom I thought to be mine. Love is blind.

'Damn it' How did I not see it coming? He never wanted to be seen with me in public. He had preferred to keep things low to foster his agenda.

So many red flags. Yet, this stupid and naive girl saw none coming.

The door opened. I rubbed my cheeks to dry the tears. Stupid dress on a stupid girl.

"Freya. It's not what you think. I can explain."

Had he followed me? How did he know where I was? But one thing was clear, I wanted nothing to do with him.

"Freya, please say something," he said.

"What the hell do you want me to say? That I got betrayed and lied to? Huh," I cried.

"You think all we had was a lie. Huh! Are you kidding me right now?"

"It doesn't matter. Good luck to you both," the anger in me deadpanned.

"Don't say that. I never lied. It's real, Aria. What we have is real."

"What! That's in the past right now. And get the hell out of here," I barked.

"Don't say that. You know I love you. I love you Freya...but."

"But what?" I blurted. Despite the rage, how the hell I wanted to hear him out remains a mystery. He sighed and combed his hair with his fingers.

"My father had it all planned out. He always had eyes on the Redwood family...and their business," he explained.

"What!"

His revelation hit me like a knife. He combed his hair once more as if holding back some information.

"My Dad always wanted to dominate the commodity sector, so he figured allying with the Redwood family would be an edge. And family is the strongest bond," he added.

Now it made sense. No stronger bond than that of family. Ethan was always interested in the family business, the only thing he enjoyed talking about. But what made no sense were the lies, and the deceit of two years.

Yes. We had known each other for two years. It all started the very day his father came for a family dinner. I was made to serve the fortunate table. Ethan, then a freshman at Chadwick university, took an interest in me. And we immediately bonded right away. But how could I have known that the two years would result in lies?

Such a man should be far from me. I rubbed my cheeks even though the tears had dried up.

"You should leave," I said, jabbing a forefinger to the door.

"Aria, don't say that. I love you, and you know it. And I know you love me back." His tone was low and romantic. He wanted to sway me with his words, just like past times. But I wouldn't fall for it again. Never.

"Please leave!" I barked.

No sooner had I said the words did he press his lips on mine. And my emotions betrayed me for a few seconds, but I willed them back to order. With all the force my eighteen years old muscles could muster, I pushed him away. He staggered a few steps backward.

"Don't! Don't you dare come close," I threatened. But he wouldn't listen. He thrust himself forward for another kiss. I tried to stop him but he kept pressing his body, trying to take my lips.

"Stop it, Ethan. You are out of your mind. You are crazy-"

"I think the lady wants you to leave," a voice echoed in the background.

Ethan jerked backwards. We both glanced around but no sign of anyone in the dimly lit room. The sound of a chair being dragged rumbled from a distance. We both stare at each other at the sound of heavy footsteps.

A light-skinned man with a well-shaved bear registered. With his golden-brown eyes and the six-foot frame, I figured his age to be twenty-seven or so.

"The lady wants you to leave," he said bluntly.

"And who are you? How dare you talk to me like that? Do you even know who I am?" Ethan threatened.

The man took a few steps forward and his full frame registered.

"Yes. I know who you are. A piece of shit," the man cursed.

Ethan threw a punch out of rage. but the stranger, who was intuitive and already in anticipation, dodged.

Ethan threw another punch but the man stood firm this time. He grabbed the wrist, and a 'kwack' sound echoed. Ethan held his feast, sobbing as the unimaginable pain coursing through his wrist.

Perfect.

"Your scaphoid and lunate are broken. Put an ice for twenty minutes and you're good. Don't bother to see a doctor. They did tell you the same thing." He took some steps forward and added, "Now get the fuck out of here."

Ethan held the red wrist to the door, probably cursing the day his mother gave birth to him. "You would regret this."

"I will be waiting," the stranger replied.

A perfect response.

The door closed with my feet still glued to the floor.

Who the hell are you?

"Are you a doctor or something?" I asked, still trying to figure out his identity.

"No. Just a man trying to put the bad guys where they belong. Like that shit back there." He turned on his heel and disappeared into the darkness.

"Care to join the ceremony?" I thought it best to ask as a sign of courtesy.

"Not now. I'm on the trail of big bad wolf," echoed from a distance.

I laughed. The stranger would do well for an entertainer.

Satisfied he wasn't going to come, I exited the room. For some inexplicable reason, a part of me was excited. I got dumped and betrayed. But he got what he deserved. I grinned at the thought of seeing Ethan in pain.

I hurried to pour a few drinks. Some guests would probably need their glass refilled and Mrs Redwood would probably want to know my whereabouts. And my absence should go unnoticed. With a tray on my left arm, and lost in thought of what had happened in the last couple of minutes, I took the left turn that would lead me downstairs. But the tray came crashing down when I bumped into a huge frame.

"Oh my God. I'm sorry!" I pleaded. But the man in a black suit appeared to be less concerned. I reached for a handkerchief in an attempt to rub off the stain. But no. The damage had been done. The red spot widened on the white shirt.

"Don't bother. It's fine," he said. The six-foot-plus size frame lowered to assemble the pieces on the tray. I watched in amazement that such a well-dressed man could do such a thing. Judging by the appearance, he was probably one of the rich guests. And when his height towered over me, some glistening blue eyes returned my gaze.

Handsome. No. Beautiful.

"Take, have it," he said, handing back the tray.

I almost lost it. How could a man be so beautiful? Control yourself, Freya.

I found my way back to clean up, leaving the tall frame who kept staring at my butt. The blue eyes were like a magnet because I felt their gaze.

****

By the time I got back to the hall, the bidding was still going on. More money to throw around.

"Do we have a ten!"

"Fifteen!" Echoed from the crowd.

"How about twenty. Do we have a twenty?"

"Twenty!" Another voice came forth.

"Twenty-five!"

"Thirty!"

"Hundred!" A voice thundered.

Silence swept through the crowd after a brief "Humm". Everyone turned when a tall frame, all wrapped up in some suits, marched to the center with some slow steps that showed arrogance and dominance. Like he owned the place.

"A hundred million dollars for the necklace," he reiterated. Most of the guests threw their mouths open. Silence swept through as no one dared to bid further.

"Well then, I guess we have our highest-"

"Wait!" the voice echoed, interrupting the moderator. My gaze moved to Ethan who was still nursing his wrist. I almost laughed but froze when I felt a gaze. The gaze of some blue eyes that seemed to scrutinize my entire body. The same glistening blue eyes I had seen a while ago. And they were only a few inches away.

Oh my God! The red stain on the shirt. The same man from the lobby. He didn't care to change?

"As a sign of goodwill and a business well done, I would have this lady." He turned his gaze to me. " Perhaps she would want to compensate for ruining my shirt." His grin revealed some whitish teeth. And I almost dropped dead.