Chapter 25
1235words
She felt so tired that she ended up watching TV in bed all day. She was guessing it was already sundown when she heard a knock on the doors. Jenny came in, carrying a black dress. When she showed it to her, Anastasia gasped.
It looked so beautiful. It reached down her thighs and it even had a unique style.
"You'll be wearing this tonight, Luna," Jenny commented and Anastasia looked at her, confused.
"Tonight?" she repeated.
"Yes. The Alpha told me you have a special date tonight."
"Oh, okay," was her only answer.
Anastasia didn't remember that he told her anything about a date. She put the dress on her bed and began to prepare her bath. As soon as she was done with everything, Jenny decided she should put some make up on as well. Anastasia didn't really want to but Jenny insisted.
She guessed she did look better with a bit of lipstick and mascara. Once she was ready, Jenny escorted her downstairs and Anastasia could see Draco waiting for her beside the doors. He was wearing a decent outfit and god forbid she thought he looked even more handsome.
He took her hand and led her to his truck. As usual, he opened the passenger's door for her and lifted her up onto the seat. He rounded the truck and got in the driver's seat.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
He fired the engine and the truck started to run. "You'll see."
As they exited the mansion, he drove through the dark road and into the woods. Feeling sleepy, she watched the passing trees in silence, listening to the quiet humming of the truck. It felt like an hour passed by as he finally pulled over the side of the road.
Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at him. He stepped out of the truck and walked to her side. His hands enveloped her waist as he lifted her down, his hands guiding her.
"Don't treat me like a child," she told him, frowning.
"I'm not. I just don't want you to get hurt," he explained as he took her hand. When they began walking further into the woods, her heart started to quicken in panic. What would he do to her?
Before she could stop herself, she blurted, "Wait."
He stopped and turned to look at her, his face shining in the moonlight. "What?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowed in question.
Anastasia tugged her hand in his grip but he held it tighter. "Don't kill me," she muttered under her breath, almost pleading.
His face softened. "I'm not going to kill you," he stated, his large hand cupping the side of her face. "I'll never intend to hurt you. Do you understand?"
Okay, perhaps she overreacted. Anastasia bit her bottom lip. Before she could argue, strong arms wrapped around her and lifted her up. She yelped, clinging onto him. "What—"
"It's a long walk and you walk too slow," he stated as if that explained everything. He began walking and she watched the tall trees passing by in silence. Soon, she saw a bright castle. They stopped by the place and above it a word was written — Paradise.
He gently put her down on her feet and she straightened her dress, fixing her hair. He took her hand as they walked in. She looked around the restaurant in awe. The architectural design was fascinating. It seemed they were the only customers, did he plan all of this?
When she turned her head, he was staring down at her. Her cheeks reddened in an instant. A man walked over and bowed down in greeting. "A pleasure to see you, Mr. and Mrs. Bourne," he welcomed.
Her eyes widened at what he just said. "Oh, I-I'm not—"
"Where do we sit?" the Alpha interrupted.
The man smiled. "This way, sir." He led them towards the back of the restaurant and there she saw a set of tables. The beautiful forest was shown in the background. The moon and stars as the light of the night sky. The Alpha pulled out her seat. Once they were all sat down, Anastasia turned her head and gazed at the view in amazement.
This felt so heavenly. So serene. It felt exactly like a paradise.
"Do you like it?" she heard him asking.
She turned her head and looked at him. His face shining in the moonlight. No matter what she did. No matter how much she hated him. She couldn't help but find him attractive.
A smile formed on her lips. "Yes, Mr. Bourne," she answered, mocking his name.
He grinned. The man from before suddenly came back. He placed two plates of special food on their table. Her mouth watered.
"Thank you, Monte."
"Always a pleasure, Mr. Bourne." Then he turned to her. "Are you enjoying this place so far, Mrs. Bourne?"
"Ah, yes. I really like the view and the place is just so heavenly."
"A lot of people do. But you know, there's more to this place than just its beauty. The restaurant is famously known for couples. If you're lost or confused or even just having a bad day, you'll find that what you truly need.. is right in front of you."
She looked straight at Alpha Draco and he was staring at her. "I see."
"I shall leave you to your dinner," Monte spoke as he left with a bow.
The Alpha looked amused. "Eat, I know you're hungry."
With a nod, Anastasia happily dug into her food.
After awhile, he asked, "How did you learn to bake?"
"My mother taught me," she responded, smiling in memory. "When she was still alive, our house used to smell of cupcakes. She loved baking. I watched her bake almost every day." Anastasia gazed out at the dark forest and a painful memory flashed back to her. "But one night.. I woke up and I heard someone screaming. When I went downstairs, everything's a mess and my father's crying. He told me she's gone.. and that she'll never come back."
A single drop of tear rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away, stopping herself from succumbing into the nightmares that came after that terrible night. The nightmares that haunted her until she was drowning herself in her own sea of tears.
"My father's the only one left. He was always there for me. I miss him so much."
Draco pulled out a black phone from his pocket and placed it in front of her. Anastasia looked at him, confused. "Call him," he stated.
She looked at him warily. Tugging her bottom lip under her teeth, she took the phone with her shaky hands. Once she dialed the number, she heard the other end ringing and her heart started to beat faster.
After all this time of waiting and craving to see him, just to hear his voice would be more than enough for her. She wanted to know that he's okay. Anastasia held her breath just as someone picked up and a familiar voice answered, "Hello?"
