Settling In

Chapter 3

Carmilla

.

.

.

I woke up to the sound of luggages and other things being moved. I shrugged and got up from the bed as I stretched my body, still sore but slightly better now. I was distracted by a soft knock on the door.

“Come in.”

The door creaked open and I saw Evans standing there. He was already prepared. 

“Are you okay now?” he said with a straight look as ever.

“You don't have to pretend you care , it's just the both of us here.” I looked around bitterly.

His jaw clenched then he let out a sigh “Get ready and come downstairs” he said, shutting the door behind him.

I sat down back on the bed to remove the wedding gown I was currently on and changed to a black short cotton gown. I wondered what was waiting for me at the new packhouse. 

I went downstairs to see Aunt Freya waiting to see me off. She didn't have to pretend like she also cared about me. I hated her hypocrisy.

“Where's your wedding dress?” She looked at me with a scornful face.

“It's upstairs. It got tiring to walk in.” I replied snappy

She came closer and clutched my cheeks.“You better be grateful for all this. You must never let them find out about the secret and don't try anything stupid over there, got it?” she said while releasing my face.

I didn't respond to her. I went outside to see a car waiting for me.

A butler was at the side of the car door. He opened the door and I got in. 

Silence filled the air, not that I was bothered about it. I started tracing the pattern on my dress and after a while Evans turned to look at me. 

“Look I know this is all sudden for you but there will be duties awaiting you once we arrive.”

I didn't respond. I leaned towards the door and stared at the pretty bed of flowers at the roadside and the bird flying freely across the sky.

“Must be nice.” I mumbled to myself.

“I'm trying to build a relationship between us but you are clearly not interested. I didn't want all this too.” 

“Well good to know” I huffed. 

We finally arrived at the packhouse after a few hours of silence. It was huge. 

Every step i took echoed across the hallways. The wall were stone, the ceilings high, and the chandelier dimly lit. 

The air was smelled like pine, leather and something else– something sweet. 

Vanilla.

Couple of servants moved past me, whispering to each other. Some with pity. Others with rejection. 

I ignored them.

When we got to a set of large wooden doors, one of the servants pushed them open.

I hesitated.

The room was big. Bigger than I expected. A grand bed set against the wall, covered in dark sheets. The fireplace cracked faintly but the air was still cold. Tall windows that stretched from the floor to the ceiling, letting in the moonlight.

Well fit for an Alpha.

And then, there was him.

Evans.

He stood near the bed unbuttoning his shirt. He didn't even look at me.

I swallowed.

The doors shut behind me, leaving us alone in the room.

The silence went on for a little while.

Then I forced myself to speak. “Where do I sleep?”

Evans didn't answer right away. He tossed his shirt onto a chair before finally turning to me.

“Not with me.” 

He grabbed a pillow and threw it on the couch.

“You can have the bed.” He said flatly.

I blinked. That was… surprising.

 I expected him to tell me to sleep in a separate room. Or on the couch, and worst, on the floor. But he turned away like he didn't care at all. 

We barely had a conversation again after tossing the pillow on the couch. I ran a hand down my arm, feeling goosebumps over my skin. The unfamiliar room made me uneasy. Everything screamed wealth and power. The tall oak wardrobe, the thick drapes, the mini bookshelf neatly stacked with books. 

I exhaled deeply and stood up. Maybe walking around would stop my mind from spinning.

My eyes landed on a small vanity near the window. A silver comb rested on the smooth surface, reflecting the faint glow of the fire. I walked towards it, my bare feet silent against the floor. 

As I reached for the comb, my elbow bumped into something else.

A glass figurine.

It wobbled once, then twice.

I lunged forward, but it was too late.

The figurine crashed to the floor, breaking into tiny pieces.

I froze, my breath caught in my throat.

The couch creaked behind me.

“What the hell was that?” Evan’s voice was sharp, masked in irritation. 

I swallowed hard. “It was an accident.”  

He sighed heavily. Though i didn't turn around, but I could feel his glare burning into my back. 

I crouched down, carefully picking up the shreds on the floor. My hands slightly trembled as I gathered them into a pile, but the pieces were too small.

I bit my lips. “I'll clean it up.” 

Evans muttered something under his breath before getting up. His footsteps were quiet but firm as he walked towards me .

I braced myself for a harsh remark but he just moved past me. The door creaked open and few seconds later, he came back with a servant. 

“Step aside and let him tidy it up.”

“Okay, thanks.” I said softly. 

He didn't respond back. He stood there running his hand through his hair looking exhausted, before he turned away and walked towards the chair.

I was too tired to keep standing too, so I crawled back to bed. 

The room was silent again but it was different this time.

It was probably because of the third party. 

I pulled my blanket to my chin, staring at the ceiling.

I wasn't sure what was worse – Aunt Freya's house or bring trapped here with strange moments in between when Evans wasn't harsh…. just distance.