Vampire Queen : Fated Love

The next morning, Josh was sprawled across his bed, staring at the ceiling with a goofy grin plastered on his face. His mind was swimming in fantasies of his upcoming day with Sarah.

"Maybe a movie... or maybe a romantic walk by the lake," he muttered, his voice dreamy. "No, no. A sunset dinner—yeah, that'll really win her over."

As his thoughts wandered, the sound of a knock at his door brought him back to reality. Before he could answer, the door creaked open, revealing his older brother, Eithan, leaning casually against the frame.

Eithan was everything Josh wasn't—calm, composed, and effortlessly cool. His tousled hair and sharp features gave him an air of someone who never tried too hard but always succeeded anyway.

"Yo, little bro," Eithan said with a grin. "Got a second?"

Josh immediately sat up, his daydream interrupted. "Uh, not really, Eithan. I'm kind of busy today."

Eithan raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Busy? Since when are you busy? You're the guy who spends half his mornings sleeping and daydreaming about girls. "

Josh flushed, crossing his arms defensively. "That was one time! And they started it!"

Eithan laughed, stepping into the room. "Alright, alright. But seriously, I wanted to ask—"

Josh quickly cut him off, raising a hand. "Sorry, Eithan. I made a promise to someone today, and I can't let them down."

Eithan tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "A promise? To who? A girl"

Josh hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "Just... someone important, okay? It's private."

Eithan smirked but didn't push further. "Fair enough. Whoever it is, they must be something special to make you act all mysterious."

Before the conversation could go any further, another knock came at the door, this one sharper and more impatient.

---

"Josh, are you awake?" a familiar voice called out.

The door opened, and Ruhr, their cousin, stepped in without waiting for an invitation. Her fiery red hair was tied up in a loose bun, and she looked like she'd just stepped off the set of a fashion shoot, effortlessly stylish as always.

"Morning, boys," she said, brushing past Eithan to sit on Josh's desk chair. "Eithan, I need to talk to you about something. Now."

Eithan glanced at Josh, who looked torn between irritation and relief at the distraction. "Guess I'm being summoned," Eithan said with a playful roll of his eyes.

"Yup," Ruhr said, standing up again. "And it's important, so chop-chop."

{˧ Chop-Chop = It's referring to something, they will do : Like cutting cake or fruit }

Eithan gave Josh a small shrug. "Alright, little bro. I'll leave you to your... busy day." His smirk returned as he followed Ruhr out of the room, the two of them already deep in conversation.

As the door closed behind them, Josh sighed in relief. He flopped back onto his bed, his grin returning as his mind drifted back to Sarah.

"What should I wear? Casual, but not too casual. Maybe something that says, 'I'm cool, but I care.'" He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

He could already picture Sarah's face, her sweet smile, the way she tilted her head when she spoke, and—Josh's cheeks turned red as his thoughts wandered a little too far.

"This is it," he said aloud, pumping his fist. "Today's the day I make her fall for me. For real."

As the hours ticked by, Josh's excitement only grew. Little did he know, Sarah had her own plans for the day—and they weren't quite as romantic as Josh had hoped.

---

The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the curtains in Josh's room, creating a warm glow over the mess he had left behind. Alia, Josh's mother, stood in the doorway, her keen eyes taking in the unmade bed, the clothes strewn about, and the lingering scent of cologne in the air.

She sighed deeply, stepping inside. "That boy never cleans up after himself," she muttered, shaking her head.

As she moved closer to his desk, her attention was drawn to something unusual—a photograph lying conspicuously on the surface. Alia picked it up, her well-manicured fingers brushing the edges of the glossy print.

Her eyes Blue and her hair are black it's seems familiar, widened slightly as she recognized the girl in the picture. It was Sarah, Leo's daughter. The girl's serene smile and striking features made her look almost ethereal, but what caught Alia's attention most was the way the photo seemed carefully placed, almost as if it were being cherished.

"She frowned, her thoughts racing. Sarah? Leo's daughter?"

Alia wasn't angry, but a deep worry settled in her chest. She knew her son well—too well. Josh had a reputation, one that wasn't easy to forget. Over the years, he had left a trail of broken hearts of many girl's, his charm and impulsive nature often leading to reckless actions. He always give Those girl's False Hope .

She placed the photo back down, her fingers lingering on it for a moment. —("Could this be different? Or is he just playing another game?")

Alia didn't want to jump to conclusions, but the thought of Sarah being drawn into Josh's world unsettled her. Sarah wasn't just any girl. She was kind, intelligent, and fiercely independent. She had grown up in the shadow of wealth, but she carried herself with a quiet dignity that Alia admired.

"But would Josh see that?"

She sank into the chair by the desk, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Memories of the past bubbled up unbidden—of tearful confrontations with the mothers of other girls, of pleading phone calls from families asking her to rein in her son.

She had tried, time and time again, to guide Josh, to teach him the value of respect and responsibility. But Josh was... Josh. Stubborn, impulsive, and, in many ways, still a boy chasing fleeting pleasures.

"What are you up to now?" she whispered, her gaze drifting back to the photo.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Alia turned to see Leo standing there, his hands clasped in front of him.

"Ma'am," he said, his tone respectful but cautious. "Is everything alright?"

Alia gestured for him to enter. "Come in, Leo. Close the door."

Leo complied, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him. His eyes flickered to the photo on the desk, but he said nothing.

"I found this," Alia said, holding up the picture. "It seems your daughter has caught my son's attention."

Leo's expression remained neutral, though there was a slight tightening around his mouth. "Sarah is... an extraordinary girl," he said carefully.

"I don't doubt that," Alia replied, her voice soft but firm. "But you know Josh's history. I'm not angry, Leo, but I need to know—does Sarah know about this?"

Leo hesitated, then gave a slight nod. "She's aware of Josh's interest. But Sarah isn't a naive girl, ma'am. She's strong-willed. She doesn't let herself get swept up easily."

Alia studied him for a moment, searching for any hint of deception. Finally, she nodded. "I hope you're right, Leo. Because if Josh is serious about her... well, it would be a first. And if he isn't..."

Leo straightened, his calm demeanor unwavering. "If he isn't, ma'am, Sarah will handle herself. She's... not like the others."

Alia raised an eyebrow at the cryptic comment but didn't press further. Instead, she stood, smoothing her skirt.

"I'll speak to Josh when he returns," she said. "But, Leo, keep an eye on her. I don't want her hurt."

Leo bowed his head slightly. "Of course, ma'am."

As Leo left the room, Alia turned back to the photo one last time. She traced the outline of Sarah's face with her finger, a mixture of worry and curiosity flickering in her eyes.

"Let's hope," she murmured, "that this time is different."

As Leo was about to leave, Alia stopped him, her voice softer now, laced with a vulnerability he hadn't often heard from her.

"Leo," she began, turning to face him fully, the photo still in her hand, —"every parent wants their children to be happy, even when they do wrong... or right. Am I wrong?"

Leo paused, his hand resting on the doorknob. He turned back to meet her gaze, his expression thoughtful. For a moment, the room was silent, the weight of her words hanging between them.

"No, ma'am," Leo replied finally, his voice steady but carrying a depth of understanding. "You're not wrong. Every parent wants their children to be safe. No matter what path they choose, that's all we can hope for."

Alia gave him a faint, bittersweet smile. "Even when we know their choices might hurt others?"

Leo nodded slowly. "Even then. Because, at the end of the day, we can't control them forever. We can only guide them... and hope they'll learn."

Her eyes softened, a flicker of gratitude crossing her face. "Thank you, Leo. For understanding."

Leo gave a small bow and stepped out of the room, leaving Alia alone with her thoughts. She stood there for a moment, staring at the picture of Sarah, her fingers brushing against it one last time.

"Safe," she whispered to herself, the word echoing in the quiet room. "For everyone's sake, I hope you're right, Leo."