Chapter 4 Her Nightmare (HIS WHISPERS)

I stood up from my bed, the knock on the door persistent and insistent, lasting for several minutes before it finally stopped. I noticed my hands trembling, the sensation oddly detached from the rest of my body. It was becoming painfully obvious-I was sleeping.

I looked down at the bed and stared at my sleeping body, a strange and unsettling sight. Every night, my soul seemed to leave my body, or could it just be a silly dream? Each time, the knock on the door felt so real, the voice haunting and persistent.

"Open up, princess," the voice repeated itself, sending a shiver down my spine. "I just want to see your pretty self."

I always wondered, if I actually opened the door, who would be there? Who would be standing on the other side? Could this house really be haunted? This castle?

I moved towards the window and stared outside. Everything looked the same as the real world, identical. It was about time I woke up, but something felt different this time. The door unlocked itself with a slow, deliberate creak. "I told you to open up. You keep acting childish," the voice deep, and I turned to see who had entered.

A frown crept across my face as I saw Diego standing there. Why was I dreaming of him? His appearance was even more unsettling. Blood covered his body, his eyes glowed red, and his fangs were bared in a predatory smile. Was this a sign that I should stay away from Diego?

He moved closer, his presence overwhelming and suffocating. His hand wrapped around my neck, not too hard, but his eyes made his intentions clear. He wanted to consume me, to drink my blood. His gaze fixed on my neck, and he licked his lips, the gesture both terrifying and intimate. Fear gripped me, and I struggled to breathe properly.

Maybe Vasile is the right choice, I thought frantically, my mind racing for a way out.

Before Diego could say anything else, I woke up. The bright sunlight streaming into the room was a stark contrast to the darkness of my dream. Sweat covered my body and face, and I gasped for air.

"Eve," my mother's voice called out as she walked in, her presence grounding me in reality. "Dress up. You will be going to Vasile's mansion today."

I nodded, still trying to shake off the nightmare. The dream had left me shaken, and the sight of Diego in such a monstrous form lingered in my mind. What did it mean? Was my subconscious trying to warn me about Diego, or was it just a manifestation of my fears and insecurities?

As I dressed, my thoughts kept returning to the dream. Diego's presence in my life had always been complex, filled with unspoken emotions and hidden depths. But seeing him like that, as a bloodthirsty monster, had shaken me to my core. Was there something dark and dangerous about him that I hadn't seen before? Or was my mind playing tricks on me, amplifying my fears in the play of a nightmare?

When I finished dressing, I looked at myself in the mirror. The girl staring back at me seemed fragile and uncertain, a stark contrast to the confident woman I wanted to be. Could I really trust Vasile to give me the freedom I so desperately craved? Or was I merely trading one cage for another?

I walked to the window, staring out at the vast castle that would soon become my home if I married Vasile. The thought filled me with both hope and dread. Hope for the freedom and opportunities he promised, and dread for the unknown future that awaited me.

My mother's voice broke through my thoughts. "Eve, you must hurry. Your father is waiting in the car."

I nodded and turned away from the window, my mind still a whirl of conflicting emotions.As I walked through the halls of our home, my thoughts kept drifting back to Diego. His jealousy, his concern, and the dark intensity of his feelings had been evident in our last conversation. And now, the nightmare added a new layer of complexity to my already tangled emotions.

Am in a deep dilemma

Could I really trust him? Or was my mind trying to tell me something I didn't want to acknowledge? The fear and confusion gnawed at me, making it hard to focus on anything else.

When I arrived at Vasile's mansion, he was waiting for me at the entrance. His smile was warm and welcoming, his parents stood beside him, they obvious look surprised to see me in person

" eve, you truly are wonderful" his father mumble and then look at my mother " you really brought up a good daughter"

" no need to flatter us " mother reply while my gaze move to meet vasile.

"Eve, you look lovely," he said, taking my hand and leading me inside.

"Thank you," I replied, forcing a smile. "It's a beautiful day."

"Yes, it is," Vasile agreed, his eyes filled with affection. "I have something special planned for us today. I hope you'll enjoy it."

I nodded, trying to push aside the lingering fear and uncertainty. Vasile's presence was comforting, and I wanted to believe in the future he promised.

As we walked through the mansion, my parents remain talking to his while Vasile showed me the plans he had for our future home. His excitement was palpable, and I found myself getting caught up in his enthusiasm. The mansion was beautiful, filled with light and elegance, and I could see myself living there, building a life with Vasile.

But every time I felt a glimmer of hope, the image of Diego from my dream would flash in my mind, casting a dark shadow over my thoughts. What did it mean? Was my subconscious trying to warn me, or was it just a manifestation of my inner turmoil?

Vasile's voice broke through my thoughts. "Eve, are you alright?"

I looked up at him, his concern evident in his eyes. "Yes, I'm fine. Just... thinking."

He nodded, his expression softening. "I know this is a lot to take in. But I want you to know that I'm here for you, whatever you need."

"Thank you, Vasile," I said, squeezing his hand. "That means a lot."

" I wanted you to meet my brother" he mumble " he couldn't make it together"

" it's fine, I can always see him later " I smile before he open the next door, a painting room? To think he can paint... Walking in, I look around and stare at different paintings of me? One could say he is obsessed " this is me? Right?" I turn and look at him, he has this weird look in his eyes

" of course " he smile " I can't seem to get you off my head, do you like them?" He move closer, place his hand on my shoulder, making me look at the painting " I hope you do, you can take any of it home "

" it's fine "

" eve " he whispers " I insist"

All these seem new and awfully weird to me, why is he this close, my heart won't stop pounding from fear, for some reason, he gives same aura just like Diego.

Moving side way, I escape from his grip " am fine" I smile " I will like to go to the next room now, this pla e seem stuffed."

" eve "

I look at him, he seem somewhat angry " do you despise me?" He walk closer and I step back

" of course not" I cough " I can't despise who I want to marry " he touch my hair the moment he close the gap between us " you're kind vasile, they is no way I can think k otherwise"

" indeed" he finally smile " when next I touch you, you dare not walk away from me without permission" he lean close, his eyes darken " it will make me want to break your leg and trust me " his hands move to my face " I don't want to hurt you"

My body tremble with fear as I nod " good girl " he withdraw " come with me " I gasp, trying to catch my breath, if vasile is like this? Does it mean this might be a wrong decision?

One fact is clear, I don't have a choice in this, my parents will marry me off either way. My life might just be doomed forever.