Elle's eyes fluttered open to a room bathed in soft morning light filtering through translucent curtains. The scent of cedar and faint lavender wrapped around her like a warm blanket. For a moment, she didn't move, just breathed in the unfamiliar calm.
Her heart still hammered from last night—the fire, the chaos, Elior's burning rage and fierce grip as he carried her out. She swallowed, cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and something else, tenderness, maybe.
How is it possible to feel both terrified and safe at the same time? she wondered.
The sheets felt soft against her skin, a stark contrast to the cold stone floors and shadows of the manor she'd fled. She carefully sat up, head spinning slightly. Her limbs ached, not just from the physical ordeal but from the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
A soft buzz pulled her attention to the nightstand where her phone lay.
The screen lit up.
Adara: Morning, girl! We miss our vampire queen. You alive or what? 😂
Kemi: Spill! How was your dramatic rescue? Do tell! 🔥🧛♂️
Elle's lips twitched into a smile. She typed back slowly, still unsure how to explain the reality she was living.
Elle: I'm alive, barely. You know I told you about Elior, right? Not a joke.
Her finger hovered before she sent the message, heart fluttering with a sudden rush of vulnerability. What if they thought she was crazy? But it was the truth. She had told them weeks ago, almost like a joke, but now it wasn't funny anymore.
Seconds later, the reply came.
Adara: Girl, you've been dramatic since forever! But a vampire boyfriend? That's next level. Are you sure he didn't just set the hotel on fire because he was hangry? 😆
Kemi: Seriously though, we owe him for saving you. Drinks on him when you're back!
Elle laughed quietly, fingers trembling.
Before she could reply, the door to her room opened. Elior's tall silhouette appeared in the doorway, the light behind him casting sharp shadows over his angular features.
"Already texting my fans?" His voice was a low rumble, amused but with that unmistakable edge of something dangerous beneath.
Elle's heart did a wild flip. "I wasn't... It's just Adara and Kemi."
He stepped inside, his eyes dark and sharp. "Jealous?"
She rolled her eyes but didn't pull away. "Maybe."
Elior's lips twitched into a rare, almost-smile.
She tried to steady her breathing, her cheeks burning hotter. After everything, here he was, so impossibly close, yet somehow the hardest person she'd ever known to understand.
---
Downstairs, the sun had fully risen, and soon Elle's friends arrived at the mansion. Their car pulled up with a cheerful honk, and the house buzzed with renewed energy.
Adara bounded in first, eyes wide as she took in the space.
"This place is huge! I mean, way better than that creepy old manor," she said, throwing an arm around Elle's shoulders.
Kemi followed, her phone out and already snapping pictures. "Seriously, Elle, you're living the dream. Vampire prince, mansion, what's next? A dragon? A unicorn?"
Elle laughed, a little breathless. "Don't push it."
They settled in the living room, the plush furniture and warm sunlight making the space feel inviting, almost normal.
Adara smirked, poking Elle lightly. "So, spill. What's it like? Last night, I mean. The whole burning hotel, rescue mission?"
Elle's cheeks colored again. "It was… intense. Terrifying, but… he was so fierce. So protective."
Kemi grinned. "Sounds like a real-life romance novel."
Elle rolled her eyes but smiled, grateful for the laughter filling the room. Yet beneath the teasing, she felt a flicker of unease. Last night wasn't just about rescue, it was a glimpse of a world she didn't know how to survive in.
-----
That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Elle wandered into the mansion's music room, drawn by the soft sound of piano notes drifting through the air.
She found Elior seated at the grand piano, his fingers moving gracefully across the keys.
He looked up and caught her gaze, a small smile playing on his lips.
"You like it?" he asked without stopping.
Elle nodded, stepping closer. "It's beautiful. You're full of surprises."
He finished the piece and stood, turning toward her.
"Come here," he said, holding out his hand.
Elle hesitated, then took it.
He pulled her close, their bodies fitting together like puzzle pieces.
His lips brushed hers in a slow, tender kiss.
The world outside faded away.
For a moment, there was only the two of them, no danger, no shadows.
Just love.
-----
Elle stepped out of the sleek black car and saw her friends waiting with excited smiles. Adara waved enthusiastically, and Kemi was already pulling out her phone, probably ready to capture the moment.
"Finally!" Adara teased, linking her arm through Elle's. "You're late, girl."
Elle laughed softly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You know how Elior is… traffic and all."
Kemi grinned. "You mean your vampire boyfriend is running the city's roads."
Elle rolled her eyes, cheeks flushing a little. "I told you guys already. He's not some cliché."
Adara smirked. "Sure, sure. Rescue missions and black cards, all that jazz."
They walked into the boutique, the polished marble floors gleaming beneath crystal chandeliers. Elle's outfit was simple but tasteful, a soft cream blouse paired with tailored black trousers and sleek loafers. Nothing flashy, but elegant enough for a day out with friends.
The moment they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted.
The sales assistants glanced their way, lips curling into thin, polite smiles that didn't reach their eyes.
One young woman approached Elle, voice cool. "May I assist you with anything today?"
Elle hesitated, sensing the barely concealed judgment. "Just looking around, thank you."
The assistant's gaze flicked from Elle's plain outfit to her hands, then back up. "Of course. Let me know if you need anything."
Adara whispered, "They're treating you like you don't belong here."
Elle's stomach tightened.
Just then, Malik appeared from the side, his expression unreadable. He pulled out his phone and dialed swiftly.
A hush fell over the boutique as Malik's voice resonated with quiet authority. "Confirm the acquisition of the entire plaza and all associated boutiques."
Elle felt eyes turning toward them, whispers spreading like wildfire.
Malik ended the call and handed Elle a matte black card embossed with an intricate silver emblem that shimmered faintly in the light.
Elle took the card, her fingers trembling slightly. "Try this," Malik said.
She held it up to the assistant, who took it with a small gasp.
The assistant's demeanor changed instantly, warm, respectful, eager to help.
"Of course, madam. I'll show you our latest collection."
Adara nudged Elle, grinning. "Looks like your simple look just bought you the whole place."
Elle smiled, heart pounding, the weight of Elior's power behind that card clear as day.
No more sidelong looks. No more silent dismissals.
They moved through the boutique like queens, laughter bubbling up as Elle tried on gowns and the friends teased each other mercilessly.
----
Elle slipped into a soft blush as Adara tossed her a glittering sequined dress. "Try this one. If anyone can make it look good, it's you."
Elle laughed nervously, holding the dress up. "I don't know if I'm ready for all this... sparkle."
Kemi smirked. "Come on, Elle. You're practically royalty now. That black card isn't just plastic, it's a crown."
Adara nudged her again. "Seriously, I've never seen you so calm walking into a store and having people actually listen to you."
Elle sighed, glancing down at her simple blouse and trousers. "Honestly? It still feels weird. Like... I don't deserve it."
Kemi grinned mischievously. "Girl, you've got the hottest vampire prince on your side. You deserve the moon, not just the stars."
Elle's cheeks warmed at the thought. "You're all terrible."
The girls burst into laughter.
As Elle tried on a flowing emerald gown, she caught her reflection, soft waves framing her face, the delicate fabric hugging her figure just right. For a moment, she saw not the scared girl from the manor, but someone who belonged in the light.
Adara clapped her hands. "Okay, okay, now that's the Elle I know."
Kemi added, "Confidence looks good on you. But don't let it get to your head."
Elle smirked. "No promises."
Later, as they lounged with coffee and pastries in the boutique's lounge, the conversation turned playful but edged with something deeper.
Adara poked Elle's arm. "So, spill. What was it like? You know... with Elior. The vampire prince and all."
Elle's face flushed crimson. "I told you, it's complicated."
Kemi grinned. "Complicated like 'he saved you from being kidnapped and then kissed you in a thunderstorm' complicated?"
Elle laughed, biting her lip. "Something like that."
Adara teased, "You've been walking on clouds all week. We see it."
Elle's smile faltered for a moment, the weight of everything sinking back in.
Kemi reached over, squeezing her hand. "We're here for you, you know. No matter what."
Elle nodded, gratitude blooming. "I know. And I'm lucky to have you."
The laughter returned, echoing through the boutique as they planned their next adventures, dinners, road trips, and more moments stolen from the shadows.
But beneath the joy, a quiet tension lingered, the knowledge that Elior's world was never far and the dangers lurking just beyond the light.