Fame and fortune. They say some people sell their souls to the devil to get them—at least, my friend, that's what I've read in a bunch of novels where the villain is completely ruthless. I don't want to be the bad guy in the story of my own life.
So there I was, watching Ava cling to her mother in the middle of the classroom while the other kids mocked her, and I felt a wave of relief knowing I actually had the power to change their lives. I walked in with a smile, and nothing could compare to the look of sheer awe on her face when she saw me and gasped, "Carmilla, you came!"
"How could I not say goodbye to my best friend before leaving?" I said, raising my voice so the entire room could hear. "Ava, thank you for keeping my secrets!"
A stunned silence fell over the classroom until another girl muttered, "It's her. It's Carmilla Morris."
Suddenly, hysterical screams erupted like an explosion. The teacher tried to calm them down, but it was impossible. Standing at the front of the class with my arm around Ava, I told them, "If you guys quiet down, I'll answer a few questions. And if my best friend allows it, I'll take some photos with you. What do you say, Ava? Is that okay with you?"
Overflowing with happiness, Ava saw how everyone was anxiously awaiting her response. She beamed and said, "Okay, yeah. I'll allow it."
With that, everyone started chanting her name and pulling out their phones to take pictures with me. The teacher got them into an orderly line, and the questions began.
A girl with her hand raised high went first. "Is it true that Killian Longfield is as handsome as he looks in photos?"
"Way more handsome," I replied. "Plus, he's a total gentleman. He's so strong that I saw him rip a prison door right off its hinges with my own eyes to rescue a group of women."
All the girls gasped, "Ahhh!"
Another student chimed in, "I saw on TV that your parents were mean to you, but you don't hate them."
The teacher tried to call him out for the inappropriate question, but I answered calmly, "Yes, that's correct. But after that, I met my real mother, Carol. She adopted me and taught me that holding a grudge doesn't do any good. The past should stay in the past, and you have to take the reins to live in the present. I got very lucky."
A boy with a serious expression asked, "Weren't you scared when you faced those bad guys?"
"I was so scared I was shaking," I answered. "But fear can't stop you when you have a responsibility to free people who are suffering. You all would have done the exact same thing, right?"
The final question was the most heartbreaking. A young girl looked up at me and said, "I saw on social media that everyone around you is beautiful—you, Lucius, Killian, Evangelina, and Bruce, that detective who looks like an actor. Don't you think that sets a bad example? Not all of us can be pretty…"
"There are only beautiful people in this classroom," I told her softly. "But what's on the outside doesn't matter when it comes to being a hero. Who is truly more beautiful? The person with a good heart, or the one who makes fun of a classmate? See what I mean? True beauty is on the inside, and that's the only kind that matters."
They were utterly captivated by my answer. But between you and me, my friend… I was secretly thrilled that the little girl had put me in the same category of beautiful people as the Longfields and the Bances. Sorry, but I guess I'm a little vain after all.
I asked them to give me at least three hours before posting any of those photos, and they all swore they would. Ava, Grace, and I piled into the car, and we finally gave the girl the surprise of her new home.
Cue the tears and hugs of pure joy. Ava wouldn't let go of me as she stared at her wonderful new bedroom, already dreaming about how to decorate it. Meanwhile, Grace let out a sharp gasp when her phone buzzed with a bank notification showing the amount I had transferred to her. She asked me over and over why I had done it, trying to give it back, but I refused.
"I did it because I can," I told her. "Because I believe money is meant for things like this—otherwise, it's just used for harm. There's no middle ground. And above all, I did it because you are the kind of mother everyone deserves. You must have suffered so much through everything that happened to you, but look at her—your daughter is happy. You endured it all for her. Enjoy this, and stop worrying."
When they dropped me back off at the castle, we exchanged phone numbers and shed a few more tears.
Evangelina and Bruce had everything ready to go. Lucius looked at me and said, "Kid, we're heading out."
"But wasn't Moetia on her way?" I asked. "We should wait for her."
To my delight, the little mermaid stepped out of one of the rooms wearing an ivory dress that contrasted beautifully with her sun-kissed skin. She rushed over to give me an endless hug, whispering in my ear, "I got here an hour ago. I had no idea Bruce Bance was so hot. But his cousin… I hate his cousin. Next to her, I feel like a cockroach."
I laughed, took her hand, and pulled her into my room so we could chat while I packed a few things.
"I'm really far along with the novel about you guys," she said. "I noticed Lucius is acting a bit different. Is it because of his arranged marriage, his upcoming political career, or because I'm here and he's excited in a weird way?"
The new Carmilla came out, and I countered, "No, he's like that because of me. He loves me, so he wants to keep his distance. Killian is doing the exact same thing. They both claim it's to protect me, but I'm not going to let that happen. I want them both. And when I say I want them, I mean I truly love being with them. So I'm sorry, M.H. Lamar, but you won't be the protagonist of this novel."
She laughed out loud. "You're so petite and gorgeous that I can't even stay mad at you! Actually, good for you, girl. I just hope you won't be upset with me if I try to wedge myself into whatever non-relationship you guys have going on."
"If you take Lucius, I will literally chop your head off," I joked back. "I already told you those two are mine. And by the way, stay away from Bruce and Evangelina too. They're good for me."
She stepped closer to me, her expression turning serious. "Do you understand now why you're the perfect protagonist for my book? Look at you. You've changed. You claim what's yours, and that… that is even more attractive than the force-of-nature Carmilla everyone used to crash against. Now you're… you're better. I like you like this."
Her eyes locked onto my mouth, and I blushed for a split second. She leaned in slightly and whispered, "If I could take anyone with me, it would be you."
I smiled as I elegantly dodged her kiss, anticipating the move and wrapping her in a hug instead. You know she's stunning, my friend, and I absolutely love her as a writer. Plus, her house in the Pacific is a dream. In the past, I definitely would have let her kiss me—honestly, the idea still appeals to me—but now I'm the one making the choices. I think my heart already has its hands full with its main mission: bringing Lucius and Killian back.
Changing the subject, I asked Moetia, "Do you know where we're going?"
With a flawless smile, she purred, "Oh yeah, girl… we're going to Monaco. Lucius has an apartment there that is pure luxury and beauty. We're going to live it up. At least the five of us will be together for a few days. It's a shame Killian can't make it. I still dream about the last time the three of us woke up naked. I'm so bummed nothing happened… or did it? I don't remember."
I gave her a look that could kill and retorted, "If I had had sex with my all-time favorite author and the man I love, trust me, I would remember."
Though, in reality, I wasn't entirely sure about that answer.
Monaco. God, I know nothing about Monaco other than it being a small, wealthy country. I just hope things go smoothly. Without Killian around to bring some tenderness and humor to the dynamic, I'm afraid we'll all end up yelling at each other.
Bruce came to get us. "It's time. We need to go."
Moetia boldly adjusted the strap of her dress and asked him, "Do they teach you to be that sexy at the detective academy, or did you learn it on your own?"
Bruce smiled, those magnificent dimples forming on his face. "They taught me at the academy," he replied smoothly. "They told me to just try to reflect the beauty of the elegant, perfect ladies around me. That's why I look sexy to you—the most beautiful women in the world are standing right in front of me in this room. Ladies, it's time."
The two of us looked at each other and grinned like schoolgirls. As we walked down the hallway, I nudged her. "Moetia, for God's sake, did you show up in full slut mode today, or are you just doing this for fun?"
She laughed. "Give me a break, I'm just being polite to my future lover."
As if he had overheard us, Bruce caught up and said, "Once we arrive, I'm going to enforce some security rules. I don't want you wandering off and forcing us to leave five minutes after getting there. But don't worry, I'll make sure you have fun and get to leave the apartment. Just promise me you'll do exactly what I say."
We traded another look and smiled. Moetia answered, shameless but elegant, "We put ourselves entirely in your hands, Detective."
Inwardly, I thought, Alright… Monaco… here we come.