Familiarly unfamiliar

Alastair leaned against the balister, his gaze fixed upon the girl who had captivated him right from the first meet. He smiled, observing Samantha, a strange gleam appearing in his eyes. The man had made his way towards the library the moment he had received Martell's message. His session with his ministers had just ended, and he was on his way to have lunch when he had to change his plan.

Right after he had made his mind, he had apparated to the library waiting for the girl, for he knew she would come here soon. Although his patience was wearing thin as time ticked by, for Samantha he waited calmly until the girl finally entered the library, much to his relief. 

Alastair walked down the stairs, keeping his eyes trained at the girl who was lost in the book she was reading. He had nothing to fear, for there was no way anybody would notice him. The library was empty, and he had made sure that nobody else would enter for the day. Martell would take care of it, he trusted him with the task.

Moreover, he was dressed in normal clothes, shedding off his royal attire. Neither Samantha nor the people with her knew who it was. And the librarian did not know of his presence, yet. "It's time you know me, my dear." He mumbled, taking slow, careful steps towards the oblivious girl. 

Samantha could not evade the intense feeling of someone's gaze on her even though she tried to ignore it. Her body was on high alert without her knowledge, and she had long stopped concentrating on her book. 'Who is it?' She wondered, lifting her head only to face Nigel. He arched his eyebrows at her, and she smiled at him in return, bewildered by the strong sensation she was having.

'Is it Mr. Nigel?' Her thoughts vanished when Itri approached them with a helpless look at her face.

"Mr. Nigel, could you please help me get a book on the fourth rack? I am unable to reach it, and the ladder is all the way across the aisle." Itri pleaded, clasping her fingers together.

Although Nigel did not want to leave Samantha alone, he did not want to deny Itri's request either. 'Itri is Samantha's friend. Mayhap, me helping her would only work out in my favor.' He pondered, and with a smile, he nodded at Itri before following her.

Samantha frowned when she saw the man leave. Even though he was not looking at her anymore, she could still feel the gaze on her, and as seconds ticked by, it was only getting intense. 'Who could it be?' Taking a deep breath, she returned to her book, trying as hard as possible to read it, ignoring her inkling.

Alastair had not missed the way Samantha's body had reacted as soon as he had started walking. From where he was, he could see her clearly while the girl could not see him. His enhanced vision allowed him to grasp every change in her expression, and he chuckled lightly when her face contorted in confusion. 'Adorable.' He thought as he continued walking.

Just as he approached Samantha, he felt an unknown energy coursing through him. He could feel all his senses heightening beyond belief. His eyes changed color from light brown to amber. The pull towards the girl was stronger than before, and it took everything in Alastair to control his unbelievable power. Unlike last time at the Bradford mansion, when he did not know what was happening to him, this time, he knew the reason for the change. "Samantha," He breathed.

The moment he took her name, Samantha dropped her book, her eyes searching for the voice that had summoned her. There was no one in front of her. Yet, her eyes shited in the direction from where she had heard her name. Instinctively, she stood up and started to walk, her sudden action stunning Alastair. He halted in his place, watching her prowl in search of something he had no idea about.

Samantha proceeded towards the stairs, and Alastair narrowed his eyes when she started to ascend them. He titled his head, anticipating her next move when the girl stopped as reached the level he was at. Alastair's eyes widened in disbelief when Samantha turned towards him, meeting him in the eye. 

Samantha did not stop there. She continued to walk towards him, and with every step she took, Alastair could feel the change in him. His heartbeat increased, and there was an unknown emotion taking over him, making him lose control. It was as though he knew the girl from long back.

Samantha too was in a similar situation. The moment she had heard her name, her heart had taken control, and she had padded towards the man who had lured her to him. By the time, she realized what had happened, she had already climbed three levels and was now, facing a man she had never seen before. 'But why do I find him so familiar? Why does it feel like I have known him for long, and he was someone I used to be close to?'

Samantha did not stop until she was standing in front of Alastair. 'Who is this man? Why do I feel so peaceful and comfortable with him?' She wondered, staring at his amber-colored eyes. 'And why is he looking at me this way?' 

Samantha had not missed the way Alastair was gazing at her, the intensity of which made her shiver. "Do I know you, Sir?" Samantha queried, her calm voice stunning her. 

Alastair blinked at her question, observing her green eyes staring back at him in curiosity. His lips arched up, his rationality returning to him before his composure went adrift. "I am not sure, Milady. You were the one who approached me."

"I did?" Samantha's curiosity turned into confusion, and she looked around. Her jaw dropped when she perceived where she was. "How?" She voiced her bewilderment, an answer to which even Alastair did not have. He was puzzled too by the strange predicament they were in.

"I need to leave." Samantha shook her head fervently and turned on her feet, only to stop when Alastair held her hand.

"Wait," He exclaimed seeing her leave. 'I cannot allow her to leave yet. This is my opportunity to get to know her, and I cannot allow her to go before I find out about her.' He held her wrist to stop her, and the moment he did so, a strong tingling sensation rushed through him. Even Samantha experienced it, and she turned back, her eyes widening in horror.

"How is it possible?" She muttered, trying to withdraw her hand, and Alastair let her go at once. "This is not possible. No. No." She shook her head in denial. She held her hand close to her chest, unable to accept whatever she had felt.

Alastair knitted his brows, seeing her response. 'Did I overstep the line? I do not want to scare her away. I must apologize before she misunderstands me.' He was just about to beg for forgiveness when his eyes fell on her hands, and his words of apology were pushed down his throat. Now, he too was baffled, for it was only then he saw the light blue gloves that covered her hand, and the area of the glove he had touched had been burnt slightly.