Chalice of blood...

Celestia/Serena's POV:

The walls of the massive fashion studio seemed to be inching closer as the staring of the crowd intensified. Every individual in the studio was gawking at me as if I had grown angelic wings on my shoulders. This was not just one unfortunate day; this was my life. The constant staring threw me into a bottomless pit of fury and confusion. "Why are they staring at me? WHY?! Oh, God!"

Is it my hair that looks like liquid gold hypnotizing them? Are my ocean blue eyes drowning their senses? I do agree that I'm an attractive individual as per societies' standards of beauty, but I am not the only pleasant-looking girl in this studio. For heaven's sake, I am not even a model. I am just a fashion designer! Elaine, my boss, has tried to make me a model for a few brands, but I don't want that kind of attention or objectification to rummage the peace of my soul. 

I tore my thoughts from the crowd's stares and walked to my cabin, shutting the world behind me. I sat on my plush chair as the cushioning of the chair detangled my stressed-out nerves. Finally, I am in my own space, free from obscene stares. 

I opened up my file and overviewed the dress sketches I designed the previous day. Everything seemed to be perfect! My boss is going to love this. 

Suddenly, my cabin door opened, and Elaine walked in.

 "Serena," she squealed. "It is so nice to see you."

 I got up from my seat and smiled at her. "The sketches are ready. You can review them," I said as I handed over my file to her.

 Elaine studied them for a moment, and she beamed at me." I sometimes wonder if you are even human."

 I tried hard not to flinch as my cold heart started to beat ferociously. Why is she saying that? Does she know about my secret?

 Elaine stepped closer and clasped my hand.

"You have the fingers of the goddess Athena," she retorted.

A sigh of relief forced its way out of my mouth while I wiped my lips which had dried out with dread. "Thank you so much for your appreciation," I replied.

 I assumed that she would leave the room after that, but she kept glaring at me. She never gives me that look unless she needs something from me.

 "Serena, I need a favor from you. Can you please be a model for a day?"

 I almost had a hunch that she was going to say that! I fail to understand why she keeps on nagging me to be a model.

 "Miss. Elaine, I appreciate the offer, but I am sorry. I'll have to pass the offer," I replied politely.

 Elaine sighed. "Do you know about the world's best photographer Luke Hamilton? He is coming to our fashion studio tomorrow, and we need a presentable model for that. Can you please agree to do this just for once?"

I had no idea who Luke Hamilton was. I had never heard about him. People around here talk about many things that I am not aware of, and I could honestly care less about their business when I already have too much on my plate.

 "Pardon me. I'll make it up to you by doing something else. How about I sketch a hundred designs by today?"

 Her eyes widened in awe as she bit her plump red lips with excitement. "You can pull that off?"

 I nodded. "I am not leaving this cabin until I finish my work."

"I'm letting you go this time!" she waved her hands in the air and strutted away.

Finally, I get to breathe peacefully. 

I sat back on my chair and let creative juices flow out of my pencil. Whenever I see a blank paper, creative ideas flow naturally in my mind. Most of my sketches give me a sense of deja vu. I feel like I have already worn these dresses. Perhaps I am just hallucinating. Whatever! My job is one of those things that give me contentment. But today, it seems like my composure is not going to last, and with that thought, the cabin door flung open once again. Who is it this time?

It was Daniel. He is the top male model here. A lot of girls here are crazy for him. But he is not interested in any of them. He is constantly trying to pursue me even after being rejected by me so many times.

"Serena, I bought you flowers," Daniel said as he grinned widely.

"Thank you," I responded awkwardly and got the flowers from him. I made sure not to touch his hand while receiving the flowers from him.

 Daniel cleared his throat. "Serena, today is Valentine's day. Do you want to go out with me?"

"I am sorry. I am working late today," I replied.

"I can… I can help you with your work," he offered.

 "No thanks! I'll manage it."

 His eyes showed off that he was hurt by my rejection. I instantly felt guilty. But there was nothing that I could do about it.

"Nice talking to you, Serena," he said as he nervously bit his lips, and then he was gone.

A countless number of guys have tried to pursue me. He is not the first guy who got hurt because of me. I always try to deny them in a way that they don't get hurt. A lot of guys have gone crazy after getting declined by me. I end up feeling extremely guilty for hurting them. It sucks to be the reason for somebody's sadness!

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By midnight I was done with my designs for the day. Elaine will be so pleased to see that I have designed a hundred sketches for her. I hope she never asks me to be a model again.

I packed up, tidied my desk, locked my cabin door, and walked out of the room. There was no one in the studio except me, but the area was lit. Perhaps the guard forgot to turn off the lights. Good for me. The idea of getting out in a dark hallway is not very appetizing. I rubbed my shoulders and stretched out my arms. It felt oddly satisfying to be able to walk in the studio without getting stared at. Oh, wait, I didn't see this art piece before. Probably because I avoid looking around since everybody is always staring at me to let me enjoy the artwork. 

There was an abstract four-by-four painting that seemed to be painted with both gel paint and watercolors. The difference in textures gave an odd depth to it. It held me. The painting felt like a sad song, the kind of song that reminds you of things that have not even happened to you. I was mesmerized by it when suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching me. I turned to look at who it was. Daniel was walking towards me. His footsteps were unsteady, and he was trying hard to balance his feet on the ground. He is definitely intoxicated! 

"Daniel, why are you drunk? Miss. Elaine is going to be mad at you for partying in the office," I cried out.

Daniel smirked at me. "Serena, you heartless girl! Do you know how it feels to be constantly rejected?"

I took a step away from him as he kept inching closer.

"Daniel, I am sorry about it-"

"You are just sorry?" he barked. " Ever since I saw you, I am unable to get you off my head. I think about you every day and every night. But are you just sorry for me?"

He took off his shirt and dropped it on the floor. 

"What are you doing?" I screamed.

"I am done waiting for you, Serena. I am going to put my misery to an end today."

"Daniel, listen. Please don't touch me for your sake. If you touch me, then even I won't be able to save you."

A burst of evil laughter erupted from his throat. "I am going to take you now!"

Daniel slowly treaded closer in a threatening manner, like a cat playing with its prey after capturing it. Unfortunately or, well, fortunately for me, I was nobody's prey. He raised his greasy-looking hands to touch me, but an invisible force made him fall ten feet away from me. A loud thud echoed in the hallway as his head hit the wall.

This can't be happening! Another man can't die just because he tried to touch me. I ran to him and knelt beside his body. Blood was seeping from his head. I was able to hear his heartbeat clearly. Perhaps he still has time. I tried hard to control my urge to feed on his blood. I am stronger than this! I can't feed on a man who is still alive. I don't want to be a murderer. I walked out of the studio immediately. It has been a month since I fed on blood, and I can't stay there anymore.

The security guard was sitting in his chair just outside the hallway. He got up from his seat as soon as he saw me.

"Ma'am, how was your day?" he asked with a kind smile.

"My day was fine, but Daniel got drunk and hit his head on the wall. Can you please take care of him?" My alluring power worked its magic on him.

"Of course, Ma'am. I will take care of it," He replied instantly, dazed.

"And you will never tell anyone that I was here," I said.

"I will never tell anyone that you were here," he turned completely dark, just like every other person I use my alluring powers on. 

I hated doing this! I'm not particularly eager to control others with my powers, but sometimes some things need to be done for the greater good. I started walking down the streets as guilt clouded my senses. This is not the first time that someone has tried to touch me against my will. It has happened many times in the past. Whenever a man tries to touch me, he falls at least ten feet away from me. In the worst cases, those men die. Once I tried to touch a guy just because I wanted to, but still, he got blown away from me. I don't know what this invisible force is. Am I cursed to be untouchable? I have still not confessed to anyone I know about this curse. My skin has never felt the touch of a man. I don't know if this invisible force is a blessing or curse to me. But I would like to take it as a blessing as it has saved me from so many perverts.

My Aunt Daviana was still awake when I reached home. She was looking at me warily when I placed my handbag on the couch. "Serena, why are you so late?"

"I had work to do." I avoided her stare and pulled my hair up in a ponytail. I did not want her to see the glimmer of guilt in my eyes.

"Anyway, I know that you don't want to feed, but it's been a month. And if you don't satisfy your thirst now, you might hurt someone out there."

I couldn't agree more with her. Just a while ago, I was about to sink my fangs on Daniel's vein. I sat down on the couch and got the chalice of blood from her hand. The smell of blood so close, so easily available, and that too without hurting anybody made me finally give in to my bloodlust. My body started to vibrate with pleasure as the blood went down my throat. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster with all the butterflies and none of the fear.