Chapter 17

I wake up and still don't find Niklaus. I decide to shower first. The thought of the bloody man on the ground , suprisingly didn't give me any nightmares.

I enter the bath, and the water is so  warm against my skin, it feel like it's making me tender. I couldn't recall when last I had a warm bath that felt this nice.

It must be the thought of what Niklaus and I had last night that was warming me up. I feel my legs getting weak again, I pat myself on the cheek in an attempt to get rid of the thoughts but it's not working.

After I step out of the bath, my legs struggle to keep me up after I just had such lewd thoughts. I grab a towel and head for the dresser.

I sit at the dress table to oint my skin. The ointments used here are of really good quality and of different varieties. I decide to use the one that had a scent of orchids and gives the feeling of roses in bloom.

I change into a cobalt blue day gown, with white floral patterns like poker dots and white marble stones highlighting the edges of the gown. The dress really looks beautiful, I couldn't even compare it's beauty to my step sisters ball gown.

Although, it didn't look like a ball gown, it was prettier than one, simple and elegant. I come out of the dresser and head for the bedroom, but still no sign of Niklaus. I stare blankly for a while, when I suddenly recall that he had plans with Fred. I run over to Fred's room and enter inside.

Oh ! I'm stunned by what I see. He looked like he just got out of the bath, his hair wet and still dripping bits of water on his bare chest and I feel my cheeks reddening. My gaze travels down and meets the towel loosely tied around his waste, looking like it would drop at any moment.

I immediately realized that I was gawking at my brother - in - law and I turn around and place my hands over my got cheeks - I probably look like a ripe tomato. I hear him chuckle but I ignore the embarrassment.

Soon I feel the chill of his body on my skin. I refuse to look back knowing well that he still hasn't put anything on. Should I leave ? I ask myself, knowing how stupid the question sounded. Before I could get my legs to move, he turns me around and tilts up my chin so I could look at him.

" What's wrong ", he asks me but it didn't really sound like a question.

" Don't tell me . . . ", he didn't complete his statement then chuckled. I was glad he didn't because a part of me knew it would have been something embarrassing. My cheeks become hot again and he smiles knowing well what he was doing.

" What are you doing here so early ", he whispers into my ears his voice hoarse. But it didn't make me feel a tingle or numb like Niklaus made me feel. I push him away slightly, ignoring that I just came in contact with his bare skin .

" Uh . . . uh . . . I . . I came to ask you to take me with you ", I manage to stutter acting like I didn't care I was in front of a half naked man. I

" To where ? "

" The . . . uh . . . thing you have with Niklaus . . . The game thing "

" You mean the Rumble ? ", he says in mocking tone. I ignore him because I was asking him a favour and wasn't in the mood to argue with him.

" Yeah, that "

" I can't take you, it's for men only ", he says with a smile ".

" Don't you think, I know that ?"

" If you do, then why are you standing here are you enjoying the view ? ", I immediately understood what he was implying and my cheeks go red again, he seemed to notice and chuckles. It's now I actually realize that he has an ascent just like his brother.

Bloody Hell ! This is so embarrassing.

" No. . . No . . umm . . . I want you to take me. Niklaus and I had a bit of a tiff yesterday, he left angry and I . . . haven't see him all morning. So I just wanted to say . . . uh . . . A few words to him, that's all ", the more I thought about last night, the more I felt my cheeks turning into a boiling tomato. I didn't tell Fred what had happened but I knew he had some ideas from the way he was smiling.

" Fine, I'll help but you have to stick with me "

" Sure. Thanks ", I say looking at him.

" Now could you leave me to change "

" Ohw ", I suddenly realized that he was still half naked in front of me. " Why aren't you in the dresser " .

" I have a closet, not a dresser " I look and realize that the bedroom wasn't as big as the one Niklaus and I have.

" Ohw. I'd wait for you at the breakfast table ", I say and leave immediately, I move to the dinning as I was awaiting Fred and as usual I'm lost in thought again.

What if Niklaus loves me ? What if he says he loves me - Gasp ! I've been unable to control my thoughts since last night. Everyone knows the ' Apha ' doesn't mingle with women but since he kissed me last night. He must love me right ? No one kisses someone unless they like them, right ?

I feel the burn on my cheeks as I have such funny thoughts but they don't last long as they a interrupted by Fred when he walks into the dinning room and takes a sit beside me.

" You haven't started yet ?",he asks me looking puzzled.

" No . . . I was just . . . "

" You were waiting for me huh ? ",he looks at me with a smile.

" Mhmm ", I say not wanting to argue with him.

" I'm here, okay ? So let's eat". We begin to eat and I wasn't so hungry so ate very little and watched Fred eat. He doesn't rush his meal but he isn't slow either.

He seems to have quite the appetite, or I probably think so because I don't really have an appetite.

He's done eating and guides me toward the arena. He pretends not to know the location and I watch him make enquiry about where we are headed.

I also noticed everyone we pass by, bowing to us. Although I know why they are doing it, it still makes me uncomfortable.

We finally arrive and the place reeks of sweat and blood that makes me feel nauseatic . Fred pulls me in a little closer than we were and I could perceive his scent as they occupy my nostrils sifting out the stench of heat and blood I perceived initially on entering the arena.

" The Rumble " seems to have already started but I didn't care because that's not what we came for. I scan the arena for Niklaus and the moment I sight him, his eyes meet mine and they darken.