Invited

Dahlia followed Vlad, walking beside him. With every step, her mind lingered on the events before she arrived at his home. She was convinced that what she had experienced was real and not a hallucination. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she was startled to see the man who had attacked her in the basement parking area.

"Ow!" Dahlia instinctively stopped and hid behind Vlad as the man she was sure had attacked her approached them.

"Vlad, that man…." Dahlia unconsciously gripped Vlad's cold hand.

"He's Cedrick, my brother. He's the one who found you in the basement when you passed out," Vlad explained.

Really? Wasn't he the one who attacked me? Dahlia thought.

"Sorry to startle you, miss," Cedrick said.

Realizing she was holding Vlad's icy hand, Dahlia quickly let go, a blush painting her cheeks. Why is Vlad's hand so cold?

"I was meeting an acquaintance in the building where you work. After parking my car, I saw you running and then collapsing. The place was deserted. I couldn't find a security guard, so I brought you here," Cedrick explained.

Dahlia still couldn't believe Cedrick's explanation, but the fact remained that she wasn't injured. Maybe it's just sleep deprivation making me hallucinate.

"Thank you for helping me and bringing me here." Dahlia had no reason not to be grateful. She gave Cedrick an awkward smile.

After their brief conversation, Vlad drove Dahlia back to her apartment. Within half an hour, the sleek black sports car pulled into the parking lot of her apartment building.

"Thank you for driving me home." Dahlia thanked Vlad without looking at him. The lights in the parking lot illuminated the car's interior clearly. She feared that looking at his handsome yet pale face might stir her wild desires, just like in her dreams.

Her odd behavior piqued Vlad's curiosity. He could sense her anxiety. "Are you afraid of me?"

"Oh, no… not at all. I just…." Dahlia fumbled for an excuse.

"You can't bear to look at me."

"Oh, it's not that. I just feel it's impolite to stare." Dahlia forced herself to meet Vlad's gaze, and her fear was confirmed. She couldn't break free from his piercing blue eyes. His gaze reached into her soul. She tried to blink, to stay conscious, and not get lost in his eyes, but she couldn't.

"It's not impolite. You can look at me all you want." Vlad unfastened his seatbelt and leaned in closer, his presence overwhelming her. "I don't mind if you stare."

Dahlia felt awkward. She bit her lower lip and gave a nervous smile.

"If you want, you can even kiss me," Vlad suggested, a wild idea Dahlia had never considered.

Dahlia's eyes widened. "What?! Oh no! I'm engaged."

"I was only joking." Vlad clarified his unamusing joke. "You seem so tense and frightened around me."

I'm afraid of being tempted by your charm, Vlad. Dahlia smiled, pretending to ignore Vlad's provocative words.

For a moment, Dahlia studied Vlad's face. Its pallor gave her a slight chill, but the chiseled bones that sculpted his visage created an impeccably handsome contour. Vlad's face was an addictive sight. One glance would never be enough to fully appreciate his allure.

"Are you okay?" Vlad's question startled Dahlia.

She blinked, realizing she had been staring at the alluring creature beside her, and quickly looked straight ahead.

"Oh yes, I'm okay," Dahlia replied nervously. "Thank you for driving me home. You should have taken me back to the office. My car is still there."

"Cedrick already brought your car here while you were unconscious."

Dahlia frowned, puzzled by Vlad's words. "Are you kidding me?"

"Check the left wing parking lot. You'll find your car there." Vlad smiled, his teasing gaze making Dahlia even more flustered.

"I will." Not wanting Vlad to sense her escalating nervousness, Dahlia hurried out of his car.

Curious about Vlad's claim that her car was in the left wing parking lot, Dahlia quickly walked to the lift and descended to the basement parking area. As the lift doors opened, she saw her favorite red car parked there. She raised her shoulders in half-surprise. "That weird guy was right. My car is here."

She pressed the button to close the lift doors and headed to her apartment on the fifth floor. Once there, Dahlia walked briskly down the corridor.

"Oh, great! Where are my keys? I must have left them in that weird guy's car!" she grumbled when she couldn't find her apartment keys in her bag.

"Here." Suddenly, someone extended their hand, offering the keys Dahlia was searching for.

Like a bolt of lightning, Dahlia was shocked to see Vlad standing there in front of her apartment door. Her body trembled, and her heart nearly exploded from the frantic beating. "Damn it! Do you always have to startle me like this?!"

Vlad remained silent, showing no expression.

Realizing she had just cursed at the person who handed her keys, Dahlia smiled nervously. "Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to curse at you. You just surprised me. Forgive me, Vlad."

Dahlia took the keys from Vlad's hand and opened the door. She stepped inside, leaving Vlad outside. Her heart was still pounding, and her breathing hadn't returned to normal. Vlad's sudden appearance had almost made her faint. After a few steps, Dahlia turned back. She saw Vlad still standing outside the doorframe. Dahlia turned her body. "Aren't you coming in?"

"Are you inviting me in?"

"Of course. Come in!"

Dahlia placed her bag on the table and took off her shoes. She then sat back on the sofa, crossing her legs, letting her smooth legs exposed by her knee-length skirt.

"Would you like something to drink? I have beer." Dahlia tried to be polite by offering a drink.

"No, thank you." Vlad stood a few steps from where Dahlia sat, arms crossed. His mesmerizing face, with its perfect lines, exuded a magnetic allure that made Dahlia feel increasingly unhinged.

"Vlad, could you not look at me like that? I'm not used to being stared at like that. It makes me a bit nervous." Dahlia tried to be honest to the undeniably handsome man.

"Sorry if my gaze makes you uncomfortable." Vlad's eyes remained the same, seductive and captivating.

"Oh, it's not that. I just—"

"It's okay," Vlad interrupted, "I should go."

Vlad turned and walked toward the door.

"Vlad, I'm sorry."

Vlad stopped and turned slightly toward Dahlia. "Don't invite just anyone into your home, even if he's my brother." He continued walking, opened the door, and left.