1 Chapter 01: Presence

'The way I met you was nothing but fate. But falling in love with you was my choice. Until you became my reason of madness.....'

It feels like all the incidents in my life happened just a few days ago. Every night when I can't fall asleep, his memories still stab my heart like thousand knives. He left an immortal presence in my mind, left his mark in my soul, my consciousness and in every bit of my existence.

I remember I was in the final years of high school when he came into my life. He was the first love of life and also my last. But the serenity of our love burnt down in the hellfire of his vengeance and destroyed everything we had. He was a devil in human form who was ruthless but also an angel who loved me unconditionally with his whole heart.

Today I'm writing down our story for the world to witness. A story that started six years ago from now in Romania, Transylvania...

Bella's POV (Point of view)

I grew up in Transylvania or so the legend says 'The famous city of Dracula'. It's a region in central Romania known for its medieval towns, mountainous borders and castles like Bran Castle, a Gothic fortress associated with the legend of Dracula. Filled with the scenic beauty of the woods and mysteries of the past.

It was that time of the year when I was about to finish high school and enter the realm of university life. Prom was just a few days ahead of us and like every year our school was going to arrange a grand graduation ball.

"Isabella! My dear!"

"Miss Margaret?" I saw our homeroom teacher coming towards me with a file in her hand.

"Did you finish the designs for the decorations love? We need to finish everything soon. The grand party is ahead of us!"

"Yes, ma'am I submitted the designs already. Please inform me if you require any changes," I said with a smile on my face.

"Good job dear!" She gave me a head pat while leaving.

"Bella, why do you work so hard? You know she is just making you work in her place using her sugar-coated words. That fatty!" Becky said, walking towards me with a big roll of coloured papers.

"Becky don't say that, she will hear you!" I gave a soft punch on her arm.

"AHHH! Such diligence!" She snickered.

"Thank you for bringing the coloured papers. I needed them to make the decorations for the gateway," I said opening the rolled papers.

"OHHH! I'm such a hard-working sweetheart after all!" She said copying Miss Margaret while making a funny face.

"Oh stop it already, miss drama queen!" We both laughed.

Everyone was busy making arrangements for the ball. I was given the responsibility of decorations.

My friend Becky was helping me with it as well. I was close with her in school or one can say, the only true friend I had there. I wasn't popular with the girls for some reason. Most of them used to make fun of me, calling me the teacher's pet, nerd, white zombie and many different names. Maybe I was an easy target because I looked very pale and odd to them. Could be because of my silver-white hair. I was born with it. Neither of my parents or other family members possesses such hair as me. I was the only one but people's opinions regarding me never became a hindrance in my life. Or should I say I never let it become. I secured an A in each grade and participated in every extra curriculum activities that I could.

"Oh, what's this?" I saw a small note falling from the rolled papers.

Becky read it aloud after I opened the small, folded note.

'You look beautiful when you smile~'

"Who wrote this?" I asked Becky but she seemed clueless just like me.

"I have no idea. The papers were lying there on the table near that tree," she said pointing in the direction, "Over there." But there wasn't anyone near the table anymore.

"Well, someone was probably exchanging notes. Maybe it accidentally got inside these papers," I said looking at the note. It was written in beautiful cursive handwriting. I wonder who wrote this!

"Or maybe it's one of your secret admirers who knows!" Becky said, giggling.

"I don't think anyone will be giving me such sweet notes from our high school. Perhaps it was meant for you Becky, you are the one who's always smiling after all!" I said winking at her.

"Gosh, Bella you can be so clueless sometimes. There are so many boys in our high school who have a huge crush on you," she said, cutting the papers in a flower shape.

"Nobody wants to fall in love with a white zombie. Even if it is for me that doesn't change anything. It'll take more than a fancy handwriting to impress me."

"What will it take to impress you then?" I heard a bold voice coming from behind me.

"Josh, you are back!" Becky left the paperwork messy on the table and ran to her big brother. "How did your practice go?"

"Ehh! It was ok. I'm separately practicing for the coming nationals.It's surely a hard work!" Josh said while looking at me with great confidence, putting more pressure on the word nationals.

"Aye! You got it, bro. No worries," Becky said, patting her brother's back. She is always proud of her brother. The love she has for him is just immeasurable.

"So how are you doing Bella, hehe?" Josh asked, smiling like an idiot. I never liked him much because he always acted weird around me. I didn't know even know what type of boys I liked. I was more into novels and poetry. That was my life. The perfect men from the books always seemed more intriguing than real-life ones.

"I'm good Josh. All the best for the nationals," I smiled back as a reply and returned to my work. He was the captain of the basketball team. But not like the cool ones you read in the fiction.

"Did you decide who's gonna be your prom date yet?" He asked curiously.

"Nah Bella got no one, neither do I. I guess we can be each other's date for the prom," Becky said letting out a chuckle.

"We'll see about that then!" Josh said laughing out loud with her.

"Even if I go alone, I won't be going to the prom with you Josh!" I whispered.

"Did you say something?" Josh raised an eyebrow.

"Nah! Nothing at all." I said playing with the little piece of paper in my hand.

We all finished our work for that day and set out for home. My house was a few blocks away from Becky's. After she reached her home. I started walking alone. It was evening by then. The winter wind started blowing making me shiver in cold. I was almost near my house when suddenly I heard someone's footsteps behind me. I looked back curiously. But there was nobody. Am I hearing things? I questioned myself. As I walked a few steps I started hearing the footsteps again.

"Who's there?" I tried to shout. But it didn't come out as loud as I thought it will.

I looked behind for one last time. But the road was completely empty like before. As I started walking, I heard the footsteps again and this time it was faster. I ran straight to my house without looking back even for a second. I was completely out of breath when I reached home. I peeped opening the main door a bit to see if someone was there. But there was absolutely no one in the street.

'What's happening to me?' I asked myself. Was it just my imagination or was it for real?

All my doubts found an answer when I went to my class the next day. Something unusual happened which I never could have predicted.

_______________×××××______________

Hey, dear lovelies!

It's Rain here! I'll be bringing something new for all of you here through my writings. I hope u all enjoy it. I'm also utterly thankful to all the readers who have continuously supported me till here. Each of you is a precious gem to me. The satisfaction of my readers has always been my top priority. Please find the complete book in Dreame!