It's been a few weeks since the incident and I've been trying my best to recall or remember anything from that night but for some reason, those memories remained shut. It makes me frustrated and helpless but I've learned to take my time in order for me to regain those broken pieces of lost memories. Something happened that night. My bets are on Dexter, but why would he let me go? Ask me to kill myself? To get at Draven once and for all? But that doesn't make any sense. Dexter wanted me alive, not dead. If he wanted me dead, he could have easily done so before but he chose not to. So what's the catch here? What was he trying to gain out of this?
"Hey! How are you feeling, darling?" A familiar feminine voice caused me to cringe in annoyance before I plastered on a fake smile, turning my head to face Lianna.
"I feel okay, still don't remember anything though." I bit my bottom lip and glanced at Lianna. I could've sworn I saw her smirk between my sentence but I brushed it off, knowing that she was only trying to look out for me, just this once.
"Good, take your time honey. Try not to push yourself. It's not good to open up doors that's meant to stay shut."
"What do you mean?" I looked at her in confusion as she shook her head.
"Just don't push yourself sweetie, try to let it go. I'm sure Draven will figure things out and find Dexter before he does something like this again." And with that, she walked away. Thank god for that.
"Adriana, why are you still not ready?!" I heard loud footsteps coming down from the stairs and turned to face the guys. They were all dressed up, wearing their suits and looking all sophisticated with their hair jelled back and combed neatly.
"I am...ready." I cleared my throat, looking down at my sweatpants and crop top, not to mention my messy hair bun with strands of hair that was now poking out of, well, everywhere.
"You can't go looking like that."
"Why not? She looks adorable."
"I'd still tap that."
"Get ready, we're late."
I groaned as the guys walked past me, Edward and Finn sending me flirtatious winks as they left.
"But I thought we were never going to go out, considering the fact that I almost died, yet again." I whined at first but then my voice faded away as I realized how serious this was.
"We will protect you-"
"But it's not enough to stop Dexter," I stopped when they all turned to look at me, their eyebrows furrowing together in displeasure. "I mean, you guys are vampires, strong and the most powerful ones at that, but when it comes to Dexter, none of that-"
"Hey, we are trying to protect you and our reputation too, Adriana. We can't be stuck here doing nothing, throwing away everything and our traditions, just because we gotta protect your mortal ass from getting kidnapped-"
"That's enough Edward." Vincent cut him off and I noticed that everyone besides him were now glaring at me. They obviously misunderstood, it's not like I was asking them to give up on everything. Of course I was grateful that they were trying to look out for me, but by taking me out to more of their annual events and parties, it's still resulting in me getting into danger, once again.
"She's just ungrateful." Kevin muttered under his breath and I bit my bottom lip, their words getting to me more than it should.
"So- sorry, I'll go get ready now." I whispered, blinking away the tears and rushing upstairs to get ready. I know their words shouldn't bother me, but lately, I've become a bit fond of them too and their opinions matters to me now, as strange as that may be. But maybe that's not how way things are supposed to be. I should look out for myself too, and try to stay out of their ways.

xxx
After slipping on a mini off shoulder short dress, I tied my hair into a nicer bun, applying a small amount of make up and hurried my way downstairs, my black lace heels clicking loudly as I made my way.
We all hurried outside and I met Draven, who was now wearing a suit as well, his now grown dark hair slicked back as well. Draven looked different, now that his hair had grown, but in a good way, of course. Hell, who am I kidding, seeing his disheveled dark hair that went way too well with his icy blue eyes made me melt everytime. But now that he's been avoiding me ever since the "incident", I never got a chance to take a better look at him, nor have a decent conversation. It's as if, everytime we take a step forward, something pulls us back and we're back to where we started.

xxx
"You're not leaving my side." Vincent took my hand, slipping them around his arms and I went silent before my eyes landed on the 6 star restaurant in front of me.
"It doesn't matter, he'll take me away if he wants to anyways." I pulled my hand away and walked inside the huge area. Marble tiles covered the entire floor with beautiful chandeliers hanging on the top of the ceiling.  The place was packed with people, some of them already stuffing themselves while the rest engaged in conversations. Butlers came to escorts us to our table and we all made our way, taking our seats at one of the longest and largest tables. After an hour or so, I started to get bored and got up, ignoring the conversations between the vampires and humans before walking towards the table of food. Events like these eventually bored me way too easily.
"Hey, how're you feeling now?" I gasped and turned to face Tyrell, his eyebrows knitting together in annoyance as I let out a dramatic sigh.
"Sorry, I-"
"Adriana, it's bothering me. What happened that night? I saw you that night before you-"
"Tyrell, please..." I interrupted, grabbing his hands and shaking my head, slightly glancing to see if anyone was eavesdropping on our conversation now. By anyone,  I meant any vampires. "Please let it go because I don't remember either, I told you this a millon times, Tyrell."
"No. You told me to keep my mouth shut that night. I am trying to help you remember. Who attacked you?" He brushed my hand away, this time, more determined to find the answers than he was a few days ago. But it was hopeless. I don't remember anyone feeding on me that night nor the conversation between us.
"I don't want your help, Tyrell. And I told you, until I regain my memories, don't go around spilling my secrets that you promised to keep. Please." I tried to convince him and he gave me another look of disapproval, a slight hint of concern flashing through his eyes.
"I can't hide this from Draven for long-"
"Hey," A familiar voice interrupted us. "Mind if I steal her highness for one dance?" I turned to face Zack Ramorey from Alorain family of the vampires and glanced at Tyrell, who was now sending him a deadly glare.
"I don't think that it's appropriate to dance at such important occasions." I bit by bottom lip, looking at Zack, his forest green eyes boring into my soul now, a hint of amusement flickering in them.
"Relax, darling. I am holding this event, so it's really no harm. Also, I am quiet interested in getting to know you a little better," He took my hand, bowing a little before pressing a soft kiss on the back of my palm. "Keeper of none other than the pureblood vampire himself,  Draven Cruz." His lips parted into a sly grin and I flinched, his words sounding more like an insult rather than a compliment. I didn't belong to anybody, not even Draven Cruz.
"She's not up for-"
"A dance sounds lovely." I turned all poised and sophisticated, my voice no longer held that irritating bratty tone, but rather a composed and modest one took over. And with that, I took his hand, walking towards a few couples, who were slow dancing right in th middle of the room, making my insides knot in discomfort.
"You are quiet the dancer."
"I am used to it now, thank you." I smiled a little as Zack swirled me around before pulling me back in his arms.
"Hmm, the events and parties must be tiring for a normal girl like yourself."
"I suppose."
"You look as if you are holding back something, darling. If there is anything you wish to ask, ask. This might be your only chance to do so without having Draven and anyone else eavesdrop on our conversation." His words made me snap up and I bit my bottom lip hesitantly, wanting to spill the questions I was dying to ask him now.
"They really won't hear anything?"
"Not unless I want them to, don't worry darling, after all, I am a vampire too." He leaned to whisper in my ears and his sudden action made me quiver uncomfortably.

"What did you mean the other day? You said that Draven knows what will happen if a vampire and human-"
"Falls in love." My eyes widened at his words and I arched an eyebrow in confusion.
"What do you mean? What's going to happen if a vampire and human falls in love?"
"Why, that goes against all the rules between vampires and humans, my darling," He gripped my waist tightly. "If the vampires finds out that one of their kind had actually fallen in love with a-"
"But then what's a keeper for?" I cut him off in panic.
"Oh, sweet, naive, Adriana. Keepers are meant to be kept for pleasure and pleasure only. The only relationship that's allowed between the vampires and humans are physical attractions, not emotional ones. Draven of all people should know that." He pulled back to see my shocked expression. "After all, he made those rules in the first place." Zack chuckled softly before guiding me further away from the crowd.
"Bu-but why? What's wrong with vampires and humans-"
"We are too different, Adriana. Two kinds. We feed on your kind, not fall in love with them. You are our food, we need humans to surive. What do you think will happen if such a leader as Draven Cruz fell for a human? Things will change. Rules will change. The order of the world will change. Vampires can no longer feed on humans and how will that allow us to live? It's simply not done, darling. Already, Draven doesn't want us to feed on humans without their permission and in time, he would want us to respect and bow down to humans and show them affection. It's not the way things are meant to be, Adriana. Vampires cannot fall in love with a human. Why, that's just forbidden love," He explained and my breath hitched at his words. "Draven made these rules in order to keep a treaty between the vampires and humans.  We give them power by turning only a few of them into vampires while the rest remains as nothing more than blood bags to us. It was a win - win situation for-"
"How - how is that..." I choked out and stopped when I felt a piercing and menacing atmosphere behind us but I didn't stop listening. I had to know. The reason why Draven is not letting me in. The reason why I-we can't be together.
"Cheer up, Adriana. You almost look disappointed. Didn't Draven tell you any of this?" He asked in a somewhat surprised tone and I bit my bottom lip before glueing my eyes on the floor.
"No, he didn't." I barely mumbled out.
"Such a shame. Leading you on without the intention of loving you must be hard for someone like you."
"Someone like me?"
"Yes. You are different, Adriana.  I can tell. You don't want what other girls want. You aren't satisfied and happy with just being his keeper, are you? No, you want more. So much more from him..." my heart skipped a beat when I realized what he was assuming. His assumptions were true but I didn't want to hear those words slip through his mouth before he slapped me with the harsh truth again.
"So what happens if a vampire and human does fall in love? What are the consequences?" I blurted out, wanting to know so badly.
"Hm," He narrowed his eyes at me. "Let's just say that you'll get killed, Adriana. One way or another. If Draven breaks his own rules, it will inflict war between all of us, and as strong and powerful as he may be, he and his brothers cannot handle all of us. It'll be him against a whole army."
"But that's-" I stopped when someone grabbed my shoulders, causing me to gasp before I pulled away from Zack. I turned to meet the Ardelean brothers and was about to say something when Zack took my hand again.
"I will see you again, my darling." He kissed my fingertips and left, leaving me in shock.
"What did he say?"
"Why the fuck does he keep touching you like-"
"You need to stay away from him."
"What did he say, Adriana?" All of them started pouring questions and usually, I would have been fine with it, but right now, I was feeling sick and confused, my heart slowly sinking down all the way down to my stomach. Draven made these rules? When? For how long? Why didn't he tell me? Why would he make these rules in the first place? Did he hate our kind so much? Did he hate me? How long was he planning to keep this from me? Did the humans know about this rule? Did my parents know before they sent me off? That I was only here to satisfy his lust?
"Adriana, I'm sorry about today, I got mad. Is that why you are ignoring us?" Edward's voice broke off my thoughts before he engulfed me into a hug but I kept staring ahead, ahead at Draven, who was still casually talking with one of the humans.
"I'm fine." I croaked out, pulling away, my eyes still on Draven. Before I knew it, my feet had started dragging me towards his table, my mind constantly getting reminded of Zack's words.
"Vampires cannot fall in love with humans."
Tears started stinging in my eyes as I continued taking slow steps towards Draven.
"Why, that's Forbidden Love."

xxx