||Julia's POV||

A day went by and the Anderson family was leaving in the morning, tomorrow. Somehow, I couldn't wait for them to leave. They were all bossy and Mrs Smith just nods her head at everything they say. But still, I misjudged them. Maybe they didn't care about the love or happiness of Kayden, but they did care about him and his well-being, in their own wicked way. They want him to be the best, which he already is, and they want him to have an heir. Kayden is only 23, surely he has time for that. They just want to make sure he has someone to pass his greatness and fortune to.

I kept thinking about Kayden, the way his big hands run through his warm brown hair. The way his stormy grey eyes bore into mine, deep into my soul. His lips, so soft and full. I kept thinking about our kiss two nights ago, it wasn't because of love but somehow I like that I know he wants me.

I returned from training, all sweaty and tired from pushing my body to my limits. I entered my room like I always do, I noticed it was quite messy but... I can do better. I also noticed an envelope on my neatly done bed. It had a nice red ribbon around it, very formal and classy. Hm, I wonder who it might be from... I opened the envelope and took out a slightly red card. On the front, it had a small rose inside an empty square. Of course, it was Kayden's tattoo and their family symbol. I unfolded it and there, neatly written in italics was:

You have been invited to a formal dinner

This evening

8 o'clock, Dining hall 1

Mr & Mrs Anderson

What is this? Some royal invitation? ...Dining hall 1? That's off limits. It's only used for the most important- oh, nevermind. It was nearly 5pm and I already didn't want to go. Alone.

I took a shower and put on some comfortable clothes before heading down the corridor and turning right. I knocked on the doors and soon Kayden came to sight, his hair messy. "Hi." I said and he greeted me back, a little confused. "Please tell you got it too." I said looking nervously into his eyes and he nodded. "8 o'clock. What are we British?"He joked and I exhaled deeply. "How can you joke about this? It's your parents for god's sake! They're like... royalty!" I said trying to understand why he wasn't nervous at all about it. "For a moment I thought you were gonna say assholes." He chuckled and I pushed past him inside, making sure to hit his shoulder in the process. "I'm serious, Kayden." I said turning towards him. "What are you worried about? They won't bite, unless you let them." That's enough. I simply looked at him like 'really?' and marched towards the doors. I wasn't going to talk to him if he couldn't be serious for a moment. Before I reached the doors he grabbed my forearm and spun me around, stopping me from going. "Okay, I'm sorry. But seriously, what are you worried about except my mother's judgemental look?" He asked finally serious, his hand still on my forearm. "I don't understand why I am invited in the first place, and-and what am I supposed to wear?" I asked realizing I had nothing to wear for this occasion. Suddenly he used his position to pull me closer. "You'll look beautiful no matter what you wear, sweetheart." He said and I looked at the floor. "Would you like to go together?" Oh phew! I thought he was never going to ask. 

I spent an hour, looking through my old and new wardrobes. Sadly, I didn't didn't find anything in my new wardrobe so I looked through the clothes I owned a year ago. And bingo.

The time went awfully fast and I had to get ready. I hoped that the dress will fit since I was barely 17 when I've bought it but I don't think I grew that much. I did my makeup, not too much with a matte lipstick that matched my dress. I curled my hair so that they'd be naturally looking wavy and put my dress on along with black heels.

A few minutes before 8pm, I heard Kayden knocking on my door, ready to pick me up. I quickly sprayed my favorite Dior perfume on me and opened the doors for him. He was wearing a navy suit with a black tie. His hair were neatly styled and he smelled like heaven. He looked me up and down and his face was unreadable. I don't think he liked my dress. "Is it not appropriate? I-I can change-" suddenly his eyes met mines. "No. It's fine. You look beautiful." I gave him a smile and he gave me his hand. "Shall we?" he asked and I smiled shyly. "We shall." I said taking his warm hand and closing the doors behind me. The dinner was being held in the east wing, somewhere I've never been before as it's off limits for Fighters like me. I felt really nervous about it, but felt much better having Kayden around me.

As we arrived, it seemed like I was in a completely different place. Everything looked so expensive, clean, new and smelled lovely. There were candles, perfect lightning and in the middle of the huge room with big windows with curtains, was one long table. Every furniture was made from dark wood and shining, newly polished I guess. There was an amazing chandelier hanging above the table which was fully made. Cutlery, plates, candles, tissues, everything you might need or want. Everything neat and new. And of course, it was not empty. On each end of the table, sat an Anderson. Peter on the end on the left, and Catherine on the one on the right. Between them were about 8 seats on each side. There were at least 6 people already sitting, chatting and sipping champagne from their expensive glasses. The rest of them were around the room, doing the same things. Men wore the most expensive suits and women the most beautiful dresses I ever saw along with pure gold jewellery.  Everything seemed so perfect, even the light music in the background. "Kayden, Julia, you're here! Right on time, my dears. Please, take a seat, they're already named." Catherine said with a huge smile as we walked closer. I noticed that each seat had a card with a name on it, neatly written in italics. I hoped mine was next to Kayden, otherwise I'd be among people I don't know, important people. Kayden found his which was close to his mother and looked at me before sitting down. I looked through the names, none belonging to me. As I was getting more and more far away from Kayden, only when I was as far away as possible, have I found mines. Yep, you guessed it, next to Peter, Kayden's father. Kayden's annoyed eyes locked with mines as I sat down.

Then Catherine tapped with her spoon against her glass and everyone quieted down, taking their seats. I saw Mrs Smith in the middle, opposite me, having a lovely hairstyle with her black hair to the side in beautiful waves. I looked at Peter who was sitting on my right, at the end of the table. Opposite me was some dangerous looking man, dark haired, early forties. Next to me was a very attractive men with a very sharp jawline and neatly styled back, black hair. He smelled like clean aftershave and wore a Gucci suit. We locked eyes once or twice and he seemed quite satisfied, sitting next to me as he threw me a playful smirk. There were many other people, and they all looked at Catherine who was now standing up, in the most beautiful white laced dress I have ever seen.

"Welcome, friends and family, me and my dearest husband Peter would like to celebrate tonight, before our trip to Georgia tomorrow. We haven't seen you dears in a very long time, we're lucky to have some time to catch up. Thank you so much for coming, some of you a long way, I hope you'll all enjoy the evening as much as I already am." After a small round of applause the room turned into chatter and laughter. Everyone indeed, enjoying themselves as some servants were bringing out more champagne and appetizers. I took a glass of champagne for myself and felt really awkward as I had noone to talk to. Suddenly the man in the Gucci suit turned towards me.

"I apologize, I don't think I've ever seen you before, Miss." he said in a very deep voice as he looked straight into my eyes. "Taylor Matthews." He said handing out his hand for me to shake. I looked at him surprised, I've heard of the famous Matthews family. I think they were from Oregon. The rumor has it his parents are one of the fearless, with the biggest count of dead vampires in history. "Julia Martin."I said shaking his hand. I gave him a friendly smile and caught Kayden's eyes, which weren't too happy.

As the dinner came and the three glasses of champagne made me relax, me and Taylor became good friends, with a lot to talk about. He loved to make me laugh, and I liked that I had someone to talk to. Once, I locked my eyes with Peter, his devilish eyes and I swear he looked more dangerous than Catherine. He looked at me like he knew I was the one to tell Kayden about the bourbon, like I betrayed him or something. He clearly hates me.

After the first meal, which was delicious, they played slow, dancing music. Taylor quickly stopped his flirts with me and asked me to dance. I hesitantly agreed, one dance was nothing anyway. Some more couples joined in and Taylor pulled me close. My hands wrapped around his neck and his firmly on my waist. I looked everywhere but his eyes, it was clear Taylor didn't look just for my friendship. I noticed Kayden coming to dance too, with some blonde. He spun her around and she chuckled and then she clung to him very tightly, and he seemed to enjoy it. What the fuck is he doing? He whispered something into her ear and she chuckled quietly again, her eyes never leaving his. He locked his eyes with mines and them returned doing it again. I noticed that she was very pretty, a perfect figure and seemed just the type for him. Suddenly I stopped looking at them as Taylor spun me around and pulled me so my back was against his front and his hands on my waist. I could feel his breathing on my neck and to say it didn't turn me on, would be a lie. "I have to admit, Miss Martin, I do love your company." he whispered against my ear making me shiver and blush. "I enjoy your company too, sir." I don't know why I was being so formal but it seemed right since he was quite important. Taylor spun me around one more time and we were back to our original position. I couldn't see Kayden and his blonde anymore so I concentrated on Taylor's tight grip instead. The music didn't seem to end and then I realized what kind of dance it was. It was time to switch partners. Taylor kissed me gently on the cheek before leaving.

Don't ask me how, but I ended up with Kayden. It shouldn't have been his turn but he literally forced his way to dance with me. Somehow it felt like he was angry. I caught Taylor's eyes for a moment before Kayden suddenly tightened his grip. "Do. Not. Look. At him." Yep, he was angry. But I didn't understand why, he was happily dancing with his blond bimbo a few seconds ago and clearly enjoying himself. "What's your problem? Taylor's my friend." I whispered and he sighed. "Yeah right. He clearly wants to be just your friend, Julia. Stay away from him, I don't like him." I looked at him pissed. "Why should you care, wasn't your blonde bimbo more entertaining anyway? And so what if Taylor's interested in me? Maybe I'm interested in him, too." After the last part Kayden didn't even bother to look at me anymore. He seemed so distant, hurt even. "Fine, go to him, just don't come crying back to me when he'll leave you after fucking you into oblivion."

*******************************

Remember to COMMENT and VOTE!