Bab 237: 37. I Don't Want Get hurt.
After we had eaten and put our dishes away, I said, "Now, do you want to have some fun while I show you Salvatore's bedtime talk show?"
Magnum looked at me and replied, "Whatcha thinking, babe?"
He was in a playful mood, smirking at me, while Wulfe sat nearby.
I explained, "It's a little playful competition. Are you in the mood to learn something new?" They were.
I had come up with this idea for a game. I was actually a registered interior designer—something I had been for over 100 years—but I had never mentioned it to anyone except Jarod a long time ago. The plan was simple: each of them would decorate one room based on the client's orders. Mimosa had promised to be the first client; she would tell me what she wanted, and then each team or individual would create a room for her. I would then evaluate their designs, and whoever came closest to pleasing both me and the client would get to be the next client. This was a huge mansion, and Mariella hadn't done much with it yet, so this was an opportunity for us to make it our home.
Mimosa and I stood in front of our decorators, ready to give feedback on each room so they could learn some tricks of the trade in the process. Mimosa said, "First thing, I like color—pure, whimsical, but practical. My room must not be boring. It should snap and hit you in the face when you enter, but it shouldn't be gaudy."
Everyone was listening intently. I asked Mimosa, "What do you want to do in that room?"
She replied, "Have sex, knit, watch TV, eat treats, hang out with pack members. And by the way, remember, I am more wolf than human, so make sure my true form is taken into account, too."
I asked, "Do you have any allergies or anything?"
She shook her head and said, "My protector will know this better, so ask him about treats."
My teams eagerly went to find rooms to decorate according to Mimosa's somewhat vague descriptions. I knew her well enough to realize she could have been more detailed, but she was enjoying the game. I also anticipated hearing some sappy love declarations from numbers one, two, and four to Mariella.
I had heard them before, and I was still standing strong. Besides, I would have my side of the pack with me, so they would hear it firsthand, and if anyone wanted to react, I wasn't going to stop them.
I went to prepare for the night, a long and well-preparatory session with karaoke to get myself in the right mindset for some serious unwinding. I wasn't going to ask Salvatores for anything, at least not for now. You never know what will happen in life, right?
First, I had to find a big room. Oh, and I found one. Mariella had planned some kind of lounge, but the beige decorations weren't doing it for me. I shook my head as I started changing the curtains and added some sofas, chairs, and top-notch karaoke equipment. I also made sure there was a big cabinet full of booze and bloods. It was important to remember that we were vampires.
I had something in mind - Charles and Adam were great bartenders and knew their cocktails. They might whip up some new drinks for us. And of course, there was a huge chilling cabinet filled with white, rose, sparkling, and red wines. Those of us who preferred wine could also have a good time.
Oh my God, I knew those boys - Adam and Charles - were going to rub our karaoke session in Salvatores' eyes, for anyone interested.
Mimosa was eagerly helping me decorate, and I said to her, "Once they get your rooms ready, we'll go through them, give feedback, and then I can give my first lesson on interior decoration. Now, here's the kicker - I can talk about the theory, but the fact is, I don't buy it. Not in everything. But let's see what happens."
Mimosa said, "Oh, I want to hear those damn Salvatores talk first and think later. And we have so many witnesses."
She was in a pretty wild mood, too. She slammed me against the wall and kissed me passionately. She could be very intense.
After three hours, the teams were ready and eager to present their rooms to us. But first, it was time to witness our pack leader making a fool of himself. I knew it was a time when the left side of my neck burned and tingled as if someone had kissed a heart-shaped mark. Maybe Rob was trying to tell me it was time. Wulfe seemed to look past me, but I didn't ask him. I didn't want to know for sure.
I said, "First, let's gather in a circle and have a listen little bedtime talk. Then we can proceed quietly and refrain from speaking until we can no longer contain ourselves."
Charles's eyes darkened, and he came close to me. Together, we ascended two floors and turned left. Ahh, there it was.
I communicated telepathically, "This room was once sanctified by Damon and me, with a passion that lasted a whole month. Let's see how much Mariella has tried to take over."
Adam's sarcastic voice chimed in, "Perhaps it was your residual energy that attracted her."
Wulfe snorted. The door was slightly open, allowing us to eavesdrop. Numbers one, two, and four were lying together with Mariella, their scent reeking of sex.
Damon had to leave the kitchen because he couldn't bear it. Through the hive bond, he sensed the Salvatores were with Elena and Katherine, not the wolves. However, it wasn't important. He didn't check on the pack bonds because he didn't want to feel what was there.
Damon looked at Mariella and said, "You know, when I hold you in my arms, I need nothing else. You are my life, my love, and I am content. I need nothing more."
Mariella asked, "What about Mimi and your plans for marriage?"
Number two replied, "I promised Mimi that when I marry her, there will be no divorce. However, I didn't specify when I would marry her. Definitely not right now. You, darling, are what we need, not Mimi."
Number four lazily added, "You truly are an exceptional woman. You have captured my heart completely, and I am a prisoner of your love."
Adam's expression grew darker, and Charles started to emit the scent of apple jam, indicating his growing agitation.
Wulfe wrapped himself around me and conveyed through my thoughts, "Hug me, keep me, or else..."
His eyes turned black. Murdock and Dexter were also becoming agitated, but Alaric's rage was almost palpable, which amazed me. We listened intently as Damon and the others professed their love to Mariella in various ways. We all heard that their feelings were genuine, and Mariella loved all of them. Each of them expressed I meant nothing to them, that the wedding was insignificant, and that my role as the alpha female was merely a business arrangement. I tried to comprehend it all, genuinely attempting to find an explanation, but couldn't.
Wulfe grabbed me, and we embraced each other tightly. I could feel Charles and Adam's hands as well. The boys were in their feline forms. I had thought I would be stronger but no. my heart was broken so damn badly. Once again, I had flown too close to the sun and burned my wings and now the pain hit me.
"Damn, it hurts so bad, but I've got you. I just can't find a reason for this," I said telepathically.
Love-filled sappy confession and slow, tender caresses on Mariella's perfect body, what was praised high heavens had gone for an hour and Adam had finally had enough.
He walked in front of me, dispelling the spell of silence, and said loudly, "Mimi, my love, will you marry me? We've heard that those who had your heart do not love you, and I know you're heartbroken. Let my love heal you."
He knelt in front of me as Alaric slammed the door open, catching the four of them naked in bed. They witnessed as Adam proposed to me, and I said yes, but he wasn't the only one.
Next was Charles. He said, "Honey, my love, let me be your husband. This time, no Salvatore can make me divorce you. No other dimension shall separate us. And from what we have learned, I will be your protector, as I want to be."
After him, the boys also proposed again.
Then, Demon said, "I don't want anyone else's husband but yours. Without you in our lives, everything is so cheap and meaningless. But with you, I feel like I have an actual soul. I am a creature capable of loving, not just a sex toy to be used."
I said yes to all of them. By that time, the Salvatores had gotten dressed. Damon regretted something, and Mariella was freaked out. I locked eyes with number two, who had betrayed me, and let him feel it. As for number four, he meant nothing to me.
Damon tried to explain, "Listen, baby, listen to me. I spoke without thinking. I was just..."
He didn't have time to finish his sentence as Alaric punched him in the nose.
Damon pressed his finger into his split lip before it healed and said, "I deserved that, and much more... God, what a mess. Believe me, baby, I didn't mean to..."
I just scoffed. Wulfe still held onto me tightly, shaking with rage. We walked away without saying a word.
After a while, I said, "Well, let's see what you guys have to do and see who wins this round. I'll give you a few lessons on interior decoration, but I won't apply them to my own rooms. So, this is me talking and doing the opposite."
Wulfe nodded and said, "Fine, I'm sure I will win."
He was starting to calm down a little, and I had four fiancés with me, making sure that my broken heart didn't suffer.
But I was forcefully pushed against the wall and kissed passionately. However, now that Mimosa and Shadow were present, they also received their fair share of kisses. It wasn't just those four who kissed me; everyone did, including Wulfe. Oh my god, he wanted to devour me. He was so eager and pressed his pelvis against me, causing me to feel the strain in his jeans. Our encounter would be unlike anything else.
As I glanced around the room we had entered, the team presented it to us. Mimosa and I both expressed our thoughts. Tim and Taylor lacked vibrancy, while Adam and Charles were lacking in creativity. Magnum didn't grasp the concept of pure colors, and Alaric's design was too muted. Colin played it too safe with his pastel colors, although there were nods to his leprechaun theme scattered here and there, like little four-leafed gloves and a few posters. Murdock and Dexter received praise from Mimosa due to the treats and the large wolf-sized bed, but again, the colors were lacking.
Wulfe, on the other hand, had a large room with a vibrant red back wall, a blue windowsill and yellow window board, a black floor, white curtains, and bright green bedding. There was also a huge cabinet filled with treats and a spacious wolf bed for Mimosa's wolf form. What caught my attention, aside from his bold use of colors, was the unique placement of the table at a diagonal angle instead of traditional. There were five chairs, each one distinct. Mimosa was particularly fond of this room.
Wulfe emerged as the winner, and I said, "Fine, I promised you a lesson. Are you ready?" Adam replied, "Incoming..."
I noticed Damon, Mariella, number two, and number four approaching us with puzzled expressions. Mariella seemed on the verge of saying something as she examined the room that Wulfe had decorated. My guess was that it had originally been decorated by Mariella.
Number one asked in a neutral tone, "What are you doing?"
I explained, "Did you know I am an interior decorator? I got my credentials during that period of separation, when Damien killed me for the first time. I have had little opportunity to practice, as I have my own unique way of decorating. However, we have a little game going on. One of us acts as the client, and they tell us what they want for their room. Our teams then decorate the room based on the client's preferences. Mimosa, Shadow, and I act as judges. In this round, Wulfe won by following Mimosa's directions. I promised my teams lessons after each round, so they received a few pointers."
Number two spoke up, suggesting, "Do you have space for more participants? It sounds like fun, and maybe we could decorate the house a little more."
Mariella seemed dissatisfied, but a sharp look from number one silenced her.
He turned to me and said, "What do you think, baby? Can we join in?"
I replied to them, saying, "This is a group activity, so no one is excluded. If you want to join, you're more than welcome."
Mariella asked uncertainly, "Can I be a judge, along with the wolves?"
I nodded in agreement.
Wulfe remarked smugly, "We have karaoke planned for the evening and night, so don't be surprised when we belt out some songs."
Number one added, "Oh, karaoke? Well, count us in then."
Adam turned to Damon and asked, "Since you still have Mimi's radar, what's a safe amount of white or sparkling wine for her? Charles and I are bartenders, so we'll know what kind of cocktails to make."
Number two said calmly, "We'll look into that when the time comes. And remember, it's just talk for now, nothing more."
I chose not to reply and instead continued leading them to the next floor. As we explored, I came across a room that Mariella had decorated, but it had some flaws.
I pointed it out, saying, "Come inside, take a look around, and then we'll step out for a bit."
They examined the room for a few minutes before withdrawing to the corridor to wait. Once everyone was out, I closed the door and turned to Murdock.
I asked him, "Tell me three details you noticed in that room."
He frowned, trying to recall, "There were grey curtains... and a table..."
I interrupted him, realizing that I had seen a room that Mimosa had decorated, which was a good example.
I said, "Now come this way."
I opened the door and let everyone in. After a quick tour, I asked the same question to number four, this time about the room we were just in.
Without hesitation, he replied, "There was a fun little red round table, huge ornate candle holders on the mantle, and the curtains were a satin shade of blue, just like your eyes."
I nodded and explained, "This is called the rule of three. It means that in a well-designed room, there should be three focal points or details that draw the eye in. In this colorful room, the color is one of those details, but there are others as well. As you noticed, when the rule of three is done right, the room becomes something memorable."
Mariella nodded and said, "I understand. My room is too dull, too beige."
I nodded in agreement and replied, "Look at it with your energy gaze. You want the energy to twist and swirl, not just flow too calmly. Otherwise, it will feel like a hotel room."
Damon noticed the briefcase I was carrying and asked, "What's that for?"
I explained, "It's my official decorating kit. I haven't used it much, but it might be helpful for others."
I placed it on the table as we returned to Mariella's room. I noticed that Elena, Katherine, and the other Salvatores were also there. The whole pack was present. I took out different folders, showcasing colors and combinations. There were these cardboard rounds that you could move to select your primary color, and at the bottom was a little window that showed complimentary colors. I had a few of them, so I let anyone who wanted them take a copy. The Salvatores were busy copying them. There were also folders for the rule of three, ideas on how to arrange things, in case they couldn't come up with their own.
I told them, "As I mentioned, I have my kit, but I haven't used it much. However, humans find it very useful. It's just a bit too safe for me, as I like to break the rules."
They nodded and waited for Wulfe to make his request.
He said, "I am an old vampire. I want a cave of sin, but not just a porn cave. There are other sins besides mere lust. I do like traditional vampire colors, but I want something that makes me feel like a living vampire, not just undead."
Oh, he knew how to be vague.
I asked him, "What are you going to do in your room?"
He replied, "Be a vampire. Do vampire things. Live my life. I watch TV and play console games. Just because I'm ancient doesn't mean I'm not up to date. I'm modern too."
Damon frowned as he tried to come up with a plan.
I encouraged them, saying, "Go ahead, find a room and make the client happy. Remember the rule of three and use those color wheels if you want. But remember, this is a home, not a hotel room."
Everyone went off to work in their rooms.
I told Wulfe and the girls, "Alright, let's continue making our karaoke room ready so we can have a lot of fun."
Wulfe went to the cellar to get more wines, liquors, and cheeses. We needed snacks, too.
Mariella suggested, "This game is really enjoyable. We should definitely do it again sometime, maybe even in a different house. And hey, perhaps you could be one of the decorators too."
In response, I replied, "Maybe, but I'm pretty confident I would be the winner. I have the experience that Damon always brags about, and I also have the education to back it up."
Mariella countered, "But he is a telepath, so he can probably see the vision that Wulfe had."
I glanced at her and asked, "Why are you so sure that he actually had a vision? Maybe he was just improvising and came up with this idea out of the blue. That's what makes it fun."
She pondered my words as we continued perfecting the karaoke room, while the rest of the group focused on decorating. I didn't mention my engagement with my four companions or our plans to move on from here, but deep down, I couldn't wait for the power inside me to be unleashed. It felt restless, but I knew the time would come and then we could continue our journey.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone