10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Ethan

I knew she would love the place. I was sure of it. I brought Lily to our special, secret place. A treehouse in my father's gothic estate.

I thought if she came there with me, she'd remember how things used to be between us. She was the only girl who'd ever made me feel that way. She made me feel like everything would be all right.

Another reason I brought her here would be this terrible need to have her all to myself and question her on so many things.

"I can't believe this," she says as she gets out of the car, her eyes mesmerized by the sight.

"Do you like it?" I ask and follow her. I like the way she walks.

She is so attractive, and the bare sight of her from this morning is living rent-free in my head. She walks towards the oak tree and looks up at the treehouse.

"I have almost forgotten that this place still exists," she gasps

"Of course, it still does. I can't remember the last time I have been here, though," I say, folding my arms, and watching her every reaction.

"You've had this place since you were a kid, Ethan. It's always been one of my favorite places to be. Good times," she says, letting out a big sigh.

It was the one thing we had that no one else did, something no one knew about. Lily and I had our own treehouse.

We used to meet here whenever we wanted to escape from the world. She would bring a blanket, a torch, and a book. Then, we'd lie there, cuddle up together, reading and talking for hours.

"Do you want to climb up and check the view?" I ask and smile as I remember how she used to be scared of climbing up the ladder. I had to hold both of her arms and guide her every step.

"Oh, no. God, no," she says, her voice getting a bit shaky.

"Are you still scared? This hasn't changed about you," I laugh. Lily has always feared heights. I guess that has remained the way it is.

"No. It's not that. I just think it's unsafe."

"It is not. Come on, Lily. Where is your sense of adventure? You've always had that," I say.

"Yes, but not when it comes to heights."

"It is but a few meters up, Lily."

"No, Ethan. Really, I can't. What if the ladder is damaged?" she says, her voice trembling.

"Are you serious? You are here with me and that means you are safe. You don't need to worry."

I walk to her and wrap my hands around her waist. She looks up at me the same way she used to do when she was in my arms and trusted me. Her eyes tell me that she knows I'm right. I lean down and kiss her. She smells so good, and her lips taste wonderful.

"Please, trust me," I whisper.

"Okay," she finally whispers.

I can't help but get flashbacks when Lily and I used to be in high school. Those were my happiest years; right before I turned into this doomed creature. I'm glad she can't see the mess inside of me. It's better if she remembers me as the boy I used to be, the boy who made her smile and kept her safe.

I take her hands and attempt to help her up, but she resists me. She is shaking, and I can't stop laughing.

"Don't laugh. You know I'm scared," she says and smiles.

"I'm sorry. I just can't help it. You haven't really gotten over your fear of heights, have you?"

"Is it that obvious?" she chuckles and tries to hide her face away from me. I love it when she gets shy and her face flushes red. It makes me want to hold her so close to me.

"It is all over your face. I kind of like it, though. It is adorable."

I look down and smile at her. I can see the fear in her eyes, and she looks adorable. She doesn't move, not an inch.

"I am a bit scared."

"I know," I tell her and quickly pick her up.

She lets out a little squeak and clings to me, her legs wrapping tightly around my waist. I carry her up to the tree house and put her down. She sits there and stares down. She doesn't move, so I sit next to her.

"What's that look on your face for?" I ask her.

"Did you just carry me all the way up here?"

"I suppose I just did," I shrug.

"That was really sweet. Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me, Lily," I say and wrap my arm around her shoulders.

"The real question remains: why are we here?"

I don't answer her right away. I don't even have a clear answer to that. I just wanted to bring her here and spend time with her. But I also wanted to confront her concerning her little secret identity, that I quickly figured out.

"I've told you already on the drive here. I thought you might enjoy the view," I lie, and look into her eyes.

"That's all?" she asks. I can hear her heart beating so fast.

"Maybe that's not all, but who am I to keep secrets from you? I have to tell you. We have never kept secrets from each other before, have we, Lily?" I ask, but a sudden wave of guilt hits me. I hope she can't see it from the way I'm acting. I hope I'm better at this than I think I am.

"Nope," she says, and I can't help but notice a tiny hesitation in her voice.

"Good." I smile at her and look away.

I have kept secrets before from Lily. She has no idea that I am not who she thinks I am. I might have kept the biggest secret from her. Being a vampire has changed me.

"There is one thing, though," she says, her eyes meeting mine.

"Tell me, Lily."

"I just want you to know that I don't appreciate lies, and I'm not going to accept them."

Her words cut deep inside my skin, but I smile and nod.

"I have a lot of questions for you," she adds.

"Shoot."

"Why have you been hiding all this time? Why haven't I seen you all these years? And where were you all this time? Where did you disappear off to?"

"Oh, God. All those questions. I'm not sure I have the answers for them," I say, and shrug my shoulders.

"Oh, I am sure you do, Ethan."

"Still. Lots of questions."

"Come on. Tell me. I deserve to know."

"Well, I can't lie. My reasons are personal. You have no idea what I have gone through, and I'd rather not talk about it," I say. I let out a long sigh and look into her eyes.

"Oh, come on."

"Way too many questions, Lily. I am serious about that," I laugh it off, and look at the bunk bed that we used to cuddle on.

"You were always so secretive. You know that?"

"I am sorry."

"It's okay," she says, and her facial expression changes.

"My turn to ask now."

"You can ask, but that doesn't mean I am answering anything," she says.

"Rude much?"

"I haven't gotten my questions answered, so what makes you think that I will answer yours?"

"I do like a little feisty attitude. I have but a single, harmless question," I tell her, my face getting closer to her ear.

"All ears," she rolls her eyes and looks back at me.

"What are the odds of you having a secret identity, Lily?"

"A what? You've lost me there," she laughs.

"I know your secret, Lily. You are the mysterious girl who goes around messaging people with dating advice for humble amounts of money," I whisper, and I can feel her shivering.

"Ethan, no."

"I can smell the guilt, Lily. It's all over your face," I whisper and gently touch her face with the tip of my fingers.

She doesn't say anything back. She just stares at me, her mouth slightly open, her eyes not meeting mine.

"Come on, admit it. I won't judge. I am just curious."

"How did you come up with such a theory? I am also curious to know."

"That doesn't matter, does it? Even you find it hard to believe?" I ask her, and gently caress her cheek.

"Well, yeah."

"Lily, you've always had a heart of gold, but I have a feeling that money is not the only reason. It's your passion, isn't it?"

"I'm not telling you a thing," she says, a tiny smile appearing on her face.

"Oh, you're such a tease."

"I am impressed with your critical thinking skills, Ethan Rothschild. But I am sure you've invested them in the wrong subject here."

"You haven't denied it yet," I tell her, gently stroking her hair behind her ears.

"I'm not saying a word. I'd rather keep my mouth shut and focus on what's more important," she says.

"Your eyes are giving you away."

"Oh yeah?"

"Certainly."

"That is kind of funny because I have always thought your eyes would do that instead, but aren't you just so good at keeping secrets too, Ethan?"

"Secrets?" I echo after her, my lips curling up into a smile.

"Yes. "Lots of them," she says and smiles.

I can't stop staring at her. There is something different about her, something that's making me want to lose control and have her all to myself.

There is also something sinister about the way her energy switched up, and the way she started talking to me.

"What's gotten into you?" I ask her and grab her hand.

"What do you mean?" she asks, taking her hand away.

"Are you interrogating me or something, Lily Snow?"

"I don't need to when I know the truth."

"Which is?"

"You have a dark secret, Ethan. You are hiding something from me, something you know I'd hate, something you don't want me to know about."

Her words take me by surprise. I hope she still has no idea about what I truly am. She must have heard something. Has she? The question is how? How did she find out?

"Lily, I-"

She suddenly stands up and flashes me a smile. She is so close to the wooden doorstep. I don't trust what she is doing. She has something planned. I know she does.

"Lily, what are you doing? Wait!"

"What do you think of the sunlight, Ethan? Isn't it gorgeous?"

"I assume it is. Why are you asking?"

"No reason. I just thought it looked beautiful."

"It does. But I prefer clouds."

"Does it have to do with your nature, Ethan Rothschild?" she asks, and I can't help but shiver at her words.

"What do you mean, Lily?" I ask. Her smile is sinister, and it is telling me no good.