Whispers of the Damned

I'm wearing the best dress I bought, the one Theo bought me two years ago for my birthday because he didn't know what to get me. It's pretty, simple, and not too fancy. A cream-colored midi dress with green floral accents on the flouncy bottom, a slightly high chest that didn't expose too much of my skin, and spaghetti straps on my shoulders.

After giving it a little wave at the bottom of my hair, I let it down and made my makeup natural. Don't be too flashy, I told myself.

Stepping out of the room after finishing putting on my shoes, grabbing my small purse, and picking up a small gift box for Jason's parents, I found Jason sitting on the sofa chair. He looked up and looked at me while raising an eyebrow. I spun around in front of him, showing him my appearance. "How do I look?" I asked him.

He shook his head slowly with a big smile. "I can't believe this," he sighed harshly. "So pretty. Absolutely gorgeous."

I tilted my head, "Thank you. You're handsome too." I said as he stood up. He wore a black suit and jeans, and his blond hair was neat. Not too much, but he was already handsome.

"Thanks, baby." He came closer and kissed the top of my head. "I'd kiss your lips but you'd throw a tantrum about your messy lipstick."

"I'll kick your ass if you do," I chuckled softly.

He chuckled. "Ready?"

I bit my lip and shook my head. "A little nervous."

"Just relax, Baby. They won't bite you." He said as he walked me out of the villa.

The view of the sun about to set on the horizon was so beautiful that I turned around for a while just to look at it. "Don't you realize who your family is, huh? Bernardi...." I grimaced and looked back at Jason.

"Yeah, we're not cruel like most," he chuckled softly. "Take it easy. There's me. If anyone dares to say anything that makes you uncomfortable, I'll be here." I smiled as he stroked my face lightly. "You're already very beautiful. Don't diminish that with this nervous face,"

I scowled and got into the car as he opened the door for me. He closed the door when I was inside and sat in the passenger seat beside him. My eyes returned to staring at the beautiful horizon even after Jason pressed the gas. The scenery along the coast is gorgeous. The few times I spent time at the beach in California, I never stopped being amazed by the beach. Actually I always sucker for any beach, I love the beach and all things nature, and I dislike cities. That's why when my dad offered me to settle in Las Vegas, Boston, or San Francisco, I chose San Francisco. It was the city option that was close to the beach. The rest was just a boring city. I would spend a long time going to refresh my mind or healing.

We drove through the streets on the outskirts of the beach, just a short distance from Jason's villa. It only took fifteen minutes.

My eyes gazed at the luxurious, upright wooden villa at the very end of Venice Beach. It was upright, luxurious, and elegant, but it had simple accents, like in the villa where I was staying.

Goosebumps crept up my stomach, nervousness stirring my nonexistent confidence. "Jason," I called softly. I looked up at him, who was smiling calmly.

He took my hand romantically and gently kissed the back of it. I took a breath and let it out softly.

It had been so long that I was in the midst of strangers without anyone I knew with me. If at parties I was always stick to Theo, Damien, or Mama, now I could only be stick to Jason.

"Promise not to leave me. You have to stay with me, Jason."

He laughed low. "Yes, baby. Yes," he said, calming me down. "I can wait for you to calm down, and then we can go in."

I swallowed and looked at the house, filled with so many people who were definitely not ordinary people. They could be the old money that drives the world economy.

Some were outside, and some were inside, and I didn't know how to enter without being seen.

I sighed, squeezed Jason's hand in mine, and exhaled again. "Vamos," I said softly.

<<<

My heart was beating fast in my chest, and my hands were sweaty because I was so nervous. Beside me, Jason squeezed my hand lightly, telling me that I would be fine through his eyes. So many people, with their elegant and luxurious style, made me nervous.

It was really suffocating in here.

"We're going to meet my parents in person."

I bit my lip. "I'm afraid they won't like my gift," I mumbled as we passed through the front of the house to the door on the other side that led outside, on the beachfront.

"They'll be happy, Baby. Don't think too much." He laughed amusedly.

"Yeah, I tried." I swallowed.

He led me out the back porch to the venue. It was like a slow and simple beach party. Soft music could be heard, and I resisted my chest bound by the tight rope as we approached a middle-aged couple talking to another couple. "Sorry to bother you, Mr. and Mrs. Norris," Jason politely interrupted their conversation. "I wanted to introduce a special guest to my mom and dad." He continued.

"Oh, what a surprise!" The woman I guessed to be Mrs. chuckled softly and then led her husband away after saying, "Well, it's your turn, little Bernardi. We'll see the rest of the guests."

Meanwhile, Jason's parents excitedly looked at me with soft, broad smiles.

"Papa, Mama.. this is Daniella Gomez, my girlfriend." Jason said.

I could feel my face heating up.

"Nice to meet you, Daniella." Jason's mother, Mrs. Bernardi, greeted me warmly. Her bright green eyes radiated warmth and sincerity, lessening my slight nervousness.

"Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Bernardi, Mr. Bernardi," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite my racing heart. I handed over the small gift box I had prepared. "Here's a little gift for you, I hope you like it."

"Oh, thank you, dear," Mr. Bernardi said with a friendly smile, accepting the box. "You didn't bother, but we really appreciate it."

I smiled shyly, relieved that they seemed so lovely. Jason hugged my shoulder gently, giving me a boost of courage. "Daniella chose it herself," he said proudly.

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"That's very sweet," Mrs. Bernardi said. "We're so glad Jason brought such a caring and sweet girlfriend like you. Let's enjoy this party together."

The four of us walked towards the party area, where people gathered, talked, and laughed. Soft music plays in the background, adding to the beautiful beach atmosphere in the twilight. "Do you like the beach, Daniella?" asks Mrs. Bernardi as she takes my drink and hands it to me.

"Yes, very much," I answer honestly.

"So do we," says Mr. Bernardi. "We spend a lot of time here, enjoying the natural beauty and the quiet atmosphere. I hope you'll feel at home."

I smiled, feeling their kindness and friendliness. Slowly but surely, my nervousness began to subside. Jason, always beside me, looked at me with tenderness and support, making me feel stronger.

We continued to chat with Jason's parents, getting to know each other better. They told me about Jason's childhood, funny stories, and good memories that made us all laugh. I felt more comfortable and started to enjoy the time we spent together.

"Jason always talks about how special you are, Daniella," Mrs. Bernardi said. "We can see why he loves you so much. You really are a wonderful woman."

It was too soon to draw conclusions about me, but I felt flattered and a little embarrassed by the compliment. "Thank you very much, Mrs. Bernardi. I also feel very special to be Jason's girlfriend. He's very kind," I replied.

Mrs. Bernardi chuckled softly. "Have you met Illiza and Zane?" she asked.

I shook my head.

"Ah, where are they?" Jason asked. "I haven't seen them."

"Illiza must be busy with her friends. Maybe Zane too." Jason's father replied.

"When you see them both, be sure to introduce Daniella to them," Jason's mom said, then smiled at me. "They are very curious about the woman who can conquer their brother."

I smiled at that. Again, shy overcame me.

"Okay, Mom."

"We will greet the other guests, then." Jason's mom said, patting my arm twice. "Enjoy the party and the food, Daniella."

I nodded and watched as the two of them went back to greet the other guests.

"Red wine or white wine?" Jason asked.

"Red." I answered quietly.

Jason nodded and took the red wine from the waiter who passed us. I took it and took a small sip,

"How was it? They didn't bite, did they?" Jason asked, raising his eyebrows to tease me.

I smiled, "No." I replied with a slight chuckle. "Turns out they're not vampires."

We laughed, and he wrapped his arm around my waist, taking another sip of his red wine. "Let's go get something to eat. I'm hungry."

"So this is your girlfriend, Stronzo?"

The voice from behind us made me stiffen.

It wasn't the usual surprise. It was because the voice was so familiar, so recognizable to all my nerves. My smile faded, but I didn't turn around while Jason already did.

He guided me to turn around.

I did so only because I was curious about why that voice was so similar to that of the man who haunted my nights.

And.. he is...

Blood seemed to flow from my face.

A brutal jolt shot through me so violently when I saw who was in front of me. Smiling sweetly. The smile that he once gave me.

The smile that brought me to hell.

Danzel. 

"This is Zane Bernardi, my brother." Jason's words hit my ears like a hurricane.

My heart beats chaotically with the shock that assaults me.

"Daniella," his voice as he called me was precisely the same as it had ever been. The man in front of me tilted his head before offering his hand. "I'm Zane Bernardi. Nice to meet you Daniella." The hell beneath my feet seemed to collapse.

Zane bernardi...

Danzel.

Someone who once destroyed my world... it can't be him.

He couldn't possibly be my boyfriend's brother.