CHAPTER 31: Doubt

**ALICIA**

“Should I invite him in?”

“No! Wait!” I immediately told my aunt as I rushed towards the door, grabbing my cardigan. It’s a little late now and the sun has already set. I wasn’t sure why he was here nor if he is really indeed Akihiro.

“I’ll talk to him outside.” I told them as they are all in the living room while Akihiro is standing on the door. It’s no longer a myth, vampires really cannot get inside a house without an invitation.

“Is he your boyfriend?” Aunt asked me, surveying Akihiro who was looking at me now. He is the same Akihiro that I know…but my heart tells me that there is something wrong about him now which means he might not be Akihiro.

Can a vampire copy someone’s face now? I wasn’t really sure because I had never seen one, although I might see someone right now.

“No. He is the president of our club.” I replied, not really sure what Akihiro means to me. “Can I talk to him for a second? You might want to do something in the kitchen?” I said, hoping they would leave.

My aunt and uncle nodded and they both went to the kitchen. Although, I could feel that they are still watching me. They might have felt the danger I am feeling right now.

“Can I get in?”

“Uh, what are you doing here?” I ignored his question because I don’t know how to answer it. “You shouldn’t be here. It’s already evening and I want to rest after witnessing what happened. Can we talk tomorrow?” I said, still inside our house while he was standing on the porch.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

“The door is open if you want.” I replied. I wasn’t sure how to invite a vampire, but I guess it is safe as long as I don’t say the word invite. If Akihiro doesn’t want me to invite someone, he should explain it properly.

I wide opened the door for him to come and see if he could get inside. He didn’t move and just looked at me. His eyes darkened and at that moment I am sure that he isn’t Akihiro. My heart was beating so fast yet it wasn’t how it beats whenever I am with Akihiro. It’s dangerous. This person is another pureblood pretending to be him.

The question is, where is Akihiro? I am pretty sure he is in danger now. And, I don’t know how to help him!

“What are you waiting for?” I said, trying to hide my nervousness. I kept my hands on my back as it was already shaking. “You should want to come and talk inside. What’s keeping you from staying there?” I walked a bit far from the door in case he could grab me.

Again, he didn’t move and just stared at me.

After a minute, he smirked. “That’s interesting, Ms. Reed.” He smiled at me as he turned his back, not pushing through inside our house. “I’ll see you around, then.”

I bent on my knees as soon as I closed the door. I cannot believe what just happened and I wished I could tell someone about it, but it is a risk because I need to hide the fact that I cannot remember anything.

I was about to walk away from the door when someone knocked. Oh, god! Who is this again?

I watched the door for a second until the door knob slowly opened and there…Ross! I immediately felt relieved upon seeing him. He looked at me confused.

“Why are you just standing at the door? You should have opened it?” He raised his brow.

“Why do you need to knock when you can just open it?”

“Well, I am paying respect to your aunt and uncle since they are here. I don’t want them to think I am a rude kid who doesn’t know how to knock, plus, can you at least help me? I brought our things now.”

I turned to his back and I saw our luggage so I helped him bring it inside. “Why did you bring a lot? Are you going to live here?”

He nodded. “Your mother and father wanted me to stay here longer than usual. I guess they worry too much about what is happening in the town right now, that is why they are keeping an eye on me.” He sadly smiled. “I think your parents still felt guilty because they weren’t able to do something about my parents.”

“It’s good, though. I also don’t want to worry about you.” I sincerely said, which made him raise his brow.

“Woah, what is happening to you? Are you falling for me? It’s not usual for you to say this.” He teased me. “Did you knock your head?”

“Shut up! Use the guest room. They already fixed it.”

“Alicia, is that Ross? We should eat now.” Aunt Luna called us. Ross closed the door after picking all his things and we both went to the kitchen.

“Aren’t we going to wait for Mom and Dad?” I asked. “What happened to them? Do you have any news about what happened in the university?”

“Let us just wait. Maybe they are still investigating it. For now, let’s eat so you can take a rest. I am warning you not to go out now. Just watch some movies.”

After eating, I went back to my room while Ross fixed his room. I felt relieved that he is just in the other door so I can call him whenever I need something or I feel like I am in danger.

I couldn’t sleep. I was contemplating if I am going to text Akihiro or not. What would I say that will not make them think that I know about vampires, that my memories weren’t erased? Perhaps, they already know about it.

I decided to text him about the script. After all, we need to start it. Although, I doubt because of all the things happening in the school. It might be postponed. Nevertheless, I still want to do the play.

He didn’t reply. So, I called him hoping that he would answer his phone. Unfortunately, he didn’t. I was already worried about him and I don’t know what to do. My parents are not yet home which makes me think there’s something wrong. They aren’t replying to me, either.

Okay, Alicia, you might want to check your best friend.

I walked out and knocked in the guest room to check Ross. He didn’t open the door, but I doubted if he was still sleeping so I opened it.

“Ross?” I called.

To my surprise, he isn’t inside. And, what’s more surprising is the fact that there’s blood on the floor.