Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 128(@200wpm)___ 102(@250wpm)___ 85(@300wpm)
A real estate agent freelancing for Rosethorne has also joined us to conduct a house tour, and my parents have been oohing and aahing over every feature.
A living room that comes with a state-of-the-art massage chair? Ooooh.
A dining room with a huge table that can comfortably fit a dozen guests? Aaah.
Four bedrooms with its own en-suites each, plus a whirlpool bath in the master's? Oooh la la.
And so it goes, with my parents almost oohing-and-aahing themselves into hoarseness by the time the agent completes her tour.
"We're also just a short drive away from the school's innermost set of gates," the woman says in closing, "while Rosethorn Lake is within walking distance. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to give me a call."
I smile and wave goodbye along with my parents, but as soon as the agent drives off, I turn to Eros and ask, "Are you seriously—-"
Hugh cuts me off, saying, "I think what our daughter means to say is 'generous'. We are beyond grateful for your generosity—-"
"And please do excuse her outburst," Leslie apologizes. "She just has this adorable tendency to overreact in the presence of extremely attractive people."
I roll my eyes, and Eros' lips twitch.
"We've gotten used to it, though," Hugh shares, "being extremely attractive ourselves."
"I completely understand," Eros says solemnly.
"Oh, for heaven's—-"
"Anyway..." Hugh smiles encouragingly at my god before looking at me. "Would you care to introduce us, Halyna?"
The words throw me off, and I clear my throat to buy myself some time. "Um...Dad, Pops, this is..."
"Your lover whose female acquaintance makes you jealous?" Hugh asks courteously.
Leslie eyes my god contemplatively. "No, I think not. He looks more like the professor with benefits—-"
Eros chokes, and I just want to die.
"Dad! Pops!"
I love these two still, but I think it's time I have them shipped off to the UK for my sanity. I'm sure they'll fit right in, with their annoyingly dry sense of humor.
"Oh, come on, pumpkin." Hugh rolls his eyes. "Did you really think we were buying it when you told us you had a friend named Bella, and she's torn between a mysterious millionaire named Edward and a professor named Jacob?"
Well, that does it.
I officially need a portal back to the Old World, pronto.
Eros shakes hands with my parents. "Halyna has told me a lot about you." My god flashes a smile as he speaks, and the sight makes my toes curl even though I still want to die of embarrassment.
"I'm Professor Lucious—-"
Leslie looks at Hugh and me smugly. "Knew it."
"But you can also call me Jacob," my god finishes.
I groan while my parents laugh, and that's also the same time we hear a car screech into a stop outside the house.
My parents glance at us. "Are you expecting someone?"
I shake my head just as I hear Eros speak in my mind.
It's Isabella.
I look at him in shock. What is she doing here?
My god's lips tighten as he scans the other woman's thoughts. She heard her parents arguing. Someone apparently sent photos of you and me in my human guise to Gelar.
Isabella starts knocking on our door, and Hugh opens it.
The half-nymph is still her usual glamorously beautiful self, and I give her props for being polite as she introduces herself to my parents.
"I'm Rosethorne's guidance counselor," Isabella says with a brittle smile, "and I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have an urgent matter to discuss with Professor Lucious."
Eros gives my hand a squeeze. I need to speak to her.
I'd also like to hear what she has to say.
My god visibly hesitates, and the smile that curves over my lips feels as brittle as Isabella's.
If you don't want me to hear what she has to say, it's fine.
No, of course not. I am not hiding anything from you.
Eros' grip on my hand tightens, and the pain in my chest eases a little.
It's going to be alright, I tell myself.
But I'm sadly mistaken, with Isabella lashing out at me as soon as the three of us step outside.
"This is your fault, you bitch!"
Eros' gorgeous face hardens. "Apologize to her this instant."
Isabella's expression turns defiant. "Why should I when it's the truth?"
"You do not want to disobey me on this," my god warns.
But the half-nymph doesn't even seem to hear a word he's saying, with her wrathful green eyes now turned towards me. "Lucious might have to face trial because of you," she screams. "If something happens to him, I swear I'll—-"
"Enough, Isabella."
The half-nymph charges towards me, but when Eros is forced to let go of my hand to block her from reaching me, that's when she throws herself in his arms and bursts into tears.
"Don't you understand? Can't you see the danger you're in? You could die, Lucious," Isabella sobs. "If our Master believes that you're having an affair with her, he can choose to kill you, and you won't be able to save yourself!"