AUDREY

I thanked the principal half-heartedly before making my way out of her office. I took a deep breath trying to calm my nerves, truth be told I was uncertain of what I was doing her.

I never saw myself coming back here, Ivol Hills, I was born here or so I believed. My life has been from one misery to another, I am something out of the ordinary, something that defies all laws of science, an anomaly.

Centuries ago I was blessed with a chance at peace, a chance to leave behind all my suffering. There and then I had concluded that my story was over but I couldn't have been more wrong, it was just beginning.

Walking past what I assumed was the lounge, I couldn't help but feel uneasy, the questioning eyes of the students seemed to bore holes into my soul as though I was being judged for all my shortcomings or maybe it was just my paranoia working me up again. Either way I didn't want to be here.

' hey ' a voice came from behind, I turned to see a girl about 18 or more, it didn't take me more than a second to drink in her features. Her face was well rounded, her hair was in thick curls, her skin though not too dark was tanned, she was a bit in the chubby side but all and all, she was beautiful.

' hey I replied curtly '

She reminded me of a certain someone, a person dear to my heart and the reason I was harbouring so much guilt.

' Audrey right '

She asked her face buried in whatever book she was reading, she scribbled some words on it before raising her head to meet mine. With a warm smile graced on her lips she extended her hands to meet mine.

' I'm Kale your student liaison, I'll be responsible for you here, just think of me as your guard '

I abridged the distance between us taking her hands and we shook lightly. The way her eyes glitter with every smile, her facial expressions, heck even her physically features were in semblance to Valeria. I shoved the thought to the back of my head and we both proceeded in to the boarding house.

She briefed me on the school's history apparently the school was the oldest standing building in Ivol Hills and it used to be the manor of the Duke in the late 1700.

She gave me a personal tour round the school not that I needed it anyway, I already knew everything about the school, though a few things had been renovated but it was all still in place just the way it was 321 years ago. I suddenly felt a wave of fear wash over me, shuddering at his memories ROMAN .

FEBRUARY 1700

Striding along the path leading to the Duke's manor, I had to lift my dress a tad upward. The entire pathway was befuddled with mud, I would have taken a carriage if I had the luxury to afford one, I was still ecstatic nonetheless.

Earlier today the Duke had invited the town's best artist to paint a portrait of his special guest.

The ' special guest ' had arrived weeks ago but no one had seen him yet and to think I would be getting a chance to see him drove me to cloud nine.

After what seemed like a few torturous hours, I arrived at the manor, went through an extensive search by the guards and I was finally let in.

The manor was packed with sluts hanging around every corner, The Duke was seated at his supposed throne, I walked over to him and bowed in courtesy. As expected he gave no reply but instead signalled me to the room by his right.

The room was dimly lit but it's interior was baroque. There was a king sized bed at the right side of the room and a fluffy cushion by its side.

Even in the darkness I could see a man's figure standing by the window. It did take me long to figure this was the' special guest ' . I walked towards him slowly, sniffing the air around him, his cologne was exquisite.

' g.. good day sir, I'm the artist, I was called here to paint your portrait '

I stuttered, he remained silent and after a few seconds he turned around to face me.

To say I was enthralled was an understatement, I was awestruck by his masculine beauty. From his perfectly sculptured face to his abs and toned muscles.

' if you're done staring you can begin, I don't have much time to waste ' he said with acuity and I lowered my gaze slightly abashed.

I took out my materials and spread out a clean sheet all the while stealing glances at his direction.

There was something about him, something ominous, he gave out a cold and baleful aura. He caught me severally trying steal glances at him.

I couldn't help myself though, he was by far the most handsome man I had ever seen.