Bride of the vampire
Chapter twenty one

[AUTHOR POV]

Max took another swig from his drink, the burning sensation in his throat providing a temporary distraction from the turmoil inside him. He couldn't believe what had happened, how his own father could betray him like this. The pain was unbearable, as if his heart was being consumed by an invisible fire.

As the tears streamed down his face, Max couldn't help but wonder what Damien would think of him now. Would he see Max as a son of betrayal, just like his father? The thought haunted him, adding to the weight of his already heavy heart. Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through his thoughts. "Oh, I didn't expect to see you here, Max Santiago," Aiden said, smirking as he took a seat beside him. Max's anger flared up at the intrusion, and he yanked Aiden's hands off his body, his frustration boiling over.

"What's wrong?". He said, as soon as he noticed his teary eyes.

"Mind your own business," Max snapped, his voice laced with anger and pain. He didn't need anyone's sympathy or pity, especially not from someone like Aiden.

But Aiden, always the persistent one, refused to back down. "You can think of me as a friend for tonight," he assured Max, his voice softer now.

Max hesitated for a moment, his anger slowly subsiding.

"Someone once told me that keeping your problems to yourself can make you sick from stress. They said that sharing your problems with someone can help solve them, and if you don't talk to someone, you'll just continue to blame yourself," Aiden said, trying to comfort him.

Max looked at him, wishing they weren't enemies. Max sighed.

"Recently, I've come to realize the harsh reality of life. Not everyone is who you think they are. It's heartbreaking when you admire and think highly of someone, only to be disappointed by their actions," Max exclaimed.

"I couldn't believe he could do that to us, his own family. How could he be so selfish? We could have found a solution together. I trusted him the most, respected and idolized him like he was a god. If he knew he was going to betray us, then why did he ask me to be Damien's right-hand man? Why? What will Damien think of me now?" Max sobbed silently.

Aiden looked at him with pity. He wanted to hug him, comfort him, and assure him that everything would be alright. He hated seeing Max like this. He loved the strong, stubborn, and fierce Max.

Max continued to drink, trying to drown his sorrows.

"Come on, Max, drinking won't solve your problems," Aiden said, holding his hands to stop him from drinking.

"He's in trouble because of me, and I can't do anything to help," Max slurred in a drunken state.

"Tell me, what should I do, huh?" He tapped Aiden in a drunken manner.

"Get up, I'll take you to a room," Aiden said firmly.

Aiden helped Max up, booked a room, and guided him to it.

"You're so handsome, you know," Max said, kissing Aiden's cheeks.

"I love the way your touch ignites a fire within me. Your voice alone has the power to send shivers down my spine. You make me yearn for things that society tells me I shouldn't desire." Max leaned in and kissed him passionately, their lips melding together in a moment of intense connection.

"That day you pushed me away, it hurt more than I can express," Max admitted, his voice tinged with sadness.

"I'm truly sorry for hurting you. If only you had opened up and shared your pain, I wouldn't have asked you to leave. Your stubbornness can be frustrating, but it's also part of what I love about you," Aiden confessed, his eyes filled with affection and regret.

"Please, help Damien," Max pleaded, gently cupping Aiden's face in his hands. Their lips met once again, this time with a fervent passion that conveyed their deep love and desire for one another.

Splash!!!!!

*********

The icy tendrils of water cascaded down from the bucket, drenching Damien's face in a chilling embrace.

He had fainted earlier, succumbing to the overwhelming force of the electric shock coursing through his body. The intense surge of electricity had seized his muscles, rendering him helpless and causing his consciousness to fade into darkness. Yet, even in the face of such agony, not a single sound escaped his lips, no cry of pain or plea for mercy.

"I'm starting to think you're a god of pain," Don chuckled, his eyes gleaming with sadistic delight.

Damien leaned back in his chair, the electric currents coursing through it, yet he showed no signs of fear or discomfort.

"Even though you're sitting on an electric chair, you still refuse to beg for mercy. Isn't it wonderful?".

"Tell me where she is?" Don demanded, his grip on Damien's jaw tightening, forcing him to meet his gaze. Damien could feel the pressure, the pain, but he refused to show any weakness. He spat in Don's face, a defiant smirk playing on his lips. "This is your chance to kill me," Damien taunted, his voice laced with a mixture of arrogance and confidence. "Or it might be too late for you." He winked, a silent challenge to Don's authority.

Unbeknownst to Don, the effects of his power were slowly waning, dissipating into the air.

Damien could feel his own powers surging through his veins, a potent force waiting to be unleashed. However, his body remained weak, unable to fully harness the immense power within him. But that didn't mean he wouldn't seize the opportunity to rid the world of this despicable man.

Suddenly, gunshots echoed from outside, shattering the tense atmosphere. Don's eyes widened in surprise, his command faltering for a moment.

"Who the heck is that? Go check," Don ordered his men, his voice laced with a hint of uncertainty.

But before his men could even move, a voice rang out, cutting through the chaos. "No need to check. I am already in!".