Taming A Vampire

The first time I stepped into Wood Manor, the impression left on my mind was profound. I felt like this castle was either inhabited by demons or controlled by vampires. The castle's walls were built of white stone and covered in vines. The four-meter-high arched black iron gate looked devoid of warmth in the glow of the setting sun. Roses behind the gate bloomed in bright red, like solidified blood, while stone demons with wings sculpted on the walls and behind the gate appeared vivid and chilling. The main mansion was surrounded by walls, gates, flowers, and sculptures, emitting a strong sense of oppression despite its distant view. Ordinary people encountering such a terrifying mansion would either stay away or quickly take photos and leave. However, I was different because I had come here to apply for a job. I was in desperate need of money, a considerable amount of money that I couldn't gather even if I sold a kidney. However, if I could secure the job opportunity offered by the mansion's owner, at least in the short term, my financial problems could be temporarily resolved. "Where's the doorbell... Found it!" I discovered a black intercom on the stone wall to the right of the iron gate. Pressing the red button on top, I crossed my arms over my chest and waited for a response. The intercom emitted a faint electrical sound, followed by a strangely eerie voice of an elder: "Hello, this is Wood Manor. May I ask who's calling?" I hadn't anticipated such a polite response and was momentarily taken aback before I spoke, "Bella, Bella Thorn. I saw the recruitment advertisement you placed in the newspaper. Was it your publication?" The elder replied, "If you're referring to the advertisement in the 11th edition of 'Today New York,' seeking healthy and energetic females aged between twenty and twenty-five, offering a yearly salary of six hundred thousand dollars, health insurance, and accommodation, then yes, it was placed by our manor." I added, "I can't remember which edition it was, but the content was as you described. Are you still in need of additional staff?" Nervously pinching my arm, I thought to myself. I had sold my car and had to travel on foot or hitchhike, which took nearly twice as long to reach the manor. "Please, you still need people, please, you still need people, please, please still need people!" I anxiously shouted in my mind, even though I wasn't a regular churchgoer, it seemed that God had answered my plea. "Coincidentally, we do need additional hands." The elder's response came through the intercom, and at the same time, the black iron gate swung open: "I will open the gate for you. Please walk down the rose garden, and I'll be waiting at the main entrance of the castle." "Thank you!" I lightly tapped the intercom with my hand, then bent over and picked up the suitcase at my feet. Before the gate had fully opened, I squeezed through the gap and rushed toward the vague main mansion at the end of the garden. The main mansion was initially just a blurry figure, but as I moved forward, it became clearer. This castle seemed to have stepped out of a European film, with its gray-blue walls resembling unfurled bird wings. The twin turrets on either side reached for the sky, and the window frames, eaves, and stone railings on the top floor were all intricately carved with patterns. At the top of the steps leading to the main entrance stood an elderly man dressed in a brown suit. As he saw me, he smiled and said, "You've got quite the stamina to run from the gate all the way here." I replied, "Stamina has always been my strong suit." Then I extended my hand towards him and asked, "Call me Bella. And you are...?" The old man shook my hand, introducing himself, "I am Joseph Sebastien, the steward of Wood Manor. It's a pleasure to meet you." I responded, "I'm pleased to meet you too. I mean, I'm very much in need of this job." "I can tell." Joseph released my hand, turned to open the gate, and said, "It's not convenient to chat here. Please follow me. We'll discuss matters slowly in the 'Flower Hall.'" I wasn't sure what the Flower Hall was, probably a hall adorned with flowers, but without hesitation, I followed Joseph through the threshold and onto the corridor adorned with scenic paintings and fairy sculptures. After a few turns, we arrived at what Joseph referred to as the 'Flower Hall.' My guess was half right. The Flower Hall was indeed filled with flowers, but these flowers weren't real; they were embroidered onto Persian rugs, antique sofas, ceilings, and paintings using thread, paint, and carving tools. "Oh my, come out and let me explore this scene from a European aristocratic film." This thought suddenly flashed in my mind, and I couldn't help but chuckle. Although the laughter was soft, it immediately caught Joseph's attention. I quickly waved my hand, saying, "It's okay, it's okay. I just remembered a friend. If she were here, she'd definitely scream and go crazy taking photos." "You can take photos to show her." "I would love to, but I sold my phone before coming here." I shrugged. "That's unfortunate. Miss Bella, please have a seat." Joseph pointed to a black walnut coffee table and three sofas in the center of the Flower Hall. Two three-seater sofas faced each other, and a single-seater sofa was positioned with its back to the entrance. Glancing at the three sofas, I didn't think for too long and chose the single-seater sofa to sit on. Feeling the softness of the cushion, I was surprised. However, suddenly, two white arms holding tea cups, a teapot, and porcelain plates appeared on both sides. Startled, I jumped up from the sofa and took a few steps back. Two tall and slender maids in brown tailcoats and aprons had suddenly appeared on either side of the antique sofa. They had golden hair tied up with lace headbands, delicate features, but no expression. "Lia, Jess!" Joseph approached the two maids and rebuked, "I've reminded you many times not to approach the guests silently. Have you forgotten again?" The twin maids, Lia and Jess, exchanged glances and then nodded together, indicating that they had forgotten. "You..." Joseph rubbed his temple and caught me looking at him, he immediately changed his tired expression and smiled again, "I apologize for the inconvenience. These two are our new trainee maids, Lia Ward and Jess Ward." "Hello." I nodded at the twins, then focused my attention on the teapot, tea cups, and plate of macarons in front of me. After giving new instructions to the twin maids, Joseph turned and walked over to the three-seater sofa on Leo's right-hand side. He bent over, picked up the teapot, and poured tea, saying, "Normally, I should have asked whether you preferred coffee or tea and prepared the drinks accordingly. However, I'm currently in the mood for tea, so I hope you don't mind joining me for some Earl Grey." "It's fine, I don't mind." I picked up the bone china tea cup, half full, and quickly drank the tea in one gulp, saying, "I've walked several miles, and I'm incredibly thirsty. I could drink any kind of water right now." "...Should I be glad you didn't use poison as an example?" Joseph raised an eyebrow teasingly. I froze suddenly, stuttering for a while before finally managing to say, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean... I apologize." "I know you didn't mean it that way. I was just joking." Joseph smiled cheerfully, then placed the teapot back on the coffee table, took out a booklet, a pen, and reading glasses from his coat, and sat down on the sofa. He seemed to transition back to an interview mode. I hurriedly put down the tea cup, straightened my posture, and looked at Joseph attentively. Finally, after a thirty-minute Q&A session, Joseph regained his initial smile and clapped his hands, saying, "Congratulations, you've passed the first stage of the interview." "Thank God!" I jumped up from the sofa in excitement, then quickly realized and put my hands down, asking, "Wait, did you say the first stage? So, there's a second stage?" Joseph nodded, "Yes, the second stage will be a personal interview with the master of the manor, the owner of this estate. However, the master is a busy person, so we'll have to wait until his work settles down for the interview." "I can wait!" I said eagerly. "I'll inform the master." Joseph smiled and put away the booklet and reading glasses, standing up with the support of the sofa armrest, "It's getting dark. If you don't mind, you can stay here for the night. I'll have Lia and Jess bring dinner to your room. Do you have any dietary restrictions?" "I'll eat anything!" I replied with a bright smile, watching Joseph walk out of the Flower Hall. Then I turned my head to the teapot, tea cups, and the plate of macarons in front of me and grabbed the teapot handle and plate, gobbling up the tea and pastries.