Chapter 8
2331 Words
He takes my hand, entwining it in his as he drags me out of the store. We were in a huge mall. It wasn't that crowded and what's weird is that everyone we passed by to would stop and bow at us. They have smiles on their faces and some would whisper to each other as we pass by. Some would just look, stop, bow and then continue walking.
Were they all Vampires?
"Don't mind them Warren. Not all of them are Vampires though. Some are humans too, like you. Rich and influential humans that can be useful to us. Negotiating with businesses and stuff. We don't have business just within our kind. Our businesses are in your kind. The human world."
I nod at him, looking up at him and he has only a slight smile on as he tighten his hold on my hand. Something tells me he was aiming for his usual poker face but he can't stop smiling when he's with me. That made me smile too. He saw that and he smiled back at me. His air of authority and power faded as he did. He's not the rich or the powerful Vampire when he's with me. He's just Liam and that's what I am proud of. He's just Liam with me. Few weeks pass and Liam told me what he was. He was some kind of head in the Vampire Council and he owns lots of business and his family is rich to begin with. He doesn't tell me much. He'll talk when I eye stuff in his office with curiosity. He knows when I become curious. Liam can read me very well. I'm like an open book to him. Which is embarrassing. Even when I don’t speak.
I spoke his name before though, when - we sorta - kissed. Well, make out really. Since then he was more protective and never leave me alone. He'll take me wherever he goes and never let anyone touch me. When Marco glared at me when he went by the office, Liam screamed at him and let Marco apologized. That's his brother too. Liam's like that and weirdly I don't mind. He never even push me to speak again.
How can he do things so easily to make me fall for him more?
We went to a restaurant and had some dinner. He'll cut my food for me and even feed me. He always does that and I always just let him. I don't know. Maybe because he looks so happy feeding me, wiping my food off my mouth and forcing me to eat veggies. He takes care of me so much. Much more on how my late grandma did for me. Sometimes I would be so hesitant. Why did I stayed anyway? Even if he lets me. Beg for me. Even if I have feelings for him.
Was that enough to stay?
I wish I could repay him somehow. I could! But how?
"Here you go." He handed me some ice cream on a cone and I took it from him. Jumping a bit.
"You're so cute." He said with a chuckle. I pouted but I smiled when he patted my hair. I ate my ice cream and he entwine his hand with mine. I didn't mind. Even though he's a guy. Guess that doesn't matter now. Wait! It does.. Does it? I look like a child as he drags me. He was definitely taller. About 6'2. While I'm.. Don't ask.
I tug my hand off his making him look at me.
"What is it?" I ate the last bit of ice cream and swallowed. I cross my arms over my chest and glared at him and he look puzzled but he smiled as he wipe some ice cream off my face. I flinch a bit and push his hand off. His smile faded.
"What's wrong?" I look around and was about to walk away when he grabs my hand pulling me back. I felt my chest tighten when I saw the look on his face. He was hurt. Scared.
"Where are you going? Did I do something? Please don't go." He said. Rather.. Pleaded at me. I look down and sighed. Dragging him to a nearby bench, forcing him to sit down. He eyed me and I shake my head as I let go of his hand. I gesture for him to stay put. With my palms out facing him.
"I'm going with you. Where are you going? You don't even know this place. War--" I cut him off when I lean down to drop a peck on his lips.
I know I’m blushing so much right now.
I felt my cheeks heat up as I avoided his still confused glance. He was just staring at me. Biting on my lips. Contemplating to just tell him or just leave him here like this but… before I knew it, my mouth opens up to speak.
"Wait for me." I finally said.
My voice sounding so soft and quiet. It hurts my throat. Speaking after so long.
I then run off as fast as I can though I still heard him call out my name.
"R-Ren!!"
I look around so fixed in looking for something I can give Liam. I wanted to pay him back. Even though I don't know what are we nor why I feel so strongly for Liam. What I know is that I'm thankful and I wanted to give him something in return for his kindness.
My eyes widened and I almost hit my face on the glass as I stared at the small pendant that resembles my mom's music clock but much smaller in a size of a coin. It was beautiful, has a smoothened out blue gem forming the shape of the pendant. When the light hits it, it turns from blue to purple. The silver itself changes its color. I move my hand casting my shadow to cover the light and it turned blue again, making me release a short gasp in surprise. I found it. Something that Liam would love. Something that is like me.
I smiled but then my smile faded. I don't have money.
I hit my head and sighed.
Stupid.
Now what?
"You shouldn't hit yourself like that kiddo." I look up and was blinded by light. I stood up straight and rub my eyes.
"Don't rub your eyes like that too." Who's this man who keeps ordering me? He took my hand off and I felt his icy skin. Vampire.
I eyed him and something tells me that I saw him before. But where? He eyes me too. His eyes narrowing at me and then suddenly his eyes widens, as if he saw a ghost. I don’t know what he’s doing so I just focus on the pendant again with a frown forming on my face.
"D-Do you want it?" Did he stammer? I nod at him and showed him my empty pockets.
"You don't have money?" I nod and crouch down, my hands holding onto the glass while I stare at the pendant. Feeling miserable. The tall man with amazing long hair tap my shoulder and I stand up when he did.
"I can lend you some." My eyes beamed at him. I almost nod but I decided to shake my head. No. I can't owe someone rather than Liam. I know he will not like that.
"You don't want it?" I shook my head and his eyebrows furrows.
"Don't you speak?" I almost nod again but I stop myself before I do. I just look away and entered the store leaving the tall man. It's rude of me but I can't let Liam wait longer. I met the saleslady and pointed at the displayed pendant.
"That pendant sir?" She ask and I nod more enthusiastically that I would have.
"That's 10,000$ sir." What?! I almost choke at the price. The heck?! That expensive?!
I crouched down again. Clutching my head. Looking defeated I could cry. Where would I get that much money?! Even if I sold my soul I wouldn't earn that much.
"Kid. I have a job proposal for you and I'll give you that pendant for free." I look up and saw that man again. Is he following me?
"Oh my.. Lord Ardent." The saleslady bowed and stayed looking on the floor. Who is this man really?
"Well you see. I own this shop." My eyes widen and I quickly got up, looking at him in shock.
"So what's you answer? Want a job?" What can I do? Should I?
For Liam…
I nod at him and he looks like he was relieved for a second but hid it with his impassive expression. Typical Vampires.
"Wrap the pendant and give it to this young man" he says to the lady that only nod quickly and she put the pendant in a velvet box. I smiled as she handed me the box. Liam will love this.
"So. About the job." I eyed the man and his face was unreadable. Are all vampires like that? They can amazingly masked their emotion with a stoned face. I nodded at him to continue.
"Come to this place. You need to help me with something." I took the card he gave me. There was an address and I eyed it. Thinking deeply on how I can go to this place.
"Don't worry. I'll just send out a car behind Liam's house." My eyes widened. What?
"You are living there right?" I nod slowly. How did he..?
"Don't ask how I knew. Just go to that place. If you don't I'll take the pendant again." I nod and he left like that. Sighing, I kept his card and rather than be nervous about it I was excited to see Liam wear my gift.
I run towards where I had left him. The moment I saw him my heart sped up. He was just seated there. His legs crossed. So was his arms over his chest. His eyes were tightly closed. He looks like he was frowning. He was also tapping his foot impatiently. Then when I step closer he shot his eyes at me. He saw me? Was that one of his abilities? I blinked and he was in front of me pulling me in his arms.
"What took you so long?!" He asked. I felt bad. Was he that worried? His voice even sounded pained. Pulling away and he eyed the velvet box that I was holding. I grin at him and I open the box. His eyes widen and I smiled shyly at him.
"Liam." I called and he look up at me. His eyes glassy. I know he wanted to touch me. Hug me. But he just stare at me. Making sure that he heard me and that it wasn't his imagination.
"I.. I wanted to give you something. You were so kind to me. So.. Umm.. Here." He took the pendant and he smiled at me.
"I don't know what I was so overwhelmingly happy about. You speaking. This. Or just you existing for me. God, I love you Warren. I love you so much." Did he just confessed to me? I wanted to focus on what he said but what he did next made me lose all my thoughts and made my heart skip a bit. He did what I did with him before I left him. Kiss. He kissed me. I was the first one to pull away though. My face red when I saw everyone staring at us. Which Liam didn't mind. When he glared them they all walk away quickly though.
"Put it on me." He said like a child. Smiling, I place it around his neck. He even lean at me so he can match my height. He then grab my hand and kiss it.
"Thank you. I love you." I know. I heard you the first time. Maybe I was not that surprise because I already know and felt what he feels for me. I just hug back as he embrace me tightly like how he always do. As if he never wanted to let go anymore.
With both of us smiling at each other. I know his feelings that were transparent for me like mine was for him. But I was too shy to say mine. Though.. I love him too.
I love you too Liam Night.
Though I'm not ready to bluntly confess like how you did.
****************
"Where did you get the money to buy this?" He asked and I stiffened next to him in the back seat of his car. He eyed me and I know he knew. What should I say? Well I was mute before. Right! So I just shrug at him. He eyed me and I back away when he leans at me.
"Did you get yourself into trouble when you get this for me?" I shake my head quickly. Meeting with an unknown man in the middle of the night is not a trouble! I protested in my head and he narrows his eyes at me.
"You're hiding something." Of course he knows that. I sighed and he stills at my gesture. I pick up his pendant that lied perfectly in the middle of his collar bone and I kissed it.
"This pendant represents me, Liam. Don't ever lose me." He was silent and he just eyed me for a while before he cups both side of my face and leaning down, pressing his cold lips on mine. I still get that amazing shock as he does that. Every time our lips meet proves that distinct connection between us.
What do I need to do about later though? I need to meet a man again. Somehow I don’t know but somehow he knows about me.
Who is he?
- Writer
