The Vampire's Sugar Baby

Chapter 10

(Charlotte’s Point of View)

“Holden Hughes!?” Ali grabbed my leg. “Charlotte, do you know who Holden Hughes is?”

I had finished making my deliveries, and met up with Ali back at the house for a movie night. Ali didn’t have a tv. It was a rare cool night in Texas. We were in the backyard with a couple of lawn chairs, and she had plugged in her laptop to projector that was pointed toward the side of the house. We’d turned on all the twinkling lights that were wrapped around the gazebo and in the trees.

“Please, don’t tell me he’s some sort of mafia boss…” I said, half joking.

“Holden Hughes is Erika’s old sugar daddy. The one who she went crazy over.”

“Oh.” I had completely forgotten about that. I can’t believe I didn’t make the connection. Of course she was all over him at the mixer. “See, this is why I didn’t want to get involved. I don’t need to be in the middle of some crazy drama.”

“...but you said he asked you out to dinner?” She inquired.

“Yeah, but all the signs point out that it’s a bad idea.”

“No, it’s a good idea!” Ali exclaimed. What the hell?

“Okay, I’m confused.”

“Charlotte, every sugar baby Erika has tormented pursued Holden. Not the other way around. Holden is incredibly picky, and before any of the past babies could even hope to catch his attention, she’d scare them off. You’ve already got his attention. You have to stick with it.”

I didn’t understand, Holden could have any woman he wanted, even if he were a homeless person he would still be the most attractive man I’d ever seen. Why was he so interested in me? And why would Ali push me to date this guy knowing the drama that followed him, namely Erika?

“Erika’s already destroyed her reputation within the community. You’re not even sure you want to pursue sugar dating beyond Holden, so it’s not like you’re shopping for other options. Your family…” Ali paused. I knew what she was going to say. They were gone. My dad was killed serving overseas when I was a baby. My mom raised me until I was 3. Then one day she just skipped town. My family searched everywhere for her. The rumor was she had a boyfriend and the two of them just ran off together, to start anew without her child, the only reminder of her dead husband. I went to live with my paternal grandmother. Gram was an amazing role model. She knew I was never motivated by school but she always used to tell me that she was blessed she didn’t have to worry about me, because once I found my passion, I’d do it, and I’d do it better than anyone else. She unfortunately passed away the year before I graduated college, and I’d been on my own ever since.

Ali continued, “Regardless, Holden likes you, that means Erika’s going to try to come after you no matter what, so screw it! That man is delicious, from everything I’ve heard he’s incredibly respectful of women and their boundaries, and you’d be crazy not to pursue things with him.”

“It just seems like I’m inviting drama into my life though.” Ali shook her head.

“Listen, you like this man right? You’re curious to see where things could go?” I nodded, “Okay, so are you really going to let fear of some little teeny bopper hoe get in the way of what you want?” I remembered right then and there what Erika said to me that night…

“Sugar dating is all about getting what you want, some people just aren’t as driven as other’s to get what they want...”

I was still fuming at her words, being talked down to by that pathetic little slut really irked me.

“You’re right, Ali.”

“I know I am!” Ali said, “So go text that man and get your sugar!” I laughed and excused myself. My phone clicked on as soon as I looked at it, and I searched his name in my contacts. I became so excited as I typed out my message.

Hey, it’s Charlotte,

I just wanted to let you know that I would love to have dinner with you tomorrow night. :)

I bit my lip, the minutes I would wait to hear back from him would feel like hours.

(Holden’s Point of View)

This was torture.

It was 5:00 a.m. I’d been up all day, and now all night, piles of empty blood bags cluttered my room. In the foyer was a dead coyote I’d sucked dry. I felt as though I was going to die, which was impossible as I was already dead…or I might simply blow up from all the blood I’d consumed, leaving the room a gory mess for my housekeeper to find. After the 50 bags Charlotte brought, I ordered 3 more Shopfast deliveries of blood bags, praying she’d come back. By the third order, I was so thirsty and frustrated I was ready to rip out the driver’s throat. I instead opted to continue drinking by feeding off animals so as to avoid any humans unlucky enough to come across me in this ripper state of mind.

I needed to try to sleep though, and I thought it best if I have another delivery made while I rested. I reached for my phone. I hadn’t looked at it since my last order, and by this time it had died. I plugged it in. Quickly it powered on, and a notification for a new text message popped up.

It was her.

I sat up, and read her message.

Hey, it’s Charlotte,

I just wanted to let you know that I would love to have dinner with you tomorrow night. :)

She wanted to see me. A calming energy seemed to envelop me. I grabbed my laptop and sent a few emails, before lying down, and falling asleep. The last thing I realized before drifting off was that I was no longer thirsty.

(Charlotte’s Point of View)

It had been a disappointing night.

First, Holden never responded to my text message. I was sure I’d made a mistake reaching out, and I felt like all my worst fears of looking like a fool had come to pass.

Second, I had another day of ShopFast deliveries to make. I knew it wouldn’t be nearly as profitable as yesterday, since it seemed unlikely I’d be lucky enough to find a tipper as good as Holden.

The doorbell rang. I wondered who Ali was expecting. I heard her answer the door, and the next second she was outside my bedroom knocking and screaming.

“Charlotte, get up! You have to come see what’s outside!” I yawned. What was so exciting? I pulled myself out of bed and slipped on my sandals. I opened the door and Ali grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me out the front door. I was floored by what I saw.

A large tow truck was pulled in front of Ali’s house, and on the back of it was a shiny red car. There was a man waiting next to the door.

“Are you Charlotte?” I looked over at him, stunned. Ali grabbed my arm and was jumping up and down, completely giddy over the situation.

“Yes…” I said.

“Here’s your new Lexus LS Hybrid.” He held up a key. “I just need your signature.”

I took the pen and pad in disbelief and stared at the line for my signature.

“Out of curiosity…how much does the car cost?” Ali asked.

“One of those bad boys are a pretty penny. They run around an average of 80 grand.”

“80 Grand!” I cried out. I handed the pen and pad back to the man. “I’m sorry, I can’t take the car.”

“Charlotte what are you doing?” Ali looked horrified.

“Look lady,” the man said, “ the car is paid for, we already got it off the truck. Now, if you want us to haul it back to the dealership for you we can but it’s going to cost you.” I pressed my lips together.

“How much?” I asked.

“$200.” He said, my eyes got wide.

“We’ll take it,” Ali said, grabbing the pen and pad from the man.

“Ali!” I protested.

“You can call Holden and tell him to pay to have it towed.” I sighed, defeated, and scribbled my name on the line for the signature.