The Vampire's Sugar Baby

Chapter 9

(Holden’s Point Of View)

My naked body was covered in blood. Every drop I’d had throughout the night felt as though it were followed by a cup of sand. I was so tired, so weak. It was already the middle of the day and I was still awake. And even in my ravenous gorging of blood throughout the night, I’d gone back and forth in my mind, wondering if I’d acted too hastily in leaving the event the way I did, unsure if I might ever see Charlotte again. The frustration made me restless and I spent the whole night hunting. I’d killed at least 4 deer, but the blood didn’t come close to giving me the satisfaction I was seeking. I’d gone through every blood bag in the house trying to quell this thirst. It was like I was dehydrated. I’d already ordered another 50 blood bags. Thank god for new technology. It’s so much easier to have it delivered through random drivers than have to personally connect with my supplier. There’s no trail for someone to figure out my secret.

I paced the floor, waiting for my delivery to arrive. I watched through the window as a bright pink BMW pulled in. Interesting car for someone who makes deliveries. As the car came to a stop and the door opened I thought I might be hallucinating. It was her. I rushed down the stairs, and in my haste nearly pulled the door open, the results of which would have been very shocking, indeed. What a brilliant second meeting, me, in a state of bloody exhibitionism, getting burnt to a crisp in the daylight.

I made my way into the laundry room and washed myself off. I found a pair of jeans and a fresh white t-shirt on a hanger. I quickly dressed. As I cleaned up I could hear her hauling the heavy box of blood bags up the stairs. Suddenly, I felt the rare pang of guilt travel through me that I had ordered so much, and regret that I could not assist her. I heard her make a sound indicating she had set the box down on the ground. I peeked around the arch separating the living room from the foyer, watching her movements from just outside the door make shadows against the window. My thirst had suddenly disappeared. I felt completely satisfied. I listened and heard the click of her phone unlocking. She read my notes aloud.

(Charlotte’s Point of View)

“Please, enter, walk through the foyer into the kitchen, place the box on the counter, and leave.” I stared at the note. Walking into a stranger’s home was not what I signed up for, but maybe they were elderly? The box did come from a doctor's office, and the doctor’s office wasn’t surprised by the order. Also, this sounds really stupid, but I was curious to get a glimpse of what this mansion looked like on the inside.

I grabbed the door handle and pushed. The door was heavy. It slowly swung open. I picked up the box and stood awkwardly outside the door.

“Hello?” I have your delivery.” I called out, hoping someone would come to the door and grab this box from me. All I heard back was my own voice, echoing in the large home. I took a step inside. Clearly, there was no one home.

“Could you close the door, please?” The voice startled me so badly that I nearly dropped the box.

“Oh my god! I’m so sorry, you scared me.” I laughed, nervous and thankful someone was home. Now they could grab their package and I could be on my way.

“No, I’m sorry,” the voice answered back. It belonged to a man. He came out from behind the arch that separated the living room from the foyer and I was surprised to see that it was Holden. Feelings of happiness stirred through me. I couldn’t believe he was here. This was his home.

“Oh! Hi. Holden.” Saying his name and seeing him felt so good. He was so handsome, I could see his pecks through his white shirt. His hair was wet like he’d just stepped out of the shower. I suddenly found myself remembering the dreams I’d had the night before. I wondered if he looked as good naked as I imagined.

“Hello, Charlotte,” he said, bringing me back to reality. All at once, I became embarrassed of myself and the thoughts I was having right here in front of him. I was delivering an order for him for christ’s sake!

“I have your delivery,” I said, thinking he would come and take the box from me.

“Thank you.” He said. He continued to stand where he was, “Would you mind terribly bringing it in for me?”

“Sure,” I said, a bit confused. I caught the door with my elbow and carefully pushed it closed. Suddenly, he was there next to me.

“Here, let me take that for you.” He said. He grabbed the box from me. That was weird. He started walking toward the kitchen, “Please, come in.”

I stepped inside the luxurious home. The stone floor had an intricate design painted on it. The grand staircase to the right had a metal banister that was equally detailed. To the left was a large fountain built into the wall. I followed him past the arch and through the living room, which featured a grand fireplace, piano, a television mounted on the wall, and a large collection of books. He walked me past the black leather furniture, and into the kitchen where I found the large island mentioned in his notes. It was all extremely impressive, but I wondered, why the unexpected house tour?

“Your home is really something,” I said.

“It suits my needs.” He was playing it very cool. I was undoubtedly attracted to this man, but I started to feel a bit suspicious of his intentions. After last night did he think I was the kind of girl who would sleep with a man just because he gave her a view of his very large…castle? “Would you like something to drink?” He asked.

“Water would be great.” He pulled a bottle out of the fridge and sat it on the island in front of me. I twisted the cap off making sure it was a brand new bottle. I may be filled with lust and in a handsome stranger’s giant mansion, but I’m not incredibly stupid. I took a sip.

“So, how long have you been a sugar baby, if you don’t mind me asking?” I choked on my water.

“Um…I have not been a sugar baby.”

“So you’re new to the lifestyle?”

“Well, I’m not exactly sure if I’m new to the lifestyle…I’m not sure if I am partaking in it at all. My roommate sort of tricked me.” Suddenly, I felt very foolish being there in his presence.

“The redhead you were with?” At that moment I realized I wasn’t the kind of girl he was looking for. He needed someone like Ali. Someone fun, someone who wasn’t afraid to be a little naughty, someone who could take life as it comes. I was a normal, boring person, who was at this point barely hanging onto a shred of dignity. I was completely embarrassing myself. “You don’t need to feel self-conscious. I was at that party too you know. There’s no judgment.”

“I just,” I didn’t really know what to say. At this point, what was the purpose of trying to play it cool? I was a total failure. I just blurted it out, “I just would like to meet someone who is decent, responsible, has their life together, old-fashioned. I’ve put a lot of work into myself, and my life, and I just want someone who has done the same, and appreciates that quality in me. You know?”

That was it, I’d buried the hatchet. He finally knew I was a fraud.

“A man who deserves you will appreciate those qualities.” A sweet meaningless sentiment, but I was sure, this was my cue to prepare to leave.

“Well, I have yet to meet him,” After airing out my pathetic lonely girl insecurities I tried for a laugh to ease the tension. To my surprise, Holden made his way to my side of the island. He stood very close to me and placed his hand on mine. My heart skipped a beat. I could feel his warm breath against my hair. I slowly looked up at him.

“Charlotte, I would very much like for you to visit me again. Tomorrow perhaps?” Hadn’t he heard what I just said? Didn’t he understand, I’m not the one. I wasn’t what he was looking for.

“I have to do the deliveries, and…” I stood up, “gas is expensive.”

“Would you like to visit me again?” Why was he pushing this?

“I just told you…”

“I know what you just told me,” he interrupted, “what I said was, ‘would you like to'? I want to see you again, do you want to see me again?” He was serious. He knew I wasn’t looking for some pay-for-play arrangement and he still wanted to see me.

“Yes.” In every which way I could see him, yes, I wanted to so badly.

“How much do you get paid for your deliveries?” That surprised me. I pulled out my phone to check.

“I just started today, it looks like on average for my last 4 deliveries I made about $13 each.”

“And what time did you start this morning?” he asked. I looked back at my phone

“I picked up my first delivery…at 11 am.” What was this about? I was confused.

“So let’s see,” he figured, “You made a total of $52 in 5 hours, that’s $10.50 per hour, that’s $84 for an 8-hour day, and now that I’ve tipped you an extra $100…” he did what? I checked my phone to see if it was true, “it should be a livable wage, at $23 per hour, plus gas to get here is $30, so $213 should be worth your time? Yes?”

“It is, but…” could I really let this man pay me a salary just to come to visit him? “It’s not my car. It’s my roommate's. I can only use it if she doesn’t need it.” I slipped my hand out from under his and made my way toward the door, ”I do need to get back to work.”

“Charlotte, let me take you to dinner. That’s all I’m asking.”

“I don’t know. I’m not sure if I want to get wrapped up in this sugar daddy thing.” That was it. I’d finish my deliveries, and go back to my normal life. Perhaps find a normal man, closer to my age, and have normal kids, and this would all be some interesting story I would tell friends when I’m in my 40s.

He chased after me, “Let me give you my number. Then you can take your time to decide.” I hesitated, considering his offer. I looked into his sapphire eyes and saw the tiniest hint of desperation.

“Okay.” I heard the word escape from my mouth. I pulled out my phone, and let him type in his information.

(Holden’s Point of View)

I watched through the window as she pulled the car around the driveway. I was able to catch a glimpse of the license plate before she made it out of eyesight. 71L-8GO3.

I turned around to make my way into the kitchen.

The thirst was back.