Saint Laurent's Most Eligible Vampires

Bella Laurent

   Bella Laurents POV.

  Season two has to be bigger and better. I pick up the next file off my desk and open it up. This year girls are definitely interesting, but some of them led dull lives. Finding material for the show is proving harder.

Lina, for example, has nothing in her files that reek of scandal or that the audience can get behind. My research is coming up with a girl who buried herself in studies and a few close friends. No significant relationships.

Hmm, maybe I could play on her virginity. Her innocence isn’t a bad thing; it’s just how to turn that innocence into good TV.

Alejandro walked into the room and shut the door, “Bella, love, have you found anything yet?”

“I struggle with making the connection between Johnny and the girls. I mean, take Lina, for example. She spent three years of High School buried in books. No significant boyfriends but well-liked by her peers,” I threw the file back on my desk.

“Virgin?” Alejandro asked.

“Yes, and the only one I’m sure of. The others may not be, not that it matters, but it will help endear the audience to her. The problem is Lucy is also a wholesome girl, and I intend to play on that. I can’t have two wholesome girls,” I shrugged.

“We have a problem, and it may help with your issue,” Alejandro laid down on the couch in my office. He always liked that couch. I suspect it’s because he used to be a psychiatrist when I turned him fifty years ago. He always said patients laid on the couch.

“Let’s start with the problem,” I reached into my desk and pulled out a hair clip. The AC wasn’t working very well in my office. Contrary to popular belief, Vampires sweat.

“We filmed all the initial meetings with the girls, but Lina’s parents attended hers. We can’t legally use that footage on the show,” Alejandro sat up now on the couch, and his dark eyes settled on me.

“We could have the parents sign a waiver,” I don’t know why he made it like a big deal.

“Bella, that won’t work. What if they asked to see the footage or why we are using it?”

Dammit! He’s right, and I hate when he’s right, “So now we are missing Lina’s footage. Who agreed to let the parents attend the tour?” I pushed my chair back and stood up, aware of my pacing that annoyed Alejandro.

“Your bother Alexandre. What was he to do, deny them? It would look more suspicious if he did. But you didn’t keep me around because I’m good in bed,” He chuckled as he placed his hands on my shoulders to stop me from pacing, “I found other footage from the same day,”

I groaned internally at his reminder of my mistake so long ago. In the heat of passion, I turned  Alejandro only to discover that he enjoyed the company of men much more than women. It worked out in the end as he’s my closest confidant and friend, “You could have told me you were experimenting,”

“My dear Bella, you were the only woman that ever made me feel that way. I thought it would be a one-night stand, and look at us now,”

“Does Tony know that?” I giggled. Tony is my cousin and the current boy toy of Alejandro. There have been many over the years. Most were human until Tony. I’m happy he may have found someone to settle down with, “Show me the video footage you found,” I said, changing the subject.

“We found a bit of coverage on the campus of them walking towards her new dorm. We have no audio, though, as those are just security cameras. Once they arrive, we have a little more coverage without audio, but it’s in the dorm room we have audio,” he pulls out a memory stick and slides it into my laptop.

“Why is there audio in her dorm room?” The school is conscientious about the privacy of the student’s human or not. We only have security cameras around campus, but no audio. Having one in a dorm room is against the policy.

“Bella, love, remember this was Johnny’s dorm once, and he activated empty security footage when he left last summer. After he returned, he moved out. It was never turned off. They only keep thirty day’s worth. Once Lina moved in, they turned the cameras off,”

“If she finds those cameras in there, this could be trouble even if not on,” I said.

“Johnny had them removed when she went for dinner,” he waved his hands, “Now turn on the video and watch,”

Johnny already caused enough issues by putting her into a Dorm used only for the Council’s children. No human has ever stayed there. I’m thankful he remembered the cameras he had installed. I pull up the file on the USB and hit play.

Lina sat bouncing on the bed, and I chuckled at the sight of it.

“You haven’t even seen the best part yet,” Johnny said. I rolled my eyes at my nephew.

“There’s more?” Lina is squealing.

“Come and look out the window,” Johnny grabs Lina’s hand. Maybe they have a connection.

“You smell like chocolate and honey,” Johnny is literally seducing her, and she cares more about some Cathedral view. This girl really is innocent.

, “Is that the Cathedral?”

“Yes, and it’s beautiful at night. Now you can see it anytime you want,” My nephew's eyes sparkle as he watches Lina.

My mouth opened in shock and surprise as Innocent Lina kissed Johnny. There’s more to this girl than meets the eye.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into me,” A Vampire Prince has, I laugh.

“I’m sorry,” Johnny apologizes like Lina didn’t kiss him first. Oh, this footage is excellent.

“No, I kissed you,” Yes, you most certainly did, Lina.

“I got to go,” I laugh so hard watching my nephew run at the door until I see why. He drew blood on her lip. The clip ended, and so did my commentary on their every conversation. That was fun.

“He drew blood,” I said to Alejandro after the video ended.

“Yes, he did, but not only that, he seems very drawn to her,” Alejandro pulled the USB out and put it back in the cartridge.

“Alexandre will kill me if I use this footage. It will kick up the competition into overdrive and cause issues with the other girls,” I warned him.

“The way I see it is we have footage with audio of all the girl’s meetings, but Lina’s we can use. If you only show them walking hand in hand, the audience will dismiss her as unimportant compared to the ones with audio. You must play it fair in that respect too, Bella,” he said.

I know he’s right regarding that, “but it may also make the audience single her out as more important,” I said. This is what Alexandre may worry about.

“It’s clear to me she is. Listen, Bella; you’re selling a love story. Is this not a part of that? The audience has a right to see that from the start, they had an attraction. This is about him finding love, and rather it hurts the other girls or not, you shouldn’t forget that,”

I groan internally, knowing he’s right, “Get me, Johnny. I will ask him permission first,” I decide. Dealing with my brother Alexandre will come after I get Johnny on my side.

“Aunt Bella, how is everything coming along?” Johnny asked.

“Great! I’m preparing the girl’s files for their introduction videos,” I smile at him across the desk.

“What can I help you with?” Johnny asks me.

“I have a few things, but first, I need one word to describe each girl form you. When I say a name, I was hoping you could give me the word that comes to mind. Remember, just one word,” This may help with my first issue.

“Ok, sounds easy enough. I’ve spent some time with all five of them now,” Johnny leaned forward, his eyes serious as if in concentration.

“Sasha,” I said.

“Ambitious,” Johnny quickly says.

“Great, now how about Savanah,” I said as I wrote ambitious next to Sasha’s name.

“Fierce,” he replies. I would leave to hear more about this one but will ask him later.

“Lucy,” I ask him.

“Good,” he said.

“What do you mean by good?” I ask him.

“She has a good heart,” he elaborates.

I write good-natured next to her name, “Briana,”

He hesitates a moment as if trying to think of the right word to say, “Is this being recorded?”

“No, I’m only writing down your words,” I assure him.

“I want to say spoiled or entitled, but I’m sure there’s got to be a better word to use,” he said.

“I take it the two of you haven’t quite hit it off yet?” I haven’t received the files from the Council in full to help him understand either. They select each girl for qualities that match Johnny’s.

“Not exactly, but we only had dinner together once,” He shrugged, “I will say ambitious,”

“Not a terrible quality to have, and we have two with that quality. I’ll write that down for now. Maybe you’ll think of another word, later. How about Lina?”

My nephew is once again speechless. His lips curve into a devious smile, “Sorry, this one is the hardest because there are so many words,”

“To describe Lina?” I ask him.

“I know they’re all chosen for qualities that match mine, but there’s a difference between forced quality and genuine quality,” Johnny said.

“What do you mean?” I ask, intrigued.

“Sasha is ambitious like me and can speak many languages, but she would step on anyone to get to the top. Savanah grew up on a Military Base where her father made her tough, but the real Savanah is very different. That’s not who she wants to be,” he said.

“Great observations in such a short time,” I said.

“Savanah’s Military leadership isn’t her own passion like mine. Briana can play several instruments, but only because her wealthy parents forced her to learn them. No one forced me. I can’t figure out why Lucy is here. I imagine because of her do good nature and her commitment to charity like me,” he said.

“Yes, I admit I too am confused by Lucy as she also has a long-term relationship back home. My investigation has shown she is deeply in love with the guy,” I admit hoping that doesn’t sway him.

He’s really giving me some useful information here. I’m surprised at how observant he’s been and happy he’s taking this seriously.

“Yes, which makes it more challenging, but then there’s Lina. You should have seen her face as she toured the school. Her love of art is genuine; it’s all over her face. She may have had her grandmother inspiring her, but she is genuine in the things she does. Her parents are like two hippies in love. You can tell they raised her to be her own woman,” I can tell by the look on his face he likes Lina quite a bit, but I need to make sure he gives the others a chance.

“The Council and The Oracle are always right, and they choose each one for you. That doesn’t mean it’s wrong of you to feel drawn more to one then the other. This is your love story,” I said.

“Genuine,” He said.

“What?” I ask, confused.

“I will use the word genuine to describe Lina, or would you rather I say Stunning?” He grinned at me from across the table.

“We’ll use genuine. Now that brings me to the second matter. I can’t use Lina’s meeting you for the first time since her parents are in it,” I said.

“Yes, I imagine that could cause issues now that I think of it, so what do you propose?” he asked me.

I picked up the USB cartridge and put it inside the computer, “Before I play this, I want you to know that it was you who forgot to cancel the recording when you returned from France last Summer,”

Johnny’s face went from confused to horror as I pressed play on the video for him to see. He sat watching the video with a look of pure adoration, “We can’t air this,” he finally said once the recording stopped.

“Now hear me out,” I pleaded, “The girls and the audience will know you gave Lina your old dorm room at some point. This is a way to get them to understand why you did it. It will also show your feelings for her when you met her,”

“This will just cause animosity for Lina from the other girls,” he said.

“Johnny, let’s not pretend here you’re going to be able to keep your attraction at bay around them all the time. It’s normal, and besides, they won’t see this footage until you have already eliminated at least one of them. Who knows what your feelings will be by then,” I shrugged.

Johnny rested his head on his hands. His dark hair fell over his face masking his feelings from me," Lina will see it,"

“That’s impossible. We only air it on Blood Nation Network, and you know that,” I rolled my eyes at my overdramatic nephew.

Johnny lifted his head," I left the Underground Cable on her TV,"

“You did what!” I stood up and paced back and forth; thankful Alejandro was off somewhere with Tony, “Your father is going to flip out,”

“Flip out about what?” My brother walked into the room. I hate how sneaky he can be.

“Sit down, Alexandre,” I motioned to a chair on the other side of the room away from Johnny.

On the one hand, Alexandre is proud of his second son, Johnny. Even if his brother wanted to become the next King, the Underworld would have only accepted Johnny. This has caused contention between them as they push for Johnny to take over before Alexandre is ready. The Werewolves are making the most significant push. Johnny pushes for more rights for them.

With Johnny as King, I could expand on my show to include other species or even female Vampires looking for love. It could be year-round. My brother only wants to use resources for our own family, though he is fair and kind regarding the humans involved. My brother’s loud voice breaks me from my thoughts back to the situation at hand.

“You gave her access to our Cable?” he roared.

“Your the one who said little by little, we will get them used to our kind. Now your mad when I do just that,” Johnny yelled.

“If she watches that TV, she will know right away, our kind exist. That’s not exposure over time. That’s immediate knowledge. It could incite fear in her and reveal our secret to others,” Alexandre softened his tone slightly.

“I can’t explain it, father, but it felt right. In fact, use the footage,” Johnny stood up from his chair and headed towards the door, “This is my life,”

“What footage?” Alexandre demanded.

The door slammed as Johnny left. I hit play to show my brother, prepared to deal with his anger now that Johnny said yes, “This one,”

He watched the video in silence before saying, “Could it be?”

“Could it be what?” I asked, surprised he didn’t fight me on the footage.

“Bella, if I’m right, your show has no hope. Then again, the audience has seen nothing like what they will see unfold,”