s*x with a Vampire

Why Me

It's another busy day at work. We had our usual morning meeting with Joe as he tells us what we need to complete this week. There is also a company meeting scheduled after lunch at 2pm.

I'm busy working on correcting an error on the Real Estate application. The clients wants when a user uploads the document that the confirmation message links to the document itself and not the document area.

"How's the correction coming along, Sam?" Gary leans back in his chair to look at me. He has recently taken up occupying the seat to my left as Harvey and Garth were big distractions for me.

"I have it working for one document but Bertram or Harvey will have to redo their initial email code because everything is sent as one attachment." I tell him. I turn my laptop towards him to demonstrate.

He looks attentively as I show him the code working with one document and then it crashing with the zip file.

He nods his head. "I'll get Harvey to redo his attachment code so each document will send individually. That way you'll be able to link each document correctly." I nod and mark my task as "Waiting".

I check Jira for a new task, create a new branch and start on my new task of encrypting the documents.

At 1:45pm, Joe comes up to us and tells us we should head up to the fourth floor for the meeting. We all pack up as we know these things usually takes us to closing time. We get to the elevators just as persons from the design department are approaching.

I hide in front of Gary to avoid the annoying guy from the design department. Gary laughs and ushers me into the elevator. The lift is full when design guy spots me. I give him a satisfied smirk as the door closes.

"Why do you always seem to get in trouble?" Gary asks amused.

"Who said I was in trouble? I just don't like him. I think he's a pervert." I huff.

"Who's a p*****t?" Joe and Harvey asks simultaneously.

"Some guy in the design department." Gary answers.

"You have an admirer in the design department, Sam?" Joe inquires.

"No I don't. No admirers, no nothing. I can't stand him." I visibly shiver.

The guys laugh at me. We have all really become like a family. I see Bertram shake his head and go back to looking at his phone.

We get to the auditorium and take our seats at the back. The tech team has already set up and there is a small stage at the front with a few seats for the speakers and a podium.

The last time we were here, they spoke to us about the change in the company's pension fund. We were changing trustees and they needed us to have a vote on whether we were confident with the nominated individuals. This was about two months ago. I'm guessing this is the follow up meeting.

More persons file into the auditorium and the place becomes packed. There is about 150 of us here. You have persons from Customer Service, HR, IT, Development, Design, Audit, Accounts and even the Custodial Staff.

The CEO and the Chairman of the board of directors walks in from the side and take a seat on the stage. I see a familiar face follow. When I finally recall where I know him from, I see Eli walk out.

I know it was a bit hard for him to spot me in the crowd unless he was actively looking for me but I sink lower into my seat. I should have known he would eventually show up here.

I've been here two years and never once have I seen him here before. But, now that I know him, I can't stop seeing him around. Why me, Lord?

He walks so confidently across the front and takes his seat on the stage. His face is serious; he's all about business right now.

He shakes both the CEO and the Chairman of the Board hands before he turns his attention towards the crowd. He scans the crowd once and looks back to his colleagues.

Our CEO stands and open the meeting in a word of prayer. He does the usual welcome and safety briefing. He then gets into the real reason we are all gathered here today; the assignment of new trustees to our pension fund. The staff needed to vote on two persons, one being a member of staff or trusted individual and another being upper management. The third trustee was to be selected by the board members.

We already voted on the other two members, so they are here today to introduce the third trustee to us.

As usual, he gets into a long winded story to make his introduction. Strong-willed, confident, strategic and financially minded. I wonder if he's taking about Eli?It sounded like what I read about him from the articles yesterday.

I feel the hair on my arms stand on end. I rub my arm, looking around me to see where the feeling came from. I look up to the stage and see Eli staring at me dead on. My breath catches in my throat. How did he spot me all the way behind here? I was literally being blocked by someone but it was like he was looking straight through them.

I hear an applause and I clap too. I have no idea what was said. Eli is still staring at me. I see the guy in front of me shift nervously in his seat.

Please don't move, I beg. He lowers himself in his seat and I have Eli's full glare.His eyes are dark but his face is neutral. It's the best poker face if I've ever seen one.

I pretend that I don't notice him. I turn my attention back to the CEO as he wraps up on his story. He introduces the guy, Nicolai Draco.

I can't help but think he looks like a mobster. He's wearing a very expensive suit, a gold watch, a class ring, a gold necklace and sun glasses. I didn't even realise he was wearing one. Seems a bit out of place to be wearing one inside, isn't it? It just makes me confirm my position of him being pompous.

He removes the shades and I can see he has blue eyes. They're not as blue as Gary's but they're still intriguing. He smiles and I swear I heard some of the ladies swoon.

He's not a bad looking fella, I'll give him that. He's very top heavy to me. I can see his suit straining against his body. He has a more bulkier frame than Eli. I prefer Eli's. His body is powerful and strong but still ripped and lean. He's well balanced.

I shake my head to remove the thoughts of naked Eli from my mind. We had our fun, it's done, that's it. I can't be around someone who makes me lose all sense of reason. That's a recipe for disaster.

Nicolai gives his thank you speech in record time. He sits next to Eli and I see them exchange a few words.

The CEO introduces Eli and I definitely hear some women swoon. I roll my eyes. Calm down people, he isn't Adonis.

Eli is speaking about the company and it's milestones and how he's happy he gets to be a part of it. He talks about his journey finding and buying the company and making it what it is today.

He speaks words of confidence to the board and the staff and thanks them for their contribution. He announces he has small tokens for everyone as well as refreshments. We are allowed to leave whenever we are ready.

The catering crew wheels out a cart stack with snack boxes and drinks. Everyone lines us to get one. There is also a few ladies standing near by giving out gift boxes.

I contemplate just leaving but Gary and Joe pulls me into the line. Eli is at the front, still on the stage talking to his colleagues. I'll have to pass him when I receive my gift.

I want the queue to move slowly but it does the total opposite. Everyone seems to be efficient today. I curse under my breath and shuffle forward with the line.

I grab a carton of food and a soda. I put the soda in the side of my bag and take the gift box the lady offers me. She smiles and I thank her.

Just as I was about to walk in front of the stage, Bertram comes up to my left and I thank God for his mercies.

"Hey, a few friends and I are going to this new place that has popped up for the winter. It's an ice rink in London, you want to come? I know you've said you haven't skated before and no one would take you, so here's your chance." He pops his soda open and takes a swig. He looks at me expectantly as we pass the stage.

I don't look up at Eli. I smile and nod my approval. "I would love to. I don't have skates though, should I buy some?"

"Nah, they would be renting skates. They also have the helpers if you want to use one or you can just let me or one of my mates help." He says downing his soda.

I smile. I'm already geedy with excitement. My sister didn't want to go ice shaking with me because she had a bad experience. Garth and Harvey said it's not their thing, so I was left with no one.

I bounce out of the auditorium, wishing the week will hurry up and end. Bertram and I talk about it for some time outside. He shows me pictures of his friend group; some I've seen in photos before and a couple I have not. He lets me know who all would be there so I don't feel intimated. After a while he leaves and I'm sitting under a gazebo in the back by myself.

Oustide is chilly and I have my warmest coat on and my gloves. My hair is in two halo braids under my beanie. I'm well padded up today.

Though outside is still bright, the sky is overcast. I'm sure it would rain soon. I am thinking of leaving in a bit when someone interrupts my thoughts.

"What are you doing out here by your lonesome?" I cringe at the voice. Why doesn't he leave me alone?

I get up to leave and he grabs my waist. Great, I thought, another one. I look at him with disgust plastered on my face.

"Remove it or lose it." I square my shoulders and come to my full height. I'm still about a foot shorter but it doesn't matter.

"Come on sweetheart, don't be like that," he gives a small chuckle and I feel sick. Everything about him irks me.

"I would suggest if you want to show each other affection, you do it outside the work compound. You are, after all, free to leave." A voice says behind us.

His hand leaves my waist quicker than I can comprehend. He stutters to finds words and Eli raises his brow at him.

"I apologise, Mr Raith" he stammers. He looks at me and walks off. I roll my eyes. If I didn't love my job so much, I'll leave.

"Work place romance is frowned upon," I hear the voice behind me say.

"It's a good thing there is nothing romantic about it." I turn to face him and he's also giving me a quizzical look. "He doesn't leave me alone. He seems to think his gestures are welcomed."

"You can make a formal complaint to HR." He states. He doesn't move from his spot. I wonder if he's afraid if he comes closer I'll just leave.

"I don't want anyone to lose their job over me." I confess.

"So you'll rather he continues to harass you? Or do you find it flattering?" His questioning flares the anger inside me.

"How dare you assume that about me? What do you know about me or my actions?" My voice raises a few decibels and I'm glaring at him now.

He looks at me unfazed. "Nothing, except what you have shown me. After all, actions speak louder than words."

I'm insulted. He just insinuated that I enjoyed that guy's advances. I do not. I just don't want to cause a ripple. In times like these, you can't be quick to do things, actions have consequences and sometimes rejecting people or taking away their livelihood can result in things being done to you.

I shake my head and grab my things. I wasn't going to stay here and explain myself to him. This is not my country, no one would care if I went missing.

I walk off. I half expected him to follow me but he doesn't. I don't know why that saddens me. I hold my head up and cross the path to the side of the building and make my way to the security booth.

What a jerk.