A vampire’s embrace

chapter1

Exactly!" I did not care if my voice seemed to echo high above the others in between our hoarse laughter and deep chuckles.

"She is a good actress but the role was not meant for her," Scott emphasizes, hitting his palm on the warm sand.

"Is that what you think?" Andrew asks, his eyebrows raised.

"That is what it is, man. The award was not meant for her. No hard feelings." Scott's voice goes high.

"I agree." I nod my head in agreement.

"What are you guys debating on?" Newton sits on the beach chair just beside us. "It's the award night, man," I reply, grabbing a glass of beer from the table.

The award night was exciting and the event went so well that it could pass for a comedy show. Everyone expected May Campbell to win the final award, everyone depended on her perfect acting skills and wild fame but it turned out to be someone the whole world never expected; Rose Walker.

Rose Walker, once a shy pretty girl had turned out to be a hero just as she took up the role of the female villain, not only that, she never took my hands off her shoulders or spat at me like May. Rose was always an obedient girl, smooth and cool-headed.

My heart swelled with joy that night as I saw disappointment and embarrassment drooling over her face. My heart swelled with joy not because she did not deserve the award but because she refused to have anything to do with me. Who would refuse the almighty James Hunter? Who would resist my constant nudging?

Nevertheless, the ignorant ones have no idea what type of sugar is under the teacup. All they know is that May Campbell was not good enough for the role, not good enough for the award too.

"If she was given a chance, I know she would have done better," Andrew argues further.

"Can we let this just die down? The award night is passed, it's done with." I cut in, weary of their arguments.

"Yeah. We are here to chill out." Kelvin brings out a bottle of water from the ice bucket. Kelvin Walter is the most quiet in the group. His attitude doesn't seem to match with his

several jokes about overshadowing a fragile patient. And I wonder if women aren't scared of him; his huge figure, thick eyebrows, jaws that seem permanently clenched. With all these features, one would pass him for a violent thug but, he is as calm as a dove.

"Pass me a bottle, please." Scott stretches his arms.

Scott Harrison is also an actor but most of the time, he is into his business as a gym instructor by morning and rules the club by night. Scott owns the biggest gym place in Florida and also runs the darkest and biggest nightclub. He is quite athletic, looking extremely young even in his early forties. He could pass for a twenty-seven-year-old. He is the real deal.

The golden sun hung high in the sky, bathing not only the sandy shores of the beach but also kissing the bronzed skin of the beach-goers lying flat on the beach sand and their mats.

Miami Beach is one of the classic numerous places that I visit from time to time, with my friends. And of course, as the ladies' man, the perfect blend of tropical paradise is never complete without the presence of the ladies with banging bodies in colorful bikinis, sunglasses, and finely patterned scarves.

I watch the ladies shake their bodies to the rhythm of the music exuding from the music box a few feet away from us. Those ladies are always on the beach and I have lost interest in them as their faces aren't new.

"I see them every time we are here. Could it be a reoccurring coincidence?" I ask loudly. "Nah. Can't you read the signs?" Newton asks.

"They are used and jobless." Scott spits.

"I would expect you to know that." Kelvin grunts.

"How about the shoot for next week, James? Is there any amendment?" Andrew asks, his back bent forward.

Andrew Gutenberg is a serious guy. He is always concerned about jobs and deals and contracts. I mean, we all are concerned but, he feels guilty when he spends too much time outside work. Andrew owns the biggest fashion brand in the country and he is doing very well in the fashion world.

"There is no need to worry. Enjoy this break while you can, okay?" I lift the tumbler to my lips, draining out the beer left in it.

Andrew is always worried and his worries cost him his last relationship. I would not say we have a perfect relationship life but, we were hoping for Andrew's. We had even made a bet. His love life could be likened to the sweetness of the mixture of milk and honey, not until it

came crashing with a 'she says I worry too much'.

I recall that day, Andrew drank himself to a stupor and retched all over the house the following morning. We were in this together and as brothers, we helped him scale through.

For me, life as an actor, model, and businessman has not and has never been easy. My love life is a mess too. Long stories like mine cannot be pleasing to the ears. But, what is life without the fun to grab by the sides? Without women and booze? I drop love for the weak, for the ones who like to be controlled.

"Call me the girl with the pink bikini." I point my fingers to the lady whose ass cheeks seemed to pour out voluminously from the edge. Her shape was a killer! More like an hourglass, the sands doing some countdown on my patience.

Newton flicks his tongue, "Come on, man. I prefer the lady in white."

Newton Wang is a Chinese-American. His father was married to his mother until the divorce dealt him a heavy blow and we became friends. His wealthy mother had willed her five-star hotel to him before she died. Even without his mother's wealth, Newton would still be rich. He owns an estate agency and manages a bank. He hasn't brought any love to the table and we aren't expecting anything either.

"Stop being a holy fisherman, dude." Kelvin hits his shoulder.

Kelvin likes the women with their bodies on display but he would never have any real thing to do with them. He must have seen a lot as a gynecologist.

"Hey, man!"

"Just forget it. Funny how they are the witches. The whores." I dust off the sand from my blue banana shorts.

We burst into laughter again, standing almost one after another, stretching our limbs and groaning.

I stare at all of us and I recall when we were quite younger. It was like a group of the elites. Children with rich parents and good ambitions. College girls liked to flirt with us and those moments were incredible. Discovering our emotions, toying with, building, and ruining them. What hopeless romantics we were.

We wanted the brilliant and beautiful girls to fall head over heels for us, wanting our dreams to come true but now, we have our dreams in reality. Smooth businesses, rich lifestyles, fame and money, and women. Yet, not a woman to meet home, just women to cure the blue balls and party with.

"A walk into the sea won't be so bad," says Scott, drawing me out of my thoughts.

We walk towards the body of water, the clear blue sky reflecting on it, giving me the illusion of swimming in the sky, with the clouds.

not so far into the sea. Some lounged on beach towels, basking in the warm sun and others wade into the cool water, swimming and playing.

Scott throws a beach volleyball to Newton, then to Andrew. They toss the ball back and forth, their bodies glistening with a sheen of sunscreen. I would have joined in but for the admiration of the beauty of Miami Beach.

As Kelvin and I walk into the water, picking the lame oysters and empty shells we talk of whatever myths surrounds them.

"I remember when we were in history class and an oyster shell fell from a girl's bag. Nobody said anything but it seemed diabolical."

"I know fortune tellers use things like this." I point out. I had seen all these sea ornaments in my Grandmother's house.

"Not bad." He throws it into the water, ripples popping slowly. "James, I think this girl is running towards us."

"Not sure." I turn to my left.

I catch the sight of a young lady running towards us in glee, her flowery gown dancing in the wind as she sprints like a young deer. For a moment, all I can see is her wiggling breasts dancing in the air.

"James Hunter!" She exclaims, her voice quivering with a blend of excitement.

"Yes, it is me. How can I help you?" I smile at her, knowing she is one of my numerous fans out there.

"I am a huge fan of yours, Hunter. Would you mind taking a picture with me? I am so excited to see you." Her voice is slightly shaky.

"Of course. Let's make it a memorable one." I beam, watching her fuss over her phone, scrolling in search of the camera app.

I have seen so many types of people and I must say, celebrities are seen as gods or demigods. The respect, anxious fusses, extreme delight, unimaginable squeals, and all shades of comportment thrown over the board because of a popular figure.

I chuckle within and beckon Kelvin to join in the picture as her camera flicks continuously in a selfie position.

"Thank you." She smiles again, her pretty lower lip flattening.

"What is your name?" I ask, my eyes still taking in this pretty thing in front of me.

"Nancy," I repeat, savoring the way her name rolls off my tongue. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Nancy. Thank you for being a huge fan." I wink at her.

She nods.

"You can send a message on i********:, okay? It would be a great way to keep in touch." I let go of her arm slowly.

"I will." She nods, her eyes lit up with excitement. "I'll get going now." I watch her walking figure fade. How did she recognize me?

Well, I'm not that hard to notice. My brown wavy hair, broad shoulders, long legs, and tan skin give me away.

"Die-hard fan stuff, yeah?" Newton asks, approaching us with his wet shorts. "Yeah. She is cute though."

"Yeah, she is. Are you...?" Newton breaks off with a squint.

"He isn't. He probably won't see her message." Kelvin scoffs.

"Something of the sort. Might speak with her," I sigh, "You know what? My thoughts are under construction, okay."

Newton chuckles, "James, you are a hunter!"

I laugh out, patting his shoulder, "Come on. Where are the rest of 'em boys?" I ask. "Over there!" He points his hands towards the palm trees lined up magnificently.

They are with the girls from South Africa. Their skin tone looks mesmerizing. As we walk towards them, I take note of everything; striking eyes, elegant bone structure, smooth legs, dark rich skin, their hair feels like hoarse silk--if there be anything as such-- just from the sight of it.

"Hello, ladies!" I greet them, kissing their hands one after another.

"If it isn't James Hunter!" One of them says, smiling.

"Nice to meet you, ladies," Newton says, nodding briefly.

We exchange pleasantries, introduce ourselves, and serve compliments.

"If you ladies don't mind, we could do dinner together." I chip in, more of a statement than a question.

Every day is a new day to see new versions of the females.

"Of course." They agreed to have dinner with us after having a giggly girls' side talk.

"We will be at the restaurant by 8 pm," Scott says, winking at one of the ladies with pink beach wear.

"Okay. Let's exchange numbers. We would call before coming." Vanessa says, handing me her phone.

She is beautiful, her body perfected in thick curves, and her dark skin glitters as the sun sets. I'm already wondering what it would be like to have her body bouncing on me.

"Oh, alright." I glance at my friends and they nod their heads.