A groan echoed through the dark room and with one swift almost unnoticeable move of the arm that alarm clock disappeared from the night stand and was silenced for all eternity. How many clocks had I broken that particular month? I think I stopped counting after my 10th one. I'm not much of a morning person - never was, never will - but hey, if your bedtime is usually no sooner than 3AM than I don't think you'd cuddle your obnoxious clock. At least it's not human and they're fairly cheap. Maybe that's why they keep breaking so fast... or maybe it's the fact that they end up flying across the room with a speed of 40 miles an hour. Either way, clocks have a very short lifespan in my bedroom.
I turned on my back and looked at the ceiling fan. It was hot. Too hot for my liking. What the hell was I doing in California then? What can I say, I just love Hollywood. Well that and there's also the minor detail of my job - lawyer at a big shot international firm. Our company sees it all - divorces, paternity cases, theft, murder. All the important cases too. Needless to say that being an associate there is better than winning the lottery in the long run. And wouldn't you know it, I'm on the sign. Yep - "Lewis, Daniels & Co". I'm in the "co" but that still delivers a pretty hefty paycheck. Not too shabby for a 24 yearold.
I grabbed my brand new Motorola phone and looked at the clock. 7:12 AM. Less than four hours of sleep. Yippee. I literally rolled out of bed and grabbed a pair of black shorts , a white shirt and my sneakers and ran outside. Ten minutes later and I was running on the beach. I love jogging. It relaxes me and gives me some alone time with, well, me. I've been doing it daily since I was 12 and I only break the routine when I'm too sick or hurt to get up.
And no, before you ask, being a lawyer is not THAT dangerous. Let's just say I have a very interesting and colourful life. Yes, that's it. Split personality like Spiderman and Batman and such. I continued my jog, running faster. Waves splashed against the shore, barely touching me as my mind drifted once away. Last night had been tiring. They always are. But I was getting closer - I knew it - and I wouldn't give up. I passed by a couple of girls - "California clones" as I've called them - who smiled and giggled at me as they passed. I'd bet 1000$ that they were checking my butt. Girls are silly creatures. And they say guys are bad but you know what? Women are exactly the same. They just hide it better. Well, some of them do anyway.
I ran back home and took a quick shower before slipping into my classic business suit. I combed my hair in all directions possible trying to get it out of my eyes but the damn thing has a mind of its own. A tone of hairgel and 5 minutes later and I was jumping in my convertible throwing the briefcase on the seat next to me. Nothing like 9 hours of work ahead to put a guy in a good mood. That and LA traffic is totally awesome. Riiiight. And I just love listening to "Baby one more time" over and over again.
That was a joke.
You do learn to have patience. The key to having a good day - or a semi-decent one - is to not get mad from the beginning. There are worse things to come than the traffic. That's just training. As I was approaching the building my phone began ringing. I picked it up and looked at it for a second. Did I really want to answer it? No, not really. Do I have to answer it? You better bet I do.
"CHIBA!!!!" a voice screamed from the other end.
Great.
"Yes, sir?"
"Do you know what time it is? Am I not paying you to be on time? You're not on vacation. Mrs Potter has been waiting for 3 whole minutes!!"
I rolled my eyes. That's Lewis for you. Everything is on a tight schedule.
"I'll be right ther-" I began but the line was dead. Yep. I guess his "asshole time" expired and needed to go to the bathroom or something. I parked quickly and rushed up.
"Hello, Mister Chiba!"
I smiled at the young secretary. "Hi Trish! How's life?"
"Between delivering coffee and making copies, it's as exciting as a secretary's life could be!"
"Just remember to lay off the wild parties!"
"I'll try to!!" she yelled after me as I stepped into a hall.
I stopped in front of a simple black door with a sign that read in golden letters: "Mamouru Chiba". That must be the highlight of my day. I moved my red tie a bit to losen the knot and plastered on my million dolar grin as I walked in. As expected, Mrs Potter was already sitting in one of the leather armchairs facing my office. She turned when I entered and got up. She was about 60 years old, maybe even older. You can't really tell with all those plastic surgeries available in this day and age. We shook hands lightly and I motioned for her to sit as I too took a seat at my desk.
I turned on the computer before turning to face her. "I am very sorry for the delay. Traffick will be the end of us all." She merely looked at me seriously. Not the talking type. Oh well. I looked through the file on my desk. "So, divorce case?" She nodded. Rich couple, a dozen mansions, a couple of yachts, private plane, the works. Weirdly enough no children. Cause: infidelity.
"Cheating husband?"I guessed. She somehow seemed to proper for it. Guys are always the ones that get blaimed faster. Heck, even I blame guys first and I am a GUY! Go figure. It's a woman's world, I reckon.
She shook her head. "Me." I merely blinked.
"Okay, so..."
"It's not like that!"
"It isn't?"
"You see, as you'll read in my file, my husband was just not fulfilling my needs anymore!"
I looked at her before turning to the file. Only now did I notice the guy's age - 23. He was younger than I was.
"You see," she continued, "I'm afraid his young body could not handle the effort. He was not able to fulfill me in bed. I was searching for something merely professional..."
I looked at her in shock. Granny over here having sex - no, wait, WILD sex. What did this woman need? I searched for some pictures and sure enough I came across one. I must have stared at it for a couple of minutes, turning it in every position possible until all its details completely dawned on me. I swallowed hard and looked at the very decent old school lady sitting in front of me and then back at the picture. I had no idea a human body could do that. Hot damn I'm behind with the times.
"I see..." I said in a chocked voice and closed the file. "Well, since it was your estate and if we can in fact prove the nature of your unsatisfaction then I do believe we may get everything..."
She nodded shortly and got up. I stood up with her as we said our goodbyes. I fell back on the chair and resisted an urge to vomit. Instead I called for a strong black coffee. Fabulous start.
The day literally crawled by. Just clients and clients in an endless parade. After my last client exited the office I threw my feet on my desk and leaned back in the chair. There was still plenty of light outside. Maybe I should go surf. Yeah, relax a bit before job number 2. Just as I we enjoying the thought of some relaxation my cellphone rang. I considered ignoring. A little voice inside of my head told me to ignore it. But I answered anyway - I never learn.
"Dude, you're done, aren't you?"
Ahh, Motoki. Bless his heart. My best friend. Oh wait, my ONLY friend. Yeah, I don't go out much. And I've never really been a people person but he seems to drag me out for some fun every now and again.
"Right, bloke!"
"Time for some fun then! There's this - "
"Hang on there! I know what your fun implies. Which model are you going to shove down my throat this time?"
"Meeee? Why I'd never. And besides, Giselle was an upcoming young actress!"
"Same difference, same answer - NO!"
"Please?"
I rolled my eyes. Why did he insist on doing this? I'll just get bored and avoid getting drunk or laid. So there's no point in me going.
"Oh come on! It's the hottest club this side of Hollywood - "Arabian Nights". Minako has VIP passes! She insists on you coming aswell!"
Why did he have to get her in it? He knows I couldn't possible resist that since I'm the one who introduced them. I helped Minako get out of a contract for a minor label so she could sign up with a top notch one and become very well known as a singer. As such, she thinks it's her holly duty to fix me up with someone.
"Fine! Fine! I'll be there at 9!"
"Great!" He sounded excited.
Oh well, there goes my quiet time. I drove home for another quick shower and change. I chose a pair of black jeans and a dark blue shirt unbuttoned at the top. I rearranged the spikes in my hair and hoped on my motorcycle. That was my desired transportation method - quick, easy to maneuvre and easy to park. I instinctively touched my ankle and felt the touch of cold metal through my pants. I felt better now. Never leave home without it during the night. I raced towards the club and easily found a place to park in the VIP zone next to the car that Motoki and Minako were getting out of. We flashed out cards and got in before the other 100 people waiting in line. A few screams were heard as everyone noticed Minako but we quickly left them behind as we entered the club.
A tall, dark-skinned man approached us and smiled. "Miss Aino, your usual table?"
"Yes, please!" she said and smiled softly. She flung her long blonde hair back on her naked back as she headed up the stairs and to a secluded table. I looked around, scanning for possible threats. No threats but I could see why the club was called "Arabian nights". There was a lot of see-through fabric dangling around and there were no chairs, only cushions. It did give quite an intimate feel to it. I leaned against the rail and looked down at the dance floor. It was unbelievably full and everyone seemed to be completely hypnotized by the music. Charming.
"See, aren't you glad you came? Plenty of babes to choose from!"
I turned to see Motoki. "Aww, you shouldn't be saying that, KIkI!"
He flinched. "Never...ever...call...me...that!" he said through gritted teeth.
"Ahh yes! Only Minako can call you that! Well, sorry Kiki!" I said and chuckled as I jumped out of his way and decended to the dance floor. Now, that might have looked "slightly" tempting but I wasn't that kind of guy so I headed to the bar and ordered a nice old fashioned whiskey on the rocks. What can I say? I have little to no imagination. I stood on the stool, enjoying my drink and looking every now and again at the crowd. Nothing unusual yet. Nor would it have been if I'd have had some luck for once. But nah.
I felt a cold chill run up my spine and my back hairs stood up. I looked around, painfully obvious that something was not right at all. I scanned the crowd. Nothing... but wait. I caught a glimpse of blonde. I stared intently only to see a young woman standing in the middle of the dancefloor. Nothing unusual? Think again. Her long blonde hair fell around her in a cascade of gold caressing her naked shoulders and falling way lower than her mini red dress that left just enough for imagination. She seemed to take notice of me as she now too returned the stare. Her light blue eyes were focused on me, looking through me. I felt empty. Damn her. She just smirked and before I realized what had happened she was sitting on the stool next to mine. I did a double-take. I never really get used to it.
She just stood there, looking like a perfect porcelain doll except for a fire burning in her eyes. She looked mischievous. She smiled as she ordered a margarita. She never touched it. She'd have no use for it anyway. She leaned in suddenly as she was about to say a secret. My nostrils got invaded by a sweet scent of roses. I should have pulled away but instead I leaned in.
"Why is it that you can so easily see me?" she said with a slight hint of a French accent.
"I have really good eyes?"
She laughed softly but something about it made it so sweet that it seemed to caress my ears. That's age for you.
"Very nice. You do have exceptional eyes..." she said in a seductive voice and wanted to meet my gaze.
I instinctively looked away. Not a good idea at all. She laughed again.
"Afraid?" she asked.
"More like aware..."
She tilted her head to one side and looked at me for a moment as though she was trying to decide on something. "So you know..." she whispered.
"... what you are, yes!"
"...how to dance!" she continued and smiled wickedly as she grabbed my arm and lead me to the dance floor. I couldn't have turned back if I wanted to but I must confess that the sight of her didn't make me sick. It was quite a pleasant view from where I was standing. She giggled. I'd hope she'd have the decency to stay out of my mind.
'No...' a voice whispered in my mind.
'Stay out!'
'Or what, lover boy?' Her giggle echoed in my mind. Damn women.
She turned towards me and the dance began. Now, I might not be the most experienced dancer there ever was but damn. She pressed against me and I swallowed as her eyes looked up at me. She looked hungry for something and I was the only thing on the menu. She smiled as she placed my hands on her body. I wouldn't exactly want to grab a feel. Well, generally I would but not in her case. She looked at me intently, inviting me with her seductive gazes. If I were less of me I would have probably caved then and there but being the responsible mature individual that I am I pushed her away. She seemed somewhat surprise. I bet ya nobody ever did that to her. The dazed look disappeared in a matter of seconds leaving behind the same confident look she had first worn.
Oh well. I shrugged and turned away, determined to go back to my drink. Supernatural wasn't in my agenda at that hour. I could have done something more but then again I wasn't equiped properly. That and this one was a bit too old for my expertize. I looked around again and left the club. Only so much excitement a guy can take one night. I reached my bike when I suddenly felt a presence.
"What is it that you want?" I asked.
Silence. Maybe she was shocked. "How can you do that?" she replied.
"It takes some practice," I said and turned to face her. She was standing there in all her blonde glory and I must admit she was beautiful. One of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. Too bad she was all stone. And all evil and dead and all that. Sure, she's a reality of today's society but that doesn't mean I have to like her.
She approached me and before I realized it she was next to me again. She trailed my jaw with her finger and I shivered - cold or nerves or maybe both. She smiled. I'd have said she was 17 once upon a time. Long ago. Too long.
"So, you're HIM."
It was a statement, not a question.
"Well, I'd like to think myself more as a noun than a pronoun but whatever floats your boat!"
She looked at me as yet another smile crept on her white face. "Yes, you are. Only you would be so foolish to treat me in such a fashion. Only you would joke in a situation where you can die in a matter of seconds."
"As much as women terrified Freud, they will never really be more than a question mark for me and, with all do respect, you wouldn't be the first or the last to underestimate me..." I said and smirked.
She laughed. I hate it when people find me amusing at the wrong time. With one swift move I had pulled a small silver dagger from my pocket and was not holding the tip against her neck. She continued laughing. "Well, well Lover boy! I guess you do have all the moves!" she said and winked. "Too bad you'll have a short life!" She easily grabbed the dagger and snapped the blade in two.
"Show off!" I mumbled.
She giggled. I'm glad she's having fun. "Why did you turn me down?" she asked innocently.
"Because me and vampires don't mix!"
"True. But there are always exceptions..."
"Perhaps but I have yet to meet it. I will let you know though."
"No need. I'll be seeing more of you!"
"Not unless you're sleeping and I have a stake in my hand!"
She smirked. "Just be sure I'm not the one on top. Though I doubt you'd find it disagreeable! Till next time, lover boy!"
I just stared as she disappeared. Oh fabulous. This day was just great. What next? No, wait. I don't want to know.