Coreen and Henry don't belong me, I just play with them.

Coreen rouged her lips when the doorbell rang.

That must be Colin since the clock isn't yet six, and he is always ahead of time, Coreen thought and went to open the door.

"Henry!" She in utter dismay after seeing who was standing on the staircase. "What are you doing here?" She asked tensed and felt a chill as the man eyed her.

"I thought I'd cheer you up, before I go to Gala, but you don't seem to be very sick," Henry replied slowly.

"I... I..." Coreen muttered, while the faint clink told the elevator to arrive at her floor. Oh no, she thought, and turned to look in the direction of the elevator, realizing Henry did the same. Don't let it be, Coreen prayed, but of course, the newcomer was Colin. And as he saw Coreen and Henry standing in the hallway, so he stopped and looked at Coreen questioningly.

The growl was so quiet, that Coreen actually felt it rather than heard it. And when Henry looked her again, his black eyes stroked the fire.

Coreen took a few steps back from sheer shock. It had been a long time since she had last seen vampire so angry. And then the vampire turned away and headed for the stairs.

"Henry!" Coreen cried after him but he didn't stop but disappeared in the staircase.

"Damn," Coreen sighted.

"Do you want to go after him?" Colin's voice asked beside her and Coreen looked at him. He was wearing casual suit and had a gardenia in his jacket's buttonhole.

"No", Coreen said. "I don't want that, we will be late because of him. Besides, when he is like that, then it's useless to try to talk to him. I hope I'm not too dressed up?" She asked, changing the subject.

"Not at all," Colin replied. "You look just perfect. And beautiful," he added.

"Thank you", Coreen replied and forced herself to smile. "You look great too, and that flower is the icing on top."

"In fact, I bought it for you," Colin said, detaching the flower, after which he stepped closer to Coreen, pushed gardenia's stem in her hair and gently cupped her face in his hands.

"May I kiss you, Coreen?" He asked softly, making Coreen chuckle and ask him: "Since when has you need a permission to do so?"

"You too would ask it, if I had your current look in my face," Colin replied gravely. "He scared you, didn't he?" he continued with concern.

Lie to him. He's not a vampire, he believes your lies, Coreen's mind told her to do, but she had had enough of lying.

"Yes, to both of your questions", Coreen answered. "He scared me and you may kiss me, if you still want to," she added uncertain.

"I don't know any reason why I wouldn't want to kiss you," Colin said, and pressed his lips on Coreen's lips.