The next morning, Trish woke up to an absent Dave. He must be a vampire. He's always disappearing on my ass. She adjusted her vision and looked at her surroundings. Dave's bedroom was gorgeous at night but the daylight brought out the best features. The spacious room had vaulted ceilings and cranberry window treatments. A large bear rug was in front of the fireplace and Trish smiled a little as she remembered the various positions Dave put her in the night before on that very rug. Shit, I probably have rug burn.

When she had to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, she was sunned by the sheer extravagance of the marble floors and counter. She wasn't that surprised by the plethora of beauty products that covered the counter, however. At least Trish knew that she didn't have to run out and buy any hair gel.

Dave entered the bedroom wearing his heartwarming smile. "Good morning, Honey."

Trish stretched and yawned. "Good morning, Baby."

"How did you sleep last night?"

"I slept pretty good---that is, when you let me." She smiled.

"Yeah because you were complaining so much." Dave smiled.

"Cute." She smiled. "So what's on the agenda today? Going out to kill some more poor souls? Going to disappear into thin air again?"

"Actually, yes." Dave smirked. "But first things first, breakfast is ready. I want you to meet some people."

"Who?" She questioned.

"The Family." He said quietly. "Now, hurry up and get ready. We'll be ready for you downstairs."

After Dave left, Trish quickly showered and put on her clothing. She was irritated that she only had her compact and lip gloss but she'll manage.

When she arrived downstairs, she was immediately greeted with members of The Family standing up to welcome her to the table. Dressed in their finest designer wear, London, Nitro, Melina and Rock welcomed Trish to the dining room.

Dave walked over to Trish and kissed her cheek. "Have a seat, Honey."

Trish nervously sat down as Dave laid a napkin on her lap. As the other members of The Family watched her, Trish was secretly hoping that she wasn't the sacrificial lamb for that morning's breakfast. "Thank you." She muttered.

Dave walked back towards his seat at the end of the table. He had to stop Nitro, London, and Melina from staring holes into Trish's body. "Family, let's eat."

Trish watched everyone dive into the various Filipino foods awaiting them on the table. From the champorado and honey-orange pull apart bread to Bibingka Malagkit, the breakfast was fit for royalty. More specifically, the feast was to soothe Trish's feelings into the Family.

As Trish watched everyone gather their dishes, she took a minute to look at The Family. She was already familiar with Rock but she could tell by the way him and Dave conversed that they had a strong bond. Both men whispered amongst each other about various topics. They both smiled and laughed loudly. Two peas in a pod.

With his olive skin, London was of Spanish descent. Mirroring a clerk at an adult video store during his waking hours, London was quite the expert in adult films. To acquire more victims and wanting to get laid, he often worked as a DJ at Rock's nightclubs. Having a muscular build and a boyish-charm, London had a smile that lit up the room. And with his Pantene hair shine, Trish could tell he was just as metrosexual as her boyfriend.

London was also the comic relief of the apprentices, cracking a joke about whatever he could and whenever it seemed convenient. London was the perfect companion—as long as you didn't make a disparaging comment regarding his porn. Nobody and I mean nobody touches my damn porn.

London's partner-in-crime was Nitro. Unlike his counterpart who resembled a young luchador, Nitro was looking more out of the pages of Abercrombie and Fitch. With his sandy blonde hair, hazel eyes, and surfer body, Nitro was the quiet one of the apprentices. He often did what he was told and didn't put up a fight when he didn't want to do something. And it was so secret that the primary quality that attracted Melina to him. I love her, I love her, I love her.

Melina was a fiery female with multi-colored hair and a petite frame. She and Nitro mirrored as a stripper and cocktail server to acquire victims. She would often convince the men or women to host a private party at a hotel room with her and Nitro. Often before Nitro's strip tease was over, the victim was dead.

She was the sole female of the household and took pride of taking care of the men. While she was with Nitro for over 50 years, it was no secret that Melina had her eyes set on Dave. He only teased her by biting her neck to turn her. She really wanted him to pleasure her and then turn her. And she secretly hoped that he would still make love to her. Nitro would understand. If he doesn't, I don't care.

Needless to say, Melina was less than enthused that Trish was going to join The Family. And if she could help in any way to see Trish has a fateful date with heaven, Melina would more than oblige to help.

"So, Trish…" London started to say, "Have you ever been around vampires before?"

Dave shook his head and hoped London's question would be the only stupid one of the morning. But he knew when there was London, there was Nitro. "Dumbass, she hasn't been around vampires! See how clean her neck is!" Nitro said.

"You're both stupid! She's human! She hasn't been around any vampires!" Melina interjected.

"Children…" Dave said sternly. "Let's not bother Trish."

"It's okay, David." Trish nodded.

"Ha! She called you David!" London laughed. "Dude, you're pussy-whipped!"

"Where's the leash, David?" Nitro laughed.

"I wouldn't be talking." Rock commented.

Nitro stopped laughing and began eating his breakfast. "Yes, sir."

"Trish," Melina smiled, "Have you seen the house?"

"I have." Trish smiled. "I love it. It's very beautiful."

"What have you seen?" Nitro asked.

"Um, I've seen the library, the kitchen, the master bedroom and bathroom." Trish smiled.

"Oh man, you gotta see my room!" London smiled. "It's wicked! I have so many pictures of puss…"

Before London could finish his sentence, Melina dropped her fork and did a slow head turn towards Trish. "You spent the night in the master bedroom."

Rock smiled as he knew how territorial Melina was of Dave. "Oh shit, it's on now." He laughed.

Trish nodded. "Yes."

Melina whipped her head towards Dave. "I thought all guests slept in the guest bedroom, David." She sneered.

"Drop your tone, Melina and that is my only warning." Dave flatly said.

Melina squinted her eyes at Dave and excused herself from the table. "I'm not hungry anymore." She turned around and faced Nitro. "Let's go, Nitro. Now."

"I'm not done eating breakfast!" Nitro commented.

"Now!" Melina yelled.

"Nitro, stay put." Rock glanced at Melina. "Go take a nap."

Melina threw her hands in the air and ran upstairs. After a few minutes, Nitro excused himself from the table. "I need to go check on her."

After Nitro left, Trish looked at the remaining men at the table. "Should I get used to that?"

All of the men nodded and sighed. "Unfortunately."

--------------

After breakfast, Dave drove Trish back to her apartment and walked her to the front door. There was an uncomfortable silence between the pair as she got out her keys. "I guess I'll see you around." Trish said.

"Trisha," Dave grabbed her hands. "I know you just learned a whole lot and it's going to take some time to swallow."

"I just need time to think, David. I just…I just don't know…"

Dave understood Trish's plight. It would be unfair for him to assume that Trish was going to immediately join The Family now. But he was running out of time and it was putting him in a very precarious position. "Alright."

She kissed his lips. "I'll call you later."

"I'll call you later, Trisha." He kissed her forehead.

"David?" She asked.

"Yes?"

"Are you really a Fortune 500 executive?" She asked.

"In a past life, I was." Dave smiled. "I'm an English professor."

Trish nodded and smiled. "Of course, you are."

Trish stood by her front door and watched Dave leave. For a split second, she felt comfortable being surrounded by The Family. While she knew they were on their best behavior, she felt their attitudes and mannerisms would be something she could adjust to.

Now only if she can get over the fact they all kill to survive.