Ivan and I walked into the Minetta Tavern, Ivan tugging at his sleeves uncomfortably. His assistant waited for us inside.

"Mary." Ivan called out, with arms spread out in hopes for a hug. She looked up from her tablet and sighed.

"Mr. Zeklos. I've been telling you, it's Mrs. Carmack. Please keep this professional." Her words went quiet when she saw me. "Mr. Guardian." She stuttered. "Guardian Belikov. Hi - Hello."

I nodded in acknowledgement. "Morning Miss. Carmack."

She gave me a small smile, tucking some hair behind her ear, blushing. "Um, You have a meeting with you're parents in an hour.. a meeting with the Dragomir's, who do to Her Majesty's anointment, will now be with Queen Vasilissa Dragomir and not His Highness Eric Dragomir at 3..and the rest of the day, you told me to cancel everything to prepare for..." She paused, giving me a sad look. "Mr. Belikov's wedding-engagement party... Your housekeeping and ground keeping employees should be cleaning and tiding your estate as we speak and have been told they'll be finish by the time of the engagement party. "

I sucked in a sharp breath, avoiding hers and Ivan's eyes . Ivan chuckled.

"Lover boy over here." He murmured. "Alright, anything else?"

...

A giant Zeklos Inc. logo, an impressive high-rise tower, busy employees scurry. There's a graffiti on the wall next to the entrance, employees scrub it down. As we walked by I saw some words before they're scrubbed away

A good vamp.

Is a dead vamp.

Walking in, we headed into Ivan's parent's office. Stopping right in front of their office. I didn't even notice Miss. Carmack walk into me. She looked up at me scared and blush as I offered a hand. "Are you okay?"

"Sorry, I didn't see you.. sorry..." she murmured.

"It's okay." I reassured. "You're okay."

I turned my attention back to Ivan who hasn't moved. He watched his parents eyeing especially his Dad, before turning away to face me and Miss. Carmack. He looks at his assistant, with a sigh. "Hey, go eat lunch. Dimitri will stay with me. And you can come back after. " he turned to me as she left and spoke in a begging tone. "Can you just shoot me?" He glanced behind him. "I'd rather die then face him."

I scoffed, giving him a playful push. "Simple meeting. You're in and you're out. "

He gave a tight smile, looking back at his father. "He's so mad. Like he has that face where you can't tell if he's mad or pissed off with you... Resting pissed off face."

I put a hand on his shoulder. "Better late then never."

Ivan groans as we both walk to his parents. Ivan's parents look up, his mother smiles; his father glares.

"You're late." Mr. Zeklos says.

Ivan gives a nervous laugh as he takes a seat. I prepare to take my post outside the office when Ivan stop me. "No...wait, Dimitri can you just wait here a bit. Take a seat; I don't care."

I paused before glancing at the crowd. His mother gave a small smile and his father glared at him. I took a seat next to Ivan but pushed myself away from the desk slightly.

Mrs.. Zeklos spoke up after an awkward silence. "So, I'm sorry Ivan, I couldn't get the estate nicer for you, when you arrived, but I hear you are already putting it to good use." She motioned to me.

Mr. Zeklos flatly speaks. "A party that doesn't have related clients invited doesn't mean it's a good use of Zeklos property."

An employee walked in. "What would you like for lunch?"

"Crème brûlée of foie gras with Tonga beans." said.

"Lobster Osso Buczco?" asked.

"Ravioli with guinea fowl and burrata cheese, veal reduction." Ivan murmured.

The waiter looked at me and I gave a small pass. Mrs. Zeklos spoke up. "Oh, Dimitri come on. We're all friends here. Family even." She looked at Ivan. "Ivan, pay for his lunch." I sighed in defeat.

"Fries?" I shrugged.

The waiter nods and leaves.

Mrs. Zeklos smiles at her son. "When was the last time you fed? You look a little pale."

Ivan chuckled nervously and nodded. "Dimitri and I was - were - we're going to after. "

She nods. "If you want we have doners, feeders here."

sat forward toward Ivan, who sat up at his fathers sudden movements. "Ivan. Son. the clients that I've scheduled to meet you today I'm moving till tomorrow, they're our first human company that wants to work with us. I'm giving you more time to be prepared. But I've heard you got a meeting with the Dragomirs. If you can gain their favor, approval, anything from them then that can help our business thrive. "

Ivan nods. "Will do." He keeps his head down avoiding eye contact with his Dad. His Dad watches him carefully.

"Unless, you have something better to do?" He says, with an eyebrow raised.

Ivan looks up and stares at him and nods. "I understand. "

Mr. Zeklos stares back at him, Ivan cowers under his glare. I sat there uncomfortable. Mrs. Zeklos chuckles and smiles nervously and spoke up "Dimitri. I remember when you and Ivan were so, little." She smiled. "And now look at you. Getting married. I didn't even know you were engaged!

I smile giving a small polite chuckle. "I just woke up engaged. " I don't even remember dating or asking her. I thought.

"Now only if we can find Ivan somebody. " she teased.

Ivan acts hurt. We all share a small laugh.