I promise this won't be a quick lovely dovey romance where they become a couple instantly. It is fun to read about the chase and the struggles they will have to get through before hand. Plus I love writing jealousy into a story and that will play a big part for awhile too! Leave a review and tell me what you think!
Her head was light on the pillow she rested upon. The sun was peeking in through the curtains but she was too lazy to move. Her legs were bare and tangled in the sheets around her. Someone else wraps their arm around her waist and she sighs in content. They nuzzle their nose in the crook of her neck and she giggles.
"Would you stop? This is my only day to sleep in." she mumbles.
"I hardly want to spend any second in this bed just sleeping." They answer back in a deep voice.
She looks up at him and smiles. His light brown hair is tousled in the morning light and he is just as flawless as ever.
"I knew you couldn't resist." He says kissing her neck. She sighs in content.
"Who are you?" she whispers.
"You will know soon enough." He whispers back. She feels something sharp graze her neck and she screams.
Rose wakes up panting heavy while laying tangle in her quilt on the ground. Her head was pounding and she collects herself into a sitting position while brushing the hair from her face. She looks to the alarm clock on her nightstand and groans. It was almost ten and she was late for work.
What a wonderful way to start the day she thought. First I was having a dream about the stranger on the bus and now I'm about to be late for my job. She scoffs at her own insolence and rushes to get ready.
Tonight was a special gala for a business party coming in and the whole restaurant was rented out from five until midnight just for that company so she was told to dress up. She had a black cocktail dress stuffed at the back of her closet that hadn't seen the light of day since purchased. Seeing as she was already late, she decided to take extra time on her appearance. Tiff had said many young men may show up to this thing and it never hurt to try. While in the middle of curling her hair, the phone rings in the other room and she rushes, half complete to answer.
"Hello?" she asks while panting.
"Jesus Rose, where are ya? We have to get the lunch crowd out early to set up and you decide to sleep in?" Michael asks exasperated.
"No that's not what happened. My alarm didn't go off and I'm rushing to finish right now. I promise I'll get there before noon." She says apologetically.
"Just hurry back. Tiff wants you ready to show off for tonight, so I thought I'd warn you."
"Thanks Mike." She says before hanging up. It was really no shock to hear Tiffany's plans. She pulled this every time a special dinner event was held.
Sighing, she rushes back into her small bathroom to finish the other side of her hair before heading out. Looking in the mirror, she was quite pleased with the turnout of her appearance. Her hair was in loose ringlets and her make-up was done light. A light rose blush to her cheeks gave her a lovely glow and the dark mascara on her lashes appeared bold and daring.
She goes back into her room to fish out a pair of heels before grabbing her purse to leave. The three inch heels made her taller than her short 5'4 stature and thus she always wore them to work. She pours food into Donatello's bowl before patting him on the head and sprinting to the door.
The clunking of her heels are muffled on the hallway rug as she goes to the elevator doors. Thank God maintenance had got to the problem today; she didn't feel like trudging down six flights of stairs in stilettos. Once in the lobby she runs by her neighbor who waves to her in good morning.
Not wanting to make Michael any more upset, she decides to hail a cab instead of waiting for the bus. It was usually a step fair to pay but she'd make it up in tips tonight. Instantly a cap pulls up to the flailing damsel. Usually she wouldn't use her looks to get ahead but she was thankful for the short dress today.
"Where too ma'am?" the driver asks politely while eyeing her legs.
His lingering gaze disgusts her but she replies "No.9 Park restaurant on nine park street please." He nodes and drives into the on going traffic. She sits back into the leather upholstery with a deep sigh. She could finally relax; or at least until work began.
The men lay sprawled out in the Presidential suite of the Boston Plaza hotel. All of the shades were drawn tight while the men rested for the day hours.
"This is why I hate Earth. They have too much sun!" River whines while his feet rest above his head on the leather sofa.
"Humans love and crave sunlight. We said good bye to that privilege long ago my friend." Baron says from his seat on the piano bench. He require less time than the others to gain his strength in the day. After being to Earth so many times, his body grew used to the toll it took on the vampire mind and endurance.
"You sound remorseful. Do you long for days in the sun again?" Tristan asks from the floor.
"I…am no longer bound to this world." He answers with a tone of regret.
"That's not an answer Baron." Tristan points out.
He shrugs while carelessly tickling the ivories of the piano.
"I'm worried." Cardinal says from the large armchair in front of the plasma television.
"About what?" River asks.
"Sterling hasn't returned yet. Himself on his own is never good." Cardinal says with concern.
"He can look after himself." River says with an eye roll. "Besides, he probably can judge that it is daylight right now. If he tries to come back he'll be burnt to a crisp. No amount of time freezing can change that."
"I'm not worried for his well being but for ours. If you haven't noticed, he isn't exactly on great terms with any one here." Cardinal says mindfully.
"Did he share something between the two of you last night?" Kane asks, finally speaking.
"He seems to have distaste for humans and Baron as of late." Cardinal says while judging Barons reaction.
"I do not fault him to hate me. It is his…resolve. And I don't believe he hates humans either." Baron says, not looking up from the keys.
"You know something we don't" It wasn't a question but a conclusion made by Tristan.
"Yes but it is not for me to say. Just be mindful towards Sterling's position. Think back to before you were cursed and you might begin to understand." Baron says. He picks up a dark tempo on the piano that silences everyone while they think on his words.
The rustic sounds of Beethoven were enough to settle their nerves. Music was held in high regard across each and every group of supers. Most had grown tired to the archaic tones of the piano except the vampires. Highest populations of vampires were mortal in the classical period before their transformation. Times may have changed but their spirits hadn't.
"Everyone else is thinking it so I might as well ask; what's our plan for tonight?" River says with a crooked brow.
"We can still search for Demons but the main focus has changed. Guarding the Light Bearer is everything." Baron instructs while standing. He loosens the slack of his tie while crouching down on the floor.
"Ah the fair Rosemary. Did anyone call dibs yet?" River asks with a Cheshire cat grin.
Baron's eyes darken. "She is not to be handled River."
River gives him a curious look. "Man I was just teasing. Looks like someone did call dibs fellas." He says with a teasing laugh.
Baron's mood lightens as he gazes around. The rest of his men look just as curious to the new side of Baron. As far as they knew, he had never had a serious lover or even showed interest in one.
"You'd do well not to grow attached to her." Kane warns.
"And you'd do well to not speak with me in that tone." He says with a glare to Kane who only closes his eyes in disinterest.
"Once she's discovered her powers she'll be handed over to more of the executive class any how. Remember we are high class criminals and nothing more. Without our helpful friend Max, we'd too be nothing." Cardinal says earnestly which earns an eye roll from Tristan.
"Don't preach to us about Max, it makes my ears bleed." He says abrasively.
"Enemies for life I see." River says to Tristan.
"I will never bow down to the man. He's more likely to receive a knife in the back from me than a kiss to his ring." Tristan's eyes start to fade to black.
"Handle your anger. We don't need you sucking this whole place dry, not to mention turning yourself into an ash pile." Baron says sternly.
Tristan shakes his head clear. "The day he dies, I promise will be at my hands. Will you all attend my funeral?" he asks with dry humor.
"No need to act like a sarcastic little shit. I've already called that role." River says wagging his finger in disapproval.
"I grow tired with this monotonous conversation. I'm retiring until nightfall." Tristan says while stalking to one of the empty bedrooms.
"Indeed. We should all rest. It is useless to everyone if we are only half alive on our feet." Baron says nodding for everyone to leave.
They scatter into the empty rooms all except for Cardinal. After everyone else has left, he speaks.
"Something on your mind?" Baron asks with a raised brow from his spot on the ground.
"May I speak freely?" Cardinal asks nobly.
"Of course friend." Baron says gesturing him to speak.
"I'm worried about your attachment to this girl." He says bluntly.
"I am not attached. What have I said to lead you to believe this foolish thought?" Baron says peeved.
"It's not a matter of what you say but more of how you act. Things are about to change drastically for all of us, we don't have time for petty little romance." His tone is clipped; an unusual thing for Cardinal.
"Your concern for the others is admirable but I assure you, you have nothing to fret, I know our task. Once we have achieved our goal, she will be out of our hair," Baron says convincingly.
Cardinal nods, accepting his answer. "Alright, just as long as you know the consequences if something should arise. I act with the best interest of the group and our kind Baron."
"You say this as if you are against me." Baron says with a contorted frown.
"I am on your side, I promise you that and I always will be. I have nothing more to say on this matter." He says turning to leave the room.
Baron sits abandoned in the sitting room of the suite. His large frame looks absurdly misplaced on the floor where he is sprawled in a sitting position. He can feel the ache within his bones from the sun. Evening would come again and they would be on the move.
The more he thought about Sterling's words, the more correct they seemed. It was wasting time here on Earth just for the comforts of the Light Bearer. He had never cared about the comforts of a mortal before. She would have to deal as best she could when she was ripped away from this world. He closes his heart and decides to tell the others later tonight. He stood resolute in the room and goes behind the open bar. The idea of a scotch on the rocks seemed comforting, if only for a short time. Vampires had great resistance towards alcohol. He could drink this bar dry and still be as sober as a priest on Sunday. The murky light of the sun could be seen through the dark curtains as it slowly set in the sky. Waiting for night seemed eternal, even for a vampire as old as him.
The last of the regular customers leave and the workers at No.9 Park restaurant start setting up for the big business party. When she had arrived at work late, Michael had been irked with her and told her he would dock pay on her next check. She felt glum from the news but it was to be expected. Tiff had assured her, she would make killer tips tonight to make up for the missing cash anyways.
Rose helps Tiffany push two large tables together. She could feel herself start to sweat from the work and she made a reminder to freshen up before the guests arrived.
"I'm so shocked to see you in something as risqué as that. Where and when did Rose the prude buy something like that?" Tiff teases. Her blonde locks bounce up and down while she struts about the restaurant in her red heels. Her own dress was a tight crimson color that didn't quite reach her knees.
"I am not a prude! How little you know, I was once a party girl." Rose says while crossing her arms.
"You're only twenty five hun. Did you start partying when you were twelve and grow tired of it?" She asks with a chuckle.
"Well I just wasn't too into the whole drinking scene. I tried when I was twenty two but I stopped shortly after."
"Wow really lived it up huh?" She says condescendingly.
Rose rolls her eyes, not bothering to answer.
"Could you girls get the candles out on the tables and light them. We have less than an hour here!" Michael says anxiously.
"Calm down, it takes two seconds to light candles Mike." Tiff says patting his shoulder while walking to the storage room with Rose on her heels. Tiff reaches for the wax sticks while rose picks out the candle sticks.
"Do we have matches?" Rose asks in wonder.
"Nope, just a butane lighter I think." Tiffany goes back into the dinning room with her arms full. Rose looks to the door anxiously and thanks God she was a hostess and not a waitress. The servers were already busy preparing cutlery while the chefs had the stoves on high.
"Rose, what time is it?" Mikes shouts to her while pushing in chairs.
"Almost four thirty." She wasn't used to seeing her manager in a flustered mood and it was comical to say the least.
"We are never going to finish in time. We should have kicked people out at three." He says with a knitted frown.
She shrugs carelessly in response. To her, the restaurant looked better than it normally did. The lighting was dim and the little flames flickered lightly on the tables. All of the silver cutlery was laid out on the maroon colored napkins while the shades were drawn half way down. The normally short cherry wood tables were pushed together in threes to make long dinning tables for sitting large numbers of people at once. White table cloths were bleached clean and hung over the tables for fancy dining. It felt very five star tonight and she felt excited to work the large scale event.
Once Michael had calmed his demeanor, the workers began to take their places. Tiffany and Rose stood at the front doors to seat guest while waiters held onto platters with small shots of alcohol and ordure's. The main course was cooking in the kitchen and it sent a pleasant smell throughout the establishment.
Expensive automobiles with custom paint jobs and leather interiors started to pull into the parking lot. Men in high class suits would walk in pairs to the door. Some with dates or wives and others going stag with friends.
Rose feared her arm would be bruised by the end of the night because every time someone young and good looking would walk through the door, Tiff would nudge her. She would shoot her looks to stop but she'd just smile innocently and continue showing guests to their tables.
Though Rose wouldn't admit it to Tiffany, a few of the men were quite a sight to behold. Some were flawless in their suits that they looked as good as models only with a business degree. It made her slightly self conscious as she felt mediocre in being just a hostess.
Another man walks through the door and she nearly faints from the sight of him. The way the setting sun hit his gold hair made him look like a bronzed God. His teeth were bleach white against his tanned skin and she felt herself blush from under his gaze. He walks through the door and smiles with false sweetness. She knew he was aware of his affect on women and she felt shamed for being like the majority of every female to cross his path.
"For one sir?" she asks her voice more confidant than she felt.
"Are you asking to be curious?" he teases and she scowls when her face heats up.
"No, I actually need to know if you have a preference on where to sit." She asks slightly annoyed.
"I did not mean to offend your honor miss. The empty chair on the table to the right will do just fine." He says. She nods and walks him to the table. She felt as important as a child at the moment. He already picked his seat, so she didn't need to show him there but Michael had been strict on proper etiquette.
"Here you are sir." She says gesturing for him to sit. The other colleagues stare at the girl and she feels the urge to yell at them.
"Thank you kindly Rose." He says looking at her name tag before sitting properly and folding a napkin in his lab.
She feels light headed from hearing her name. "One of the waiters will come serve you." She says.
"A pity, I was hoping we could talk more." He says with another signature smile.
"Yes that's a shame." She says before walking away. She sees Tiff grinning from ear to ear before she reaches her at the front podium.
"Oh who is that delicious piece of candy who just walked in?" she asks while leaning back casually against the wall.
"He's very typical." She says with a scrunched noise.
"Well, Mr. typical looks very into you." She says while looking his direction.
Rose looks too and catches his gaze. He grins and she turns back with a blush.
"Oh look at you, as red as a tomato. You should talk with him, you look sexy tonight." Tiff says matter o'factly.
"I think I'll pass." Rose says with a head shake.
"Oh you're not still hoping to see bus stranger again are you." Tiff asks in disbelief. Rose had told her the moment she landed in late for work. Tiff had told her to let go of that dream. Any man that good looking taking the bus had issues obviously, she had said.
"I just was so enthralled when I saw him. He seemed so dark and mysterious." She says with a far off look.
"Yeah that's because he was on a bus. It would be a mystery to me too if I saw someone like that on public transit." Tiff says with a head shake.
"Maybe he was down on his luck?" Rose says hopefully.
"Oh hun, take the prize that's right in front of you now."
"You mean Mr. Tan?" Rosa asks with a crooked brow.
"God yes! If I wasn't with Brandon, I'd take him myself."
"I suppose I can give it a shot." Rose says cryptically.
"Damn right. Just wait until it quiets down first." She says smacking her butt before stalking off. She admired her friend's courage when it came to men.
Rose was rather shy and awkward when forced to have long conversations with a man. Especially ones would look like a sun God. She glances his way again and he was watching her. She felt both flattered and violated from his stare.
She looked out the window and the sun had disappeared. The stars veil over the night sky while she looked at the time on her watch. It was early; only eight thirty. The company had rented the restaurant out until midnight and it was a safe assumption they would stay for the time they paid. She didn't really want to share another word with the man and wished he'd leave soon. Heaving a sigh, she decides to busy herself with work. She goes to ask Michael if there was anything else she could do.
"Well all of the people have been served and are eating well. You could help with kitchen clean up I guess." He says while going over the bill.
She groans. "Actually, I think I get some fresh air if it's all the same to you."
He laughs. "Than why did you even ask?"
"I was bored." She says sheepishly.
"And getting fresh air qualifies as fun now?" he asks with humor.
"More fun than cleaning dishes." She says while walking off.
She steps outside into the side alley while rubbing her bare arms to keep warm. It was a clear autumn night and leafs were scattered out on the side walks and roads in orange and yellow hues. She kicks a small stone with the toe of her heel, making a clatter sound when it hits the metal garbage bin.
"Are you hiding from me?" A voice says behind her.
Feeling startled, she turns around with a gasp. It was Sun God, back to annoy her.
"That depends. Are you following me?" she asks with a raised brow in curiosity.
"Guilty as charged." He says holding his hands up.
"Do you normally stalk the girls who ignore you?" she says with an eye roll.
"If it gets results. The more they try to ignore me, the more I stalk them." He says with a grin.
"Do you take pleasure in making others feel uncomfortable?"
"Yes, I love to see your skin crawl. Your animosity towards me just make it more worth while." He says with a lustful gaze.
"I think you're wasting your time. I'm hardly worth the trouble." She says going to walk past him. He stops her with a grasp around her upper arm.
She scoffs. "Unhand me please."
"Hmm, I don't think so." He shoves her against the wall and her heart rate increases. She can hear the thudding in her ears while swallowing a nervous lump.
"What do you want from me, I'm nothing special." She says with a shaky voice.
"How innocent your mind truly is. If you only knew how special you are Rose." He says while inhaling the scent of her hair. He nuzzles his nose down her neck while a growl escapes his throat.
"The rumors are true. Your kind does smell like nothing else." He says with a pant.
Your kind? What was he talking about? She gasps when he pulls back. His eyes have turned blood red.
"Dearest Rose. What has sent you aquiver?" he asks with an evil grin.
His skin starts to change red too and the hands he was holding her with turn into claws. Long black nails nig into her skin and his teeth turn into sharp little points. Something wraps around her leg and he has sprouted a tail with a jagged point on the tip cutting into her thigh.
"What are you?" she asks in a whisper.
"My dear, you need to speak loudly if you want to be heard." He says while gripping at her skin harder.
She yelps in pain and her knees want to buckle but he holds her in place with his immense strength.
"How I will be rewarded when I present you. I am ordered to bring you back alive."
She feels relief from hearing she may out live this yet.
"However, they didn't say you couldn't be harmed and you've been a bad girl for me." He says tapping her chin up with a long black nail to look at him. His hair was jet black and greases back while two tiny horns protrude from past his forehead. He looked like the devil in the flesh.
"Please don't harm me." She says softly.
He clicks his tongue in disapproval. "My dear, I hate silence. I only long to hear you scream."
He bares his set of sharp teeth and she flinches back. His nose nuzzles into her neck once again. Whispering softly he speaks. "Be a good girl and scream for me baby." Her neck felt on fire from the bite of his teeth and she obeyed. Her screams echo down the alley and into the streets. She prayed someone would hear and come save her, but time seemed to stand still as no one came.
Once again, reviews are love! It only takes two seconds!