It was Godric. But why was he here?
It was a formal dinner. It must have been a black tie event. Everyone looked so… beautiful. It was in a very fancy restaurant.
"Why are we here?" I asked hearing my voice seem to echo.
"It's a special night," Godric answered.
He stood beside me as I remained sitting down. An Italian tuxedo covered his body instead of his usual white lounge clothes. He didn't look half bad all spiffed up.
"Wow, Godric, you clean up nice," I said looking up at him.
Godric leaned down putting his lips close to my ear, "You are radiant."
I looked down at what I was wearing and gasped in shock. It was very low cut. Down to my waist on both sides of me. The straps were thick and there was one very thin strap that connected from front torso to the bare back. It was a shimmer gold color and it reached to the floor. I felt my face flush with color as I looked back up at Godric.
"Don't be ashamed," he spoke softly offering me his hand.
I had way too much jewelry on! Bracelets, earrings, necklaces, everything! My hair was done up in a curly do with a metal gold headband in. A few curls reached down and tickled my back.
"Why am I here?" I asked looking around again.
"I told you," Godric said still waiting for me to take his hand. "It's a special night."
I took in a deep breath and took his hand.
I rose to my feet meeting Godric's gaze. He smiled which was comforting as he lead me away from the table.
"Are they all vampires?" I asked seeing very pale people around me.
Godric didn't answer.
He stopped and turned to face me in a crowd of people. They were all dancing.
"I didn't know you danced," I said as Godric took one of my hands and placed the other on the small of my back.
"A vampire at my age should know how to do a lot of things," Godric said popping up his eyebrows.
He lead. And very well. His movements were precise and always lead to another. He didn't step on my feet or my dress. It was very impressive to see this side of Godric. The music was very light and heavenly making it easy to glide across the floor.
Godric twirled me around showing off a bit. I smiled feeling perfectly comfortable in his arms. He was smiling with me. It was a different smile though. Different from the side smile and full on he had. It was a bit… flirty?
"So… what's so special about tonight?" I asked looking around at the others on the dance floor.
"It's a surprise," Godric whispered to me.
"So mysterious," I said rolling my eyes with a slight laugh.
The music slowed telling my dancer instinct the big finale was coming up. Godric slowly turned me out and brought me back in. I was expecting to stop in front of him but he let me go further. I lowered myself down as Godric kept a powerful open hand on my back.
The music ended and I was in a full dip. My head was closer to the ground than anything else. I had one hand at my side lose and the other was on Godric's back for comfort and safety. He eventually brought me back up. I laid my hand on his shoulder for balance coming inches from his face.
I was about to pull away but Godric placed a hand over mine. He inched closer glancing down at my full lips. I looked deep into his eyes searching for the truth on this moment. We just lingered. I could feel his breath on my bare chest as we stayed so close.
A lingering moment in time. It was as the closest I ever got to a man.
My eyes fluttered open. It was about mid-day outside. As my eyes adjusted to the light I could see my phone flashing at me. I blinked a few more times before I stretched out to reach it.
Seven missed call all from the same damn person; Freddy.
I sighed knowing I'd get my ear chewed out when I called him back.
My phone started to ring in my hands. But an unknown number appeared.
"Hello?" I said into the receiver.
"Oh sure. You'll answer the phone if an unknown number comes up but you won't answer for my number," Freddy said angry.
"I just woke up," I said running my fingers through my hair.
"And what were you doing last night to wake up so late?" he asked.
My blue eyes shot wide. I couldn't tell him the truth. He wouldn't accept it.
"Just listening to the radio stations for music selections," I lied quickly. I was really good at lying!
"You sure?" Freddy asked.
"Does it sound like I'm slurring my words?" I asked walking into my kitchen.
"Fine, just don't be late… ever!" Freddy shouted hanging up afterwards.
"When have I ever been late?" I asked to myself.
I was in my one bedroom one bathroom apartment. It was dinky compared to Godric's house. But it worked during the small amounts of time I was actually here.
"Mmm, strawberries," I hummed as I rinsed them off and started eating.
My diet was pretty simple. Eat whatever I wanted, work it off during dance practice, but stay away from foods with too much grease. Godric once told me he didn't like the taste after I ate a burger.
Thinking of Godric made me think about the dream. I knew I would have fantasies about when whenever I tasted his blood but they were never too strong since I never drank that much. But this one was different. It was as close as I've ever gotten to Godric in a dream or real life.
I touched my fingers to my lips. We lingered at a first kiss.
I sighed relived I didn't actually got for it. The last thing I needed in my life right now was an obsession or attraction to a vampire; even one such as Godric.
I jumped as my phone started to buzz beside me.
"I really need to stop being such a coward," I said before I picked it up.
"All of your measurements are in. But I want you to go in again. I've heard you've changed your diet," Andre spoke.
My eyes shot wide. How did he find out?
"Is that the latest celebrity gossip?" I joked.
"Freddy said something about it," Andre replied ignoring my humor.
God damnit Freddy, I thought.
"Just a few minor things. Like grease and gluten," I answered hoping he'd buy it.
"Are you still a figure or are you a stick?" Andre asked mono-tone.
"Definite figure," I said looking across the room to my stand up mirror.
"Keep it that way," Andre said before leaving me.
"Do all the men that call me ever say goodbye?" I asked myself out loud.
I went over to the small living room I had and turned on the stereo. More music to calm my nerves and dance to.
What to do today? I thought to myself.
I didn't need to go in and be fitted again since Andre believed my story. Practice won't be for a while or until we can find space to practice in. Shopping was out of the question since I didn't have a job.
"I guess we really do need to dance to make money," I said to myself.
The only way I got paid was when Freddy and I danced at local events. Plays, schools, and sometimes sports. It was never a large check… just enough for a few months of rent.
The doorbell rang.
I turned off the music and went to the door. I was wearing a tank top and shorts which in my head was appropriate or answering the door.
I looked out the peep whole which I barely reached even on my tip toes. I rolled my eyes and opened the door.
Freddy looked me over, "So you do still have a figure."
"And you were the one telling Andre false stories?" I questioned as he let himself in.
"You're not sexy without your breasts. A girl like you can't live with just a juicy ass," Freddy said slapping my rear end.
I covered myself looking up at him with disgust.
"What do you want here?" I asked a little nervous for his answer.
Freddy stared down at me with cold hazel eyes. It frightened me; men that stare directly down into a woman's eyes knowing they have power over her. Stan did the exact same.
"I just wanna make sure… you're not hanging out with the wrong people," Freddy said hinting at something.
My heart jumped. If he ever found out what Godric and I do together… he'd kill me.
"You know what I'm talking about?" Freddy asked taking a step closer to me.
"The only social life I have is you and Andre," I said moving away from him.
"That's during the day and the beginning of night," Freddy said with a smirk. "I'm talking about late at night when you're not at home."
"You… you follow me?" I asked running into the back of the couch.
"No," he answered staring down at me emotionless. "But just to be sure you're not lying to me."
His hands were all over me. He first checked my neck pulling my hair if it blocked his vision. I heard something crack in my neck as he switched sides to double check again and again. Next was my wrist. He twisted them looking for any sign of a mark. Then he pulled up my shirt checking around my torso and hips.
I shouted to get him off but even Freddy had too much strength for me.
Last, but certainly not least, he checked around my shorts. He flipped me up and over the couch letting my waist line rest on the ledge. He used his fingers instead of his eyes to search for marks. He knew a vampire's favorite spot was the inner thigh just below the bikini area. Once he was done he turned and left without a word.
Hot tears streamed down my face. Never before have I felt so violated and invaded. I pulled my shirt back down and whimpered on the couch where he left me. My wrist was throbbing and I think it was selling up. My neck wasn't in any better shape.
I couldn't tell Andre. He'd never believe me. He was a proud man that still believed women were not equal to man. He'd call me over emotional, and when Freddy found out I confessed…
A fresh stream made it's way down my face. The appropriate song was on the radio. I stayed on the couch and sulked for a few hours before I dried my tears and moved on with my day.