Chapter 4: Cinnamon Kisses

She drinks a lot of cinnamon tea. That's one thing I've noticed. So, I requested she make it for me all the time at work. It was my own indirect way of kissing a woman I couldn't make mine. It was frustrating seeing her every day for the past year with that idiot Daiki. That's right, it had been a year since she'd started working for me now and I used every trick in the book to get her close to me, from sucking her blood to faking a sickness and having her stay with me to 'help me get better'.

Yui had picked up on this obsession of mine when she visited me at work 6 months ago. She made a habit of stopping by to see how the situation developed. Which, is how we were both sitting in my private break room sipping tea together while I had Natsumi running around doing ridiculous errands so she'd be too tired to see Daiki later today.

"You should just be honest with her Shu," Yui smiled, "bring her to the music gala this weekend! It'll be the perfect opportunity."

"I can't do that Yui," I said bluntly.

"Because of the boyfriend?" she questioned.

"That…and if I tell her, Reji will catch wind and kill her," I explained, "she's human, she'll die long before I do. Not to mention what he'll do."

"You leave him to me," Yui said solemnly, "and as for Reji, he won't dare lay a finger on her. I assure you of that."

"She doesn't care for me Yui," I sighed, "in fact she can't stand me. And even if she did, she's human. She'll die, leaving me alone…"

"So, we turn her," Yui shrugged.

"I'm not going to force this life upon her, Yui," I muttered, "It's a curse and you know it."

"Then do something!" Yui sighed, exasperated, "Sweep her off her feet! Literally, if you have too!"

Before I could say anything, there was a loud knock at the door. Natsumi. She entered the room with all the copies I'd asked for earlier and Yui raised an eyebrow at me. I shrugged and leaned back in my seat.

"Natsumi?" she called.

"Yes?" Natsumi replied.

"You are going the music gala this weekend, aren't you?" Yui asked.

"No, I'm afraid not," she smiled, "It's invitation only."

"Well, Shu is invited, I thought he said you were going to be his date?" she asked calmly.

I threw her a 'what do you think you're doing?' look and she shrugged.

"This is the first I'm hearing of this," Natsumi replied.

"Well, you are," Yui said promptly, "I shall take you dress shopping tomorrow afternoon. Shu, be sure to find a suitable tuxedo for the event."

She winked at me before she left and the room fell silent in her wake. I stood up quietly and turned to leave after her and said to Natsumi, "I'll pick you up at 9pm."

That Saturday, I straightened the tie on my suit. I'd opted for a waistcoat, rather than a restrictive jacket. The white limousine had been waxed and polished to a high shine as per my request. I pulled up outside her apartment and stood outside the building. She stepped out and my eyes widened in surprise. She was wearing a sleek, form fitting long lace sleeved black dress with a mermaid tail skirt, and her hair piled up into a messy bun.

"Come on then," she huffed, "Let's get this over with."

I helped her into the car and said, "You look lovely."

She hid her blush and moved to the farthest side of the car to avoid me. I, of course, sat down next to her and the car started moving. She shifted uncomfortably in the dress and continued looking out the window.

The party was in full swing with the latest J-pop stars singing on the stage and VIP's everywhere. I looked to my side and saw Natsumi had already disappeared. How does she keep doing that? I scanned the room as I made my way through the crowds. I spotted her at the bar, and there were a group of guys fast approaching. I plopped down next to her before they could get there and threw them a glare. They walked away.

"Drinking already?" I asked.

"I have to if I'm spending my Saturday night with you at an event," she replied, "It'll make you all seem more interesting, and give me the strength to tolerate your bullshit."

I laughed at her, "You're a real odd duck, Natsumi."

She looked at me in surprise, "You…called me by my name?"

"Yeah, something wrong with that?" I questioned.

"No…it's just you've never done that before," she shrugged.

After a few minutes of idle chatter, the classical music from the Japanese orchestra starts playing and people start dancing. As soon as Natsumi has polished off her 5th drink I yank her hand and drag her out onto the dancefloor.

"H-hey, don't just drag me out to dance without warning!" she hissed, "I don't know how to dance! Why have you done this?"

"Shut up and follow my lead," I muttered, pulling her close, "it's expected of me to be seen doing this, so just go along with it."

Her face was flushed red from the alcohol and sudden activity. After a few dances, I led her outside for some air…only for her to throw up over the balcony. I stood away from her while she did her business and she collapsed to the floor gasping for air. I handed her some water that she guzzled down.

"I told you to take it easy," I lectured.

"Who are you, my mother?" she slurred.

"No, I'm the man who is taking you home now," I stated, picking her up and throwing her over my shoulder and carrying her out the venue.

She protested but I ignored her and carried her to the car. I carried her into her apartment and set her down on her bed with a bucket and water. She fell asleep as I fed on her blood. I could taste the alcohol in her system and it added a special kick to the blood that left me feeling buzzed. I walked out of her apartment and climbed back into the car. As we drove through the streets I saw something that brought a mixture of anger and joy inside of me; Daiki…with another woman on his lap at a bar. The car stopped right next to the bar and I took a picture on my phone. Natsumi would be heartbroken, and I'd be there to pick up the pieces. Thank you, Daiki.