He looked up, almost surprised that I noticed, “Oh… yeah everything’s fine.” he said and finally took a bite. He chewed slowly and looked at his glass of water. He set his fork down and looked at me, “Actually, I have something to talk to you about.” He said at last.
Happy he was finally speaking up; I gave him my undivided attention. “What is it?”
“Can I… ask you something?” he hesitated. Suddenly having a bad feeling I wished he wasn’t talking again.
“Anything.” I said regretfully. My nerves were jumbled into my tummy and I was expecting the worst.
“It might be a little… it might put you on the spot a little. And I’m sorry if it does…” he hesitated making me even more nervous, “do you, really love me? Like for real?”
Is he serious?
I looked at him as he stared at me waiting for an answer. His eyes were begging me to reply with the answer I was going to say anyways.
He’s serious.
“I can’t believe you’re serious. James I wouldn’t say I loved you if I didn’t mean it. Why do you all of a sudden wonder? Did your family say something?”
“Why would you think my family would?” he asked.
“You said you went to see them. I’m assuming it was because of… the curse.”
“Well… I went to my parent’s house and talked to my dad and uncle, who have been through this already. My dad said it was a possibility that you didn’t love me like you said you do… it happened to him. They also said that we have to prove our love for each other to get me out of this curse.”
“How do we prove it?”
“I’m not sure…” he said looking down at his food.
I took his hand from across the table to get his attention, “I’ll help you. We’re in this together now.” I smiled.
He had a forced smile, but it was better than it had been since he picked me up so I will take what I get…for now. He started picking at his food and actually eating it. Slowly but he still ate it.
He was finally back to normal. Not totally but he was getting there. It was still a little forced. I tried brainstorming possible ways in my head but came up with nothing.
He started probing me about the people I work with out of nowhere and looked extremely interested in every detail about them that I knew. It was a little weird, but I was thankful he was speaking so I didn’t question it.
“So you say Jennifer doesn’t like you?” he asked.
“No she doesn’t…everyone else is cool though.” I said and stirred my ice tea. It was too sweet and I was waiting for the ice to melt and water it down a bit.
He took in my evaluations of the employees it and looked around the restaurant. That’s when I recognized the look in his eyes. He was being paranoid. He was back in protective mode.
“Why the sudden interest in the employees?” I asked making him look back at me. He looked lost thought and indecisive about whatever was on his mind.
“I might as well tell you… you already know everything.” He finally said, “When you first got attacked, I got the scent of your attacker when I fought him off. When I came to pick you up a couple times from work, I caught the same scent again. But didn’t see anyone. Or at least anyone suspicious.”
“Maybe the scent was just an employee that happened to be near me during work those days and not the attacker. I did get attacked near work…” I’m surprised that news didn’t even scare me.
He shook his head, “He’s tried other places.”
I could feel the color drain from my face, “What are you talking about? It’s only been twice.”
He hesitated this time but he reached for my hand. I contemplated being mad at him from barely telling me whatever he was going to tell me now but decided he probably had his reasons. I reached for his hand and he squeezed mine reassuringly, “baby… the first night I stayed at your house… the attacker came into your apartment.”
“He knows where I live?” I said starting to panic.
“I scared you…” he said softly and rubbed my hands trying to comfort me, “He’s been a couple times and I’ve fought him off each time. I didn’t want to tell you so you wouldn’t be scared but… you should know just in case.”
“You bet your vampire ass I should have known.” I snapped and narrowed my eyes at him, “I really wish you would have told me…”
“It would have scared you…like it is doing right now.” He frowned. He did have a point… “Why don’t we just go stay at my place, would that make you feel better?”
“I’m still paranoid that one of these days my parents are going to visit out of the blue… But yeah. I guess it would be better getting regulated on by my parents than being eaten by a monster.”
“Okay good.” He smiled, “I’d feel more at ease if we were there too. By the way… why do you call the other one a monster and me a vampire… we’re both the same thing.”
I laughed, “You’re not a monster. Vampires are handsome monsters are hairy and green with one eye. You’re not green or hairy.”
“He’s not green or hairy either. And last I checked he had two eyes.” He smiled.
“He’s creepy.”
“And I’m handsome?” he smirked.
“Don’t let it get to your head.” I tried hiding my smile and failed miserably as it got bigger and hurt my cheeks, “James…talking about my parents. Would you maybe meet them soon? I want to finally introduce you to them.”
He looked at me surprised, “I thought you’d never ask…”
“I wasn’t sure if you wanted to so I avoided it. So… is that a yes?”
“Name the time and place, baby.” He smiled.
***
While we were heading out of the restaurant James came to a sudden stop. He looked around with the same defensive look in his eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I asked but he stayed quiet. He extended his arm and pushed me behind him gently. Getting the idea that something was dangerously wrong I gripped on his waist and peaked around with him. I looked at exit and saw Jennifer and Collin walking up to the hostess.
I heard a low growl escape from James’s chest. It wasn’t loud enough for the people to hear but I felt the vibrations in my hands as I held onto him. No one looked at us except for Collin.
His eyes met with James and they both glared at each other. Jennifer looked at where Collin was looking and noticed us. She smirked and walked towards us with Collin close behind her. She kept her eyes on me and Collin kept his eyes on James.
“Hey Kar.” Jennifer said annoyingly.
I stepped aside but James gripped my arm tightly, I stared at his grip confused at what had him on edge. But I had a feeling it was Collin by the way he was burning holes into him with his eyes.
“Hello…” I said quietly still confused as to why Collin and James suddenly hated each other. Jennifer looked at the guys and looked confused as well.
“We have to go.” James said through his teeth.
“Yes. We do too.” Collin said grabbing Jennifer’s arm as well and started going the opposite direction of us.
“What the hell was that about James?” I said as he dragged me to his car angrily.
“Who was that guy?” he asked.
“Collin… he’s Jennifer’s fiancé.” I said trying to pull my arm away from his tight grip but couldn’t. “James, baby, my arm is starting to hurt.” I said pulling my arm.
He looked at his hand that was gripping my arm so tight his knuckles were turning white, he snapped out of it. He loosened his grip and slipped his hand to mine. “I’m so sorry baby… does it still hurt?”
“No…” I lied and rubbed it anyway.
He opened the car door for me and quickly shut it as soon as I sat down.
He walked to his seat from the front of the car, glancing around suspiciously before entering the driver’s seat.
“James…what was that about?” I asked as he locked the doors immediately and turned the car on. He sped down t
he freeway towards his house taking unnecessary twists and turns and random exits.
“Do you know that guy well?” He asked trying to mask his anger.
“Um… what guy?” I asked. His speeding was starting to freak me out. I kept my eyes on the mirrors and the road hoping we didn’t crash or get a ticket.
He must have noticed my fear so he slowed down the car. “The one with the girl who said hi to you. You said his name is Collin.”
“Oh… Collin. Yeah itt’s Jennifer’s fiancé. He works at the same building as me but in a different department. I think he’s a lawyer. I rarely see him if he’s not visiting Jennifer. Sometimes I see him in the elevator or around the building if I leave the W&D area.”
I put my hand on his free hand in an attempt to calm him down. “Sorry… I just didn’t like that guy.”
“You and me both.”
“What’s wrong with him?”
“It’s not him, it’s his girlfriend. Jennifer is the one I told you about before. She hates me with a passion and has never made a secret of it. If she could, she’d get me fired.”
He pulled into his garage and wouldn’t move. I wondered if he even knew we were already at his home. “James?”
“Baby…is there any way you could not go to work for a while? I know quitting is out of the question, but I want to test something.” he asked me.
“Not go to work? Now? I can’t… I’m not new but I haven’t been there that long. Mr. Yang took me in as entry level and I have no other experience to back me up. I can’t just leave and find a new one…”
“Your safety is more important than a job Karina.” he said trying to hold back his anger. I wasn’t sure if he was mad at me but by his tense jaw it was hard to hide that he was.
“I need the job to pay for my home James. I have bills.”
“I’ll pay for them. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you…”
I sighed, looking at his sincerity, “Um… I’ll talk to my boss tomorrow and let him know I want to work from home for a while. Will that be okay?”
He hesitated but I wasn’t backing out. We had to compromise, “Yeah, okay… that’s fine. I’ll go with you though.”
“James... Nothing will happen at work.”
“Please. Just trust me on this baby.” He said but I refused to have him walk me inside my work place. He sighed, “Let me at least take you and wait for you outside. It shouldn’t take that long for you to talk to your boss, right?”
“Fine…” This was a compromise after all.
I was kind of mad at him for being too overprotective but I knew he meant well. But it was getting frustrating. I’ve been the only child and have never been in a serious relationship. I wasn’t used to compromise. I’ve always been the type of girl that told myself I would be independent and not a needy girl who would have a guy to rely on. But with James I realized it’s nice to have someone to rely on sometimes and have him rely on me as well.
I sat on his sofa as I waited for my sleepiness to start kicking in. He sat near me but could sense I was angry so he stayed back.
He sighed, “Please don’t be angry… it’s for your safety.”
Stupid vampire sensing emotion boyfriend. I glared at him and stood up to go to the bathroom to wash my face, brush my teeth and all that good stuff. As I got out of the bathroom he came to me with folded lounge pants and a t-shirt of his, “Um…we can go to your apartment tomorrow and get your stuff…. till then sleep in these.”
“I actually get pants this time?” I asked as I grabbed the clothes.
“You could not wear them if you want.” He smiled shyly as I went back into the bathroom to change.
After I came out he was in his usual sleeping style, lounge pants and shirtless. I sighed, he looked so ridiculously hot. But… I was still mad him. I didn’t even remember why I was mad anymore. But I was being stubborn.
He smiled at me nervously and I glared back at him and smiled before looking out of the large window. His room was amazing. One of the walls, where normally a small window would be, he had the entire wall as a window. I looked at the cityscape and saw his reflection sneaking up on me.
He put his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder, “I’m sorry baby… I know you really love your job and want the promotion. But your safety is more important right now. You have to be okay to get the promotion, right?”
I sighed and hugged his arms that were around my waist, “I know… It’s just frustrating. I’m sorry I’m not mad at you… I’m thankful you’re helping me.”
He kissed my shoulder before resting his chin on my it again. He looked out the window with me and I saw a shadow of a smile on his lips. All creepy stuff aside, I was happy too. I liked being here with him.
“You’re so sexy in my clothes.” He whispered making a heated chill go down my spine.
“Can you sense my moods?” I asked surprising him, “Like when I’m hungry or whatever.”
“Yes. Body sends off different scents and heart rate depending on moods.”
“You can hear my heart?” I asked surprised.
“Yes.” He smiled, “It’s starting to beat fast again. It beats fast a lot when you’re around me actually…”
“So you could sense…all my emotions? And feelings?” I asked feeling embarrassed because of the feelings and thoughts I had just seconds ago upon seeing him reading a book shirtless and muscly on the bed.
He smirked, “Yes.”
I felt my face heat up, “Oh…”
He laughed and tightened his hold on me. I forced him to loosen a bit so I could turn around and face him. I brought him lower again and got on my tip toes before pressing my lips to his.
“Baby… so my mom and my sister Jenny really want you to come over for dinner or lunch again. What do you say?” he asked nervously.
I smiled remembering that I was on Jenny’s good side, “I’d like that actually… maybe we can go to my family’s house for tea or something before.”
“I’d like that too.” he smiled.
Chapter Seventeen
The next morning I woke up wrapped up in James’s arms and groaned not wanting to go to work. I felt nervous having to talk to my boss about working at home. What if my request was so ridiculous that he says I should go home and never come back.
I got ready nervously. I didn’t feel like getting dressed because I was sure that it was going to be a horrible day. The butterflies in my tummy had turned into fire breathing dragonflies as James drove me to the Dash & Wilson building.
He smiled as he parked and went around the car to open the door for me. He held my hand as we walked to the building refusing to let me go before he had to, “Why are you so nervous?”
“I hate talking to my boss like this.” I said groaned.
“Don’t be nervous.” He kissed my forehead, “I’ll wait down here for you okay?”
I nodded and he gave me a kiss for good luck before I went into the elevator and clicked on the W&D floor.
Mr. Yang’s office door was open as usual if he wasn’t on the phone. He’s like that. He actually wants his employees to be comfortable with him.
I knocked on the open doorway and went in slowly, “Good morning Mr. Yang.”
“Oh hello Karina, how are you?” He said finishing up whatever he was typing to give me his complete attention.
“I’m good, how are you?” I said awkwardly hoping standing in front of his desk. I had never wanted to know how he was doing so bad in order to avoid asking him if he would be okay with me working from home for a while with no real excuse.
“Have a seat.” He pointed to the chair across from him, “Is something wrong?”
“Um... actually, I had a request.” I said as I forced myself to sit without being noticeably shaky, “I was wondering, would it be okay if I worked on my remaining projects from home?”
“From home? Is everything alright? Are you sick?” He asked noticeably worried.
&n
bsp; “Oh no, everything is fine.” I assured him, “I had been focusing better at home for some reason on these past few projects. I feel like I’ll get more done quickly and more efficiently.”
He thought for a moment, “Well… you’ve never missed a work day since you started. I guess it should be fine as long as you promise to email me your progress so I know you’re not lagging..”
“I will. Thank you sir… I’ll have my cell on me at all times as well. So if I’m ever needed here, I’ll get here within minutes.”
He laughed, “it’s okay, just work well on the projects. I know you’ll do great.”
After thanking him again I left his office happily. I couldn’t wait to go into the elevator and tell James the good news. I was thankful that there was no one in it and I quickly pressed the first floor before anyone could decide to join me. And by anyone I was mostly thinking of Jennifer.
As it reached the fifth floor the elevator stopped and I groaned having to wait for people to get on. I knew it wouldn’t be Jennifer but I think Collin’s law office was on the fifth floor. She could be visiting him...
Collin came into the elevator and I froze. Well it wasn’t any better than Jennifer. He smirked as he stood next to me, a little too close for comfort. The doors slid closed and no one else entered. I was alone in the tiny elevator with Collin.
I counted down the floors. I couldn’t wait to reach the first level where James was waiting for me. Just as the elevator was reaching the second floor he pressed the stop button and looked at me with a grin mixed with anger.
“What are you doing?” I asked trying to keep my voice calm.
He took a step closer to me causing me to take a step back and bump into the mirrored wall.
“I’ve been waiting for a while to get you away from that guy you were with. Who was he again?”
“My boyfriend?” I said through my teeth.
“Yeah him...” he stepped closer again, “What’s his name?”
“What…what do you want from me?” I stuttered. He looked at my chest and smirked. I realized my heart was beating fast. And I wasn’t breathing.
I felt a chill run down my spine, he heard my heart.
In My Veins Page 12