Alexandra

Where’s my locket?

My tiny space in ruins with all boxes piled up. My things were in disarray as if a strong storm hit my apartment. Hours spent on searching for a small object seemed like a search for a needle in the middle of a soccer field. As stupid as I was, I almost forgot the vintage locket—the only memory I got from my own parents. My real parents.

As far as I could remember, I placed it near the bed. Yet, it was nowhere. Although I have kept my clothes worn in my past life, I forced myself taking them out in hopes of finding it. Yet, I failed. I scratched my head, wiped my face covered with sweat, I landed on the floor, sprawling from exhaustion.

Panting echoed the silent room and the noisy horns from the cars created an unexpected melody in my ears. Late at night, the whole street remained a busy one. Especially on Fridays.

People have gone to parties and return home with partners for one-night stands. As usual, I could expect bedroom noises late at night from the tenants disturbing my sleep most of the time. I closed my eyes and recalled one cringing line. Fall in love.

As much as I wanted to admire the old man’s words as well as Giovanni’s piece of advice, my missing locket had me in panic. My search was an undeniable priority or else I won’t have any treasure from my parents since I didn’t own photos of them. Except for that small photo inside the old-looking piece of jewelry, my mom gave me before she left when I was teen.

Before I turned into a monstrous, heartless murderer.

“Where the hell did I place it?” I shrieked. I cover my mouth with my hands and released as my loud screams as I can while kicking the floor in tantrums.

My beeper rang.

I crawled on the floor extending my arm reaching the device placed on the glass table near the couch. I picked it up and saw Giovanni’s name on the screen. After weeks of invisibility, he appeared into my life again. He’s good at playing games with me. I scoffed when I remembered his offer in a sweet tone. I clucked, instinctively before I pressed the button to read the message.

“Open the door,” I read his message in a whispering tone. In response, my eyebrows burrowed trying to understand what he meant. Why would I open his door?

I rolled my eyes doubting his command as my mind knew he’s playing games with me. But I don’t have time to waste and continue my search for the locket instead. My beeper rang again.

“I’m outside your apartment, Alexandra. Open the door." I read his message again in a whispering manner.

I turned my head towards the door. Perplexed, my body twitched and my chest throbbed as drums in aggression. I stood and checked the small glass, peeping at the door. He was there, standing outside holding his beeper. He faced down, rubbing the soles of his shoes on the ground. He placed his hand on the pockets of his windbreaker.

I rolled my eyes and rushed to my things piled up. "Why is he here?" I say in a worried tone. My eyes landed on Belladonna clothes. "Oh, God. No."I dashed towards it. I grabbed all the pieces, including the weapons I got and placed them inside the hidden wall. Behind the cabinet. I placed most of my clothes there.

Once done, I ran to the living room and tidied the entire space, placing the other things in the boxes in random. In a rush, I ran the vacuum until the floors were squeaky clean.

After the quick cleaning, I panted and took a breathe in, as I opened the door for him. My wet white shirt insulated my body, looking sheer because of the sweat. He was jaw-dropped as his eyes traced down. I flicked my face to trace his sight and noticed my black bra became visible.

Surprised, his eyes widened and his eyebrow furrow. He tried too hard to keep his cool albeit how I appeared in front of him. He laughed and smiled. "May I come in?"

I nodded. Before I closed the door, I spun to have good look at his face. The first man who entered my sanctuary. My own version of paradise. My own land of milk and honey. My Canaan.

What a gorgeous man. His stance, looking dignified, definitely in the right posture. His hands dug inside his pants’ pockets. His height almost equating the length of the door. His body, even with his clothes on, the shape of his lean, chiseled muscular body imposed seduction.

The scanning halted when he uttered. “What are you looking at?” he said in deep, baritone. I gulped, shaking my head. Taken aback, I hid my blush as I felt too intimidated allowing a man in my territory the first time. And it felt weird to have him here.

As expected, his eyes glanced in the surroundings and while he did, my chest throbbed, held my breath in. I leaned against the door walking behind him while he roamed around. “Are you moving?” His eyes scanned the living room seeing piles of boxes around.

“N-no. I’m cleaning. General cleaning. It’s been a long time.” I made a quick but convincing alibi, which I felt glad I did. He nodded in agreement. “Please sit. Do you want to have tea, coffee, or—”

He interrupted by raising his palm to stop me from babbling. “I’m good. Thank you,” he said with a smile as he leaned against the back of the couch. He took his windbreaker and placed on top of the true pillows piled beside him. The other hand rubbed the soft material where he sat.

"Why the hell are you here?" I said in a raised tone.

"I wanted to visit you."

"How did you know this place?"

“God, Alexandra. Have you forgotten that I’m the son of the school owner?" I rolled my eyes and grimaced. He continued, clearing his throat. "I asked the registrar to give me your address with a good alibi. She believed what I told her and gave me without question.”

“What did you tell her?”

“That you’re very sick and you’re alone. Nobody’s taking care of you. So, I’ll be of help,” he said in a sarcastic tone. He giggled. "I didn't expect they believed that pathetic alibi."

“By the way, I don’t think it’s safe to park your car here. You know it’s—” He interrupted me with a hand gesture, telling me to stop. He took a few steps towards the windows with the blinds remained closed. He opened it and looked down to check the situation outside.

Waiting for his leaving, preparing for something to eat became my first thought. I wondered why. I pursed my lips and decided to make one for him. I thought of cooking him an early dinner since it was too late for a lunch.

Sandwich.

The only food I could perfect. Toasting it and spread an amount of strawberry jam. Paired with fresh lemon juice perfect it. Done. My perfect treat. My masterpiece.

I placed his share on the table and sat there next to his seat. In my position, I had a good opportunity looking at his behind.

Scanning resumed.

His shoulders bulked from the gym, but not too big like Hulk’s. His was perfect for his built. My eyes traced his torso, including the traces of his back underneath the clothes he wore. My tongue licked my lips while doing it. I flushed when my eyes landed on his pair of gorgeous buttocks. They were bulge enough to replace my pillows for a good night sleep.

My eyes avoided its contact when he turned to me. I almost got caught. “S-so, when are you leaving?” I said hoping he’d leave after resolving his issues with me. Of course, I didn’t want him to stay late here or else he’d hear something he shouldn’t.

The tenants here were quite the wild. At midnight, I bet hearing their noises would either cringe him or … I didn’t even want to state it. He sighed as he approached me with a serious look.

“You want me to head home? What's with the rush?" He paused and ambled to my direction, digging his hands inside his pockets. "If I'm with the person I have the most concern."

"W-what concern?" I said, almost stammering.

He giggled. "I’m here because I’m serious about my offer. And I serious about your security here while you’re alone.”

“I don’t get your intention behind this kindness you’re showing me. Don’t get me wrong but you’re too pushy with your motives, Giovanni. I felt uncomfortable."

“I don’t want to force you. But seeing you in danger after that fight with the mystery man—" He pauses and sighs. "—I am uncertain it's okay to leave you alone, Alexandra. I didn’t mean to pry. But the look of that man seemed relentless when it comes to killing you in his hands.”

“I know,” I said without hesitation as I studied his face, showing worry. I sighed. “But you don’t have to worry about me, I—”

“But I do."

That pause between us got me awkward and the silence of the surroundings made it worse. And his gaze increased intensity. "Who was he?" he asked in a cold tone. I gulped and face down to avoid his glare. I don't want to answer it either.

He shook his head and looked away. He giggled to lessen the weight of his stare before he looked at me again. “I’m sorry, Alexandra. I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s okay. Anyway, do you want to eat something? I made some sandwich,” I offered the food on the plate served on the table, good for two. He smiled. An unusual view for a stern-looking vampire.

“Thanks for the food. I appreciate that, Alexandra.”

After we finished the food, I stood and washed the dishes without looking at him. In my peripheral view, he remained at the dining table. When I finished the last dish, I turned my body to see him at the windows. His eyes seemed keen as a cat, checking something in the streets.

I went near him and asked, “Is there something wrong?” He looked at me and shook his head without saying a word. Curious if he wanted to close the deal he offered, I sat on the couch without breaking the eye contact.

Half an hour of silence, he looked away and stared at me with that familiar gaze. He took a breathe as soft as he could before he uttered a far more surprising offer. “Do you mind if I stay here tonight?”

“Eh?” I squeaked.