I feel my consciousness coming back when the sunlight hit my closed eyelids. I turn on the other side pulling some of the bedsheets with me hoping I can fall back asleep without difficulties. Slowly, the heat of the covers starts to lull me back into sleep. Even with my enhanced hearing, I couldn’t hear anything. Investing into soundproofing walls wasn’t a bad idea after all. No one can pop my bubble of warmth. Unfortunately, my peace doesn’t even last ten minutes when my phone starts to blast an annoying ringtone. Why does it always rings when I want the least?

Without bothering to even open my eyes yet, I blindly search for the ringing object. If it isn’t for my job, I think I will only toss it away. When I finally find it, the object has already stopped ringing. I don’t even bother looking at the call history as I put the cell phone back down. Now, I can finally sleep in pea-...

Why?! Why does it have to start ringing again? Why can it just leave me alone? Again, I grab my phone and look at the caller’s ID. It is an unknown number. I sigh, it isn’t even nine in the morning and an unknown person is calling me nonstop. Even more annoyed by my ringtone, I finally answer the call.

“This is Micah,” I answer in a sleepy tone. At this point, I don’t care if it’s a client. With Nikolas, I have everything settled for this month.

“Finally, I have called you three times already! Anyways, did you-” the woman rambles, but since I still don't know who she is, I cut her off mid-sentence.

“Who are you?” I yawn as I snuggle deeper into my pillow and mattress.

“Are you still sleeping? Is this a joke? How can you forget me, Micah,” she whines.

“Who are you?” I ask again.

“It’s Chiaki, Chi-a-ki. You know, Susanna’s friend?” she adds sarcastically making me roll my eyes.

Ah, she’s one of the three girls that are always shadowing Susanna’s steps. But if you ask me which one of three she is, I won’t be able to answer.

“I am joking Chiaki,” I fake a tired laugh before adding, “So, what are you calling for?”

“Oh, right! Didn’t you have a date with Susanna yesterday? I have called her multiple times already, but she won’t answer her phone.”

She’s dead, she will never answer it ever again. Plus, I am the one who has it and there is nothing valuable inside, so I have discarded it after resetting it.

“In fact, I didn’t talk nor did I see her since the day I went to take her back from school. On our way back to her apartment, we… We had an argument,” I lie, ”Since then, I haven’t heard from her. I even tried to call her multiple times, but you know...”

“I see…” she answers dejectedly maybe pitying me, “If she happens to contact you, can you tell her to call me? We are all worried, even her parents can’t contact her! She also doesn’t answer when we knocked at the door… She never did that before! Do you think she has been kidnapped or worse!?” she panics making me stifle a snort, “If that’s the case, we have to call the police or the CSIS or the FBI!”

“Chiaki, calm down. Let’s not jump to conclusions. It is still too early to say that. I think she is mad or something like that. When she has calmed down, she will contact us. You know how she is…”

“Maybe you’re right… Oh, yeah, I’m coming!” Chiaki shouts making me cringe, “Micah, I have to go, don’t forget to tell Susanna to call me! See ya!” she says before hanging up.

I end the call with a sigh of relief. Finally, I can sleep in peace now…

After a few minutes, I furrow my brows when sleep isn’t coming. I really hate when it does that. I look at the time and sees that it’s almost nine thirty. I may as well eat breakfast and think about my plans for today. I untangle myself from the covers before stepping on the cold floor with a hiss. I make my way to the bathroom to do my morning routine before walking into the kitchen sleepily. I make myself a simple breakfast which consists of a poached egg, crispy bacon and avocado slices on top of a piece of toasted bread.

As I eat, I take out the contract that I signed yesterday during my dinner with my newest client, Nikolas. With some research, I discover that he is a rich bachelor that is about to inherit his father’s business which consists of many restaurants and hotels chains. I also learn that his business partner, Demetrius, is helping him to create a new clothing chain as a co-owner. With Katie, Nikolas’ sister, already in the industry as a model, the few new products they have produced have been a huge success.

On every sites and article, everything I have found on him is strictly talking about his business and how his family has been successful for more than a generation. There is absolutely nothing on his private life or about his sexuality. So, he does intend to come out of the closet on his promotion. Somehow, it is irritating me. He wants to use me to come out, but at the same time, I can’t stay mad at him for more than a few minutes. There is something special about him and Katie. They have this special kind of complexion around them or is it about their scent? I am kind of drawn to them which has never happened to me before. I am so perplexed.

When I have finished eating, I hand wash the plate and fork before drying it with a dishcloth and putting it back into the cupboard. I look at the time and sees that I still have a little more than eight hours before the party. I let myself fall on the couch as I reach for a magazine on the small table in front of me. I look at the new suits, tuxedos and some more casual clothing. I take the pen that is also on the table before circling the items I want. Again, I glance at the clock and see that only twenty minutes have passed. Should I? Should I not? It is not Sunday yet, but I think I can indulge myself in a small shopping spree. I’ll just by less on Sunday. Plus, I needed a new cologne for tonight.

With something to do for today, I walk into my closet and look at the set of clothes I can wear. When I have decided on a light blue shirt, a leather jacket, a brown scarf, a pair of black jeans, a pair of dark brown combat boots and a black and gold Breitling watch, I am finally ready. I go look at myself in the mirror and only when I am satisfied with my appearance after styling my hair, I go fetch my wallet, keys and cellphone.

Getting out of the apartment’s underground parking with my Tesla, I drive my way through the busy streets. In less than thirty minutes, I finally arrive at my usual shopping mall. First thing first, I need a new cologne. I walk past the different stores without a second glance since I already know that I will not find what I’m looking for in it. On top of that, the quality is way too low for my personal taste. Cheap cologne is too heavy and potent, but the expensive ones are more subtle and complex. The odour can even change throughout the day as someone wears it. But the most important reason is that people remember and associate you with the smell you choose. Since I am an escort, my clients have to be entranced with only a whiff of my smell. It makes my job way easier, especially when I’m looking for new clients.

“Welcome, how can I help you?” greeted the sales clerk with a polite smile.

“I want to order a custom-made cologne,” I answer as I walk toward the counter with all the scents I can combine.

“Of course, do you already know which fragrance you will like?” he asks as he starts to type on his IPad.

“I already ordered one before, my name should be in the system,”

“Of course, may I ask for your name and phone number?”

“Micah and it’s the 514-634-5555.” (It’s a fake number, so please do not try to dial it. Micah won’t be the one answering if he ever does.)

“Will you like it delivered to your home?” he asks as I look at the new arrivals.

“I will like to have it in a few hours if possible.”

“Unfortunately, it won’t be possible since our perfumer isn’t here today,” the man apologizes with a guilty look in his eyes. “We can only deliver it to your house in two to three days.”

“Fine, so what new products do you have? I have a date tonight and want to make a good impression,” I ask as I look at the multiple bottles.

“This is our newest arrival,” he takes a dark blue circular bottle down from the shelf, “It’s called Sauvage from Christian Dior,” he explains as he sprays some on my wrist. I wait a few seconds before smelling it. It smells woody with a hint of citrus. “Is it to your liking?” the smaller man asks with a shy smile.

“It does smell amazing,” I admit with a genuine smile as I notice him get red by the ears. “Do you have anything else?”

“This one is popular among the ladies, it’s named Fierce from Abercrombie & Fitch. There is a crisp citrus top notes and reveals warm musk notes on the dry-down. Perfects to attract all the ladies’ attention,” he professionally explains as he sprays some on my other wrist.

“It’s not a woman that I’m seeing,” I mumble as I smell the cologne. This one is really good too. “Sauvage and Fierce, huh. Is that a message you’re trying to let me know?” I tease with a smirk as I raise one eyebrow.

“I-I…” he stutters with a blush as he plays with the bottle in his hands. “I’m sorry?” he says with a sheepish smile. I look at the younger man before letting out a small laugh. He is so cute and easy to tease. I can already see his cheeks all flushed, his rapid breathing as he begs for me to stop, to not kill him.

I try a few more perfumes before buying the two first bottles and my personalized one which cost me three hundred and fifty bucks.

“Call me,” I give the sales clerk a seductive smile as he blushes again before walking away with my shopping bag.

I take my phone out and look at the time. I can’t believe I spent two hours inside that shop. Oh well, the young man is really cute and worth the time I spent in that shop. If he does call me, I promise to myself to date him for at least two weeks, so I can execute all the teasings, I already have planned for him before taking his blood. If I like him enough, maybe I won’t kill him. I’ll keep him around as a trophy? A pet? A friend? I don’t really know yet.

Anyways, it is time for me to have some food. I walk past the fast-food shops without even looking at them. They are greasy, salty and just gross. I swear that I once ate a burger and it came out as fast as it came in. If one day I’m broke, I swear that I’ll become a vegetarian before I eat that crap or I may as well let go of human food. I don’t really need it if I have a continuous supply of blood.

Once I reach a restaurant that serves some decent food, I order a dish of pasta with a glass of water. As I eat, I read my emails that were sent by clients, but I won’t answer at any of them before tomorrow morning since Nikolas wishes to have the exclusivity of my services. Finished, I pay for my food before going back to wander from stores to stores, looking at what I may buy on Sunday.

Back into my apartment, I take a hot shower before starting to dress in a suit. Clothed, I use one of the cologne I bought today and before I call for the elevator, my phone starts to ring. I look at the ID and see that it is the security that is calling me. Why is he calling me?

“Micah,” I talk into the phone.

“Hello Micah, there is a guest for you downstairs. His name is Nikolas,” the security guy informs me.

How did he even know where I live? Should I let him up, but again, he does know that I am up here.

“Micah?” the guy on the other side of the phone urged.

“No need. I’m coming down,” I answer before calling for the elevator.

“Alright, I will tell him to wait.”

“Thank you.”

I end the call and walk in the elevator before clicking on the lobby button. I take a deep breath, straighten my clothes as I look at the numbers going down. When the doors open to my floor, I walk out and his delicious and arousing smell hit my nostrils before I even see the man.

“Micah,” the man in front of me greets with a nod and a bouquet of roses.

“Nikolas,” I greet back before adding, “I was not expecting you at my front door. How did you know where I live?”

“Your website,” he answers making me frown.

“Thanks,” I smile as I take the flowers from him.

My website? I don’t have a website… Oh shit! I do have one that I made almost twenty years ago, and there is a picture of me there. I have stopped using it when I became well known in the industry that is why I have forgotten about it. He must have noticed that I haven’t aged. He must have. I am so screwed.

“Are you ready?” he asks before looking at his watch on his wrist.

“Y-yeah, let’s get going.”