Page 15 of Dear Mr. Vampire
Don’t be afraid. I’m closer than you think. Look around. I could be watching you.
Signed,
Mr. Vampire
The crisp October chill slapped my bare, shaved legs. The letter floated from my fingers and landed on the ground near the flowerpot. My hands trembled. Was someone watching me remove the letter? Was Zand watching me now? There was no way. It couldn’t be my special vampire. I left him at the club. It’s not like he could fly over here. He doesn’t even drive. I thought I was being careful. It was clear. He was just messing with me. My mind was running wild and, more likely, I was tired and imagining things.
My eyes jetted around the parking lot. There were only parked cars. I quickly grabbed the note off the ground and sprinted into the apartment building. I dashed up the stairs. I searched my small purse for my apartment key, only to realize I had the key in my hand all along.
When I was locked up, safe and sound in my apartment, I knew how silly I was being. These were playful, innocent notes about fictional vampires. Zand was no threat to me. Besides, what would he do if he learned the truth? Nothing really, I suppose. The most he could do was stop talking to me. It would hurt for a few days and then I would get over him, just like every other man from my past.
I was tripping, big time. He couldn’t know my true identity. He would confront me. He didn’t seem like the kind of guy that would hold back. His cute little notes were giving me some insight into his personality. He was clever, smart and funny. I wanted to know more about him.
I was too exhausted to take a shower. I peeled off my dress, and I climbed into bed naked. I didn’t normally sleep in the nude, but going into a drawer and removing pajamas seemed like too much work. I only had the energy to plug my cell phone into the charger, throw on my silk bonnet, and tuck my body into the comfort of my duvet.
My workday went smoothly. Working with kids was always more rewarding than working with adults. Sick adults acted more like babies than actual babies. I spent my entire lunch break in my car. It was cold, so I had to turn on the car to get some heat circulating. I called Morgan to tell her everything that happened with Shawn and Zand. The Shawn part she found boring. I hated that I found that part boring as well.
She had a trillion and one questions about Zand. I couldn’t answer any of them. I really didn’t know much about him at all. I only knew I had a strong attraction to him. I only knew what he shared with me in his vampy notes. That wasn’t much. I needed more. I had to be careful. Not knowing a man’s backstory got me into trouble once before. I couldn’t travel down that road again.
As soon as I got home from work, I peeled off my scrubs and hopped in the bathtub. I needed a nice hot bubble bath to relax me. I needed to figure out my next move. I had made up my mind. I was going to prance my fast ass into The Castle and get the tour Zand had offered. I had no idea what his tour would entail, but I was hell-bent on finding out. I was up for the adventure just as long as it wasn’t too adventurous.
Going to any club two nights in a row was a bit much for someone my age. I needed my rest, my peace, and my beauty sleep. I took a one-hour nap so I could recharge and hit the streets with a little energy. As I went to plug my cell phone into the charger, I saw Shawn had sent a text. I hesitantly responded and only shared that I was taking a nap. I didn’t want to lead him on. I closed my eyes and thought about what I was doing. Those thoughts were fleeting. I was asleep in minutes.
I was startled by the blaring sound of my cell phone alarm clock. It didn’t stop me from my goal. My mind was made up. I was going to hit them streets. I made dinner and showered. I wanted to be full and refreshed when I arrived at The Castle. I took my time getting ready when I normally rushed. I didn’t want to get overheated, and I wanted to take my time putting onmy makeup. I was going for a sexy look with a natural face. I wanted to look like I tried, but wasn’t trying too hard. If Zand wasn’t interested, I didn’t want to feel stupid with a face full of glammed up makeup.
One hour of preparation and priming and I was ready to hit the Chicago streets. I slipped my feet into my Dolce and Gabbana red Nappa leather pumps with the trademark letter DG heel. The pump was a one thousand dollar gift from my ex gangster boyfriend. The shoes were pretty but held no value to me. I never wanted to be a gangster’s girlfriend. I didn’t know I was even in the role until the very end of the relationship.
I grabbed my leather clutch and my little piece of paper and made my way out of my apartment. I locked my door and carefully walked down the stairs. Instead of going out on the ground level, I walked down one more flight to the basement. I looked around and was happy to see that I was by myself.
Before I dressed for the night, I was able to pen another little note.
Dear Mr. Vampire,
Your brazen use of the word stalker is quite comical. You’re watching me far more than I’m watching you. Are you saying you have a Vampire’s Assistant? Did you hire them from the Vampire Academy? A real vampire wouldn’t have to pay anyone to spook me. If you want to lurk in the Dark Shadows, that’s okay or you can come up and show yourself. By the way, what’s your name? Lestat? Nosferatu? Bill Compton?
Signed, a Daywalker
It only made sense for me to write Zand another message. I knew he wasn’t at home. He was at The Castle. I awkwardly bent to push the note under his door. I felt a rush of adrenaline run through my body. This was fun. I needed fun.
In my heels, I jogged to the back door. Just as I stepped into the parking lot, my cell phone buzzed. I pulled it from my small handbag. It was Shawn calling again. I just couldn’t do it. I didn’t answer. I held the cell phone as I walked to my car. When I didn’t answer; he left me a text. I waited to text him back. I had somewhere to be. I had a sexy man to see.
I pulled out of my assigned parking space. Driving the speed limit, I sang along with Dua Lipa as she belted out Levitate. In just a few minutes, I made my way to The Castle.
I didn’t have to wait in line and I didn’t have to pay. The same tall blonde was there to escort me into the building without any fuss. A few young women rolled their eyes at me, and the special treatment I was receiving as a brown girl. I had to admit I was dressed cute tonight. My hair was bouncing like I had a silk press and my edges were laid. My face was beat to the gods, for the gods, and by the gods. I was feeling myself.
I followed the tall golden-haired woman into the heart of the club. I didn’t know her name, and I wished I did. With a smooth and graceful pivot, she turned to me. Her blue eyes peered right into me.
“Go to the main bar. Mr. Valentine will be with you soon.” The Amazonian blonde spoke without any real infliction in her voice. She extended her hand in the direction of the bar. I took my cue.
“Thank you.” I muttered.
She watched me walk away. I tried to look as calm and confident as I could. I knew I looked good, but I wanted to act the way I looked in a room full of equally beautiful people.
I had another piece of the Zand puzzle. My Mr. Vampire was really Mr. Valentine. Mister amber eyes was Alexander Valentine.I was going to Google it as soon as I had a chance. I knew I shouldn’t, but I had been a fool before. Never again.
I stood in this little spot between the bar and the wall. I nervously smoothed my tan leather-look dress down. This dress hugged my body and accented my deep brown skin. I looked around the place and nothing had been changed since yesterday. The thought of being a club regular made me feel old.
I was left alone with my thoughts for too long. I wondered if Zand was a club regular. How did he make a living? He never went to a job in the daytime. Before I could bolt toward the door, Zand sauntered his way through a crowd that parted like he was someone of importance. Was he someone of importance? I realized his tour of the club might be a real one and not just a ploy to get me to hang out with him. I didn’t have time to mull it over. He was here, in my face, smirking, looking sexy and like a dark-haired vampire Lestat. Rest in peace to Anne Rice. She sure knew how to write some sexy ass vampires.
