ELLE
“He wants you to return to the fortress and help him rule the other Vampires.”
Fortress? I didn’t understand what Draco meant, but Blade still showed no reaction. He seemed familiar with this and already knew about it.
“Doesn’t your leader understand that I don’t want to go back there? I already have my own life here,” Blade replied.
Wasn’t his father the leader? Why was he talking to him like that?
“But you’re the leader’s son, and you’re the only one who can take his place if something happens to him,” Draco’s companion said.
“You wouldn’t follow my orders if I became your leader anyway, right? There’s no point in me going back there.”
Blade released my hand. He was becoming more serious about the matter.
“But we can’t stop drinking human blood, Blade. That’s where we get our strength.”
“Then you may leave, Luther. You and Draco won’t get anything from me.”
Blade took my hand again, and we walked past them.
We stopped when Draco spoke again.
“I know. I already knew you would refuse your father’s offer to return to our fortress.”
We both turned to look at them.
Why didn’t Blade want to obey his father? It seemed like their relationship wasn’t good.
Even from the photograph I’d seen, Blade’s father looked strict.
“I don’t know why Damien keeps insisting that we come here to see you. Hopefully, this will be our last visit, Blade. Goodbye to you and your beautiful girlfriend.”
In an instant, both of them disappeared from the office.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
I had been a little nervous earlier because I thought the three of them might end up fighting inside the office. Their conversation had been so serious that I simply listened carefully.
“Why don’t you accept their offer, Blade?”
He looked at me.
“We’re not the same as we used to be, Elle. So many things changed after my mother died.”
I could hear the pain in Blade’s voice.
I didn’t know how his mother died because Manang hadn’t told me anything about it when I visited their house.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No, it’s okay. Let’s not think about them anymore.”
He gave me a smile.
“Let’s just think about the party we’re going to tomorrow.”
“What party?” I asked, confused.
“You forgot already? The celebration for the success of Sacred Medicine.”
“Oh my God! Is it tomorrow already?”
This was the celebration Blade had told me about when I visited his house. I hadn’t realized it was already the next day.
“Yes.”
“But I don’t have anything to wear, Blade.”
I’d completely forgotten about it because I’d been so busy these past few days. I hadn’t prepared anything to wear for the celebration.
“Don’t worry, Elle. I’ve already prepared your outfit for tomorrow. I had a beautiful dress made by a famous designer I know.”
“Really? That’s embarrassing.”
“No, it’s fine. You’re my girlfriend, and besides, I’m the one who invited you to the celebration, so I’ll take care of everything.”
“Thank you, Blade.”
I hugged him.
I still felt embarrassed because I didn’t want to depend on him for everything. But I didn’t have enough money to buy an elegant dress, so I had no choice.
The people attending would probably be wealthy as well, so it was a good thing Blade had taken care of my dress. I didn’t have anything elegant enough for an event like that.
“You’re welcome.”
“Excuse me, Sir Blade.”
I quickly pulled away from our hug when someone spoke.
I saw Ms. Jane, and she also looked a little surprised by what she saw. She still didn’t know about Blade and me, so I suddenly felt embarrassed.
“What do you need?” Blade asked.
“I just wanted to tell you that one of our former employees wants to work here again.”
“Is she the one you told me about before—the one who almost told Elle about my identity?”
I looked at Blade when he said that.
Who was he talking about?
“Yes. Her name is Riva.”
I couldn’t say anything when I heard her name.
How did they know that Riva had told me something about Blade? Had they heard us talking?
It seemed like they were the reason Riva had been fired from the company.
“You knew about what Riva told me in the pantry?”
“Yes, Elle. I heard the two of you talking.”
Ms. Jane answered me.
“Is that the reason you fired her?”
Neither of them answered my question.
I couldn’t explain what I was feeling at that moment.
“Yes. I didn’t want you to be afraid of me, Elle. That’s why we had her removed from the company so she couldn’t tell you about me.”
I didn’t know whether I should be angry at Blade because of what he said.
They were just like Grandma.
Once again, someone had made a decision supposedly for my own good.
They hadn’t even considered Riva’s situation. They had taken away the job of someone who had been kind to me.
“She didn’t do anything to you, Blade. You shouldn’t have fired her.”
“I’m sorry, Elle, but we were just being careful. We didn’t want more people to know about us, and that was the only way we could think of to keep her from telling you.”
“I’m asking you, Blade. Please let her come back. You already know that I know about you, so there’s no reason she can’t work here again, right?”
Blade sighed and looked at Ms. Jane.
“Bring her here.”
Ms. Jane nodded and quickly left.
“Why do you care so much about her, Elle?”
“Because I know she’s a good person, Blade, even though we only talked for a short time.”
Riva really was a nice person. I was just happy that she was going to be able to come back.
“I’m sorry again, Elle. I just love you so much, and that’s why I did all of that.”
I felt different after hearing him say that.
He was really good at this.
He was really good at making me blush and making me feel special.
I was too soft-hearted to stay angry at this man.
I mean, look at him. He’s so handsome. Who am I to stay mad at him?
Just kidding.
A few moments later, the door opened again, and Ms. Jane entered with Riva.
Riva was wearing jeans and a black blouse. She looked at me but immediately looked away.
“I heard you want to work here again?” Blade asked.
“Yes, Sir Blade. I need a job right now because my salary as a fast-food service crew isn’t enough.”
I felt sorry when I heard her say that.
She was the breadwinner of her family, and I knew how difficult it was to shoulder all the expenses at home.
“You know why you were fired before, don’t you?” Ms. Jane interrupted.
“Yes.”
Riva looked at me.
I knew I was the reason she had been fired before, and I suddenly felt guilty. If I hadn’t been so curious, she might still have had her job.
“But I promise I’ll just focus on my work here. Please let me come back, Sir.”
I could hear how badly she wanted to return.
The company offered a high salary, so losing this job had been a huge setback for her.
“You don’t need to keep it a secret anymore, Riva,” Blade said.
“What do you mean, Sir?”
Riva looked at me, and I understood what Blade wanted me to say.
“Because I already know, Riva. I already know about Blade.”
Riva’s mouth dropped open.
“Is that true?”
“Yes, Riva. So you don’t have to worry anymore.”
“And I also want to tell both of you something.”
Blade wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer.
I was shocked when he suddenly kissed me in front of them.
“We’re together now,” Blade added.
I could see the shock on both of their faces.
I lowered my head, embarrassed.
He could have simply told them, but he actually kissed me in front of them!
“Congratulations, Blade!” Ms. Jane said.
“But how?”
“It’s a long story, Jane.”
Blade answered simply.
“How about Riva? Is she accepted again?”
I changed the subject because I didn’t want them to keep talking about how Blade and I became a couple. I was embarrassed.
“Yes, Elle. Riva is officially back. You can start tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Sir Blade. This means so much to me.”
I was happy to see a smile on Riva’s face again.
I hoped we’d become closer now that she was back at the company.
Ms. Jane and Riva immediately left the office, leaving Blade and me alone.
I felt so happy right now.
So many good things have been happening to me these past few days.
“Thank you, Blade.”
“For what?”
“For accepting Riva back into your company.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I should be the one thanking you.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Thank you for coming into my life.”
I felt my cheeks getting warm because of what he said, so I looked away.
Why did he always have to make me blush?
I was incredibly happy that he had come into my life too.