ELLE
“Oh, close your eyes. This is the last step.”
I immediately followed Dixy’s instruction and felt her setting spray onto my face.
I was nervous because today was the day Blade and I would be attending a party celebrating the success of the sacred medicine.
Dixy was the one doing my makeup because, between the two of us, she knew more about makeup and beauty.
“And we’re done. You can open your eyes now, Elle.”
I slowly opened my eyes and looked at myself in the mirror. Is that really me? I looked so beautiful because of the makeup. I stood up and looked at the dress Blade had given me.
I was wearing a petite red velvet ruffle one-shoulder dress that perfectly complemented my figure. I was sure it was expensive, so I had to be extra careful not to damage it.
“You’re so beautiful, Elle.”
I looked at Dixy and saw her staring at me.
“Thank you, Dixy. It’s all because of you. If you hadn’t done my makeup, I wouldn’t look this beautiful.”
“What are you talking about, Elle? I only put some simple makeup on you. You’re naturally beautiful.”
“Thank you anyway.”
Dixy walked over to me, and we hugged.
The dress Blade had commissioned had just arrived earlier. At first, I thought he was only joking, but it turned out he was serious. I was nervous because most of the people at the party would probably be wealthy, and I would be the only poor girl there.
Our hug was interrupted when my bedroom door opened.
“My grand daughter is so beautiful,” Grandma said.
“I’m not that pretty, Grandma. You’re making me shy.”
“What are you talking about? You’re the most beautiful girl in the world to me.”
“Thank you, Grandma.”
I walked over and gave her a hug.
“I’m going to miss you, sweetheart.”
“What are you talking about, Grandma? I’ll only be gone for three days. I’ll be back right away.”
“We’ll still be apart for three days. Promise me you’ll always be careful, okay? Grandma loves you very much.”
I looked at her and saw tears beginning to form in her eyes.
“Oh, why are you crying, Grandma? Yes, I promise I’ll be careful. I love you very much too.”
“Dixy, please take care of my Elle if something happens to me.”
I suddenly felt sad after hearing Grandma say that.
I tried to hold back my emotions.
“Yes, Aunt Teodora. I’ll take care of Elle,” Dixy replied.
“Why are you saying things like that, Grandma? You’re not going anywhere, right? You’re still healthy.”
I continued trying to hold back my tears because I didn’t want to ruin my makeup. I was getting emotional because of the way Grandma was talking. Why did it sound like she was saying goodbye?
“I don’t know either, sweetheart. Maybe I’ll just miss you because you’ll be gone for three days.”
“I’ll miss you too, Grandma. Please take care of yourself while I’m gone. I’ll ask Dixy to check on you regularly, okay?”
“All right. Now go finish getting ready before your ride arrives.”
I was really lucky to have Dixy. I had asked her to look after Grandma while I was away. Grandma was already old, so I wanted to make sure she was taken care of.
Dixy would bring Grandma food from the grocery store where she worked while I was gone. I wouldn’t get my salary until next week, so I didn’t have much money at the moment.
A little while later, I heard Blade honk his car horn, so I grabbed the red clutch purse I had borrowed from Dixy.
“I’m leaving now. Thanks again, Dixy.”
“You’re welcome, Elle. Enjoy the party.”
I just smiled at her.
I looked at Grandma again and gave her a hug.
“I love you so much, Grandma.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. Now go, or your boyfriend—er, your ride—might get tired of waiting.”
I laughed at what Grandma said. Even though I hadn’t told her about my relationship with Blade yet, it seemed like she already knew.
“Grandma, you really are something.”
After saying that, I went downstairs and outside.
It felt like everything went into slow motion when I saw Blade.
He was wearing a red suit with a white polo shirt underneath. He looked incredibly handsome. Our outfits matched perfectly, and judging by his smile, I was pretty sure he had planned it that way.
“You’re so hot in that dress, Elle. It makes me want to cancel the party. How about we just stay home?”
I hit him on the arm after hearing that.
“You’re crazy! Anyway, thank you for this dress. It’s so beautiful. It must have been expensive. You should have just bought me a cheaper one.”
I didn’t want him spending so much money on a dress I might only wear once.
“Don’t worry about it, Elle. The happiness and love you give me are priceless, so I’m just returning the favor.”
I couldn’t stop myself from getting butterflies at his words.
“I love you, Elle.”
“I love you too, Blade.”
I was surprised when he suddenly kissed me on the lips.
“So good.”
“Tsk! You stole a kiss.”
I rolled my eyes at him.
“Then I’ll give it back.”
He was about to kiss me again, but I stopped him.
“No! Let’s go before we’re late.”
He laughed, and we got into his car.
It would take us about thirty minutes to reach the resort where the party was being held, so we talked during the drive to keep ourselves from getting sleepy.
“Blade, what is sacred medicine? What is this product for?” I asked.
I was curious because I had never seen it in the market before, and it was completely new to me.
“Hmm… I think I can tell you now since you already know I’m a vampire, right?”
I nodded.
“Sacred medicine is only for vampires. That’s why you don’t see it in the market. We only sell it to vampires.”
I was stunned by his answer. So that was why it wasn’t available on the regular market.
“And what is the purpose of that medicine?”
“Vampires use it to hide their true appearance and powers.”
To hide their powers? I didn’t quite understand what he meant.
“Sacred medicine can hide their identity. When vampires take this medicine, they temporarily lose their powers and their skin changes color. But it only lasts for one day.”
I was amazed by what Blade told me. So that was why he hadn’t allowed me to hear their meeting about it before.
Their company actually made and sold a product like this? Whoever invented the sacred medicine was incredibly talented.
“Why do vampires use that medicine?”
“We created it for vampires who want to live normal and happy lives. And I’m happy because this sacred medicine has helped so many of them.”
I never imagined that there were vampires who wanted to live normal lives too. Back then, I thought they only wanted to drink human blood.
Apparently, there was still so much I didn’t know about vampires, and I was happy to be learning more.
Then I remembered that the party we were attending was celebrating the success of the sacred medicine.
If that was the case…
“Who’s going to the party tonight, Blade?”
“Company members, like the board of directors and other people who helped develop the sacred medicine.”
“Are they all vampires?”
“Not all of them, but most of them.”
I suddenly became nervous after hearing that. If most of the guests were vampires, would I be safe there? What if something happened to me?
“Are you scared, Elle?”
I didn’t answer him.
“Don’t be scared, Elle. I’m here, and I won’t let them hurt you. They’ll have to get through me before they can even touch you.”
I felt a little more at ease after hearing that.
“Thank you, Blade, but you still can’t completely take away my fear, especially since this is my first time attending a party where most of the guests are vampires.”
“I understand, Elle. I won’t leave you. If you want, I can even accompany you to the bathroom.”
I hit him on the arm.
This man really never changes.
“Pervert!”
I heard him laugh.
Blade continued driving while I stared out the window.
I remembered the time when I had tried my little plans against Blade. I gave him holy water and even threw garlic at him, but neither had any effect.
Could he have taken sacred medicine back then?
That’s possible.