By the time I left the job, I was nearly at my breaking point. It was as if my nightmare day didn't seem to want to end. I found out that Cheryl was being an ass, my boss makes me throw away hours of work, and over three hundred frames, to have me redo all my work. If that wasn't bad enough, I met a vampire today who tells me I know more vamps then I think, and now I'm heading to the studio nearly three hours late for our afternoon shoot, which leaves Charles holding the bag.
I rushed into the studio; Charles was sitting at the laptop looking through our work from the day before. He looked up and smiled at me. “Bad day?” he asked. I nodded and unpacked my bag, and then put the discs into the envelopes to be processed downstairs. He came over and nearly whispered, “Not that I want to ruffle your feathers, but I did the shoot this afternoon, I didn't know when or even if we had the time to rebook them.”
I smiled and thanked him and then started towards the door. “I'm just running these downstairs, and then we'll go over yesterday frames together, do you have the time or were you planning on a short day?”
He smiled and took the envelope from me. “How about I take this down, I made a pot of tea, why don’t you pour yourself a cup and relax? I’m worried that seeing Brad may cause you more stress, and I would rather the rest of your day be stress free.”
“No, its fine, I hope you don't mind, but Brad will be coming over tonight after we have our dinner. What time should I tell him or would you rather cancel?” I asked. I didn't want to hide anything from him.
He slowly handed me back the envelope and nodded. “I'll make you a tea and do my best not to dig for information, which is very hard to do. I'll make sure that I'm gone by seven, you’re tired and you need your sleep.” His face hardened. “It’s apparent that you need it, possibly you could remind him that you need to have an early night,” he said in a deep demanding tone.
I nodded and then stopped at the door. I turned and asked, “How did you get the password to the laptop?”
He gave a half smile and replied, “I got it from you.”
I thought about it for a moment and then headed downstairs; I couldn’t recall me telling him the password, I’m not one who gives out their password or any personal information so easily. I jogged down the stairs replaying all our dates and talks we had together. I couldn’t remember a single time where I told him the password. It bothered me because it’s the same password to my father’s security system. I had been thinking about changing the password for Charles, but I only thought of it today when I was driving back to the studio.
I walked into the lab and rang the bell. Brad came out right away, he smiled and of course I smiled back. “Ahh more work, poor Cheryl was getting bored,” he teased.
“Sure she was,” I snickered while handing him the envelope. “I um, I had forgotten that I had plans for dinner with Charles, would you mind coming over at around seven?”
“April, please forgive my selfishness, I can see that you’re exhausted, but I would still love to see you, will you promise to kick me out before I bore you into a coma?”
“I promise,” I replied with light laugh. I loved how Brad can pull me out of a bad mood.
“Alright, I'll bring something light for desert. We'll have some hot apple cider, since you will have already had your tea, and we’ll spend a short evening talking. I want you to know that I'm an open book, and I'm really hoping that you'll let me in. Ask questions or read away… whatever makes you feel comfortable.”
I could feel the tension float off my shoulders. “I'll see you tonight,” I said with a smile.
The rest of the afternoon flew by, and by four-thirty we were locking up for the night. Charles stayed focus on his work, and he never asked questions about Brad or the coming night. I opened the bottom drawer to take my purse out when I noticed Charles heading to my darkroom. “What are you doing?” I asked.
“When are going to develop the tumbling photos?”
I explained, “Cheryl has them, and they should be ready soon.”
His face suddenly hardened. “Is she going to charge you for them? I don’t mind helping you develop them.”
I nodded my head. “I do receive an employee’s discount, and in the end, it is cheaper than what I pay for my supplies.”
“Can’t you foresee the problems with using Cheryl?”
“What do you mean?” I grumbled.
“Honey, she keeps copies.”
I raised a single brow; I already knew that, and I know that I never mentioned it to him. “How can you be so sure?”
“She kept a few of mine, and I’m positive that she’s done the same with yours.”
He was right. I’ve been to her house and there are a few of my pictures on her walls. She frames them nicely, and proudly displays them. At first it really bothered me, but I've grown used to it, and she really does appreciate the pictures that she keeps. “I know she does, how did you find out?” I wanted to know if he went to her house.
“She was inspecting Brads work in front of me, she pulled the negatives and said that she would return them when she was finished making herself a couple of copies.”
“Poor Brad,” I whispered.
“Poor Brad, why would you say that?” he grumbled.
“How would you feel if I inspected your work in front of a new coworker?” I shook my head. “Never mind… I know she does it and it shouldn’t matter.”
“Are you telling me that it doesn’t bother you? Those are your personal photos, her taking copies is no different than stealing.”
“Sure, sometimes it bothers me, but I don’t look at it as stealing. She appreciates art; she frames them and displays them with pride.”
He shook his head and started towards the door. “You’re too forgiving, she may be your friend, but taking copies is the same as stealing. I told her that if she took anymore copies of my work without my permission, I would register a complaint. I highly suggest that you do the same,” he grumbled while opening the door.
I didn’t want the conversation to continue. “I’ll take it into consideration,” I mumbled while walking past him. I didn’t wait for him to lock the door; I had feeling that he wasn’t ready to dismiss the conversation.
I got home and rushed downstairs to my rec room. I flashed behind the bar and opened the fridge, thankfully it was restocked. I drank a full bag; my father had left a loving note with my supplies. I leaned against the bar and read his note, it stated the importance of Kemo, and how from now on Kemo was no longer allowed to stay at his house. He didn’t go into great detail; he just said that the Shaman was right, and that Kemo was definitely made for me.
A while ago, I went with my father to the Indian reserve, their doctor called my father in to help with a serious situation. The Shaman met me, and as we sat around the fire, he explained that Kemo was made for me. He said that I was the reason for Kemo’s birth. I thought it was a cheesy line, but from the moment I looked into his big brown eyes, I fell in love with him. I couldn’t refuse that puppy, even if he is much bigger than what I would have wanted. I treat him like he is my child or spouse, I take him everywhere with me, and I make sure that every night when he’s home with me, that we go to the park. On the weekends, when I go to my father’s house, Kemo and I run, he can keep up with me, and that’s pretty amazing for a dog.
Just by thinking about Kemo and my father, I began to feel a hole in my heart. I called my father, we talked for a little while, and then I had him put the phone against Kemo’s ear. I know it sounds dumb, I just wanted to tell him that I loved him and I missed him. After he barked, Father laughed and said, “There was no need to ask him to speak.”
I didn’t bother to tell him that Kemo did it on his own, I just laughed and replied, “You’re right, I’ll see you tomorrow night, and I’ll be meeting with your new friend on Saturday.”
“Very good, he will teach you the laws and how to spot your own. This is a very good step, I was fortunate that he came to me instead of me being dragged into council, it seems that we have made many mistakes, and the sooner you know the laws, the safer you will be.”
Ever since the night my father brought me home, he has been posting ads in all the major papers throughout England, the United States and Canada. He signed up at the local college for every basic computer course they offered, and once he learned how to use the internet, that was when we found a whole new group of people. I was twelve; (although I didn’t look it) my father took me to a vampire bar that his new internet friend had suggested. The place had poor lighting; chamber music, and everyone seem either angry or sad.
I had notice that nearly every couple wore a vile on a leather cord around their neck, I asked the guy at the table next to us what that was about. He said that once a vampire finds their soul mate, they wear their soul mate’s blood around their neck. It was considered the most romantic gift. At first I was amazed with how open everyone seemed, they all had their fangs exposed, where as mine only came out when I wanted them. They were all dressed in gothic clothes, and everyone was pale with dark, cold stares. At first my father and I thought that they were real, until one guy handed us his business card, he was a dental student who was making money on the side by giving people permanent fangs. I forced my fangs to drop and smiled at the guy, and to this day I have to bite back my laughter when I remember the guy saying that he could do a better job than the amateur who made my fangs.
My father said something, but I didn’t catch it. I realized that I was being rude, I cleared my throat and replied, “I’ll see you tomorrow night, I love you.”
“Well that doesn’t answer my question, when can I expect you tomorrow?”
“By six thirty, I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon, but I think I’ll have Charles deal with it. I’d really like to have dinner with you.”
“Very good, it’s getting harder for me to stay up so late.”
Charles had impeccable timing. The moment I set the phone down, my doorbell rang. I was a little annoyed; I was hoping to have a few minutes to myself before he arrived. I flew up the stairs, and thankfully I slowed down once it got to the front hall. Charles had already let himself in; he was standing there with a smug smile and take out containers. I recognized them from his brother in-laws restaurant. “Come in,” I said in a sarcastic whisper.
“I’m sorry; I thought I heard you say come in, was I wrong?”
“Yes,” I said as I walked past him and closed the door.
The moment I turned around, he caressed my cheek. “Are you alright?” he asked.
I nodded. “It’s been a long week.”
He raised a single brow. “I can fix that; I’ll call Brad and cancel for you.”
I shook my head. “If I wanted to cancel, I’d do it on my own.” I didn’t like how quickly he was willing to cancel my plans with Brad, if he was really concerned, he would cut this visit short so that I could have a nap.
“Sweetie, you’re tired, why don’t we eat and then you can call it an early night, don’t you think you deserve a good nights rest?”
“I’ll be alright,” I stated.
He took his shoes off and led me to the kitchen; he placed the containers onto the table and then pulled a chair out for me. “I’m thinking about your health,” he said while I sat down.
I am part human so I do need sleep and food. However, unlike humans who need six to eight hours sleep a night, I’m fine with three solid hours per night, but lately my mind just doesn’t want to shut down, and by the time I fall asleep, it’s time to wake up. The last three nights have been filled with worry and nightmares. “I’ll be fine, besides, Brad and I plan on having a short visit; he could see that I’m tired.”
“This is my fault, I kept you out late.”
“It’s no big deal,” I stated.
He went to the drawer and took out a fork and knife for each of us. “I’ve been thinking…”
“How did you know that my cutlery was in that drawer?” I interrupted.
He chuckled and placed the cutlery on the table. “Everybody puts there cutlery in the drawer closest to the sink.”
“Oh… sorry,” I mumbled. I felt like an idiot, I was being suspicious, and it’s not like he’s given me any real reason to be that way.
He sat down beside me and took my hand. “It’s alright, you’re tired and under stress.”
I didn’t want to hear that again, I forced a smile and said, “I’m sorry I interrupted you, as you were saying.”
He smiled brightly and gave my hand a light squeeze. “We have been dating for nearly a week; I’m hoping that you’ll come to a decision soon. Do you think you’ve had enough time?”
I shrugged. I really didn’t like how he was talking; it was almost as if he was suggesting that I pick him, when he was the one who insisted that I date others. “I hardly know if I’m coming or going, and I really haven’t dated anyone else. I think you were right, you need to date, in order to know what you’re looking for.”
He kissed my hand and chuckled lightly. “Yes, I did say that. But after last night, I was sure that you enjoyed yourself, and you saw how well we all click. Don’t you find that rare?”
“I don’t normally socialize outside of work and family, I do socialized with Cheryl, but that’s different.”
“Cheryl is different… earlier today; she came up to the studio and asked me out. I politely turned her down.”
“Why’d you do that?” I asked. I couldn’t understand why he would shoot her down when he was so damn adamant about us dating others.
“She’s not one of us, and I would prefer to not waste her or my time,” he replied in a deep dark tone. He leaned in and locked eyes with me. “Brad may wish to fill his time with ones like her; I am much older and set in my ways.” He kissed my hand. “We are a dying breed, and we should take caution as to why we are that way.”
“Granted, graphic artists and animators are taking over, but we’ll always have work, and I doubt that Cheryl is the reason we’re losing our work.” I pulled my hand out of his and grumbled, “Mr. Armstrong stated that he was putting a policy in place, he said that coworkers dating would not be tolerated. Maybe we all should reconsider.”
“I’ll have a talk with Mr. Armstrong; he cannot hold that policy to us, we dated before the policy was made.” His eyes darkened as he growled, “Believe me; I’ll have this sorted out by tomorrow morning.”
I was seeing a side of Charles that I didn’t like. I saw is before, but chalked it up to inexperience or exhaustion. He is more demanding and set in his ways. Even tonight, he didn’t ask what I liked; he brought chicken and insisted that I would like it. I don’t remember telling him or Brad that I drink a tea each night when I got home, or what foods I didn't like. Somehow they both knew these things. I began to wonder if my meeting with Mr. Yates had raised my suspicion of them or if it was from my lack of sleep.
I ate my salad and the pasta, but avoided the chicken. Whenever I eat chicken or fish my stomach feels funny, and not long after eating it, I need to lie down.
Charles poked his fork into my chicken and held it out to me. “You have to at least try it, what about when you get pregnant, don’t you want to make sure that the baby gets all its nutrients?”
I could feel my expression contort as I grumbled, “When and if I decide to have children.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “I saw your expression that afternoon with the kids, you want them, and I’m sure that you’re willing to have more than one.” He forced his fork into my mouth. I really didn’t expect it. “I’d like to have children too, that’s why it’s so important that you come to a decision. I’m hoping that you’ll decide soon, I’d like to have children within a couple of years.”
I spat the chicken into my napkin and then headed to the garbage can with my container and napkin. I was angry and didn’t want to have this talk with him. “I’m not in a cheery mood; I think we should call it a night.”
“And what about Brad?”
“What about him?” I said while turning to lock eyes with him.
“Are you going to cancel with him as well?”
I shook my head. “He won’t be here for another hour, and it’s a short visit; I’d like to lie down before he arrives.”
“What’s wrong? Have I upset you?”
I slowly shook my head and then I nodded. I felt a little guilty; if I didn’t tell him what I didn’t like, it would be like I wasn’t giving us a fair chance. “I don’t know, I think I need a little break.”
“A little break from dating me or from dating altogether?”
I sighed and admitted, “From you, I’m starting to see the Charles I first met.”
He marched up to me and took my hand. “I’m set in my ways, I admit that, and I may not be filled with jokes, but I respect you and I am falling for you. Please don’t send me away; you said that you were tired right?”
I nodded. “I am, but I’d like some time to myself,” I admitted.
“How about we go into the living room and relax, we’ll put some music on, nice and low, and well sit and visit like we did the other night.”
“No, I’d really like to take a nap.”
He started tugging my hand, forcing me to follow him into the living room. He was walking backwards, and I admit, he had a really cute smile on his face. “I’m sorry if I seem rude or demanding, it’s just that…”
I cut him off; something wasn’t right about his eyes. His brown eyes darkened when he was talking, and somehow I knew to look away. “I’d really appreciate you leaving, I’d like to lie down for an hour,” I stated.
He stopped walking; I looked down at his feet and not in his eyes. I really didn’t like what I was seeing. “Alright… will you call me after Brad leaves?”
I slowly nodded. “I’ll try.”