My Billionaire Ex Is A Vampire

Forlorn Scarecrow

I called in sick after closing the door between me and Sean. I cannot risk him attacking me again. I really cannot afford to take the day off, but what choice do I have? Curling up on the sofa under a faux fur blanket in dusty pink I send a message to Ben to come home as soon as he can. I don’t want to be alone!

I jump for every noise outside, my pulse racing so much I almost can’t hear over my heart beating. The big grandfather clock Ben loves so much keeps ticking time and chiming for every hour and half hour. I give a little scream every time. I feel like I’m in a horror movie. A dread hanging over me, because I know what’s going to happen sooner or later.

I almost give a little scream again when I hear keys in the door, but Ben is quicker than my brain to vocal cords reaction, and runs into the living room without removing his shoes. “Are you okay, Lorena? What happened?” I throw myself into his arms bawling like a child, finally feeling some safety. He holds me close and comforts me, stroking my hair and kissing my head.

“Is the blood outside yours? Are you hurt” Ben asks. I only shake my head, then touch the back of my head gingerly as the movement makes me dizzy again. “Was it that vampire?” Ben looks me into my eyes, and I feel the cold feeling creep up in my brain again.

“Yes, it was Sean. He got mad when I didn’t want to talk to him.”

“Did he bite you? Did he give you his blood?” he continues. My eyes widen, surprised at his question. Does he really believe vampires exist? Despite having seen some sketchy sh!t in the last few hours if not days I still not sure I believe, but Ben accepts it without any question? “I need to know my love. Did you drink his blood?” he pushes for an answer.

“No, I haven't tasted any blood. Why are you asking me this?” Seeing the worry in my eyes he kisses my nose before starting to examine my body.

“If he drank your blood we need to think of your diet. And if you drink his blood we will have bigger problems to think of,” he answers while looking at my neck where Sean might have bit me. “It’s only a grace in terms of vampire bites, nothing to worry about. He didn't drink much” His voice is calm and relaxed, then he looks back into my eyes. “I’m sorry for this Lorena, that this should happen to you.”

“Why are you saying sorry? It’s not you who are the crazy ex.” I don’t feel my words sink in, he looks somehow guilty that I was attacked by Sean. Probably stupid male pride. He wasn’t home to protect me or something. So testerical!

“Why do you believe him when he says he’s a vampire? And why ask about if I drank his blood? That’s nasty, just to have said it.” My body almost itches from all the questions I want to ask. Is Ben hiding something from me? The man always tells me too much and doesn’t seem like the person to keep a secret.

“I’ve met vampires before, in my travels,” Ben smiles at me. “It's too long a tale for me to tell you now. So let's get you some food and after that we'll talk about what we can do about this situation.”

While Ben starts c*****g dinner and I help out by grating cheese, my phone rings. It’s an unknown number, so I can guess who it is.

“Hello?” I try carefully.

“I wanted to order something from you at McKingFry, but your boss said you called in sick. Is this how you will repay me my money?” Again the dark smoker's voice gives me chills. I cannot catch a break, can I?

“I, I, I’m sorry,” I stammer. “I was attacked, and…”

“And why should I care about that?” I can feel the coldness stretching out of my phone, making the chill enter my bones and I start to shake out of fear. “I was thinking of giving you another chance. Be lenient with a beautiful girl like you, who wouldn’t? But not if you are skipping work for silly things like that.”

“I’m so, so sorry,” I answer with barely a whisper.

“Who is it?” Ben asks. I turn away from him; I cannot deal with his questions too.

“I will take extra shifts when I can. I will pay you, I promise.” I tell the man on the phone. I feel the warmth of Ben coming closer to me, but I walk away from him. I cannot tell him about the money if I want to keep him safe.

“Now there is the dutiful daughter I know, but this is the last time you screw up.” The man hangs up on me and I stop my slow walk away from Ben. When he reaches me he embraces me and my shivering stops. I lean into him, sighing. He knows something is wrong, but really I don’t want to risk him too.

Turning me around he stares into my eyes. “Who called and what did he want?” I feel a cold sensation entering my mind, the way I felt Sean did to me earlier today. Without thinking I answer Ben.

“I don’t know his name. My father owes him a lot of money and I have to pay it.” What the French toast? Did Ben just mind control me into telling him? How can he do that? And how could he do that to me? That is such a craptastic thing to do! “How many times have you controlled my mind?” I ask him. Shifting his eyes away from me he has the audacity to blush! “Tell me!”

“Umm… Not often. And never lightly, well it was that one time you…” he voice trails off and he looks back at me again. “Um, I… It’s a truth spell, nothing but that. Well mostly, I use this spell to…” he stops talking when I slap him.

“How could you do that to me?” I ask him, feeling tears build up in my eyes. “Do you even love me?”

“I do. Lorena, I love you. I was tired of my long life and then I met you, and I…”

“Then how could you do that to me?” I interrupt him. He looks dumbfounded, like a forlorn scarecrow.

“I didn’t like the way you avoided me, and I was afraid it was that bloodsvcker harassing you again.”

“And you thought it was okay? Instead of us having a conversation together you decided you needed to know? Did you tell yourself ‘just this once’? Or did you never think about violating my mind?” Ben’s face drops from my questions. He doesn’t answer.

“I thought so!” I scream at him and storm out of the kitchen. My tears are streaming by now. I should have learned my lessons with Sean! How can I ever trust any man again? Sean is a vampire and I have no idea what Ben is supposed to be. He looks human enough, but maybe not? How can I be certain of anything after this?

I run to the bedroom to pack, but inside there I realize I cannot leave this place. Sean might be outside waiting for me. I might never be able to leave this apartment. And where would I go? Chris might take me in for the night, but they live in a studio apartment. It’s not a long term solution. I can’t afford any living expenses as things are.

Hearing the doorbell ringing I go to the bedroom door to make sure Ben answers the door. The smell of something good cooking hangs in the air but I don’t feel any hunger, only dread. Hearing Ben’s quick steps I almost walk back to bed, but curiosity keeps me in the door.

“You?” asks Sean with shock in his voice. It’s only a short word, but I can hear a slight trembling in his voice. Is that anger, or maybe fear?

“Yes, me. You remember me then?” Ben answers Sean. Have they met before? Is Ben a vampire too? He never drank my blood. Or maybe he did, he just manipulated me from remembering? Curious, I step out to see if I can spot anything happening in the apartment door.

Taking a quick glance towards the men I see Sean kneeling, head respectfully down, in front of Ben. What in the name of banana peel is happening? Are you serious? What have I got myself into? Who are these guys?