Nine

STEFAN'S POV

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I knew this was going to be a problem, if I let her go with this information. Then I picked her up and she was shivering, in fear.

Then I held her tight.

“You saw none of my werewolf powers. You only saw how I fought with him with good skills and then he got knocked out.” I said, using my vampire powers to hypnotize her. 

Then I knocked her out and then lodged her in a hotel room and went back to my house. I removed my tie and sat on the couch, staring into blank space and the first thought that came to my mind was Jana. I needed to be in her life and it just seemed that every way I tried to come closer, was wrong to her.

~

MELISSA’S POV

The next day, I went to work, ready to take on my project. As I got to work, I greeted everyone, with a smile, and before I could have my seat. That same man who addressed us before the CEO, walked in.

“Miss Melissa?” He called my name, then walked out.

I looked at my colleagues, then followed the secretary.

‘Sorry if you may have found it rude, the manner in which I called you, but I had to keep it low, so as not to cause suspicion.” He said, with a smile, then he opened the door to an office.

I walked in, looking baffled, then he closed the door behind me and I looked forward. Afterall, the person who probably wanted to see me was on that chair, with his back, faced to me.

He turned, and behold, it was the pervert CEO. My expression changed and I was displeased to see him.

“You asked for me?” I asked, lowering my eyes as I was disinterested in keeping eye contact with him.

“I did. Have a seat.” He said as he walked towards the couch and sat across the couch I was going to seat on.

“Thank you.” I said as I sat down.

“So, you are Melissa Lane, right?” He asked, looking at me inquisitively.

“Yes, I am.”

“Alright, you have another name, Jana?” 

“No. You called me Jana, the other time. I am not Jana.”

“And you do not remember me in any way?” 

“I think you are mistaking me for someone else.” I said, trying to restrain my anger.

“It’s fine. Mind if we can have dinner, together?” He asked, with an inquisitive expression on my face.

It was all so weird. It still felt that he wasn’t convinced that I was not who he thinks I am and it feels risky to get the more involved with him. 

“I… I am sorry, I have plans this evening and we have a project we are working on as the show off event is this week. So, I’ll like to take my leave.” I said as I stood up, then walked out of his office.

I got back to the office and started my work, even if it was hard to concentrate, because of the CEO who was acting weird around me.

“Are you okay?” Britney asked, out of curiosity.

“Yeah, I am fine. Why’d you ask?” 

“You look disturbed.”

“Oh, I’m… I’m fine.” 

~

It was break and I was at the vending machine, trying to get a cola, but my mind was on the Stefan. He was making me uncomfortable and making me think that he is having mental issues, but it is kept from the public.

“Hey. Your cola is ready, but you aren’t taking it.” Edward said as he bent to take my cola, then he coined in to get a drink for himself as well.

“Oh… I am so sorry. I kind of got carried away, with the thought of work and all.” I said as I collected the cola from him.

“It’s fine. I understand.”

He seemed different from the Edward I thought I knew yesterday. He seemed a bit accommodating this time and sounded friendly.

“Thanks for last night.”

“You are welcome. I hope you weren’t too stressed?” He asked, with a smile as he sipped his drink.

“Uhm… not really. I am more than delighted to work.”

“That’s nice. Mind if we have dinner, tonight? We could talk about anything.” He said, with a smile on his face.

“Sure, I do not mind.”

~

When it was closing, Edward and I got into his car and he drove off to a restaurant. It was a 5-star restaurant and it got me stoked.

“How do you like the look of this restaurant?” He asked as he got prepared to slice his steak.

“Well, it’s rich and really attractive.” I replied, wondering why he asked that question.

“Do you know why I love going to places like this? Not to sound or look rich, but because they increase your appetite and give you an experience of art.” He explained as he chewed on his steak.

“Wow. I understand better, now. It really is true.”

“So, why do you love fashion designing?” He asked, focusing on me.

“Well, it makes me happy. That I am able to create and design clothes for people and put a smile on their face, make them feel confident, through my design, that’s … that’s joy for me. I feel like I am on top of the world, whenever I design a cloth and it looks really nice.” I explained, feeling elated as I explained.

“Wow. I really love that.”

“Thanks. What about you?” I asked, inquisitively.

“Well, as for me, I grew up with a father that always wanted things to go right, if not perfect. He had always asked me what my purpose in life, was and that question hit me hard, because I thought about it for so many nights, until I saw clothes as the answer. I loved making clothes for people, especially some of my friends who were less- privileged and didn’t have money to afford clothes. And whenever they wore those clothes, people always complimented them and some even wished they had those clothes, even with the low quality. The joy that gave them, inspired me to venture into the world of fashion designing.”

“Wow. That’s a touching story. I would really love to see one of your samples.”

“Sure, you are always free to.”

“Uhm… Pardon me to use the restroom.” I said, then headed for the restroom.

After using the restroom, I washed my hands and face, then looked into the mirror and then the light flickered, which was unusual and when it became stable, my eyes fuzzed and then I saw the image of a lady, but I could not see her well until I fell to the ground and fainted.