Chapter 3

Dayanne looked down with somber eyes as she walked past the cashiers and the queue of few people lined up to pay. She's aware that they are all looking at her as she stepped out.

She couldn't look them in the eyes after knowing that she's the reason why her co-workers were disturbed last week. Who knows? One of the staffs or even customers that time might have panic issues and got triggered by uniformed men who came to check on CCTV'S and ask every single person here questions that could offend some. Or even witnessing a guy being arrested from one of the staffs.

She completely understood why Mrs. Ashmita was very angry. She knows. Despite the woman's calm voice and controlled voice, Dayanne knows that she could not change her mind anymore. Whatever she says or how many times she explains, her words are now invalid because of what the policemen did in order to help her case. If that's what they really did.

It surprised her but it put her at ease. At least they still looked into her case, but right now.... She has to find another job if she wants to earn a decent amount for her admission in the University.

She pushed the glass doors and proceeded to walk home. She's already tired and her house is still thirty minutes walk away. She should start moving if she doesn't want the dark to catch her along the road.

It's also getting colder as the sun sets down behind the huge hills surrounding their town. People are starting to wait for cars or passing taxi's with their bags of groceries and stuffs probably from their own job. Some shops are closing and some are already lit up for another night of service. She also saw people who are dressed nicely for parties.

She stopped by a line of kiosks on the sidewalk to buy small packed food that are ready-to-cook  which is convenient since she expects her apartment to be dusty and dirty from all the days she's been gone. She might have to clean up for some minutes and cooking would be an added chore that will lengthen her time for cleaning up and shorten her hours for sleep. Oh that would be awful!

As soon as she paid for her order ,she turned on her heels to set off towards the street to her home. But she stopped when she saw a familiar sleek black car pulling over on the sidewalk she's standing at. Maybe the guy who drove her here will buy some packed foods too. Nevertheless, she's still curious and feels like it's rude to step away when she actually knows the person.

"Hey... You're here.", She asked as he came closer.

"Yup, thought of eating a bit before going home.", He answered and stood beside her. More like, stood in front of the table behind her.

Dayanne stepped away to let him choose. It's weird though? Why would a man with obviously an expensive car, judging by the interiors, come here and order a food from the streets when he can afford VIP restaurants that can offer him a nice plate of expensive dishes?, She thought.

Or maybe he borrowed the car? Dayanne couldn't pin-point but she's utterly curious. But his perfume smells as expensive so she couldn't stop but think he's actually rich. Even his stance and aura speaks so much of wealth and power he is carrying with him. Whatever that thing he has, she is sure that it isn't really that hard to tell that he's got money.

"How was your conversation with your boss go?", He asked while picking out a set of food containers laid on the table.

"It went good.", She bitterly said as a reflex since she's used to answering that way when everything is clearly not.

"You know, I have this thought, that people aren't really reliable when you ask them if they're okay. They would always answer 'It's good' but their actions tell otherwise.", He chuckled as he let the vendor pack his order.

"What?", She asked and laughed along when she realized what he said."Yeah, well... It went really good, no harm done except that I'm fired. The police, unfortunately, made a ruckus for investigation so..."

She trailed off and decided to stop conversing and finally move since it's late. She gestured to him that she'll be going but instead he raised a finger to make her wait as he pays.

"I'll bring you home. It's late.", He said and took her duffle bag with him as he went to his car. She couldn't refuse his offer because of that.

She followed him and tried to tell him she could go home on her own but he just looked at her like she's blabbering stupid and useless things. She groaned and decided to hop in since he's right, it's already getting dark. She still has a slight trauma thinking about walking alone in the dark streets and waking up to a hospital bruised and broken, Again.

"So? What would you do now? After losing your job?", He asked when they started on the wheels. 

He was talking casually but Dayanne couldn't stop but look at him since he looked so hot in his position. His left arm was laid atop the open car window. The other arm lazily maneuvering the steering wheel. The shade of orange from the setting sun was on his side intensifying his well-cut jawline and cheekbones and the way his thick lashes hit his cheek.

She couldn't remember him. If she really did see this guy in town, she would have never forgotten about him. Even just a short glance, one would remember his face and body with all the perfection he has. He carries his body in a very manly but fine as hell way... Confident and powerful.

She blinked when she saw him awkwardly look away. His ears are flushing red. She coughed to ease the uncomfortable atmosphere.

"Ahm... I'm- I'm thinking of uh ...going out tomorrow to look for a job and m-maybe if I couldn't find a job that offers enough salary then I'll just go to the city earlier than planned.", Dayanne took an unopened water bottle from the dashboard. " May I?"

He nodded. She opened the bottle and drunk half of it. She didn't even realize she was thirsty.

"Why are you planning to go to the city anyway?", He looked like he is thinking.

"Nothing. I'll go to the university anyway so might as well go earlier than my plan so I can go find a job and an apartment too."

"Do you have parents?", He asked.

"I have foster parents. But it's been a long time since I moved out since their whole clan thinks Dad would give me all his properties.", She laughed bitterly as a memory passed her thoughts.

"I'm sorry about that.", He cleared his throat. "Anyway, what do you think about working in my.... In my..."

He paused like he was thinking about something really important. Is he being skeptical about offering her a job? She wasn't sure.

"In your?"

"In my restaurant. Right. You can work there and it's in the city. Maybe I can let you stay there too along with my crew."

"Stay? You mean sleep and live there?"

"Yes. There are rooms on the next floors. So you don't have to bother going home late at nights.", He was talking like he had had these thoughts readied.

"Thank you, sir. But I think it's too much. I can just rent my own place."

His brows furrowed then he looked her side to see her clearly.

"Why would you rent a place? You can stay there. And if you're feeling like it's too much, you shouldn't. You will still work for your stay there. So there's really no difference except that it is more convenient."

Dayanne sighed and felt relieved. She was having doubts because of how too good his offers are. Now that she learned that she actually would pay for her rent, she's finally convinced that he has no other motive other than helping her out. Or maybe... Dr. Hampton had something to do with this. But this isn't time to feel offended since she really is helpless and in need of a hand so she's starting to think about it.

"Okay... I'll see if I can come over tomorrow. I still have to enroll and maybe I'll just drop by. Do you think I can move there as early as what? A week?", She asked. She said she would think about it but she's actually thinking about working already.

"You can move there as early as tomorrow. What's the point of moving here and there when you can just carry you stuffs along and stay there for good."

She laughed at that. Moving isn't as easy as going on a trip. She would have to rent a cab to carry her things. Though there isn't much belonging she would bring but it wouldn't please people if she rides the bus with a huge luggage and some bags. It would be a hassle for everyone.

"There's no need to rush. My stuff's would annoy passengers in the bus.", She said and sat straight as she pointed to an avenue route towards their street.

"I would drive to the city tomorrow. You can ride along.", He said that surprised her. "If you want, we could bring your stuffs since this car is huge enough, Don't you think? And if it doesn't then you can just bring a few clothes. They are all you need anyway."

Even after he's finished talking, Dayanne couldn't move. She's curious as to how he actually came up with these ideas when she haven't.

"Really? Are you sure you're not going back just to drive me along? Did Dr. Hampton ask you to help me out?", She couldn't stop asking. She isn't mad but she has questions. "I am grateful but please don't take too much pity on me. I can perfectly survive on my own."

"Yes... Yes I know you can survive on your own. I can see that and that's the reason why I want you as my employee. You are hard-working and I think you deserve a little help.", He scowled. "And no. I'm not doing this because of Jones' favor. Don't you go around thinking that I'm just following his biddings like a dog. That's too much."

He parked beside the street and that hard look remained like he's making sure she gets his point. She shivered at that but chuckled breathily to ease her tension.

"Yeah... I'm sorry. I'm really thankful. I'm sorry if I acted ungrateful."

"Accepted. So tomorrow?", He asked when she opened the car door.

"Okay...", She smiled and was about to close the door but she stopped and peeked inside."I forgot but we never intoduced ourselves properly. I'm Dayanne."

She was waiting for him to respond but he just looked at her unsmiling and blankly. She felt conscious and looked at her body. That's when she saw her shirt drooped showing her cleavage almost fully. She pushed it up as she realized why he was looking at her like that.

"I- I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to-"

"Clayton. Clayton Cole. That's my name."

Now that's a nice name... She was expecting his name to be John or something kind but Clayton is fine.

Dayanne nodded and smiled awkwardly then pushed the door close and waited until the car turned on the main road. When she saw hs car dispersed, she harshly hit her forehead and frustratedly pulled her hair.

Why does she always have to ruin things?! Everything was going well and yet again she ruined it. Why does she always have to do things impulsively and makes a scene?

She went inside and up to her apartment room on the third floor of the building. She was expecting to see her room messy and needs an hour to scrub and sweep. But her room looked perfectly clean and oddly arranged. Her memories are cut off but she's very sure that she didn't leave her room this clean. Everything is neatly fixed in their spots. Dusts aren't piled up.

An old woman came in all smiles carrying a lunch box with her. It's Mrs. Dawson, her neighbour.

"Oh there you are. Would you mind if I touched your things? The policemen came and made a mess so I cleaned up.", She said as she put the lunchbox on her single table.

Mrs. Dawson came to her and checked her out. She looked worried. The old woman's round face contorting everytime she spots her healing bruises. Her big belly taking over her personal space.

"Thank God, your bones aren't fractured. What did the doctor say?"

"He said everything's okay. I can work after resting.", Dayanne couldn't talk into details. Although the old woman wasn't that mean as a neighbor, she wasn't as nice too.

Dayanne could still remember the woman's banters about her trash bags not segregated really well and her front door looking dirty and her shoes tapping the floor too loud late at nights disturbing the old woman's sleep. But well... Maybe she really is concerned. She was just strict with cleanliness that she couldn't even stand her room messed up which is nice because she just saved her from a hardcore cleaning.

"Uhm... Thank you Mrs. Dawson, you didn't have to but I'm relieved I wouldn't have to tire myself late tonight.", She smile genuinely.

The old woman just shrugged her words away and led her to the table and forced her to eat from the food she brought. She even said she bought a meal but Mrs. Dawson insisted that she eats as much and just keep some to be reheated for breakfast.

She thanked the woman when she decided to let her sleep and so they could rest themselves. Dayanne closed the door and went to her window to close it since Mrs. Dawson opened it awhile ago to let oxygen in.

She stopped when she saw a car parked on the far left side under the shade of a willow tree. It was familiar but she just thought it was the same car since she saw Mr. Cole move his car away a while ago. And why would he even stay there anyway? So it isn't possible that it is his car. Must be a similar car to his'.

Clayton watched as Dayanne closed her window. He was worried for a moment ago that she would see his car and decides to come check on it. He can hide but it would be hard to move the car away. Her curiosity is really causing him trouble. 

He tried to change her mind about her plan of investigating on her own. Clayton tried to talk to her and persuade her nicely but she just burst out and felt offended. He understands her though, Jones told him that the trauma may cause her outbursts of emotions if ticked. Hell, her reaction this morning wasn't even an overreaction if they ask him. 

However, her thirst for the truth will definitely put her to danger. It worries him that she might cross borders that are not meant for humans to step over. That's the main reason why hunters like him exist. They are the only ones who can move and poke their noses into human and vampire businesses.

Her lights went out and he even saw her silhouette as she moved to the wall before the lights went off. That was his cue to go inside and walk upstairs. Mrs. Dawson is already waiting in front of her own unit.

"Mr. Cole... Don't worry, she already ate. And I made sure she wouldn't have to work a bit more to fix some things.", She said as he approached.

"Thank you, Mrs. Dawson. Yes... I saw it in her window. She must have gone to sleep.", He handed her the cash they had agreed over the phone.

The old woman smiled as she put the bills in her house dress' front pocket.

"I don't know about your relationship with her neither have I ever seen you around here but... I'm thankful that someone takes care of her. That kid was so young when she came here. With only a black backpack and some cash in hand.", She sighed sympathetically. "But she's strong. As you can see she managed to survive through the years. It's just that... I think she deserves to be taken care of. By someone who truly cares and doesn't have other motives. I hope I can trust you on that."

The old lady smiled at him warmly before patting his back and stepped away. He must say, he doesn't like long, dramatic conversations but he is genuinely thankful that the lady cared for Dayanne.

His smile vanished in an instant. Why would he care if someone took care of the girl? It's like his thoughts have been in a trance and now he has snapped out of it. He shook his head when he realized he's being over concerned. He's only here to answer his curiousity and to protect her from the harm he has done unto her. 

He still carries the blame for letting the hunters know that a rare blood exists. Although hunters are trained to protect, he knows that their leaders are willing to kill one person for the satisfaction of an elite blood.

Let alone the kids. They are minors and have fangs that are not that mature enough to identify bloods but he's worried that they sensed that Dayanne's blood is a rare kind and very much treasured by any blood-sucking community like them.

Just as he was about to get inside one of the rooms, Dayanne's door opened making him panic. He used his ability to go and hide inside the other room beside hers. 

Dayanne felt the call of nature and decided to go to the toilet at the end of the corridor. It's already late but she's sure that the lights outside are still on. The cold air hit her the moment she stepped out. Weird but she felt a sudden wheeze of wind. She looked around and saw no one.

Instead she came face to face to the street view. She held onto the bannister and lazily leaned on them as she gazed at the dark silhouettes in the night. Their apartment building is located in a secluded part of their town and on the far front is the Alterax woods. The trees lined up in front with some infested with fireflies making them look shimmering.

If she's to be asked, her state for the past few weeks is just like this night. Dark and unclear. No matter how she tries to spot something, she couldn't see anything. And like the flicker of fireflies, the only light she has is the luck of surviving... And the hope that the policemen might find something.

Until then, she won't be peaceful... Nightmares of people hurting her will always bother her.