Chapter 4

Clayton maneuvered his car as he turned towards Dayanne's apartment. He texted her this morning. He almost threw his phone when she asked where he got her number. After some minutes, he relaxed and calmly told her he got it from Dr. Jones Hampton. 

Which is a lie since he actually had her investigated by the policemen he paid to make it look like they are actually on the run for Dayanne's harassers. Jones has been telling him how Dayanne is very much determined to search for the culprit. He also knows she doesn't trust the cops. It's unfair but he knows the policemen really wouldn't give a shit if there aren't any evidence.

She accepted his reason on how he got her number and didn't really pay attention at all. He told her he would come over by ten. And he wasn't disappointed when he saw her with a black backpack and a small luggage outside the apartment building gates. He smirked when he realized that she actually finally decided to move in right away.

He watched her eyes lit up when she saw him. He was late for some minutes since he's been up the whole night till this morning looking for a diner he can buy. Unfortunately, looking for such properties aren't really that easy since he also asked for a place that has two floors for that apartment he has stupidly offered.

There are also papers that should be processed. But of course, he has connections. Jones told him he was being a fool for buying a property just for a girl. Clayton isn't sure if he's offended but his friend is right. He himself isn't amused as to how things are going. No matter how much he hates what he's doing, he couldn't help it.

That protectiveness over Dayanne isn't going away. And he really thinks, it wouldn't go away soon. He tells himself to stop doing things but ends up reminding himself that it's his fault that Dayanne is being hunted by the vampire community.

Yes ... He heard from his subordinates that the kids who snatched Dayanne that night really spoke up about how odd her blood is. The high officials heard of it and concluded that she's a rare blood like how the hunter leaders did.

So far, he haven't seen any sign that they are starting to move. Before that happens, he will keep Dayanne in a safe place. And that unfortunately required him to buy a land and a three-floored building with his hard-earned money through the years.

His lips turned into a scowl as he remembered how he forced the owner to sell his building. The old guy wouldn't give in not until he raised the price offer a couple more zero's. It was really not a good investment but he still bought it. Who needs money? Them hunters can survive and earn as they wish.

Still... He felt more stupid for having to ask for favor when he can just snatch the property away. Too bad, being manipulative through the eyes isn't included in their blood capability. Their creators thought they would eventually just become full vampires if they acquire all the strengths of a bloodsucker and neglect their sole purpose of being hunters.... Shame.

Dayanne was relieved when she saw Clayton inside a new and blue pick-up truck. She already knew it was him since he already included it on their call earlier.

"Hey ...", She stepped closer at the approaching vehicle as soon as it parked on the side of the road. "I thought you weren't coming."

"I'm sorry ... I had to do some things.", He replied as he unlocked the backseat.

"Oh no,no, no... I didn't mean to make it seem like that. I was just afraid you had realized that your offer was too good that you regretted and decided not to come.", She explained when she heard that guilty sarcasm in his voice.

He just shook his head and gestured her to just step inside his truck, which she did. She immediately turned to him as soon as she entered.

"No, really... I thought you wouldn't show yourself because you changed your mind. I wouldn't mind, anyway. Anyone who would hear of your offers will understand why you would back out from such things."

He just smiled and leaned over to pull the seatbelt across her ... Which she took from him to prevent him from buckling it on her like the cliche scenes in the books and movies.

"Don't be thankful too much. It's not a good offer at all if I had to pick some girl to work for me.", He shrugged then proceeded to move the car back to get itself out the street.

Thinking about it, he's right. Like yeah? Why would he have to offer her the job when a lot of part-timers  can apply directly at their diner. What did he see in her, for real to offer her a job that is more than enough? She'd like to think it's Dr. Hampton but as he said, he's not a dog to him.

But nevertheless, she's glad he offered a hand to help. She's thankful that she became lucky for once and the universe decided to go easy on her.

The silence throughout the drive wasn't helping her thoughts of rivers. So she decided to talk to him. What bad could that cause her?

"So? How old is your diner, Mr. Coleman?",she tried to sound as casual as she can.

"Its Cole. And... Am I supposed to give my diner a birthday?",he asked with brows knotted.

And she's kind of ashamed of how she called him on the wrong last name. How stupid can she be?! His surname is god-freakin' short? Why din she have to lengthen it? It's like being served with a perfectly seasoned roasted chicken and she goes on and pours a ton of chilly powder just for plain stupidity!

"Ah-Ahm... Mr. Cole, It's just an expression? What I meant was the years your diner has been built. ", She wanted to shrink from all her failed conversation.

"Tsk. You young people just like to make things harder. If you meant the easier word 'anniversary', the not yet. I just bought it. That's why I'm short of people to work for me."

Dayanne blinked at what he said. Damn, he just pointed out that her generation is all about plain stupidity.

She could not stop it when she barked in laughter.

"Calm down Uncle, it's just a term. Chill...", She said amused as she stared at his pissed off face.

"Well I'm just saying that-"

"Yeah, yeah... Whatever...", She rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh wait! Stop."

She tapped his shoulder and immediately ran out towards a queue of food stalls.

Clayton just watched as she animatedly talked to a woman who's selling a bunch of home-cooked snacks. She looked so comfortable, maybe she's been here a lot of times. She was talking to the lady cheerily awhile ago, and then her face went down same as the vendor. She went to hug the woman who's tearing up and tried to console her. She bought a lot from her products and returned to the car after a few more talks.

"Hey, let's go... We might have to eat on the way so I bought a lot.", She said refusing to look at him.

" Who is she?", Clayton gave the vendor a last look and saw her staring at him back.

"Uhh... Just someone dear to me. I have this feeling I won't be coming back here anytime soon so I thought I should at least say goodbye."

Clayton drove and never looked at her back. What now? Is he mad?

"Are you uhm... Mad? Did I just ruin an important schedule?", She tried to find any reaction from his face but he just looked back at her weirded out by her leaning in.

"What? I'm just casually driving here. Why would you think I'm mad? Such a petty thing to be mad about.", He reached for a water bottle inside his compartment and opened the cap with just a flick from his hand.

Dayanne isn't convinced that he's not mad. Well maybe not mad, but irritated. She wanted to talk it out of him so she could apologize but she just stopped when she saw the way he drank his water. She's very sure that she drank a lot but the way his Adams apple moved up and down to every gulp made her thirsty. She's getting close to snatching the bottle away from him but she stopped her self.

"Uh... Okay, thanks and I apologize."

She's worried that he might have had calculated his time that she just ruined because of her drama.

"What the hell are you apologizing for? Geez... I really can't get you women most of the time.", He smirked.

"I think the right word is we are more sensitive. Okay? Well, what can we say? We were made twisted and better that men.", Dayanne smirked at him and even crossed her arms.

"Says who?"

She frowned at him. She just fixed her seat and realized they are already out the town's premises. They are now on the part where there are only woods. Meaning... They'll be passing Harley woods.

Even Clayton paused when he felt her stopping from annoying him. That's when he saw her lost in her thoughts as they pass the woods. She's clearly eagerly looking at the trees along the road. He sighed as he realized she's at it again. Trying to find something regarding her harassment.

Thinking about it, he never actually thought of letting her heal her trauma first. She just came from a situation that will most probably haunt her dreams. And here he is. Offering her a job desperate to keep her. Such an idiot, he thought to himself.

"Can you grab a snack for me?", He tried to take her mind off from her thoughts.

"Oh, which... Which one?", She looked dazed as she reached for the plastic bag where the packed foods are.

"Which do you think is the best? I mean... You've known her so I'd bet you already know her best dishes?"

''Uhmmm..well, I've only bought dishes from her but I-I heard her bread rolls are uh... Tasty.", Her eyes are unfocused as she tried to find the box of that bread.

Clayton couldn't watch her in that state for some reason. He took a packed snack and told her to open it. As she reached out, her hand shook and that terrified her more. Clayton could see all of it. Sighing, he parked the car at the side of the road.

Dayanne looked up to him as if asking why he stopped. It bugs him that there is even fear in her eyes as she looked back to him.

He removed his seatbelts and leaned towards her. Trembling and a little bit disoriented, Dayanne watched as he leaned closer. The woods just ticked something inside her and she couldn't find the strength to push him away. She felt like her lungs are stuck with something and she finds it hard to breath.

"D-dont... Stop .. Stop!", She leaned back as far as she could.

A deep sigh from him and she thought he'd do something bad. Only to be surprised as he held her shaking hands.

"I'm ... Sorry.", He looked sincere as he looked her in the eyes. "If I didn't take into consideration that you could still be traumatized."

"Who's - who's traumatized? Me? I'm not. I'm just feeling drowsy, that's all.", She tried hard to avoid his eyes.

"Of course... But... Your thoughts are bothering me. Stop.", He closed the tinted window on her side and proceeded to close his.

"I'm not even thinking about anything... Geez.", Dayanne irritatedly turned away after realizing that he's actually right.

He hasn't done anything wrong,really. It's just her being her sensitive self. Thinking about it, Clayton actually saved her from another roll of overthinking. Feeling a bit guilty, she took the lunch box he just took out and picked a chocolate and strawberry flavored macaroon.

It was quite awkward but her guilt wouldn't let her shut up at peace. Without turning to him , she sighed.

"I'm sorry...", It was almost a whisper.

Clayton smiled. It was so silent that he did hear her mumbling those words. It was so satisfying that he wanted to make her speak louder but.... No, he could see her looking uncomfortable. At least she did realize her mistake.

It was already three in the afternoon when they arrived at the city. Dayanne slept for an hour and was just awoken by the loud horns and screech of cars in the highway. Even with the closed windows of the car, they could still hear the loudness of noises around.

They passed through the University she's enrolled in and she thought of signing herself up as soon as she's settled. The car stopped in front of a cobbled sidewalk. A huge modern building of four floors stood in the middle of a few more establishments. It's glass walls in front and yellow lights inside just stood out.

It's not just a diner ... It's a fucking expensive diner!

She could see the employees rushing around serving and greeting the people who are just entering. There was a girl her age and a woman, probably in her late 20's.

Clayton parked his car in a assigned parking lot exclusively for employees. He took her bag along with him as soon as they went out. Dayanne only had her backpack with her and mumbled her thanks for the Nth time.

They walked through a backdoor, probably the workers entrance. An old red-haired lady was busy flipping pans as they entered. She looked quite busy but stopped when she saw them. She greeted the boss and smiled at her.

"Hello there! I'm Adelaide.... You must be the new crew?", She wiped her hands on her apron as she reached out for a handshake, which Dayanne gladly accepted.

"Hi... Nice meeting you.", She smiled.

Later that afternoon, she got to meet her co-workers-to-be.... Sydney, Adelaide's daughter and Rara.... Clayton's assistant. There were also part-timers mostly guys but she didn't get to meet them since they're already out by noon.

Sydney is as sweet as her mother. She welcomed her with warmth and kindness. Clayton also asked her to lead her to her room. Looks like the only stay-in employees are just her, Sydny and that snobbish Rara. Well,. She can't get along with just everyone. She already expected it and not surprised at all.

They let her rest for the night but she insisted on doing some work. She helped out Sydney on dishwashing and found out they're going to the same school.

"Yeah, I'm studying Food Tech and I love it.", She happily shared about how she wanted to be a good cook like her mother.

"Nice... I'm taking up Accounting so, I guess we'll be on separate buildings.", She scrunched her nose at the thought of having no friends at school again.

It's not like she doesn't know anyone, of course she has allies. It's just that none of those really bonded with her enough for her to call them friends.

Before going to bed, the two decided to go to the university together to finally have their names on the list of students.

They went earlier than any students to avoid the annoying line ups and rows. After finishing their business, they decided to enjoy their day out as long as it lasts. Dayanne still have that fear of going out but being alone is more scary to think about. She's thankful Sydney is with her and hopes she'll stick with her.

They went to a café since both doesn't have enough money for shopping. They were both anxious that one would initiate shopping and just laughed it off after realizing that they are both broke.

"I'm really thankful that Mr. Clayton asked my mom to be his cook even with her lacking a diploma. I mean, she's a good cook but some restaurants are just too picky when it comes to education.", Sydny said before taking a sip on her tall iced-tea.

"Really? She looked like she's one of those top chef shows actually. Why would people... Oh this world, it really sucks."

They shared a lot of experiences. Dayanne found out that the two were actually migrants from the west. That explains their red hair and pale skin.

But what shocked her was when she said they just started working last night and just moved in ,too.

"Huh? I thought you have been working there for a long time?"

"Nah... The old owner wouldn't accept, Mom without any degree. We were basically living in the slums. But well... Thank the heavens, Mr. Clayton took over the ownership and went to us late last night to offer us a job and a better place to stay in.",She rolled her eyes and chuckled.

Dayanne was just again lost in her deep thoughts. Yesterday? It's basically the same time Clayton offered her the job. Why did he suddenly decide to take over a diner and offer her an unbelievable offer? Oh wait... He also offered Sydney and her mom the same. How the hell would he?

Even on their way back to the diner, she could not put her fingers as to why Clayton suddenly hired employees and suddenly bought a whole building.

Maybe he's been planning? Maybe she got lucky that he saw her and took pity on her situation?

Whatever it is... Clayton is a weird person. Despite his kind and concern facade. 

They were walking around the corner while Sydney is still blabbering as she saw a passing hot guy and told her of her fetish for Olive skinned guys.

It was getting dark and Dayanne couldn't stop her panick attack. She's trying to relax but her chest became heavier. She's starting to breathe harshly and hardly. She clutched her chest and leaned her arms on her knees for support as she tried to catch her breath.

The words got stuck in her throat and she couldn't call out to Sydney. Just as she was about to collapse, she felt an arm catch her and carried her back towards the opposite of their path. She didn't have enough strength to fight back or call for help. The last thing Dayanne heard was Sydney calling her out and frantically shrieking as soon as she saw her being dragged away.