Chapter's Six - Dracula's Heart - Phil Jarden
My family worked for the Valentian Distilleries for years. No matter what our skill set, the owner whom I've never met or knew the name of, had a job for us. The moment Harold took over, jobs were scarce and there were cuts. Now, it seems things are changing since Harold is stepping down. My family put me through college for two things: Basketball and the backup plan, a law degree in business. My dad gave me another backup plan as well, making sure I had car knowledge to be a mechanic. I loved basketball the most, but I was really good at being a lawyer for some reason. I also liked working for my dad when he didn't drink... and I could do it all, but here I am, struggling as a mechanic in the Bronx, because I injured my knee and can't play anymore and I... don't have the best of reputation or care to pass the bar. I could do it, I just... don't want to. When you suffer an injury that ruins you at a young age, depression seems to be your only companion. A very unwanted one.
Things were about to change.
It seems the owner of the Valentian Distilleries wants to see me. Me. Personally. As soon as I got the call, I felt the same way before a game, those same pre-game jitters. I had a good mind to do what I always do and wallow in my own suffering. I still had a lot of life left, being only twenty-five. I was only twenty when my knee was all messed up due to a bad fall---with help from my basketball rival, William Carrs. That man took all of my dreams away. Still, something kept telling me to pick my ass up and go to see the owner. So with the help of family, again, I got a fresh suit and tie---custom tailored to make an impression and got ready to see this mysterious owner. I went with a brown suit and lighter brown shirt with a fancy mosaic blue and brown tie with a blue handkerchief.
Today was the day.
My dad and I restored a brown 1969 Camaro with a black racing stripe down the middle, black rims, new engine, the works. I never had the heart to sell it, because it was the last thing I had of my dad. That is what I used to pull up to the main office of the distilleries. Nice place---that's one thing Harold did right at least. He renovated and modernized the buildings used.
I had no idea what I was walking into, but the receptionist was not one of those ones that ignore you standing there at least. The woman looked up and smiled at me, which was alright by me. She was a fine ebony woman named Joice (the name was on her name tag) and a brotha like me was not complainin' at all. "Yeah, I'm here for uh... well, I was called by the owner, I think her name is Asuya?" Joice just stared at me for a moment and then, smiled wider at me. It was as if she knew something I didn't. She got up from her desk, saying, "Follow me. I'll show you to her office directly."
This was weird. It was like I was getting red carpet treatment or somethin'. I played it cool and just followed Joice wit her foine ass.
We went back past the elevators, took a right down a long hallway with some offices, then a left and there were some double doors there. That's where we stopped and Joice looked to me with this... I dunno, like she was scared for me or somethin'. She said, "So when you go in, show who you really are and above all, show her respect. Oh and try not to stare?" She even fixed my tie for me. Now I was really jittery, because Joice was acting like I was about to meet some famous Forbes billionaire.
Joice opened both doors herself and said, "Your one o'clock, Asuya. He's a bit early." I looked to Joice and gave her a nod and a quizzical gaze, then turned to face Asuya. First, I caught how insanely big her office is. The doors I came showed I was off to the right facing the office. To my right, there was a wall with a lot of trinkets in this cubby-hole shelving. A few caught my eye, especially this Chinese longsword with a red jewel in it that seemed to have this weird faint glow in it. The wall design were these modern wood planks with lights between them. She had those trinkets near the exit, like she was daring someone to try to steal them which was a major flex! I looked left and there were the same type of walls, but there was a big TV screen which would be the back wall if facing the double-doors I came into. The floor at first was this marble---grayish brown, then went down around three steps and became the usual vinyl tile of a dark bluish color. There were these two pillars on each side of her office, the same marble color as the first part of the floor. There was a modern chandelier above her desk, one that looked like floating crystals of slightly yellow light, and her desk was also a marble one that matched the first part of the floor.
Then there was her.
I had to look like one of those cartoon characters with their jaw on the floor and their eyes wide, because she looked insanely beautiful. Massive breasts, but weren't out of proportion for her slender body, somehow. Crazy hourglass shape, and yet she still carried fitness about her frame with long legs, long elegant neck and gorgeous tan skin that didn't have a flaw on it! These things would have caught my attention more if I didn't catch her eyes. Those things made me jump and I felt compelled to run out of the office, but I held my ground, trying not to stare. She saw my body language and decided to break the ice, holding out her hand that had long claws on them, but they didn't seem sharp... just long. She wanted to shake my hand, so I did. Her hand was soft... too soft for someone that looked like she did. She looked as if she worked hard for that body. Her face carried a small smile that didn't show any teeth and now I just couldn't stop staring. She has an absolutely gorgeous face as well! She was wearing this navy blue office dress with gold jewelry that did not look fake. She oozed class, but class not of a modern era.
"Hello, Phil. It is so good to meet you now that I'm back to set things right in my company," she commented, looking down at my knee that was injured for a moment, then regained eye contact. Did she know that knee was injured? My gait didn't show off too much of a change... at least I hope not. "Thank you, Asuya. I assume you got my resume in the email I sent?" I had to play it cool, even if I was kinda shaking now that I've seen glowing eyes on a person. I didn't know what to make of it---then she said, "Oh they are very real, Phil. My eyes, I mean."
Did she just---then she said, "Read your mind? Indeed. You have no reason to fear me, Mister Jarden. It is I that need you."
We both sat down---I sat in one of those wooden chairs that somehow matched the walls with these incredible cushions and Asuya sat at her desk. I couldn't help, but notice, when she spoke, even her teeth were sexy. She had these elongated canines, all four of them, but they fit her mouth so well. This woman could have any man she wanted without a doubt, but after considering her teeth, I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone... or the X-Files or somethin'. Was she some sort of vampire? Either way, she had me curious, so I rubbed at my gotee, pondering if I was dreaming or not, but not for long, since she could read my mind. She was watching me with this cute look on her face that made me smile a bit and that made her smile. "Okay, so um... what do you need me for---do I call you Asuya? Boss?" Asuya chuckled and answered, saying, "Asuya's fine, Phil. Your father did so much for my company before Harold cut him. I saw the numbers and I'm sorry I wasn't here to give him his life back, but I'm here now. I want you to work for me as CEO of my company."
I know I had a dumbfounded look on my face now and because of it, she was stifling a laugh. I had to ask, "Why me? There are so many others that could do the job." Asuya smiled with a genuine, concerned smile. "Phil, what if I told you that I could give you your life back? I could heal your knee so you can play basketball for as long as you wish, so long as you are my CEO. It would be a lot of work and you'd have to pass the bar first, but from what I saw of your college scores? You could easily do both."
I frowned and got up from my seat. "No offense, but everyone has tried to heal my knee and---" She cut me off, saying, "I will pay you one-million a year and I will heal your knee so you can play ball earning much more."
I sat my ass back down and said, "I'm listening. How can you heal my knee?" That's when she got up from her desk and walked around it, before leaning over me, which gave me a clear view of her incredible cleavage. Still, I was more scared than anything else, because I've had so many doctors try to fix my knee and nothing worked. What in the world could this woman do for my knee?
Asuya used the index and middle fingers of her right hand and pressed into my knee. Then there was this glow around her fingers and at first it really hurt, causing me to groan in pain, but then... I felt this soothing sensation, not just in my knee, but all over my body! Soon enough, I heard a snap and... it felt so good! I was staring between her and my knee with my mouth wide open. Asuya stood up and put both hands on her hips for a moment, then crossed her arms under her generous bosom, staring at me. "Walk on it," she requested.
I had so much energy right now! I could play a full game of basketball and then some! I got up and yep, I was back! No pain in my knee, no weird cracking sounds when I move---I turned towards her and she had a basketball in her hand, tossing it to me, right at my face! She must've had it hidden behind her desk. I caught that ball and palmed it with one hand, dribbling it in her office, showing her the moves I had! Something told me that she could do better, since she was obviously not human, but I didn't care about that. She did me a solid that no one else could do and I was about to repay her with whatever she wanted of me!
"I want you to play basketball and be my CEO, Phil. I've lived a long time and while I can resurface, it would raise questions, questions I don't want to answer," she said, resting my concerns. "Pass the bar, Phil, like I know you can, then when you do? You have the job. Your office will be the top floor of this building. It's even nicer than this one. Your family has done so much for me and my company, there is no way I wouldn't give you the job. This isn't nepotism, rest assured. You have the skills for basketball and the college grades for this job," she added.
I had to hold back some dumbass tears that I felt coming. This woman changed my life in an instant and I could go back to my basketball team and perhaps make it to the NBA now! I'm no LeBron or nothin', but I can do a li'l somethin' somethin'! I heard he did good this year, but the finals are comin' up and he prolly gonna choke. Did I just lose myself thinking about basketball? I looked at Asuya and gave a sheepish smile. "It's okay, Phil. We all have ways to deal with traumatic experiences in life. That is yours. Trauma isn't always bad trauma. Sometimes, you receive post-traumatic growth---" I had to cut her off and just hug her, then I realized something. With heels, this woman was nearly as tall as I am. I'm six-nine and she's like... an inch under me? I let her go after the brief hug and said, "I can't thank you enough for giving me my life back, Asuya. I will go pass the bar as soon as possible and come back to you to do what you need me to do, I promise you." I gave her another quick hug and I swear on all truth, I heard that woman start purring like a damn cat! It made me chuckle, which also made her chuckle.
"Now don't get into any trouble with that muscle car out there, but if you do, here is the card of our lawyer. Give him a call if any nonsense happens. He already knows about you, so don't worry," she stated. I looked at the card and it read "Jansen White". Wow, she even gave Harold's son a job. I hope he's more competent than his father is.
This woman had everything all set up for me! Man, I don't know what she is, but I don't care! I'm all in with her from a business standpoint! "Thank you, Asuya... for everything. I'mma go get things set up to pass the bar asap, I promise!"
As I left her office, I couldn't help feeling this sense of euphoria... not just from what she did for me, but something else... like the woman genuinely enjoyed helping me. It had to be coming from her.
I'm going to make it my life's aim to return the favor by doing exactly what she asked me to do.
Chapter Six - Dracula's Heart - Asuya
It was night now. I was happy with what I did with Phil and I couldn't wait to have him on board as my new CEO. I was coming back to my hotel room, where my brother usually was, but I could no longer feel him around. I wondered where he went? He told me about my senses and how far they reached, but I was distracted. Standing outside my door was Walter and he did not look happy. Something was seriously wrong.
"Walter, what is going on?" That was the obvious question of course, but he looked up at me and he had this... look on his face, one of dismal dread. He answered me, saying, "Asuya, I can't find your brother anywhere, but that's not all. Let's go inside and talk..." He spoke as if he just attended a funeral.
We got inside and he took off his hat and coat and put them on the chair he usually did while I sat on my bed which was the nearest one to the door. He decided to sit with me, giving a sigh as he sat down. I could read his mind, or some of it. "Dracula's Heart" kept coming up in his head, but the way he thought about it... it was so abstract, I couldn't get much from it, but I could feel his fear.
"Asuya. You were right to be cautious about Master Venerick. He use to run with vampires that belong to 'Dracula's Heart'." Now it all made sense what I was getting from him. I just sat and listened to him as he continued, "The Dracula's Heart is a cult colony, Asuya, one that worships Dracula like some sort of god. Dracula is one of the most powerful liches in the world and I believe they've found his phylactery---the very thing that liches keep their life force contained within and I believe they are going to preform a ritual. The Dracula's Heart cult is trying to resurrect Dracula!"
Just when I needed Kiname, he was gone. Something told me this was not his fault though. I frowned now, staring at Walter. "I see... and when is this ritual?"
"I don't know, Asuya, I just know it will take time. The thing is, I don't know where the ritual site will be. I did some snooping and heard them saying that they were going to break our truce with you and create more vampires, enough to distract you until they are done with the ritual..." he scoffed with a defeated tone.
Just when I show kindness and spare an undead's life, this happens. While Walter was different, I could feel my trust in him waning, trying to counter the actual love I feel for him.
I remembered those days he use to watch me... yes, he had orders to do so, but after a few years, he came to enjoy watching me and while it took even longer for me, I enjoyed him doing so. We even talked at times. At first, we were rough, yet still sophisticated and civil with each other when it came to conversations... then he became softer with me, kinder and I didn't trust it. My Sil instincts were telling me not to. I had to learn that Walter was different and I did, but I had to sleep to fully awaken my Sil abilities and this was no ordinary slumber. I slept for twenty years, from 1991 to 2011. That is why, when I awakened and I saw him again, yes, I still felt he was annoying, but those were residual memories from my slumber. My brain was still catching up to what I remembered about him and now that it's caught up, he still annoyed me, but it was more my Sil instincts than how I actually felt about him.
This new development, however, was a problem.
I snapped out of my little reverie when Walter asked, "Asuya, what are we going to do?"
What were we going to do?! I had no idea. I was staring at him with this lost expression and he just calmly waited for me to say something. Finally, I said, "You are going to stay in this hotel room while I go meet with this colony that is so foolishly deciding to break our truce. I don't want you in the middle of this, because if you get overwhelmed, you will be torn apart for helping me."
Walter took hold of my left arm. "Asuya, that's..." He paused and looked to the floor, letting go of my arm.
"Walter, I know you're concerned for me and I'm concerned for you as well, which is why you must stay here---" He cut me off, saying, "I can't, Asuya. I have to help you deal with the newborns that will be coming. We are ravenous when we are at that stage of vampirism and they'll tear up the city while you're off dealing with Dracula's Heart. Where is your brother?!"
That was a valid question, but I had a spark of intuition as to what was going on. "Walter, I think someone powerful took him away. I think I have to deal with this however I can without him."
Yes. I believe my Queen's Trials have begun.