Chapter 21 - The Meeting

Chapter 21 - The Meeting
Under the moonlit night, Cord watched over Amanda as she slept. The door to the bedroom was open, but he didn’t enter. Instead, he decided to stay on the balcony, observing a reasonable distance away from her.

He had cooled down the heat in his body in a mountain some kilometers of distance away from the O’Malley house. He had punched a lot of trees, kicked a number of boulders into pieces, and even resorted to using his hands, beating his erection to the point where all his pent-up sexual tension was released.

Once done, he was back to having a clearer mind, but he knew he couldn’t fool himself. He still wanted her and that want was ever a burning flame.

Until he’d find a solution to his problem, he’ll have to continue drawing a line between the two of them. Amanda’s safety was his top priority after all.

When morning came, he waited for her to wake up before he entered her room. He wanted to see if he was still welcomed inside it after his anticlimactic exit last night.

“Good morning, Cord,” Amanda greeted, showing him a smile that erased his reservations in an instant. Despite what he did to her, she was warm to him; her eyes holding not a single accusation.

“Good morning, Love.” Cord entered the room with three long strides before he stopped near the vanity mirror. His eyes unabashedly glued to her.

Amanda shifted in bed and yawned. She sat up thereafter whilst covering her breasts from his view. “I’m sorry you have to see me like this. I didn’t feel the need to change clothes last night.” She opted not to tell him she had cried herself to sleep. He didn’t need to know. Plus, the last time she had drenched her pillow with salty tears was when her mother died. Both were not just a good topic to handle in the morning.

Cord, on the other hand, continued to look straight at her, daring not to let his eyes roam past her chin. He was well aware she was still half naked. Throughout the night, he basically watched her toss and turn, innocently exposing her breasts and slender legs.

“You don’t need to apologize, Amanda. I may have placed those rules between us, but it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the other pleasures in life.”

It was the safest answer he could make, but if he was truly honest with himself, watching her naked like that in front of him, made him want to claim her then and there. Good thing his sight only provided him outlines and no color. At least that much, it would hinder him from acting out his desire.

“If that is so then, I’ll take a bath. You may wish to watch me, Cord, since you can’t join me.” Amanda stood up, disregarding to cover herself while she walked past him into the bathroom.

There was obviously an invitation in her voice and a hint of mischief. Clearly, the witch was testing him.

After a strangled breath, he ignored her invitation and decided to stay on his post the whole time she showered and changed clothes.

Amanda waited for Cord to join her. She had basically used all her charms in order to capture his attention. Surely, he won’t be able to restrain himself much longer. However, when it was clear he wasn’t going to cave in, she decided to move forward and focus herself with the day’s agenda. There was so much to do today anyway, enough to keep her occupied.

She briefed him as to the events of the whole day. The plan was for him to return to the hotel, ready himself, and go to the hotel restaurant at twelve noon where she and her step-father would be waiting. Afterwards, they would go to their Company’s headquarters where they’ll witness the transfer of ownership to Matteo. The rest of the day, Amanda planned to tour Cord around the Capital’s tourist spots and maybe even introduce him properly to her mother’s grave. It was a concrete, full-proof plan.

Cord nodded, no questions asked. He didn’t even mention he had already introduced himself to her mother yesterday after they visited the graveyard. The more public places they go, the better. In that way, all his thoughts would be diverted to keeping her safe from their still-to-be-identified enemy. That was if he or she or they followed them in New Zealand.

“See you there.” Without hesitation, Amanda neared him and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

“Yes, I’ll see you there,” Cord replied, giving her a lingering look as she walked out of her bedroom.

‘Dad, I’m on my way. Pick you up fifteen minutes from now?’ with a yogurt in hand, Amanda texted her step-father. She wasn’t surprised when she went down the kitchen only to be informed by the maid he had already gone to work earlier this morning. It was their usual daily routine and her, being a late riser, would come to the office after lunch and work with the engines until late in the evening.

Of course, today would prove to be different among the others not only because of Cord and her step-father’s pending meeting, but also because she was going to say goodbye to the Company.

For a moment, she got teary eyed thinking of the wonderful memories she had with the staff of the Company. She had bonded with them for over six years, made her second home with them together with her step-father. Probably, if she didn’t work with them as a mechanic and a racer, then she would have spent her days traveling and doing charitable work in other countries.

As a witch, she knew she still had a long way to go. Turning twenty-five practically just two weeks ago still tagged her as a newbie in their kind. Reaching out to those in need was her best way to make the most of her thousand years of life.

Maybe, that was what she’ll do once she moves in with Cord, but with a twist. This time, she’ll scour the earth looking for a way to break his curse and at the same time look for other witches in hiding.

She had a better calling now and that was to erase the age-old belief that vampires and witches were forever enemies. And, with Cord’s help, they’ll make a better, peaceful place for the two kinds to coexist.

‘Yes, you may wait for me at the pick-up lane, Sweety,’ Mr. Arnold texted back. ‘I’m just finishing up with the prints for this afternoon.’

‘Copy,’ Amanda replied. With a long exhale, she relaxed in her seat, smiling; thinking of the promising future beyond today.

Exactly ten minutes before twelve, Amanda and Mr. Arnold entered the Wellington Best Point Hotel’s restaurant. It was located at the ground floor of the building with classic Victorian furniture and artwork. Amanda thought that Heather made the right pick. Cord undoubtedly was a man of taste and he loved his Old World devices.

They chose a table nearest the live piano playing and the hotel’s bar. Mr. Arnold loved his spirits, and Amanda, feeling anxious, felt the need to grab a shot of margarita.

There was a buffet set contained with a variety of dishes ready for them to devour, but Mr. Arnold chose to order à la carte, preferring to sit down and talk while they were served.

Amanda took the liberty of ordering for Cord. After dining with him a number of times, she was confident which liquor and food he wanted to taste aside from the very thing running through her veins.

She ordered the best wine they had, particularly the edition closest to Cord’s birth year. The server offered her an aged wine of two hundred and thirty years. It was still not enough, but at least it would make do.

Mr. Arnold, seeing this, cocked a brow at her, surprised.

“Someone’s rather generous today.”

Amanda grinned at him.

“Don’t worry, Dad. Cord will pay. He likes his drinks uhm...special.”

Her step-father bobbed his head up and down feeling pleased. “Sounds like a man of good taste. I think we will get along just fine.”

“Yes, I believe you both will, Dad.”

On cue, Amanda’s attention was rerouted to a man coming their way. All of her nerve endings fired up. Her heartbeat quickened. Her breath was caught momentarily in her throat. In front of her step-father, she resisted the urge to bite her lower lip whilst she feasted on this man’s delicious form. Heaven knew she wanted to pounce on him that instant.

This was her lover.

This was the man she would spend her eternity with and she was damn proud to scream it to the world.

Cord was garbed in modish clothes of the latest trend, definitely way beyond his usual style. Never had Amanda expected him to dress up for her, but he did and he looked downright mouthwatering in his open gray suit, white shirt, and black pants ensemble. It was as if he had deliberately paired his clothing with her black and white off-shoulder bodycon dress, clearly wanting her step-father and all the diners to see that they were a couple.

His dark hair was brushed up, all slick and neat while his boots were polished, or somehow it looked like he had just bought it straight from Santoni, a famous Italian footwear store across the street.

As a blind man, he didn’t look the part. He moved with cool and confident gait towards them, his eyes lack of blindfold only fixed at her. She didn’t think that her step-father would even notice this missing faculty of his, unless maybe when she or Cord would mention it.

Amanda swallowed hard and stood up when he was now a few feet away from them.

“Uhm, Dad,” she signaled him to look up, “meet Rexcord Alexander Vitalis.”

Realizing that the moment had come, Mr. Arnold stood up, showed his ready-practiced smile and glanced at him. He was immediately in awe of the man before him.

“Mr. Arnold O’Malley, it is a pleasure to finally meet you,” Cord smoothly delivered, slightly curling his lips upward.

“Oh…uhm…the pleasure is mine, Mister Vita—“

“Please,” Cord cut off, “you may refer me by my first name.”

“Well, Rexcord it is.” Mr. Arnold chuckled awkwardly. He offered his hand for a handshake and Cord took it.

“Have a seat please. I hope you’re alright with us already ordering ahead.”

Cord nodded. “Not at all, Mr. O’Malley. I trust Amanda’s judgment when it comes to food choices.”

Before he claimed his seat, Cord and Amanda exchanged glances. Amanda discovered that he had used contact lenses to cover his reddish gray eyes just as she suggested during their flight to New Zealand. She liked his choice of color; it was almost the same as his human eyes.

They felt Mr. Arnold’s attention on them, so with wordless agreement, Cord placed a hand on her waist while Amanda on his shoulder as they both shared a brief kiss on the lips.

The corner of Mr. Arnold’s mouth tipped upward upon seeing this.

“So, Rexcord,” he started, all his attention now on the man sitting across him, “I heard from Caitlin here that you’re living in a mansion?”

“Yes, Mr. O’Malley, I do,” Cord replied, looking at him in the eye like that of a normal sighted man. “My family owned it for a very, very long time. Some even call it a medieval castle.”

“Huh,” Mr. Arnold shifted in his seat. “I’d definitely love to visit some time, see for myself what Amanda’s soon-to-be-residence looks like.” He gazed at Amanda who in turn gave him a quick tight-lipped smile.

She wasn’t sure her step-father’s visit would be a good thing.

However, Cord tipped his chin down and agreed. “I don’t see why not. You are welcome anytime, Mr. O’Malley.”

Amanda contained herself from getting surprised. She was aware he was just acting, but it was so smoothly delivered.

“Well, good! I’ll add Belgium to my list of countries to visit then.” Mr. Arnold chuckled.

Amanda joined him just to lighten the mood.

“I understand now why my daughter chose you. We have only just met for a few minutes but I can see you’re an impressive man.”

“Mr. Arnold, if you may, can I change the subject? I have a proposition for you.” Cord leaned forward into the table, his expression turning serious.

Amanda and her father exchanged glances.

‘What is he doing?’ she asked in her mind.

“I heard you’ll be giving your Company away to a Mr. Matteo Threvelli.”

Mr. Arnold’s brows arched up, surprised. “Oh, yes, yes, I am. I’m sure you heard that news from Caitlin.”

“I’d like to buy your Company,” Cord stated pointblank. “I’ll offer you ten times more than he offered you. I’m doing this for Amanda. You know she’s the best person to lead your Company.”

This time, Amanda wasn’t able to hold back her emotions. Her jaw dropped and her eyes bulged. She literally did not see that coming and it seemed that her step-father too had the same reaction.

“Oh…wow…I didn’t expect you’d say that Rexcord.” His eyes fluttered to Amanda, looking for any sign of approval. When he saw none except shock, he looked back at Cord and cleared his throat.

“I’m not sure… Your offer sounds promising, especially in respect to Caitlin, but I made a promise to Matteo actually and I’m a man of my word.”

Cord leaned backward against his chair and pressed his lips together. “I see,” he said, hiding the disappointment in his voice.

Amanda, now half-recovered from her shock, wanted to voice out her thoughts but the male server bringing her ordered wine interrupted her.

“Madame O’Malley, presenting the Special Edition Chateau Margaux 1787 as per your request.”

Amanda tossed a smile on the server’s way and nodded. “Thank you, Sir.”

There was a long silence as the server popped the wine in front of them and poured a liberal amount on each of their flutes.

As Cord watched the red liquid stream down the glass, a sudden ache of his fangs called his attention. He realized then, he hadn’t taken his blood bags as per Mera’s direction. His last ration was before they left for the airport in Spa. It was two and a half days ago.

Without delay, the aching in his fangs tripled. This quickly became an outlet for his seizures to appear.

At the first sign of pain, Cord squeezed his eyes shut. No doubt, despite the sea-colored contact lenses he used, it would still show the glowing red in his eyes—a definite reaction to the pain. If Amanda’s step-father would see, it would be a big problem.

Then, his fangs stretched. He would have growled right then and there if he hadn’t managed to control himself.

Amanda noticed the sudden change of his posture. She reached for his right hand under the table. It felt clammy and tense. She squeezed it. He squeezed back.

It was an enough sign of danger.

“If you’ll excuse me, Mr. O’Malley, I need to—“ Cord stated whilst standing up, but he couldn’t finish his sentence.

Amanda, to the rescue, rose and quickly grabbed his shoulder. “I need a private word with Rexcord, Dad. Would you be okay if we leave you here for a few minutes?”

Mr. Arnold found the suddenness of their actions odd, especially that Cord didn’t seem to look at him in the eye anymore. However, he didn’t think too much of it.

“Sure, Sweety. I’ll be fine,” he answered. He looked at the sparkling wine in front of him and grinned widely. “Take your time. I’ll also take my time with this sweet, sweet drink here.”

With Amanda still holding Cord’s arm, they walked hastily out of the restaurant. They rounded to a corner where the hotel elevators were lined side by side. They picked one that was empty.

As soon as Cord stepped inside the conveyor, he immediately used his powers to teleport himself away from her.

Amanda blinked hard for a moment, but after realizing what had just happened, she pressed the eighth floor of the hotel. She didn’t need for Cord to tell her where he was going. She knew he was in his suite.