Chapter 12

Chapter 12
"What do you want for dinner? Is there anything specific you like?" I asked.

After we did the grocery shopping, he came with me to the apartment. For some reason, I don't know why he's been watching me. I feel like he didn't want to leave me since he found out I was talking to someone else. Since I had nothing to do in the apartment, I decided to cook my meal. My first plan was to eat out after grocery shopping. And then go back to work. I only had an hour's break.

And because I'm with the boss of the company. Which is Markus. My routine didn't go as planned. He didn't even let me go back to work. He said he'd take care of my half day. I'll still get my full salary. Isn't that a great offer? Who am I to turn that down? Right?

So, what happened was, we were both here in my apartment. While I was organizing the food I bought. While he was sitting on the couch opposite the countertop.

"I don't have anything specific to food. I'm not picky eater. I eat everything," he replied to me.

Is that a double meaning? Or is my brain just too dirty since he kissed me?

I feel awkward. He crossed his arms, staring at me. I was conscious of my appearance. All I knew was that I hadn't been able to retouch my makeup or even freshen it up. I looked like an untidy in front of him while he always looked like he had just taken a bath. Even his sweat must have smelled good.

"Stir fry tofu, is that okay with you?"

"Anything will do"

I decided to cook it. I prepared the spices. The tofu cooks faster than beef, chicken or pork. He wouldn't have to wait long. It would be embarrassing for my boss if I kept him waiting.

"Don't stare at me. I feel concious. I can't focus on what I'm doing here," I said. I couldn't stand the way he was staring at me. I didn't even know if I had dirt on my face or something else.

"What's wrong with staring at you? Is there anyone who forbids me from staring at you?"

He's so numb. Is he like this with other girls?

"Don't you know it's bad to stare at someone? That's rude"

"Who said that? I'll go and have him explain why staring is not allowed," he replied.

Was he serious about his question? I wanted to laugh, but I saw a serious look on his face. So I just held back my laughter. Gosh! He was really serious.

"Silly you, Markus" was all I could say. I turned my back in his direction. The stove was right behind me. I don't know what to do next.

Even though my back is turned, I can still feel his gaze. How can I make him stop? I'm already conscious of this. He kept an eye on me, as if I'd disappear from his sight. My apartment is so small that even if I hid here, he'd still see me.

My brain went blank. I had forgotten how to make the simple stir-fry tofu I was going to cook. I am not myself as I face him. The countertop is still between us.

I was hunched over, staring at the tofu. I took out a knife and started to cut it.

"Is there a problem? Why did you suddenly become quiet? You didn't answer my question."

"H-huh?" I was surprised when he spoke. I looked into his eyes. I didn't realize that the knife had grazed me. It hit my hand. My finger was cut. It was only a small cut but it hurt.

"Ouch!" I groaned in shock. My blood dripped onto the chopping board. I hurried to the sink to wash it under the tap. Why am I so clumsy? After I washed it, I turned to face Markus again. But I saw him bent over. He was holding his head with both hands. As if it hurt. I was nervous. Why do I feel like this is déjà vu happening?

"Ugh…" he sounded distressed.

"M-Markus? Are you okay?" Even my voice had started to stammer without me knowing.

"I-I'm leaving now." he said goodbye suddenly.

"Why are you leaving so soon? I'm not finished cooking yet."

"I-I need to g-go." he fumbled in his pocket. Looking for his cellphone. He was still bowed. I was about to approach him, but he stopped me. "S-stop! Just stay there. I'm okay. Don't come near me, please" he stood up but fell to the floor, sitting down. His cellphone fell to the floor.

"Markus! What's happening to you? Are you in pain?" I was starting to get scared of him. He was okay before. But now the scene suddenly turned like this. I immediately ran in his direction. I grabbed his shoulder. I didn't follow his instructions to stay away from him. I couldn't help but help Markus.

"I told you not to leave your place!" he suddenly shouted and pushed me hard. I groaned when I hit the counter top pillar. He pushed me so hard. I felt like my bones were cracked, which I know I'm just exaggerating the description. But that's how much it hurt when I hit the countertop.

"Ouch... What's wrong with you Markus? I'm confused about you," I said. Holding my injured back.

"Arghh…" he held his head again. He moaned louder. It felt like he was in pain. Is he sick? "Aaaaaaaaah" He gritted his teeth to control his feelings. Sweat was slowly forming on his body. "Not now, asshole! Don't show up!"

"M-markus... What's happening to you?" I'm starting to cry from what I see happening to him. He's like he's crazy talking to someone.

"I will kill you if you hurt her! Don't show up, asshole! Argh...Stop! Don't show up! Go away!"

For a few moments it seemed like he was talking to someone else, and then he suddenly stopped talking. Markus was panting while bowing his head and holding it.

"M-markus?" I called his name weakly.

"Markus?" I called again.

He was like a statue, just bowing in front of me. I was even more nervous that he was now silent. I saw his cellphone to the floor. I picked it up quietly. I'll call Mr. Ares. Maybe he knows what's going on with Markus. I hurriedly opened his cellphone. I breathed a sigh of relief that there was no password on it. I immediately searched for Mr. Ares' number.

"What are you doing?" he asked dangerously.

I stopped searching when I heard Markus speak. He was still sitting on the floor. But this time, he was looking straight at me. His arm rested on his bent knee. His hair was wet with sweat.

I covered my mouth in shocked. Markus' eyes were red!

He grinned.

"The surprise in your eyes. I fucking love your reaction."

I couldn't speak. Even his voice had changed. It had gotten deeper. His aura was more frightening now than in the past few days I'd been with him.

"This fucking useless hasn't introduced me to you yet. This fool is too greedy, isn't it? He wants you to be just for him. What a selfish bastard, right?" he said.

"W-what are you talking about?"

Who is he referring to? And why are his eyes red?! I'm confused. I want to run, but I can't move my leg because I'm so scared. He stared at me. His eyes moved to my finger. I didn't notice that blood was dripping there again. I forgot to put a bandaid on it earlier. I quickly hid my finger. I saw his burning red eyes. It became more intense.

"I fucking love your blood, my Celestine. It smells fucking good."

Markus laughed stupidly.

"What are you talking about? Are you crazy, Markus?!" I shouted. Trying to hide the fear I was feeling.

Markus' eyebrows furrowed. He didn't like what I said. Or because he didn't want to be yelled at?

"What did you say?" He asked. "What did you call me?"

"W-what's wrong with you, Markus? I'm scared of what you're doing!" I said, crying. He must be going crazy. What should I do? I need to call Mr. Ares right now, but how can I do that if I'm so scared that I can't move my body?

He came at me angrily. He grabbed my neck. It wasn't tight. Just enough to lift my face and stare at him. I couldn't avoid it. I don't know how that happened.

"Don't call me Markus! I'm not useless like him! I'm not him! Coward and weak! That fucking moron"

"What's happening to you?" I felt like my imagination was playing tricks on me. Markus was in front of me, but his voice was different and so was the color of his eyes.

"I am not Markus. Remember my name. It's Marko. My name is Marko. Don't ever forget that," he said with a warning in his tone. He then let go of my neck. I managed to grab the part where he had choked me. I coughed a little.

Marko? Is he kidding me? Who is Marko? Is fate playing a trick on me?

"This time, no one can stop me. Just one sip won't kill you, My Celestine" he said foolishly.

My eyes widened when he smiled. I saw his fangs. It was so sharp. I immediately grabbed my neck. I couldn't move my legs. What was happening to me? As if something was stopping me from standing.

"L-let go of me!" I sobbed. Am I going to die? Is this the end of me?

"Just a little sip of your blood, my Celestine. You can't die from that. I've been holding myself back for days. So now nothing can stop me. You are mine tonight until I am satisfied."

"P-please... Markus, don't do this" I begged. Maybe he would come to his senses.

His smirk suddenly disappeared. His eyes sharpened as he looked at me.

"I told you I'm not Markus. That fucking useless is already asleep. He won't wake up until I say so. Unless he can disobey me. But I know it's impossible. He is a fucking coward" he said.

I flinched as he pulled my hair. My head lifted. He had access to my neck. He slowly went down.

"Please..." I finally said. I closed my eyes from the intense pain of his bite. His fangs press hard on my skin. I could feel my blood flowing out of
my body. I feel weak. I couldn't help but close my eyes. Everything around me spun until I couldn't feel anything anymore.

Is he a vampire?