Chapter 20

Chapter 20
A week has passed. Markus still doesn't make any contact with me. He doesn't come back to the mansion. He doesn't even call me on my cell phone to see if I'm okay. What is that? Because he was tired of me, he just left me here in the mansion? Let the vampires feast on my blood?

I suddenly felt stressed from the thoughts that were coming into my head. They were all negative. What else could I expect from Markus? I know that all he wants from me is my blood. Why should I demand his attention? I'm really going crazy.

My eyes wandered around. I haven't been out of Markus' room for a few days now. I'm afraid to leave the room, especially since I know he's not there. I can't even walk around the garden outside. I just stared out the window. Luckily, Markus's room was spacious. It was like the size of an ordinary house.

I changed the color of the bedspread and pillowcase. I was stressed because I saw only dark colors around me. So I thought of changing the color of the bed to white. I was sitting on the soft sofa. Thinking about what to do today.

I don't want to be locked in my room anymore. I feel like I'm going crazy just thinking about Markus. I want to change my routine today.

"Miss Celestine." Mr. Ares called me, I called him. He was just outside my room. Awaiting my orders. Sometimes I wonder if he's bored outside?

"Mr. Ares, I want to leave the mansion. Is that okay? I'm getting bored inside. I've been here for almost a week," the frustration was obvious in my voice. I almost stamped my foot in frustration.

"Where do you want to go then?" he asked.

In the few days I spent with him, I noticed that even though he had a poker face, I could see a slight smile on his lips, trying to hide from me the feeling of being pleased with what he saw in me. Wait, is it me? Or my situation?

"I can't think of anything. I want to go for a walk. Do you have any suggestions?"

Where would be a good place to go?

"Do you want to go to the mall?"

"I don't want to. There are too many people."

"In the park?"

"I don't want to. If I wanted to go there, it should have been in the mansion garden, right? It's the same thing."

"If you want, you can travel abroad or here on the beaches."

Mr. Ares' suggestions seem good. It makes me think.

"Is it okay with Markus if I go to the beach? I want to go there while he's busy and not home," I said.

"He didn't say anything about you not being allowed to go out. If you're worried, he might get angry. I'll call Marko now."

I nodded.

"Go ahead and call him. Also, tell him I'm bored here. If he refuses. I'll talk to him."

I saw Mr. Ares's suppressed smile at what I said. I wanted to glare at him. Was he amused by what was happening?

"Okay. Just a moment", he took out his cellphone. He searched for Markus' number in his contacts. Then he called him. After a few rings, Markus' answered.

"Marko. Yeah. There's no problem here at the mansion." Mr. Ares paused for a moment and looked at me. "Miss Celestine is okay here, but she said she was bored, so she wanted to go out. Huh? She doesn't want to go there. She wants to go to the beach."

Mr. Ares didn't say anything. He was just listening to what Markus was saying on the other line. I was nervous as I waited for what Mr. Ares would say.

"Yes, I'll take care of it. I'll update you if anything happens. Yes, I'll bring some of our other men." He laughed softly. "You have so many orders. Why don't you just come along?"

I sat up straight. Will he come? I hope not. I don't know how to talk to him.

I looked back at Mr. Ares as he laughed again.

"Are you going to talk to her? When are you coming back? You've been in the office for a week. Huh? She said she'd come back here when you got back. Yeah. Are you going to talk to her? Fuck! Why are you telling me that? She's right here in front of me," Mr. Ares laughed again. He moved the cellphone away from his ear. Even though I wasn't close to him, I could hear Markus' voice so loud. He was cursing. "Okay, I'll hang up on this call. Bye" Mr. Ares pressed the end button.

He looked at me. A small smile appeared on his lips.

"It's okay. Marko agreed" he informed me.

I wanted to ask what Markus had said, but I was suddenly overcome with shame.

"Really? In that case, can we go now?" I said excitedly. I suddenly felt a surge of energy.

"Go pack your things. I'll just go out to get ready too," he said. He said goodbye and left my room. He had a poker face before leaving.

I smiled. I can't remember the last time I went to the beach. Good thing Markus agreed.

HOLDING my sun hat, I happily looked around. It's beautiful here! The sand is white, and the sea is blue. There are only a few people walking around because it's not summer yet. I will enjoy it more here, especially since the surroundings are peaceful.

Mr. Ares told me that he would just watch over me from a distance so that I could enjoy it to the fullest. I wanted to protest, but he absolutely refused to come with me. I didn't force him. He always said he wanted to live. Is it fatal to be with me?

I shook my head. I shouldn't think about the negative things. I'm here to enjoy myself. That's all I'll do instead of thinking about things that could stress me out.

I've adjusted my summer dress. I'm sitting in the sun lounge. Drinking juice while looking out at the sea. It's afternoon, so the sun isn't hot.

I looked around. I looked to see if Mr. Ares was in the distance, but I couldn't see him. Was he really going to watch over me from afar instead of accompanying me here alone?

"This is probably better than being in the mansion room. I can do a lot of activities here," I said to myself.

Darn! I'm even talking to myself. I'm going crazy.

"Excuse me, Miss?" said a voice.

I looked at the newcomer. He was a foreigner. He was obviously not from the Philippines. Based on his facial features and accent. He looked like a mix of Italian and Spanish. He was a handsome man. He looked snobbish. But when he smiled, his aura lightened. Maybe it was because of his race. The Spanish and Italian features are very strong.

"Yes?" That's all I could say. Is it okay to sit here? Is these his? Is it forbidden to sit here?

"Hi. I'm Benjie. I've been looking at you for a while. Are you with someone? Am I bothering you?" he smiled shyly at me. He even scratched his head.

From my back, leaning on the sun lounge, I sat up straight. Only now did someone dare to approach me to introduce themselves. A foreigner. My whole life has been about work and home. So the only friends I have are my workmates.

"Can I? If not, I'm sorry for bothering you," he said hesitantly. His hand was waiting for me to shake his hand. I didn't notice that, so I didn't see it right away.

Even though it was awkward for me, I accepted his handshake so as not to embarrass him. There's nothing wrong with getting to know each other.

"H-hello. Nice to meet you. I'm Celestine, by the way."

"Nice to meet you too. Do you have any friends here? I've been seeing you without anyone else for a while."

"Someone-"

"She's with someone, Mister. So back off. If you still want to live a peaceful life," Mr. Ares interjected into our conversation. I didn't even notice that he was already there behind me. Am I too engrossed in my conversation with the foreigner?

"Mr. Ares, it's good that you're here. I thought you wouldn't show me anymore and would leave me alone" I said. Delighted.

"Sorry, Miss Celestine. Marko told me to let you walk around alone without any disturbance. I just got distracted and didn't notice that someone else had already approached you," he replied. He glared at the person I was talking to. What was his name again? I forgot.

"I'm fine with having someone to talk to. It's boring to be alone."

I just can't say that I want to be with Markus. I let out a sigh. What is this feeling I'm feeling? I want Markus like I don't want him. It's hard to think.

"Go away. She doesn't need company," Mr. Ares said sternly.

If I didn't know him better, I'd think he had a crush on me. He's really my bodyguard. He and his boss are the same, overproductive.

"Oh! Calm down! I'm not looking for a fight. Sorry for the inconvenience. Okay, I'm leaving. Bye Celestine. Nice meeting you." Benjie said goodbye. He seemed scared by the way Mr. Ares looked at him.

Mr. Ares's gaze never left Benjie's until he was out of sight. He sighed. It was as if a thorn had been pulled out.

"You don't have to be rude to send him away, Mr. Ares," I said modestly.

"I'm still nice, Miss Celestine. If Marko were here. Maybe he didn't do his goodbye, he punched him right away."

"Maybe not"

"Something bad will happen to me if Marko finds out you've been talking to someone else. Just thinking about what will happen makes me shudder." He grimaced, thinking about what could happen to him.

"Don't tell him. It's as easy as that."

"I hope he doesn't find out. Miss Celestine, Please don't talk to anyone else. I want to live," his tone was pleading.

There he is again, saying he still wants to live. If Markus were here, I wouldn't be talking to anyone else.