Chapter 48 - Empathy

Natasha's POV

Valerian and I ended up not going out and just staying in the bathroom doing wonders the rest of the night.

When it was already 8 in the morning, he told me to get ready because he needed to meet some investors and his business partner today and we're also going out after that.

I made him swear that he was seriously going to take me out today and not plot another mischievous plan.

He said yes and now we're at the restaurant of the hotel, having breakfast, like normal humans. He told me that we needed to do it to not come out as suspicious because we arrived here yesterday and didn't order any sort of food or hotel room service.

We both don't really get hungry but we need to eat, in front of people-- humans.

"Does it taste good?" I asked Valerian as I watched him butter his bread.

"Not as good as a human heart," he whispered.

I widened my eyes at him and he put up his hands in surrender.

"Just kidding."

I asked Valerian if his food tasted good because as far as I remember, vampires don't really taste human food like humans do. They have a different taste buds.

"How do you tolerate the taste?" I questioned Valerian.

I enjoy the privilege of asking him questions about their kind because I couldn't really do it before that's why I always resort to asking Elyse.

But now, I think I can because I know he will answer me seriously and truthfully.

"I've mastered the art of tolerating the taste of human food," Valerian answered.

We're talking-- almost whispering to each other because there are a lot of people slightly close to where we are sitting right now.

The restaurant is packed with people enjoying breakfast-- their most important meal of the day.

"How about you, Natasha?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Well, I already told you before, I can eat human food. We adapted the environment of humans back in our town and got used to it."

"How was it like?" Valerian asked.

"The what?" I asked back.

"Your town," he replied.

I bit the insides of my cheeks not knowing what to answer to him.

"I want to know what your life was back then before you got cast out of your pack," he added.

I gulped.

Yes, I remember lying to him, saying I got cast out of my pack because of the sin I committed when he caught that I was trying to kill him.

I had to come out with a lie to protect my kind, especially my pack and now I have to live with it.

I cleared my throat and sat straight on the chair.

"I'm not really comfortable talking about it," I reasoned out because what would I tell Valerian?

I can't tell him that it was sometimes feel like hell back in our town because of how strict and stern my father was-- especially to me. And he can't know that my father was the one who wanted him dead and not me.

Valerian and I are getting the hang of our deal but I still didn't forget how powerful of a vampire Valerian is; despite everything, I can't risk my family's safety. No. I can't do that to them.

"Well, I apologize for asking."

I smiled at Valerian. "No, it's okay. I'm just not really comfortable talking about my life back then."

"I understand, Natasha."

I smiled once again.

"We need to leave now," Valerian announced.

"Oh, okay." I fixed my clothes.

I'm wearing a white trousers, paired with a baby blue tee and sandals.

When Elyse helped me pack, she also organized the clothes I should wear depending on the events and situation and since this is a casual day because I will be accompanying Valerian-- I have a casual outfit on.

She made things so much easier for me and I'm so grateful for that.

Valerian drove us to our destination where we were going to meet with his business associates for the day.

"This is Natasha, my fiancee," Valerian introduced me to everyone.

I flashed a friendly smile as I greeted all of them.

~*~

"You okay there, darling?" Valerian asked.

I nodded.

Their meeting has been going on for a couple of hours already and he keeps on checking up on me from time to time making sure that I am okay and not bored when we're literally just right next to each other.

Actually, I'm not really bored since I'm listening to their meeting. I get so interested in what they are talking about. I always want to hear more. And since Valerian is checking up on me from time to time, I don't think I will get bored.

"We will only need to visit the site and that's it, you can sign the contract to seal the deal, Mr. Fenrir," one of Valerian's co-meetings said.

Valerian nodded. "I will be there."

They all stood up including Valerian so I stood up too.

I guess their meeting just adjourned.

"Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Fenrir. We will meet you at the site."

They all shook hands with Valerian and me and I can't deny that it warmed my heart because I felt included.

They even addressed me as Mrs. Fenrir. . .

"Success?" I asked Valerian when we were already walking out of the building toward the parking lot.

"I just need to visit the site first and the deal will be sealed," he answered. "Are you tired already?"

"No, all I did there was sit and listen to all of you." I shook my head. "How about you? Are you tired?"

Valerian shook his head too. "Oh, I could do this all day."

I chuckled. "You really love your job, do you?"

"Well, I grew fond of it." He shrugged his shoulders.

We immediately went inside Valerian's car when we got to the parking lot.

And without wasting any more time, he started driving.

"How do you do it?" I asked, curiously.

Valerian took a quick glance at me sideways and looked at the road again. "Do what?"

"Your work," I answered. "Why do you get into too much trouble traveling countries and extending so much effort for your work? You're a powerful vampire. I think you don't have to do any of that."

Valerian blew a breath. "I've lived for hundreds of years already, Natasha. And that includes living with humans in different generations. Being able to see their life generations by generations taught me something."

I moved my seatbelt and sat sideways to look at Valerian. "What is it?"

"One thing about humans that didn't change no matter how many generations had passed already-- they suffer. Always."

"Yeah. . ."

"Wars, injustice, failing economy. I've seen it all and it is all rooted in finances and so I thought if I had something that could help them, it would be to build an empire and give them good paying jobs because another thing about humans is that, they may struggle but they don't give up."

"That's really thoughtful of you, Valerian."

"And I think I successfully did that. I have my companies all over the world. They may have different names and different owners in each country-- but they all help humans."

"Oh gosh." My eyes widened in astonishment. "You mean to say that the company you have in your city back in our country isn't the only one you have?"

"I told you, darling. I've lived in different countries and continents. I hopped from one to another and I made sure I left something behind," Valerian answered, which made me feel something I could not put into words.

"You have been extremely rich all your life," I commented.

"I'm immortal, Natasha. I have to play my cards right. I've seen everything from all over the world and the sad reality is if you're not rich, you will surely struggle. It's all about money. Before, nowadays, and I believe forever."

"You surely played your cards right, Valerian," I whispered as I nodded my head.

I've never known the reason why my father wants Valerian Fenrir dead. . . but now if I think about-- is it because he is rich? If Valerian died, my father would possibly possess his wealth. Is that what my father wants? He wants Valerian dead to have all of his wealth.

Is it all because of greed?

But why did he have to get me involved in his plan if all he wanted was hi money? Why can't he just execute his evil plan and do it himself? Why did it have to be me? Why do I have to be an instrument of his greed?

I still don't know for sure what's my father's reason behind all this but if I think about it after what Valerian just told me. . . it all makes perfect sense.

Oh gosh.

"You fell silent. Are you alright, love?" I heard Valerian ssaythat knocked me back into reality.

I didn't notice that I got too carried away with my thoughts.

I cleared my throat.

"That was really nice of you, Valerian-- you know to think and do all of that."

I think I know now the feeling that I felt earlier that I could not put into words.

It was admiration.

Admiration for Valerian Fenrir.