In My Veins (13 page)

The only issue now was… why was he still
like that?

The day after we got back I had work, as usual.  James
had a different kind of distance now. We were closer than ever, but still felt
far apart at times. He was worried, but he wouldn’t talk to me about it. I knew
he was worried about why he hadn’t changed yet but I suggested that maybe we have
to wait a little longer. I was starting to get worried that he thought I didn’t
love him.

Even
his usual texts throughout work were minimal. Given, he might just be busy, but
I knew something else was wrong. Deciding I needed to get my mind off of James
I put all my focus on my work. I couldn’t have him on my mind at all times. As
soon as work was done and he picked me up, I’ll talk to him.

 After
finishing up another report and meeting with a cereal brand that wanted to use
W-Ads for their newest commercial, it was a good day. I looked at the time and
saw that it was finally time go home. I texted James and he said he was out
front so I packed up to leave. It was already dark since fall was approaching.
I was excited and worried at the same time. I loved the cooler weather, but it also
meant that it would be dark even if I left early from work. I had to move on
from the attacks and just assume they were coincidental.

As
the elevator door opened, my smile took over my face when I saw him waiting for
me by the door.

“Hi
James!” I said excitedly.

“Hello
beautiful, you seem extra happy today.” He said wrapping his arms around me to
kiss me hello.

“Ecstatic!
I got another great client for my boss. I think I’ll be getting that promotion I
was hoping for.” I said thrilled that I had someone to tell right away, “What
did you do today?”

“I
visited my family in the morning to talk to my dad. Then went to work…” He said
as he led me to his car. 

“Oh
yeah? Is everything okay?” I asked worried.

“Yeah
everything is fine. I had to talk to them about something…”

The
distance was back again. I hated that he couldn’t just open up to me. Maybe
that was the problem. His mind has been everywhere except with me and it’s
starting to get me worried. He was talking less and even less huggy kissy when
seeing me today. Usually I was the one who had to pull away from our hellos
after work. I also noticed he didn’t sleep or eat like normal since we got back
from the cabin. He didn’t even suggest it now like he normally would.

“James,
could we eat out today?” I asked getting him out of his trance as he drove. 
And by eat out I mean, actually eat.

It’s
easier to keep an eye on how much he eats at a restaurant. Whatever was
bothering him shouldn’t come between him and his health.

“Of
course.” He said, still distant.

We
went to a closest restaurant to home. It was a cozy little Italian place called
Café Vinci. It was warm and homey, like most Italian restaurants are, but I
still felt awkward and out of place since he was being so quiet.

I
noticed he poked around at his pasta barely taking a bite. I bit my lip not
wanting to nag at him to eat but I couldn’t help it anymore. “James… is something
bothering you? You’ve been kind of distant lately and you’re barely touching
your food.”

He
looked up, almost surprised that I noticed, “Oh… yeah everything’s fine.” he
said and finally took a bite. He chewed slowly and looked at his glass of
water. He set his fork down and looked at me, “Actually, I have something to
talk to you about.” He said at last.

Happy
he was finally speaking up; I gave him my undivided attention. “What is it?”

“Can
I… ask you something?” he hesitated. Suddenly having a bad feeling I wished he
wasn’t talking again.

“Anything.”
I said regretfully. My nerves were jumbled into my tummy and I was expecting
the worst.

“It
might be a little… it might put you on the spot a little. And I’m sorry if it
does…” he hesitated making me even more nervous, “do you, really love me? Like
for real?”

Is
he serious?

I
looked at him as he stared at me waiting for an answer. His eyes were begging
me to reply with the answer I was going to say anyways.

He’s
serious.

“I
can’t believe you’re serious. James I wouldn’t say I loved you if I didn’t mean
it. Why do you all of a sudden wonder? Did your family say something?”

“Why
would you think my family would?” he asked.

“You
said you went to see them. I’m assuming it was because of… the curse.”

“Well…
I went to my parent’s house and talked to my dad and uncle, who have been
through
this
already. My dad said it was a possibility that you didn’t
love me like you said you do… it happened to him. They also said that we have
to prove our love for each other to get me out of this curse.”

“How
do we prove it?”

“I’m
not sure…” he said looking down at his food.

I
took his hand from across the table to get his attention, “I’ll help you. We’re
in this together now.” I smiled.

He
had a forced smile, but it was better than it had been since he picked me up so
I will take what I get…for now. He started picking at his food and actually
eating it. Slowly but he still ate it.

He
was finally back to normal. Not totally but he was getting there. It was still
a little forced. I tried brainstorming possible ways in my head but came up
with nothing.

 He
started probing me about the people I work with out of nowhere and looked
extremely interested in every detail about them that I knew. It was a little
weird, but I was thankful he was speaking so I didn’t question it.

“So
you say Jennifer doesn’t like you?” he asked.

“No
she doesn’t…everyone else is cool though.” I said and stirred my ice tea. It
was too sweet and I was waiting for the ice to melt and water it down a bit.

He
took in my evaluations of the employees it and looked around the restaurant.
That’s when I recognized the look in his eyes. He was being paranoid. He was
back in protective mode.

“Why
the sudden interest in the employees?” I asked making him look back at me. He
looked lost thought and indecisive about whatever was on his mind. 

“I
might as well tell you… you already know everything.” He finally said, “When
you first got attacked, I got the scent of your attacker when I fought him off.
When I came to pick you up a couple times from work, I caught the same scent
again. But didn’t see anyone. Or at least anyone suspicious.”

“Maybe
the scent was just an employee that happened to be near me during work those
days and not the attacker. I did get attacked near work…” I’m surprised that
news didn’t even scare me.

He
shook his head, “He’s tried other places.”

I
could feel the color drain from my face, “What are you talking about? It’s only
been twice.”

He
hesitated this time but he reached for my hand. I contemplated being mad at him
from barely telling me whatever he was going to tell me now but decided he
probably had his reasons. I reached for his hand and he squeezed mine
reassuringly, “baby… the first night I stayed at your house… the attacker came into
your apartment.”

“He
knows where I live?” I said starting to panic.

“I
scared you…” he said softly and rubbed my hands trying to comfort me, “He’s been
a couple times and I’ve fought him off each time. I didn’t want to tell you so
you wouldn’t be scared but… you should know just in case.”

“You bet your vampire ass I should have known.”
 
I snapped and narrowed my eyes at him, “I really wish you would have told me…”

“It
would have scared you…like it is doing right now.” He frowned. He did have a
point… “Why don’t we just go stay at my place, would that make you feel
better?”

“I’m
still paranoid that one of these days my parents are going to visit out of the
blue… But yeah. I guess it would be better getting regulated on by my parents
than being eaten by a monster.”

“Okay
good.” He smiled, “I’d feel more at ease if we were there too. By the way… why
do you call the other one a monster and me a vampire… we’re both the same
thing.”

I
laughed, “You’re not a monster. Vampires are handsome monsters are hairy and
green with one eye. You’re not green or hairy.”

“He’s
not green or hairy either. And last I checked he had two eyes.” He smiled.

“He’s
creepy.”

“And
I’m handsome?” he smirked.

“Don’t
let it get to your head.” I tried hiding my smile and failed miserably as it
got bigger and hurt my cheeks, “James…talking about my parents. Would you maybe
meet them soon? I want to finally introduce you to them.”

He
looked at me surprised, “I thought you’d never ask…”

“I
wasn’t sure if you wanted to so I avoided it. So… is that a yes?”

“Name
the time and place, baby.” He smiled.

*
*
*

While
we were heading out of the restaurant James came to a sudden stop. He looked
around with the same defensive look in his eyes.

“What’s
wrong?” I asked but he stayed quiet. He extended his arm and pushed me behind
him gently. Getting the idea that something was dangerously wrong I gripped on
his waist and peaked around with him. I looked at exit and saw Jennifer and
Collin walking up to the hostess.

I
heard a low growl escape from James’s chest. It wasn’t loud enough for the
people to hear but I felt the vibrations in my hands as I held onto him. No one
looked at us except for Collin.

His
eyes met with James and they both glared at each other. Jennifer looked at
where Collin was looking and noticed us. She smirked and walked towards us with
Collin close behind her. She kept her eyes on me and Collin kept his eyes on
James.

“Hey
Kar.” Jennifer said annoyingly.

I
stepped aside but James gripped my arm tightly, I stared at his grip confused at
what had him on edge. But I had a feeling it was Collin by the way he was
burning holes into him with his eyes.

“Hello…”
I said quietly still confused as to why Collin and James suddenly hated each
other. Jennifer looked at the guys and looked confused as well.

“We
have to go.” James said through his teeth.

“Yes.
We do too.” Collin said grabbing Jennifer’s arm as well and started going the
opposite direction of us.

“What
the hell was that about James?” I said as he dragged me to his car angrily.

“Who
was that guy?” he asked.

“Collin…
he’s Jennifer’s fiancé.” I said trying to pull my arm away from his tight grip
but couldn’t. “James, baby, my arm is starting to hurt.” I said pulling my arm.

He
looked at his hand that was gripping my arm so tight his knuckles were turning
white, he snapped out of it. He loosened his grip and slipped his hand to mine.
“I’m so sorry baby… does it still hurt?”

“No…”
I lied and rubbed it anyway.

He
opened the car door for me and quickly shut it as soon as I sat down.

He
walked to his seat from the front of the car, glancing around suspiciously
before entering the driver’s seat.

“James…what
was that about?” I asked as he locked the doors immediately and turned the car
on. He sped down the freeway towards his house taking unnecessary twists and turns
and random exits.

“Do
you know that guy well?” He asked trying to mask his anger.

“Um…
what guy?” I asked. His speeding was starting to freak me out. I kept my eyes
on the mirrors and the road hoping we didn’t crash or get a ticket.

He
must have noticed my fear so he slowed down the car. “The one with the girl who
said hi to you. You said his name is Collin.”

“Oh…
Collin. Yeah itt’s Jennifer’s fiancé. He works at the same building as me but
in a different department. I think he’s a lawyer. I rarely see him if he’s not
visiting Jennifer. Sometimes I see him in the elevator or around the building
if I leave the W&D area.”

I
put my hand on his free hand in an attempt to calm him down. “Sorry… I just didn’t
like that guy.”

“You
and me both.”

“What’s
wrong with him?”

“It’s
not
him
, it’s his girlfriend. Jennifer is the one I told you about
before. She hates me with a passion and has never made a secret of it. If she
could, she’d get me fired.”

He
pulled into his garage and wouldn’t move. I wondered if he even knew we were
already at his home. “James?”

“Baby…is
there any way you could not go to work for a while? I know quitting is out of
the question, but I want to test something.” he asked me.

“Not
go to work? Now? I can’t… I’m not new but I haven’t been there that long.  Mr.
Yang took me in as entry level and I have no other experience to back me up. I
can’t just leave and find a new one…”

“Your
safety is more important than a job Karina.” he said trying to hold back his
anger. I wasn’t sure if he was mad at me but by his tense jaw it was hard to
hide that he was.

“I
need the job to pay for my home James. I have bills.”

“I’ll
pay for them. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you…”

I
sighed, looking at his sincerity, “Um… I’ll talk to my boss tomorrow and let
him know I want to work from home for a while. Will that be okay?”

He
hesitated but I wasn’t backing out. We had to compromise, “Yeah, okay… that’s
fine. I’ll go with you though.”

“James...
Nothing will happen at work.”

“Please.
Just trust me on this baby.” He said but I refused to have him walk me inside
my work place. He sighed, “Let me at least take you and wait for you outside.
It shouldn’t take that long for you to talk to your boss, right?”

“Fine…”
This was a compromise after all.