Caleb
I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. On one hand, it was strangely satisfying watching my boss get thoroughly wrecked by Adriel. On the other hand, Adriel was officially going to bemybodyguard. Atwork.At a convenience store. Despite the actual danger I was in, wasn’t that going a bit overboard?
My favorite author was not only a vampire, but also my bodyguard. It really was something out of a novel or movie. But things had been so crazy lately that eventhatwas starting to sound normal to me.
After Lewis slunk off, presumably to sit in the back room with his tail between his legs and stew in his embarrassment, Adriel joined us behind the counter.
“That was… really something,” I said, unable to stop myself from grinning. “You scared the crap out of my boss, that’s for sure.”
“Scaredhim?” Jess added. “I thought for sure he was gonna pass out! Like in a cartoon, you know? Like - “ She mimed a gesture, throwing herself backwards.
I chuckled. “Yeah, Adriel really does have that effect on people.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he mumbled, crossing his arms.
“Well, you’re pretty intimidating,” I admitted. “He probably thought you were going to rob the store or something.”
“Yeah, especially with your all black clothes,” Jess pointed out.
Adriel glanced down at himself, like he hadn’t even noticed. For an immortal vampire, he sure didn’t have a lot of self awareness.
Just like back in the car, and in the house, when he said all those awkward things to me, I realized.
But right now, laughing with Jess and Adriel, I felt totally different. I felthappy. What was with this guy? It seemed like my emotions became a rollercoaster every time he was around.
I wish I could make up my mind on how I feel about him,I thought.I was obsessed with him before I met him in real life, and even then, I still kind of was… but then, there are times where he totally drives me crazy - and not in a good way.
“Wait, so, let me get this straight,” Jess began, pulling me from my thoughts. “You’re a Tenebrae, so that means you’re super rich and own a lot of businesses.”
“Yes,” Adriel confirmed.
“And Caleb just told me he was living at the Tenebrae estates,” Jess continued slowly, piecing together information in her head. “So does that mean you two livetogether?”
I guessed there was no avoiding that question. “Yeah, we do. Actually, um, Adriel is my - “
“Bodyguard,” Adriel said.
Jess’s expression turned to shock. “Holy crap. What?” She laughed nervously. “Caleb, I love you, but I know there’s no way we can afford a bodyguard on our salary.”
“Well, it’s kind of hard to explain,” I muttered.
“It was recommended by his doctor, to monitor his condition,” Adriel said. His serious tone and collected aura made it seem like it was a real fact, and not something he just made up on the spot.
“Wow,” Jess said, nodding. She totally bought it. “So cool. A doctor recommended bodyguard…”
God bless her, but she is kind of a ditz,I thought.At least she’s not asking too many questions, but I don’t think anyone else is gonna believe this story so easily.
“A hot bodyguard who lived with me would be so dreamy,” Jess said with a laugh.
I wish I could tell her it’s as great as she’s imagining it is,I thought disappointedly.Before this whole situation happened, I’d probably think the same way she did. Was it selfish of me to want something more?
* * *
My shift wentby without incident. Adriel mostly melted into the background, unseen and unheard. I almost felt a little guilty that nothing of consequence happened. He was probably bored out of his mind.
Did he resent me? Was he angry with Pierce for putting him on babysitting duty when he could have been working on his novel? The guilt worsened when I thought about the amount of time he lost following me around. Even as a long-lived vampire, it must have been irritating at the very least.
When my shift ended, we hopped back in the car and drove home. Thankfully, my shift was over before dawn, so Adriel was still safe. I really didn’t want to see him spontaneously combust from being exposed to sunlight.
