Chapter 43 Afterwork Conversations

Lukas was roughly thrown back against the wall–the towering figure over him was dominating and overpowering. Lawrence Tenebris' gaze was far from kind, there was a tinge of bloodlust written all over his face.

"This is all your fault–" Lawrence said.

"I–" Lukas didn't even have the strength to say anything anymore. As his gaze swept across the event room, all he could see was Lily in a state where she couldn't approach or intervene at all.

And the blame was all on him.

***

Two young Vampires were together in bed again, it was something that Lukas was looking forward to after a long and hard day at work.

Well, things weren't exactly that hard, but Lukas still wanted to rest and Chaerin was surprisingly or not, the perfect companion for that.

When Chaerin wasn't out stalking him, trying to separate Lily from him and such–she was pretty laid back. Or lazy was the more appropriate word.

"No." Chaerin said.

"Why not?" Lukas asked.

"So you're asking me to go to an event where everyone from the city, nearly everyone is going to be there to celebrate? No thank you." Chaerin shook her head. "You can just go ahead and spend it with Lily, okay?"

"Huh. I almost expected you to always want to be near me, but now I'm facing rejection from you for the very first time." Lukas dramatically placed a hand across his forehead. "Ack, I'm dying."

Chaerin's lips pursed together as she flopped towards his stomach and planted a quick kiss across his lips. "Don't be overdramatic. It's true that I like you, but attending that event is a death sentence to me too. I hope you understand."

"How come?" Lukas asked. "Tell me so I can understand you a bit better."

Chaerin sighed softly. "For starters, people tend to approach me from out of nowhere to ask if I was related to my parents. They'd start asking questions once I said yes, or if they don't–they just stare at me from afar… and I hate that. Chelsea's the better one at dealing with people, not me."

"I see, I see." Lukas nodded slowly. "Well, I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable. But don't you think that things will be a little different now?"

"Different how?"

"Now that I'm here. I can keep the pesky paparazzi and stuff away from you. I'm sure they wouldn't bother much when they see that you're with someone and the two of us are having fun."

"Is there a reason as to why you keep insisting?" Chaerin asked. "Are you… not willing to accompany Lily during the event? Did you receive threats from her family or anything? Wouldn't it be better to not have me around for this?"

"Chaerin, I wouldn't want to hide you at all–I'm proud to have you as my girlfriend."

Chaerin blushed slightly and averted her gaze. "Sometimes, I can't help but wonder what I like about you."

"Really? That's strange."

"No it's not." Chaerin pouted. "I have my wits about me, you know? My feelings are so overwhelming around you–my heart keeps pounding whenever you're near. I've felt all of this ever since I laid my eyes on you, isn't that strange?"

"Oh. I didn't expect that you'd fall for my charms that quickly." Lukas joked and yet he couldn't help but take her words into account.

Was it because in this world, 'he'–Lukas was the protagonist so all of the main girls found themselves immensely attracted to him for no reason at all except for that? That was… a bit of a bummer.

It almost felt ungenuine now that he thought about it.

Chaerin noticed the glum look on his face and quickly poked his cheek. "Come now, don't be too sad or upset about it. While the initial attraction that I've had towards you was so strange… it doesn't mean that I don't like you for who you are now."

"For who I am now?"

"Yeah, I like you for being you, silly." Chaerin beamed. "Just being around you makes me so happy–and you're a person that makes it so easy. You're a joker, lighthearted and you try your best… which is amazing isn't it?"

"So you don't like me for my looks?" Lukas asked.

"I mean…" Chaerin pouted. "There's that, but that isn't the sum of the parts. It's not enough to be gorgeous to get into my books, you know? Your personality–who you are, that's what really matters, right?"

A smile broke out on Lukas' lips and he pulled the girl close enough for him to spoon her. He rested his chin atop Chaerin's head and rested his arm across her stomach and he sighed softly.

"It's nice to hear that. Thank you."

"Did you really think I liked you for a shallow reason?" Chaerin asked.

"I mean no–but… yes?" Lukas sheepishly chuckled. "I… I just wasn't feeling like myself today. Like I don't belong in this body, or don't even find the notion of being with you and Lily as something within the realm of possibility. Everything's just so surreal, you know?"

"Well, I don't know anything about that…" Chaerin turned around so she could face him. "But know that I will always support you and root for you. Even if you don't feel like quite yourself, I'll be here for you and try my best to make you feel better if I can."

"Thanks, Chaerin, I appreciate that." Lukas smiled, feeling a bit better. The weight across his chest–while it was still there, somehow became lighter after Chaerin's words.

"Of course." Chaerin pulled him closer and wrapped her arms around him. "Anything for you."

"So does that mean that you're coming with me to the event?"

"First of all, screw you." Chaerin threw him a playful glare. "And I don't mean the one in bed kind… but the other kind. However, if I know that it would make you feel better if I tag along, then I don't see why not."

"Really?"

"Really."

"You won't secretly hate me for bringing you along?"

"Nope."

"You're the best, Chaerin."

"If you could say that again," Chaerin giggled. "I'd really want Lily to hear that if I could record it."

"How brutal."

"I'm just lightening up the mood!"