The Dark Secret of the CEO by Sofia de Orellana

To my surprise, we leave the house shortly after nightfall, with just a quick goodbye to Cata. Still no sign of Richard, but from Cata and Bart’s actions, it’s apparently normal. For some reason, I’m both nervous and curious to see him again. It’s strange. I feel like he’s a… root for this new life I’ve just taken my first breaths in. I keep looking for him, unconsciously.

For now though, Bart’s my guide. We walk away from the mansion, and I just start to realize how rooted their home is in London. From the outside, it’s like any other house out there. It even looks somewhat better kept than the other houses, the paint seems fresh and there isn’t a leaf left neglected…

“Disappointed?” Scoffs Bart.

“Yeah. I was expecting spiderwebs and bats.”

“We used to have rats,” he chuckles. “But we have a house cleaning service coming in twice a week, and Cata’s a bit of a cleaning freak, if you haven’t noticed.”

I chuckle, and he offers his arm, helping me walk around. One thing I had forgotten is that London is full of old cobblestone streets, a nightmare for heels… Thankfully, my legs feel stronger. Like, really strong. I don’t shake, I don’t waver, and if there’s a hint of unsteadiness, my body adjusts in a millisecond. I feel like one of those models who walk effortlessly on twelve inch heels, when I always felt like a baby deer with the smallest ones. I’ve never felt so… in tune with my body, nor this strong. I don’t feel like I could lift a truck, but I can take long steps without the slightest fear of face-planting despite those high heels, which is definitely a win.

“So,” I ask. “What’s the lesson? I still don’t understand why I’m dressed like I’m about to audition for a gothic adult movie.”

“I’ve seen you with kinkier shit on,” he chuckles, glancing at my legs.

“So you really did see that stupid movie….” I groan.

“I looked you up, Miss Starr. I’m kind of curious though. You had one hell of a career on track, and it suddenly went downhill. I hate the mainstream shit, but you didn’t seem that bad of an actress either.”

“Isn’t it rude to ask about someone’s death or something like that?”

“I’m not asking about your death, baby vamp. I’m asking about why the gossips said you left the public scene for months out of the blue. I looked it up. You were one of the most promising young actresses of your generation, carried by one of the biggest acting agencies, and all of a sudden, things started going to shit. What happened?”

I don’t want to answer. I thought I was getting a clean slate by being transformed, not that I would have to answer questions like it’s a fucking press conference all over again. We walk a bit longer, but Bart’s still waiting, and this is awkward. I sigh.

“Some… things happened. Did you read about the accident?”

“Yeah, and that wasn’t your fault. The guy was literally chasing you and he had a car accident that was bound to happen.”

“It doesn’t change that a man died because I didn’t let him take a photo,” I mutter. “…He had two kids, Bart.”

“Yeah, and you were twenty years old.”

“Alright,” I declare. “But if you ask questions, I get to ask some too.”

“Oh, feel free to,” he shrugs, amused. “I’m an open book, and an incredibly boring one at that. Bartholomew Heartgraves, nice to meet you. Tell me what question tickles your little mind.”

“How old are you?”

“I died at twenty-two. Want to guess what year?”

“Well, I already know you’re a century older than Cata, so that’s a bit scary… Eighteen something?”

“I’m flattered,” he chuckles. “Born and raised in London in sixteen-forty four, I died in sixteen-sixty-six. So, yeah, nothing as grand as an acting career to report. I was an apprentice in a workshop, which honestly tells you all you need to know about my future prospects.”

“How did you…?”

He chuckles.

he says. “…It doesn’t ring a

a war or something I’m supposed to know…? Damn, I wish I had a better memory of my History classes. After

of London! Damn, what do they teach you

school in the US, not England,”

you were

to my conversation with Cata? …Of course you did. I was born here, but my father sent me to California after my mother

it…” He

“When does my lesson actually

to

about Bart already, and while I’d love to hear about his three centuries of life, it’s not worth letting him dig any further

After a little while, I recognize Soho. The mansion must be near Hyde Park, as I suspected. Night fell just a while ago, but we’re in October, so it’s

it take that long?” I

No. But we might as well

around my waist, and guides me towards a pretty crowded area. The streets are more and more flooded with people, and I don’t mind him being close as I’m legit worried about losing him. Luckily, he’s already set on this bar with the loud music, quite an old but fancy one, with loud punk

know him?” I ask as we

but he’s been

a conditioned reflex… Damn,

it hard to charm

human,” he chuckles, taking me to the bar. “A vampire?

it on me at all. Bart’s presence isn’t as imposing as Richard’s.

to just pulling my hand, and I follow the little path he effortlessly makes amongst the dancers. His bleached hair and smooth

rocks, the best you got. Keep

he doesn’t charm the barman to get those for free and just hands him a big bill. I

bodies around with a smirk, scanning the crowd. I keep my elbows on the bar; I’m still worried about showing my face. I take a sip; oh,

your thirst?” He

Like, really thirsty. I just empty my whisky, but it does

“Still there.”

first year’s the worst,” he scoffs. “I bet Richard would have taken you to hunt himself if he wasn’t

usually get to…

ago… I have to drink that bottled crap until Richard lets me hunt by myself like a big

“What kind of mess?”

listen. There are rules when you hunt, so you’d better listen. First, and the most important, we

didn’t intend to,” I frown.

thing,” he scoffs. “Trust me, it’s going to be harder than you think. So just try to remember that, but we’ll see how you do in practice. Secondly, we don’t leave our victims anywhere that could put them at risk. So when you’re done,

weird,

and I mean anyone underage. If you have a doubt, it’s a no. We also stay away from

“That’s one weird mix.”

but trust me, you want to stay off those. Also try to avoid people that could be useful or see you

“Got it.”

of this sort of makes sense so far, but I’m getting a bit tired of the lesson… of the theory. I finally turn to face the room, glancing around. The people here are already intoxicated, for most of them anyway. I’m starting to understand why Bart brought me here. We get to actually confirm that they’re all adults since they made it into the bar, for one. Moreover, I’m definitely

like you got your prey

Bart probably doesn’t look like

“Pick one.”

skills to act like a young,