The Vampire's Bride

"Is it about the vampire killers?"

Hearing her answer, Jillion felt a sudden rush of excitement. "Yes yes yes! That's exactly it!"

Jillion glanced at Leo and sneered.

Clearly, a man is dependent on his woman. Without Mallory, he probably would not do a thing to learn or catch up to the recent news.

"Continue." Leo glared at Jillion annoyingly as he set his spoon and fork down.

Jillion saw death in his eyes and stopped fooling around.

He proceeded to explain, "Just as what Miss Hart said, there has been rumors about vampire killers. Last month, there was a dead body found at the rooftop of a building in a nearby city. It was the body of a missing woman named Alina. The killer was not found and there was no suspect since no one saw her interacting with anyone before she went missing for two days."

Jillion's screen became smaller as another frame was shown. A photo of a woman who was pale was seen. Under her was a pool of blood.

"That's Alina?" Leo asked.

Jillion nodded and continued, "There are recent findings of the same cases up until five days ago. Including the recent one, there are a total of 9 victims."

The moment Jillion finished speaking, 9 different pictures of different women in different places was shown on the screen as Jillion's frame disappeared. They were neatly placed by threes per row. Starting from the topmost left corner was Alina's picture, the first victim. At the lowest right corner was the most recent victim, Joanna.

"Although the women never knew each other, all of them have something in common."

"Their bloods were emptied, right?" Leo asked.

"Yes. On the victims' necks were two holes. The police concluded that this was a working of another human who was pretending to be a vampire. Of course they would think like that since they never saw a vampire. But the other humans..." Jillion's voice faded away as the video showed him with a hesitant look on his face.

"The public started the rumors about the vampire killers," Leo finished his sentence.

Jillion nodded and sighed dejectedly. "But we are still not sure if it really is a vampire or not. All I could say is that someone is rebelling and is helping whoever is killing this people."

"Why do you say that?"

"My dear friend, the police obviously thought of the killer being a vampire and they most probably shrugged it off. Still, they would not remove the possibility of it being a real vampire. To protect the peace and order of the people, do you think they would let such news escape?"

Leo raised his brows. "So you're telling me someone let the cats out of the bag?"

"Bingo!"

"And how is that related to a vampire rebelling?"

"Well, I call it my gut feeling. You know how accurate my guts are, right?"

Leo's eyes darkened. "So you're telling me that you have no proof at the same time, you're telling me you're sure a vampire is the cause of it?"

"Woah! Chill, bro! I'm serious! My guesses are (mostly) always correct!" Jillion raised both his hands in a defeated manner.

Just as Leo was about to scold Jillion, a voice interrupted him.

"He is correct, Master Orpheus."

Leo and Jillion looked at the woman who was quiet for some time.

Mallory realized what she just said and quickly covered her mouth, "I-I'm sorry! I-I just spoke w-without thinking!"

Leo looked at the nervous girl and sighed. He would need a lot of time to get her used to speaking out her thoughts.

"It's fine. Why don't you explain why you think this idiot is correct?"

"Hey! Who are you calling an idiot?!"

" ...You are."

"..."

Jillion gritted his teeth. He wanted to curse at Leo but there was another person in the room.

"Well," Leo ignored Jillion and focused on Mallory, "What are you thinking?"

After a while, Mallory still haven't opened her mouth. Sighing, Leo decides to give up and turned to Jillion. "Jill, tell me if ––"

"Aldo..."

Though it was as soft as a whisper, Leo was able to pick up what she said.

Surprised, Leo quickly turned to look at Mallory. He found it hard to ask, "W-What did you say?"

Mallory opened her mouth for a moment before closing it once more. After a few seconds, she glanced at Leo as she said as loud as she could, "Aldo."

Leo was now sure that he did not misheard her. She really did say Aldo.

The meek voice travelled to the under side of the line. Jillion slammed on the table and asked rather seriously, "Aldo?! That arrogant vampire?!"

Hearing his voice louder and higher like he was angry, Mallory trembled and quickly shrank in her seat. She couldn't help but fear the man.

Leo suddenly felt his sleeve being tugged lightly and noticed a strong vibration... it was because Mallory was trembling too much!

She couldn't stop herself from tearing up although no tears fell. She was suddenly reminded of a scene that happened years ago. The moment she first felt her father's wrath.

The next instant, she felt something warm on her hand, making her lose concentration on the angry man. The source of this warmth was Leo. He had placed his huge hand on top of hers.

I-It's huge... and although it's cold, it's comfortable...

Mallory felt heat creeping up her cheeks. She was actually thinking of such (not) indecent thoughts!

Leo saw Mallory's reaction and a small smile on his face appeared. He did not know what the girl was thinking but at least he was able to calm her down.

He leaned towards her ear and whispered seductively, "What are you thinking that you're turning red? Hm? Don't tell me you're thinking of..."

Leo did not finished his sentence and distanced himself. Seeing the girl as red as a tomato – or maybe even redder than a tomato, he smirk.

He purposely stopped his sentence to tease her.

Seeing Leo's smirk, Mallory knew she was being played at and felt her ears had gone red because of embarrassment. She pouted looking like she wanted to hit Leo for teasing her.

On the other hand, Leo laughed at his pouting partner. He gently patted the top of her hood while making sure her ears won't be seen.

"I. WANT. TO. PUKE!"

It was only when Jillion spoke did the two remembered about him.

Leo looked at him and asked, "You're still here?"

Jillion felt a vein popping. Leo's face was as if telling him to quickly leave.

Jillion: "Yes, I'm sorry for disturbing your precious time for the single stupid news I got about a vampire rebelling in your turf and I know that you're thankful for every work that I did b—"

Leo: "Yes, thank you. Goodbye."

"Beep—"

Jillion: "..." W-WTF?

Jillion grabbed a nearby pillow and threw it at the floor.

"F***! You seriously cut me off again! You could have just told me politely! YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO STUFF ME WITH DOG FOOD!!!"

It was at that moment that Jillion realized the meaning of hoes before bros.

...

"U-Umm, M-Master Orpheus..."

"Hmm?"

"Was it fine to end the call?"

Leo nodded and lazily rested chin on his hand. He continued playing with her hair, letting her ears out since Jillion was gone.

Mallory finished her drink as she let Leo touch her hair. Actually, she was feeling uncomfortable. It was the first time someone was touching her hair. It was a gentle touch, unlike those who were disgusted at her.

Unable to control herself, she asked, "I-Isn't my ears disgusting?"

Leo's eyes widened as Mallory quickly avoided his gaze, turning to the other side.

His hand that was rubbing her hair stiffened at the sudden question. He was about to speak when they heard someone coughing.

It was Brian with the doc.u.ments that Leo asked him to get.

"Young Master, these are the doc.u.ments Kira." Brian handed him a folder with the doc.u.ments in it.

He proceeded to hand a clear book to Leo.

"Young Master, Madam Zaria gave another set. She told me to tell you that you should be have a woman to date within the week. If you cannot find a woman to date, there would be dire consequences."

Leo tried his very best to show a smile indicating that he was annoyed. "Oh? Is that right? Why don't you thank her for me, Brian?"

" ... Yes, Young Master."

Leo sighed and shook his head. "Tell her I'm pursuing someone. Do not interfere with my business."

Brian did not reply. He stood there for a moment, maintaining eye contact with his young master. "May I guess who it is?"

"Go ahead."

Brian's eyes glanced at his left. Unlike Brian, Leo did not hide as he looked at Mallory. After staring at the confused girl, he looked at Brian and said, "You got a problem? Remember you are my butler... well, even if you are not one, you cannot tell me what to do, who to pick. Don't forget to tell her that."

"Yes, Young Master. This butler will see to it that your words are heard by Madam Zaria."

"En. We'll be going to the room now. You know what to do." Leo did not wait for Brian to respond and pulled Mallory towards his room.

The moment they entered the room, Leo sat on the bed while still pulling Mallory to follow.

Leo pulled her down for her to sit besides him. After taking a deep breath, Leo asked, "I have two topics to discuss. Choose, A or B?"

"B?"

"Well then... Why do you ask if these are disgusting?"

Mallory flinched as Leo fondled her ear. She did not expect for the second topic to be about her ears. She bit her lips as she tried to reply, "B-because, they said it's disgusting..."

Leo frowned. Who dare to say that these are disgusting?! They need a lesson!

"They're not disgusting..." Leo said.

As if a spell, Leo's words put Mallory in a trance. Mallory felt happy by his words but it was just for a moment. There was no way Master Orpheus would like her ears... absolutely no way.

Mallory forced a smile. "It's fine to state the truth, Master Orpheus. You don't need to lie just to make me happy... I've heard everyone saying that it's disgusting so, please, you don't have to worry about hurting me..."

The more people lie...

The more I'll get hurt...

So please don't lie, Master Orpheus...

Mallory's words struck deep in Leo. He suddenly wanted to hit himself for hurting her... but he knew he was not in the wrong. What was wrong was the way Mallory was thinking.

Who would say that such beautiful rare ears were disgusting? Surely, not him.

Leo suddenly embraced her, having one hand on her waist and the other on her head.

His scent naturally invaded Mallory's nose. His warmth quickly enveloped her cold body.

"M-Maste— Nn–?"

Leo lightly pecked Mallory's ears and whispered in a husky voice, "I really don't find it disgusting. You don't have to be afraid 'cause it's the truth."

Mallory started wavering. Master Orpheus didn't find it... disgusting?

"Y-You're l-lying, right?"

"No, I'm not."

"R-Really?" Mallory asked as she peeked at Leo.

Seeing the curious eyes staring at him, Leo couldn't help but smile.

"I'm not. It's really cute."

Mallory still didn't believe him.

"A-Are you sure it's not disgusting? No one told me that..."

Leo replied with a chuckle. I'm the first one?

Thinking that Leo felt something warm in him.

"Well? Do you want some proof?"

"P-Proof?"

Leo leaned dangerously closed. Their noses were almost touching and they could feel each other's hot breathings.

Leo glanced at her delicious lips. He couldn't help but lick his lips.

This action made Mallory shiver. C-Could he be thinking of...

"M-Master Orpheus! I-I believe you so pleas—"

Mallory was about to protest but a pair of lips suddenly covered her mouth, stopping her from finishing her pleadings.