Cassandra, the innocent lover, clutched the money in her hand, too stunned to react to Christina's cutting words. However, Derek couldn't tolerate the insult. It seemed like everyone was looking down at him as if measuring his worth with their imaginary scales.
He shot a venomous glare at Christina, his movements unsteady from the alcohol. "How dare you—"
But before he could reach out to her and demand an apology, he tripped, falling to the floor.
"Arghh!" Derek grumbled, his frustration and pain clear in his slurred curses. When he tried to rise, he slipped again, his cheek hitting the cold floor as if the ground wanted to swallow him up for hurting such a beautiful woman. Or perhaps it was just the bored vampire looking for some entertainment.
"This is fun," Reylan smirked, snapping his fingers again causing Derek to lose balance and hit the floor. Taking care of trash, especially the weak yet prideful humans has always been his favorite pastime.
The crowd erupted into mocking laughter as Derek struggled on the floor while his lover tried to pick him up. The scene felt oddly natural that even the supernaturals couldn't see through it. And, this was by far the best breakup show they had witnessed in their lives.
Christina stared at her boyfriend, now at her feet. Satisfaction flickered in her cold eyes, but the entire incident was so overwhelming that she couldn't bear it any longer and turned around, leaving the jerk in the care of his new lover.
"Ah, ah! You can't escape now." Reylan mumbled, placing his hands back into his pockets. Seeing her disappear downstairs, he quickly made his way out.
While some women squealed at the sight of him, the supernatural beings sulked and returned to their seats. Now that the night hunter, known for his insatiable blood-thirst, had taken an interest in that woman, they had to resign themselves to the allure of the packed drinks offered in this club. After all, he was infamous not only for his hunger but also for slicing throats like pieces of bread.
Reylan hastily descended the stairs, his senses heightened in search of Christina amid the roaring music and the chaotic crowd, swirling on the expansive dance floor. Cursing under his breath, he rushed out of the club, walking into the chilly night. His eyes wandered around, zooming all the corners, and glowed fierce red as they fixed on one of the passing cabs in the distance.
"Caught you!" Reylan mumbled, a subtle smile on his lips as he zeroed in on Christina's back inside the cab using his supernatural powers.
---
[An hour later]
Christina continued her drinking spree, emptying yet another bottle. The bartender's concern grew, both for her ability to afford the expensive drinks and the aftermath of such excessive drinking. Despite his reluctance, he fetched another pricey bottle from the shelf, silently complying with the order of the notorious vampire observing Christina from a distance.
He was the Reylan Blackwood, an heir to the oldest vampire family in high society. He could easily purchase this entire bar to ensnare this seemingly heartbroken woman and make her his prey tonight. The bartender thought as he uncorked the bottle and handed it to Christina.
Holding the bottle, Christina tried to focus on her glass, her vision growing blurry while her mind remained a chaotic mess. Her unsteady grip on the bottle and swaying hands heightened the bartender's concern. He shook his head as she spilled half of the contents on the counter instead of into her glass.
"She's totally wasted," he sighed, continuing to clean the glasses while keeping an eye on her.
Christina drank the liquor, its taste mirroring the bitterness in her heart. Though she never exceeded her tolerance level, tonight was different with a hope to sober up these shitty emotions and get over him. But the more she drank, the deeper she sank into shame, self-pity, and whatnot.
Even if they had not been on good terms for the past couple of months, she had hoped for a decent breakup. She would have let him go if that's what he wanted. But that jerk decided to two-time her!
Clutching her glass tightly, she downed the alcohol again as if it were water, the acidic burn in her throat offering temporary relief from the heartbreak.
Reylan's eyes widened slightly as Christina pushed away the glass in frustration and decided to drink directly from the bottle. He had been observing her emotional rollercoaster since they entered this fancy bar. Like a maniac, she had cried, laughed, cursed, and screamed, displaying every emotion he possibly knew. But now, it was spiraling out of control.
Using his powers, Reylan swiftly reached out and grabbed her hand. "Slow down, darling. I don't want you to die so soon," he said, his words laced with a hint of mischief.
But much to his surprise, Christina scowled and swatted away his hand, before taking a sip from the bottle. Although she could barely make out his features through her blurred vision, she ignored him as just some random stranger trying to hook up with her and she was in no mood to entertain anyone tonight.
Finishing the remaining contents of the bottle, Christina set it aside and signaled for the bartender to bring more. As the poor guy glanced at Reylan for approval, the vampire sighed and nodded before taking a seat beside her.
Crossing his legs, Reylan turned toward her, a subtle smile forming as he was able to finally take a closer look at her. Her pretty face, framed by messy brown hair and slightly glazed brown eyes, held a unique charm that contradicted her cold demeanor, making her all the more captivating.
"My usual drink," Reylan ordered, taking the bottle from the bartender as he returned. The bartender nodded and quickly hurried to get the special energy drinks from the cold storage room.
Reylan redirected his focus to Christina, a chuckle escaping his lips as she willingly presented her glass seeing the bottle in his hand, innocently waiting for him to fill it.
"Don't hurt yourself for just one guy; there are still good men out there willing to treat you better," Reylan said, filling her glass.
"Good men?" Christina scoffed, gritting her teeth. "All men are jerks!" She mumbled in a drunken voice, gulping her drink in anger. "I will get a sugar daddy next time!"
Her declaration caught Reylan off guard, and he laughed out loud, finding her even more amusing. Refilling her glass as she lifted it, he commented, "But he is also a man."
"He will at least leave behind some money to mend my broken heart," Christina murmured, her eyes barely managing to stay open.
"Well, well, you can try me." Leaning closer, Reylan continued, "I have more to offer than those old ugly sacks."
Christina faced him, her double, swirling vision trying to get a clear picture of him. "But you look young and," she mumbled, leaning even closer to analyze his face, "handsome to be a sugar daddy."
Taking a sip of his drink from the black tin can that the bartender had passed him, Reylan nonchalantly replied, "I am not really young. You'd be shocked to hear it."
His words intrigued Christina, and supporting her cheek with her hand, she asked with a pout, "How old are you?"
Reylan smirked, feeling her finally walking into his trap. He gestured for her to come closer, and as she did, he leaned in to whisper in her ear as if it were a secret that needed to be taken to the grave. "I will be turning 162 this year."
Christina blinked, leaning back, and stared at him in confusion. After a split second, she burst into laughter, thinking he was trying to crack a stupid joke or maybe just completely drunk like her.
Controlling her laugh, she decided to play along in his fictional role-play. "Really? Then what are you? A werewolf?"
Reylan clicked his tongue in disapproval. "No, don't compare me to those whiny pups." Taking a sip of his energy drink, he proudly declared, "I am a vampire."
"Ohh!" Christina nodded, and unable to hold back her laughter, she joked, "So you are a walking mosquito. Hahahaha~"
The smile on Reylan's face slowly vanished, stretching into a thin line. What did this woman just call him? A mosquito?!