Arabella found herself repeatedly drawn to the digits displayed on her phone's screen, Cain's number glaring back at her as she attempted to focus on her work amidst the bustling store. The memory of their earlier encounter remained vividly etched in her mind: the two of them sitting on the living room floor, the tension palpable as he delved into the depths of her past with his probing questions.
In that moment, he had seemed to venture too close for comfort, stirring up emotions and insecurities Arabella had long worked to suppress. Yet, despite her discomfort, Cain had reached out with a gesture of kindness, providing her with his number in case of emergency, along with a thoughtful gift - a box of luxurious licorice candies.
While absentmindedly snacking on the rich, chewy treats, Arabella couldn't help but be drawn back to that exchange, feeling the weight of Cain's number as a constant reminder of his concern and the unresolved tension that lingered between them.
"Arabella…Arabella" Jessica stood at the entrance of Arabella's office, trying to get her attention. "Arabella," Jessica called again which brought Arabella back to reality. "I am going to lunch," Jessica nodded to the cash register.
"yeah, sure" Arabella stood.
"Are you okay?" Jessica watched her boss, silently.
"Yeah, yeah, you know just a long day" Arabella smiled at the concern on Jessica's face. "Go enjoy your lunch." She waved her off, as Jessica hesitated, but left.
Arabella took a deep breath as she stepped through the doorway and into the bustling main showroom of the antique store. The air was thick with the scent of aged wood and polished brass, a heady aroma that hinted at the treasures that filled the cluttered space. All around her, customers meandered through the aisles, their footsteps muffled by the worn Oriental rugs that covered the creaky hardwood floors.
Some were local regulars, their faces familiar to Arabella, while others were wide-eyed tourists, their gazes darting from one curious object to the next. It had been a relentlessly busy day, with a steady stream of deliveries arriving and a flurry of sales transactions taking place at the ornate wooden cash register where Arabella now stood.
Just to keep up with the constant flow of activity, they instituted a rotating shift system, ensuring that there was always an experienced hand ready to greet customers, process payments, and carefully wrap the fragile antiques that found new homes.
A customer walked up to the counter. "Those rings in a bowl in the fashion section" Arabella nodded listening to the short cute blonde, obviously a tourist, ask. "Why all the warnings?" she asked in a cutesy voice.
Arabella loved the little sighs her mother put up around the store. "Well, my mother believes in energies and spirits. If something is worn, she believes that it now holds a spirit and/or energy of the person or persons before," she explained while leaning on the counter. "So basically, wear at your own risk," she said with a smile.
"That's so cute" The blonde chuckled, looking at her friends, Arabella watch them with a patient smile. "bite my neck," the blonde suddenly whispered, showing off her neck.
Arabella's smile fell. "What?" she asked.
"how much are they?" the blonde asked, staring at Arabella concerned.
Arabella cleared throat "R5.00 each" she smiled as the blonde and her friends rushed away, and Arabella let out a sigh of relief.
Arabella popped a piece of licorice into her mouth, hoping the chewy, slightly bitter candy would help calm her frayed nerves after her last unpleasant encounter with a customer. However, the moment the sweet, black licorice hit her tongue, the entire store spun their attention to her.
Arabella was surprised by the customers who began to reveal their most vulnerable areas, laying on the floor and arching their backs seductively, reaching towards her with a sensual, pleading desperation. Some even went so far as to kneel at her feet, grabbing hold of her legs in a gesture that bordered on begging.
The sight and scent of their bared skin and submissive posturing caused Arabella's gums to ache as her sharp fangs instinctively tried to push through, a primal response to the heady, almost overwhelming pheromones the customers were exuding.
Arabella swallowed hard, struggling to maintain her composure in the face of such undisguised and unapologetic displays of desire. The licorice had done little to stabilize her, and now she found herself fighting the urge to give in to the animal craving stirring within her.
Arabella lifted up an old fashion sign that said 'back in 5 mins' and rushed into the office, locking the door.
She pulled out her phone, pacing back and forth waiting for him to answer and he did. All she could say was "Cain…help me" she whispered.
….
Cain walked through the antique store, and everything seemed normal. Jessica stood behind the counter and the customer happily walked between the aisle. But Arabella was nowhere to be seen, so he ventured deeper into the store, walking to Jessica.
Cain strolled through the dimly lit antique store, his footsteps echoing against the creaky hardwood floors as he surveyed the familiar scene. Everything appeared to be operating as usual. Jessica stood behind the worn wooden counter, greeting customers with a warm smile.
However, Cain couldn't help but notice Arabella was nowhere to be seen. Furrowing his brow, he ventured deeper into the cavernous store, weaving between the towering shelves and overflowing display cases, his eyes scanning the maze of aisles. As he approached the counter, Jessica looked up and met his gaze.
Before Jessica could speak, "Where is Arabella?" Cain uttered, wasting no time,
Jessica's eyes darted to Arabella's office for a second. "She is not available at the moment," she said with a big smile.
Cain looked at her for a moment before walking towards Arabella's office, but Jessica stood before him. "Sorry, Mr. Cain, but she is not taking any visitors" She gave him a patient smile.
"Don't worry about it," Cain charmed her instantly. "she is expecting me" he winked at Jessica, intruding on her mind and wearing the barriers down.
She walked away, purring "Yes, Mr Cain" Jessica hazed over eyes and a seductive smile made Cain feel dirty.
Cain approached the locked door, his brow furrowing as he grasped the handle and tried to turn it, only to find it firmly secured. He drew upon his immense, superhuman strength without being deterred to carefully apply just enough force to quietly snap the lock mechanism without splintering the entire frame.
Pushing the door open, he stepped into the dimly illuminated office space, his keen senses immediately locking onto the small, trembling figure huddled in the corner. There lay Arabella, her usual vibrant olive skin now pale and ashen, her eyes glazed over with a haunted, faraway look. Cain's heart sank as he watched her slowly uncurl from the fetal position, sitting up to face him, her entire body shaking uncontrollably.
With a feral intensity in her gaze, Arabella suddenly surged forward, her eyes gleaming with a primal hunger as she launched herself directly at Cain. Sensing the immediate threat, Cain swiftly maneuvered the heavy armchair, using its sturdy frame to block the door behind him and seal off any potential escape routes. In one smooth, efficient motion, Cain effortlessly caught Arabella's charge, his arms locking around her as she snapped and clawed, desperately trying to sink her teeth into his flesh.
But Cain maintained a steady, unwavering hold, keeping her at a safe distance as she strained against him, her sharp nails scraping and her jaws gaping wide in a futile attempt to breach his defenses. The struggle was fierce and primal, a clash of raw, animalistic forces, until finally, Cain could overpower Arabella, pinning her struggling form to the unyielding wooden floor and subduing her violent outburst.
A primal snarl erupted from Arabella's lips as she thrashed against Cain's firm grip, her nails clawing and her muscles straining. Pinning her wrists above her head with one powerful gloved hand as he straddled her hips, effectively restraining her writhing form. Reaching into his pocket, Cain produced a small vial filled with a deep crimson liquid - blood.
Tilting Arabella's head back, he carefully dripped a few scarlet droplets past her bared fangs, hoping the familiar taste would calm her feral impulses. The effect was immediate; Arabella's back arched as she ingurgitated the precious elixir, a desperate whimper escaping her throat.
Her eyes, now wild and feral, locked onto Cain's, silently pleading for more. Cain felt a shiver run down his spine at the ravenous hunger reflected in her gaze.
Unable to resist, he leaned in closer, burying his nose in the crook of her neck and inhaling her alluring, honeyed scent. Arabella responded by tangling her fingers in his hair, a primal gesture that sent a jolt of pleasure through Cain. As his own fangs grazed her delicate skin, he knew he was teetering on the edge of losing control. The promise of her intoxicating blood was a siren's call he could scarcely resist.
"Cain…"