Initially, I had decided to give Fiona some space after our lunch. She is a complicated creature, and the last thing I want to do is overwhelm her. I need her to view me not as a monster, but as a man, who has desires and feelings, and I think she will start to see that after she reads my business plan. I’ve intentionally not shared my plans with my vampire brethren. Many wouldn’t understand my desire to help humans in the way I want to, and it’s none of their business. I’ve spent hundreds of years on this earth doing what I want, and it’s time to give back. It’s not a common emotion that vampires experience being an elite species. It’s certainly not something I thought I’d want to do.

Now it’s been two days, and she hasn’t contacted me. I’ve thought of her nonstop, and as it turns out, vampires get anxiety, an emotion I don’t recall experiencing. I’m nervous and agitated, finding myself running my hands through my hair, pacing incessantly. My need to act is overwhelming, so I decide to reach out to her. When she doesn’t pick up the phone, I angrily press the end call button, not leaving a message. I miss the days when I could slam the phone receiver back into the cradle with frustration. Pressing the button on my smartphone isn’t nearly as satisfying. Throughout the day, I try calling her several times, leaving no messages. I’m not sure what to say on her voicemail, and I want to hear her voice.

It occurs to me that she may be conflicted still. I’m quite certain that my plan to help children in Las Vegas appeals to her emotionally, but she could also be trying to figure out how to handle her father. She has a superficial exterior, but I know I’ve touched her in some way. How do I know? I couldn’t begin to explain, but I know.

So, I rack my brain for a plan B. It’s clear that I haven’t impressed her quite enough to take the initiative in contacting me herself, or she’s still scared. I surmise that more effort is the only way to get in her good graces, as I’ve given her plenty of time to mull it over on her own. A more aggressive approach is the next phase. I look for her, not so I can confront her directly, but so I can watch and learn more about her. What she likes. What she desires. Besides me. I know she desires me, but she isn’t ready for that. It’s not hard to find her, even in a city this size. A connection of some kind draws me to her, like an electromagnetic pull. It would trouble me if I didn’t like it so much; seeing her is like getting a fix.

I find her at the mall, with her vampire friendly acquaintance, shopping. I’ve become quite the detective these days, on a stakeout more or less, just watching and listening to her. Her smile is like sunshine. It infects everyone who she comes in contact with, myself included. I watch her interact with salespeople, she’s kind to everyone. She looks everyone in the eye, takes her time with her exchanges, and is thoughtful in her responses.

When her friend asks where the third amigo is, Fiona replies, a guilty tone in her voice. “I didn’t ask Leslie to come.”

“Why not?” Lana asks, seemingly shocked.

“Well, because I’m kind of tired of being lectured about the monster vampires, and I’m simply not up for it today.”

“Ooh, did something happen with Roman?” She emphasizes my name.

“Not exactly.” I watch her hesitate and think about her next words carefully. “I mean sort of. We had lunch together a couple of days ago, and we talked.”

Giddy with excitement, Lana claps her hands together. “Did you fuck him?” Her enthusiasm for banging vampires is almost over the top, even for a vampire. I wonder if it is that big of a difference? I know that vampires are more viral, more alluring; we can go far longer than our mortal counterparts, but I’d never fucked a vampire before I was a vampire myself. Lana’s excitement leads me to believe there is a significant difference, and my mind wanders to giving Fiona the pleasure that Lana is clearly experiencing.

Slapping her friend on the arm, Fiona lets out a stifled laugh. “No! We had lunch. And we talked. That’s it. But…”

“But what? You want to bang him. That’s obvious.”

“I don’t know about that. But, I learned some things that have made me think that maybe your way of... open-minded thinking is far more who I am. Certainly more so than what my parents taught me. I feel like I have been brainwashed by my dad, and I think Roman is a nice guy.”

I give a small fist pump to the air hearing this. My plan seems to be working. What started as winning the bid, has turned into winning the girl.

“So, explain how you had lunch with a vampire. They don’t eat. And then tell me why he’s a nice guy. And if that’s the case, why are you not banging him yet?”

“Really Lana, you’re nothing but a sex kitten these days aren’t you?”

“Maybe, but this isn’t about me. Spill!”

“Well, he’s a gentleman first of all. He’s done nothing but try to make me see that he’s not some kind of monster, but it’s more than that.”

“Like what?”

“Well, he asked me to read his business proposal. So, I did. And you’re never going to believe what he wants the casino for.”

“I’m on the edge of my seat!”

“He wants to use it to fund a place that houses the homeless and helps foster kids. Like he wants to use the money to help humans.”

“Get the hell out of here.” Lana sounds shocked. Why they all think none of us give a fuck about their well being is beyond me. We all live in the same society for Christ’s sake. It’s doesn’t give me much joy to see homeless people, or to see children suffer, just because I can’t have my own. Vampires have a soul. Folklore and propaganda have really fucked us over the years. It makes me sad to see anyone suffer; I hope that she sees this in me soon.

“I’m dead serious. He wants to use the money to help people. I wish I could help him, I really do. But my dad is never going to listen.”

“Well, that may be the case now, but you don’t know that it will always be that way.” Lana sounds optimistic, which could be good.

“I don’t think so. My dad would kill me himself if he knew that I had lunch with a vampire in the first place. Anyway, he’s tried calling me a few times, and I haven’t taken his calls.”

“Well, why the hell not?”

“Because I can’t help him, and that’s all he wants anyway.” My jaw drops at her words.

Fuck. No. That’s not all I want! I want to run over there and tell her that’s not my only desire, but I know I can’t give up my hiding spot. She’d probably be super pissed that I was stalking her on a regular basis, to begin with.

“What even makes you think that? From what you have said and hinted at, I think there’s more to this little thing than you realize.”

Yes! Listen to your friend, Fiona! She knows what she’s talking about.

“Well, ultimately, I can’t help him. I’m not going to call him back. It’s nothing but asking for trouble. Even if he does seem like a great guy.”

“I think you’re cutting your nose off to spite your face. Frankly, you should give this a bit of a chance. It wouldn’t kill you, pardon the pun, to get out with someone besides clients and me and Leslie. You haven’t dated in forever, and I think - no, I know - you’re missing out.”

I like this Lana. I need to send her some flowers or something. She’s a good friend, and smart. Fiona doesn’t reply, and it looks like that is the end of the conversation for now. I decide to follow them around some more. It’s time to step up my courtship game, high society style. While I’m mildly offended that Fiona thinks all I want is her dad’s signature on my papers, I can also see why she might think that. I thought we had more of a connection at lunch though, and I’m hoping that what I’ve got planned now will, at the very least, show her that I’m a man of action.

I trail the ladies to the next store, observing their activities and purchases. Finding out what Fiona likes, what she doesn’t like, what she wants, but thinks is too expensive or what she’s not sure about. When they leave the first store, a jewelry store, I approach the young man at the counter and ask what the ladies were looking at.

“The ladies who just left?” He looks at me, confused.

“Yes. Well actually, just the blonde. With the stunning blue eyes.”

He smiles at me and nods his head, waving me over to a display. He pulls out a tray with platinum necklaces on it.

“She was looking at this one.” He points to a dainty chain from which a tiny Egyptian ankh dangles. He smirks as it hits me. He already knew.

“You’re sure, this is the one she was looking at?” I stare at the tiny symbol, recalling history.

“I’m sure, sir.” He has realized that the significance has dawned on me.

“I’ll take it.”

“Right away, sir.” He walks off to wrap up my purchase.

The Egyptian ankh, also known as the key of life, has long been a vampiric symbol. It originated as a cross with a handle, or crux anksata in Latin. Its meaning is eternal life. The progeny of vampires are dated back as far as time from ancient Greece. However, the ankh was a symbol found in hieroglyphics representing our culture in ancient Egypt. That is not a well known, or common fact. She’s been doing her research.

I take my purchase, and follow the ladies from store to store, making purchases that demonstrate my attention to detail, and how I desire for her to have the things that she wants. But this necklace, it is special. And she will have it.