There he is. 'The one.' The one from Lounge n' Sip. He's right there in the doorway–smiling at me! Walter is behind him. I was certain my day was ruined already, but this made it–this made it BEYOND HORRIBLE!

He walks into the room almost gliding. Smooth as glass it seems. With every step, he never takes his eyes off me. I gulp. He stops just 2 steps away from me and looks at Walter. He nods once very slightly. Walter nods back and looks at the maids. They slightly bow to Mr. Francis and me, then quickly leave the room. Walter follows them out and closes the door.

"Miss Ivy..." he bows slightly, takes my hand and gently kisses it while looking into my eyes, "Welcome to castle Vladoiu." I let out a small breath as a bolt of electricity rushes through me. Him being so close and his mere touch; it causes me to nearly squirm in my seat and my heart to beat faster. His lips are really, really warm–Almost unnaturally. Oh god... My face...at least I'm able to keep it as straight as possible. I was correct before; he does have an accent! It sounds...Romanian. I blush. This is so awkward...!

I then ask in a slightly shaky voice, "Excuse me, but...how do you know my name sir?" I see that he's wearing an 1800's-looking white shirt–you know–the kind with the big sleeves and the fancy cuffs? Yeah–like that. He has black pants and I noticed earlier that he has black rider boots on. Fancy–very fancy. Why is he wearing this? He was wearing casual everyday clothing at Lounge n' Sip and now this?

He smiles, and while saying, "Walter has informed me about your visit and your difficulties." he gently sits down in a chair directly across from me. "You're having breakfast... I hope it is to your liking." he says. To my liking? Hell yeah, it's delicious!

"Oh yes... it's very good thank you." I reply.
"You know... I am hungry myself." he says while looking into my eyes. He looks at the food in front of him and lets out a sigh. "Please, don't let me interrupt you." he waves a hand out, "Go ahead–enjoy your meal." Gosh...the way he talks...and that smile... Wow. Whenever he looks at me, I automatically want to turn away. I feel like I can't handle his gaze; it's too captivating.

I slowly move my hand over the silverware and grab my fork. I cut into some of my breakfast and bring it up to my lips. I'm hesitant...because he's watching me. But then, he smiles again and continues, "Miss Ivy, I do understand why you are so nervous...and you have my most sincere apologies..." he pauses for a second. It's like he's thinking about something. Then he starts talking again, "Now that we are face to face, I believe a proper introduction is in order. After all, that is what you've been waiting for, yes?" he stands and bows a little, "I am Nicolai Francis, executive assistant to Mr. Vladoiu II, but you may call me Nick if you wish." he slowly sits back down with an artful glint in his eyes. Now I can't stop staring at him.

I dip my head softly, carefully in response, "I'm...Ivy Summers, sir. But you can call me Ivy." I swear...that smile has my full attention. He has some nice eyeteeth...

Such a pearly white fanged smile! Am I exaggerating or are those truly sharp fangs? If I'm blushing redder than before, curse me.

"Beautiful name–Ivy." he says. My lashes flutter, then I avert my eyes down to my plate, "Um, thanks..." I slowly look up at him again, "I see you like to wear Victorian clothing..."

"Yes... A cousin of mine came here from out of town and had brought along a trunk of clothing from that time. Heirlooms, you know. Plus, she is quite a history buff. As for me, it is quite comfortable. You can wear whatever you like where you live, can you not? I like this style and enjoy wearing it around here." His little laugh becomes contagious for me; I broaden my smile. "Yeah..." I'm a little embarrassed by that.

He tilts his head, "...We do not normally have unannounced guests. It is unusual."
"Sorry. You live in an amazing home." I say.

He hums in amusement, "Why, thank you. I..." he looks around somewhat mysteriously, "Do not stay here much though..." he leans back in his seat, "I am always too busy." My cheeks flush again. "Oh... Part of being Mr. Vladoiu's executive assistant, huh?"
"Indeed." He winks at me. My mouth opens a tad, then I quickly close it and swallow, "Well that's... that's amazing." I smile shyly.

"Hmph." he scoffs, "What is amazing, is you." My eyes flash up at him, "What?" He waves his hand at me, "Well, as I said before, we don't have many unannounced guests and here you pop up out of nowhere." he grins.
I blink. Right.

"Oh. Um, yeah..." I tuck my hair behind my ear and shake my head a little, "It's a little confusing how this all happened. I'm sorry–really, I am."

"Nonsense Ivy...a little surprise once in a while is what we all need, don't you agree?"
It depends...

I nod slowly, "Yeah, I s'pose."
"Indeed! So...why have you come anyway? And what type of work do you do, might I ask?" I take a deep breath, pause...then release it, "Well, I saw this place and...it looked uninhabited. So I-" He suddenly starts chuckling at me. I give him a strange face for that. He claps his hands together, "Is that right? You must have missed the very large 'no trespassing' signs." he laughs quietly, "Well Ivy, it's rare these days for people to come to this castle. You see-" He turns his head down and away with a brief daring smile, "Hai sa ne distram putin. Sperie-o." he suddenly grimaces, "Noi nu vrem asta. Deoarece asta ar indeparta-o!" He clears his throat and straightens his back and looks at me again, "You're not eating...is the food not any good now?" I turn my head to the side just a bit, feeling uncomfortable about him now.

**Hai sa ne distram putin. Sperie-o.
Translation: Let's have a little fun. Scare her.

**Noi nu vrem asta. Deoarece asta ar indeparta-o!
Translation: We don't want that. That would push her away.

"It's... good... thank you. I'm sorry but, what was that you said? I didn't understand you." What is he... schizophrenic?

His brows rise, "It was nothing. I was speaking română. Continue, continue–please." He smiles encouragingly.
Oh my...

As he begins to eat, I watch how he savors his food and think to myself: it's like he's so at home here... it's sort of strange. I wonder how Dmitri feels about that–or if he even knows?
Surely he would...

He notices me observing him. He grins and puts his fork down, "Changing your mind, are you?" I quickly shake my head, "No sir, I'm not.–I mean–Nick." I purse my lips. He forms a somewhat smug smile, "Alright then."

"So, where were we? Ah yes!" he points up, "Do continue!"
I try to smile as I bite my lip, then I still my eyes on his mouth, "Well..." Oh I can't tell him what kind of job I have. He'll think I'm a piece of garbage!

"Yes...?" He slowly sips his orange juice.
I close my eyes, "I work at the local hospital in Gales."
"Oh, lovely," I know he's entertained when he says that.
"What do you do there?" That last question decreases my confidence. The suspense of what his reaction would be is killing me.

I take a quiet deep breath, "I'm a medical technician." I hear him chuckle. Slowly, I open my eyes. He has his hands in his lap while keeping an amused and admiring face. "You speak of that in such an ashamed way–Why?"

What did he just say? Wow...I didn't expect him to say anything like that!
"Um... Well..." I look around, "It's not exactly a big deal–not as much as being a nurse or a doctor anyway."

"Ahh, but it is something. Say–if I ever fell ill and had to go to the emergency room there, my life would be in your hands, yes? I would have to depend on you to keep me alive." He seems very certain about his words. "Yes..." I say.

"Then you are a lifesaver. That is quite something if you ask me." He winks as he picks up his silverware again and eats some of his French toast. I am speechless at this point; stunned by the fact this man with all his responsibilities and title has such a positive attitude about a person like me.

He adds, "You will always have a job because there will always be a need for someone like you." I agree...

I nod definitely, "...That's very true." This guy has a very interesting way of talking. I like it...a lot.

He slowly smiles, "You dream of becoming a nurse one day, don't you?"
"Yeah, that's what I'm aiming for." I figured he would ask that. Most people do if the subject ever comes up.

"Wonderful!" He's proud. That makes me feel happy and very glad for some reason.
"So Ivy..." he says, "I'm actually quite surprised that you came here... There is a reason why this castle looks the way it does from afar." Oh?

"Why is that?" I quietly ask.
"This castle was built many years ago among the trees in the interest of privacy. When you arrived...I almost called the harbor police. We've had to do that before." He's so amused. I somehow have the feeling he's joking and not telling the truth.

"Wow...I'm sorry about that..." I say.
"It's alright. You appear to be harmless." He grins.

I slowly look around, "...This place does have quite a vintage look to it." I chuckle lightly while in the back of my mind I'm also wondering if what he just said means 'get out'. That would be quite a sudden change of atmosphere.

"Yes...but since I have met you, I would very much like us to learn more about one another." My cheeks heat up.

"Alright..." I slightly smile, "I have some questions of my own, if that's ok."
"Sure, go on."

I move around in my seat to get more comfortable as I form a more serious, less-intimidated face. "I...notice you seem quite comfortable here in Mr. Vladoiu's castle."

"Yes...my employer grants me certain liberties when I am here."
"Sounds like a real nice guy." I say.
"I agree; he's a fine old gentleman." He sips some juice, eyes narrowing in that glintful way again. I study his actions, unaware that I'm actually staring at him in a growing sort of adoration. But then I clear my throat and say, "Well then...it's kinda funny...I saw you at a coffee shop not too long ago."

"Yes..." he hums, "Coincidental that we find each other yet again, and here we are dining together, talking freely and laughing with one another." Ooo...'talking freely'–that's fancy. And yes...it's freakishly coincidental.

"It seems a man like you would have someone shopping for him rather than going out himself to find what he needs." I say. With a large inhale, he laces his fingers together above his stomach, now leaning back in his chair, "Well, it is usually like that, yes...but I do enjoy a casual trip out from time to time."

"I'm sure anyone would–despite the mad traffic of New York." I scoff. He laughs and raises an eyebrow, "You have not seen my country in these times." I give him a questioned look.

"The cars..." he does a few zooming motions with his hands, "The traffic goes every which way. It is nothing like India though." I start to smile and snicker at him, "Wow, you must have been everywhere to be talking like that."

"I have done a lot of traveling." He winks at me.
I blush in admiration.

"So where are you from?"
"Bucharest, Romania." He says with great pride.
My eyes widen a bit, "Wow..."

"You like Romania?" He asks.
I nod, "Yes, yes I do. It's beautiful from what I've read and seen in pictures."
"It is quite magical... Sometimes I get homesick but I chose to live here. I wanted something different, so here I am."

"Do you ever consider moving back there?" I ask.
"I used too, but since I live on this little piece of land in a castle built with a Romanian design, I feel somewhat close to home. So it is fine with me. Do you like it?"
"Oh I love it," I nod certainly. He enjoys hearing that. The room falls silent for a moment. We stare at each other; I'm astounded and he has a sort of sinister smile as he studies me–I think that's what he's doing. Then he slowly looks down at the table and slightly flares his nose. He seems to be bothered by something going on in his mind. I get the urge to ask what's wrong, but before I can, he lifts his head back up with a genuine smile. "I must say...you have lovely eyes Ivy; light blue–like the waters along the most beautiful tropical islands..." My eyes grow again. That was unexpected... What a compliment too. Him saying that... I blush again.

He reaches for his orange juice and gently swishes its contents around as he gazes at me. The room is getting even quieter all of a sudden. Again, he's just sitting there, watching me, sipping from his glass occasionally. He's preoccupied or something–with what, I wish I could know. I hesitantly look around with a small snicker, "Why, thank you..."
His eyes narrow intensely, "You are quite welcome..."
I make a bit of a surprised face at his sudden change of behavior.

"She will stay here. Ivy will sleep." He then stands up, puts the glass down and walks around the table, then stops behind me. I stiffen, "What are you doing...?" My heart is beginning to beat faster.

"How fun this will be." Rozalia chuckles.
"Don't do anything." He says in a soft but husky voice.
"Oh don't worry..."

Suddenly, I feel two very warm fingers gently touch the pulse point of my neck. I gasp softly. Why is his hand so hot?

"Look at me dear," My stomach goes into a knot.
"Nick, what are you-"
"Look at me now...Ivy." I slowly tip my head back and everything starts darkening around us. What is going on? His eyes–They're glowing bright, bright blue. They're like diamonds; extraordinary, captivating, unusually beautiful blue diamonds in a dark room. That's the best I can describe them, and that's not enough. It's just him and nothing else. He's perfect–like an angel.

"Nick, your eyes-" Gosh they're so...breathtaking...
He whispers, "Relax Ivy..." Now he's fading from my sight. No! Don't go–Please don't go! "Nick...?" I try to keep my eyes on him but they continue to flutter, desperate to close. I don't feel the same–I feel so exhausted and I can't figure out why. I watch him form a slow wolfish smile, then I gasp as I realize the smile is murderous and insane, and I feel a sudden adrenaline rush.

I snatch his hand and his eyes flash brighter. My mouth falls open, almost letting out a scream. I fall out of the chair and try to crawl. He grabs my foot and pulls me back, making me cry and struggle. Suddenly, he takes a hold of my jaw and zeroes his eyes in on mine. I try to fight him but he's too strong. The room is getting so much darker as he stares at me. Squeezing his arm tightly, I cry, "Let me go!" He laughs in a low baritone voice, a weird sort of cackle. I gasp again as I steady my attention entirely on his eyes and begin to feel lost in them once more. Everything is fading again, maybe even quicker now. I can't fight back. Soon, the room goes pitch black; everything disappears from my sight.

I can't hear anything!