Now I'm back at work and doing my thing; I'm in the ICU again. It's busier than usual. I was just reminded...Halloween is getting closer. One of my favorite days of the year! I hope I don't have to work that day. Well...like yesterday, the first few hours of the day I'm only thinking about Nick and our date. It went...amazingly. I can't get over that last dream and I can't get over this morning. I really want to go back to his castle and spend time with him there. Every time I'm away from him, I'm sad. But when we're together, it's like I've explained before–I feel complete.

Another person I'm thinking of is Henry. He's healing up but I'm still concerned about him. I go on lunch break and call him when I go into the break room. He answers on about the fifth ring. Momentarily after the hellos, I ask about his health.

"I'm feelin' much better than yesterday. I'm more tired during the day though. I think it's the medicine the doc put me on. I'm fine other than that... How about you? How you feelin'?"

I smile kindly, "Well I'm glad to hear you're getting better. You gotta be careful taking that medication Henry."
"Yeah yeah, I know."
"Hey, I bet you didn't know I saw you at the coffee shop this morning."
"What? No, I didn't! Where were you?"
"At the red light." I laugh, "I was there earlier than usual to have a morning cup o' Joe with your savior." Let's see if he talked to him. "My savior...? Oh! Yeah–Nick. I saw him. We chatted a bit. It was for a short time though. We just talked about my arm and the weather."

"Oh..." I say, "Well listen," I turn slightly once seeing Gina coming into the room, "I have to go. It was nice talking to you and I'm glad to know you're feeling better."
"Alright then! Good talking to you too Ivy. Don't you work too hard now, ya hear?"

I smile, "Ok Henry. Take care." I hang up and look at Gina. "Ready to go to lunch?" she asks. I nod, "Yeah." We go out of the break room to the cafeteria, get some salads and find a place to sit.

"So, how was lunch with Vlad the Impaler? Mr. vampire-man Dracula-" I stop her right there. "That's not funny Gina." She grimaces, "What's the problem with that?"
I start eating again, "He may be Romanian-" She gasps, "He's Romanian? Dude, Romanians can be hot!" I sigh, rolling my eyes, "Yes he is. Just please don't label him as Dracula–Like that."
"Why not? Dracula can be hot too." She grins. I stare at her. She shrugs, "Okay sorry. So how did it go?" I'm quiet for a moment, thinking back on the conversations he and I have had, and those dreams are returning to my thoughts.

"Ohh...Ivy...did you two 'do it'?" WHAT! I suddenly snap my plastic fork, eyes now huge, "What? No!" I shake my head, "Gina!" She bursts out laughing, "Well you're blushing redder than an apple!" I narrow my eyes at her, "That's not funny either." She folds her arms, "Yes it is. What happened? You have me confused. I mean, one minute you're all depressed and then here you are today, lost in infatuation or something. I can see that in your face, you know. I wasn't going to ask, but what about our little lunch date that time you seemed stressed out?" I sigh and put my hand on my forehead, "I'm sorry about that. I was in my own little world and pretty much felt unsociable. It's nothing to worry about; just trouble in the family. As for Nicolai, it was nothing but a couple casual rendezvous dates. We had lunch here yesterday and then drank coffee together this morning at Lounge n' Sip."

And tonight I'm meeting him at the coastline.
Geez that's close.

"Whoa... He must really like you, huh?"
"Yeah, I think..."
"Girl what do you mean 'you think'? Who asked who?"

I slowly look up from my hand at her, "He asked me."
I'm amazed by everything that's happened so far.

She gradually smiles, pushes her salad aside and puts her hand on mine, "Well if this is the case, take it one baby step at a time. But be mindful of him; some rich guys spot pretty girls and wanna jump in their pants the first chance they get."
I snort, "Yeah, I don't think this guy is like that, but alright–I will."
"Good." She smiles, moving her hand away to continue her lunch.
I look away from her, "Yeah..." What would Mom and Dad say? How would they react if they knew I'm talking to this guy? If this were some normal guy, I would go straight to Mom, looking for relationship advice. I have to be quiet about this one. I can't tell anybody. Gina only knows because of, well–she's a victim of circumstance. I sigh, now coming back into reality–sort of–and I smile nicely at her.

-Nicolai-

I arrive at my island and follow the stone path to the front doors where my gardener is trimming the shrubbery near a window. He tips his hat to me, "Mr. Francis,"

I smile curtly at him, continuing up to the doors. They open, revealing Walter. "Welcome back sir." He says. "Hello Walter," I step inside, give him my coat and look ahead at the stairs. Maria is standing at the bottom with Pamela, staring at me. I take a deep breath and say, "What's going on?"

"Not much. There has been a lot of talk among the maids though."
I look at him. "About what?" He lowers his head, giving me serious eyes. I narrow my own and return to watching the two at the stairs, "I want to speak with Maria...in my office in 5 minutes." I start to walk forward. He grabs my shoulder, "Sir." I stop and shoot him an aggravated look. He lets off with an apologetic pursing of his lips, then he carefully says, "They are wondering about the woman you brought here not too long ago." I blink emotionlessly at him.

"That's not a problem."
'Rozalia, consider what year this is. Nowadays, people aren't as trusting.'

"I will not let you move again."
I grind my teeth gently.

"I do not see why they are so concerned. She left that night." I say. At that, his face turns slightly exasperated. "Sir, I think it would be best you at least speak with Maria."
"Fine, I am alright with that." I walk away from him to the staircase. Maria watches me pass her, then she looks at Walter oddly. He sighs slowly, folding his arms.

While I go up the hall, I'm confronted by Corneliu.
I don't look at him as he says, "Your next victim will have people at your doorstep Dmitri. Luck is always at your side."

"Leave me." I growl.
"What will you say? Or will you leave? Destroy Rozalia before it is too late!"
I stop at my office door and glare at him, "I cannot leave... I will not leave!"

"FOOL! DON'T TEST ME!" Rozalia raises the electrical tension in the hall, forcing Corneliu to drop to his knees in pain as the lights glow brighter. He wincingly looks up at me, "FIGHT HER! You have no choice but to leave! What keeps you here? Is it that girl–Ivy?!" He then points at me sternly, "By now, your heart should be stone. There is nothing different about this girl! You are only damaging yourself!"

I hiss in his face, "I do not have the mind of a child; I know what is at stake here. Now leave me be!" I whip the door open and slam it shut.

I march up to my desk and squeeze the edges of it, "Why is she so important to you...? Who is she really?"

"Love..."
"No! It is not love! It is something else!"

"Look in the mirror."
I squeeze my eyes shut.

"I said LOOK!"
I reopen them and slowly turn my head to the mirror on my desk. There she is–staring at me.

She tilts my head, "You are just going to have to cooperate if you want the answer to your question."

"Why won't you tell me?"
She smiles wickedly, "Life is not always easy–especially for those who have done wrong."
"All I did was save lives!"

"It would not have disturbed the natural order of things had I stayed where I was."

There's suddenly a knock at my door. I shift away from the mirror, "Yes?" It opens and I see Maria standing there in question. I wave her in, "Yes yes..." Rozalia makes me smile darkly, "Come inside..." I clear my throat softly.

'No, not yet!'
"Take what you need and then I will have a small drink."
'I really despise you.'

I motion Maria to sit. As she does, I say, "Walter informed me there has been some talking going on about a guest I entertained recently. As the head housekeeper... I would like you to tell me what you and the other maids are concerned about." She watches me sit down in my chair and rest my chin down on my hand, then she says, "No sir...it's just...well...I know it's not my business, and I don't want to offend you sir, but... no one ever saw that other woman leave the castle. The one that was with you before Ivy and the other woman came here together. We're just curious."

"Ah, I see. You are correct...it is not your business. However... I will tell you she decided to leave late that night. I escorted her myself."

She leans forward in her chair, "But we didn't see her...or you around the castle either."
I drop my hand, now having a sardonic expression, "This is a large castle and there are very few of you. Even less at night...need I say more?" Her eyes shift back and forth while she thinks, then she sits back. "No sir."

I see in her features there's something else on her mind.
"Is there something else? What is it?" I ask. She looks at me, "There's also some questioning about what happened to Ivy–when she passed out."

"No one explained it to you?"
She shakes her head.

I sigh, "Miss Summers had a very hard night. Of course she nodded off from exhaustion. She came here tired too." I pause, then continue, "It was nothing. I talked to her just this morning. She's fine now." In this moment, I start to notice she really does hate mentioning Ivy. I know because of the way her face twitches here and there in disgust. But I don't react. Instead, I smile in a gradually teasing way, "What, are we...jealous?"
Her brow creases, "I don't know what you mean sir."
"Really?"

She nods, "Yes, really."
I turn my head down with a small laugh, "No, I think you are."

"Sir-" "Stop." I raise my hand and then look at her again. This surprises her. I stand, walk around to her and gently lift her chin up with a finger, "You have no reason to be jealous." Her jaw falls slightly agape as she stares into my eyes. I brighten them slowly, "Would you like me to show you proof?" She gasps. I laugh quietly and offer my hand, "Come with me." She looks at it, then with hesitance, places hers in mine.

I lead her over to my desk, help her up on it and gently ride my hand up her leg. She grabs it, "Mr. Francis!" I lean in close to her face, eyes brightening more, "How could you resist something you want so badly?" Her mouth falls open in shock. I slowly widen a dark smile. She watches me and her breathing quickens. I carefully tilt my head and start kissing her neck. A sigh leaves her as her head gently falls back. I grin against her skin and Rozalia opens my mouth.

'No! I can't bite her neck!'
"You will!"

I grimace and lick her instead, making her grip on my wrist tighten.
Rozalia growls, "Her heart is not beating fast enough! I need more energy!"

I snatch her hand and yank it away, then clutch her hips. She gasps, holding me closer.
'Then I will do it this way!' I claim her lips and bite the bottom one, drawing blood, receiving a pained, yet pleasured moan from her. Rozalia is stunned by my actions, but she laughs loud and wildly in my head. "Wonderful!" Maria pulls away to feel her bleeding lip, "Oh, my lip! Oh my-"
I see the blood and gulp hungrily. "I need more."

She looks at me in worry. With one shake of the head, I flare my nose, "Ohh, I need MORE!" and I lunge at her again. These words aren't mine. "Mr. Fr-!" She gasps again. I take a firm hold of her head, now kissing her with great, great passion for the blood. She moans into it and tries to pull my shirt off, but each time she does this, I restrain her.

"Alright, not too much now; you know better."
'No no, you started something–I'm going to finish it! No one can dislike Ivy!'

"Your reputation is important for me!" Rozalia abruptly forces me away from Maria just as Maria tugs on my bottom lip with her teeth and it punctures my skin. I pant heavily, licking my lips and absentmindedly wiping them off on my sleeve. Just then I realize what just happened. "Oh god..." I whisper to myself. No, she didn't just get a taste of my blood. I lick where she bit and taste my own blood and it makes me cringe. It's the most disgusting thing I've ever tasted.

"Now..." Rozalia says.
'No, you don't understand!'

She ignores me and makes me march back up to Maria, brightening my eyes, forcing her to forget my animalistic behavior. When she finishes hypnotizing her, Maria tastes the blood and becomes confused. I take a deep breath and calm myself down. "Perhaps we got a little...carried away." She looks at me, still puzzled. But then she starts to blush.

I point at her, "This is between you and me."
She pats her bottom lip and nods, "Yes sir..."

'Why didn't you let me compel her to forget everything that just happened? I can't fool around with the maids Rozalia–that's insane. Look what just happened! Now I have to kill her before she becomes a monster.'

"It doesn't matter."
'She will cause severe problems later.'
"I don't care. We will worry about that later."

I start for the door, grumbling under my breath, "Fuck you!" How could she not care?!
"Excuse me sir?" Maria says.

I open it, "Nothing–just a thought." I motion her to go before me, "Everything is fine." I watch her walk out and then I scowl down at the floor, "I will have to go in a few hours. You had better behave when the time comes to meet with Ivy." Rozalia makes me smile coyly, "I promise. Now go change your bloody shirt."

I ball my hands. "God damn it."