A vampire's Choice

Since he had found the girl yesterday, the memories of his past had haunted him. The only difference was it happened during the day now, and not just in his sleep. Roger had to rub his eyes countless times to make sure what he was seeing. Images of her kept flashing before his eyes, the one he had loved. She had been the love of his life until the fateful day he was betrayed. The day he had turned into this monster.

"Sir, I am sor..." Micheal's voice behind him pulled Roger back to reality, and he swirled around in his chair, facing the door. His butler was sandwiched between the opening but was pushed aside by the girl. Blond hair was the first thing he saw as she marched into his office, a sour expression on her face.

"How did I get here?” Her voice was high-pitched as she stepped closer to the desk, forcing Roger to push himself back. The little light from the desk lamp cast a shadow over his features, something he knew would scare the girl.

"Please calm down.” Roger spoke as she stepped closer while her eyes squinted to see him correctly.

"I will not." Lisa kept going until the dark, wood desk bit into her middle, forcing her to stop. The room was too dark to make out the figure in the chair, only allowing her to see his dark outline.

"The master is busy. Maybe you can come back later." Micheal interjected, stopping by her side and putting a hand on her shoulder.

Lisa gave a small jump at his touch, swerving to provide him with a death glare before shaking off his hold. "No, I want answers now.” She shot the unidentified man the same look she gave Micheal.

Roger remained unmoving as she made the scene, reminiscing about the past. This girl was nothing like his Rebecca, only their looks the same. This girl was more headstrong and fierce, not afraid to speak her mind. Rebecca used to be fragile and soft-spoken, something Roger loved until she betrayed him.

"Excuse me." Lisa snapped her fingers to draw the man's attention.

Roger cleared his throat, ashamed he was daydreaming about his ex. "As my butler said, I am busy right now. Please return to your room, and I will answer any questions you might have later."

Lisa folded her arms in front of her, refusing to leave. "Why? Who are you to tell me what to do?"

"I am the one who saved you."

Roger's words triggered a memory, and Lisa's arms slowly dropped to her side, and her mouth hanging open. She remembered the beast that had attacked her and the delicious liquid in her mouth, but not being saved by a man. No, she had been saved by a monster with white skin and dark eyes. The man before her did not seem like a monster, even though she could not see his features.

"Please."

Lisa could hear the desperation in his voice, and as she closed her gaping mouth, she did what he asked, only for now. With a final glance at the darkened figure and a loud huff, she reluctantly turned and headed to the door, brushing past Micheal. Roger silently watched as she left, with Micheal giving him an apologetic smile and following after her.

Minutes passed before Roger dared move and he pushed his chair back, slowly rising. His gaze fixed on the floor as he wandered the memorized path from his desk to the fireplace, the dark red carpet illuminating the way. Thousands of books were scattered on the wall, collected over the years. Some were thick, bound by leather, and others small and covered in paper. Each had a special place in his heart, but only one was truly treasured. Nestled between the stacks was a light blue book, only the title on the front with a broken spine. Since that fateful day, he had opened it every day, but it was less and less over the years. A thin layer of dust coated the outside, so Roger brushed it away. After he cleaned his hand on his pants, his fingers stroked the pages, automatically stopping at the one he wanted. With a final deep breath, Roger flipped it open.

Every detail of the picture he has memorized, her image burned into his soul. The photo was kept between two pages, the edges frayed. Roger's fingered lingered over her face before carefully removing it. It was over a hundred years old, but it still looked brand new. Rebecca's smiling face looked back at him; her eyes are mesmerizing. One was blue and the other green, the same as the girl's. Blond hair adorned her head, pulled back into the style of that time. Her smile lit up her face, but it wasn't reaching her eyes. Without meaning to, a memory pushed into Roger's mind, trenching up the past feelings.

Rebecca was lying on her stomach, back bare to Roger's gaze. He lazily drew a picture on her soft skin, marveling in the feeling of her. The light glow from the candle cast a darkened shadow over her, giving the skin a golden reflection.

"My father will surely slay you after he finds out what we have done," Rebecca whispered.

Roger had to strain his ears to hear what she said, a confused look on his face. It was only them in the room, no one able to overhear their sins spoken out loud. "My love," his hand glided towards her bottom, resting there as he leaned closer, his breath stroking her ear. "Do not bother. You know I cannot be killed." Roger left butterfly kisses down her neck and crease of her back as he spoke, "Besides, he loves me and me, him. No need to fret about something that will not happen."

Suddenly, Rebecca shifted, pushing Roger away from her as his hand dropped to his side. The blanket bunched up to cover her nakedness as terrified eyes stared at him. "My father does not care. I am betrothed to another, and he sees you as a son, not my husband."

Roger shifted his body to come face to face with the angel before him, the relaxed look gone and in its place one of reassurance. "I will win him over as I did before. With my substantial amount of land and place in society, how could he not say yes when I approach him with the plan?"

A small smile tucked on Rebecca's lips, the glistering from the flame enhancing her natural beauty. Roger couldn't help but reach out and tenderly stroke her cheek. Her eyes fluttered closed as she enjoyed his touch, her head leaning into his palm. "You are right, my love," she replied.

"Then what else is bothering you?" Roger had a knack for reading people. That is how he made his millions: and Rebecca was not an exception.

Green and blue eyes concerningly gazed at Roger as she opened her eyes, the look sending dread shoot down his spine. "I...I do not wish to marry The Duke of Worchester. I have aired my grievances to my father, but he will not listen." Rebecca reached up to cradle his hand in her own, tucking it to her lap.

"I assure you, my love. I will not allow it."

A single tear slipped down her cheek as Rebecca averted her gaze from Roger's, but he stopped her, using his free hand to clasp her chin, forcing her to look at him. "What are you not telling me?" Roger demanded.

With her gaze focused on their intertwined fingers, Rebecca took a deep breath before answering, "There are rumors about him. Ungodly tales about his previous wife and mistresses," With more courage, Rebecca looked up, meeting the full force of Roger's steel gaze. "They say he beat them whenever he felt like it until he went too far one day. That is how he ended up as a widower."

The muscle in Roger's jaw clenched as he struggled to reign in his anger. Tingles of pain touched his gums as fangs protruded, his eyes turning back. Rebecca's heart started beating faster at the sight of him, but she remained calm. She knew what he was and accepted him for it, but she still was not used to it.

"Mock my words, Rebecca. I will never let you marry that monster, even if I have to kill him myself..."

The crackling of the fire spewed some sparks, drawing Roger's attention away from his memory. He placed the photo back into the pages without looking down again, closing it, and then shoving it into the empty spot. He hated the times he would bring up the memories of his past, of his sins, but now having the girl here was messing with him. Roger almost sprinted back to his seat, and as he sat down, he picked up the phone, dialing a number.

As it rang, Roger promised himself he would make sure the girl was all right before sending her home. The sooner, the better.