Chapter 2

For Sophie, falling asleep in the following nights had become a challenge, as every time she closed her eyes, she was assailed by horrific nightmares. Since childhood, he had felt a deep fear of the paranormal, and working in a city like Charleston only added to his insecurities, especially staying in a room across from the imposing mansion. Every night, this situation triggered panic attacks in her.

"Maria, could you consider moving me to a different room? I don't feel comfortable here," Sophie asked anxiously.

"I'm sorry, Sophie, but it's not possible for now. Has anything happened in the room that bothers you?" asked Maria, visibly distressed.

"No, it's just that I don't feel comfortable. It seems to be very cold here. But if there is no possibility of change, I may have to find another place to stay," Sophie replied resignedly.

"Give me a few days, honey. I will do my best to find a solution for you," Maria promised with a warm smile, trying to comfort Sophie, who retreated to her room once more.

It was almost eight o'clock at night, and at that hour the cold of the city seemed to freeze to the bone. Sophie leaned out of the window to close the curtains completely, when she suddenly felt an intense sensation of being watched from the grand mansion. A horrible shiver ran down his spine and he quickly closed the curtains. He ran to his bed, trembling with fear, and covered himself with all the blankets, until he hid completely under them. "What are you looking at, dear brother?" Valentin's older sister, Leah, interrupted him as he held a glass of wine and stared out the window.

"Nothing important, I was just looking at the city. I'm sorry we have to leave here soon," Valentin replied, blatantly lying. In reality, he had been focusing his gaze on Sophie's room, using his skills to observe her every night.

From the first day she arrived, his attention had been focused on her abode, and every night he watched over her. He could feel her fear, her panic, but also the natural scent of her skin, which excited him deeply.

"I also regret our departure, but our time here has come to an end. People become suspicious when you don't age after so many years. Even though everyone here knows we're vampires, we have an agreement that we have to respect in order to keep the peace in the city," Lea explained.

"I wonder who will take care of them now. You know that when a vampire clan leaves, the werewolves are ready to strike. They've always wanted to take over Charleston," Lea reflected, reaching over and caressing Valentin's cheek.

"That's no longer our concern, my dear. We have only a year left here, and it is possible that another clan from Bavaria will come to take care of them. They've been eager to conquer the gold mine that this place represents for years, and that's always been the reason for conflict between werewolves and vampires," Valentin replied calmly.

"I know, Lea. I hope this past year will be productive for our family. It's time to rest and enjoy the world a little," he added, smiling before refocusing his gaze on the window. The Von Strudel clan consisted of Valentine's adoptive parents and his sister Lea. When they were just children, they were rescued by Aby and Morgan, in a state of abandonment and near-death illness. The Von Strudels took care of them, and when they reached sufficient maturity, they turned them into vampires. However, this was a special clan, belonging to a legion of vampires who fed exclusively on animal flesh and blood. They had managed to control their instinct to consume human blood, though Valentin and Lea had even more trouble suppressing that urge. They preferred to stay away from humans as much as possible.

"Valentine, I don't think you're admiring the view of the city. I've noticed that in the last few days you've been staring at a particular window, a modest young woman in particular. Is it your next prey?" Leah asked suspiciously.

"Prey? Of course not! He's not my type. I prefer more voluptuous women, you know, with sculptural and striking bodies. She's just a young woman working in the factory, nothing important. It's just that my damn sense of smell can't stop perceiving his fear," Valentin replied, taking one last sip from his glass of wine. "I know you, little brother, but be careful. That girl doesn't give me a good feeling. Not only is she attractive to you, I've had visions," Leah whispered in her brother's ear. Lea had developed special faculties, such as having premonitions about the future, and had already had images of Sophie.

"You don't have to worry. I know how to take care of myself perfectly," Valentin replied with a smile, as Lea walked away.

However, Valentine was completely captivated by Sophie. He also had certain faculties, so in less than thirty seconds, he was in his room. Sophie was already half asleep, but like every night, she felt his presence and trembled. The more afraid she felt, the more obsessed Valentine became.

He walked up to her and began to smell her neck, his nose brushing against her soft skin, and he shuddered. He ran his big hand down her back and caressed her. He was dying to latch on to her and make her his princess without warning, but his designs came first. So he just feasted on it for a few more minutes and left his room.

Sophie thought it was all just a horrible nightmare. As divine as the man she had seen was, she refused to accept that he was real, especially since he was her big boss, whom she fantasized about.

The next day, she fell asleep more than usual. It had been late, and the shift in the inn's bathroom was longer than usual, so for the first time since he had arrived at the factory, he would be late. He held a hot coffee as he hurried to the only elevator available. The doors were about to close when a large, white hand stopped them. The company's CEO walked in.

"Good morning, miss. Late, right?" said Valentin, his usual perfume filling the air. He was wearing a dark suit and his hairstyle was impeccable. His big gray eyes stared at her as he smiled at her.

Sophie stood still, incredulous at the awkward situation. In one elevator motion, he dropped the coffee, completely staining his clothes and those of his boss.

"Excuse me, sir. It was an accident. I'm so sorry," Sophie said, blushing. She took out a makeshift handkerchief from her bag and began to wipe her boss's leg shyly. He took her hand and lifted it up.

The elevator magically stopped at that moment, giving them a little more time.

"You don't have to apologize. These things can happen," Valentin said calmly. Suddenly, they were closer than expected. Sophie began to tremble as she felt Valentin's energy, the same energy she felt every night in his bed. Gently, he freed himself from his grip and looked away. "I must get to work, sir. How can I get this device on its way?" asked Sophie nervously.

Valentine smiled at her again and bit his lower lip, which made Sophie blush once more. I was nervous and confused, not having the slightest idea what was happening at the moment. He was far from imagining the sinful thoughts that went through his boss's mind.

"You've reached your floor, Miss Robinson," the elevator operator announced.

"Do you know me?" asked Sophie in surprise.

"More than you can imagine," Valentin replied, with a look that completely intimidated her. Sophie got her head down from the elevator and went straight to her desk.

"Sophie, why are you so late? Unpunctuality can be grounds for dismissal in this company, and you know that the boss hates that," reproached Gloríe as soon as she sat down, since their offices were close and communication was easy.

"Well, if anyone knows I'm late, it's him," Sophie replied resignedly. "I'm not understanding anything, Sophie. What do you mean?" asked Gloríe confusedly. "I met him right in the elevator. The truth is, that man gives me chills, I don't know," Sophie said.

"It makes an impression on anyone, my friend. It's too attractive and flashy. His mouth is a delicacy to the gods, and he is handsome, but he only likes curvy women. You know, the ones that come from the big cities to do business, spend a night with him and leave. He's never been known to be more formal," Gloríe said.

"Don't tell me those things, they're not of interest to me. I don't mean that kind of chill. That man scares me, a real dread, and I even have nightmares about him," Sophie replied seriously.

"Isn't it?! You haven't had a chance to meet him. Very little contact can be had with him, but he is too kind, intelligent, kind, generous. You are crazy! No one could be afraid of a man like him," Gloríe replied incredulously.

Sophie turned to her laptop, completely confused. Her friend was right: he was a spectacular man. But what she didn't understand was why he appeared in her nightmares. It intimidated her and aroused in her the worst of feelings. Many times, when she felt his breath nearby, something in her body would shake, and that embarrassed her.

That afternoon it was hard to concentrate. He was baffled by the idea that he had had such a close encounter with his boss. However, he had to keep his sanity. He had been entrusted with the great monthly report of the factory, and he had only a few hours left to deliver it. Thinking about her sexual nightmare wasn't in her plans.