Chapter 5

I woke up to the loud crash of a broken glass object on the floor. When I opened my eyes, I was still a little disoriented towards my surroundings until I remembered that I was in Mr. Sullivan's office. When I remembered Mr. Sullivan, my eyes immediately searched for him.

I saw him sitting on the floor, holding his chest. His head was down so I couldn't see the reaction on his face. It was only then that I realized that he was the reason why the vase broke. Glass scattered all over the floor.

Mr. Sullivan was gasping for breath. I could see the sweat dripping down his long white sleeve shirt. Even his left arm was dripping with sweat. I'd been noticing for a few days that he seemed to be struggling. Is there a limit to his life? Is he suffering from a serious illness that he's not telling anyone about? Because if he is, it's not obvious from his body. He looks healthy, actually.

"Mr. Sullivan!" I stood up in a panic. What should I do?! I didn't know what to do at first. Call for help or go check him out.

"J-just stay there. D-don't come any closer." he said with difficulty.

"What if something happens to you! I'll call Mr. Ares" I held my head. I really don't know what to do!

"S-stay where you are! Follow me, it's for your own good."

I couldn't see his face. Even if I peeked in. His face was hidden because he was bent over.

"But Mr. Sullivan…" I wanted to cry because I was so nervous. He might just die in front of me.

"Shh.." he said. Reassuring.

If he dies, I might be blamed for this. I'll be the suspect! I don't want to go to jail. I still have many dreams in life. I bit my fingernail to stop myself from speaking any further. So I really don't have to do anything here? I'll just watch him struggle?

The pounding in my chest was so loud, especially when I saw his body shaking.

He placed both hands on the floor. He hit the broken glass, which scattered. Mr. Sullivan didn't notice that he was injured by what he did. The wound on his hand began to bleed. Blood spread across the floor.

"Mr. Sullivan, you have a wound! I'm going to help you! Don't refuse, please!" I said, very scared. I don't know if it's because I'm nervous or because I'm afraid of blood. I feel like I've been traumatized by blood, but I don't know the reason. It's like a memory is trying to come out of my brain, but there's a very high wall blocking it.

I wiped the tears from my eyes. I was about to approach Mr. Sullivan to help when I heard his soft laughter. His trembling had also disappeared. Even the difficulty with breathing disappeared.

"Sir?" I asked. Was what I was hearing serious? Was he laughing?

"I heard your voice. I can't bear not seeing you" said Mr. Sullivan. I was a little confused by what he said.

"W-what are you talking about? Are you okay?" I suddenly felt scared. Mr. Sullivan's voice was strange. It was deep. Baritone, with a playful timbre. All in one.

He slowly stood up. He didn't care about the blood on his hands. He just wiped it off with the pants he was wearing. I was nervous at the same time as the way he looked at me.

"Oh my god…" I covered my mouth in shock.

His eyes were red! He was grinning as he stared at me. I could see his fangs too!

"Long time no see, my Celestine."

What the-

I stepped back as he took a step closer to me. I wished this was all just a dream. That I would wake up from this nightmare too.

"Don't come any closer! I'll scream!" I threatened. My legs were shaking with every step I took. My heart was beating fast because of the overwhelming fear I felt.

He chuckled.

"You think I care if you scream? I don't give a damn. Scream as much as you want. I won't stop you" he said, laughing. In a sexy way. He was walking towards me smoothly. I was the one who backed away from him, until I was leaning against the wall of his office.

I was about to run to the door to get out, but he was so fast that he blocked me. I was right in his middle. His two hands were on either side of me. I had nothing to escape from!

I couldn't move. I was almost frozen standing in front of him. His eyes were red! How did that happen?

"Are you scared? Don't be scared. I won't hurt you. I miss you, My Celestine."

"Y-you don't own me!" I shouted.

"I dare you..." He threatened dangerously. Even though there was a playfulness playing on the fibers of his handsome face, in contrast to his serious eyes. It indicated that he was not joking.

"What do you want from me?! Just let me go, Mr. Sullivan, I will never tell anyone about you," I begged. I didn't realize I was already crying.

Mr. Sullivan looks different now. It's like something has changed. Aside from the color of his eyes and the elongated fangs, I can't see anything else. But I know something has changed about him.

I closed my eyes when he wiped the tears from my cheeks.

"If only you knew what I'm thinking right now. I can smell your blood from here, but for some reason, I can now suppress my desire to taste you. Come with me. I promise you that we will never be separated again, Hmm?" he gently caressed the strand of my hair. I looked away from him.

My heart started beating faster again. If earlier it was because of fear, now it was for some other reason that I don't want to name. I was confused.

"Are you out of your mind, Mr. Sullivan?"

"Markus. Call me Markus" because my face was not facing him, he had access to my neck. He smelled it in a sensual way. All the hairs on my body stood up.

What the heck!

"You're really crazy," I commented. I tried to fight the strange feeling that was rising. We were so close. Just a few inches away and our lips would touch.

"If that's what you think..."

Mr. Sullivan and I looked up when his office door opened. Mr. Ares was startled. He was about to speak when he was stunned by our position.

"What the fuck!" he shouted when he recovered from the shock. He realized what was happening.

Mr. Sullivan frowned at Mr. Ares. He looked disgusted at the newcomer.

"Miss Delaney, get out of here. I'll take care of Markus" Mr. Ares said seriously.

'How am I supposed to get out of here if I'm trapped in Mr. Sullivan's arms?' My mind said.

"Why are you always meddling, Ares?"

"Let her go, Markus. Do you want that to happen to her again because of you?"

"Dare me if you could come here. But I can't promise I won't kill you," said Mr. Sullivan. I could feel his irritation. It was like steam coming out of his body.

"Markus, we've already talked about this! Go back to the way you were before."

It happened quickly. I couldn't follow their actions. In the blink of an eye, I just saw Mr. Sullivan holding Mr. Ares by the neck!

"R-run, Miss Delaney!" Mr. Ares shouted at me. He was holding Mr. Sullivan's hand. He was trying to free himself from the stranglehold.

"Why are you intervening, bastard?" Mr. Sullivan said angrily.

My feet feel like they've just been rooted to the floor. I couldn't even move because I was so scared!

"R-run, Miss Delaney! H-he's not Markus anymore!"

"Damn you!" Mr. Sullivan punched Mr. Ares hard. He flew and hit the table. The impact was so strong that the table split in the middle. I know it's impossible, but this is what I'm really seeing! The papers exploded in the air. They scattered everywhere.

Is Mr. Sullivan possessed? That's why it happened? Is that the reason for the change in his behavior? The reddening of his eyes? The long fangs?

When I gained enough strength, I quickly ran out of the office. I couldn't follow them fighting each other. It was too fast. It was like the wind hitting each other.

"Celestine!" Mr. Sullivan's shuddering scream echoed throughout the entire corner floor of this building. "Get back here! Don't test me! Or else…you'll regret it!" he shouted angrily. I could hear it even though I was far from his office.

I just ran. The elevator opened so slowly that I had to use the stairs. I had to get out of here. Every fiber of my being was so scared. My tears just kept flowing. I was panting heavily as I descended the stairs. I stopped for a moment when I was on the second floor. I had to catch my breath, or I would run out of oxygen.

I hope this is all just a nightmare.

"You can never escape me, My Celestine...always remember that" Mr. Sullivan whispered in my left ear. I was so shocked that I tripped over his leg because of my backward movement.

"Aaaaaaa!" I fell down. I kept rolling down the stairs. Until my body hit the wall. The impact was so strong that I went numb. Then everything turns black.