The Vampire's Mistress Ch. 01

"Oh, I don't know, maybe in a magazine perhaps? I don't have a TV."

"Really?" that seemed to intrigue her, "Whatever do you do when you're bored?"

"Read," Ariana replied, "Or go out with friends if I can."

"I love clubbing with friends," she sighed, "I'm from London you know and there are some hot clubs there, unlike in Sydney."

Ariana could feel Sebastian's eyes on her again, but she refused to look at him, feeling safer keeping her gaze on the model. Which was also an odd experience, Ariana thought, because why should she not feel safe looking at the man. He was hardly going to pounce on her in the elevator - although it didn't feel like that.

Ariana nodded, and blissfully the ride ended and she was able to get off at the staff floor.

"It was nice to meet you Sabine," she nodded, "I'm sure I'll see you both around, have a lovely evening."

Ariana didn't wait for the doors to close, before turning around and walking as quickly as she could towards the kitchens in search of Mrs Holloway.

What a strange evening.

————

Mrs Holloway was more than appreciative of the pastries.

"You can barely afford to cloth yourself, and you bought me pastries?" The older woman looked at her in disbelief.

"Hey," Ariana smiled, "I can clothe myself fine, I'll have you know that this dress is newish." She poked her tongue out, "Besides they pastries weren't that much. And you've been so kind to me and you never get a day off, so I thought why not?"

"Thank you, sweet girl," she kissed Ariana on the cheek.

Ariana couldn't help but beam as the older woman took a bite of a apple turnover and hummed in delight. It had definitely been worth the splurge, and weird elevator incident aside, it was turning out to be a good day.

"Now off with you, you're not working tonight, so go have some fun." Mrs Holloway turned to Ariana sharply, pushing her out of the kitchen.

Ariana couldn't help but smile as she walked back to the elevator, pressing the button. The elevator doors opened to reveal Sebastian. She paused for the smallest second before stepping in and wondered to herself just how many times she was going to see the man.

As she walked into the elevator she mused over the fact that in one evening she had seen the vampire more than she ever had three weeks prior. it was starting to feel like more than a coincidence.

Ariana walked in, pressing the button for staff accommodation.

"The elevators aren't rides, you know." she said, unable to stop the cheeky little comment from leaving her lips. She stood in the furthermost corner away from the master vampire. He was nice enough, but with the way he seemed to be staring at her, it felt safest to be further away.

"Haha." He said flatly, "I've some meetings to attend to today, unfortunately not my day off."

She was thoughtful for a moment, "I don't suppose you ever get days off."

"No," he replied, "Just moments."

"Moments?"

He nodded and inhaled sharply, "I live in moments, and I holiday in moments. Just a few minutes here and there to do something myself."

Ariana nodded, giving it some thought, "That sounds exhausting."

"I haven't really thought too much about it," he shrugged, "It is the way it is. The price to pay for power," he cackled to himself, apparently amused with his last comment.

"You know you sound like a super-villain, right?"

She couldn't stop herself. Didn't know what it was about him that simultaneously made her relaxed and on edge. It was a singularly curious experience.

"I thought you didn't watch TV?" he grinned at her.

The smile was devastating, sending her stomach and heart reeling. Ariana tried to ignore the strange feeling - she had met the vampire all of three times, all seemingly polite and normal situations and and her body was acting like it was in heat.

"Well, I used to own one and I definitely go to the movies," she rolled her eyes, turning her attention to the elevator doors and praying that the elevator would move faster.

"Of course - so what will you be doing on your evening off?"

She shrugged, "Read, maybe. I'm thinking tonight will be a nice quiet one."

"That sounds pleasant," Sebastian murmured. Something about the catch in his voice, made her turn to look at him.

It had been a big mistake, as soon as her eyes made contact with his, Ariana felt her heart rate kick up, he looked at her so intently, so...hungrily. His gaze stole the breath out of her, and she felt shivers running through the pit of her stomach. She squeezed her thighs together, trying to stop the pulsing ache between them. When was the last time she'd felt like this? Ariana wasn't sure, she tried to bury those kinds of feelings. They only led the trouble.

The elevator dinged pulling Ariana out of her reverie, and doors opened to a floor she had never seen before.

"That's me," Sebastien walked out, "Good evening, Ariana." He said her name like a purr, and it made her entire body tighten in anticipation. She didn't realise she was holding her breath until the doors closed.

————

Ariana made it back to her room, no further run ins with anyone and spent the rest of the evening unsuccessfully trying to read, her mind too busy reeling with memories of every single minute of her elevator ride with Sebastian, going over every look, every word as if trying to make sense of what exactly was happening.

She resolved to try and sleep, deciding that clearly she was crazy and there was nothing going on and why should there be because she was a certified maid and very un-sophisticated, and definitely not a model.

No, she mused, she had a vivid imagination. Sebastian was polite and professional and just because he was kind and asked interested questions, didn't mean he was actually interested in her in any way, shape or form.

Who would be? The only men interested in her always seemed to be the wrong kinds. The only boys in school who'd ever wanted to date her were bullies, and the one time she'd ever been kissed...It'd been a bad experience...

Ariana had been twelve...and it'd been her step-father. She couldn't even bare to think about him and how disgusting it had been...how wrong it had been. How terrifying it had been, actually. Because when you're twelve you're not necessarily thinking about adults in that way. But evidently he'd been thinking of her in that way...and that had caused so many problems.

Ariana tried to push the memories away. It'd do her no good to dwell on what had happened there.

No - the only men Ariana seemed to attract were bad men. Best to keep away from them all together.