Chapter 2 Meet you

Chapter 2

"I'm so confused..."

"That's just how vampires are-mysterious."

"Yeah, you're right..."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Primrose."

"Just call me Prim."

"If that's what you prefer. I'll be going now." He glanced around before adding, "Take care always." He smiled, then stepped out and closed the door behind him.

Earlier, I was excited. But now, my mind is filled with questions. Why did I even come with them? And with vampires, of all people? Trojan had a point-I was an idiot.

But if I had stayed at the park, my night wouldn't have been easy either. I could have been in danger. Thinking about it, it's the same situation. At least here, I have a room and a bed to sleep in.

Those vampires are wealthy. They can buy blood from the blood market. My blood probably isn't special enough for them to be interested in. Maybe Gunther just felt sorry for me, which is why he let me stay here.

But what confuses me is the way they speak-and especially how against my stay Trojan was. And what Gunther said... that I was the one who should be thanked? Why?

I scratched my head.

How many people even live here?

I've already met Ross-the one who acts like he's in a stage play and is ridiculously full of himself.

Then there's Tangent-compared to Trojan, he's much more of a gentleman. He even went out of his way to bring my things here.

Gunther... I can't quite read him, but he seems like the type with authority.

And then there were the ones Trojan mentioned-the chef and businessman? Indigo and Clev?

And finally, the arrogant one-the one who seems like the biggest troublemaker of them all. Arrogant, full of insults, and an assassin on top of that. Not to mention he's unbelievably grumpy.

Prim's POV

I trailed behind Trojan as we entered the school the next day. His presence immediately grabbed attention-my classmates reacted as if they'd just seen a cockroach, screaming and squealing in excitement.

"Do you really have to follow me all the way here?"

"If I leave you alone, six vampires will hunt me down."

"Gunther and the others?"

"Why do you ask so many questions?"

"Have you ever heard of the word 'curiosity'?"

"Just pretend you don't see me and keep walking. Or do you actually enjoy all this attention?"

"You're a vampire. Of course they're freaking out. Do you even know that in this campus, everyone dreams of having a vampire boyfriend?"

"So?"

"What do you mean 'so'? You're a vampire-of course, you're popular."

"Hi, Prim!" My annoyingly dramatic classmate waved at me. "Introduce us to your friend!"

"Yeah, hello, Mr. Vampire... That coat looks really good on you."

"How did you end up as his assistant?" another one asked, gesturing at me.

"Can't you see that I'm the one assisting her?" Trojan corrected.

Their eyes widened in disbelief as they looked back and forth between us.

"Wait-how did that happen?! Wasn't it just yesterday that you got kicked out of your apartment? The whole campus was talking about it!"

"Yeah! And now you suddenly have an assistant?"

"Mr. Vampire, you're joking, right? How could an upper-class vampire possibly be this loser's assistant?"

Ah, there it is-their true colors. Just a moment ago, they were acting all friendly with their "hi's" as if we were close.

"Can you three just leave me alone? So what if the whole campus knows I got kicked out? Gossiping idiots! Mind your own business!" I snapped.

They burst into laughter.

"Hmm, I smell something fishy..." One of them smirked. "Tell me, how much did you sell yourself to him for?"

I was about to punch her, but Trojan beat me to it. In the blink of an eye, he had her by the throat.

"M-Mr. Vampire, w-what are you doing?!" One of them stammered in fear.

"Hhmmmmp, I-I can't b-breathe... mmp!"

"Prim!" The third one clung to my arm, trembling. "Please stop him!"

"T-Trojan..." I hesitated, still shocked. "Let her go. That's enough!" My voice was unsure, but I whispered, "Someone might report you to the VP..."

Only then did he release her.

She collapsed, coughing, while the other two rushed to her side.

"Let's go." I grabbed his arm, pulling him away.

Once we were far enough, I confronted him.

"Did you forget we're inside a school?! Why did you do that?! Next time, stay out of my business, okay?!"

"Stay out of it?" He stepped closer. "That girl had too much to say. People like her should be silenced permanently."

I felt my blood run cold. I shouldn't even be surprised to hear something like that from an assassin.

"E-even students? You'd go that far?"

"She thought I bought you. That's a huge insult to me."

I blinked in shock.

So... he did that, not to defend me, but because his ego was hurt?

I turned away, feeling embarrassed.

"If I wanted to have you, I would. I wouldn't need money." He leaned in closer.

I swallowed hard as my back hit the wall behind me.

I could only blink in response. Silence stretched between us before he casually flicked his fingers in the air.

"What now?" he asked. "Are you just going to stand there, staring?"

Only then did I remember that my first class was about to start. Without another word, I turned and sprinted up the stairs.

Why did I even expect him to defend me? We only met yesterday. Besides, he's a vampire-it's only natural that he doesn't care about me.

Maybe he's only here because of Gunther.

I heard all sorts of whispers when we arrived at the classroom. People really had nothing better to do with their lives. They buzzed around like bees, gossiping in my ears.

Honestly, it hurt. I had already lost my home, and now they were treating me like this. It was as if they'd be happier seeing me out on the streets.

But I couldn't really blame them for doubting me. I had just been kicked out of my apartment-what else would they think? Of course, they expected me to be homeless by now.

Instead, I walked in with a vampire.

"Are you one of my students?"

The classroom fell silent as our teacher arrived.

"No, but Prim needs me," he replied.

A murmur spread through the room.

"We don't allow outsiders on campus, especially a vampire. The students might panic..."

He laughed.

"Do they look like they're panicking?" Trojan gestured toward my female classmates, who were practically drooling over him, their eyes shining with admiration.

"I still suggest you wait for Miss Prim outside unless you want me to call security."

Trojan casually walked toward the teacher, hands in his pockets, then leaned in and whispered something.

A moment later, the teacher smiled, stepped away, and gave me a knowing wink.

"What was that about?" I whispered.

Trojan took a seat by the window next to me, leaning back comfortably. With just one push, he could fall straight to the ground.

Our classroom was on the fourth floor-if he fell, he'd have quite a drop. But he didn't seem to care.

The teacher never bothered him again, which I found odd. Time passed, and the first period ended. A few students gathered around him, bombarding him with questions.

"What did you do earlier?"

We were at the highest section of the grandstand. Trojan had brought me here after we managed to escape my nosy classmates.

"I just told your teacher I'd pay him twice-maybe even more-than his salary as long as he let me stay with you."

"I thought you hypnotized him."

"I can't do that inside the campus."

"Fair enough." I shrugged. "Anyway, about the café... Why are you so against me staying there?"

"I'm not answering that."

I exhaled in frustration. "If you really don't want me there, don't force yourself. I'm used to being alone."

"Gunther already bit you. I don't have a choice anymore."

"Huh?"

"That was the go signal for the game."

"Game?"

"Let's just say that because of a certain toxin in his fangs, vampires will find you even more irresistible now. Your blood is more fragrant than that of ordinary humans. That's why I have to protect you until the butlers are satisfied."

"Toxin?"

"My job includes keeping secrets. That's all I can tell you-"

He stopped as his phone rang.

"Cut your classes at 3 PM. I'll take you home to the café early." He said after answering the call.

"Why?"

"I have something important to do, and I can't leave you alone on campus. I'll have Ross pick you up."

"I can stay here. Just go do what you need to do. You're taking this whole bodyguard thing way too seriously..." I muttered.

"If only you knew how serious this situation really is."

"How am I supposed to know if you won't tell me?"

"You started without me?" Clev asked.

"You'll meet her soon anyway. And even if you weren't here, you already have an advantage-she chose your room." Gunther smirked.

"I think I'll struggle with her." Ross traced the rim of his wine glass with a finger. "Her fashion sense is absolutely dreadful. It's obvious she has no interest in good clothes or shoes." He took a sip, disappointed.

"You already sound hopeless before we've even begun. This year, I think the results will be unpredictable." Tangent mused.

"I did a background check on her, and according to my research, she's been independent for a long time. She moves from apartment to apartment and takes part-time jobs-anything as long as it fits her schedule."

"What about her parents?" Clev asked.

"She's an orphan. She ran away from an orphanage. The last person who took her in has passed away, so she's been alone ever since."

"I can just use my money to win this," Clev grinned.

"If she grew up independent, bribing her with money won't be easy. Her pride is probably higher than yours," Tangent remarked.

"If money or clothes won't get her attention, then my cooking surely will." Indigo entered the room. "Empire said he'd be late-he has a polo match."

"It's about time you gave up on the café," Tangent said to Gunther.

"It just so happened that the chosen muse this time is different from what we agreed on," Gunther replied. "But I'm confident I'll win again, so I'll let you guys have a chance this time."

"Because of Lady Prim, that arrogant neurologist's son barely escaped death," Ross mentioned, referring to the original muse they had selected.

"There's always next year. For now, let's see how this game plays out." Gunther smirked.

"I've noticed Trojan is oddly sympathetic toward her," Ross commented.

"He doesn't usually interfere with our little games. He only follows orders-that's all," Gunther stated.

"He's always been the one watching over our chosen muses," Tangent added. "It's impossible for him to feel guilty now."

"What if you're wrong?" Ross countered.

"Prim is the youngest muse the café has ever had," Gunther mused. "Maybe that's why Trojan is acting differently."

Clev grinned.

"What is it?" Indigo asked.

To Be Continued...