CHAPTER 9:

CATALINA'S POV:

Jaden unlocks the door and swings it open to reveal a beautiful apartment. Everything is done in the best available materials. "Wow, this is really pretty. It looks like a princess should live here. Did you decorate it yourself? Because if you did, I might think that you're gay."

He laughs, "No, I hired a decorator."

The floors of the entryway are marble and there is a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. There is also a mural of cupids, painted up there. I can see really nice white crown molding throughout the place. The living room area has beautiful plush white carpet and white leather couches. It's a good thing Jaden can't have kids, because they would stain the heck out of that room.

The rooms are all huge. There are gold accents on much of the furniture. I walk around a corner and find a kitchen that is done very modern. Another room is a dining room that looks like it could fit in at Versailles.

"There are two guest bedrooms, a bathroom and a master bedroom down that hallway," Jaden points out. He seems to be watching my reaction very carefully.

"Can I see?" I ask eagerly. He smiles and starts down the hallway. Both of the guest bedrooms are also beautifully decorated. The master bedroom has double doors. Jaden opens them and inside is definitely a room fit for a princess. There is a huge canopy bed with all white bedding, except for some pillows that are gold. The panels hanging from the top of the canopy are a sheer white material. The matching furniture is beautiful. There is a huge vanity against one wall.

I point to the vanity, "Is that yours? I sure hope not. I mean, I knew you were a little conceited, but for a straight male, having a vanity is going a little overboard."

He laughs, "No, I don't use that."

"Well, is this place staged to sell? Because, I have to tell you, you may want to fire your decorator. She went a little overboard with the spending. You didn't have to fix the place up this nice to sell it." I tell him.

"No, it's staged for you," he says.

"What? What do you mean, it's staged for me?" I ask, confused.

"I mean, I told my decorator that I wanted it fit for a princess and this is what she did. Do you like it?" he asks nervously.

"Um sure, any girl would. Why would you tell her that?" I ask.

"Because I was hoping that one day I would wear down your defenses and you would agree to go out with me. If that happened, I knew you may not want to live with your hunter friends any longer. So, I had this place fixed up for you," he tells me.

Okay, I don't know if I should be flattered or freaked. Right now, I'm just trying to keep my face blank while I think. "Um, can I see the bathroom?" I mumble.

"Sure," he says.

I open the nearest door and it's a closet, "Jaden, why are there women's clothing in here?"

"Their yours," he says.

"O-kay," I tell him and walk to the next door. Thank god! It's the bathroom. I quickly shut the door and lock it. The bathroom is, of course, also beautifully decorated. And huge. I go over to the bathtub and sit on the edge. What the fuck am I supposed to think about all of this? I sit in there for twenty minutes, and freaking out wins in the end.

Jaden knocks on the door, "Catalina, are you hiding in there?"

"Yes," I tell him.

"Well can you please come out?" he asks.

"Maybe," I tell him.

"Please?" he asks again.

I sigh and walk over to open the door.

He is standing there with a worried look on his face, "Too much?"

"You think?" I tell him. "Um, Jaden? When did you do all of this?"

"About a year ago," he mumbles.

"A year ago? While I was trying my hardest to kill you anytime I saw you? You know, I always thought you were joking around when you used to ask me out," how wrong was I?

"Well, I was sort of joking. I mean, you were still in high school, so I couldn't actually date you. But, I knew the time would come when I could," he says, looking embarrassed.

"What's up with the clothes in the closet? I mean, you know this is a little creepy, right?" I ask him.

He grabs my hand and pulls me over to the closet. He opens it up and turns on a light. It is a huge walk-in with a chest of drawers in the middle. It is filled with clothes, shoes, purses and even some hats. "I have a lot of free time in the middle of the night, so I do a lot of online shopping."

"For me?" I ask him, bewildered.

"If I see something I think you would look good in or that you might like, I buy it," he says.

"Are you gay?" I ask.

"No," he says, and is obviously annoyed.

"You know Jaden, you may have some sort of compulsive shopping disorder," I joke. Okay, I'm trying to not be freaked. I do have to admit, he has good taste for a three hundred year old straight man. I recognize some of the designers. He has bought everything from evening wear to pajamas. And damn does he have great taste in shoes! I head that way, I can't help myself. He even has the size right. "Jaden, how did you know my shoes size?"

"Oh, well, you remember that one time that you were trying to kill me and you were running?" he asks.

"There have been lots of times like that," I say blandly.

"Yes, but do you remember the time one of your shoes feel off and I grabbed it and ran a whole block before I gave it back?" he asks.

I laugh, "Yes, I do."

"Well, that's when I got your shoe size," he says with a big grin.

"So you wanted to dress me up like some sort of doll?" I ask. Yup, still creeped out.

He sighs, "No Catalina, I didn't want to dress you up like a doll. I just wanted you to have nice things, but I can obviously tell that you don't appreciate it," he says and storms out of the closet.

Oh crap. I hurt his feelings. I open some of the drawers and peek inside. He bought me lingere? Pervert! I look at the tags on some of them. How the hell does he know what size I wear in bras and panties? I know none of those fell off while I was chasing him. Pervert!

I open another drawer and quickly shut it, then open it again. Holy shit! Are these mine too? Of course not. He just probably needed somewhere to keep them. Then whose are they? When the drawer opens up, a light automatically comes on. The drawer is actually a locked glass case indisguise, with a keypad. It is filled with what looks like thousands of dollars, if not millions in real jewelry. Diamonds, sapphires, rubies and other gemstones, all in the form of necklaces, earrings and bracelets. There are also a couple of designer watches. Maybe I should go apologize.

The drawer at the very bottom is actually two drawers wide. I sit down and stretch out to open it. Oh my god! He's the best! I run out of the room and find him sitting dejectedly on the sofa in the living room. I jump on top of him and give him kisses all over his face, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Where is this all of a sudden coming from? What made you change your mind?" he asks.

"I opened the bottom drawer!" I say.

He gives me an annoyed look, "Did you happen to find the jewelry?"

"Yes," I say.

"And you're not excited about that? You're excited about the weapons on the bottom drawer?" he asks.

"That jewelry can't be mine. It's too much! But, I'll take the weapons," I tell him.

"Sorry babe, it's a packaged deal. All of it or none of it," he says with a smirk.

"Ugh, I really want those weapons!" I say and now I'm the annoyed one.

He kisses me and says, "So, when do you want to move in?"

"I don't. It's still creepy that you did all this. Don't get me wrong, it's all beautiful. Hey, wait a sec! Did you plan on living here with me?" I ask.

"No, not if you didn't want me too. Do you?" he asks hopefully.

"Oh my god! No! I'm only eighteen and we just started dating. Plus, you're the only guy I've ever dated. And I should probably break up with you for freaking me out and I already have a home!" I tell him.

"Are you sure about that? I mean, how do you think your roomies are going to feel about you dating a vampire?" he asks.

"Shit! I totally forgot about them! I need to call and make sure they're alright," I find my purse where I left it at the front table in the foyer. I pull it out. "Shit! Eight missed calls!" I have a missed call from almost everyone who lives in the house. What did they do? Have a meeting about it and take turns calling me?

I decide to call Zoey. Neutral ground. Maybe she'll be more understanding since she is a female also. Zoey answers on the first ring.

Zoey: "Catalina! Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

"No, he wouldn't hurt me. How are Noah and Colin?"

Zoey: "Pissed and worried about you. Um, Cat, they said that the guy was faster and stronger than any other vampire they've met. Are you sure he wouldn't hurt you?"

"I told you! Jaden wouldn't hurt me. He isn't like other vampires. He's one of the good guys. He's helping me find Jonathan and Daniel."

Zoey: "Oh my god! Did you say Jaden? The vamp you've been trying to kill for the past two years. He's helping you? So, does that mean you two aren't dating? Noah said that you guys are dating."

"Actually we are dating."

Zoey: "What the fuck are you thinking Cat? You can't date a vamp! If the guys catch him, they'll kill him!"

"They better not fucking touch him! He's never hurt anyone. You better tell all of them that!"

Zoey: "Jeez, calm down Cat. I'll let them know, but I can't make any promises. Noah has been ranting and raving about how this vamp has brainwashed you and that we need to all go out together to hunt him down."

"You can't let that happen. They wouldn't stand a chance and while they were trying to kill him, he'd be trying his hardest not to kill them. And if they went after him, I don't know that I'd blame him if he had to hurt them."

Zoey: "What the fuck Cat? You would choose some filthy vamp over us? Your friends?"

"I don't want to have to choose anyone. If you guys just met him, you'd see that he isn't bad."

Zoey: "I don't think that meeting him would be a good idea any time soon. You better give the guys a few days to cool off."

"Okay. Will you let them all know that I am alright? Especially Noah, I know he is probably freaking out right now. I may not come home until things settle down."

Zoey: "Are you sure? Because, you know we wouldn't kick you out or anything. At least I think no one would want to."

"Yeah, I'm sure, I'll call you in a day or so."

Zoey: "Okay, bye Cat. Be safe."

"Bye."

I turn around and look at Jaden. Of course he heard and I can tell he feels bad about what's happend. "I guess I'll be staying here awhile after all."