The next morning, I got out—no. I dragged myself out of my bed. After last night's terrifying events, I refused to go to sleep. I was much too afraid to even dare close my eyes. I couldn't help but feel as though someone was watching me and the most disturbing thing about it was that I probably was in fact being watched...

"Good morning, Cariño." My mother chirped cheerfully as I shuffled into the kitchen.

She was focusing on the eggs she was frying up for breakfast and to my relief, had not yet noticed the exhaustion clear on my face.

"Morning, mama."

She placed the food on the plates at the breakfast bar then walked around to give me a hug which I accepted gratefully.

When she pulled back from our hug, she looked at the bags that I just knew were under my eyes.

"¡Dios mío, Scarlet! You look like the dead!" She shrieked.

"Well, thanks for that, mama..." I muttered, dripping with sarcasm as I rubbed my temples.

I felt a terrible headache coming on.

"Didn't you sleep last night?" She asked with all the worry of a concerned mother as she rubbed my cheek.

I considered telling her. I really did and with all that had occurred in one day, all I wanted to do was be huddled in the arms of my mother and cry like a baby. Though...I might not have gotten the kind of sympathy that I was looking for once I started blubbering about stalker vampires and memories that did not exist in her mind any longer. And with that, I sucked it up and started wracking my brain for a decent excuse. Thank goodness there was a knock at the door before I could lie to my poor oblivious mother because I did not feel like concerning my mama about all that happened (or have her questioning my mentality) when there was nothing she or I could do about it.

Only one man could help me, and I had planned on calling him that same day. It was decided.

"I-I'll get it."

Shuffling off my seat and away from my mother's worried eyes, I went and answered the door and it was Rosalina.

"Morning, bed head." She said stepping into the house.

"Morning." I greeted lazily.

Rosa stepped back doing a double take of my appearance.

"Jeez, chica! You look like shi--"

"Eh! ¡Cuida tu lenguaje!" Mama snapped, narrowing a glare at Rosa.

She blushed and cleared her throat before muttering an apology as she made her way over to hug my mother.

"Good morning aunt Lucia." She said.

"Good morning, Rosa." mama greeted back, playfully swatting Rosa's behind as she made her way to grab a seat.

I giggled as I took a seat next to Rosa, making her glare and playfully shove me.

"How'd the interview go, Scarlet?" Rosa asked picking up a piece of toast.

"I got the job." I said nonchalantly.

"That's great, chica!" Rosa exclaimed.

"Yeah I-"

I was cut off by my ringing phone.

So many interruptions this morning!

"Excuse me." I said walking over to the coffee table where I'd left it.

This time, I checked the caller ID and it was Michael. Just the man I needed. I had decided last night in my state of terror that it was the best thing to tell him right away.

"Hey Mike." I smiled.

"Hey Scar. Umm, I know you're not meant to start till Monday, but I need you." He pleaded.

Those last three words sounded too damn good to me. Too. Damn. Good...

Scarlet! What is wrong with you? Behave!

"Sure Michael. Anything you need, anywhere you need me to be. Shoot." I said cheerfully (or rather; as cheerfully as I could).

I wanted to start work as soon as possible anyway so this was great...also, I knew I'd feel a lot safer with Michael nearby. If anyone would protect me, he would, and this would be the perfect opportunity to go and talk to him in private.

"Great! Because I need you to pack a bag and be ready to fly out to LA for two days." He uttered all in one breath.

"LA!? What?! Wait, Micha-"

"Let's see. Its seven thirty so be ready by eight thirty for me to pick you up."

"One hour! Michael, I-"

"I'm counting on you Scar. I'll see you in an hour. Bye."

"Michael-!"

He hung up and I was left standing there looking as dumb as a dodo.

I just remembered something. Michael can be a real pain in my ass when he wants to be.

"Scarlet? Scarlet?" Rosa snapped her fingers in my face.

"Huh? What?" I stammered.

"What's going on? What about LA? And who's Michael?" Rosa prodded.

"I-I gotta go pack." I said dashing towards the stairs.

"Scarlet!" they both called after me.

"I'll explain later!" I shouted back.

I guess talking would have to wait a little longer.

********

After taking a quick shower, I changed into a white, off-the-shoulders, stretchy shirt, a black pencil skirt and suede, light grey heels. I wore my diamond necklace and stud earrings that my father bought for my last birthday to match, put a little perfume and light makeup on and packed a small suitcase all with ten minutes to spare which I used to briefly explain to my parents and Rosa that I had to start work early.

"Te amo! ¡Adiós!" I shouted as I jogged down the porch steps towards the limo outside.

"Adiós!" They all shouted back.

The driver was already stood waiting for me to take my bag and open the door for me. I slid inside and saw that Michael was already waiting for me.

"Hey. You look nice...really nice." Michael complimented with a grin.

"Thank you." I blushed slightly then quickly changed the subject. "Now wh-"

Michael cut me off before I could ask.

"My previous assistant left me with a schedule of meetings and events I had to attend and I suppose while I had no assistant, I'd overlooked this meeting that I needed to go to in LA about opening one of my hotels there." He explained.

"Oh, I see. But didn't you need me to book flights and hotel rooms and such?" I asked.

"Nope. I asked Ruby. The private jet should be all ready by the time we get there."

"You have a private jet?!" I exclaimed.

Michael laughed at my enthusiasm as he popped open his brief case.

"Yes. I do. Now take these." He handed me a new phone and a book. "I give all my clients that phone number, so please greet them politely. Not that you'll have any issues with that." He winked. "I'm expecting a call shortly. Take down everything I or you need to know. Any meetings or event dates etcetera, get put in that book. Don't lose it. Oh and these." He then pulled out a set of keys from his pocket with different colours and a key ring on it. "They're colour coded. Codes are on the key ring. Lastly," He pulled out two cards. "The silver one is a master key. It opens every door that belongs to me that can be opened by key card. The black one is for necessities. If I ask you to buy anything, use that card. Did you get all that?" He asked taking a breath.

Of course I watched his lips the entire time! They looked so inviting and soft and...

"All clients have this phone number. You're expecting a call shortly. Meetings and/or event dates go in the book, keys are colour coded, codes are on the key ring, silver card's the master key, and black card's the credit card." I reiterated, tossing all of the things into my case and shutting it. "Got it." I nodded.

But of course, I can listen and admire art at the same time, lucky for me.

"Oh yes and call me sir in front of clients please. You know how it is with business and--"

"No problem, sir." I winked back.

He chuckled as the limo came to a halt.

"I think I picked a fine assistant. A fine one indeed." Michael said.

"You got the "Fine" part right." I smirked flipping my hair.

After a while of going through airport regulations and receiving the expected call, we finally boarded the private jet. I walked through the door of the jet and froze in place as I took in the luxury set before my eyes. The interior of the cabin was a mixture of red black and white. Everything looked extremely comfortable and it was huge! The plane alone looked better than most five-star hotels and I'd only seen one part of it.

"Come on Scar. Sit over here." Michael said taking a seat himself.

I sat opposite him in one of the very comfortable looking chairs. They didn't just look comfortable, but they felt it too which is probably why my sleepless night had come back to slap me in the face. Immediately after sitting down, my eyes began to get heavy.

"Are you tired?" Michael asked.

"Yeah. I didn't really sleep last night. I might just take a nap here if that's ok."

"Oh no, no, no. If you just wait till after take-off then you can take a nap in the cabin at the back. There's a bed there you can sleep in. I don't want you hurting your neck trying to sleep in these upright chairs." Michael offered.

Though I am certain I could have slept like a baby in one of these magnificent adjustable plane chairs, I accepted his offer gratefully with a smile.

"Oh, thank you Mike. That'd be so great."

I guess I couldn't wait for after take-off. I found myself dosing off as the plane ascended into the sky and the talk I was supposed to have with Michael descended somewhere to the back of my mind...

Michael's POV

I stared at my glass of red wine, swirling it around slowly, only wishing that it was the other red substance that I craved so much, but had yet to pass my lips.

I not only craved, but needed...blood. I only hoped that I could wait a little while longer.

I'd tucked Scarlet into the bed in the back bedroom a little while before. She slept like a baby and I almost didn't want to leave her side when I heard her whimper in her sleep after I put her down. I'd gotten a stewardess to put her into one of my shirts to sleep in (of course I was a gentleman and respected her privacy).

"More wine, sir?"

"Hmm?" I jumped slightly.

I had been in such deep thought and so weak that I had put my guard down yet again. It was only the stewardess, but it could have been someone else... I really had to focus.

"Oh. Um...no. No, thank you. I'll be fine for the moment, Cherry."

Cherry smiled and nodded politely before making her way back to the cockpit.

A deep sigh escaped me as I thought about Scarlet and how she'd grown into this beautiful young woman. She was gorgeous and intelligent...sexy...

"She probably tastes divine too..."

I rubbed my temples as that meddling cynic popped up again and willed it be gone. It was bad enough that I was attracted to her with a deep hunger. I could not have be having thoughts about feeding from her as well. I had to be strong and focus.

Focus, Michael. Fo--

Just then, a scream pierced through all my senses and I sprang to my feet, bolting it for the bedroom.

"Scarlet!" I yelled, flinging open the bedroom door.

"Please don't!" Scarlet screamed as she tossed and turned in the bed, sweat beading at her forehead.

I ran over and gathered her in my arms to prevent her from tangling herself any further into the sheets or hurting herself.

What could possibly be causing such frightful nightmares?

"NO! NO! LET ME GO!" She shrieked, fighting in protest.

"Scarlet! Wake up! It's just me! Baby girl, it's just me! Wake up!"

Her eyes popped open and she immediately grabbed the front of my shirt and sobbed into my chest. I wrapped my arms around her tighter and stroked her hair as she cried.

"Shh. It's ok. It's over. It's over, baby. Breathe..." I whispered in her ear as I crooned over her.

She looked up at me with glossy eyes and spoke with fear in her voice.

"No...no, it's not. It's just the beginning." She sniffled.

"What do you me-?"

I stopped myself when I finally sensed "it". Something that would be heavy on a human without them even noticing...that is, until they fall asleep...

I walked carefully around the room like a lion hunting its prey, trying to find it. I felt guilty for not noticing before. All the signs were right under my nose, but I was just too weak to realise.

I'm sorry, Scar...

It was a strong kind of dark power that had been taking a hold of my poor Scarlet and likely what had been giving her nightmares. It only got heavier as I walked in the direction of Scarlet's handbag beside the bed.

Bingo...

"Stand back, Scar." I said, putting a hand up to stop her coming any closer than she was.

There was only one thing that worried me and that was the possibility that someone found out about Scarlet and had told my Father, but how? We were the only two people in the entire world that knew I'd returned her memories and that was myself and Scarlet. I just couldn't put my fang on it...

"What is it, Michael...Mike?"

Despite her questioning, she got off the bed and stood on the opposite side of the room as I'd asked of her. I ignored her, not wanting to lose my concentration as I emptied the contents of her bag onto the floor. Her look of curiosity soon turned to one of shock as I mumbled an apology before tearing her handbag in two.

"Hey! That bag cost me a lot of money, gilipollas!" She yelled.

I chuckled, digging in the lining of the bag.

"Aww how sweet." I teased, lightening the mood.

"I called you an asshole, you asshole! That was Prada!" She yelled again.

I laughed but my laughing soon ceased when I felt what I was looking for. I pulled out the small glass vile on a chain filled with a clear liquid that turned purple as it lay in my palm.

Prince.

But what could he possibly want?

"W-what is that?" Scarlet asked taking a step forward.

"No, Scarlet. Stay back." I ordered firmly.

I sighed then turned my back to Scarlet facing the plane wall behind me.

"Let's see what he wants." I mumbled then threw the vile at the wall.

Scarlet's POV

The vile shattered as it made contact with the wall and the purple liquid leaked down the wall, but then stopped and began forming shapes all on their own. I was a little afraid at this point, but at the same time, what do you expect when you get involved in the life of what is thought to be a mythical creature? I squinted my eyes at the strange letters that had formed on the wall (if they even were letters). It must have been in a foreign language because I couldn't decipher the mysterious encryptions but it seemed as though Michael was quite capable. I stared at his back as he faced the wall scanning the unreadable text as he muttered to himself in a foreign tongue and when he was done, he abruptly turned to face me, pinning me with a glare. We were suddenly face to face before I could say "damn".

"What happened after I left last night? Do NOT lie to me." He gritted pointing a warning finger.

I looked up at him in shock as I gulped and babbled nonsense trying to get my words out into a clear sentence.

The sexy man in front of me was not a happy one in the slightest. Still sexy, but all the same, very unhappy.

"I-I-I err umm." I cleared my throat as I tried to compose myself enough to finally tell Michael what I had been meaning to tell him all morning. "After you left, I went straight to bed but then I-umm-I-I got a umm..." I babbled again.

"You got a what?" He asked impatiently, raising a perfect brow.

"I-I got a phone call." I finally said.

"From who?" He interrogated, now pacing back and forth in front of me with his hands behind his back.

"I don't know. He said he was my worst nightmare. I thought it was just a bad prank but then he started describing what I was wearing and I-." I answered truthfully.

"It's him. I knew it." He mumbled.

Michael started pacing more, cursing under his breath and scratching at his chin in deep thought with a sexy frown.

I give up! This man is devastatingly sexy. Especially when he's mad...

"Who? Michael, what are you talking about?" I asked but he ignored me once again.

Rude!

He stopped pacing after a few minutes and grabbed my hand, pulling me over to the bed where the both of us sat down. He took a deep breath then looked into my eyes.

"Listen, Scarlet. You're someone I value as a friend dearly which is why I have to keep you safe. You need to tell me when you are in trouble. Day or night. Got it?" He said looking at me seriously.

I nodded slowly before letting him continue.

"I need to protect you and I'm willing to do whatever it takes, but I'm going to need you to trust me and to cooperate." He explained calmly but I was still highly confused and getting increasingly worried.

"Michael, you're scarring me. What are you trying to protect me from exactly? I basically met you yesterday and I'm already in danger? What gives? What is going on? " I asked frantically.

"Don't worry because I won't let anything happen to you. I'm going to tell you everything you need to know, but you need to promise me that you won't panic." He said.

I nodded slowly, wondering what exactly I had gotten myself into with this man. Though, whatever it was, I trusted him. Only God knows why, but I did. I trusted him even before I remembered who he was. We've always had this undying connection and no matter how anyone would try, it would never break. I loved him though in what way, I wasn't quite sure yet.

Michael sat in silent thought for a minute with his fingers perched together at his lips. He fidgeted a while before deciding to speak again, keeping his eyes on the carpeted floor.

"Scarlet, you know what I am and you know that it's not only me that exists. There are other vampires and they don't take a liking to me because I'm a half-blood. I inherited my father's company when he retired along with being the head of the clan after he passes away. A few of those on my father's side disagree with his decision to give me the inheritance because I am not of full blood, but as his first born, it is rightfully mine and always had been. They think it should be somebody of full blood. Particularly one of my cousins...Prince...He's seen you and he wants to..." He trailed off.

I pulled my hands up to my neck with a look of horror on my face silently finishing his statement.

He nodded sadly in response.

"Yes. But-but I can stop him. I can. For now though, I'll need to umm..." Michael looked over at the wall and scratched the back of his neck with what I thought I recognised as a blush creeping onto his cheeks.

"You'll need to what?" I prodded moving a little closer.

I'll do whatever it takes. I'd rather keep my blood inside my body, thank you very much.

"I have to give you a...mark." He said looking down at his lap.

"A mark?" I asked back quirking a brow.

"Yeah...a mark. With your permission of course. It's a sort of seal that I put on you so that I know where you are at all times. It will protect you from any vampire you may come across that may try to feed off you. With this mark, you'll be safe from that. Vampires have used the mark for generations in order to protect humans with their preferred blood type."

"Will it hurt?"

"Not at all, but--"

"Alright then. Let's do this. If that's what you want my permission for, then you have it."

I'm just happy I'll be safe from this creep. Whoever he may be.

So I began rolling up the sleeve of the button-down shirt I was wearing.

"What are you doing?" Michael asked confused.

"Err...rolling up my sleeve so you can give me the mark. Duh, butt head." I said rolling my eyes playfully.

Michael chuckled then stood up in front of me.

It seemed that the heat of this little flirting game he was playing with me had been turned up as he bit his bottom lip, eyeing me shamelessly. It's true that vampires could sense fear. I knew that much. There were so many things that Michael had shared with me in the past that I was still trying to recall in my memories. One thing I had remembered, and had worried about since it had clicked in my mind was that vampires could also sense attraction, lust...He could see right through me and I felt naked to his roaming eyes.

Vampires have a naturally flirtatious manor about them that they sometimes struggled to keep under wraps. I'd say Michael had been doing a good job until then...

He leaned down brushing his soft lips against the shell of my ear, making me shudder.

"Not there, sweetie." He whispered, rolling the sleeve back down as he lowered his mouth to my neck.

Oh God...

I gasped when I felt his mouth on my neck (directly on my sweet spot too!), sucking hard. He sucked and licked, like a hunger had taken over him. A lustrous, burning, hunger extending from the depths of his stomach to the burning of his groin. I felt his want all throughout my body like wildfire... No amount of will power could have stopped the strange little noise that did not sound like my own voice from escaping my lips and causing me to blush ferociously.

When he was done, he kissed the spot he'd just marked which seem to slightly cool the raging heat coming from it. I placed my hand on my neck and stared up at him with widened eyes. He seemed quite amused and pleased with the state he had put me in.

Cocky bastard...

"Was that a moan I heard earlier?" He smirked, straightening himself up and brushing a thumb over his bottom lip.

"No!" I squeaked as I turned my face covering one of my flushed cheeks.

Michael laughed and I scoffed folding my arms.

"Gillipolas..."

Michael laughed harder as he walked toward the door.

"I'll let you rest then, Sca—"

"Wait!" I shouted a little louder than I hoped for.

He hummed his response, turning back to look at me.

Gosh, I hated when he did that. It made me feel so vulnerable and shy, like a small child asking someone to be friends for the first time.

"Umm...could you...stay...just for a little while..."

Alright. Alright. I'll admit it! I was afraid but who wouldn't be?! That horrible nightmare I had, being told that some creep is probably following me... You get my point. I don't want to be alone.

Michael had a puzzled expression on his face but then he smiled softly as he walked back into the room once again. He kicked off his shoes at the side of the bed then proceeded to crawl under the sheets.

"Are you getting in?" He asked.

I hesitantly crawled back up the bed and slipped beneath the sheets beside him.

Pfft! That's a lie. I couldn't get into that bed fast enough!

I laid my head on his chest and smiled as he wrapped a protective arm around me.

The contents of my handbag were still all over the floor, but I didn't really care at this point. Although, I was quite curious as to what this mark looked like.

"Could you pass me the hand mirror on the floor?" I asked.

Michael rolled over, reaching for the small mirror. When he passed it to me, I let him wrap his arms around my waist but faced away from him and opened the mirror taking a look at this "Mark" that he gave me. It just looked like a hickie...wait...

I tossed myself over to face Michael who was smiling widely at me and pointed directly at the mark.

"Is this permanent?" I asked with a hint of worry in my voice.

"Yes." He said nonchalantly.

"WHAT?! Michael! My parents are gonna see this when I get home!" I shouted flying up into a sitting position. "What are clients gonna think? I'll have to wear turtlenecks for the rest of my-" I said in a panic but was disturbed by Michael's hysterical laughing. "What's so funny? You think this is funny?!" I asked pointing to my neck again.

"The mark is invisible to the eye other than the hickie which will clear up in a couple of days. The mark behind it is what's permanent." He chuckled.

"Oh." I said as I slowly laid back down facing Michael.

He pulled up the covers a little more over us and pulled me back in close to his chest.

So warm...

"Hmm let's see. I've chased the monsters away, I've given you a cuddle and tucked you into bed. Do you want a good night kiss too?" He teased puckering his lips.

Tempting but--

"Shut up!" I giggled hitting him with a pillow.

"Hey!"

He hit me back with a pillow raising a challenging brow when I gawked at him in shock and believe me when I tell you, we broke out into a full on pillow fight like two big kids and after a full hour of pillow fighting, we fell onto the bed flustered, out of breath and giggling like maniacs and eventually, finally, fell asleep side by side...just like when we were younger.

Hey guys! I'm really sorry about the long wait. I know I should have updated earlier but hopefully this long chapter makes up for it.

I really want to know what you guys think. I love to see all your opinions. I hope everyone is enjoying this book as much as I am writing it. I'll be honest, as soon as I thought it was decent, I only kind of skimmed it for errors because I was so excited to publish XD

Don't forget to vote and comment!

All my love,

Michaelmakemyday

XXX