What the fuck, Nicole."
I dropped my phone on the marble counter and exhaled sharply. My pulse buzzed, and for a second, I thought about smashing my phone.
Instead, I walked away and decided to have a shower, which actually helped me think.
The hot water rolled down my skin, but today even the steam couldn't wash off the irritation crawling through me. And whoever thought they could toy with my reputation clearly didn't value their life so much.
After my bath, I stood before my mirror as I slipped into a crisp ivory blouse, tucked it into a pair of dark blue baggy jeans, added a slim leather belt, and finished off with gold hoops and a sleek chain. Nothing to flashy but just enough to show power.
Then for my perfume, I picked something different today. Amber and jasmine. I smiled faintly at my reflection. "Someone's going to die today," I murmured.
Downstairs, my driver was already waiting. "Good morning, ma'am," he greeted.
I didn't bother replying, I just gestured for him to start the car. The ride to the office was quiet. Too quiet. Even the city's chaos outside seemed muted compared to the pounding in my head.
The moment we pulled up in front of the building, I stepped out. The wind tugged at my blouse, and the moment I crossed the glass doors, every head turned.
"Good morning, Ms. Vale," the receptionist stammered.
I didn't answer. The air shifted as I walked past, the way it always did when I was angry. I'm sure by now, everyone has gotten wind of what was happening, and they know better than to piss me off when I'm already pissed. Employees suddenly found reasons to look anywhere but at me. Some murmured greetings, others just froze. They could all sense it.
Good. Fear was order.
Nicole was already waiting by the elevator, her tablet in hand, her hair pulled into a tight bun that screamed chic. She held out a cup. "Your coffee, ma'am."
I took it silently, the aroma comforting and familiar, and continued walking. "Now," I said as we entered my office, "do you mind telling me why the internet is saying such crazy things about me first thing in the morning."
Nicole swallowed. "I—I called you the moment I saw it. But you didn't answer, that's why I sent an email instead. The PR team has been working nonstop to debunk the rumor."
"Rumor?" I laughed coldly, setting my coffee on the desk and tossing my bag on the couch. "Nicole, that is more than a rumor. That is character assassination. Some say I'm not human, some say I'm a manipulative witch, while others are questioning how I was able to build my company from scratch in the space of 5 years, when it takes way longer for other multinational companies too.
"Do you see how crazy this sounds? Infact I'm gonna sue each and every one of them for defamation."
She hesitated. "Yes ma'am I agree. But the company responsible for publishing it says they had nothing to do with the article. Apparently it was the work of a journalist, and he said he's ready to take full responsibility for whatever the outcome may be."
I raised a brow. "A journalist?"
She nodded quickly. "Yes. He said—"
"Hold on." I raised a finger, smiling faintly as I leaned back. "A journalist decided to test his luck with me? Tell me, Nicole, who is this brave knight who apparently has the balls to step on my toes?"
She scrolled through her tablet nervously. "His name is Ethan Cole. And he's a Senior investigative journalist at The City Chronicle."
For a moment, silence filled the room. Then a laugh slipped from my throat, sharp and amused. Nicole blinked, obviously confused.
"Ethan Cole," I repeated, tasting the name. "That's interesting."
Nicole frowned. "Ma'am?"
I tilted my head. "Has he ever requested for an interview with me before?"
She hesitated, scrolling through her device again. Her eyes widened slightly. "Actually… yes he has. Quite a few times. He's been very persistent, but I never put him on the approved list. I thought he was just another desperate reporter trying to make headlines."
"Hmm." I tapped my nail against the desk, grinning. "So, he got creative instead. I'm impressed."
Nicole's shoulders slumped. "It's my fault, ma'am. I should have—"
I cut her off immediately. "Don't ever apologize for doing your job right. You were protecting me from the vultures, and you're doing exactly what I pay you for."
She nodded, visibly relieved.
"Now," I said, my voice turning smooth and deliberate, "I want you to follow up with the PR team and get this mess cleared up before the end of the day. And while you're at it, get through to this… Ethan Cole."
Her eyes widened. "You want to speak to him?"
"Oh, no," I said with a faint smile. "I want to give him an interview."
Nicole blinked. "But ma'am, you said you weren't doing personal interviews anymore."
"I know what I said," I replied, picking up my mug again. "But desperate times call for desperate measures, you know no one crosses me and walks away unharmed. And it so happens that our dear Mr. Cole just volunteered to learn that lesson firsthand."
Her lips curled into a knowing smile. "Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Now you can go."
When she left, I exhaled slowly, sinking back into my chair. The coffee was still warm. I took a sip of that dark, bitter, perfect taste and just stared at the sun as they spill through the tall glass windows.
But I knew I couldn't stay this calm for long. Fury pulsed beneath my skin like a second heartbeat, and the last thing I needed was to get out of control, because that would make my thirst for blood come crashing back, and that's what happens when I'm agitated and right now, I'm furious so I have to get that under control. Especially before the interview with Ethan.
I stood up, locked the office door with a snap of my fingers, then crossed to the shelf. My fingers found the old leather book. I pulled it forward, and the wall beside it shifted open with a soft hum.
Rows of vials lined the glass shelves, shimmering faintly in the dim light. I picked one up, a deep crimson red liquid that pulsed like it was alive. "Just a sip," I muttered.
I poured it into my coffee, watched it swirl until it vanished. Then I burned the empty vial bag, the faint smell of blood curling around me.
By the time I returned to my office and unlocked the door, I felt steadier. The familiar warmth spread through me, smoothing the edges of my rage.
I sat down, turned my chair toward the window, and sipped from my cup, coffee and blood blending perfectly
I smiled faintly. I love the sunlight, especially in the morning. And the irony of a creature like me basking in the sun never failed to amuse me.
Two hours passed. I buried myself in emails and proposals, but my mind kept drifting back to him. Ethan Cole. The human who thought he could play god with my name.
When Nicole's knock finally came, I was almost relieved. "Come in," I called.
She peeked through. "Mr. Cole is here. Should I let him in?"
I straightened, smoothing a hand down my blouse. "Yes," I said, smiling. "Let's not keep him waiting."
A few moments later, the door opened and he walked in.
The first thing I noticed was the way his sleeves were rolled up, revealing his forearms corded with muscles. The strap of his leather bag hung lazily over one shoulder. His hair was messy in a way that felt intentional, and the faint lines along his jaw added to the disarming charm he clearly knew he carried.
And then, there were the glasses. God help me, those glasses.
He looked like a contradiction. Nerdy, dangerous, and annoyingly irresistible.
"Damn. Why didn't I notice all this the first time we bumped into each other?" I muttered to myself.
"Ms. Vale," he greeted with a polite smile, stepping forward and offering his hand. "Ethan Cole. It's an honor to finally meet you."
I didn't move for a few seconds, rather I studied him. The warmth in his eyes, the confidence in his voice. It was disarming in a way I didn't expect. When I finally took his hand, it was warm. Too warm. And it made heat travel up my veins and settled somewhere dangerous.
"Finally," I said softly, holding his gaze. "The universe must have decided to reward your persistence. After countless attempts, you're finally getting your interview."
He smiled, a teasing glint in his eyes. "The universe had nothing to do with it. It's just my hard work and unrelenting determination."
"Ohh. Ambitious huh? I like that." I leaned back in my chair, swirling my coffee slowly before taking a sip. "So i'm gonna save you the trouble Mr. Cole, You're right! I am not human. But now I'm curious, how does it feel to know that today will be your last day on earth, and the one ending it, isn't even human?"
The smile faltered on his lips just slightly.
And I smiled back, sweetly.