Bride of the vampire
Chapter twenty three

It had been weeks since Crystal had last visited her mother in the hospital, and the guilt weighed heavily on her as she stepped off work earlier than usual. Determined to make up for her absence, she made a quick stop at a nearby restaurant to pick up some food before heading to her mother's room.

As Crystal entered the hospital room, her heart sank at the sight of her mother lying in the bed, frail and weak. The doctor had mentioned that her condition was improving, but it was hard for Crystal to see any signs of progress. She approached her mother's bedside, her eyes filled with sadness and devastation.

"Mother, I'm so sorry," Crystal whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "I didn't check up on you for the past few days, and I feel terrible about it. But I brought you some food." She raised the bag in her hand, hoping to bring a small glimmer of joy to her mother's eyes.

Even though Crystal knew her mother couldn't eat the food due to her condition, she still chose to buy it. It was her way of showing love and care, even in the face of hopelessness. She wanted her mother to know that she was there for her, no matter what.

As Crystal sat down beside her mother, she couldn't help but let her thoughts wander to the recent events in her life. She felt a deep confusion and uncertainty about her feelings towards a man she had met at the stripper club. It was a place she never thought she would replace herself, but fate had a funny way of leading her there.

"You know, mother," Crystal began, her voice filled with a mix of hesitation and curiosity.

"I met someone at the club. I don't quite understand him, or even my own feelings. But we....we shared something." She paused, struggling to replace the right words to express herself.

How could she possibly tell her mother that she had shared kisses with this man, not just once or twice, but multiple times? And yet, she knew nothing about him except his name. He was a mystery, a puzzle she couldn't solve.

All Crystal knew was that he was wealthy, owning a grandmansion, and had a bodyguard named Max. But beyond that, she was clueless about his true identity. Was he involved in dangerous activities, like the mafia, or was he simply a powerful businessman?

These questions swirled in Crystal's mind, adding to the complexity of her emotions. She longed for her mother's guidance and wisdom, hoping that she could shed some light on the situation. But as she looked at her mother, lying there weak and vulnerable.

With a heavy heart, Crystal leaned in closer to her mother, holding her hand gently.

She wished her mother would just respond or scold her like she used to.

She checked her watch, the hands ticking closer to 8:00pm, signalling the end of her visit. The sterile hospital room felt suffocating, the scent of antiseptic lingering in the air. Her mother lay in the bed, frail and weak, her once vibrant spirit now diminished.

"Mother, I have to leave now," she whispered softly, her voice filled with a mix of determination and sadness. "I promise I will be here tomorrow as well." With a heavy heart, she placed the snack she had brought beside her mother's bed, a small gesture of love. Leaning down, she pressed a gentle kiss on her mother's forehead, feeling the warmth of her skin against her lips.

Stepping out of the hospital, the bustling city greeted her with its cacophony of sounds. She reached for her phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she dialled Adrian's number. The phone rang, but there was no answer. Concern gnawed at her, a knot forming in the pit of her stomach.

She wondered if he was alright, if something had happened.

Hailing a taxi, she climbed in and gave the address of the club. The neon lights illuminated the night sky as she arrived, the music pulsating through the walls. Pushing open the door, she was immediately greeted by Angel, a fellow dancer and confidante.

"Hi Jae," Angel called out, waving her over. Crystal smiled, grateful for the familiar face amidst the chaos.

"Hello," Crystal replied, her voice tinged with weariness. The worry for Adrian still lingered in her mind, but she pushed it aside for now.

"Be honest with me," Angel began, her eyes narrowing as she gave Crystal a piercing look. "Have you been sleeping with that man in the special room?" Her words hung in the air, heavy with accusation. Crystal's eyes widened in shock, her heart pounding in her chest.

"What? Who told you that?" she exclaimed, her voice laced with disbelief. "You know I would never sleep with them. I only dance, not sleep with them." She tried to sound confident, even though she knew she hadn't been dancing as much as she should. But at least she hadn't crossed that line.

Angel's gaze remained fixed on Crystal, her expression filled with doubt. She wasn't satisfied with her response, suspicion still lingering in her eyes.

"Okay," Angel finally said, her voice filled with a mix of resignation and concern.

"He has requested for you again." The word "again" hung in the air, heavy with implications.

Without another word, Crystal quickly excused herself, her mind racing with thoughts. She needed to change, to prepare herself for what awaited her in the special room. As she entered the dressing room, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, her reflection staring back at her with a mix of nerves and apprehension.

"It's not my first time seeing him," she muttered to herself, her voice barely audible. "Why am I still so nervous?" She took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. She changed into her costume, the fabric clinging to her body, a second skin that transformed her into someone else.

With a final glance in the mirror, she steeled herself and walked into the special room. And there he was, sitting on the plush chair, his presence commanding and powerful. His eyes, once filled with joy and love, now held a storm of emotions. Guilt, anger, sadness, betrayal, and pain swirled within them, creating a tempest that threatened to consume him.

"Are you okay?" Crystal asked, her voice filled with genuine concern. She took a step closer, her eyes searching his face for any sign of happiness, but replaceing none.

"Dance," Damien whispered, his voice barely audible. The word hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. Crystal, unsure of how to respond, hesitated for a moment before deciding to play the music. As the melody filled the room, she let herself be consumed by its rhythm, her body moving with a grace that seemed to come effortlessly.

Damien's gaze remained fixed on the floor, unable to meet Crystal's eyes. Guilt gnawed at him, a relentless reminder of his betrayal. The memory of almost sleeping with Delilah haunted him, a moment that threatened to shatter the fragile bond he shared with Crystal. How could he have even considered it?

In a flash, his mind was transported back to that fateful night. Dagon's words echoed in his ears, a warning that had struck a nerve. "Did you think about Crystal?" he had asked, knowing that the mere mention of her name would be enough to halt Damien's actions. Crystal, the one person who held his heart, his salvation.

At first, Damien had dismissed her significance, convincing himself that she meant nothing. But as he stood there, his desire for Delilah waning, he realised the truth. Crystal was everything to him. Her purity, her genuine reactions to his touch, were irreplaceable. Delilah, in contrast, felt hollow, her body unresponsive to his advances.

The memory of Delilah's desperate pleas for

him to take her, to satisfy her desires, made Damien's stomach churn with disgust. He had pushed her away, unable to bear the thought of tarnishing what he had with Crystal. Leaving her aching and unsatisfied.

Now, as Damien watched Crystal dance, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Gratitude for her presence, guilt for his momentary lapse, and a renewed determination to protect what they had. Damien could not even explain how he got to the stripper club.

He could not admit the fact, he had started developing a liking towards her. The truth was, he had never felt this way before. It was as if a storm was brewing inside him, threatening to consume him whole. But he couldn't bear to bring her into his world, a world that was full of danger and darkness. He had seen what happened with Delilah, and he didn't want history to repeat itself.

For centuries, Damien had managed to keep his emotions and feelings under control. He had built walls around his heart, shielding himself from the vulnerability that came with love. But she had managed to break through those walls effortlessly, without even knowing. How did he even lose control without him knowing?

At first, it was just lust. He was drawn to her like a moth to a flame, unable to resist her magnetic pull. But now, as he looked into her eyes, he couldn't deny the truth any longer. What he felt for her was more than just desire. It was love. Frustration coursed through Damien's veins as he groaned and stood up, ready to escape the turmoil that was brewing within him. But before he could make his escape, a soft whisper reached his ears, stopping him in his tracks. "Why do you keep running away?" Crystal's voice was barely audible, but it was loud enough for Damien to hear. He turned to face her, his eyes filled with confusion and longing.

"Why are you running away from me?" Crystal moved closer to him, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and hurt.

"I'm not," Damien responded, his voice barely above a whisper. He couldn't bear to admit the truth to her, to himself.

"You don't talk to me like you used to. I thought you wanted to know me better. Let me into your world," Crystal pleaded, her eyes searching his for answers.

"My world is too hot for a girl like you. I'm fire. You will get burned," Damien tried to warn her, his voice laced with a hint of desperation. He searched Crystal's eyes, hoping to see a flicker of fear, a sign that she understood the danger that lurked within him. But to his surprise, there was no fear, only unwavering determination.

"Then let me burn," Crystal's voice was filled with a quiet resolve, her gaze unwavering. She was not afraid of the flames that danced within Damien's soul.

Damien's face remained calm, but his eyes dropped slightly, betraying the storm of emotions raging within him. Everyone had always been scared of him, keeping their distance, afraid to get too close. But Crystal was different.

She saw past the darkness and embraced the fire that burned within him. And for the first time in centuries, Damien allowed himself to hope that maybe, just maybe, he could let someone in without destroying them.