SUPERNATURAL FILES #2: LIPSTICK

CHAPTER 29

All is well.

Days passed by, with a small number of humans going in and out of their houses, and it was just the perfect season for vampires to stroll around unbothered.

The case for Huang Renjun, though, is basically simple. He'll wake up at midday, drink his daily blood formula, get ready, and head off to his girlfriend's home.

His day-to-day appearance is also normal to the people in the household. Chairman Kim once joked around not to do funny things or that he's not ready to be a grandfather.

The vampire would always get ahead of him, saying he'd formally ask for her hand, but that's not today.

Doyoung and Renjun had gotten closer; the older man often stole him to have random talks or video games just to tease his sister.

The housemaids and guards quickly warmed up to him too, complimenting his good manners to the girl, who can't help but blush anytime her boyfriend's name is mentioned.

All in all, the passing days are just the summer between the winter and the spring between the fall. Aerin can't get enough of the sweet talks and surprise flirty moves the vampire would do.

This time, though, it seemed serious. Renjun was quiet over the hour he arrived since late 10 p.m. and not the usual 10 a.m..

Aerin was really, really worried.

The vampire had healing scratches all over his back, a swollen cheek, and a busted lip.

The glint of furious red ruby is nowhere to be found, but just a faint spark of it.

He was hissing, wincing, and groaning in pain when he appeared through her window, rolling over to the floor with blood on his white shirt.

"Jun..." Aerin softly called, still on her side of the bed, as she was too cautious not to push something out of him.

Renjun is laid flat, eyes closed, and breaths labored. No, he wasn't sleeping; he promised he wouldn't. He just needed rest, he says.

But it's truly not the case for Aerin. For her, Renjun had gotten weaker—weaker than the days he stopped hunting. Weaker than yesterday, when she accidentally cut herself, and the vampire immediately disappeared just to hold himself.

Pushing all her fear away, she carefully inched her body closer. Her head now pressing on his shoulder blades as she nuzzled, he opened his eyes.

"Hmmm?" he weakly chuckled, and trailed his fingers through her hair, letting her know that he's there. "I'm okay."

"You're not. I hate liars, Renjun."

Renjun pressed his lips into a thin line, then placed soft kisses on the crown of her head.

"I know.. I'm sorry."

She huffed, "Why are you avoiding something very important to you, Renjun? You already know what's happening to you."

"This will just pass, I promise. My body's not just used of not consuming. If it did, I will be fully okay."

"For how long?"

Renjun sighed, pushing himself to the side with a wince so he could be able to face the girl. Her eyes were glossy with tears, and he frowned.

"I am ashamed of killing when I'm dating one, you know that."

"I know. But all people in the world know that there's a hunting hour. Isn't it their fault to stroll around at that time?"