Derrick

Twenty-Six.

Derrick was right. Talking about it did help. I told him about the scary vampires and the gut-wrenching fear I felt as I was hunted down. I told him that every time, he was there. He smiled at that, happy that I felt safe with him.

He made a short phone call to his hospital, and moments later a doctor knocked on the door. He gave me a small, almost painless shot and a pill to swallow. I did what I was asked while Derrick held my hand.

He was always touching me in some way. It sent butterflies swarming in my stomach, and I was momentarily terrified that my hand was sweating. To my surprise, I wasn't sweating at all. Something tickled in the back of my mind; it never took much for me to nervous sweat. Here I was, extremely nervous, and not sweating at all.

When the doctor finished telling Derrick how to take care of me for the next few days, he left. My pain faded almost immediately, and I was grateful.

Derrick looked at me and smiled, showing off his perfect white teeth. I couldn't stop the answering smile that found its way onto my face.

He stood and gave me a gentle tug. When I got out of bed, I realized that all I was wearing was a thin nightgown. I looked down and then back up, embarrassed. My cheeks burned, and Derrick laughed.

"You're so shy," He teased, pulling me close and hugging me tightly. I buried my face into his shoulder, inhaling his familiar cinnamon-y scent.

He pulled away.

"I'll let you get dressed. If you'd like, we can go into one of my towns to shop."

"Are you sure?" I asked. I hesitated for a moment, confused. Didn't I hate shopping?

Not when I had Derrick with me, no. I remembered how happy he always looked when buying me things. That lessened my confusion significantly.

Meanwhile, Derrick watched my contemplation with hooded eyes. For a split second, he almost looked threatening.

Then, he smiled and kissed my hand.

"Of course," He responded. "Don't be too long, kitten."

With that, he left and quietly shut the door behind him.

I turned and looked around the room. After some searching, I was able to find where the clothes were kept. Surprisingly, they all looked to be my size. I shook my head and smiled a little. If I had to pick what Derrick was the absolute best at, it would be making sure I was provided for.

After I was adequately clothed, I stepped outside and Derrick ordered his bodyguard to drive us into his favorite city.

"The richest subjects I own live there," He stated proudly.

Anything I looked at for longer than a couple of seconds, Derrick immediately purchased. I had to laugh at his eagerness, and he kissed my forehead each time I giggled at his nonsense.

When we passed a furniture store, something made me stop. I stared into the window, deliberating.

"What is it? Whatever it is, it's yours," Derrick insisted as he tried to find what had my attention.

"Derrick?" I asked. His arms instantly wrapped around my waist as he hugged me from behind. He always loved the way I said his name.

"Yes, kitten?" He answered. I leaned back against his warmth and tilted my head back to look at him.

"Why was I sleeping in a room by myself?"

"You were sick, darling. That room is the most easily accessible to my doctors and nurses."

"Oh," I responded simply.

"Why do you ask? Is the room not satisfactory to you?"

I could almost feel him making plans to rebuild an entire room for me.

"No no," I backtracked. "It's very...satisfactory. I just thought we'd be closer to each other."

"As soon as you're better, you'll wake up in my arms every day," He promised.

"But not yet?" I guessed glumly. He sighed and hugged me tighter.

"Not yet," He agreed.

I stared into the furniture store for a few more seconds.

"Can I redecorate, then?" I asked.

"Of course," He urged enthusiastically. I could hear the smile in his voice. He let me go and grabbed my hand.

"Pick anything you want," He ordered. "Money is not relevant."

I nodded and walked around the shop, seeing if anything popped out to me. Anytime I saw anything I liked, I simply gave Derrick a tiny smile and he instantly ordered his guards to grab it.

We didn't get home until night began to fall over us. Derrick was ecstatic; he chatted happily all the way home about little things like his citizens, his home staff, my improving health.

"Kitten," He said as we pulled into the gigantic driveway. I looked at him and smiled.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry to say this," He murmured. "But I skipped an entire day's worth of work and I need to catch up on it."

"Oh," I answered. I gave a small shrug. "Okay, I understand."

Relief pinched my heart, and I wondered why.

Derrick was the very definition of perfect. I always wanted to spend every spare second I could with him. 

Didn't I?

"I'm sorry," He apologized sadly.

"Don't be," I reassured. "I can decorate my room while you work."

His answering smile was dazzling, and he sent me to the room with three of his guards to help move the furniture around.

After hours of laying down carpet, moving couches and replacing everything, my new room was done. Rather than feeling happy about the ordeal, I was suddenly horrified at the room I'd just created.

It was the golden room. The one with the mysterious man by the fireplace, the one from my nightmare.

Approximate word count: 920

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