Ashanti: A Tale of Dark Love

Darla

"I can't wait for you to see me in my dress." I told Kevin while we were on our way to the store.

"I know you are going to be very beautiful. I can't wait to see you in it too." He said and looked down at his phone.

"Who's that call you baby?" I asked.

"Aww no one just the Peety calling me. He needs me to help him do some construction work at the warehouse." He said never looking at me.

"I know you are working a lot, but I appreciate you taking me to see about my dress."

"Anything for you beautiful. I just want to see you smile. You know how I feel about you." He said.

"I love you too baby." I said smiling.

His phone rang again, and he took a deep breath.

"Baby before I take you to the shop, I have to make a quick stop. I promise it won't take too long." He said.

I looked at the time and it was getting late. I knew that they closed at nine, so I still had time.

"That's fine." I said.

We drove around and stopped at this warehouse. I never been here before, so I was curious as to why we are here.

"What's this place Kevin?"

"Oh, Peety needed me to grab some tools for the job." He said.

I know he told me that he sometimes works for Peety and his uncle, but he never told me what he does.

"Kevin, what do you do? You just say that you work for Peety but what does he do?"

"I told you before. He has an export company and I transport packages to customers."

"Like UPS?"

"Yep. Now hold tight, it will just take me a minute." He said and got out the car.

I didn't say anything else. I trusted Kevin and I loved him. I knew he loved me even though he never said it. He always said it was because he had a hard childhood and couldn't say it. I was going to show him that I loved him no matter what.

I started looking on Facebook and Instagram taking pictures of myself. I looked at my lips and saw that I needed more lipgloss.

"Damn it." I said when I dropped my lipgloss.

I reached down to pick it up and I found a baby pacifier and an open condom wrapper. I wanted to panic, but I know he loves me and wouldn't cheat on me like that.

"I hope I didn't take too long." Kevin said when he got in.

"Kevin, what's this?" I held up the items.

"Shit that might be Peety stuff. You know he has a son and I sometimes let him use my car. Nasty ass nigga." He said laughing.

He looked at me with a confused look. I guess he realized I thought it was his.

"Look baby. It's not my stuff. I won't do that to you at all. You know how I feel about you." He said giving me a kiss.

"I know and I'm sorry that I had any thought." I sat back in my seat and looked out the window.

This is the first time I ever felt this way about anyone. Kevin was special to me in every way. I couldn't help but wonder why he was with me anyway. I was a virgin and I wasn't ready to give myself to any one yet.

He has been so patient with me and I loved him more for that.

Once we pulled up to the shop, I gave him a kiss and got out.

I saw the lights were out but once I tried the door it opened up.

"Hello?" I yelled out, but no one answered.

I saw a light on towards the back and I heard voices. It sounded like Ashanti and Bea talking.

"So, what does it taste like A?" Bea said.

"What taste like what Bea?" Ashanti said.

"Blood"

"Oh my gosh Bea. You want to know what blood taste like?" She said.

"Yea, what does blood taste like? I mean is it good?"

"Yea to me, but of course I'm a vampire. I don't know how to explain it. Well ok you know how you love to drink coffee and you drink it all the time to boost your energy and how you eat to stay strong? Well that is what blood does to me. I have to drink blood to stay healthy and strong." I heard Ashanti say.

"Can you make your fangs come out anytime you want them to?"

I peeped around the corner just in time to see Ashanti open her mouth and two fangs pop out.

"You're a vampire. A real-life vampire." I yelled out. I put my hands over my mouth. I don't think I should have said something.

I saw Bea open her mouth in shock and saw Ashanti look at me with her eyes glowing.

I think I spoke too soon.