The life of a Vampire Billionaire

Chapter 32

I feel uncomfortable with Caitlin's father. I can think of hundreds of people I would rather have dinner with, but I have to accept the situation as it is. I try to act like I'm enjoying his company and that I'm having a good time for Caitlin's sake. She wants more than anything that her dad and I get along so I pretend that we do.

Caitlin's mobile phone starts to ring in her purse and she picks it up.
"I'm sorry, I have to get this", she says excusing herself and rises from the chair. As curious as I am, I listen to the conversation. Caitlin goes to the lobby and talks quietly, with my inhuman hearing I can hear that there is a woman in the other side of the handset, she cries and sobs. Something bad must of happened.

I stop listening and realize that I'm left alone with the one person I have wanted to see dead for about fifty long years.
"Do you really feel as much for my daughter as you claim?", Mr. Rhodes asks and smiles unpleasant at me.
"Yes, I do.", I answer without giving it a second thought and sip some wine from the glass.
"You're not playing with her feelings, are you?", he continues.
"No, I would never.", I burst out, "I really care for your daughter. I would never do anything to harm her."
He nods as he believes my words and I'm grateful that the interrogation is over and that I managed to pass.

People often say that all girls marry someone who is like their father, but in Caitlin's case, it is not true. The only thing Mr. Rhodes and I have in common is that we both care about Caitlin. We will do anything to protect her because she's the most precious thing we have.

When Caitlin comes back she looks as if she has cried and her grip of the mobile phone is so hard that her hand is shaking slightly.
"What is it?", Mr. Rhodes asks shocked and I immediately stand up to embrace her. She walks into my arms and I close them around her body. I feel how she starts to relax as her pulse and heart rate falls. She rests her head against my shoulder for a while before she wipes away the last tear.

Caitlin and I sit down on the chairs and I hold her soft hands in mine.
"It was Mary who called.", she says, her voice a little hoarse. "Julie was found murdered last night. She had been stabbed with a dolk or knife in her back and arm, and her neck was broken." Her eyes waters again and she can't control the wave of emotion that comes over her - she bursts into tears. She leans against me and I hug her.
"Oh Caitlin.", her father says from across the table, trying to be there for her but at the moment she needs me more.

I get a lump in my throat - I killed my girlfriend's friend. I get terribly guilty conscience and a mercilessly feeling of seeing Caitlin cry over something I have invoked.

***

Later when Caitlin has calm down we talk about the murder and she tells me some stories that she shared with her friend Julie. How they went to the beach once when they were small and built a sand castle and how they got stuck in traffic for four hours.

I didn't think anyone could feel this guilty, but now I know that you can. I wish I could undo it.