Vampire's Mate [2 Vampires, 1 Girl]

1. GRACIE KIM

"Hey, Grace, you're alright? You look pale," Yichen, my classmate, asks when we walk out of the classroom. In fact, he isn't just my classmate. He is also my childhood friend.

The only one that I have.

Since our fathers work together, Yichen and I have been hanging out ever since we were kids. And we still do even now. I didn't know he was coming to study here in the States until he made a surprise appearance by sitting next to me on the plane. He said he wanted this as a surprise. That was why he did not tell me in advance.

Some friend he is, keeping me edgy about having to come here all alone. If I had known he was coming too, I did not have to worry myself to death.

"I'm fine. Just a lack of sleep, I guess," I reply with a shrug, pretending like I am alright.

"Jet-lagged?"

"Might be."

"Or is it because you study too hard? Please, it's just the start of the semester. Don't take things too seriously, okay?" he rolls his eyes and taps my shoulder.

I only smile at his comment. The fact is, my lack of sleep has nothing to do with my study schedule. It is because of a dream I have been having ever since that night before leaving my hometown.

The very night I met the peculiar man in the middle of the road.

There is something about those piercing silver eyes that I can't put my hands on. And every night when I drift off, those eyes keep flashing before my closed eyelids, keeping me awake.

"Well, any plans this evening?"

His question brings me out of my thoughts. "No," I reply. "I'm going back to my apartment."

"Nonsense. You're going with me then," he swings his arm around my shoulder as if preventing me from running away.

Yeah, I've never been treated like a lady. There is nothing surprised about this. Most of my family members and close-knit people are guys. I guess I am automatically blending in as one, too, even though I have a female's body.

"Why? Are you going somewhere?" I ask, stop fidgeting, knowing full well I won't be able to escape.

"I just made some new friends this morning. They invited me to dinner at a Japanese restaurant not far from here."

"What does that have to do with me?" I turn to him with my brows furrowed, confused as to why it has anything to do with me.

"You're serious? I'm taking you with me. Why don't you get it?"

"Yeah, I know that. But I don't get why you tag me along? They invited you. Not me. They don't even know I exist," I try shaking his hand off my shoulder, but he is too strong for me.

"Who doesn't know the existence of the Asian heiress Gracie Kim? You're too humble, my friend."

"And you're exaggerating," I say, rolling my eyes.

He chuckles. "Yeah, whatever. Anyway, back to the topic. I am bringing you with me so you can make new friends too. Friends start from strangers, Grace." He rolls his eyes and tightens his hold on me. "Besides, you're going to manage a big conglomerate in the future. Get used to this. Ya know, about getting to meet new people and socializing. It's beneficial to build up a connection."

He's got the point, I thought to myself.

In the future, I will have to meet lots of strangers for business purposes, whether I want it or not. I should start practicing getting to know people and be familiar with how to make conversation.