The Vampire Queen and the Mortal Pauper

Chapter Thirteen

Late Night Wild Searches

The table set for two at the far corner of the Highland Café was shroud in a long stunned silence. Two individuals_ a young Black male and a Biracial girl_ sat together. From afar, they looked like a socially contrasting couple dining together. However, the awkwardness hanging in the air around them was too thick anyone could cut through with the table knife placed on the table. The two individuals were obviously Sharael and Little Bee.

At the moment, the girl was silently staring at the dazed Sharael with eyes full of anticipation. Once those words left her mouth, it was like a bombshell had exploded and caught him off guard. Never in his wildest dreams could he have expected such from the unruly young diva. Was this a joke? It must be. If her sudden phone call, to her entirely changed outlook was not shocking enough, then this job offer was downright mind-blowing.

"You must be joking, right...?" Sharael stuttered after finding his voice, but no answer was needed given her somber look.

"Not at all." Little Bee shook her head in refusal.

On the other hand, Sharael shook his head in disbelief. "No, this must be a joke! Where did this absurd idea come from? Stop playing around because it's not funny, Little Bee."

"Why would you think I am playing around?" The girl tilted her head to the side in confusion.

Sharael was lost for words and blurted out, "Are you mad? What makes you think I'm capable of such... absurdity? Do you know what you're asking exactly?"

"Yes and..." Little Bee was about answer, except he didn't give him the chance to.

"No, I don't think you do!" Sharael admonished furiously. "I don't know what you went through or whatever epiphany you had. But what you're asking of me is utterly ridiculous. Let's not even start on how you gonna pay me because, not even your grandfather will agree to this madness. If that's what you called me here for, then I'm sorry to disappoint."

"How does 90k per session sound to you? It's almost triple the salary you were getting as my personal chauffeur." Little Bee, nevertheless, acted deaf and offered in a blasé tone. She took out a black cheque book to scribble some numbers on the cheque slip.

"What are you doing?" Sharael whispered harshly while attempting to stop her.

"I'm clearly writing you a cheque as a gesture of my goodwill." Little Bee shrugged matter-of-factly.

"What the... Where did you get that cheque book? Are we now stealing from your grandfather?"

"Stealing?" The girl looked at the guy as if he was dumb. "Mr. Michelson, it appears you have forgotten who my granddad is. As one of his grandkids, I am very much entitled to a sum of his fortune. Let's just say I asked for my part of the inheritance a bit early to be put into good use."

"WHAT...!! No...! No...! No...! This can't be happening..." Sharael felt like he might suddenly suffer from a heart attack.

"If it's unsatisfactory I can add more. How does 100k sound...? No? 150k...?" Little continued negotiating in the same blasé tone.

"Stop! Just fucking stop! I refuse." At wits end, Sharael finally screamed. Now all heads were directed to their direction.

"What? What do you mean you refuse?" Little Bee asked in surprise. Was the money not enough?

"I mean I refuse your offer. I can't take part in this madness."

"Mr. Michelson, if you would just listen to--" Little Bee tried to persuade, but Sharael was having none of it.