Friends

The next day, around ten in the morning, the doorbell rang. She glided towards the front door as the butler opened it. On the other side were Adelene and René. Giselle hugged both of them and led them inside. She gave them a tour of the mansion, stopping lastly at their guest bedroom.

"And this is where you guys will be. I hope it's to your liking."

"It's perfect!" Adelene cried. "So marvellous and exquisite! And the color coding of gold and magenta is so creative!"

"Thank you so much, Giselle," René said. "And give Louis our thanks as well."

"But of course. Lunch will be in half an hour in the dining room. We have staff that can help guide you guys if need be. Now, I'll let you guys get settled in. See you at lunch!"

Then Giselle left. She was walking towards the large circular center area on the main level when Louis caught her arm.

"Giselle, wait."

"What is it?"

"Are Adelene and René comfortable?"

"Yes, they seem to be."

"I've moved the bags of... in the fridge down to a smaller fridge in the downstairs wine cellar. As a precaution."

"Oh, thank you! I had completely forgotten to do that. You're a lifesaver, Louis."

He smiled sadly. "Not quite."

But Giselle hadn't heard him. She had already started to continue on to the foyer area. He sighed.

I just hope that nothing happens to her, Louis thought sadly. I've tried so hard to keep her out of harm's way. So that she could have a happy and carefree life.

Meanwhile, Giselle was over seeing the lunch settings in the dining hall. She was giving orders and made sure everything was exactly right.

When it was time for lunch, Adelene and René came into the room. Giselle was already sitting down in her seat at the right hand side of the head of the table.

"Giselle, where do you want us to sit?"

She motioned to the two seats directly across from her. The Noirs sat down and a server came by and filled their glasses with ice water.

"Want something else to drink?"

"No, water's fine," they both said.

Giselle nodded and was about to sigh in aggravation when Louis walked into the room.

"Louis," René said. "Giselle told me that you work for Le Monde Oil."

"Indeed. And you do too?"

"Yes. Just got promoted even. That's why I'm here. I have to attend the company's ridiculous Halloween party now."

"Well," Giselle said mysteriously. "I hope that it's not ridiculous. Seeing as I'm the one coordinating the gala. And, Louis and I are hosting it here."

René paled Adelene clapped her hands together in joy.

"I want to help organise! Can I?"

Giselle sneaked a look at Louis. He gave a nearly imperceptible nod, but with her heightened vampire senses, she saw it.

"Of course."

Adelene was happy and René apologised, but Giselle and Louis waved it off. They had a nice lunch and then Louis went off to his office, Adelene and René went for a stroll out in the gardens out back. Giselle remained sitting at the dining table for a while, staring at the opposite wall. Then she got up and went upstairs to her solar room. She walked out onto the balcony and leaned against the railing. Her eyes gazed out over the illustrious and bustling French Quarter.

So this is my life now, she thought. I never would have imagined... America. When I was born this country didn't even exist and now look. Here I am.