Repercussions

The next morning, Giselle woke up to find Louis nowhere to be seen. She got dressed and began to search all throughout the house, but it was as if he had vanished into thin air. Worried something had happened to him, she frantically called his mobile. It rang continually and finally went to voicemail. Fear began to pool in her stomach.

"Oh, where could he be?" she asked herself miserably. "Maybe he is with a mistress?"

She desperately tried to call him again. This time, he answered.

"Giselle? What is it?"

"Where are you? I can't find you?"

"I'm at the company office. They're beginning to panic. Gabriel still hasn't shown up. These petty humans have started to blame me. They're saying I did something."

"They're not wrong, mon amour."

"I know. But I fear there will soon be repercussions. And if I quit, I'll look even more guilty."

"Please be careful, Louis."

"I will be. I haven't lived this long only to be put down by stupid mortals."

Giselle sighed, wished him luck, and hung up. That was when she realised she hadn't asked about when he'd be home.

But I don't want to bother him by calling again, she thought. I'll just bide my time today.

She went to the kitchen and got herself a glass of O negative. Taking the glass out onto the veranda, she enjoyed the outdoor air while being shaded by the overhang. Then she heard the doorbell ring.

Giselle sighed and stood up. She left her empty glass where it was on the side table and went to answer the door. Her hand on the handle, she pulled the door open. On the other side was Maisy LeBrie.

"Yes?" Giselle asked politely. "Is something the matter?"

"I just would like to get to know my neighbours. How would you and your partner like to come over for lunch?"

"I'm afraid Louis is at work. But, I would be grateful for some company if your offer is still up?"

Maisy nodded and invited Giselle over. Giselle followed Maisy next door and entered the home. They went into the dining room where Aaron LeBrie was waiting.

"Ahh, Giselle!" he said warmly. "It's lovely to see you again."

"You too," she replied.

They two ladies sat down at the table as staff brought out lunch. Giselle watched as a garden salad and small cup of tomato basil soup was set down in front of her. A glass was filled with water.

"Thank you. Umm, there isn't any garlic in any of this, is there?"

Aaron answered, "There shouldn't be."

"Why?" Maisy asked.

Aaron shot his wife a warning look.

I hope she doesn't pry too much, he thought.

"I'm allergic to garlic," Giselle lied. "So I just wanted to make sure I could eat this."

"Let me ask the chef," Maisy said as she stood.

"No, please. It's a mild allergy. I should be fine if there's only a little."

Maisy looked worried but she nodded and sat back down.

They began eating. Every once in a while, Maisy would ask some quite personal questions that Giselle skilfully evaded with vague answers.

Then Maisy asked, "So you and Louis, hmm?"

"Uh, yes?"

"How long have you two been together?"

"Maisy!" Aaron cried. "Invading their privacy much?"

"It's okay. We've been together for nine years. Met in Paris and hit it off."

"So... when will he pop the question?"

"Hmm? I don't understand, I'm afraid."

"When's he going to propose?"

"Oh!" Giselle laughed nervously. "We're not going to go down that route. It's not in our plans. You wouldn't understand, but it's not in our customs to get married."

Maisy and Aaron shared a confused look.

"There can be repercussions to being married in our laws. It's mostly frowned upon."

"Who's laws?"

Giselle froze, realising she had said too much.

"The society Louis and I used to live in and be a part of."

Giselle cleared her throat and stood up.

"Thank you so much for lunch. Louis and I will have you guys over soon to repay the favour. But I must really be getting home now. Good day to you both."

Then she showed herself to the door and left the LeBrie's home. She returned to her house and was immediately confronted by Louis.

"Where have you been?" he demanded.

"I took lunch with the neighbours. That's all."

"Do you know how dangerous that is? What if they knew what we were? They could have tried to lure you there to kill you! How could you have been so naïve to not think about this?!"

"They seemed sincere enough, Louis. I promised that we'd return the favour soon. I don't go back on my word."

He sighed. "No, you don't."

"What are you doing back so soon? I would've assumed that you wouldn't have been back until three or four?"

"Repercussions."

Giselle gave him a concerned look.

"What happened, mon amour?"

"I've been laid off. Since I was the closest to the Boss, they feared I did something to become CEO. So they cut me off."

"Oh, Louis. What will you do now?"

"Truthfully, I don't know."

"Well, Maisy LeBrie let slip that the mayor is looking for an advisor. You could apply. Unless you don't want a government position again."

Louis kissed her and smiled warmly.

"You're always looking out for me. What did I do to deserve you?"

Giselle shrugged innocently. Louis laughed.

"I'll look into it, but I may be busy with other things."

"Like what?" she asked.

"Like being the Vampire King."