Lunch with the Bowie's

Clarisse had her eyes locked on the vegetables as she ate, she wasn't much of a vegetarian but she still had to take them to keep her human side healthy. She was amazed at how the table was full today. Did her mother know they were having guests over for lunch or was there another ceremony she wasn't aware of?

She felt like the daughter of a king, sitting there at that dining table with different types of food taking most of the space. What happened to the usual little food she has for lunch on a regular?

But how could she forget? Her father was an ancient vampire, one who has lived through centuries and he was back, how could they possibly continue living in abject poverty?

Things were going to change around here, and as much as she despised Garrick's presence in the house, she had to appreciate that his return to their lives made things better. She already noticed the security at the door; those men were not there earlier today when she had left for school, and neither were the maids.

She began to wonder how her father had done all of that in the little time she had spent at school, he bought a car, got servants and security to guard the house, stocked the house with foodstuff and even came to pick her up from school; but most importantly, what was he trying to prove with all this?

Clarisse was glad that she doesn't have to eat the same thing for breakfast everyday which is all thanks to Garrick, but she still doesn't like him or accept him, she wasn't ready to see him as a father.

Clarisse looked up and her eyes fell on Chase; of course the guests were having lunch with them, everyone was there except her mother and uncle Connor; okay, maybe we should just say her father and his guests were there with her.

Clarisse couldn't help but notice that Chase was handsome; he had curly black hair, wasn't too long but not short either; he had tiny lips, also deep green eyes and she found that mesmerizing. She always wished she had green eyes; she just loved the way they reflect in the sun, especially emerald green.

Just then, Chase stared at her and she froze; he smiled at her and she smiled back awkwardly before looking down. From the corner of her eyes and with the help of her other senses, she could tell that he was still staring. She decides to ignore him and rather eavesdrop on her father's conversation with Albus; maybe she could learn another thing about vampire history.

Clarisse loved hearing stories from the past, it was a habit she had formed from an early age because her mother always kept her busy with stories especially when she couldn't sleep at night. She could still remember those days like it was yesterday.

Now, with her latest discovery on Vampire life span, Clarisse was beginning to wonder if she would still remember those little lovely memories with her mom centuries from now, when her mother has probably left them behind to answer the call of nature.

As much she loved the thought of living forever, it also scared her. She was going to watch a lot of her friends die, and she would have no choice but to move on. How would it feel losing everyone you know? She wondered how her father had been able to keep it up for thousands of years and now she was starting to understand why he had the need to hibernate.

Maybe when he gets tired of life, he just snoozes off and waits till when things are new and exciting so he can start all over again, repeating the endless cycle century after century; yeah, that is horrifying and she wasn't sure that she wanted any of that.

"So, I am throwing a welcome party here for myself in a few days and I would really love it if you attended," she heard her father uttered and that got her unstable attention.

He was throwing a party at their house? Okay, things were definitely going to be different with his return. The only parties that have been thrown in this mansion since she was born were her little birthday parties and it was just her, Claire and her Uncle Connor. Now her father was planning a massive party and he was inviting his vampire friends?

Yeah, she would definitely enjoy his presence here while she can, he might be a horrible father in her eyes but he also knew how to have fun and that was exactly what has been missing in her boring life.

"Sure, I would be insane not to attend Garrick Verne's party. I am not just going to be here, I will bring my family along and perhaps bring a few friends as well." Albus replied and they laughed.

"No, you can't." Garrick suddenly said and they paused. Clarisse looked up to her father, surprised by his refusal. Why did he refuse? He didn't want other people at the party?

"I shouldn't bring friends?" Albus asked with a look of surprise as well. He knew Garrick as someone who loved to merry and the more the merrier, so why was he refusing.

"No, I don't mean you shouldn't bring friends, I mean you shouldn't bring a few, bring all of them," Garrick exclaimed and the old men were at it again; they burst into laughter.

Clarisse smiled and sighed as she shook her head. Her father was not as funny as he thought he was, she also noticed Chase smiling at her and she looked down uncomfortably.

Just then, the door swung open and Claire walked in. she froze when she saw strangers in the dining room as she hadn't expected it. She wasn't at home when they returned and it was the new maids who had served the lunch.

The room went quiet as they all stared at Claire and she in turn awkwardly stared at them from the door, she then sighed and turned around, walking out of the dining room.

"Oh, excuse me, gentlemen." Garrick said with a smile and then he stood up and went after Claire.

Clarisse sighed and bowed her head. It was awkward sitting here with strangers when her father was here, not like he wasn't a stranger but he was less of a stranger than them. But now she was here all alone with two complete strangers and things had never been more awkward.

There was silence between them for a few minutes and then Albus spoke. "Clarisse right?" he asked.

Clarisse didn't speak; she just nodded with a smile without even looking up. Well, she would have heard him even if she was sleeping; the man has a deep voice.

"I hope you don't mind, I am intrigued by you and I would love to ask some questions, child." Mr. Albus said further.

Clarisse found it funny that he called her his child, because just like her father, Albus looks like her older brother. How do they manage to look this young after being alive for centuries; the same goes for her uncle Connor, she doubted he has looked any different since her childhood.

"Sure, go ahead." Clarisse accepted, even though she wasn't really interested in speaking to these people.

"Okay, so Claire is your mom, right?" he asked.

"Excuse me?" Clarisse muttered and looked up at him in scrutiny. Was he really asking that? So he doesn't believe her father, if not why would he be asking?

"Um… Clarisse, don't be offended. What my father is trying to say in his own ancient way is that he is still in disbelief that you were born of a human and vampire. You know, because there is absolutely none of your kind." Chase spoke immediately.

That was the first time Clarisse had clearly heard his voice and she loved the way he sounded. He had nice vocals and she was definitely feeling him.

"Oh," Clarisse said and forced a smile, pretending to be okay with his explanation. "I understand, father said he never believed it until he saw me, and uncle Connor always says that I am a miracle," she replied.

Albus smiled and nodded his head. "Yes dear, you are a miracle, and I can't wait to know more about you. Tell me, do you possess vampire abilities?" he asked further.

"It depends on which ability you speak of, if you are asking if I feed on blood like the rest of you… then yes, I do drink blood." She said coldly.

"Oh, so what other vampire abilities do you possess?" Albus asked. He seemed curious to know more about her; maybe to find out if she had any special abilities that the rest of them didn't.

Clarisse sighed and dropped the beef in her hand. "I have little to no idea on what Vampires can do and what they can't, because until two days ago, only two people knew I was a vampire and one of them was a human." She answered.

Clarisse was starting to get vexed with this discussion as she considered the questions thrown at her inappropriate. She just had to stay calm till her father returned or those eyes of hers would be glowing light blue in no time, and that never ends well.

To be continued!!