chapter eight

As I sat at my dressing table, admiring my reflection and contemplating my growth, a sense of euphoria washed over me. Memories of my past and recent achievements, particularly my new job, flooded my mind. Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream pierced the night air, emanating from my boss's room. The sound sent shivers down my spine.

I rushed out of my room, my heart racing with concern. As I reached the top of the stairs, the screaming intensified. I hesitated, wondering if I should have heeded my boss's earlier instructions to stay away. However, my concern for his well-being took over, and I slowly turned the handle and pushed open the door.

As I scanned the room, my eyes widened in horror. My boss, once a composed figure, now writhed on the floor, his body contorting in ways that seemed humanly impossible. His face elongated, his eyes glowing yellow, and he let out a deafening roar. I froze, paralyzed with fear.

He slowly crawled towards me, his movements unnatural and menacing. I stood frozen, unsure whether to flee or try to help. As he drew closer, I took a step back, my back against the wall. He lifted his arm, placing it on the wall beside me, trapping me.

"I told you not to enter my room, Emily," he growled, his voice hoarse and cracking. However, as I looked into his eyes, I saw something unexpected - tears forming, a plea for help. My fear gave way to concern, and I reached out to touch him.

"Sir, I'll help you any way I can," I whispered, my voice trembling. As I touched him, I felt his emotions - pain, loneliness, and desperation. Without thinking, I moved closer and hugged him. He drew me into a tight embrace, and I felt his hot tears on my neck.

As we stood there, his body slowly began to shift back to its human form. He stepped back, his eyes still brimming with tears. "Emily, I...I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," he whispered, his voice cracking.

I looked up at him, my heart still racing, but my fear replaced with concern. "What's happening to you, sir?" I asked, barely above a whisper. He took a deep breath, his eyes closing as if in pain.

"Emily, thank you for being here," he whispered, a small smile on his lips. "I'm always here if you need my help, sir," I replied. He looked at me, his eyes searching mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of hope.

I left his room, my mind reeling from the events that had transpired. Sleep eluded me as I lay in bed, my thoughts consumed by the image of my boss's terrified expression. His eyes, glowing golden yellow, haunted me. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

"Is he a vampire?" I whispered to myself, shifting uncomfortably in bed. "Are vampires even real?" I sat up, resting my back against the wooden headboard. The questions swirled in my head, refusing to let me sleep.

As I tossed and turned, the memory of his eyes flashed before me, jolting me awake. Frustrated and thirsty, I decided to get a glass of water from the kitchen. As I entered the sitting room, I noticed a figure sitting on the couch.

My heart skipped a beat as I took a step back, startled. The figure slowly raised its head, and I couldn't recognize who was sitting on the couch. He looked just as startled as I did.

"Who are you?" I demanded, trying to hide the tremble in my voice.

My boss rubbed his eyes, looking disoriented. "Oh my God, Emily, you scared me. Why are you awake?" He picked up the remote control and turned on the light.

I relaxed slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Sorry to scare you. I didn't think you'd be here."

My boss smiled wryly. "I guess we both had trouble sleeping. What brings you out here?"

I shrugged. "I couldn't sleep. Today was stressful, and I needed some water."

My boss nodded sympathetically. "Sorry about the stress. Why don't we watch a movie together? It might help you wind down." He glanced at me, a hint of a smile on his face.

I agreed, and we settled in to watch a movie. As the night wore on, I found myself feeling more at ease, despite the earlier events. But the memory of my boss's glowing eyes lingered, leaving me with more questions than answers.

As he connected his Netflix account to the TV, he turned to me and asked, "What genre would you like to watch?"

I took a sip of water from the cup in my hand and then set it down on the table. "What kind of movies do you usually watch, boss?" I replied, curiosity getting the better of me.

He smiled, seeming to enjoy the conversation. "I'm a fan of American and Korean romance films, but I also enjoy war movies. However, tonight's your choice. Pick whatever you'd like."

My eyes lit up with excitement. "I love horror movies, sir. Since you've given me free rein, there's this one horror film I've been dying to see. Can we watch it, please?" I asked, still standing.

He nodded, gesturing for me to come closer. "Of course, we can. Come sit with me. And please, stop calling me boss."

I grinned, feeling a sense of ease with him. "Thank you, sir," I said, searching for the movie "Get Out" on Netflix.