11. Cruel Fate

Adrian observed carefully from behind the library window. His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized every movement of the three men surrounding Odel. There was something odd about them, something he couldn't put into words.

Under his breath, he muttered, "How can creatures of darkness roam around here? " What do they want with Odel?" Taking a deep breath, Adrian began devising a plan. He knew this wasn't an ordinary encounter.

After classes ended, Odel walked home with her three fiancés to the modest apartment they shared. Once inside, the peaceful atmosphere shifted drastically. Without hesitation, Daffin shrugged off his jacket and sprawled across the sofa, while Emilio went straight to the fridge and pulled out a secret bottle of blood juice he had stored there.

"Why did you put that in the fridge, Emilio? " Put it in the storage room!" Odel scolded.

"I like it fresh. " If you keep nagging, I might just kiss you!" Emilio threatened playfully.

"You wouldn't dare!" Odel snapped.

"Oh, just try it, and you'll regret it!" Daffin chimed in, equally determined to stop Emilio from kissing Odel.

Clayton, however, remained silent. Shooting them an annoyed glance, he walked straight into his room without a word. He seemed too exhausted to argue, likely from having to attend daytime classes.

As Odel closed the apartment door, she turned to see Daffin sprawled lazily on the sofa. "That's a seat, not a bed!" she grumbled.

Daffin only chuckled nonchalantly. "I just want to relax after such a long day, sweetheart." He threw her a teasing smile.

"And you!" Odel pointed at Emilio, who was pouring blood juice into a glass. "Don't use my glass for that!" I don't want to deal with the smell of blood while washing it."

Emilio shrugged casually. "You're always so serious, Odel. Relax, I'll wash it myself. Want to try some? " You might like it eventually," he teased.

"Like it someday? Are you crazy? " I have never drinking blood," Odel retorted.

"Oh, you will," Emilio said confidently.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Odel asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Because you're going to be the wife of one of us, and that means you'll become a vampire too," Emilio said matter-of-factly.

Odel gulped. Emilio's casual tone made her realize there was a secret they had been keeping from her.

"Wait a minute—what do you mean? Am I going to become a vampire?"

Daffin suddenly sat up, glaring at Emilio.

"Don't listen to Emilio. " You're tired; go get some rest, Odel," Daffin said, trying to change the subject.

Odel remained silent, certain that Daffin was hiding something. She decided to take a shower, then retreated to her room for a while before stepping out again to check on things.

By then, Emilio was asleep in a chair, his glass of blood juice still on the table, while Daffin lay sprawled on the sofa, seemingly in a deep, dreamless vampire slumber.

"They must be exhausted," Odel muttered to herself.

As the quiet settled, a new plan formed in her mind—a plan to escape. Clayton was surely still asleep; he was too tired to notice if she slipped out. Smiling in triumph, Odel grabbed her backpack, already packed for her getaway.

Sneaking out quietly, she made it to the front yard. Just as she thought she was free, a crumpled ball of paper landed near her feet, thrown from a window above.

"Trying to run away again?" Clayton's voice called out. He stood by his bedroom window, looking at her suspiciously.

Startled, Odel quickly came up with an excuse. "I'm just going out to buy groceries. Why do you care?"

"Why are you carrying a backpack, then?" Clayton asked, starting a conversation from the window.

"I can use it to carry groceries. " It's a big backpack!" Odel explained.

"Your bag looks full already. Stop making excuses. Get back inside. " If you really need groceries, I'll take you," Clayton offered flatly.

Odel pouted. She had been caught red-handed. With no other choice, she went back inside, tossing her backpack onto her bed. The apartment remained quiet, with Emilio and Daffin still sprawled out in the living room in chaotic sleeping positions.

Clayton stepped out of his room, wearing a dark blue jacket with the hood pulled over his head.

"Let's go," he said.

"Where to?"

"Didn't you say you needed to buy groceries? " Besides," I don't know what you need," he replied.

"But—"

"But what?"

"I'm low on cash," Odel admitted.

"Don't worry, I've got plenty," Clayton assured her.

"Are you sure? " Do you even understand how money works?" Odel asked hesitantly.

Clayton pulled out a few cards—an ATM card, a shopping card, and even a credit card.

"Don't underestimate the Doyle family. " I might not fully understand the human world, but we're rich!" he declared confidently.

"Great! " Let's go! " I've got a lot to buy," Odel said enthusiastically.

Clayton, his expression as flat as ever, walked alongside her toward the grocery store near their apartment. Neither of them spoke. Clayton stayed silent the entire way, while Odel, unsure of what to say to the vampire, didn't try to start a conversation.

The sun was still blazing, even though it was late afternoon. Odel glanced at Clayton, who was wearing an unusually long jacket.

"Aren't you hot in that?" she asked.

Clayton shook his head, then whispered, "I don't even have sweat glands like you."

"Really?"

"Yes, but we don't do well under the sun. " That's why we prefer nighttime activities," Clayton explained.

"Why's that?"

"The sun burns my skin. " But we have special skincare to counteract it," he said matter-of-factly.

"Oh, I see."

Clayton nodded, then fell silent again. They continued in near silence until they reached the supermarket. Odel picked out a variety of groceries and household supplies, then handed them to Clayton to pay for.

"Why is it so little?" Clayton asked.

"That's enough for now. Besides, this place is close. " It's easy to come back if we need more," Odel replied.

"Fair enough. " But if you ever need anything, make sure to ask me, not the others," Clayton said firmly.

The store cashier smiled at them, seemingly noticing something between the two.

"You're such a sweet young couple," the cashier remarked.

Odel froze for a moment, but Clayton remained calm and even responded, "Thank you, she's my fiancée."

"Wow, already that serious at such a young age? " Or was it an arranged marriage?" the cashier asked, intrigued.

"We're in love," Clayton answered smoothly.

Odel forced a grin, avoiding further conversation as she carried some of the bags out of the store.

"Your fiancée seems a little shy," the cashier noted.

"Yes, she's always like that," Clayton replied casually.

Odel could hear their conversation but chose not to comment. What was the point? The cashier couldn't help her anyway.

Once again, they walked side by side, making their way back to the apartment. Odel occasionally sighed, and Clayton took notice.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"What do you think?" Odel countered, avoiding a direct answer.

"Are the shopping bags too heavy? " Here, let me carry all of them. " My left hand is still free," Clayton offered.

"That's not it," Odel replied.

"Then what is it?" Clayton asked, now even more puzzled.

"I still can't wrap my head around being engaged to all of you. " It's crazy—absolutely insane to me," Odel said, her voice tinged with frustration.

"What's the big deal? " You just have to pick one of three handsome men," Clayton replied nonchalantly.

Odel stepped closer, trying to organize her thoughts. "Clayton, I need to know something. About this marriage. I don't understand what Baron's real intentions are."

Clayton paused, then let out a long sigh. "Baron didn't tell you everything, did he?"

Odel nodded, relieved that she could finally discuss this with someone.

"No, he only said I had to choose one of you. But... what happens after that? Emilio mentioned something earlier about becoming a vampire. Am I really going to turn into a vampire after the wedding?"

Clayton turned his face away, clearly hesitant to answer. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke, his voice low.

"That depends on your choice, Odel. If you choose Emilio, he will turn you into a vampire like him."

"What if I choose you?" Odel asked quickly.

"I have a plan," Clayton said, stopping as though he wanted to say more.

"What plan? Tell me!" Odel pressed.

Before Clayton could explain, the other two vampires appeared out of nowhere.

"Wow, you two went out alone?" Daffin asked, smirking.

"Odel, why didn't you take me with you too?" Emilio added, his tone playful.