Chapter 17: Chapter 17

For the second half of her narration, Colette explained that following an incident that rendered her an orphan, she carried on her father’s new trade in tailoring, where she traveled across the Independent Union for close to three-hundred years as a peddling merchant before settling for her own department store in the mall.

“So that’s the story of me,” she finalized. “I’m just a small business owner who makes a living designing and selling clothes for as long as I’m alive. Everything you see around here was created by me.”

“Oh wow, you made all this yourself?” Rohit asked with intrigue. “Fascinating.”

The dhamphir nodded. “Hell, I’ve got all the time in the world, so it’s not like I require much help around here anyway. Most of it is created by magic once I gather the materials. It’s like a system in place for each enchanted tool I own.” She gestured to the utensils and machines around the room and added that she had a whole studio at home too. “It’s my passion and I’ve garnered quite the reputation…” Colette sighed. “Unfortunately, costs of materials has forced me to increase prices. It’s to ensure the quality of my clothing too…”

‘Ah, so that’s why,’ thought Rohit, remembering the prices of her products. ‘She’s just trying to break even.’

“And business hasn’t been so good, but I’ve managed to keep paying the rent with all the money I’ve made over the years—”

“How does this relate to what happened earlier?” Ingrid impatiently interrupted.

Colette chuckled. “I was just getting to that. Well, you see, vampires obsess over human blood, and humans obsess over a variety of things, like money and fame to name a few. With that said, when Rohit walked in,” she scanned his physique again, “I was instantly infatuated with him, as I could sense that rich blood and dormant power, as well as the thought of being overjoyed with having customers again.” She licked her lips, recalling the ecstasy that overtook her calm and professional persona, as she explained the same thing she disclosed to Rohit earlier.

Ingrid nodded, sympathizing with the young woman’s situation. “I guess we aren’t so different after all,” she regretfully said, scratching the back of her hair.

The dhamphir smiled. “I suppose we aren’t… though I would add that I tried coercing him more aggressively to try on clothes earlier, hoping he’d buy…” She turned to Rohit and apologized, to which the young man gestured with his hand, like it didn’t matter.

“Don’t worry about it,” he assured her. “I’m not one to hold grudges over a miscommunication.”

Colette looked at him with soft eyes and smiled, to which he returned s grin.

“Well, if there’s nothing else, we should probably get back to shopping, Ingrid. I think Colette has more than enough explained everything about herself, don’t you think?”

The vampire heiress looked around the store and then answered, “I still have some shopping to do.” She looked at Colette. “Is your store still opened, ma’am?”

The dhamphir smiled brightly and gestured to the sales floor. “Just let me know if you need any help!” she charismatically informed.

It didn’t take long for Ingrid to conclude her shopping spree here, since she still had the wardrobe she selected earlier. She did some additional browsing before checking out.

Rohit didn’t say anything, and just watched the vampire heiress go at it, while Colette followed her and held onto her clothes in the meantime.

They returned to their old selves prior to their fight, like they’d been best of friends. But it was mostly because they had similarities and genuinely enjoyed one another’s company that only girls could understand.

The young man looked through the racks again and came across that coat he was trying out earlier. ‘I guess I should buy this,’ he thought, picking up the dark, Victorian-era frock coat. It extended halfway down his calf, and when he wore it, he felt like some nobleman or a character from a fantasy series. Most of all, he just felt good wearing it. ‘That’s it, I’m gonna buy this,’ he finalized his decision.

When he removed the coat and turned around, he saw Ingrid and Colette ogling at him.

Their eyes were sparkling like gems, as they fanned over how cool he looked wearing the outfit.

“Can I cook, or can’t I!” Colette reiterated from the conversation she and Rohit had earlier.

“Rohit, this jacket suits you so much! I’ll buy it!” Ingrid asserted excitedly. “It’s the least I could do!”

The young man blushed, as he stood frozen in place. “Thanks, but I can buy this, it’s no problem,” he clarified. Rohit didn’t feel right letting someone pay for his miscellaneous expenditures. “Besides, I don’t spend much on anything except food and college tuition.”

The vampire heiress shook her head and approached him with her hands on her hips. She looked up at him with a straight face and stated, “That simply won’t do. It’s imperative that I buy this for you for everything you’ve done for me.”

Realizing she wasn’t backing down with her firm declaration, Rohit relinquished his pride and allowed Ingrid to purchase the coat for him. She smirked deviously and proceeded to take the jacket from him so she could add it to her pile, but he raised it higher and proclaimed, “If you buy this, then I’m buying the food, and other delicacies if we’re still out by then.”

Ingrid seductively softened her eyes, as they met his gaze. “Deal,” she agreed.

At the end of it all, the vampire heiress did have money to pay for her wardrobe and his jacket. So that didn’t pose an issue when the price came to a number even Rohit wasn’t familiar with when it came to buying clothes.

But he rationalized that the Ingrid was going to stay at his house for a while anyway, so better to get her own sets of clothes one time. Now it was just a matter of storing them, but he’d figure it out in due time.

“Before you go,” Colette spoke with the pair, as she walked them towards the exit, “I should at least give you this.” She held out an insulated box that held some spare blood bags she kept cool for personal use. “I usually have a stockpile of these that can roll over to the next month before I’m able to refill honestly,” she explained, handing it to Rohit in an inconspicuous tote bag. “This’ll last you a while.”

“Oh!” Ingrid’s eyes lit up. “Thank you! You really didn’t have to.”

Colette waved her hand. “It’s fine. I don’t consume like normal vampires—I’m able to freely go without it for longer periods of time.”

“I’m assuming it doesn’t matter how old the blood is, as long as it’s blood?” Rohit wondered, asking if it was okay to consume large amounts of expired blood.

“Correct. Though fresh blood is ultimately preferred, sometimes beggars can’t be choosers in the human world if you’re on the struggle.” She nodded and pointed to the tote bag. “This blood will help you get by when you need it—it’s like regular food. Too much of a single thing is bad. Gotta portion it accordingly.”

“Right, I understand,” Ingrid replied.

“You’re gonna want this as well for your future use,” Colette continued, pulling out a metal case from her pants pocket and took one of her business cards out before scribbling on the back. “This is the address to that second-hand blood bank.” She handed it to Ingrid. “It’s usually meant for vampires who don’t engage in hunting or don’t have the ability to hunt anymore, so they’re more of a donation center.”

Rohit raised his eyebrows, surprised such a facility existed, but Colette explained that this particular address was actually a realm that could be trekked into under certain conditions she outlined on the card. “They have a division at the human blood bank here that supplies vampires with expired blood.” She paused. “I won’t go into detail, but just know that the blood bank has many vampires employed, but they abide to the rules of society in an effort to not get caught by vampire hunters and mess up these transactions for everyone.”

Rohit gulped, while Ingrid nodded.

“I’ve heard they have a smaller division similar to this back in the Valkyrjan Parliament,” the vampire heiress added. “The hunters haven’t been able to detect their operation either.”

“If you show this to them, they’ll set you up on my account,” Colette finalized, “or you’re free to create your own. Either way, I just wanted to be the one to refer you in case you came across any difficulties.”

Ingrid smiled. “This helps a great deal, thank you.” She then moved in for a hug and genuinely meant this release of stress.

The dhamphir chuckled. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m doing this for Rohit mostly.” She patted her on the back.

The vampire retorted, “Don’t you worry about him. He can handle his own. Plus I’m always by his side if he needs me.”

When they parted, Colette replied, “Consider yourself fortunate to have someone like him. Not all men come as genuine as he does.”

“That’s true.” Ingrid then placed a hand by her chin in thought. “Actually, I might know another who reminds me of Rohit…”

As she mused, the associate approached the young man and proceeded to hug him tightly. “Pay me a visit some time, cutie,” she whispered in his ear, as her words tickled it. “I get awfully lonely. Perhaps next time, we could grab a bite to eat.” Just when she said that, she nibbled on Rohit’s ear, causing him to jolt, but not so much in her warm and alluring embrace, with her chest pressed against his body.

“I-I’ll be sure to stay in touch,” Rohit stuttered, as he maintained his composure, trying not to get too aroused.

Colette stepped back, finalizing with, “You know where to find me, then.” She winked at him and returned to managing her store. When Ingrid and Rohit exited, there were some customers interested in checking out what the dhamphir sold, so her expression brightened, as she proceeded to help them out. Her desire to make a sale simmered down, so she could create a sense of comfort for her patrons.