12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Ethan

L ily knows. I am not certain what she knows exactly, but her eyes tell me that she knows something she should not have.

She does not know what kind of creature I am, but she must have some idea by now. I feel bad for practically dragging her from the basement, but as she was leaving, she insisted on inspecting some products that she shouldn't come close to.

The tension between us was undeniable, and her heartbeat quickened whenever I got close to her. Her body responded to me in a way that it had never done before. I can tell she is suspicious.

"What's on your mind?" Perry asks, breaking my train of thought.

"Nothing," I reply.

"Doesn't seem like nothing to me."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, for starters, you're sitting there staring off into space. You haven't even read the reports that have been sitting on this table for the past ten minutes. You refuse to drink, and you look like you're a million miles away."

"It's nothing, Perry."

"Mr. Rothschild, I have not only been your attorney for years, but I have known you for years too. I know when something is bothering you, and I know how you're trying to deal with it."

"Work complications."

"That is why I am here."

"I can't share everything with you, Perry," I grab the pack of cigarettes and light one.

"I know, and I understand. But whatever it is, it is affecting you. Let me help you, Mr. Rothschild."

"Not today, Perry," I exhale and lean back in my chair.

"Whatever you say, Mr. Rothschild. Now, look at this."

"What is this?"

"These are the documents the FDA has been requesting."

"So, they're already sending the letters. So soon? I was not expecting that."

"Yes. Here is the request list of the documents they want."

"I don't care about the FDA, Perry. At least not for now. I need to know more about our newest, suspicious client."

"That is what I was just getting to. This is everything you need to know about him," he smirks, and places another file on the desk.

"Tell me about him," I say, opening the file and skimming through it.

"Not much is known about him. He is a young man who goes by the name of Demetrius Daire. At least, we are now sure of his real name. The records we have of him are very limited. But his spending pattern tells us something."

"Which is?"

"He is not only buying for himself, but for a massive group of people. He has purchased more than a hundred units of the same product. It is not a small number, Mr. Rothschild."

"He could be selling the serum for a fortune. Do we have any more information?"

"Well, I am not certain about this, but I have my doubts."

"Yes, Perry, go ahead."

"He is either hiding someone or is hiding behind someone. It could even be a group. A massive one, if you think about it."

"I still don't get it. How could he benefit from our products, but still make complaints to the FDA?"

"Well, that is what we are trying to find out. But it's not like he is the only person making complaints about your products. The FDA is always tracking this."

"So, what do we have on him? I need to face him. A couple of pages won't tell me what I need to know, Perry."

"I am not sure we can get him."

"Oh, I am sure we can, Perry. Think about it. There must be a way."

"Well, his real address is not in the database. But we do have a phone number. He is the kind of person who likes to stay out of the spotlight, I suppose."

"Well, I am not that type. But I am sure we can reach him. I would like to talk things out with him, and deal with it my own way."

"Concerning the FDA, however, we have a few options."

"Like what?" I ask.

"We can settle out of court."

"You know I don't do that, Perry."

"Or you can pay a fine. That's always an option."

"I could also buy the FDA, couldn't I? That's also an option."

"If only things were that easy," Perry chuckles.

"They can be."

"How, though?"

"I'll tell you, Perry, the FDA is one of those entities that are so corrupt that they need to be bought out and replaced," I tell him, lighting another cigarette. Everything is getting to me, but I can't stop thinking of Lily.

"Bribe them, you mean?" Perry asks, lighting a cigarette as well.

"Yes. Exactly, Perry."

"Mr. Rothschild, as your legal attorney, I should tell you that this is not a good idea."

"As my legal attorney, Perry, I want you to make it happen. If I don't hear from you again, then I will assume you haven't done anything. Understood?"

"I insist that we don't do such a thing. We just need to solve this legally."

"You handle the FDA matter then, and I will deal with our suspicious buyer."

"Very well, Mr. Rothschild."

"Now, Perry, let us talk friend to friend. You've seen Lily with me earlier, right?"

"Yes, Mr. Rothschild, and I was wondering why. But that's none of my business."

"Well, I was wondering if you could find out a few things about her."

"I am not a detective, Ethan."

"I am aware of that, Perry. But I need you to do it. And if it requires a detective, I will gladly provide one."

"It is a bit personal."

"I didn't like the look on her face after we got out from the basement. She kept asking me about Sanguisderm. She was so close to finding out about the packed blood cells. It would have been a problem for both of us. And I can't let that happen. Find out what she is up to."

"And what will you do with her, Ethan?"

"I'll think about that when you've found out what she wants. For now, just keep her under watch."

"Okay."

"Thank you, Perry," I say as I stand up and stretch.

"You can count on me," Perry responds, standing up too.

"I know I can. See you soon, Perry," I say, shaking his hand.

I need to get to my office. I need to get Lily out of my head, at least for now. She has started to invade my mind, and I don't like it. As much as I am craving her right now, I can't let her be around me. It would not be a good thing. Especially when I am thirsty.

I miss her, but she has not tried to reach out to me either. It's been a few hours, with no call from her.

It is best for both of us. She can't know what kind of creature I am, and I don't want to lose her. I don't want to risk losing the only human I have ever fallen in love with.

"Busy?" Nick's voice pops out by the door and brings me back to reality.

"Not at all," I say and stand up.

"Amazing work your girl has done in my office."

"I am assuming you are talking about Lily."

"Well, yes."

"Of course, you are, Nick."

"Perfect work. I loved the red roses. It matches the color of the walls."

"I bet. And she's not my girl, Nick. Not that I would ever tell you, anyways," I walk to my fridge. The thirst is getting to me, and I feel myself getting weaker.

"But she could be again if you would only try. You've been alone for too long, brother."

"Nick, I love you, but can you shut up? It's not about that, not about Lily, and not about me and her. Well, maybe about her but I-"

"Yes?"

"I can't find any more blood bags," I nervously sigh. My head feels like it is going to explode.

"Speaking of blood bags, you should have those. Your face is looking pale," Nick says.

"Yes, Nick, thank you, but I can't find any," I sigh again, and slam the fridge door shut.

"Why are you tense, Ethan?"

"I am quite sure I left enough blood bags here. More than enough to last me for at least a week."

"I am sure you have just forgotten that you had them all."

"Nick, I don't have time for your games. You know damn well that I can't forget anything."

"Maybe they were stolen."

"That's a possibility," I say, running my fingers through my hair.

"Or maybe, it's something else."

"What do you mean?"

"I am not sure. What I am sure of is that you are just getting weaker and weaker. I can tell. I have blood packs in my office, Ethan, we can just-"

"I know, but no. Someone's been here, and I need to deal with this," I cut him off, trying not to sound worried.

"Any plans for tonight? El Diablo is open tonight. I am going with a group of people, and I want you to join us."

"No, thanks. Not interested."

"Ethan, you haven't gone out in ages. It is your nightclub. Come with me, have a drink, and meet some new people."

"Good talk, Nick. Really good talk, but I need some air," I grab my car keys and leave.

Lily haunts my mind. I am too stressed to think of anything else. She has not contacted me back. No calls, no messages, no emails.

Too much has happened today, and I am beginning to fail to concentrate. But my mind, body, and soul are yearning for her.

It is raining heavily and being in my car is not helping. It has been raining for hours. The roads are wet, the sky is dark, and there are puddles everywhere. I stop the car, roll down the windows, and take a deep breath.

"Could it be? Could it be that Lily knows more about me than she should?" I whisper to myself.

I grab my phone and decide to message the blog again. I don't care if it is her behind it or not. What I care about is that I need a way to talk to someone. I am looking for answers, and I don't know what kind of answers, but I am dying to find something.

"I can't stop thinking of her. She is everything I think about, and I can't seem to get rid of the thought of her out of my head. I am sure she must be feeling the same way."

As I sigh and place my phone on the dashboard, I hear a loud notification sound, but it is not from my phone.

"You've got to be kidding me."