章節 9: NO!

"I have another talent, you know? I am a very good artist. I can reveal the face of that vampire on paper, even with the mask and hood she had on. What do you guys think? Should I go offer my service to the police?"

"NO!" Ellie blurted before she could stop herself and before anyone could respond to JP's question. Realizing what she just did when all eyes moved in her direction, she slapped her face internally. 'What is wrong with you, Ellie?'

"No?" JP tilted her head slightly, creasing the area between her brows. She looked like she wasn't pleased with what Ellie just said.

"Yes. The answer to your question is no." Ellie maintained, knowing from experience that taking back her word now would be suspicious. "And I have good reasons for saying that," Ellie added, then said nothing further as her head was trying to put together a reasonable reason for her objection.

"Which are?" JP asked when Ellie didn't speak further. She expected the girl to state her reasons, but she just went mute.

"First, you might attract the attention of the vampires toward you. They would find out who exposed them, and come after the person." Ellie stated, using JP's obsession and fear of vampires against her.

"I thought you didn't believe they were real," JP asked, narrowing her eyes.

"I didn't at first. But after what happened last night, I don't know what to believe anymore." Ellie put on a confused look to make her reason and words sound more believable.

"And what are your other reasons?" JP asked, her expression relaxed a little due to the satisfaction that Ellie was now believing all she had been saying.

"You know how the police are. You may offer your service and at the end of the day, you will not be paid for it. Remember they have done it before to Gandi." Ellie stated another reason her head came up with, knowing JP doesn't joke with money.

"I'm not doing it for the pay. It's just for the fun of it. I really want to see her face." JP argued.

"Fun, sometimes, can lead you into trouble, JP. I'm speaking from experience." Ellie spoke like a wise old woman, who has gathered experience from her long years on earth.

When she was getting satisfaction from the way JP looked like she was considering what she said, a different waitress, wearing pigtails, broke the bubble.

"Experience?" She scoffed, folding her arms underneath her chest. "Which one? Drug addiction? Was it really fun that led you into that lifestyle?"

"Clara!" Another waitress called out the name of the girl who spoke, her tone, scolding.

The others, including JP, sent her surprised looks. They didn't expect she would spout out such sensitive words boldly in front of Ellie.

Clara rolled her eyes. "What? I only asked a question. Why are y'all acting like this is some shocking news? Like y'all don't know who she is or who she claims she was. Please…" She gave another eye roll.

Although Ellie was used to people giving her disgusted looks and talking about her dropped lifestyle whenever she passes by, this was the first time someone was saying it to her face. Worse, it was the same girl Ellie avoided at all costs because she had once overheard the girl badmouthing her in the restroom.

But despite being used to stuff like this already, what the girl said struck a nerve.

"Don't respond to the buzzing of a bee, Faith. It makes you look somehow." Ellie spoke in a tired tone, directing her words to the girl who called out Clara. "Some bees only know how to buzz. Apart from that, they are irrelevant."

The other girls burst out laughing, some turned their faces away and covered their lips with the back of their palms to conceal their laughter, while others freely laughed out loud.

Clara's face twisted into an ugly frown as she fumed. "Who are you calling a bee?"

"I hope you take my advice seriously, JP," Ellie spoke, ignoring the fuming brat who was glaring at her. After saying this, she turned around and walked away.

"Crazy bitch… I hope you overdose and die…" She heard Clara's words but paid no attention to them or the person who was spouting them. She had better things to worry about.

JP's words about someone being able to paint her face were still bothering her. She didn't think of that. Although she doubted they would succeed in getting it perfectly, there was still this 'what if' question that just wouldn't let her ignore this problem.

She went about her activities like she normally would. Thankfully, there was no George to bother her that day. Toward the close of work hours, her worry had successfully lessened as she constantly convinced herself that there was no way any artist would get her face, no matter how talented he or she was. Her hair was perfectly hidden, her eyes were red, and she had a mask on. No frigging way she would be exposed.

All the fear, wariness, and worry, she pushed to the back of her mind. One more operation tonight, then another tomorrow night. After that, she would discard everything, relocate with Nicholas, and have some peace of mind.

Ellie got home that evening with a renewed determination. She gave Anne some money before she left, even though the girl was reluctant to take it at first.

After attending to, and playing with Nick, she once more gave him the sleep-inducing gummy, and soon, the little boy drifted off to a deep sleep.

She grabbed her bag containing her vampire costumes, then walked out of the house, the dark and lonely alley on her mind.

A few seconds after she stepped out, two men, dressed in all black and long tail coats, walked into the apartment complex and didn't stop until they arrived at her door.