Chapter 7

Mira's POV

I startled and looked up—Draven was standing right in front of me.

I patted my chest and said helplessly, "Draven, how do you walk without making a sound? You scared me again."

"You were too focused."

He sat down beside me, studying me intently.

"Just now, that was your landlord?"

I nodded. There was nothing to hide about that, but I didn't want to tell my boss about such an embarrassing situation either.

"Are you done with work? Getting ready to leave?"

Draven looked at me deeply, then picked up his phone and tapped on the screen a few times.

The next second, my phone notification sounded. I instinctively unlocked the screen, and when I saw that notification message from my banking app, my eyes widened in an instant.

The account balance had jumped to a number I'd never seen in my entire life!

"Draven, did your finger slip?"

I swallowed hard. "Good thing you accidentally transferred it to me. If you'd transferred it to someone else, they definitely wouldn't give it back. Lucky for you I'm a kind person."

I tapped on my phone screen, about to transfer the money back.

My God, this amount was equal to several years' worth of my rent combined. There were so many zeros trailing behind it that I had to count twice to confirm I wasn't seeing things.

Draven grasped my hand, his voice firm. "This is for you. I earned this money for you in the first place."

I froze. "What did you say?"

I suspected my ears had heard wrong. I recognized each of those words individually, but somehow when strung together, I couldn't understand them.

Draven pressed his lips together, his eyes flickering slightly. "Nothing. It says in the contract that after becoming a permanent employee, you can request an advance on your salary."

The corner of my mouth twitched. "But nobody advances a whole year's worth. Maybe before long your insomnia will get better and you won't need me anymore."

"The extra is a bonus."

He calmly withdrew his hand. "You let me sleep well today. I'm very happy."

I was rendered helpless by his reasoning, but I knew well enough that nothing good comes free in this world. If I really accepted this money, I'd lose the upper hand. If he ever asked me to do something I didn't want to do, I wouldn't even be able to refuse.

"Draven, this is too much. I can't accept it. I'll only keep one month's salary. I'm transferring the rest back to you. Don't try to stop me."

Draven looked at me. Seeing I wouldn't back down, he finally withdrew his hand.

"You can clock out now, Mira."

I turned to look out the window, but saw only thick curtains—no sunset visible. Looking at the time again, it was already five-thirty.

"This day went by so fast."

I stood up and said goodbye to him. "Remember to eat a good dinner and sleep well. I'm heading home now."

Draven nodded and waved at me.

Leaving Dusk Holdings, I didn't go straight home. Instead, I went to Annie's company to pick her up after work.

Annie is my best friend. We've known each other since high school. She's warm, cheerful, and very loyal.

Annie got off work a bit late. By the time she came out, it was already dark.

"Hey! Mira! I missed you so much!"

Annie rushed out of the company and threw her arms around me, her pretty little face nuzzling against my chest.

I pushed her away in disgust. "Can you not be so perverted?"

"No way! You're so soft and you smell so good. I feel like I'm falling in love with you."

"Get away, get away! I don't like women!"

I pushed hard but couldn't shake her off, so I had to tolerate her clinging to my arm.

She really was excessively enthusiastic.

"Did your interview go well today? Is Draven handsome? I heard he's a rare catch—so many beautiful women are crazy about him and want to marry him!"

"I've already been hired."

I nodded, quite agreeing with the latter half of what she'd said. "He is very handsome, and he's a really good person."

Annie blinked. "So how much is he paying you?"

I held up one hand. Annie's eyes suddenly widened.

"Oh my God, babe, you've struck it rich! Oh my Lord, I have a wealthy best friend!"

I laughed, tilted my head up, and said proudly, "Come on, dinner's on me."

Annie grinned and hugged me. "Best friend ever!"

I pulled her along, taking her to a restaurant.

And I didn't notice that hidden in a dark corner, a pair of crimson eyes gleamed...

---

Draven's POV

My girl—she left.

She probably didn't see the reluctance in my eyes.

I hadn't expected her to still remember me. Back then, when I sent her to the orphanage, I used memory-erasing magic on her.

But it seemed she had only forgotten what I looked like. All those little moments we'd shared together—she still remembered them clearly.

Perhaps it was because of her special constitution? I couldn't figure it out.

I looked at the empty office and suddenly felt somewhat lonely.

We'd only spent one day together, but as soon as she clocked out, I felt an emptiness in my heart.

She really was too beautiful. I could never look at her enough. Like an exquisite doll—I wanted to hide her away in my castle.

Actually, while I was working, I'd been secretly watching her the whole time.

I'm not really interested in making money, but Mira once said her wish was to earn lots and lots of money.

I thought I could make that wish come true for her, so I founded Dusk Holdings.

My money is all hers. Even I am hers.

She was hurt. It broke my heart.

I don't know who made her so sad, but when I find out, they'll be sorry.

Mira kept me company while I slept. It made me so happy. Vampires don't actually need sleep, but with her there, I experienced the long-lost taste of slumber.

Addictive, just like her.

I think I must have fallen in love with her. I think about her every moment.

Damn it, why do my subordinates keep stealing glances at my Mira? It's really too annoying.

So I had Mira go into the lounge. She belongs to me.

I transferred money to her. She wouldn't take it.

That really made me sad.

Finally, night fell.

I have to go see her!

I merged myself into the darkness, searching for Mira throughout Duskfall City.

I found her!

Hmm? Who is that woman?

She's actually hugging my dear Mira! And nuzzling against her chest!

Oh no! I feel like my heart just ate a lemon.

But watching Mira chat so happily with that woman called Annie...

I couldn't bear to interrupt.

So I just accompanied her, seeing her home.

She was very happy, humming some unknown song as she walked, her ponytail swaying behind her head, as if brushing across my heart.

It wasn't until late at night that Mira fell asleep.

I materialized in her room and held her.

This landlord is terrible—she didn't even install air conditioning for Mira.

Good thing I can help cool her down.

I held her tightly, kissing her lips.

"Draven..."

I heard her call my name!

"I'm here, I'm here..."

I responded softly, wrapping her even more tightly, kissing her passionately, interlacing our fingers.

"Mira, I love you..."