Page 12 of Sweeter than Honey
Lexi elbows our older sister. “Ooh, a witch! I guess it runs in the family.”
Celine scowls back at her. Her partner, Amara, is a good witch who helps out around the hotel. It’s unorthodox for a vampire to be involved with a good witch, but…well, it’s a long story.
“We’ll make arrangements for both of them. Reserve a dining room in the event hall, so we can have dinner prepared for the witch,” I say to Lily. Then I turn back to my sisters. “If that’s all, then I need the boardroom for my next meeting.”
“Good night to you too, Renata,” Celine says sarcastically. Her and Lexi rise from their seats and exit.
“Another witch,” I say with a shake of my head to Lily.
She smiles, and gets a dreamy look in her eye. “I think it’s sweetthat your sisters found love…even with someone from such a different background.”
“I have no idea how they make the time,” I reply, tapping the touchscreen TV to navigate to my next presentation. “I can barely allocate fifteen minutes to drinking every week, I can’t imagine finding time for an entire relationship!”
I smooth my hair. Lily gives me a shy look. “But do you…do you ever think about it? Finding love?”
“I’m married to my work. I don’t have time for anything else.” I realize something, and give a mirthless laugh. “You and I probably spend more time together than Amara and Celine, don’t we, Lily?”
Her eyes widen slightly. “I…I suppose we do.”
My smartwatch buzzes. I tap its screen to answer the call.
“Ms. Espina, the shareholders are still waiting,” says the crisp voice of the receptionist.
“Send them in,” I tell her.
My work is never done.
Chapter 5: The second shift
Lily
I leave the hotel in the morning, after pulling an overnight shift. Working for vampires really messes up your circadian rhythm. I check my phone as I get off the bus, heading toward my apartment building. It’s almost nine a.m. I had to stay later than usual to make arrangements after Renata went to ground for the day. Because of her schedule, she relies on me quite a lot to conduct business during the daylight hours.
Since I’ve started working for her, she’s given me more and more responsibility. I like it. I’m the type of person who enjoys having things to do at work. If I don’t, I get really bored, so I just keep on taking on new tasks. Like dealing with Mrs. Harrigan, or making arrangements for Renata’s sisters. And since my position is as an executive assistant, it’s easy to find things that fall under my job description. But I don’t mind. I’m happy to be helpful.
And Renata seems to appreciate it, too. I think she gets overwhelmed, having so much responsibility as the CEO. And ever since her Creator was imprisoned, she’s had so much added to her plate. Not just running the hotel chain, but now the club and casino, too. I have no idea how she manages it all.
So I’m glad to help. And…I like the way she notices the little things I do. Like arranging the blood donors, or setting up her schedule to consolidate similar meetings and finding ways to automate tasks.
And this evening…when she said that we spend more time together than her sister and her partner.
When I think about it, I guess that’s true. There’s nobody I spend more time with than her.
Well, maybe Eli.
I put my key in the lock, looking forward to seeing his cheerful face when I open the door. But I’m surprised to find that the door is already unlocked.
“Mom?” I call as I swing the door open.
But another face greets me, and there’s a horrible twisting feeling in my stomach. Standing in my living room is a tall man with ruffled, brown hair and a beard. His light pink skin is covered with an orange tan, and he wears a navy blue suit with a matching tie that’s slightly askew.
“Whatare you doing here?” I ask sharply. “Where’s Elijah?”
“Mama!” Eli calls, running toward me cheerfully for a hug. He’s still wearing his pajamas.
“Hi, honey,” I say, returning his hug. Then he goes off to his bedroom to play with his toys.
“Great to see you too, Lilyboo,” says the unwelcome man with an even more unwelcome grin.