A Tale of Blood and Roses

 Year 1990

The sun shone brightly, reflecting through the window. Layla lay in the tub, the water half covering her face. She sank into the water, her body relaxing as her memories drifted to the painful parts of her life. A few minutes passed before she brought her face out of the water, immediately washing her skin. She finished bathing and tied her body with a towel before walking out of the bathroom. She picked up a gown and sat down at the old wooden chair combing her hair before finally tying it into a bun then headed down for breakfast.

The old wooden house was not big or small either, it was just a medium-sized cozy home where three people lived, It was the old but comfortable place that held many memories for Layla. She lifted her gown as she walked downstairs.

"We haven't been able to make sales these last few days," the two couples whispered.

Leo patted his wife's shoulder and muttered"Honey, it's okay. I believe things will get better,"

"But I owe the Daxen some money. They won't spare us," Maya replied still feeling uncomfortable.

"They won't probably be coming today for their money so you could spare your mind some trouble and we'll think about it later," Leo said

"Morning, Aunt Maya. Morning, Uncle Leo," Layla said firmly, suddenly interrupting their discussion.

Aunt Maya smiled at her, patting her head slightly. "How was your night?"

Layla smiled back feeling happy "I slept well, Aunt" Maya chuckled feeling pleased with her response

"Go get the dishes, let's eat"

Layla nodded and headed to the kitchen, gathering plates and dropping them on the old wooden table.

Layla gazed at her Aunt intently noticing her face looked pale "Auntie, are you okay? You look pale today." she asked concerned

"It's nothing to worry about. I just caught a cold," Aunt Maya replied helping Layla arrange the plates on the table.

"You call it just a cold," Uncle Leo muttered taking a seat.

Layla shifted, concerned. "Auntie, if you're feeling unwell, you can tell me. I can get you medicine from the pet store," she mentioned

"Layla, I told you it's just a cold. I'll get better after a warm bath," Aunt Maya said. Just then, a knock was heard at the door. Leo hesitantly flung the door open, revealing two heavily built men. "Where is your wife, Leo Paxton?" the tallest one demanded, with a sneer on his lips. "She's been avoiding us. When she needs money, she asks for it, but can't return it on time. Take everything valuable here, including the car!"

"We will return the money. Please give us extra time," Uncle Leo pleaded blocking the entrance

"Look at this old fool, still asking for extra time. Let's gather his belongings, including his daughter," the man said.

"How about paying you tomorrow?" Uncle Leo said fearfully.

"Tomorrow, it is, then. And if I don't get it, I'll show you where people like you belong," the man threatened.

After they left, Leo slammed the door shut and retreated to the dining room. " Who was that?" Aunt Maya asked. "He's Daxen. He threatens to take all our properties if we don't pay his money back," Uncle Leo replied.

I knew he would probably come today, " Aunt Maya said.

"You need to calm down. Your health is deteriorating," Uncle Leo said.

"My health is not important compared to the debt we owe people," Aunt Maya replied.

Layla gazed at the two couples as they discussed, they had always taken good care since after her parent's death although Leo didn't seem to take a liking to her, life wasn't really that bad, maybe I could be of help. "Auntie, I could help by working as a maid in the pet store. she said

Aunt Maya glared at her. "Don't ever think about that." she mentioned

"But... it's a great plan for us to be able to pay him, and you can take a rest," Layla replied

Get back up to your room, Layla. You don't need to bother yourself," Aunt Maya said.

Layla nodded and walked back to her room, slamming the door shut. She paced around the room, murmuring.

"I just wanted to help. Why does she seem so pissed off?, Hmph" She thought about something before jumping out of the window. Their house was a bungalow, so there was no possibility of getting hurt. She slid her leg over to the other side of the window, bringing out the other leg as well, before closing the window. Taking one last look at her home, she wandered off into the streets. It was filled with people, sellers chanting their goods for sale, and the road seemed crowded.

Aunt Maya has taken me to the pet store before. I think I can remember it clearly, she thought. She strode past different routes and turns, finally coming to a halt at an old, creaky store where human medicine was usually sold. She entered, brushing the part of her hair that came to her face.

"Hello," she said. A young man with grey eyes appeared from behind, looking stunning, but Layla wasn't drawn to him.

"Are you the shopkeeper?" she asked.

The young man seemed shocked by her question, chuckling lightly. This girl probably doesn't know who she is talking to.

"What's so funny, young man? At a time like this, you should be busy," Layla said. "And if I'm not?" he replied.

"I bet the manager isn't aware, or you'll probably get fired," Layla said in disgust. He stared at her intently, amazed by her boldness, before a young boy of her age appeared. "Mr. Damon, here's your medicine," the boy said.

He extended his hand, collecting the medicine before exiting and entering a black Lamborghini parked outside, he gazed at the young figure from the building he exited and seemed intrigued by her boldness.

"Young Master, should we go" The driver at the front asked holding the wheel. "Yes," he answered as the car drove off.

Layla seemed shocked by what transpired "Is he not the shopkeeper?" she asked.

"No, he's not," the young man replied..."Is there anything you need help with?" he asked.

"Umm... she stuttered. I'm Layla Paxton. I'd like to work here," she said.

"Layla Paxton, you say?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, you could get your uniform from the end of the room by the left"He replied

"Am I not meant to meet with the manager first?" she asked. "

No, it's not necessary. You can go get changed," he said.

She walked past the doors, getting to the changing room before taking out a white and black gown, it looked worn out and dull but she slipped it to her thin body as she walked out of the room, exchanging glances with him.

"It looks good on you," he said.

"Thanks," Layla replied."

"I'm Peter," he introduced.

"Okay," Layla said. She picked up the rag by the corner, wiping clean the windows and the rack, Peter gazed at her while doing her work, Layla noticed the intent gaze as she turned and asked"Aren't you gonna work"

"No" he replied sitting at the counterfeit chair.

Layla ignored him and continued working in silence, when she was done, dawn had already set in she rushed into the room changing her clothes before stepping out"

"I'll get going," Layla said. She paused in her tracks before finally saying

"When am I getting paid"

"By the end of this week....." he muttered to her.

She turned around and started running back home before he could finish his sentence.

Thunder roared, glipping, as lightning struck. Rain started pouring heavily, and Layla stood, remembering the incident that transpired when she was younger. How could she not discover that rain would fall today, she squatted, clutching her hands tightly in the rain. People packed their goods, closing their shops, while Layla squatted. Peter gazed outside where the girl he was speaking to a few minutes had run out too, he just wanted to warn her of the rain maybe she wasn't aware as the city is not usually safe as Vampires used this opportunity to feed. He ran out of the door hoping to find the girl who had just left, he looked and saw a girl squatted on the floor, the rain dropped to her gray hair her hands clutching her body and she was shaking vigorously.

"Layla," he shouted."Layla," he called out, but Layla had already fainted. Peter ran over to her, carrying her drenched body, it wouldn't be possible to go to the pet store as it might be dangerous, so he strode past the street carrying her until he finally saw an empty house he entered and lay her there, sitting beside her. He removed his jacket, using it to cover her, and removed the hair straps covering her face. Her hair scattered across the ground, her eyes tightly shut and her knuckles folded slightly, her breath slow and steady he stood glaring at the lady in front of him, what could have made her faint, could it be she saw a vampire?

Night fell, and the rain intensified. In Layla's home, Maya called out for Layla, but there was no response. She hurried up to Layla's room, only to find it empty. Maya's anxiety spiked, and she rushed to the living room, her hands clutching her dress tightly.

"Leo, Layla's nowhere to be found."

"Impossible. We saw her walk up to her room," Leo said.

"What if... the vampires have..." Aunt Maya started to say, but Uncle Leo stopped her.

"You have to be careful," he said, rubbing his forehead. He wasn't really invested in finding Layla, but he agreed to search for his wife's sake. They scoured the house but couldn't find her. They got into the car and drove through the deserted streets, searching for any sign of Layla, it was a perilous journey, especially on a rainy night when vampires were most likely to attack humans.