MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

As Tessa picked at her plate of spaghetti and chicken, she could feel Reggie, Gunther, and Randal's penetrating gazes fixed upon her, their scrutiny almost palpable in the air.

Reggie's piercing gaze seemed to bore into Tessa's soul as he spoke, his voice smooth yet tinged with an underlying intensity. "I heard you finished college and now work as an investigative journalist. How impressive, I bet your father would be proud," he remarked, his words sending a shiver down Tessa's spine.

Tessa forced a polite smile, though her mind was racing with questions and suspicions. How did these men know about her career? And why were they so interested in her father's legacy all of a sudden?

Gunther leaned in, his eyes glinting with an unsettling gleam. "Your father was a remarkable man, Tessa. He always spoke highly of you and your accomplishments," he added, his voice dripping with honeyed charm.

Tessa's mother beamed with pride, oblivious to the tension that hung thick in the air. "Yes, your father was a true gentleman," she chimed in, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "He always believed in helping others, no matter the cost."

Randal nodded in agreement, his expression unreadable as he observed Tessa with a scrutinizing gaze. "It's clear that you inherited his sense of justice and determination," he remarked, his tone almost too casual for the weight of his words.

Despite her growing unease, Tessa tried to maintain her composure, nodding along politely as her mother and the mysterious visitors exchanged fond memories of her father. But beneath the facade of civility, a sense of foreboding lingered, like a storm brewing on the horizon.

As the conversation continued, Tessa couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to Reggie, Gunther, and Randal's visit than met the eye. And as she glanced around the room, she couldn't help but wonder what secrets lay hidden beneath the surface yet she had to be calm so as not to set her mother off.

"So, Tessa, how's work been treating you?" Reggie inquired, his tone smooth but with an edge of curiosity that made Tessa's skin crawl.

Tessa took a sip of water, buying herself a moment to gather her thoughts. "Oh, you know, it's been busy," she replied vaguely, hoping to deflect their interest away from her career.

Gunther leaned forward, his intense gaze locking onto Tessa's with unnerving intensity. "Busy, you say? Investigative journalism must be quite exhilarating. Unraveling mysteries, exposing secrets..." he trailed off, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Tessa shifted uncomfortably in her seat, acutely aware of the weight of their scrutiny. "It has its moments," she offered cautiously, careful not to reveal too much.

Randal's piercing gaze bore into Tessa's, his expression inscrutable as he studied her with a calculating look. "And what kind of mysteries have you been unraveling lately?" he pressed, his tone deceptively casual.

Tessa hesitated, her mind racing for a suitable response. "Oh, you know, the usual," she replied evasively, her words carefully chosen to reveal nothing. "Following leads, chasing down sources..."

Reggie raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Sounds exciting," he remarked, though his tone held a note of skepticism that didn't go unnoticed by Tessa.

As the conversation continued, Tessa found herself growing increasingly uneasy under Reggie, Gunther, and Randal's relentless questioning. Their interest in her work felt too keen, too probing for comfort, and she couldn't shake the feeling that they knew more than they were letting on.

But despite their persistence, Tessa remained steadfast in her resolve to reveal nothing. She danced around their inquiries with practiced ease, offering vague responses and carefully sidestepping any attempts to pry into her investigations.

As the conversation wore on, Tessa's nerves were stretched to their limit, her mind racing with unanswered questions and unspoken suspicions. And as she excused herself from the table, the weight of Reggie, Gunther, and Randal's scrutiny lingered like a shadow, casting a dark pall over her family home.

As lunch drew to a close, Reggie, Gunther, and Randal expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Mrs. Morgan for her warm hospitality. With solemn nods and appreciative smiles, they stood from the table, their towering figures casting long shadows in the afternoon sunlight filtering through the windows.

Reggie's hand disappeared into the depths of his pants pocket, and with a flourish, he produced a pristine white envelope. "Mrs. Morgan, please accept this token of our appreciation for the kindness your late husband extended to us." He extended the envelope toward her, the weight of its contents hinted at by the subtle bulge within.

Mrs. Morgan's eyes widened in shock as she hesitated, a mixture of emotions playing across her features. "Oh, no, I couldn't possibly accept such a generous gift," she protested weakly, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

But Reggie's expression remained firm, unwavering. "Please, it's the least we can do," he insisted, his tone gentle yet persuasive.

With a hesitant nod, Mrs. Morgan reached out to accept the envelope, her fingers trembling slightly as she grasped it. She carefully tore it open, revealing a cheque made out for fifteen million dollars.

Shock washed over her face as she stared at the staggering sum, her breath catching in her throat.

Reggie placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's the least we can do to honor your husband's memory," he said softly, his gaze unwavering.

Reluctantly, Mrs. Morgan nodded, her eyes brimming with gratitude as she tucked the cheque into her pocket. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice choked with emotion.

With the exchange complete, the three men rose from the table and made their way to the living room, where they retrieved three identical black hats from the coat rack. With practiced ease, they settled the hats onto their heads, casting shadows over their faces as they stepped outside into the bright afternoon sunlight.

Tessa and her mother followed them to the door, the cool breeze of late afternoon rustling the leaves of the trees lining the driveway. Reggie turned to face them, a cryptic smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"As always, it's been a pleasure, Mrs. Morgan, Miss Tessa," he said, his tone laden with unspoken meaning. With a final nod, the three men climbed into their sleek black SUV.

The glass at the driver's side came down ever so slowly and Reggie's eyes gleamed with a knowing glint as he fixed his gaze on Tessa.

"Keep digging," he murmured, his voice soft but tinged with an unmistakable edge. "You never know what you might unearth." With a cryptic smile, he tipped his hat, the glass coming back up and him enclosed into the SUV, leaving Tessa standing frozen in place, a chill creeping up her spine at the implications of his words.