MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

As Blake approached the beach house, he spotted Elena standing by the shore, a wine glass in hand, her gaze fixed on the setting sun. He couldn't help but admire the elegant silhouette she cut against the backdrop of the evening sky.

"Good evening, Elena," Blake greeted as he drew nearer, the sound of his voice breaking the tranquil silence.

Elena turned to him, a smile gracing her lips as she acknowledged his presence. "Ah, Blake. How was your day at the art cave?" she inquired, her tone soft and inviting.

"It went well, thank you," Blake replied, returning her smile with a nod of gratitude.

Elena's eyes twinkled with amusement as she noticed the disheveled state of Blake's hair, adorned with stray leaves. "I couldn't help but notice your... unconventional hairstyle," she remarked, a hint of teasing in her voice.

Blake chuckled nervously, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Ah, yes. I, um, got caught in a bit of a ... mishap on my way back when I passed through the flowery path," he stammered, scrambling for an excuse.

Elena tilted her head, studying him with a playful glint in her eyes. "Looking for flowers, were you?" she teased, taking a step closer to him.

Blake's heart skipped a beat as he met Elena's gaze, her proximity sending a shiver down his spine. "Um, yes, exactly," he replied, trying to maintain his composure under her scrutinizing gaze.

Elena's smile widened, her demeanor radiating warmth and charm. "How thoughtful of you," she said, reaching out to brush a stray leaf from Blake's hair. "But you needn't go to such lengths to impress me, Blake. Your company is more than enough."

. "Thank you, Elena," he murmured, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"I know you said you wanted your space but I noticed you skipped breakfast this morning. I did I swing by earlier to bring you some food, but you were nowhere to be found."

Blake's heart skipped a beat as he heard the words flow out of her mouth. Did she really go to art cave to look for him because that was where he told her he'd be. He forced a sheepish grin, hoping to deflect her suspicions.

"Oh, sorry about that," he replied, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I went for a walk along the beach and must have lost track of time. The beach is so huge, I guess I just got carried away."

Elena regarded him with a raised eyebrow, a hint of skepticism flickering in her eyes. "A walk, huh?" she mused, her gaze searching his face for any sign of deception. "Well, I'm glad to see you're alright. Next time, just let me know if you're planning on disappearing for the day."

"I was worried when I couldn't find you," she admitted, her tone laced with genuine concern. "You should have let me know if you were planning to wander off." Elena's brow furrowed slightly in concern.

Blake offered her a reassuring smile, masking the unease churning in his stomach. "I'm sorry for causing you worry, Elena," he apologized. "I just needed some time alone to clear my head. I promise I won't wander off like that again."

Blake breathed a silent sigh of relief, grateful that his hastily concocted lie seemed to have satisfied her curiosity. He returned her smile, though his heart weighed heavy with the burden of his deception.

"Next time, I'll make sure to inform you if I have other plans" he promised, his voice tinged with sincerity. "Thanks for worrying about me, Elena."

Her smile widened at his words, a soft glow of affection warming her features. "Of course, Blake," she replied, her voice gentle. "You know I'll always look out for you."

As they stood together on the deserted beach, the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore, Blake couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at him. He knew he was lying to Elena, deceiving her with every word, but he had no choice. The truth was too dangerous, too risky to reveal.

Elena's expression softened at his words, her concern melting away as she reached out to place a comforting hand on his arm. "It's alright, Blake. I understand," she reassured him, her touch sending a warm sensation coursing through his veins.

Elena's soft voice interrupted Blake's train of thought, pulling him back to the present moment. "You look tired, Blake," she said with a gentle smile. "Why don't you go rest up? I'll have one of the helpers prepare a warm dinner for you."

Blake nodded appreciatively, realizing just how exhausted he felt after the day's events. "That sounds wonderful, Elena. Thank you," he replied, his voice tinged with gratitude.

As he turned to head back to the beach house, Elena's words lingered in his mind, prompting him to reflect on the whirlwind of discoveries he had made that day.

"I can't believe I forgot to eat," Blake mused to himself, a faint chuckle escaping his lips. "The adventure with Nana in the forest really had me captivated."

Despite his hunger, Blake's thoughts were consumed by the mysteries that still lay ahead. The story of Duncan Salvador and his wife, Artemis, intrigued him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to uncover.

"And then there's that festival Kabib mentioned," Blake murmured, his brow furrowing in thought. "What's that all about?"

As he walked along the sandy shore, the setting sun casting a golden glow over the landscape, Blake couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration. The thrill of uncovering hidden secrets and delving into the unknown sent a shiver of excitement down his spine.

"Am I always this drawn to danger?" Blake wondered aloud, his voice barely a whisper in the cool evening breeze. "Or is there something about this island that's calling to me?"

With each step he took, Blake's determination to unravel the mysteries of the island only grew stronger. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough, and he couldn't wait to return to the forest and meet up with Nana once again.