MY SUGAR MUMMY IS A BEAUTIFUL VAMPIRE

As they approached the dining table, Elena gestured for Blake to take a seat while she adjusted her dress. Blake couldn't discern if her actions were intentional, but it seemed she was inadvertently revealing more skin instead of covering up. Despite his discomfort, Blake remained a gentleman and diverted his gaze, peeking out of the house at the darkened surroundings outside.

The rhythmic sound of waves washing ashore provided a comforting distraction from Elena's peculiar behavior. Despite the oddity of the situation, Blake maintained his composure, choosing to focus on the serene ambiance outside rather than dwell on Elena's actions.

Elena gracefully settled into her seat, her demeanor radiating elegance as she explained the rules of the game to Blake. With a glimmering smile, she placed the bottle at the center of the table, its presence commanding attention.

"The rules are simple, Blake," she began, her voice carrying an air of regal authority. "We spin the bottle, and whoever it lands on gets to ask the other Truth or Death."

Blake, ever the pragmatic one, interjected with a furrowed brow. "What are the penalties? Is it really death?"

Elena's laughter rang melodiously through the room, a musical accompaniment to her amusement. "Oh, Blake, you are too serious," she chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "I forgot you don't remember that we created this game together. We spun it in our own way."

She recounted the origins of the game, reminiscing about their past adventures with a nostalgic fondness that softened her features. "You always had a knack for daring the impossible," she remarked, her gaze lingering on Blake with affectionate amusement.

Blake watched her closely, noticing the warmth in her eyes as she spoke, yet feeling a pang of disconnect as he struggled to recall those shared moments.

As Elena spoke of their past escapades, Blake's mind wandered, questioning the authenticity of their memories. Were their lives truly as idyllic as Elena painted them to be, or was there a deeper truth waiting to be uncovered? A sense of longing stirred within him, a desire to reclaim lost memories and rediscover the essence of their bond.

Yet, beneath his uncertainty lay a profound sense of unease, a gnawing feeling that something crucial was missing. It wasn't just his memories that eluded him; it was a part of himself, a vital piece that remained elusive and undefined.

Blake raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident in his expression. "What's the guarantee that the truth or dare will be carried out as instructed?" he questioned, his tone betraying a hint of mistrust.

Elena's smile remained serene, her gaze unwavering as she met his eyes. "Oh, Blake, you know me," she replied, her voice laced with subtle amusement. "I've never had trouble convincing you to do anything, have I?" She punctuated her words with a playful wink, leaving Blake feeling unsettled by the implications lingering beneath her teasing demeanor.

Sensing his discomfort, Elena swiftly redirected their focus to the game at hand, prompting Blake to take his turn at spinning the bottle. With a flick of his wrist, the bottle whirled around before coming to a stop, pointing towards Elena.

As the designated questioner, Elena seized the opportunity to pose her first inquiry to Blake. Choosing her words carefully, she asked, "Have you made any new discoveries about our island lately?"

Blake's mind raced as he considered his response. The memory of the two graveyards Nana had revealed to him flashed through his mind, a stark reminder of the secrets lurking beneath the surface of their seemingly tranquil island.

Yet, he knew revealing such information could unravel delicate threads of trust and loyalty, potentially placing him in a precarious position. With a calculated measure of deceit, he feigned ignorance, masking his inner turmoil behind a facade of nonchalance.

"No, nothing beyond what you've already shown me," he replied smoothly, his tone betraying none of the conflict raging within him. It was a lie, one crafted to preserve the delicate balance of their relationship and shield the truth from prying eyes.

As the game unfolded, Blake found himself navigating a treacherous labyrinth of deception and half-truths, each move calculated to protect the fragile facade of normalcy they had constructed. Yet, beneath the surface, a storm brewed, threatening to shatter their carefully constructed illusions and reveal the hidden truths that lay buried beneath the facade.

With the bottle once again pointing towards Elena, she wasted no time in posing her next question to Blake. "What do you think of me and the household?" she inquired, her tone casual but her eyes betraying a hint of curiosity.

Blake inwardly sighed, feeling a sense of frustration at the banality of the question. It seemed more like an interrogation than a lighthearted game, devoid of the playful spirit Elena had initially promised.

Nevertheless, he maintained his composure, refusing to show any signs of reluctance or discomfort. Instead, he offered a diplomatic response, carefully choosing his words to avoid stirring any potential discord.

"I think the household is well-maintained and orderly, thanks to your diligent efforts," Blake replied evenly, his tone neutral and devoid of any hint of personal sentiment. "As for you, Elena, you've been a gracious host and caretaker, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently."

His response was calculated, designed to appease without revealing too much.

"Is that all you think of me? Just your host and caretaker?" Elena asked with piercing eyes looking straight at Blake.

Blake felt a pang of discomfort at the question, realizing the delicate balance he had to maintain in his response. He couldn't afford to hurt her feelings, yet he also couldn't afford to lead her on with false sentiment.

Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Blake met Elena's gaze with a mixture of sincerity and diplomacy. "Of course not, Elena," he replied carefully, choosing his words with precision. "You're much more than just a host and caretaker to me. You've been a steadfast companion, guiding me through unfamiliar territory and offering your support when I needed it most."

His words were genuine, yet carefully crafted to convey appreciation without crossing the boundary into false sentiment. He hoped that Elena would understand the sentiment behind his words, even if they fell short of expressing the depth of his feelings.

Elena didn't seem satisfied with his words but thankfully, the next one landed on him so he was to ask her or dare her.

As the bottle came to a stop, pointing towards Blake, he felt a wave of relief wash over him. It was his turn to ask Elena a question or dare her, providing a temporary respite from the scrutiny of her inquiries.

Taking a moment to collect his thoughts, Blake regarded Elena with a thoughtful expression before posing his question. "Elena," he began, his voice steady yet curious, "do you remember where we first met?"

Elena's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of uncertainty passing through her eyes before she composed herself with practiced poise. "Of course, Blake," she replied smoothly, her tone measured. "We first met in Paris, at a fashion event. You were giving a public speech, and I was immediately captivated by your presence."

She paused, a wistful smile playing at the corners of her lips as she reminisced. "You looked so handsome in your fine suit, and yet there was a shy, unassuming quality about you that drew me in. I knew then and there that you were someone special."

Elena continued, her voice tinged with affection as she recalled their first encounter. "After the event, I approached you and we struck up a conversation. It felt like we had known each other for years, and I couldn't help but feel a connection between us. We exchanged contacts, and from that moment on, our journey together began."

As she spoke, Elena's eyes sparkled with fond memories, her enthusiasm infectious as she relived the momentous occasion. Despite the shadows of doubt that lingered in Blake's mind, he found himself drawn into the warmth of Elena's recollection, captivated by the love story she painted with such vivid detail.

As the bottle once again landed on Elena, Blake seized the opportunity to pose his question. "Elena," he began, his tone measured yet probing, "are you worried about anyone in our household?"

Elena's demeanor shifted subtly, a hint of tension flickering across her features before she quickly masked it with a composed facade. "Why, Blake," she replied with practiced poise, her voice tinged with a hint of deflection, "I assure you, there's nothing for you to worry about. Our household is running smoothly, and everyone is well taken care of."

"Although, I've noticed something peculiar about Drake lately. If only you hadn't had that accident, you'd see what I mean."

"Drake?" Blake repeated, his brow furrowing in disbelief as he sought clarification from Elena.

Elena nodded solemnly, her expression betraying a hint of concern. "Yes, Drake," she confirmed, her voice tinged with apprehension.

"He's been acting strangely lately, Blake," Elena continued, her tone laced with uncertainty. "I can't shake the feeling that he's up to something, that he's conspiring with the locals against me."

Blake listened intently, a mixture of surprise and disbelief crossing his features as he absorbed Elena's words. The notion of Drake, her trusted companion, engaging in clandestine dealings with the island's inhabitants seemed unfathomable.

"But why would Drake do such a thing?" Blake questioned, his voice laced with confusion and concern. "He's always been loyal to you, Elena. Why would he betray that trust now?"

Blake however found her accusations about Drake confusing. Weren't they supposed to be besties or something?

They were unusually close for comfort and now Elena was laying out her distrust?

Elena's gaze softened, her eyes pleading as she turned to Blake with a request. "Blake, could I ask you a favor?" she inquired, her tone tinged with vulnerability.

Blake nodded, his expression earnest as he regarded Elena with a sense of empathy. "Of course, Elena. What do you need?" he replied, willing to lend a helping hand wherever he could.

"I need someone I can trust to keep an eye on Drake for me," Elena explained, her voice tinged with urgency. "I fear there may be more to his actions than meets the eye, and I need to know if my suspicions are unfounded or if there's truly cause for concern."

Blake's brow furrowed in contemplation as he considered Elena's request. The idea of surveilling their Drake felt uncomfortable, but he couldn't ignore Elena's distress or the possibility that Drake's behavior posed a genuine threat.

"Sure," Blake nodded.

"I'll do it,"