The Blood Contract
Chapter 24: Where is Marlowe

Chapter 24: Where is Marlowe

With two suitcases and a small bag packed, Serena and Dr. Marlowe ventured out of the house and away from Viera. It was already late in the evening when they arrived in the city where Lucian’s house was located. By the time they got there, Darrell was already on standby, waiting to take them back to the house, having been informed that they were about to leave Viera.

Having greeted the two women with a "welcome madam and welcome doctor", accompanying his greeting with a short bow and a smile, he moved to take the suitcases from them, and moved them to the car, popping open the trunk.

As soon as he loaded her luggages into the trunk of the car, Serena felt something she thought she wouldn’t feel again until the next month at least. The bracelet around her wrist suddenly began to emit that same warmth she had felt the night before, and it confused her completely. Didn’t they say it would only happen when she was ovulating? Was she ovulating twice in the same month? Or was she sleeping when biology was being taught in elementary school?

"All done. Let’s go, ma’am," Darrell called out and moved to open the door of the car so that the women can climb in.

Noticing Serena’s hesitation and change in demeanor, Dr. Marlowe asked if she was alright. When Serena shook her head in response, the woman frowned.

"What is wrong?" she asked.

Serena lifted her hand, showing the bracelet. "I thought this was supposed to be a one-day thing. It’s acting up again today."

Dr. Marlowe frowned, but later let out a sigh. It seemed to the council were intent on making sure Serena and Lucian have a child.

The bracelet on Serena’s hand was limited edition, and was only used when the ultimate aim of the Council is to make certain the couple produces a child.

"Let’s talk about it on the way to the house." Dr Marlowe suggested, knowing what comes after that bracelet begins to work.

Serena shook her head. "Can we not go to the house yet? I’d love to eat out today. Moreover, I’m not ready for any drama."

Dr. Marlowe gave her an understanding nod before turning to Darrell, who had already opened the car door, waiting for them to climb in.

"Take the luggages to the house. We will join you later."

"But what if boss asks about Madam? What do I tell him?" Darrell probed, moving his gaze from Dr. Marlowe to Serena.

"Tell him I decided to eat out today and that I’m dining at a fine restaurant. Also, I am not ready to return to the house at this time," Serena answered sharply.

"She is with me, so you have nothing to worry about," Dr. Marlowe added.

Darrell contemplated for a moment before nodding and driving away from the airport.

"I know a good restaurant where we can eat. Come on, let’s go." Dr. Marlowe grabbed Serena’s hand and led her away.

***

A short while later, they arrived at a quiet, upscale restaurant with soft lighting and an intimate atmosphere. Serena sat at their table, but no matter how much she tried to focus on the menu, her mind kept drifting to the growing discomfort inside her. The heat was intensifying, pulsing beneath her skin like an insatiable craving. It was humiliating, frustrating.

This had to be a crime. How could a bracelet make her lose composure this much—to the point where she was beginning to see every man walking in and out of the restaurant, or simply sitting somewhere, as a potential meal?

"Is this even safe?" Serena asked out of the blue.

Dr. Marlowe raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

"The substance in this bracelet—is it safe?"

"It’s safe, but it’s not in circulation and not accessible to the general public," Dr. Marlowe responded, her expression twisting into concern. "Are you sure we shouldn’t go back to the house? You don’t look alright."

"How will I look alright when the only thing I’m thinking about is being naked in the arms of a man who can quench this fire burning inside of me?" Serena complained, frustration evident in her voice.

Dr. Marlowe studied her for a moment before throwing out a question. "Do you want to call somebody?"

Serena frowned. "What do you mean?"

"A man—to help with the way you’re feeling. Don’t worry, I got you covered. No one will know."

Serena’s eyes widened. When she realized the woman wasn’t joking, she shook her head.

"I don’t have anybody to call," she responded in a defeated tone, lowering her eyes.

"What about Mr. Morgan? He asked you to call him, remember?" Dr. Marlowe reminded her.

Serena shot her a disbelieving look, wondering how the woman could talk about something like this so freely.

"Don’t look at me like that. I understand what you’re feeling, and I want you to get relief. Since my medicine is not here, and neither is it close by, the next available option is to get a man to cool you off."

Serena shook her head. "I wish it were that easy, but in my case, it isn’t."

"What about the man you brought yesterday?" Dr. Marlowe refused to let the topic go. "You’re not at the house—you can call him today and go to the nearest hotel to relieve yourself."

A soft, mocking laugh escaped Serena’s lips. "I don’t even know who that person is. I saw him on an online meetup site and ordered him."

"Fine, then. Let’s order another one."

"It’s no use. Even if you order ten of them, I doubt anything will happen between me and any of them," Serena confessed.

Her confession only confused Marlowe. "What do you mean?"

Serena sighed. "You might think I’m stupid, Marlowe, but I used to wish and hope that my first time would be with somebody I at least love, and not some random stranger or someone I feel absolutely nothing for." She let out a bitter laugh. "But look at what life is throwing at me. I might end up having my first time with a street dog at the rate I’m going."

Dr. Marlowe remained silent for a while, watching the girl speak. As she gained an understanding of what Serena was saying, she didn’t know whether to be proud of her or to feel sorry for her.

"What about Mr. Morgan? You two seem very close." Marlowe asked again.

"Vincent is just my very good friend. I couldn’t let our relationship blossom because of my situation at the time. I had a little brother to cater for, and I had to constantly move for fear of being found by the Council of Vitae," Serena explained, recalling how she had ended everything with Vincent and left without even telling him. It had hurt her so much at the time, but there was nothing she could do.

"Now that I think about it, there’s nothing standing in our way anymore. Maybe I should call Vincent after all."

"No!" Dr. Marlowe objected sharply. "Don’t be in a haste to make a decision right now."

Confusion registered on Serena’s face. "Huh? You’re the one who suggested I get a man to give me relief. Why are you saying something else now?"

"I know what I said, and I realize that I might have been pushing you down the wrong path. You’re not thinking with a clear head right now. Let’s just go to the house. I’ll give you something to help you sleep. Then tomorrow, if you still want to reconnect with Vincent, you can do so after thinking thoroughly about it."

"I don’t want to go to the house. I don’t want to see Mitchell or her man-whore. They should enjoy the house—I am fine by myself." Serena sighed. "It’s been so long since I had wine. I think I’m craving it right now."

She waved a hand for the waiter. When he arrived, she ordered the strongest wine they had. Since she couldn’t get satisfaction from a man, she would drown herself in alcohol until she passed out.

***

Back at the house, Darrell heaved a sigh of relief when he arrived and discovered that Lucian was not yet back from his appointment. After what had happened the day before with Lucian and Serena’s guest, he didn’t want to be on the receiving end of Lucian’s anger after reporting that she wanted to eat out—knowing very well that the bracelet was still working.

With the help of another servant, he moved all the luggages to Serena’s room and then headed back downstairs. What he didn’t expect was to come face to face with a fuming Lucian as soon as he arrived in the living room.

"Welcome back, boss," Darrell greeted with a short bow, his heart beginning to pound in his ears. He had been working with Lucian for a long time and could tell when the man was in an extremely foul mood. At that very moment, Lucian was in such a mood.

"Where is Marlowe?" Lucian asked, not bothering with pleasantries.

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