The Dark Secret of the CEO by Sofia de Orellana

Before I even understand what is happening to me, I’m in the salon with Benedict, suddenly learning the basics of French and Italian, and having my accent pointed out at every single word I use. Only Bart has cleared the area, while Cata made me some peppermint tea right before my throat went dry from talking so much. Richard doesn’t say a word and Swithin is still busy furiously typing on his phone, tablet and laptop, interchanging them regularly, and I wonder why they stay to listen as I butcher European languages, but then I realize they might actually both be enjoying this.

Benedict turned from a sweet gentleman to an absolute nightmare of a teacher. He’s happy to tear apart my poor American education, with that polite but whipping tone of his, and reminds me every chance he gets that most of the Heartgraves speak three different languages, while my California-flavored – sorry, flavoured- English is just not going to cut it. Now, I have to speak as if I was having tea time with the queen, say grey instead of gray, skip a lot of “R”s, and add some “U”s. It’s not just that, but the way I speak as well. Benedict makes me speak slowly, calmly. He even gauges how deep or low my voice is, and how my lips move.

“You are supposed to speak softly, gently. Control your speech, your voice.”

“Why?” I sigh after the sixth time of repeating the same stupid sentence. “I already feel like I lived in the sixteenth century, what difference does it make how I speak?”

“First, if you had indeed lived in the sixteenth century, you would certainly not get to talk back to your elders like this, very young Lady,” he retorts. “Secondly, you ought to know that your appearance is the first thing people see, whilst your voice is the first thing people hear. You are not a child anymore, you’re a Heartgraves. You should learn how to impose your command in every room you walk in.”

“Can’t I just charm people?”

“That shortcut is not going to work every time,” he rolls his eyes. “It may work on the weak-minded, but may I remind you, you are still a child to us, Baby Vamp. In fact, most vampires consider that charm is only for the weakest to use. Humans should be subjugated without the use of our power. Once you have years of experience, you will become someone who can naturally influence your surroundings.”

I think I can already see what he’s talking about. They are all like that. Each and every one of them, upon first meeting them, I felt inferior to them, almost envious. Richard didn’t have to use his power on me to intimidate me, but neither did the others. Even Bart made a strong impression on me, and we stuck out at all the bars we went dancing to, mostly because of him. They all have charisma. Grace arrived late, but she walked into that place like she owned it. They are all very different, but there is something incredible and imposing about the auras surrounding them. I felt like I was standing in a room full of celebrities of their own right, just on different levels. It was like being the newbie actress all over again… Except that last time it happened, I was sixteen and fairly confident, arrogant even. Not anymore. Benedict can school me all he wants, I’m well aware he could probably have me licking the floor if he wanted to…

“…I understand,” I mutter.

He nods, but still sighs faintly.

“That is good to hear, but we still have a long way to go to carve you into a decent vampire, and an acceptable Heartgraves. You need to drop that foolish accent for good. Think about each word you pick, your tone, the way you move, the way you act.”

“I feel like I’m preparing for a role.”

“If that makes it easier for you, then think of it that way. But this is going to be the role for your next five centuries of life, so I suggest you get extremely good at it. You will have to fool not only that man you were close to, but the whole world, Hera. We cannot have the world think you are June Starr anymore after you died. I admit, we have never had such a complex case. Just eighty years ago, it was extremely easy to move across the country and wait for the world to forget about us. Things are different nowadays, and we cannot just have them erase your whole previous life from people’s minds or the internet. So, we need to get rid of everything left of June Starr. Do you understand?”

I’m only seeing the back of his seat now. Was he thinking about that too when he transformed me? Of how difficult, how risky it

trying to keep up, but this is unlike any lesson I’ve received before. We don’t just work on my pronunciation: for every word, Benedict gives me a full explanation of where it came from, the variations, why the pronunciation changed, and so on. I feel like I’m getting a full European history course and speech exercise packed in a language lesson. He even corrects

to remember. Please do remember to watch your pronunciation at

in my most

with me. I sigh, and use those few seconds he’s away to stretch a bit. Cata chuckles, and

bit harsh but he’s a good teacher. He used to have a

tell,” I

tea, but the truth is, I try to keep doing everything he told me. It’s just as we discussed earlier. Hera isn’t a new role I need to learn, it’s a new skin I need to fit into, and the sooner the better. The truth is, since Swithin has got him to agree to come to London, I’ve been feeling nervous… Benedict doesn’t need to remind me how quickly I need to adapt; I already know. How can I fool that bastard into not recognizing me? It’s

the kitchen, taking me out of my thoughts. I didn’t realize Cata had prepared some tea for him. It’s a cup of Earl Grey, and he sits down next to me to drink it in silence. Richard is always so tall, impressive and elegant,

“So we will have to get you ready for the outside world sooner than most. You’ll keep learning how to hunt with Bartholomew, or whoever is available, and Benedict and Swithin will stay to teach you about your new identity. Rebecca and Anna will also help you forge your new identity, but because of your current goal, it is important that

of the first times Richard’s spoken this much to me, and he’s sitting very close, the hair on my nape is

will do anything

determination is all the same. Moreover, I’m aware of how lucky I am, perhaps more than anybody. I’ve never had this many people ready to help me, without

go and feed

right. I glance at Cata, who heard the same thing, but looks a

with her gentle voice,

puts his cup to his lips. Catherina doesn’t bother to argue any further. While I’m still utterly confused, she turns around, opens a cupboard and in front of my eyes, prepares a full plate of tuna and kibble. …There are cats here? I wouldn’t mind feeding any cat, but from Cata’s

garden,”

I grab the plate and get up, walking towards the garden. I have to walk by the living room, and Swithin barely raises his eyes

open it. Now that I think about it, they are probably saving a ton on gas, since no one living here needs heating… I can’t tell though, since the temperature outside seems exactly the same as inside to me. I am just aware of a gentle breeze, but nothing unusual for London. A bit nervous, I walk into the garden, holding the plate full of food. Enough food for half a dozen cats, actually. …Don’t tell me they

my relief, I finally spot a cat, a grey tabby, laying in the grass,

me, almost kicks me back inside. I shiver, but use all my strength to stay where I am. I breathe slowly, and glance up, looking straight ahead. I swear in a way Benedict certainly wouldn’t approve. I almost didn’t see her again.