Vampire Of The New World

Toto placed his wrinkled hands on top of his notebook. He took off his glasses and looked at his audience around the table. They had all finished lunch and were listening to him as he read from his notebook.

"Why did you stop?" said an old lady. "Go on. I want to know what happens next."

"Yes, I want to know what happened between you and Clara," asked another bright-eyed old lady.

"You had me talking for almost an hour. I think I deserve some breather," said Toto as he grabbed the pitcher and poured cold water onto his glass.

Lisa was amused. "You mentioned the Devil's Sea. Is that a real place?"

Toto gave a cough and set down his glass on the table. "It's real alright. You don't hear a lot of stories about it now, but in those days, there were a lot of boats that went missing in that area."

"You mean like the Bermuda triangle?" asked Nestie, his face showing incredulity.

"Exactly like the Bermuda triangle," said Toto. "Although not as popular. I think it was because we were really in the backwater and not on a major shipping lane or flight path. Fishermen and local townsfolk all know not to venture into that area though."

"How about Orsica? You did say you're going to talk about Orsica," said Lisa.

"I haven't come to that point yet, but you see, Orsica is at the center of the Devil's Sea," said Toto.

Lisa nodded and smiled. Nestie then tapped her shoulder and pointed at the wall clock. Looking around her, Lisa also noticed that the hall was already starting to empty as the residents decide to go about their own way after they had collected their gifts and had eaten their lunch.

"Looks like we have to go," said Nestie.

"Yes. We do," said Lisa as she stood up with Nestie. She then turned to Toto. "Toto, I'm so glad to hear your story and I really want to hear more. You are planning on having your manuscript published, aren't you?"

Toto c.a.r.e.s.sed the front cover of his notebook and said, "I consider this part of my memoirs. I haven't really told anyone the whole story of what happened at the Devil's Sea and I hope that this would serve as a cautionary tale."

"I would so much like to hear how it ends," added Lisa.

"That's very kind of you, Lisa. Nowadays, young people like yourself would rather just fidget on their cellphones. Feel free to come over and visit whenever you can, but I promise to give you a copy when I finish." Toto looked up at the two friends who were leaving the hall and bid them goodbye.

Lisa and Nestie went outside and walked under the shade to avoid the harsh rays of the sun. "Do you think that manuscript is going to be horror or romance," asked Nestie, nudging Lisa.

"Stop it, Nestie. I mentioned that Toto is a celebrity in these parts. I did not tell you why."

"So, why?" asked Nestie.

"It's really because he tells a lot of good stories. I'm genuinely glad that he's writing them. I only regret that he wasn't able to finish that story he was telling."

"He did say you're always welcome to visit."

"And I will, whenever I can. I look at dear Toto as my own grandfather. I did not pay my own grandfather a lot of visits when he was living so at least I can still do that with Toto."

The two friends reached the narra tree at the adjoining garden and looked around.

"Where do you think Celie went?" asked Lisa.

"Wasn't she here earlier talking to the press?" Nestie looked around, but there was no sign of Celie. Even the members of the press who were interviewing Celie had gone.

Nestie approached two elderly women sitting on the bench. He asked them as to where Celie might have gone. The two women pointed towards the parking lot, saying that they saw her walking hurriedly and the press followed.

Lisa and Nestie reached the parking lot, but there was no sign of the van that Lisa and Celie used to get there. Lisa decided to call Celie, but was disappointed that she was not picking up. Then, a man in blue uniform approached the two friends.

"Are you looking for Ms. Celeste?" he asked. The two friends nodded.

"Yes. Do you know where she went?" asked Nestie.

"She asked me to be the one to drive you back to the house. She had an important meeting to go to and had to bring the van."

Nestie and Lisa looked at each other. "You know what, Nestie? I'm really worried about Celie. She doesn't seem to be her usual self. I am surprised that she would just leave without telling us."

Nestie looked away. "As I said, probably all the glamor going to her head."

"I hope not, Nestie. I sincerely hope not."

The drive back to the house was uneventful. They were led by the driver to the small car at the end of the parking lot and opened the door to the back seats for them before proceeding to drive them back to the house. The two friends settled in their seats at the back and wore their seatbelts.

"So where is she celebrating her birthday party?" asked Nestie, as the driver started the ignition.

"She had been telling me about the new hotel not far from the city center. They have a grand ballroom with a massive chandelier that really looked more like an art sculpture. Really chic! You'd love it!"

"Have you gone there before?"

"Not really, but she was quite excited at seeing the venue for her birthday party that she posted it on her Instagram. When I said I liked it, she said she called her party organizer right away to reserve the venue."

"And did Daddy approve?"

"Of course, he did. Nothing less for his unica hija."

"What time is her party?" asked Nestie, looking at his wrist watch. "I imagine her being fussy with her dress and her hair. How come she still found time to go the home to the elderly?"

"Oh, her party's tomorrow." Lisa informed Nestie.

Nestie suddenly looked at Lisa. "Tomorrow? I thought her birthday's today?"

"Well, she decided to have the party tomorrow to coincide with the full moon. You do know what her name means, don't you?"

"How romantic!" Nestie exclaimed exaggeratedly.