Vampire Of The New World

There were audible gasps when the confetti fell on the couple. They both looked very happy and the scene was nothing but spectacular. Like an elaborate stage show, thought Lucas, complete with lights, sound, and scenery. Everyone was oblivious to the hidden workings that happened backstage. Everyone was happy with the glitter and the glamour, as it should be.

When Renan left the bar that morning, Lucas followed him with Elena and Felix in tow. He wanted to make sure that his little brother sobered up before going to Celeste's party and he needed Elena and Felix to make sure that everything went smoothly. Lucas tasked Elena to manage the venue and to talk with the organizers. Then, he got Felix to have Renan scrubbed and cleaned up before bringing him to the barber for a shave and haircut. Afterwards, they went to the tailor to buy Renan a suit appropriate to the occasion.

It was only two weeks ago that Renan confided to Lucas his intention to marry. Lucas was surprised with the announcement, given the short time that Renan had courted Celeste. Lucas, however, observed how Renan had become more alive and his devotion to Celeste seemed genuine. The couple had traveled extensively in the past few months and Lucas knew that this consumed most of Renan's profits from his sales of real estate.

'Consume' was the word that Lucas would use as he saw Renan's transformation. Acc.u.mulation of wealth and power had been Renan's driving force before he met Celeste. He would take a job and work diligently for a couple of years, but would easily lose interest if his financial or career goals were not met. It had been a cycle for Renan for ten years, but his wealth did not grow as fast as his number of former employers. Lucas asked Renan about it and he replied that he grew bored with his employer who could not keep pace with him. He was bored with routine and the moment he felt stagnant in his job was the moment that he would look for another employment.

Renan himself admitted that he was tired and contrary to his usual stubborn nature approached Lucas to ask if he could help with the management of Sync while he was looking of something else to do. Lucas owned other bars in Cardena that he wanted to look after and decided to pass some of the responsibility of running his flagship to Renan. Sync was doing very well and the staff were already competent at what they were doing.

It was one of those nights that Lucas was in Sync with Renan that Celeste entered the bar alone. She was in a hurry to enter and went straight to the counter visibly agitated. Lucas was behind the counter and saw how Celeste kept on looking at the entrance. Celeste was wearing a red dress and was all made up for a formal party. Lucas guessed that it was for the gala dinner on opening of the Cardena Theater. Lucas himself was invited being one of the wealthy businessmen of the city, but opted out of the social event.

Renan likewise saw Celeste enter the bar and was immediately entranced. He took out his handkerchief and wiped his face before sitting on the stool next to Celeste.

"Hi, you're Celeste, aren't you?" began Renan.

Celeste looked behind her at the entrance and said. "Yes, but I would do anything right now to be someone else."

"Are you hiding from someone?" Renan asked, himself looking at the entrance.

"You can say that. I just don't want my dad's security see me," replied Celeste.

"Is that all? Leave that to me," said Renan and he walked towards the entrance. He was gone for about ten minutes and then returned to the counter.

"There were two men looking for you," Renan told Celeste. "Is that them?"

"Yes. What did you tell them?" Celeste looked at Renan.

"I told them you're not here."

"That simple?" Celeste relaxed and began to breathe easier.

"Yes. That simple. I also told them that I own the place and I can have my security throw them out if they insist on getting in."

Celeste was surprised. "Thank you…"

"Renan." He shook Celeste's hand. "I wouldn't play hide and seek with you."

"Why? What do you mean?" Celeste was confused with the question.

"Because someone like you is hard to find." Renan winked.

"Was that a pick-up line?" Celeste smiled.

"Sorry, just had to try. Did it work?" Renan smiled back.

"'I own the place' and 'have my security throw them out' worked a lot better," replied Celeste.

Renan turned to Lucas at the bar. "Luke, bro, can you serve us some drinks?"

Lucas decided to humor his younger brother and served them drinks.

A week ago, Lucas saw drastic changes to his brother. He came from a week-long engagement with a client. A wealthy art dealer living on an island off Cardena, Renan told him. Since then, Lucas discovered Renan's behavior highly suspect and through his connections found out that Renan was getting buried deep in debt. He gambled at the casino every night and then began pawning his possessions as money got tight. He would borrow money from the loan sharks and when he ran short sold his expensive watch and then his car.

From his connections, Lucas got wind that Renan had started using cocaine and methamphetamine. From what he heard, Renan's drug use had been heavy. He also heard that he used marijuana.

Lucas wondered what was wrong and how he could help. Perhaps he could help Renan get back on track through Celeste. He told Renan to invite Celeste for the big event at the Sync the previous night. Celeste arrived alone at the Sync and seemed to be greatly disappointed at not finding Renan.

She sat alone at the reserved table, always looking around for Renan. After a few hours, Lucas saw Celeste approached by a man in black. It was the first time Lucas saw the man and wondered where he was from. The man paid for the entrance, ordered a glass of whiskey, but never drank it. The two talked briefly before leaving the bar together.