The familiar scent of coffee crept into every corner of Alaric's office as he lit a candle. Using the same lighter he lit a cigarette and opened a window to avoid trouble. He breathed in the warm comforting scent, enjoying the familiar coffee aroma from Candles & Co. He settled into his office chair and began working as the work day started.

Alaric clacked away at his computer, glancing at the digital clock showing 11:30 AM. Through his door's small window, he saw everyone leaving for lunch. He had packed a small turkey sandwich from a butcher who was also a vampire—their mutual connection. Alaric couldn't bring himself to eat it; five days without blood was severely affecting him.

He knew his assistant would come in after lunch break to report on their progress—a small rule he'd made as an excuse to see them more often. They had become his latest obsession since joining the team. At first just a regular office worker, but the few times he saw them, it was like he was a moth drawn to flame. Using his friendship with CEO Mr. Dre, he'd convinced him to make them his personal assistant with an office right next to his own.

Alaric's mind drifted to thoughts of them, making his fangs pop out unconsciously. They poked his bottom lip slightly as he worked. He adjusted his suit sleeve, hiding marks from when he'd resorted to feasting on himself last night after getting intoxicated with a friend.

At 12:33 pm, he was too engrossed in work to notice lunch break was over. He only looked up when his office door opened. The door opened too quickly to hide his fangs. In an instant, he covered his mouth with his hand as if coughing, letting out a small cough for good measure. He looked up to see his assistant with the papers he'd requested before lunch.

"Hey..." Alaric grunted, keeping up his coughing act. "I see you have the papers done... can I please uhm... *cough* see them..?" he asked, his tone almost a plea as he extended his free hand to receive the papers.