Master of Lust

"You want me to arrange things for you?" Evelina urgently asked.

"What do you want in return? Where can I get those things from?" Evelina pressed on, her determination palpable.

"Where can I procure the required components?" Evelina bombarded him with a rapid succession of inquiries, each one adding to the weight of the unfolding conversation.

The atmosphere crackled with tension as the rapid-fire interrogation continued.

"Answer me," Evelina pushed Rick for an answer when he remained silent.

"Aren't you curious what made your grandmother lay there as dead as a log?" Rick asked.

"That's for later," Evelina answered Rick back, "I need her to wake up first. That's the priority," Evelina told Rick.

"If you say so," Rick nodded in agreement, "But the truth remains. I've unraveled the mystery of why your grandmother lies lifeless on that bed."

Just as Rick poised to disclose the remedy to Evelina's grandmother's condition, an unexpected commotion erupted from outside the room.

"Seems like your well-wishers have arrived," Rick observed, a sly smirk playing on his lips, and a furrow formed on Evelina's brow.

Outside the room, a gathering had formed—Jack, Michelle, Jack's younger brother, and his wife stood assembled

Jack's furrowed brow betrayed his confusion as his attention shifted to Geoffrey, who stood resolute alongside the guard and nurse. Unperturbed by Evelina's earlier rebuke, Geoffrey began recounting the presence of Rick and Evelina in the room where the elderly grandmother lay.

Following Evelina's forceful expulsion, Geoffrey wasted no time in alerting both Jack and his brother to the unexpected company in the matriarch's quarters. Though he refrained from delving into the specifics, the mere mention of Evelina and Rick's proximity sent a palpable ripple of unease through everyone in the house.

In rapid succession, the household members gathered outside the old woman's room, their expressions etched with a collective anxiety that hung in the air.

"They're inside, master," Geoffrey informed Jack with a respectful nod, the weight of his words further heightening the tension.

Jack's concern deepened, and he interrogated, his voice laced with a blend of worry and frustration, "What could they possibly be doing in there at this hour? And how could you allow a stranger into Mother's room?" The gravity of the situation etched lines of concern across Jack's face as he sought answers in the dimly lit hallway.

Geoffrey, sensing the rising tension, explained with a tone of regret, "It was young miss's instructions. I was helpless against her."

Jack's frustration grew evident, and his expression hardened. He turned towards his brother with a determined resolve, stating, "Young miss this, young miss that. Evelina has crossed her limits this time. We need to do something about her and the boy."

Jack's brother, Martin, shot a furious glance at Geoffrey, his brother's loyal servant. The intensity in Martin's eyes betrayed his anger as he demanded an explanation from Geoffrey. "Instructions or not, you should have known better. What's happening in there?"

Geoffrey, attempting to ease the escalating tension, quickly offered an apology. "I apologize, Master Martin. It appears the young miss has some matters to discuss with this man."

Jack, visibly frustrated, ran his hands over his temples, a gesture of exasperation. "Matters? In mother's room at this hour? Explain yourself, Geoffrey. I need to understand what's going on."

Geoffrey released a heavy sigh, his gaze shifting between Jack and Martin, both awaiting an explanation. "She insists he possesses information regarding the Matriarch's condition. To be specific, something about a cure," he divulged.

The word "cure" triggered a transformation in Jack's expression, his anger morphing into a blend of skepticism and his eyes narrowed as he looked at Geoffrey "A cure? What does she know about a cure, and who is this man?" Jack asked.

Geoffrey chose his words meticulously, sensing the delicate nature of the situation. "I believe to have heard those words from the boy himself. He insisted on personally examining Madam," he explained.

Martin's gaze shifted nervously towards Jack, a subtle apprehension in his eyes. However, Jack silenced any potential interjection from his brother with a raised hand.

Jack pressed for more details, his frustration evident. "But why the need for a visit at this hour? And why weren't we informed?" His inquiries hung in the air, demanding answers.

Geoffrey, displaying a tinge of weariness and weakness, released another sigh. "It's a lengthy tale, Master Jack. The young miss was insistent, refusing to entertain any explanations I tried to provide. These old bones pale in comparison to the young blood."

Martin's countenance turned stern, anger etched across his features. "We can't simply allow anyone to assert they have a cure without proper verification. We need to get to the bottom of what's happening," he asserted.

Michelle, ever the voice of reason, interjected, "First, let's see what's going on in there."

With Jack taking the lead, the group entered the room where Rick and Evelina were deeply engrossed in a discussion about the mysterious cure.

"What's happening here?" Jack demanded, his eyes narrowing at Rick, the authority in his voice cutting through the tension in the room.

Rick, seemingly unperturbed by the tense atmosphere, casually leaned against the wall. "Easy there, big guy. I am just here to assist your mother. No need to get all riled up," he remarked with an air of nonchalance.

"I don't recall asking for your help," Jack retorted, his skepticism evident in his tone.

"I am not here for you. I am here because for her," Rick pointed at Evelina, who stood with a conflicted expression, still not completely over what Rick told her and the potential solution Rick claimed to bring.

"And after carefully looking at your mother, I have discovered what ails this old lady. Well, apart from ungrateful and money grubbing brats around her," Rick taunted the bunch, "And I might also have a cure," Rick continued, maintaining his composure and confidence in the face of the room's palpable tension.

Martin, who had been silently observing the exchange, stepped forward. "Is this true, Evelina? What's going on?" He inquired, seeking clarification from Evelina.

But Evelina found herself too ensnared in her own thoughts to respond to any inquiries, her mind a tumultuous sea of confusion. So she completely disregarded her uncle's attempts to engage her and left him to clench his teeth in frustration.

"Why should I place any trust in you, you bastard? What guarantee do I have that you're not just deceiving my daughter?" Jack's disapproval manifested in a deep frown, his skepticism palpable.

"Jack, let him present his case," Michelle interjected, breaking her silence from her position behind Jack. A mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes as she appraised Rick, playfully biting her lip. "Perhaps he genuinely is packing something nice."

"I most certainly am," Rick chuckled, his smile taking on a lecherous quality as he glanced at Michelle and playfully winked. "Curious to take a peek?"

"Direct your gaze at me, not her," Jack demanded, firmly planting himself between Rick and Michelle.

"Take it easy, man," Rick retreated slightly, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "I was merely engaging in the fine art of conversational jujitsu in response to her perfectly innocent inquiry. And let me be the bearer of the bad news here- she's a more astute observer than you give her credit for.

Your curses, your questions, your verbal jousts – it's all so textbook, so kindergarten-level predictable. 'Scoundrel.' 'Why, oh why?' 'How in the name of pickles?' Blah... Blah... Blah..." Rick playfully needled Jack, Evelina's dad, his voice adorned with a hint of mockery.

Jack squinted, "Are you mocking me?"

Rick winked, "And you can't even figure that out. You are the Shakespeare of simplicity, my friend, with a side of yada... yada... yada."

"No wonder your daughter wears the pants in this house. You would not be able to get your dog outside to bark, if not for your daughter holding the leash on him," Rick sneered, directing a pointed smirk at Geoffrey, who stood just beyond the conversation's reach. Geoffrey winced at the audible jab, his ears reddening with embarrassment as his fists clenched tightly.

"You... You have got some nerve saying those words to my face, boy. But don't think you can divert my attention," Jack declared, his tone laced with a threatening undertone as he squared up to Rick. "Let me make this clear—if you are feeding us a load of nonsense, I won't care if you are friends with my daughter or not.

I will have you buried in some pigsty before you can blink." The intensity in Jack's gaze matched the gravity of his words.

"Still stuck in the same predictable loop. Firstly, I am not your daughter's friend or boyfriend," Rick rolled his eyes dismissively. "Let's set that straight. We do share some history, but nothing that overshadows the fact your daughter brought me here, and it's purely a business deal." He nonchalantly shrugged.

"And yes, I happen to know what is wrong with your mother," Rick dropped a bombshell, "But I doubt you actually want that."

"Are you being truthful?" Martin, Jack's younger brother, interjected before Jack could formulate a response, his eyebrows shot up.

"Martin?" Jack called out, arching an eyebrow in surprise.

"Uh, I apologize," Martin stammered, taking a step back.

"Ah, the big brother asserting himself?" Rick chuckled. "But let me answer your brother. I do have a cure for her."

"But making the cure will be a challenge," Rick spoke, injecting a playful note into his tone, "I mean, how can a mere human like myself even hold a candle to you..."

"Vampires"

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