The Vampire (THE VAMPIRE Book 1) (9 page)

He couldn’t help taking in details of Augere’s appearance: everything about him seemed of acute interest now. Black jeans, a long sleeved purple T-shirt of a light fabric, one narrow black and silver cuff and one narrow braided leather band on one wrist. He enjoyed listening to Augere’s perfectly spoken French. Jason had studied French for several years in high school, taking several more courses in college, but he still didn’t speak it as well as he would have liked. He could get a sense now of what was being said: Augere had ordered, or was trying to order, several books and or DVDs, apparently from the catalog he was holding.

Who was this stranger really, who had offered him this opportunity? They were pretty much the same age though he guessed Augere might be even younger. They probably had, or should have, some interests in common. He was quite pale but did not appear to be ill. His arms were thin but clearly had muscular definition. His long dark hair fell thick and full over his cheek as he looked down at the catalog he now held in his lap. Jason had just barely glimpsed the vibrant eyes—which were now looking up at him. Jason quickly glanced away, embarrassed that he had probably been caught staring. As Augere continued his conversation, Jason realized with sudden clarity something that embarrassed him about his decision to take this job.

He could easily tell himself the lure was the money; or the chance to live in Boston again. Or that he had really just needed a job, needed to be settled somewhere. All of that was true of course. But now he knew the truth and it alarmed him: he had simply wanted to get another look at this person who now sat in front of him. He was intrigued by all he did not know about him, and already fascinated at what little he did know. He felt a strong curiosity, nearly a compulsion, to know more about him.

He became self-conscious of the attention he was paying to Augere, whether Augere realized it too or not, and turned his focus to his immediate environment.

In the short time he had been here, the library had become his favorite place in the house. It was a huge room, but had a welcoming warmth and coziness to it. Dominated by the huge black fireplace and Augere’s dark wood desk in the foreground, and by French doors that led to the large enclosed patio beyond, the room was magnificently done. Not that the French doors were always visible. He had had to go up to them and examine what was behind the heavy burgundy draperies to check out the view beyond.

Daylight, much less bright sunlight, was scarcely allowed into this room. The library was the domain of subdued lighting and hushed comfort. From small tables holding elegant lamps, placed strategically around the room, adequate lighting was available for reading, or for browsing nearby bookshelves. With the harsh glare of day all but eliminated, the rich earth tones evident throughout the room were gently illuminated, drawing the eye to them and offering an enjoyment of the color and ambience as if seen under the effect of the soft glow of candlelight. The room had a calming, comforting feel to it that Jason loved.

If the drapes were opened at all, it would be very late in the day, nearly dusk, and then never open at eye level, but always, somehow, only at the lower portion of the doors.

Augere concluded his call and then regarded Jason silently for several moments.

“If that is your preferred chair, bring it closer to the desk. Otherwise select another.”

Jason glanced around him. The forest green one, with a lower back, appealed to him slightly more. He got up and moved it alongside the front of the desk and then sat down.

Augere motioned him a little to the left. Apparently he wanted a clear view out the doors of the library to the foyer beyond. Jason moved his chair about a foot. That seemed satisfactory: Augere nodded. Only three feet of desk space now separated them.

“Are the living quarters acceptable to you?”

Was he being facetious?

“Quite acceptable, yes, thank you. I never did get a chance to thank you properly, in person, I mean, for the job offer. You did say to me it would be the best of several offers. I am glad I did accept.”
And just how would he have known that?
Jason wondered now.

Augere nodded once, with a solemn expression, an unneeded acknowledgement of an already accepted fact. “I detest using these things,” Augere said with a look of disdain as he slid a new cell phone across the desk to Jason. “Keep it with you always. I may call you for assistance at any time. My number is located in the phone. Do not call me unless it is an emergency. Call Genier first with any concerns. You are to use this phone only to call myself or Genier. Do not put this number into any other device that you may use.”

Jason nodded, his gaze fixed on Augere’s eyes which were a bluish grey just now.
Yet another pair of contacts? Or was that his natural color?

He picked up the phone and the charger that was attached to it. It was a decent enough phone, but a basic model; it lacked most of the features he was used to. But then the phone he was being given only had a limited purpose it seemed.

“If there are tasks or instructions for you I will leave that written information on the table in the foyer, in place of a meeting. If I cancel the meeting, I will leave a note there also.”

Jason nodded.

“Do you have any questions?”

“Will there be a list of things you need me to do on a regular basis?” Jason asked.

Augere gave him a blank look. “Only as things come up,” was his vague reply. “We will meet next Thursday at the same time.” He paused then. “You may go.”

That was it? That was the meeting?
Jason was slow to respond; he nodded then as he rose slowly and turned to leave.
Perhaps I should have come prepared with more questions
.

Now he had nothing to do until next week. Unless Mr. Augere called him for something.

That evening he called his mom to get her advice on the curtains. He described how many windows, how big, etc. She advised him to get professionals in to measure and put up the hardware; then he could go out and buy what he liked. It sounded like good advice to him; he wouldn’t have thought of that. But then she had lots of questions and typical Mom concerns: “Are you eating enough? Do you cook for yourself? You never told us much about that guy—do you boys cook and eat together? What is he like, Jason? Is he being nice to you?”

“Mom, he’s not my roommate, he’s my boss. We live in separate areas of a big house. We do share a kitchen, but honestly, I don’t think he has ever even used it. I had to buy a microwave, a toaster, coffee pot. There wasn’t even a spoon or a plate or cup in the house. There is a walk-in pantry—you would love it, Mom—and it was totally empty. There isn’t even so much as a single can of Coke in the fridge though. Very weird.”

“Oh, the poor thing! He probably can’t cook and needs a good home cooked meal. I know you can cook some things, Jason, at least a few basic dishes; you could offer to cook and invite him.”

“Yeah, I suppose I could do that. I don’t want to seem too pushy though. Maybe I will.”

He decided to do laundry after he got off the phone with his Mom. He gathered up his few items and rolled them to the laundry room in his new laundry cart. He watched to make sure he didn’t mark up the floor in the foyer, and the cart, quiet though it was, sounded much too loud to him in the absolute stillness of the house. The quietness of the place was starting to get to him already. He opened the laundry room, and unloaded his laundry supplies. When he opened the washer to dump in a load of clothes and linens he had to stop suddenly: the protective cardboard from the factory was still around the spindle. Jason shrugged and removed it.
Okay, so he bought a new washer. I guess it’s okay if I am the first one to use it. He did show me where this room was
. He read the directions to get started.

When the new TV arrived the next day, Jason was there waiting. He wanted the TV set up and working before the delivery guys left. The days when you bought a TV and just plugged it in and turned it on were long gone. His parents’ new TV, which they had bought at Christmas, had come with a 155-page instruction manual.

But the guys could find no cable hookup. None. Now that is odd, Jason thought. A young guy like Augere—and no cable TV? This big house, with what appliances were present all looking brand new—but no cable. This wasn’t exactly an emergency reason to call him, but now what? He would have to look into this. The delivery men left.

He left the house and took the car intending to get more groceries; he still needed basic staples, some microwavable stuff and fresh fruits and vegetables. It felt good to buy whatever he wanted or needed and not have to budget one thing over another. He had already received his first paycheck, and he was stunned. Because he was paying so little for living expenses he was actually able to keep much more of what he earned. He put a chunk of it into savings.

He decided to delay the grocery shopping while he went browsing at his favorite book stores. He bought books and DVDs and spent more than he had ever done for such things at one time. He enjoyed a latte and then went shopping for some new clothes. The grocery shopping became delayed even longer as he spent the day lazily browsing in stores and doing as he pleased. This was a freedom he had never been able to really enjoy before; his time was his own to do as he wanted when he wanted. He kept his phone with him in case Augere called.

The next day, he decided to drive out to the shore, to the towns of Gloucester and Rockport. As had become his new habit, he diligently continued to check his phone—no messages. He was already planning to take a full day to spend in Salem sometime soon.

On his way home he had finally stopped for the needed groceries. When he opened the fridge to put away the perishables he stood still and stared for several long moments.

There, on the top shelf, a little off to the left side, all by itself was a single red can of Coke.

He shook his head. He wasn’t sure if he should laugh or be freaked out by it.

After several days of being at leisure, with no set schedule to command him he began to feel weary and anxious. He hadn’t realized how much structure had played a part in his life until it wasn’t there anymore. “Who would ever think too much leisure time would ever become an issue for me?” He shook his head and laughed. This was something new to get used to. Was it Oscar Wilde who had said: “The only thing worse than not getting what you want is getting just what you want.”

He continued to check his phone at intervals. Still no messages and still no sign of Augere. It was as if they were not even in the same house. And maybe he wasn’t. Jason began to wonder. He probably had friends or family he visited; maybe there was business he attended to. Maybe he even went to an office somewhere. Somehow, though, he doubted it.

Sometimes if he was in the kitchen very late, he would hear the car leave or return. Augere never used the kitchen entrance. He had to have his own set of car keys, since he never seemed to drop off any in the kitchen either, yet he had wanted Jason to always replace them in the designated location. He never seemed to be gone very long; an hour or two at the most. He hadn’t yet asked Jason to drive him anywhere. Did he date? Was he bringing girls back to the house? Guys maybe?

By the next Thursday, Jason was really looking forward to the morning meeting. And seeing Augere again. Or seeing anyone for that matter. He arrived promptly at 11:00. Augere was already there. So was a young guy, in a business suit. Jason felt uneasy, suddenly. What was this now?

The young man immediately stood and reached to shake Jason’s hand. “Hello, Jason. I’m Cader Genier. James is my cousin. I have the confidentiality agreement James spoke to you about. I’m here to sign and to witness both of the signatures.”

He handed Jason a single page to read just as Jason was sitting down in his preferred seat.

Jason read the legalese; the document referred to L.L.Augere—what was his first name? Jason wondered, feeling embarrassed he did not know it. The document mentioned any modifications of any kind to this agreement had to be witnessed and signed by all parties. He read: “the Recipient agrees not to disclose any confidential, personal, or otherwise secured information obtained, intentionally or unintentionally, by himself or from any other person or means, including any such received from L.L.Augere, or any person associated with him, to any other person, including, but not limited to family, friends, associates, legal representatives, financial institutions, publishing concerns, clergy, other professionals from any vocations and or any other entity as described in this or in future agreements, for any reason whatsoever, without the express knowledge and written permission of L.L. Augere and or the law firm of Genier & Genier.”

Jason guessed the wording was all probably pretty standard. But, wow, they were being really careful. He couldn’t say anything to anyone about anything.
I get it
. He read on, basically about his acknowledging such, understanding such, and: “…agrees to uphold the reasonable expectations of privacy of a private citizen, the specifically named L.L.Augere, including protecting his monetary/ proprietary interests and…” Jason read the next line twice: “…Jason Sterling acknowledges that he understands there may be severe consequences and that he is willing to accept such consequences of violating any part or all of this agreement, with the specific consequences being decided at the discretion of L.L. Augere and or the law firm of Genier & Genier.”

Okay. So if I do violate his privacy, I guess they will fire me, at the least
. Or from the sound of it, take legal action. It seemed straight forward enough, if a little too much to the point. But he decided he would clarify it.

“So, if I understand correctly, it is grounds for dismissal if I were to fail to uphold the agreement. Is that correct?”

Neither Augere nor Cader Genier made eye contact with him.

“Well, technically, that would be correct,” Cader replied. “We…may…do…we reserve the right…to demand punitive damages, as well.”

“Like…being fined?” Jason asked. Is that what they were getting at?