The CEO's Vampire

The luxurious cruise ship sailed across the open sea, hosting daily auctions on its middle deck. Divided into three tiers - middle, upper, and top - the event offered normal, luxurious, and rare items respectively.

The higher the tier, the more exclusive the items, some so rare that even money couldn't guarantee acquisition.

Notable figures from across the nation filled the guest list, with invitations of varying prestige granting access to different auction levels.

The organizers had built up anticipation, and now the auction hall buzzed with excitement as the lights dimmed for the first item's debut.

Deep in the ship's bowels, a pitch-black cabin lay silent. Suddenly, a faint creak broke the stillness. Two grape-sized pinpricks of light peered out through a narrow gap.

"D*mn it! Who kidnapped me during my nap?" A voice muttered, sensing the gentle rocking and salty sea scent.

Putting two and two together, they realized they were somewhere on the ocean.

Glancing at the sole red dot of a security camera, the figure blinked once, instantly disabling it.

Pushing open the lid and sitting up, they ran a hand through their hair. "What year is it now? Hope I haven't overslept and been sold off again!

"Feeling around the coffin's edges, they searched for a hidden phone.

After failed attempts to power it on, panic set in.

"Don't tell me I've been asleep for decades and the battery's dead!"

They warmed the battery in their palms before reinserting it.

The screen flickered to life briefly before going dark for good.

"What the hell! I paid top dollar for this!" They cursed the wasted investment. If only they'd known...but even foreknowledge wouldn't have helped.

Last time they'd awoken, such devices didn't exist. A pocket watch had been their only timekeeper then.

Next time, they resolved to pack spare batteries. Or multiple phones.In the brief moment the screen lit up, they'd glimpsed the date.

Finding no window or air vent, they decided to venture out for food.

They retrieved a stash of damp euros from beneath the cushions, spreading them to dry. Another potential headache - would the currency even be valid?

A wallet contained several cards - likely demagnetized - a driver's license, some black VIP cards, and loose change. Everything reeked of must from extended storage. Approaching the door, they found it unyielding.

"They used an alloy for this junk?" It seemed excessive for a mere coffin.

Examining their resting place, they discovered a small label: "Suspected mummy."

"Mummy my *ss!" They cursed. "Did they use dog eyes? This is clearly the latest European model."

Shrugging it off, they made for the cabin's sole window - square and barely arm-sized.

While they could force it open, the noise might alert others. Stripping off their wrinkled suits, they prepared to transform.

Wings unfurled as they took flight, the briny air filling their nostrils. Sneezing, they remarked, "Bit chilly," eager to find shelter and food. Riding air currents upward, they avoided brightly lit areas, taking in the opulent cruise ship from above.

The finest accommodation would be in top-tier cabins. Slipping through a half-open window, they shook out wind-ruffled feathers. The interior was comfortably warm, climate-controlled to perfection.

"The rich know how to live," they mused, heading for the kitchen area. Reverting to human form, they rubbed their bare arms. Shape-shifting had its drawbacks - no conjured clothing.

Luckily, surveillance was unlikely here. Opening the fridge revealed milk, fruits, and ice cream - no meat. Room service would handle proper meals. They consumed some fruit and milk, flushing the evidence. A quick hot shower followed, the exhaust fan dispelling lingering humidity.

An electronic calendar showed they'd been out for thirty years. No wonder their phone was useless. Unsure when the ship would dock, addressing nutrition was paramount. Empty calories wouldn't suffice. A search revealed waterproof bags in a TV stand drawer.

Gripping extras between their teeth, they shifted forms and retraced their path. Money and wallets were bagged. The useless phone was tossed overboard. Decades-old clothes were bagged for disposal. A thorough sweep ensured nothing was overlooked.

Though vampires left faint traces, caution dictated removing all evidence. Task complete, they sealed the coffin and erased floor prints. Carrying their meager belongings, they returned to the upper-deck cabin. As they squeezed through the window, the door beeped. They darted behind curtains, concealing the bags. Two suited men entered, one slightly ahead.

"Today's auction was unremarkable. The upper tier starts in two days, no date for top level yet," reported Jack, the assistant. His boss, here to observe and network, remained indifferent to the items.

"Order dinner," he instructed, heading for the shower.

Jack inquired, "Western or Chinese?"

"Steak," came the reply as the water began running.

Jack ordered steak for his boss and congee for himself.

He packed fresh clothes, ironed them, and hung them up. Worn attire was emptied and bagged for laundry. The stowaway observed, deducing the auctions would continue for days. Room service arrived with meals. Jack closed the window securely.

The hidden guest gripped the curtain with a claw, preventing exposure. Jack ate his seafood congee before leaving. The steak's aroma wafted through the air.

Medium-well. Slightly overcooked," the observer muttered.

As the shower stopped and the meal began, the hungry stowaway contemplated their next move. A phone rang, interrupting their thoughts. The man answered, moving to address work matters.

Desperate with hunger, the stowaway found themselves at the plate's edge. They sank their teeth into the steak, savoring what little juice remained before darting back to hide. Returning, the man found his steak oddly tough and chewy.

Puzzled, he finished the pasta and brushed his teeth. The hidden guest seized another tiny bite before the man retired for the night. Once certain he slept, they found a secure hiding spot for their possessions before curling up atop a cabinet to rest.

Early next morning, breakfast arrived. Jack appeared to brief his employer, Rachel, about a lunch meeting with Mr. David. Rachel questioned the chef's credentials, dissatisfied with last night's steak. Jack confirmed the chef's three-star rating and ingredient quality.

Rachel shifted focus to their film production plans, deciding to nurture fresh directorial talent despite potential risks.

As Jack hurried off to revise investment figures, he worried about the financial implications of Rachel's bold strategy.

10:30 PM, Rachel took Jack to meet CEO David.

Daniel landed on the floor, transforming back to human form. As he reached for the fridge, the landline rang.

Startled, he instantly changed back, hiding in the fridge's temperature-controlled compartment. Perched on a yogurt container, he used his claws to peel open another, licking the thick cream on top. After slurping down the entire container, the phone finally stopped.

Before he could sigh in relief and leave, he heard the main door beep open. He quickly shrank into the farthest corner. A room service attendant entered, placing something down while on a video call: "It's been delivered."

They closed the door and left. Jack was on the other end, remotely directing the attendant. Hotel staff couldn't enter guests' rooms without prior notice and permission, even for cleaning.

If anything went wrong, there'd be records to trace, and security cameras in public areas ensured accountability. Daniel waited a moment before emerging. He flew to the door and landed on the box, catching a whiff of sweet fruit.

Transforming, he opened it to find twelve bottles of colorful fruit juices inside."Red!" He twisted open a cap and sipped.

"Watermelon juice, my favorite."

He downed it in two or three gulps, instantly revitalized.

Daniel preferred watermelon juice to blood. Some called him an oddity among vampires - if not for his superior status, he'd surely be branded a useless albino.

He'd tasted human blood before but didn't find it particularly delicious, certainly not comparable to a medium-rare steak.

Due to his unique physiology, Daniel didn't require blood for sustenance and could even withstand direct sunlight.

Looking at the now-empty slot, Daniel realized his mistake. The empty bottle in his hand seemed to mock his intelligence. Where could he find another to replace it? He fretted.

While the fridge had plenty of fruit, it'd take at least two pounds to fill a 300ml bottle. "The bottle's full but the fridge is empty. Robbing Peter to pay Paul won't work," he mused. "What if I stole a bottle from the next room?"

But the bottle cap on the floor, exposing its broken seal, ridiculed his attempt at deception. The caps were numbered to match room plates, preventing mix-ups.

Unless blind, anyone would notice the broken seal if he tried to screw it back on. Shaking off these impractical notions, Daniel decided to go all in. He grabbed another bottle of dragon fruit juice and drank it too, then pulverized the empty bottles and box dividers down the drain.

Rearranging the remaining juice bottles to look like a complete set, he carefully avoided leaving fingerprints or other traces.

"Perfect. I'm such a genius," he congratulated himself.

After a refreshing shower, he transformed again and hid in an out-of-sight corner of the wardrobe. That evening, Rachel entered to find a cardboard box on the floor. Jack opened it for a look.

"A case of freshly squeezed juices," he said, lifting it onto the table.

"Order the same steak as yesterday," Rachel requested, having eaten little during their lunchtime business meeting. She removed her coat and went to wash her hands.Jack called room service to place the order, also getting mushroom porridge for himself.

"On a diet?" Rachel asked, noticing his light dinner choice.

"Too much greasy food lately. My appetite's off," Jack explained.

"Take care of yourself," Rachel advised. Illness would be even more troublesome.

Secretaries may come and go, but a good assistant was invaluable. Jack knew his priorities.

After finishing some bread, Jack returned to his room to email the new director profiles he'd compiled to his boss. The steak tasted the same as always, with good texture. Rachel glanced at the juice box and stood to grab a bottle.

Daniel, who hadn't eaten meat in 30 years, saw his chance and took a bite. As Rachel turned back, she thought she saw something fly past behind her. She frowned slightly, looking around, but saw nothing unusual.

Sitting back down, her hand paused as she went to cut the steak. Something was off. It wasn't as if she'd never eaten steak before. How could it go from juicy and tender one second to tough and unpalatable the next?

The half-empty juice bottle on the table didn't seem fresh either. Setting down her knife and fork, Rachel called room service to order steak for tomorrow's breakfast. The rest of the night passed uneventfully with work, washing up, and sleep.

Early the next morning, Jack arrived just as breakfast was being delivered.

"Steak? For breakfast?" he remarked.

His boss truly was one of a kind!"Select some newcomers from the company roster for auditions. Prioritize those with acting experience," Rachel instructed. Best to keep things in-house if possible.

"Didn't Mr. David want to insert his own people into the production?" Jack asked as he sat on the sofa and opened his laptop to send emails. Rachel scoffed coldly. "Are we supposed to pamper all his mistresses?"

"Of course not!" Jack instantly grasped her meaning - their partnership was truly over. Movies were for profit, not charity.

"I've prepared a revised proposal," Jack said, having reviewed it the night before.

"It follows standard market pricing, but we can increase it if needed. "It was best to avoid lump sum payments that might spoil new directors. Resources should match one's status.

"Email me the films they've directed," Rach