Chapter 3

Serah sat on the edge of her bed, phone pressed against her ear as she listened to the gruff voice of her werewolf leader.

"I don't like it, Serah," he growled. "Entering the vampire CEO's company is a risky move. You know how dangerous they can be."

"I know," Serah replied, her voice steady. "But we need to get inside and find out what they're planning. If they're working against us, we need to know."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Serah could almost hear her leader's thoughts whirring. Finally, he spoke again.

"Fine. But be careful. We'll have your back, but you're on your own in there."

Serah nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "I will. Thank you."

Just as she was about to hang up, her phone beeped with a new text message. She opened it and felt her heart race as she read the words.

"Congratulations, Ms. Williams. You have been selected for a second interview with our CEO. Please report to our headquarters at 10am sharp tomorrow."

Serah's werewolf leader heard her gasp and demanded to know what was going on.

"They want me back for a second interview," she whispered. "This is it. This is my chance to get inside."

"Okay," he said. "But remember, this is dangerous. Be careful and stay alert."

"I will," Serah promised. "Thank you for your support."

She hung up the phone and stared at the message again, her mind racing with possibilities. This was it - the moment she had been waiting for. She would get inside the vampire CEO's company, and she would find out what they were up to.

It was risky, but it was worth it. Serah was determined to get to the bottom of this, no matter what it took.

Serah's fingers trembled as she read the text message from the vampire CEO's company once more. She needed to focus, but her mind kept drifting to the necklace in her drawer. It was a small, silver pendant that she had inherited from her grandmother. Her grandmother had always been vague about its origin, but she had always told Serah to keep it close and to wear it when she needed protection.

Serah knew it was silly, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she needed it now more than ever. She opened the drawer and fished out the necklace, running her fingers over its smooth surface. As she held it, a sudden memory flashed through her mind - a woman screaming in a dark room, surrounded by vampires.

Serah shuddered and pushed the memory away. She couldn't afford to dwell on it now. She needed to focus on the task at hand.

With a deep breath, she put on the necklace and tucked it under her shirt. She checked her phone once more to confirm the time and location of her second interview and set it aside. She knew the risks of going into the vampire CEO's company, but she was determined to see this through.

As she lay down on her bed, her mind was filled with questions. What was the woman in her memory screaming about? What had happened to her? And why did her grandmother insist that Serah keep the necklace close?

But there was no time to answer those questions now. Serah closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind, preparing herself for the challenges that lay ahead. She knew that the road ahead would be dangerous, but she was ready to face whatever came her way.

Serah opened the door, her mind still buzzing with thoughts of her upcoming mission. She was surprised to see her friend Derrick standing on the other side.

"Derrick!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him in a hug. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard you were in town," he replied, grinning. "I couldn't resist coming to see you."

Serah felt a rush of warmth in her chest. Derrick was one of her oldest friends, and she hadn't seen him in years. They had met when she had visited Denmark as a teenager, and they had kept in touch ever since.

"Well, I'm glad you're here," she said, stepping back and gesturing for him to come inside. "I could use the company."

Derrick followed her into the living room, taking a seat on the couch as Serah perched on the armchair across from him.

"So, what brings you to town?" she asked, trying to keep her voice casual.

Derrick leaned back, his eyes sparkling. "I'm here for a conference, actually. But I'm free for the next few days, so I thought I'd come see you."

Serah smiled, feeling a weight lifting from her shoulders. It was good to have a friend around - especially someone as easygoing and fun as Derrick.

"What about we eat out tonight?" Derrick asked.

Sarah was silent for few seconds before nodding her head in approval. "Sure! Give me some minutes, let me go get ready." 

"Okay," he replied.

In about ten minutes, Sarah came out of the room, all prepared. Then they both left the house... 

Serah and Derrick sat across from each other at the cozy restaurant, sipping wine and chatting about old times. Serah felt grateful for the distraction from her mission, but she couldn't help feeling a nagging sense of guilt in the back of her mind.

As they ordered their meals, Derrick leaned forward, his expression serious. "Serah, I need to ask you something," he said.

Serah's heart sank. She had a feeling she knew what was coming. "What is it?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Your mission," he said, his eyes fixed on hers. "I know it's important to you, but I need you to promise me something."

Serah felt a sense of dread creeping over her. "What?" she asked, bracing herself for the worst.

"I need you to promise me that you'll be careful," Derrick said, his voice soft but firm. "I know you're strong, Serah. But you can't take on the whole world by yourself. You need to have a plan, you need to have backup."

Serah felt a lump forming in her throat. She knew he was right, but it was hard to hear. "I know," she whispered. "But I can't back down now. I need to see this through."

Derrick reached across the table and took her hand. "I'm not saying you should back down," he said, his voice gentle. "But I need you to promise me that you'll be smart. Don't take unnecessary risks. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment."

Serah felt a rush of gratitude for her friend. He knew her so well, knew exactly what to say to get through to her. "Okay," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "I promise."

Derrick squeezed her hand. "Good. And if you ever need backup, you know I'm here for you, right?"

Serah smiled, feeling a sense of warmth spreading through her chest. "Yeah," she said. "I know."

As they continued their dinner, Serah felt a newfound sense of purpose settling over her. She couldn't let her fear hold her back, but she also couldn't let her pride make her reckless. She needed to find a balance, to be smart and strong and determined.

As they caught up, Serah found herself relaxing more and more. For a few precious hours, she forgot about her mission, her fears, and her doubts. She was just two friends, talking and laughing and enjoying each other's company.

But as the night wore on, Serah knew that she couldn't avoid the reality of her situation forever. She needed to focus, to prepare herself for what lay ahead. She didn't know what the next few days would bring, but she knew that she would need all the help she could get.

As Derrick got ready to leave, Serah hugged him tightly. "Thank you for the dinner," she said, her voice soft. "It means a lot to me."

Derrick hugged her back, his expression serious. "Anything for you, Serah," he said. "Just promise me you'll be careful, okay?"

Serah nodded, feeling a sudden lump in her throat. "I will," she whispered.

As Derrick and Serah walked out of the restaurant door, Serah felt a sense of determination settling over her. She couldn't let her fears hold her back. She needed to face this head-on, with all the courage she could muster. And she knew that, with friends like Derrick by her side, she could do anything.