The next morning, Dimitri's mom fell on him before the sunlight could, literally.

"Mom, what are you doing? Get off me" – Dimitri groaned before pausing to peek at the alarm clock – "It's only 5:30 in the morning." Sonja cuddled into him more, making him whine. "What do you want?"

"Nothing, just appreciating your warmth.”

Dimitri could not keep the eye roll in despite the best of his efforts. "We are vampires, we aren't warm."

"I think you are right since I can very much feel your coldness right now."

Sonja was cringey, in Dimitri's opinion. He complained half-heartedly, letting her know the same and closed his eyes, trying to fall asleep. A sound smack on his head made him open his eyes. They were wide in disbelief. "What the hell, mom?! Why are you assaulting me? This is domestic violence."

"It's called mother's love. Anyways, I am here because your dad wants you to accompany him to a meeting."

"Isn't it too early for a meeting?" Dima muttered, getting up. Sonja smiled at her son's action; his emotions and his words conflicting as always. While moving towards the bathroom, something struck his mind. "Council Convention?" He asked seriously.

"Yes."

Hurriedly, he closed the door to the bathroom while his mother left him to take a shower in peace. After showering and dressing in a formal blue shirt and pants, he joined his dad downstairs.

"What is the topic for today's meeting?" Dima asked his dad when they were in the car. He was eager; it was his first time attending that kind of meeting.

"I'll tell you about that when we arrive at the committee hall or maybe after the meeting."

"Like I wouldn't know myself after the meeting; I ain't deaf."

"You will not be attending, I am only taking you with me so that I can introduce you to the members at the after-party. All of them are significant and it is time you get to know them and vice-versa," Lance informed Dimitri who looked at him exasperatedly. Shouldn't he have disclosed that information before?

"What is the time duration? And what am I gonna do till the pack up?"

"Two hours, at the least. Wait in the hallway?"

"Tell me you are joking."

"Yes, I am joking."

"I am a free bird then. Ain't I–"

“Not anymore.”

Dima could not have been more ecstatic at the news. Being grounded sucked.

"I was thinking we'll omit the time when you are out for work, but if you prefer being grounded, I can rethink."

"No need to rethink, your judgments are tremendously calculated and thoughtful."

"Riiiiight,” Lance drawled, subtly hinting at his son to stop ass-kissing. “You can explore the locale, I'll call you after we are done. Now go, we are here."

Once the car stopped, Dima was out. The place of the convention was not far away from their home if they chose to run at vampire speed. However, there were a few rationales for not utilizing vampire speed. Firstly, it would be a waste of energy. Yes, it doesn't wear them out, but performing any type of manual workout was as exhausting as it was rejuvenating. Another reason is adapting to the modern period. Dima's parents emphasize that they should keep up with the time. It saves them from having weaknesses. Lastly, arriving at places with unkempt hair and rumpled clothes was against their pride. The crap shown in vampire movies about their hair appearing as if they have just put them together with expensive gel even after running at super-speed was definitely false. Nobody is above nature; you cannot fight against something like the wind and win.

With his thoughts, he wandered around. Eventually, he spotted a building he believed would be a good enough time pass. Dima was surprised to find such a classy gym in a lowly populated or more like barely populated area. The metabolism of the supernatural is such that with a remotely proper diet they can stay fit and in shape. There was nothing wrong in trying for a few abs though.

Dima entered through the automated doors. The place had expensive decor and favorable vibes. Floor-to-ceiling full-length mirrors that humans flaunt in front of to sate their ego was ever-present, adding to the list of positives.

The vampire went straight to the reception desk to make the payment. Post payment, he sought sit-ups and then the double spring.

Working out both for almost an hour, he progressed to a pull-up bar. And pretty soon, he got bored. He decided to just hang upside-down on the bar, and relax. The symphony coming from the mini speakers set all around the place was soothing, so he let go and shut his eyes.

"Ah, batshit crazy bat! If I didn't know better, I'd say you are following me. On second thought, I don't know you. So, are you following me?"

Dima lamented without opening his eyes. "Chris."