Scenario:He saw Elizabeth and Alfred, locked in a passionate embrace, their bodies pressed together as they whispered urgently back and forth. He felt a pang of sadness as he saw the passion on their faces. He knew that he would never have a moment like that, a moment filled with passion and desire. He wished he could have what they had, but he never would. He was too ordinary, too average to have something so special. "I've betrayed my husband, and my position, for a moment's pleasure with a stranger. I'vemade horrible mistakes" She struggles against Alfred 's embrace, her voice a mix of warning and plea."No, please...we mustn't. This is dangerous, for both of us. I'm risking everything I have." "I'm not afraid of Dracula, and I have done nothing wrong either. So I'll stand my ground to the death." Alfred said. Although, his voice was low, Alfred had suppressed his fear. He was not going to show him that he had any level of advantage. Dracula was a legendary fighter, but Alfred felt as if he was too. Thomas watched the scene in the grand ballroom. He was looking for The Count, but after several minutes and time to have spotted him, he still hadn't. Lila was right there on his side, but she didn't see Dracula anywhere in the ballroom. Angelica and Damon were mingling in his place. They were both trying to make some points with The Count. "I don't see him anywhere, but we can ask Damon and Angelica." Thomas said, and walked over there." He planned on asking Damon, but he couldn't beat his fellow teammate to the punch. "Hang around here, Thomas. Dracula intended on speaking to the crew tonight. "About what?" Thomas asked. "I can only figure it's one of two things. Either he has a problem with that." Damon points at Alfred and Elizabeth, or he's going to pass on bad news about John Ward." "What's up with, John?" Thomas asked. "I don't know of anything happening to him, but he's two days late now." Damon said. Thomas had been in a fog and hadn't realized that John was on his way back from his trip into the hills of Kentucky. "Damn...didn't realize that he was late getting back." "John is a resourceful old chap...I believe that he will be alright." Damon said. Thomas nodded, trying to push his own worries aside. "You're right. John is resourceful. I'm sure he's just delayed due to bad weather or something." Lila stood next to him, her eyes scanning the ballroom. "Is that normal for your friend to be two days late?" "When was the last time anyone spoke to him?" Lila asked. Thomas furrowed his brow, trying to remember. "It's been a few days...I can't recall the exact date." he said. Lila noticed the worry that Thomas was trying to hide. She rested a hand on his arm. "You're concerned about him, aren't you?" "Yes...we are a team that work together with the Count, and it takes everyone involved." Thomas said. "Yes...we are a team that work together with the Count, and it takes everyone involved." Thomas said. Lila nodded, understanding the seriousness of the situation. "It's clear that you have a strong bond with your team. You're worried about John, but you're also ready to step up and do what needs to be done." Thomas felt a sense of warmth at her words. She seemed to understand him, to see past the surface-level facade he often put up. His thoughts were interrupted by an unexpected voice. "You seem a bit down. Anything wrong?" Thomas turned to find Lila standing next to him, her eyes filled with concern. "It's nothing," he said, trying to brush off her question. But Lila wasn't fooled. She could see the sadness in his eyes. "Come now, don't try to hide it. I can tell something is bothering you," she said gently. Thomas hesitated for a moment, unsure if he wanted to open up to a woman he barely knew. But there was something strangely comforting about Lila, and he found himself wanting to confide in her. "It's just..." he began, his voice low. "I can't help but feel a little jealous of Alfred and Elizabeth. They seem to have something so special, something I could never have." Lila tilted her head, a look of understanding in her eyes. "What makes you think you could never have something like that?" she asked, with a gentle nudge. Thomas shrugged, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I'm just too ordinary," he said. "I'm not the type of man who gets passionate moments like that." Lila gave him a small smile. "You shouldn't sell yourself short," she said. "You never know what the future holds. You might find someone who thinks that you're extraordinary." Thomas couldn't help but feel a small flutter of hope in his chest at her words. "You think so?" he asked. Lila nodded. "I do. And even if you don't find someone right now, you shouldn't give up hope." she said. "Keep your heart open. You never know what kind of love might find you." Thomas took a swig of champagne, trying to hide a small smile. "You seem to be a pretty romantic person," he teased. Lila looked taken aback for a moment, then laughed softly. "I suppose I am," she admitted. "I'm a hopeless romantic at heart. I believe that love can be found in the most unexpected places." "Like in a fancy mansion owned by a vampire?" Thomas quipped before he could stop himself. Lila laughed, the sound like music to his ears. "I suppose you could say that," she said with a smirk. Thomas couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement at her reaction. He had never made a woman laugh before, and he found himself wanting to hear more of her melodic laughter. But before he could say anything else, the sound of the Count's booming voice interrupted their conversation. "Attention everyone!" The room went silent as the Count strode to the center of the room, his presence commanding attention. Alfred and Elizabeth were dragged away, their faces pale with fear. Dracula's announcement had cast a shadow over the ballroom, leaving the guests stunned and frightened. No one dared speak, their eyes fixed on the Count. Damon's expression hardened, a look of anger and fear in his eyes. "Dracula, we understand your concerns, but this is a party. You're making a scene in front of our guests.""And that's the problem, isn't it?" The Count said, his tone icy. "You are more concerned with making nice with the guests rather than dealing with the problem at hand. Do you have any idea what Alfred did? Do you even know who he was with?"Damon turned, feeling a sense of relief that they had managed to get out of the situation with The Count. But he also knew that they were still in a delicate situation. They were in the middle of a party, and they couldn't just leave in the middle of the event. He had to find a way to slip away without drawing too much attention to himself.Thomas listened as Damon shared the warning with the rest of the team, his mind racing with worry. He knew that The Count wasn't one to mess with when he was in a mood like this, and the thought of someone being hurt was terrifying.