Chapter 6 Time to get to know each other

"So that means you were born in Germany. Now that's a place I've always been curious about" commented Isabella, laughing as she remembered her wish lists, when she thought about what she wanted for her future.

"I can take you there someday. I know I'm a suspect to say, but it's a beautiful country", Demitri said, smiling when he saw her so relaxed at his side.

He had to be fair, he had never seen her afraid of him, really, but it was still surprising how well they were getting along. No pressure, no worries, no weight of a future together.

"I think I would like that, you know, if you promised not to bite me or something".

The man stared at her in shock, making her laugh once again. Isabella could surprise a vampire, it was quite a surprise for the human, and a welcome change. She had never thought comparisons were fair, but standing there, staring into those dark eyes that seemed so bright and kind, even though she knew very well that he should enjoy every drop of blood he drank... it was impossible not to compare him to Arvin, her former vampire boyfriend. Such a different vampire. A vampire that seemed frozen in the last century and didn't seem to really live, only to exist, with a grudge against himself.

"May I ask what is going on here?" asked a familiar voice, causing both of them to look around.

Isabella came across Arvin and Jude, quite surprised to see her talking to a Ventrue on a park bench, as if everything was fine. Everything was fine, but they didn't need to know that. The young woman then remembered the little lie she had told Arvin and had not yet been able to tell Demitri. She mentally hoped that he would let himself be taken in by the situation.

"What seems to be going on? We're talking", Demitri said, making Isabella relax. He didn't like Arvin, that would help a lot.

"I didn't know that the Ventrue would send someone to the city", commented Arvin.

Isabella let her gaze fall on Jude and saw him blink at her. He seemed to know what Demitri was doing there and, holding back her blush, she smiled at him. One of the few she still liked from that clan, Jude had always been a good friend, especially during fights with Arvin, in that very strange relationship they had, calming her only with his presence, which brought no judgment.

"And why should I know? As far as I remember, we are the ones in charge here", said Demitri, bringing Isabella's attention back to the conversation.

"You don't rule all the territories in the world, and Isabella..."

"If you say I'm yours, you're finished", she interrupted, irritated, rising from her seat.

Arvin stepped back, realizing what she was about to do, she was right, as was always the case. He always missed the point when it came to the human.

"We don't need to cause a scene here. We still like to be discreet" said Jude, putting her hand on Arvin's shoulder, who nodded.

"Take good care of her" said the ex-boyfriend, glaring at Demitri, before turning and walking away with his brother, oblivious to the confused look on the vampire's face that remained behind.

Isabella smiled, guilty, when the man's gaze met hers, obviously that comment had some finger of hers in it.

"Why did he ask me to look after you?" Demitri asked, returning to his seat, realizing that he had followed his companion's movements.

"Vampires, you're not so good at your head" Isabella said, making him laugh, until he realized that she was distracting him, then caught his attention.

"Isabella."

"Okay! Arvin showed up in my room yesterday and I had his smell on me. So... I kind of said it was from my lover. I was trying to bring that part of our life to a close for good, and when he thought that I had already moved on, with another vampire included, he seemed to finally see reason. I didn't want to deny it after that. I'm sorry, okay? If you want to..."

"Wait! It's okay, I don't mind."

Isabella stopped her nervous movements, staring at him in surprise.

- Really?

"Yes. If you haven't noticed, I don't like Arvin and I think this could be fun."

"Ah... all right then."

Demitri smiled, feeling his chest seem to warm up at this interaction and at the idea of spending more time near her. This would be a perfect excuse to keep getting to know each other, although he thought that their time together had served to bring them closer together, besides the fact that it was always fun to argue and pick on Arvin.

"So... where were we?", said the vampire, bringing her back into the conversation, leaving aside her ex-boyfriend and the possibility of continuing to pretend to be lovers.

"You were going to take me to Germany", Isabella said, smiling again and relaxing beside Demitri.

She let him lead her through descriptions of the time he lived there, as a human and then a vampire. It was strange, but Isabella felt as if she had known him for a long time, the same way she felt at home, comfortable, happy, beside him, even there, where anyone could see them, and they did nothing but talk.

When the two of them left the park, Demitri was apprehensive, for the rest of the day ahead, full of pain and a tug that wanted to take him to the human, even though he knew that had been his choice. He kept himself away because he felt that was the right way to conduct things with Isabella.

"So, do you have a cell phone? You know... lovers should have each other's number", Isabella asked, as she stopped the car in front of the house. Her father hadn't arrived yet, which gave her some time before worrying about Demitri's presence there.

"Yes, of course. I didn't remember that yesterday, it was a... hectic day", said the vampire, pulling the phone from his pocket, which the human quickly picked up.

After exchanging contact, Demitri hesitated. It was time to go, but he didn't know if he could do it again so quickly.

"Do you want to come in for a while? My father isn't here yet. "

He sighed, denying it.

"Better not."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to leave after this."