Chapter 7 Taking the first step

Isabella wanted to be able to convince Demitri. She wanted to be the kind of woman who showed what she wanted, without fear, without fear of rejection, especially when it was obvious that the vampire was keeping his distance just for the sake of honor, or whatever, waiting for something. It was hard to understand in a way, but the human had already understood that he needed to be around, no matter what.

But she didn't stop him, not this time, because despite the obvious connection and need to be together, they had only known each other for two days, three if you consider that exchange of glances at the Ventrue mansion. The fear of getting attached too quickly, to someone who couldn't stay for long, and she didn't know if she would, was great. There were many doubts when it came to them, Isabella understood, and perhaps she should just let time take its course.

So she went home alone, the same way Demitri did, who pretended that his evening wasn't as bad as the one before. Her time away from her companion was coming to an end, she needed to talk about why she was in that city to Isabella as soon as possible. He needed to talk and he needed to touch. He needed to stay by her side, even if he rejected anything but their friendship. I could bear it if I just kept breathing her scent, without restraint, without pretense and lies.

The human spent the rest of the day dividing her thoughts between Demitri and her attention to her father, who complained about her unwillingness to go out with friends. According to him, his daughter needed to go out more.

"Dad, I don't like going out, you know that. I'm just like you," she said, smiling.

"Hey, I do!" he complained, causing them both to laugh.

They had always been very similar, maybe that's why Isabella understood his request and agreed, as they calmed down from their laughter, to try to get out more. It was then that her father brought up a subject that he thought would be brought up as soon as he walked through the door. They lived in a small town, it was common for most to know what the other was up to around town, including a young graduate girl chatting in the square with a boy who appeared to be much older than her.

"So, Ben told me he saw you in the square with a boy...I almost didn't believe him, but he told me it was his daughter who saw you, so...may I know who it is?" said the older man, curious about the appearance of a new boy next to his daughter.

The young girl smiled, thinking for a moment if she should talk about Demitri or not, and eventually chose to talk, but the basics, without too much information that would compromise her and generate the subject of love interests. Isabella learned very early on that her father had no problem talking about that with her.

"His name is Demitri. He is an acquaintance of William's and when I went to Arvin that day..."

" A total irresponsibility, but go on," her father said, encouraging her.

"As I was saying...when I went after Arvin, he was there. We became friends and this time, he came over and made a point of paying me a visit. "

"As a friend?"

"Yes Dad, as a friend. That's all we are."

" Okay, I believe you."

Isabella smiled, nodding. He really did believe, which made that father and daughter relationship even more incredible. When she lost her mother at the age of seven, her maternal grandparents thought Daniel would not be able to take care of their young daughter, but the man insisted and fought for Isabella. The result was there and his daughter was always grateful that she was able to stay with him where she belonged.

- "You can bring him here if you want. I don't mind, if it's really a friend."

"Dad!"

"It's okay, I understand. Just... I hope you know that you don't have to hide any friend from me, even if he is apparently older than you and more catty than Arvin... that's what I heard."

"Who said that?!"

"Ben's daughter. I told you."

"Great!" she grumbled, before giving up holding in her laughter.

"I forget how interesting our town can be sometimes," Isabella added.

" You shouldn't, when you least expect it, they'll say you traded Arvin for this boy."

"You're right."

"Are you going to switch?"

"No! Dad, they are completely different situations. And, if I really do bring him here, I hope you won't embarrass me by insinuating that."

"I'm your father, it's my job to embarrass you."

She looked at him seriously, crossing her arms, and then it was her father's turn to sigh and agree to behave. He couldn't wait to see his daughter get over that boy Arvin once and for all and move on, whether it was with that Demitri guy, or some other boy, who would make her well. Daniel had never liked Arvin, he treated her as if she was incapable of making her own decisions, he made her feel as if she was less than beautiful - Daniel had seen Isabella in front of the mirror, trying on clothes that had nothing to do with her, squeezing fat that didn't exist through her thin shirt - Arvin walked as if he owned the world. In short, Daniel didn't like his daughter's ex-boyfriend.

When he went upstairs to rest after watching the Lakers game with Isabella, the old father hoped that this Demitri was different and would do her some good, really.

Isabella, on the other hand, lay smiling, thinking about the conversation she had with her father and the possibility of having Demitri in her home, although she hadn't forgotten the suffering look on the vampire's face when he said that if he went with her that far, he wouldn't be able to leave.

On impulse, she picked up her cell phone and texted the vampire.

"Good night Demitri, I hope we can meet tomorrow."

"Good night Isabella. If you want to see me, I will."

"Meet me at school?"

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes."

"Okay. See you tomorrow, Isa."

"See you tomorrow, Demitri."

Relieved and at the same time anxious to see the vampire the next day, Isabella fell asleep quickly, letting the now familiar dreams with Demitri envelop her, with fantasies that whenever she woke up, she wondered if they would one day come true. When dawn came this time, she wished they would happen, all of them.