Chapter 8 Entering Isabella's life

Demitri believed he would spend another night holding on, trying to keep the pain from driving him to insanity, but Isabella could already reach him even from a distance. The little exchange of messages gave him the strength and incentive to sit and wait for the sun to rise, breathing slowly, and bringing back images of the simple meeting the day before, of their smiles, their laughter, the exchange of glances, the innocent touches.

He also began to create theories, imagine the possibilities, of what they could do this time, how she would react in his presence, more comfortable, more familiar. No interference this time, just good memories to keep.

The vampire also began to reflect on Isabella herself, whether she thought of him, the way he did, not just for what they might do in the future, but what they had already shared. He might do that a little too much, but he had nothing else to do but to cast out the fears and pain that the distance was causing him.

It was a completely different behavior than he used to have before. He had never been able to focus on the same woman for long, had never been interested in talking to one the way he had done with Isabella the day before. Not because he had any hopes of finding a mate, or because everyone he had ever had any intimacy with was a vampire too, with no interest in foreplay with clothes, but because he was satisfied with himself. He was happy alone. He liked who he was, without having a woman by his side.

But that was the past now. He needed Isabella like he needed his blood, as if he would die if this was not possible to have. It was bad and good at the same time, because when he had them, he felt powerful, he felt good, healthy.

His strange thoughts were blown away when he saw the sun rise. It was almost time. He could leave and head for Isabella's school. It was much better to be a few yards away than far away the way it was.

Demitri then got up, sighing at what he was having to endure, by his own choice, and went to take a shower and change his clothes. He wanted to look good for Isabella, his partner, and future girlfriend. He couldn't stand another night like that, so far away. They needed to talk, as soon as possible.

When the vampire arrived at school, he noticed that no students had left yet, but it wasn't difficult to locate his girl's car, heading towards it calmly, ready to wait for her, with great expectation as to how she would react and, of course, anxious to cause talk and Arvin's envy.

He only needed a few minutes standing there before the students began to appear, who, when they saw him, had no shame at all, staring at him without disguising. But when they passed Arvin, Layla and Jude, things finally got interesting for the blood lover.

"Waiting for Isabella?" asked Jude, smiling, calm as he always seemed to be.

Demitri had had the opportunity to meet Jude a few centuries ago, before he became involved with Layla, and the man was still the same way it seemed. Not even love interfered, although he was obviously happier and calmer than ever.

"Yes, she asked me to come here today," Demitri replied, then remembering the lie she had told Arvin. In front of them, Demitri was standing there waiting for his mistress.

"To show it off to the city?" asked Arvin, tense as he always was.

"Maybe. This time she has a real man and a much better looking one to show off. If I were her, I'd enjoy it a lot."

"Why are you going to dump her later?"

"No, because I can take her with me."

Arvin closed his face even more and was going to advance on Demitri, if Jude and Layla hadn't held him back, as discreetly as possible, so as not to attract even more attention than they were already doing.

"No!" said Arvin angrily.

"Who will decide that, is not you."

"I didn't leave her, to fall into the arms of another like us. She deserves..."

"To be happy, with someone who loves me and doesn't treat me like someone lesser, inferior. Like... a fragile human," Isabella added, as she walked up to the group, who were so involved in the discussion, that they didn't notice her approach.

Demitri was surprised by her words, and by her attitude in walking straight into her arms. She was doing it for the lie, he had to remind himself, as he held her by the waist, while remembering that he wanted to be able to give her everything she wanted. He would make her happy, they would be equal. He would give her the world if she asked.

"You could have it all by staying away from people like us," Arvin said.

Before Isabella could answer, Jude pulled her brother along.

"Let's go home, this doesn't concern us anymore," Jude said. Facing Jude, Arvin sighed, knowing that he was right. He had chosen to leave her to protect her, but what he would do after that was no longer his business, he could not interfere, he could only hope that she would be well and happy, as she wished.

The three of them then went to the car and left the school, as fast as they could. Isabella sighed, feeling tired, and let herself rest against Demitri, who didn't seem to mind, just pressed her against himself, as if to bring her comfort.

"Do you want me to drive?" he asked then, shortly after, still holding her, with no desire to pull away, but he imagined she was hungry.

Isabella seemed to wake up at that moment, pulling away from Demitri's warm body, which seemed to attract her more and more, but she stared at him suspiciously, making him smile.

"Do you know how to drive?" she asked.

"Why wouldn't I?!"

"Because you don't seem like the type who pretends to be a human or who needs a car to get around."

He laughed. She was right. But he did know how to drive and he assured her of that, as well as that he would drive carefully, preserving his beloved car.

"So, where are we going?" asked Demitri.

"My home. I'm starving," Isabella replied, smiling.

Demitri had already started the car and was leaving the parking lot calmly, without the haste shown by the other vampires, but he faced her at that moment with surprise stamped on his face.

"Isabella, I told you that..."

"I know, but I want you there. And from everything I've already said, I believe you want to be with me there too, present in my life. I doubt you want to stay away."

"Why are you doing this? You just met me, you have no obligation to do that."

"Because I liked you and you don't seem like you want to kill me or take my blood or anything like that. Right?"

"I would never do something like that. I...I like you too, more than you can imagine."

"So ready then, can we go now? I'm really hungry."

Isabella smiled, touching his arm. Holding back a sigh, Demitri smiled back and nodded, leading them to her house. If she wanted him there, she wasn't going to resist. He wanted to be a part of her life, in every way possible, and with her permission, he could finally start being real with his mate.