Home was quiet and lonely when I arrived. Christ! I should have taken Tone’s advice and stayed longer. I dropped my backpack on the floor before removing my boots and jacket. From the door, I noticed an uneven piece of paper held against the fridge door with a magnet. A note. I didn’t need to read it, already knowing what it said. Nicole was working late. She worked with an old man named Earl Clarence, a name fit for a lord, I always thought. I guess Earl was a lord of his popular bakery shop. Nicole had been working with him long as I could remember. I spent many days at his shop as a child. Earl’s bakery was popular for its fresh baked goods and mouth-watering pastries. Oh, yes! It was a kingdom of high calories and diabetes.

Inside the refrigerator was a plastic container with leftover pasta and meatballs. DINNER! written on a sticky paper. Brilliant! Mother knew how to ruin a girl’s appetite. Nicole didn’t cook often, and when she did, she cooked enough to last for days. Sometimes, she felt guilty leaving me alone, but I didn’t mind since the more I see her, the more troubled I felt over what had happened. Had it not been for my existence, Nicole’s marriage wouldn’t have failed and she would have never been unhappy. I picked up a tin Pepsi, popped it open and drink.

Upon entering my bedroom, a familiar fragrance crawled up my nose. Uta was here! I beamed and scanned the room. My gaze fell on a light green envelope in the middle of the bed. With three gigantic steps, I crossed the room and sat on the edge of my bed. I opened it and pulled the note from inside, all the while feeling my face flush with heat at the sight of his letter and nice handwriting.

I took a satisfying shower, long enough to calm myself from the day’s distress, and then dressed. I wore ruffle mini-dress Nicole bought, along with my daily wear sneakers. My copper-gold dreadlocks that became darker at the ends were nicely secure with hairpins. I didn’t know why my reflection in the mirror worried me. But an uncomfortable feeling was taking form in the pit of my stomach.

What was wrong with me?

*~* _ ~*~ _ ~*

I felt anxious though I had no reason to because awaiting me inside this two-story house was my vampire partner, yet I couldn’t bring myself to go further. My palms felt wet despite the cool wind. I exhaled and opened the heavy gates. Once inside the yard, I moved at a snail’s pace, gliding my fingertips against the majestic granite fountain in the middle of the yard. I got to the door, ready to knock, but it swung open and there he stood, breathing me in, looking alluring.

“Come inside.” His voice made me tingled.

His eyes which were recognised for being his most striking feature were large, wide, and a deep marble brown in colour. They went from dark to light, from the outer corner to the inner. They seemed to magnetise me, and I wanted to sink into them. Uta extended his hand, and I took it with a nervous smile. Without a word, he closed the door behind us then unzipped my jacket, gently sliding it off my slender shoulders. For an instant, my boyfriend’s eyes registered surprise at what I was wearing. I had given in to an impulse. I wanted him to see me differently tonight, and not just the girlfriend who typically dressed in jeans and graphic tees. He soon led me into the living room where windows ran across for an extensive view of the yard. Being inhabited by three young males, the house looked as I expected: a small amount of furniture with light-coloured walls and a simple decor. Nothing extravagant. No clutter.

I put my hand on his arm and felt a small jolt course through his body. His fingers went through my hair briefly, then brought his hand to my face and traced my cheekbones with smooth fingers. Applying hardly any pressure, he sent shock waves over my body. Slowly, his fingers slid down to the slight curve of my hips, moved across my skin, and around my waist as he pulled me into him. The sensation of being moulded against him overwhelmed me.

“I’m glad you’re back. I missed you. Did you miss me?”

He moved his lips to my neck, lingering there for a moment. Then he brushed my cheek again, teasing me.

“Every second of the day,” he answered.

Gripping onto his shirt, I felt the outline of his body against my fingertips. He leaned down until our lips were against each other once more. I staggered when he pulled away.

“It’s good to know I still make you lightheaded,” he said sweetly onto my lips.

His breath cooled against my skin. My face was turning into an embarrassing reddish hue. Humiliated, I buried my face into his chest.

“Afraid you were losing your touch?”

“Something of that sort.”

He cupped my face and gave me another million-dollar kiss. I was lost in the feel of his lips on mine. My heart dissolved into my chest and my knees buckled. He pulled away, and we smiled at each other, saying nothing; then with a firm grip, he led me to the couch where I sat in his lap.

Intertwining his hand in mine, he asked. “How have you been?”

“Fine. But I badly missed you.”

“We talked almost every day.”

“It’s not the same as having you here.” I moaned.

“I suppose. I’ve missed you all the same. How is Nicole?”

“Busy. She is excited about an upcoming art show she’s partaking in.”

Painting was Nicole’s passion.

“She thinks she will win. Ridiculous.”

“That’s not a pleasant thing to say. What do you know? You’re not an artist.”

“I know enough to know when it’s not worth buying.”

Uta shook his head as if throwing off some unpleasant thought.

“It’s not about perfection, least it shouldn’t be, but about what you feel.”

“You sound like her. No wonder she adores you.”

“I thought she adored me because of my charm.”

I laughed and pushed him on his shoulder. “I am sure she does. No one can resist your appeal.”

Uta looked with a mischievous smile. He tickled me until I burst into laughter. I had not laughed so hard in weeks. Tears were running from my eyes.

“No!” I laughed, my voice dangerously near a screech. “No, Uta!” I yelled, hitting him.

He stopped and set me upright in his lap while I tried to catch my breath.

“Are you, all right? Let me get you water?” Setting me aside, he disappeared.