บท 98: Gifts & what is this feeling?
Both Carlise and Esme were standing and heading towards the door in a flash.
But I didn't.
I stood calmingly, and started walking like a normal person towards the door.
Making my way into the living room, I could see down the hallway where Carlisle was opening the door.
Standing there was a woman who I realized was the same woman from the front desk.
"Good morning Mr. Cullen. This package was delivered to the front desk for you." She said, handing over the package.
As she handed it over, she glanced over Carlisle's shoulder, where she caught a glance of me standing there, shirtless.
I could see as her eyes grew wide in surprise, and her cheeks grew red in a blush.
I gave her a smirk, as Carlisle thanked her and softly closed the door in her face.
Looking at Carlisle and Esme, I could see the sadness in their shard glance.
So to distract them, I asked.
"So, what's in the package?" even though I already knew.
Walking into the living room, Carlisle set the package on a small desk that was along one wall.
Pulling the twine string that was tied in a simple release knot, Carlisle and Esmes' eyes scrunched in curiosity.
After removing the knot and cardboard paper, they were greatest with a finely lacquered and designed box.
They looked at each other, confused.
"Open it." I said from behind them, a smile plastered on my face.
They both looked at me surprised.
"Do you know what it is?" Carlisle asked.
"Of course I do. It's a gift from me to the both of you." I said smugly.
Esme gave me a warm smile that warmed my heart.
"What for?" Carlisle asked, getting clear satisfaction from making me wait to see their reactions from my gift, Just like I did to them earlier.
I chuckled.
"It's a late gift for your 'Partnering'." I said using air quotes.
"Since you didn't exactly have a wedding I can't say wedding gift, but that doesn't mean I can't get you a gift like i would have if you did."
They both gave me smiles of appreciation.
I waved my hand in the air.
"Open it already, would ya. We're not getting any younger around here."
Carlisle chuckled.
"We also aren't getting any older, Adam." He said with a chuckle.
"semantics." I said, waving a hand for them to hurry it up.
Pulling down the small gold latch that held the box closed, Carlisle slowly opened the lid.
Inside, set on soft dark blue velvet, were two items.
I could hear the soft intake of breath from Esme and Carlisle in surprise.
Stepping close, I looked down into the box and smirked.
"Nice, right." I asked them.
The two items were made from the finest of craftsmanship of their time.
For Carlisle, I got him something I thought fit him well.
It was the Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication, which was just made not even three months ago.
While for Esme, I really didn't hold back.
Nestled on the blue velvet in the box, was a necklace that could put most others to shame.
It was made of silver, and held diamonds all the way around. But in the front, rested a large light pink diamond, encased in a delicate silver filigree design.
The pendant was breathtaking, with its intricate details and sparkling gemstones that circled the circumference of the large pink diamond.
As I watched Carlisle and Esme's eyes widen in awe, I couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
Esme reached out to touch the necklace with excitement.
"Adam, this is absolutely stunning," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.
I smiled, basking in their appreciation.
"I'm glad you like it, Esme. I wanted to get you something that reflects your elegance and beauty." I said smoothly.
Carlisle examined the large gold timepiece in his hands, his expression a mixture of surprise and admiration.
"Adam, this is an extraordinary timepiece. How did you manage to get your hands on it?"
I shrugged nonchalantly.
"Well, let's just say I have my ways. I wanted to get you something that symbolizes your precision and dedication to your work."
Both pieces were actually shoved in my personal bank Vault here in New York. But they didn't need to know that.
They both looked at each other, their eyes brimming with happiness. "Thank you, Adam," Carlisle said sincerely.
"We truly appreciate your thoughtful gifts."
I waved away their thanks.
"It's the least I could do." I said with a chuckle.
The rest of the morning and afternoon was full of comfortable conversations and story's Carlisle got me to tell Esme about some of my escapades across Europe and other parts of the world.
But as soon as it was dark enough, Carlisle and Esme headed out to do some hunting in the surrounding parts of the city that still held wild life, while I headed out to a certain diner.
Wrangling myself a cab, I made it to the diner just as the sun was setting.
Stepping out, I tipper the cab driver before I walk in, wearing a nice suit.
Again, like the nice before, the room was full of patrons, laughing, smoking, and eating.
Looking around, I saw my table was again empty, so I took a seat.
It was only a matter of seconds before the same beautiful young woman, who I suddenly realized I didn't know the name of, came up to my table.
"It's good to see you here again," she said, giving me a smile that lit up the room.
I returned her smile, feeling an unfamiliar flutter in my chest.
"Well, I couldn't resist the charm of this place. Or maybe it's just the pie," I quipped, trying to keep my tone casual.
She laughed, a sound like silver bells.
"I'm sure it's the pie. Or maybe it's the company?" She said, raising one of her perfectly sculpted brows.
I smirked, leaning back in my chair.
"Ah, you got me. It's definitely the company. By the way, you never told me your name. Pretty sure it's not 'Hey, You' or 'Waitress'." I said with a chuckle.
She smirked, placing a hand on her hip. "It's Evelyn. Evelyn Russo. And you?"
"Adam," I said, extending my hand. "Adam... Smith." I mentally kicked myself for the unimaginative alias, I for some reason felt I needed to say, but she didn't seem to mind.
She took my hand, her grip firm and warm. "Nice to officially meet you, Adam Smith." She said with a chuckle.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"So, what brings you to our quaint little diner two nights in a row?"
I chuckled, releasing her hand reluctantly. "Well, the food is good, the atmosphere is cozy, and there's always a beautiful woman ready to take my order. What's not to love?"
She blushed, a faint pink spreading across her cheeks.
"I like your flattery, Mr. Smith. But, what can I get for you tonight?"
I already knew what I wanted.
"How about the same as yesterday? And a black coffee, strong enough to wake the dead."
She nodded.
"Coming right up. And for the record, our coffee is strong, but I don't think it can perform miracles."
"Well, that's a shame," I said with a mock sigh. "I was hoping for a bit of resurrection to go with my meal."
She laughed again, a sound I was quickly becoming addicted to.
"I'll see what I can do," she said, turning to leave.
As she walked away, I couldn't help but watch her, my mind racing with thoughts and emotions I hadn't felt in centuries. Evelyn Russo was a breath of fresh air in my otherwise stale life, and I found myself looking forward to our banter more than I'd anticipated.
Minutes later, she returned with my coffee, placing it in front of me.
"Here you go, one resurrection special," she said with a wink.
I took a sip, savoring the bitter warmth. "Perfect, just what I needed. So, Evelyn, what's your story? How did you end up in this charming little diner?"
She took on a thoughtful smirk, her eyes alight. "Oh, you know, the usual. Grew up in a small town, moved to the city for college, and found myself working here to pay the bills. It's not glamorous, but it pays the rent."
nodded, appreciating her honesty.
"Well, sometimes the best stories start in the most unexpected places."
She smiled, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Maybe. What about you, Adam? What's your story? You don't seem like the typical diner regular."
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "Let's just say I've been around for a while. Seen a lot, done a lot. Now I'm just looking for a bit of peace and quiet."
She looked at me, her eyes searching.
"You seem like you've got a lot of stories to tell."
I shrugged, taking another sip of my coffee. "Maybe one day I'll tell you some of them."
Her smile returned, brighter than before.
"I'll hold you to that. Now, let me go check on your food."
As she walked away, I felt a strange sense of contentment. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged somewhere, even if just for a fleeting moment. Evelyn Russo was a mystery I was eager to unravel, and I had all the time in the world to do it.
When she returned with my plate, I couldn't help but tease her.
"You know, if this food is as good as last night's, I might just make this a regular thing."
She placed the plate in front of me, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Well, in that case, I'll have to make sure it's perfect every time."
taking a big bite and savoring the flavors. "Yep, definitely perfect," I said with a grin.
She laughed, shaking her head.
"You're something else, Adam Smith." Evelyn said with a smile and a laugh.
"Likewise, Evelyn Russo," I replied.
The rest of the evening passed in a delightful blur of witty exchanges and stolen glances. Evelyn floated between tables, attending to other patrons, but always finding a moment to check in on me with a smile or a quick comment.
Her laughter was like a melody that filled the room, and I found myself laughing along.
As she cleared away my empty plate, she leaned in conspiratorially.
"So, Mr. Smith, did our humble diner meet your expectations again?"
I nodded, leaning back in my chair with a contented sigh.
"More than met, Evelyn. You and your pie have officially won me over."
She chuckled, shaking her head.
"Well, I'm glad to hear it. Maybe next time you'll try something other than pie, though."
"Maybe," I said, though in truth, I was more interested in the company than the food.
"But you have to promise me you'll be here."
Evelyn's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh, I'll be here. My shifts are pretty regular. Same time tomorrow?"
I felt a warmth spread through me at the thought. "Same time tomorrow," I agreed.
As she moved away to attend to another table, I couldn't help but watch her, a mixture of admiration and longing in my gaze. Despite my centuries of existence, the human heart within me still beat with yearning, and Evelyn had sparked something I thought long dormant…the want for someone closer then I had ever let anyone else be.
The night wore on, and eventually, it was time for me to leave. I stood up, straightening my suit jacket, and made my way to the counter to pay.
Evelyn was there, her radiant smile greeting me once more.
"Leaving so soon?" she asked, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
"Unfortunately, duty calls," I said with a rueful smile. "But I'll be back." I said in a thick German accent.
She handed me my change, her fingers lingering just a moment longer than necessary.
"I'll hold you to that, Adam Smith."
As I stepped out into the cool night air, I felt a strange mix of emotions. Excitement, anticipation, and a touch of fear. Fear of getting too close, of letting someone in, only to lose them. But as I walked down the street, the image of Evelyn's smile stayed with me, and I knew I couldn't stay away.
The following night, I found myself at the diner once more, greeted by the familiar warmth and chatter. Evelyn was there, just as she promised, and our banter picked up right where we left off. Each night, we learned a little more about each other—her aspirations, my carefully crafted tales of a life lived.
Yet, amidst the laughter and shared stories, there was always a part of me that held back. How could I explain my true nature to this vibrant, mortal woman? How could I let her in, knowing that one day, I would have to watch her grow old and fade away while I remained unchanged?
A part of me realized why it was hard for Edward to commit to Bella. He didn't want to change her into what he thought of as a monster, and he didn't want to watch what he loved slowly age then fade.
But for now, I pushed those thoughts aside, choosing to savor each moment with Evelyn. She was a bright spot for me in a world that had lost its luster, and I wasn't ready to let go.
One evening, as the night grew late and the diner began to empty, Evelyn sat down across from me during a rare lull. "You know, Adam, you never seem to talk much about your family. Do you have any?"
I hesitated, "I have... friends who are like family," I said carefully. "But no blood relations."
She tilted her head, her eyes searching mine.
"That must be lonely."
I shrugged, trying to brush it off.
"I've gotten used to it. Besides, I have good friends, and now... I have this place."
Her smile was soft, understanding.
"Well, I'm glad you found us. And for what it's worth, I'm glad you're here."
As the days turned into weeks, our connection deepened. Despite my fears, I found myself drawn to her more and more each day. Evelyn had become a beacon of light in my world, and I couldn't imagine my nights without her laughter and warmth.
But as much as I cherished our time together, the reality of our differences loomed ever larger. I knew the day would come when I would have to make a choice—to reveal the truth to her or to walk away to protect myself.
Until then, I chose to live in the moment, to enjoy the simple joy of her company and the thrill of our growing bond. Evelyn Russo had brought a new kind of sparkle into my life, and for that, I was grateful.
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Please let me know how the progression between Adam and Evelyn is going.
I've never written Romance so please let me know.
I don't want it to be too rushed or like a vampire's bond but instead a natural bond that forms over time.
{2,544 words}
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