Chương 13: Chapter 13- Rika – A Night Out with Andre (VOLUME 1)

*~*Rika's POV*~*

Andre had a car waiting for us at the curb. He had parked it in the place for the building where the residents usually got into their taxis. Because he was the doorman of the building, he knew that they weren't going to have it towed on him. That was confident of him, but I guess that it was true as well.

He was being a perfect gentleman. He opened the door for me and helped me inside the low sportscar. He had nicer clothes and a car than I would have thought for someone that worked as a doorman. Then again, he might just be working to work, like my parents do. They don't need separate jobs, but they have them anyway. And the same was true with Uncle Dietrich.

"Andre?" I called out to him as he slid in behind the wheel and buckled his restraining belt. He still followed the law, even if a car accident wouldn't hurt him.

"Yes, Rika?" He smiled at me as he started the engine. It roared to life before purring loudly.

"What else do you do, or did you do? To make your money I mean. I can tell that you're only working here because you want to, not because you have to."

"I guess that you would know what that looks like, wouldn't you?" He chuckled as he pulled away from the curb. "I have lived for a little over a hundred and twenty years. Nothing like King Dietrich, but I have had my time already. And over those years, I have learned how to invest quite well. I started when I was human. I had been in my late twenties when I turned, and I continued to live my life as normally as possible. And I had three sons already when I turned. It was common in those days."

"Really?" I thought about what might have happened to his children and where they were now.

"They didn't turn with me, they chose not to. Those were sad times. However, when my oldest son died of a fever in his early twenties, I assumed his identity. I needed to keep moving on in the world, and I didn't want people to be suspicious of me. I did this several times over the years, taking my investments with me along the way. And now, I have quite a portfolio to my name. I still like to work though, so that is why I am here."

"That is interesting." I smiled a little ruefully at him.

"Do not be sad over my sons, Rika. They passed many years ago, I miss them, but I do not let the past hold me down."

I guess what he was saying made sense. When you were immortal, you couldn't dwell on the past that would never change. I knew that my parents had been through a lot as well, but they had moved on as they should, and I would learn to do the same in my own right.

The mood lightened not long after that, thankfully. We headed over to a nice restaurant that I had never been to. It was called Comida Magica and served fine dining cuisine that ranged from Italian, French, Spanish, and more. It looked beautiful inside and out. Traditional Mediterranean architecture with a light and airy feel to it. There were a lot of colors used in the interior design as well. It was so eclectic, yet so perfect.

We enjoyed a wonderful meal together, talking about all the things that Andre had learned about the city over the last fifteen years, when he moved here. He had previously lived in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and many other places.

Andre had been born here in the United States, but he had traveled the world in his time as well. We talked about the places he had been, and the places I would like to go. I had traveled as well, but only with my family. Seeing the world without them, as an adult in my own right, would make the experience that much more satisfying.

When the meal was over, I had a hard time believing that so much time had passed. I had enjoyed talking to Andre so much that I had lost track of time. I hadn't, however, forgotten to eat. I managed to do that, ladylike of course, while we talked and exchanged stories, anecdotes, and jokes.

Eventually, we left the restaurant, arm in arm, and headed toward his car at the valet. We weren't going to a movie, as I had done on my last date, or as was the typical and cliched date. Now, we were going to the observation park. There was a dome there that could show you the stars with their super telescope, they would also be displayed on the ceiling as you relaxed in the chairs and took in the show.

We weren't going to the show though. We were going to the observation platform. This was partway up a large hill and built with large stilts like poles holding up the deck. It was a beautiful sight to see, and usually it was off limits this time of night. However, Andre knew people that could bend the rules for him. I guess that being older had its own set of perks. And I truly didn't mind his age. Not as I have thought about things and grown up over the last year.

When I was first in university, I would have thought that his age was gross. He was that much older than me that it would have been a problem to humans, but I wasn't human. And neither of us were mortal. We were both going to be so long lived that, in the future, his age wouldn't mean anything to me. That was why I needed to get over that aversion of mine. Besides, when I met my mate, what if he was older than me? I would have to get over it no matter what.

"This is really beautiful." I said as I looked up at the starry night sky. It was clear, no clouds in the sky to obscure the natural light of the moon or the stars.

"Yes, it really is." I could tell that when Andre said that, he was looking at me. He wasn't talking about the stars at all, because he wasn't looking at them.

Slowly, I turned to him and blinked. I suddenly didn't know what to say or to do. I wanted to be out here with him, but I wasn't ready for anything else. I didn't want more than a date just yet.

"Andre?" I could hear the nerves in my own voice as I said his name.

"It's OK, Rika." He cupped my cheek, but didn't lean in at all. His eyes were also filled with understanding and acceptance. "You are still young, very much so when compared to me. I am not pressuring you or expecting anything of you." He was speaking calmly as he echoed my thoughts.

I knew that he probably sensed what I was feeling. I didn't know if it was coming to all Vampires or not, but I knew that Luka had something similar to that. Then again, he was a hybrid, not just a Vampire.

"Ha ha ha, you look worried. I am not reading your mind or anything. You just have your thoughts written all over your face."

"Oh." I felt the heat flooding my cheeks as I blushed. He just smiled more broadly.

"You're beautiful, Rika. And we talk so easily with each other. I do not know much about you yet, but I like what I do know. You're a nice person, and I would like to see where all of this leads us. We are immortal, we will both live a long time, and we don't know how long it will be until either of us meets the person that we are destined to be with. It might take centuries to reach that point. There is no law that says that we can't enjoy the company of others until we meet the ones that we're meant to be with."

What he was saying was true. I didn't know if I would meet my mate next week or next century. And there was no law that said that I needed to remain faithful to a man that might not even be born yet. And if I were to go out with Andre, to date him, I could use him to gain the experience that I am lacking. I could have a good time with him. I could grow as a person and make myself ready for when I did find the right man for me.

"Y..you're right." I nodded at him. "There is nothing wrong with it. And I think that I like you as well. At least, so far I do." His eyes twinkled at my words, his smile couldn't have grown more even if he wanted it to.

"That's good. We can get to know each other more. And if you're interested, we can move onto having a real relationship, if you're interested in having one that is."

"I would like that. As long as you're OK with going slow." I asked him with a slightly worried tone.

"There is no benefit for me to rush things. I am not an impatient human, I know the value of savoring something." He leaned in and took my hand in his so that he could kiss the back of my knuckles. He was, so far, a really good man. Nearly perfect. It was a shame that he wasn't my mate.

"Thank you, Andre."

"So, does this mean that you will go out with me again?" He now wore a half smile, sort of like a smirk.

"Yeah, I think that I will." I nodded and saw the triumph in his eyes.

After we finished viewing the stars, Andre drove me home. He didn't try anything more than kissing the back of my hand right before I stepped out of the car. He did, however, give me one of the best smiles I had ever seen in my life.

"Have a good night, Rika. Sleep well, and enjoy the weekend. I will be back to work on Monday, but I will text you tomorrow to settle plans for our next date."

"Alright." His words were still ringing in my ears as I stepped out of the car, into the building and toward the elevator. The two night doormen, or rather door people, Leticia and Henry, waved to me as I went by.

"Welcome back, Miss Gray." Henry called after me as the elevator opened. They had buttons for the elevator at their desk and could call them for us when we arrived in the building. It was highly convenient, that was for sure.

"Thank you." I called over my shoulder as I stepped onto the elevator and grinned. It had been a lot better night than I had thought that it would be.

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