The Vampire's Chosen Bride

Chapter 6

Valerie had been in Dream City for three months. Each weekend, she visited the traditional market at the end of Dream Ave, the same street as Jackie and her apartment. Valerie loved cooking, and Jackie supported her. They both went shopping together, then Valerie would go home and cook while Jackie helped cut the meat or vegetables. It was an excellent way to save money. 

However, once a month after the 10th, when Valerie and Jackie received the salary every month—unless the 10th was on the weekends or holiday—they regularly visited Delicious Meals. There were five reasons for that. First, it was next to the Book Lovers Shop, so it’s close enough to the workplace. Second, the price was reasonable. Third, the portion was big enough. Fourth, if they couldn’t finish the meals, they could ask for a take-home package. Fifth, they usually went home at night. So buying meals at the restaurant nearby was the practical solution for Valerie and Jackie, especially when Valerie was too tired to cook. 

Jackie had worked for six months at the Book Lovers Shop, while Valerie had just three months. But David gave Valerie the same salary as Jackie since Valerie always came earlier than she had to. 

It was payday time when David called Valerie. “Val, I’ll give you a raise today. I hope you love to continue working here.”

Valerie was beaming. “Wow! It is such an unexpected but lovely surprise. Thanks a lot, Dave!”

David gave Valerie her salary. “I give you a 20% bonus from your base salary. Since you have been working here, the sales of the shop have been increasing. Keep up the good work, Val!”

Valerie smiled at David and nodded. “Yes, I’ll work harder. Thanks a lot!”

Then David cleared his throat. “Ugh, I want to ask you for a long time about this….”

“What’s it?” Valerie glanced at David, waiting for him to finish his sentence.

“Ugh, so have you had anything to do after work?” David’s sweats appeared on his forehead. He picked his handkerchief and wiped it. 

“Well, usually Jackie and I visit the Delicious Meals. On the weekdays, I usually cook, and Jackie helps me with that. But on the payday, it is a special day, so normally we will just visit the restaurant, eat there, or order something and take the meals home.” Valerie stared at David with her big brown eyes. “So?”

“Oh, you have already had a plan. Can I come with you?”

“Sure! Have you ordered a meal there?” 

Before David could answer, Jackie knocked on David’s office door. “Oh, you haven’t finished yet with Val. I can wait.”

Valerie shook her head and stood. “No, I’m done. You can come. By the way, Dave will come with us tonight to the Delicious Meals.”

Jackie widened her eyes. “Three of us?” She glanced over at David and Valerie. “Are you sure?” 

“What?” Valerie asked. “Do you mind David going with us?”

“No, not at all, but-”

David cleared his throat again. “We’ll discuss it later. Oh, but Val, since none stands by at the cashier right now, would you mind going there now?”

“Right, I’m coming.” Then Valerie grinned. “You’ll love the meal tonight, Dave.” After that, Valerie left David’s office. 

Jackie sighed to see David’s expression. “So, you haven’t asked her yet, have you?”

David scratched his head though it wasn’t itchy. “It’s so hard, you know. Every time I want to ask her, there’s always something else that happened.” David blew air from his mouth. “It’s as if I mustn’t ask her out. There’s no right time for me to ask her for a date. I just need a chance!”

“Dave, it’s not true.” Jackie stared at David. “There’s no right or wrong time. You just need to ask her. That’s all.”

“It’s easy for you to say that.” David blew air from his mouth and scratched his head again. His hair was messy now. 

“Well, do you want me to help you?” Jackie asked.

“No, if I should ask your help to ask Val, I don’t think she’ll appreciate me.” David sighed. “I’ll try next week.”

“You have said so from the first month. Remember?” Jackie placed her right hand on her waist now. “You said you didn’t want to scare Val since asking her out so soon.”

“Yes, she’s new here. I don’t want to mess up our good working atmosphere if she doesn’t like me.” 

“What if a new guy comes and asks her out? You’ll lose her before you try,” Jackie intentionally said. “Then the next thing you hear, Val moves to the guy’s apartment, gets pregnant, and marries. Well, though knowing Val, maybe the order is from the latter to the former, but you get what my point was.”

“I know, it’s just-” David scratched his head again.

Finally, Jackie shook her head. “Okay, how about this? Tonight we’ll go to the Delicious Meal as we planned. Then I’ll excuse myself and leave both of you alone.” Jackie stared at David. “It’s your chance to approach Val. Either you use it or not, it’s up to you.”

David grinned. “That’s a good plan. Thank you, my fairy godmother!”

Jackie chuckled to hear that. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t forget me if all is well.”

“Sure!”

***

Finally, their working time was over. After taking note of the sale, closing the cash register machine, and locking the door, Valerie, Jackie, and David walked to the Delicious Meals. 

Valerie ordered her favorite meal, smoked sliced beef brisket. It was served with french fries, BBQ sauce, and salad. For the beverage, she ordered lemon juice. Jackie only ordered a salmon salad and mineral water. David, after reading the menu, finally chose barbeque with baked potatoes.  Valerie raised her eyebrows and stared at Jackie. 

“What?” Jackie asked.

“It’s so unlike you to order a salmon salad and mineral water. Are you okay?” 

Jackie grinned and threw a glance at David. “Yeah, I have a date after this. So I don’t want to be too full.”

“Aw! Why didn't you tell me before? Who is he?” Valerie smiled and stared at Jackie. 

Jackie only shrugged. “None you know. It’s a last-minute call, so I didn’t expect it at all.”

“Are you sure it’s a good idea to go with a guy who did a last-minute call?” Valerie asked Jackie. Then to include David, Valerie asked David too, “What do you think, Dave?”

David, who kept staring at Val, stammered, “Uh, uh, what’s the question?”

Valerie widened her eyes. “Are you okay, Dave? You seem unlike yourself tonight.”

David cleared his throat. “Well, I’m thinking of something else. So, what’s your question?”

“What do you think about a guy who gives a woman the last-minute call for a date?” Valerie repeated her question.

“Well, it depends on the situation. If it’s because the guy’s date canceled the date and he doesn’t want to be alone on Friday night, then I don’t think it’s a good idea to go with him.” Then David coughed. “But there’s an exception.” He stared at Valerie and smiled. “If the guy’s too nervous to ask her out and only finds his courage at the last minute, I think she should give him a chance.”

Jackie immediately laughed to hear David’s answer. “Speaking from the experience, huh?”

David blushed, but he smiled at Jackie. “Yeah, sort of.” 

“So, Dave, are you single right now?” Jackie asked. She winked, and David smiled. It’s Jackie’s way to help David to approach Valerie right now.

“Yeah, so single. Why?”

“Well, I know a great lady who’s single too.” 

Jackie glanced over Valerie, but Valerie ignored what Jackie said until she poked Valerie. 

“Huh? What?” Valerie asked. 

Jackie rolled her eyes and sighed. “You are single, aren’t you?” 

“Yes. so?”

“So-” Jackie dramatically prolonged her word. “David is single too. Maybe you two fit for each other.” Jackie flashed a knowing smile to David. 

David wrinkled his forehead to hear such a straightforward statement from Jackie. Before he could say anything, the server came to their table and served their meals. 

“Enjoy your meal. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me.” Then he left. 

Valerie nodded. “Can I have a package to take away my meal?” Then she added, “The meals here are awesome, and the portions are generous. I don’t want to waste anything.”

David followed Valerie. “Make it into two packages, please. I think I want to carry some too.”

The server smiled and then returned with two empty packages for their take-over food. After that, the server left their table.

They started eating while Valerie halved her portion and placed it into the container. The awkward situation before the server brought their meals was forgotten. David halved each of his beef, baked potatoes, even the mushroom and barbeque sauces. After that, he closed the package and placed it in front of Valerie. 

“For you.”

Valerie stared at David. “Why?”

“Since you love the meal here, I think if you have more food, you can enjoy it tomorrow. So you don’t need to cook.” David hesitated for a while, but then he continued, “If you don’t want it, I’ll bring it home.”

“No, it’s so nice of you to think of me. Thanks, Dave.” Valerie flashed a grin. 

Jackie then raised her hand to ask for a package too. After receiving it, she immediately poured the salad, closed the container, then drank her mineral water. 

“I’m leaving, guys. I pay my bill now. So please, no need to hurry to go home. Enjoy your time.” Then Jackie winked at David. 

David nodded and took a deep breath. “Let me treat you.” 

Jackie grinned. “Okay, thanks, Dave.”

Since it’s the first time David was alone with Valerie, suddenly he didn’t know what to say. But since Valerie enjoyed her meal, David didn’t need to say anything. So he sighed and continued eating. In the middle of eating, David incidentally dropped his knife. 

Valerie helped to take the knife from the floor since it was next to her feet. But when she grabbed the knife, she accidentally hurt her finger. 

“Ouch!”

“Are you okay?” 

The blood dropped to the floor and Valerie’s seat. Then David took a tissue from the table and offered it to Valerie. After wrapping her finger with two tissues, the blood finally stopped dripping. Valerie wiped the blood from the floor with the tissue. Afterward, she went to the bathroom to wash her fingers and threw the used tissue into the garbage can. Then she returned to the table.

After finished, David asked for the bill and paid for Valerie’s meal too. Valerie didn’t say anything, but after the server left them, Valerie took her wallet. 

“My share is 15 dollars.” Then she took 15 dollars from her purse and put it on the table. “You don’t need to treat me, Dave.”

“Well, I don’t mind treating you.”

Valerie smiled. “You’re kind, Dave, but I don’t want to take benefit from your kindness.” Then she pushed the 15 dollar bill closer to David. “Please, don’t make me feel bad.”

David sighed. “Okay.” 

David kept thinking about how to ask Valerie to go somewhere. Valerie then smiled at him, and his mind went blank. 

“I think I want to go home after this. Thanks a lot for this too, Dave.” Valerie patted David’s meal share. “Tomorrow will be a party too for me. So I can rest a lot and have a superb lunch and dinner.” Then Valerie stood. 

David had no choice but nodded. He forced a smile and said, “Okay, enjoy your weekend. See you on Monday.”