The kiss
Natalie's pov
The atmosphere hadn't been bright since morning, and it looked like it would rain, but it didn't start until it was noon.
Inside B&D Corporation’s sales department, the floor was alive with its usual noise. Clicking keyboards, printers humming, and phones ringing.
The employees sat around a long table, divided into narrow cubicles, giving each of them their little privacy.
I sat in my mine, glasses perched low on my nose as I typed on my computer loudly with the other sounds in the background.
It was Friday, and I was happy the weekend was near, even though it didn't look like it would stop raining.
Work finally ended, and the rain had reduced to a drizzle. Different employees had finished their work and were packing up to go their respective ways. Some were planning to hit the club. Some, a get-together and have dinner, but as the black sheep of the department, I didn't bother to say a word.
I'm not a fan of being around large groups of people, which makes my job a bit of a challenge. You might think I'm weird or introverted, but I just prefer quiet settings. I have friends and enjoy socializing with them, but forced gatherings like office parties or nightclubs are my worst nightmare.
I dodged them and ran out of the office. The drizzle was still falling. "Oh my gosh. I guess I would have to walk in like that." I muttered, looking up at the sky before holding my bag up over my head to shield my head as I ran into the streets.
In no time, I got to the bus stop. I plugged in my earpiece as I waited for the bus, but it didn't take long when the music I was listening to was cut off by a call.
I sighed as I sighted who the caller was. "Haven't I told you not to call me again?" I wasn't the type to get angry, but the guy was asking for it.
There was a pause. Then his voice came, smooth and irritatingly calm."Come to the cafe opposite your work building."
I clenched my jaw. I couldn't do this. "I'm hanging up,"
"Come." He said, his tone firmer this time. "Or I won't stop calling."
That was what I want. For him to stop calling or texting me. "I'm on my way." I hung up and left the bus stop, having no choice.
I got to the cafe to see him sitting alone amid the empty seats. He waved at me from where he was, and I walked towards him. "Did you rent the whole cafe?" I asked, surprised he was the only one sitting in the cafe, but I regretted asking immediately.
"Would you accept me if I do that?" He asked back, and I could only roll my eyes without a word.
"What do you care for?" He asked with a smile, but I maintained my cold face. The drink wasn't what I came for.
"I don't want anything. Just get straight to the point."
I met him through my friend two months ago, and we didn't date. Just like getting to know each other until I saw him with another lady. I stopped talking to him, but he didn't do the same. He either calls me every day or texts me about how much he wants to be with me. Who does that?
I can't deny he isn't handsome. He is tall, has dark hair, a brown captivating eye, but I am sure he's a playboy, and I wouldn't dare go near him. I can't afford to joke with my tender heart.
"Why don't you want me?" He asked me, which got me more surprised.
"Should I have a reason to? I told you I'm not interested." I replied. How can he act like he wanted me when he was making out with another lady? I am not jealous, but he is a playboy.
"Do you have someone else?" He asked, resting his back on the chair. "Well, girls like you..." He didn't complete his words.
He looked so relaxed saying that, and I hated it. I finally accepted that he was a jerk. I bit my lip in anger.
"Go out on an actual date with me, and maybe I'll stop after that."
"I don't want to, and I have a boyfriend. If you don't stop, I'll arrest you for stalking." I threatened him, but I was surprised when he chuckled. "I don't believe that." He said.
I was furious. I knew why he was talking like that. I didn't want s*x when he asked. He probably thought I was the naïve type of girl who didn't want guys because of that. I was so angry that I wasn't thinking straight.
I would prove to him I wasn't that kind of person. I stood up, took my bag to leave. I didn't need to look back to know he had followed me.
I reached the door just as someone was about to enter. Without looking back at the guy behind me, I pulled the stranger in for a kiss.
I had to prove to him I wasn't naive. But what have I done? I just kissed a stranger for that?
It was a fast. One second. Maybe two.
Immediately, I realized what I had done; I ran out of the restaurant without looking back at any of them.
"Why Natalie? What the hell were you thinking?" I screamed in my head as I boarded a taxi. Who cares if he thinks I'm naïve? I can't believe I kissed a stranger to prove nothing.
***
Niles's pov
In a loud club. Different bodies swayed to the rhythm, some lost in the dance, while some could be seen talking and smiling despite the loud music.
My assistant and I entered the club, dressed in suits. We walked towards the stairs of the club to go meet who we had come for. As we moved toward the stairs, eyes followed us, especially the women. Whispers, stares, and bold glances clung on to, but I cared less. I was already used to that already. We approached a table where some men were talking and drinking.
The man whom we came for also noticed them. "Mr. Flynn. You're here. Please sit. Excuse us, please." He said to the men sitting around him. They also stood up and left while we sat down, facing the man.
"I'm not a big fan of clubs like this, Mr. Howard. So, let's get straight to the point. Have you found what I asked for?" I asked, and I was right. Clubs aren't my thing. I have other businesses and important things to handle than sit at clubs to drink, and if it's about women. I don't have to search around to get them.
"Getting the last dragon's blood is difficult. It's the only one that can make anyone immortal, and finding it is difficult... Anyway. I thought I'd be free by now to drop the formalities." Mr. Howard said, but neither Mark said a word.
I also knew getting the last dragon's blood was hard after it was said that wolves killed the last one because they were scared it would take over their kingdom, but I got the news that there might be a last one, and I needed its blood urgently. Its blood will make me strong and immortal, enough to take my brother's throne from him and become the first hybrid to rule the vampires. Yes, that's right. The first hybrid.
And to get that, I needed this witch's help, even though he was requesting something surprising.
"My daughter explained the blind date didn't go well... That an incident happened or so." He said.
I looked at the man before I scoffed lightly. I was also surprised when the human girl kissed me. I couldn't even do a thing before she ran out because I was shocked.
I was at the restaurant for a blind date with the witch's daughter. The man's daughter insisted we have a date in a cafe. She waited for me at the cafe, and just as I entered, I met a human girl at the entrance, who kissed me and ran away before I could do a thing.
"You'll also allow your daughter to be with someone like me?" I asked with a smirk, knowing the news about me had been circulating. The hybrid who killed his brother's betrothed because of the throne.
I could still remember the anger on his daughter's face when she saw the human girl kiss me. She looked like she would kill the human girl before she also ran out.
"I'll do anything my daughter wants." The witch, Mr. Howard, said to which I just nodded with a smirk on my lips. Who cares about that? My key priority is to get that blood. "Do whatever my daughter wants, and I'll get you that dragon's blood. You'll take your brother's throne before you know it."
"You have a deal, Mr. Howard." I smiled before I stood up with Mark.
We both left Mr. Howard's presence and made our way down the stairs. "I want you to find me that human, Mark. She should learn her lesson." I said, to which Mark also nodded.
I hated the fact that she took advantage of me and ran away without a word. Most importantly, she almost cost me my dragon's blood. What would I do if Mr. Howard refused to find the last dragon because of his daughter? Luckily, I can still recollect her face vividly in my head.
As I walked out of the club, a drunk guy bumped into me. "Watch where you're going, you idiot." The drunk guy said to me.
"i***t?" I scoffed and smirked despite fuming inside. No one dares say such to me.
"You can go, Mark. I have a trash to handle myself."
"Sure," Mark said before entering the car.
I turned back to the direction where the drunk guy walked towards, and I followed the route.