As I finished my story, I carefully left out the part about Valentin being a vampire. But I could tell by the knowing glances my friends exchanged that they suspected something.
"I'm happy for you, Ava," Sarah said, her voice tinged with a hint of curiosity. "But there's something you're not telling us, isn't there?"
I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "What do you mean?"
Rachel raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Ava. We've known you for years. We can tell when you're hiding something."
I sighed, feeling a little cornered. "Okay, fine. But you have to promise not to freak out."
My friends exchanged excited glances, their faces lit up with anticipation.
"We promise," Emily said, her voice barely above a whisper.
I hesitated, unsure if I should reveal the truth. But something about their eager expressions put me at ease.
"Valentin has a...condition," I said, choosing my words carefully.
Sarah's eyes widened. "What kind of condition?"
I glanced at Valentin, who was watching me with an amused expression.
"He's...allergic to sunlight," I said, trying to downplay it.
My friends looked at each other, their faces skeptical.
"That's not it, Ava," Rachel said, her voice firm. "We know there's more to it than that."
I sighed, realizing I couldn't keep the truth hidden forever.
"Fine," I said, resigned. "But you have to promise not to tell anyone."
My friends nodded in unison, their eyes sparkling with excitement.
"We promise," Emily said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Just as I was about to spill the beans, I realized that Valentin was no longer in the room. I looked around, wondering where he had gone.
"Where's Valentin?" Emily asked, looking around the room with a confused expression.
"I think he stepped outside for some fresh air," I said, trying to play it cool.
My friends looked at each other, their faces skeptical.
"Fresh air?" Sarah repeated. "At night?"
I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "He likes the night air, okay?"
But my friends were not buying it. They knew something was up, and they were determined to find out what.
"We'll get the truth out of you, Ava," Rachel said, her voice playful but firm.
Just then, the door opened and Valentin walked back in, his eyes gleaming in the dim light.
"Sorry about that," he said, smiling at me. "I needed a little break."
My friends looked at him, their faces searching for answers.
"So, Valentin," Emily said, her voice casual. "What's the deal with you and Ava?"
Valentin smiled, his fangs glinting in the light.
"I think Ava's already told you," he said, his eyes locked onto mine.
But my friends were not satisfied. They wanted more information, and they were not going to give up until they got it.
"You guys should please leave, I'm tired," I said, trying to sound firm.
"Oh, okay, we'll leave," Emily said, "but Valentin is going too."
"No, I said, "I still have something to discuss with him."
My friends looked at each other, their faces skeptical.
"What could you possibly have to discuss with him that we can't hear?" Rachel asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
I sighed, feeling frustrated. "Just leave, guys. Please."
Valentin stepped in, his voice smooth as silk. "I think Ava wants some privacy, ladies. Let's give it to her."
My friends looked at him, their faces softening. "Okay, fine," Emily said. "But Ava, call us tomorrow. We want all the details."
I nodded, relieved. "I will. Thanks, guys."
As my friends left, Valentin turned to me, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
"What did you want to discuss with me?" he asked, his voice low and husky.
I hesitated, feeling a little nervous. "I...I just wanted to talk about us," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Valentin's eyes locked onto mine, his expression intense. "Us?" he repeated. "What about us?"
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. "I just want to know if this is real," I said, my voice shaking. "If what we have is real."
"What do you mean?" Valentin asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"I was just joking," I said, trying to brush it off. "You wanted to see me, and my friends were not giving you the chance to."
Valentin's expression changed from confusion to understanding. "Ah, I see," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You were trying to get rid of them so we could be alone."
I nodded, feeling a little embarrassed. "Yeah, something like that."
Valentin chuckled, his fangs glinting in the light. "Well, I appreciate the effort," he said, his voice low and husky. "But next time, just tell them to leave. You don't have to make up excuses."
I laughed, feeling a little more at ease. "I'll keep that in mind," I said, smiling up at him.
Valentin's eyes locked onto mine, his expression intense. "So, now that we're alone," he said, his voice dripping with suggestion. "What do you want to do?"
My heart skipped a beat as I met his gaze. I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
"Tell me more about vampires," I said, my curiosity getting the better of me.
Valentin smiled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "What do you want to know?" he asked, his voice low and husky.
"Everything," I said, my eyes wide with excitement.
Valentin chuckled, his fangs glinting in the light. "Well, let's start with the basics," he said, settling into the couch beside me. "Vampires are immortal, we don't age or die of natural causes. We're also incredibly strong and fast, and we have the ability to heal quickly."
"That's amazing," I breathed, my mind racing with questions.
Valentin nodded, his eyes serious. "But being a vampire comes with a price. We have to drink blood to survive, and we're vulnerable to sunlight and fire."
I nodded, taking it all in. "What about garlic and holy water?" I asked, remembering the old myths.
Valentin laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Those are just myths," he said, shaking his head. "Garlic might make our breath smell bad, but it won't hurt us. And holy water is just water, it doesn't have any special powers."
I grinned, feeling a little silly for believing the myths. "What about vampires and relationships?" I asked, my heart pounding in my chest.
Valentin's eyes locked onto mine, his expression intense. "Vampires can fall in love, just like humans," he said, his voice low and husky. "But it's complicated. We have to be careful not to reveal our true nature, and we have to worry about losing the ones we love."
I nodded, my heart racing with excitement. "But it's worth it," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Valentin's eyes gleamed with agreement. "Definitely," he said, his voice full of conviction.
"Tell me more," I said, my eyes locked onto Valentin's.
He smiled, his fangs glinting in the light. "Well, vampires have a special bond with their mates," he said, his voice low and husky. "It's called the 'blood bond'. When we find our true mate, we can sense it, and it's like nothing else matters."
"That sounds amazing," I breathed, my heart racing with excitement.
Valentin nodded, his eyes serious. "It is, but it's also dangerous. If our mate is in danger, we'll do anything to protect them, even if it means putting ourselves at risk."
I nodded, understanding. "And what about vampire powers?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
Valentin grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ah, well, that's a whole different story," he said, his voice dripping with excitement. "Vampires have all sorts of powers, from telepathy to telekinesis. Some of us can even shape-shift."
My eyes widened in amazement. "That's incredible!" I exclaimed.
Valentin chuckled, his fangs glinting in the light. "Yes, it is," he said, his voice full of pride. "But with great power comes great responsibility, remember?"
I nodded, my mind racing with all the implications. Being a vampire was so much more complicated than I had ever imagined.