A Vampire's Kiss

CHAPTER FIVE

Isabella's POV

I let my pen slip from my fingers and exhaled deeply. For the last half hour, I had been capturing the tranquility of my surroundings on paper, and my hands were starting to feel stiff. A wave of regret washed over me for not sticking around yesterday to grab Sienna's business card, and I couldn't shake the disappointment. If only she were here to chat with me right now.

With boredom still hanging in the air, I decided to keep writing, but I soon realized that most of my words were focused on the enigmatic guy I had seen several times. He had sent me a brief note asking me not to disturb his peace again, but something inside me felt that wasn't entirely true. He shouldn't be too afraid to confront me directly.

As for today's meal, I was planning on baking soda. Frustrated from writing about someone who seemed to want to avoid me, I shifted gears to cooking. I noticed he usually sticks to beer and coffee. Despite the abundance of food at the restaurant, he never seems to order any. I even wondered if he was taking care of himself at all. Plus, I had never seen anyone else leave his large, old house. For some reason, he gave off a vibe of loneliness, and there was a hint of sadness in his voice.

The memory of him introducing himself as "Noah" during the rain came flooding back. I recalled his pale complexion and how he had swiftly fixed my tire without waiting for any gratitude.

Taking a deep breath, I finished baking the soda and packed it into a box. I figured this would be a more thoughtful gesture than buying a frame and wasting my markers on notes for him. I planned to visit during the day to avoid any potential risks.

After locking my door, I made my way to his large, old house, feeling as if he might have been anticipating my arrival. As I approached, I heard footsteps moving toward the door. I knocked, since there was no doorbell on this old place.

"Hello! Good morning! Is anyone home?" I called out, knocking again.

His truck was parked outside under the bright sun. I've heard whispers that he prefers solitude and avoids interacting with others. He seems to do everything on his own.

"Please?" I raised my voice, feeling a pang of disappointment at the thought of my efforts going to waste. I had baked soda and brought it to his cottage, eager to see how he would react. Maybe he would appreciate my thoughtfulness and strike up a conversation.

Suddenly, I heard a gruff voice mixed with a lighter tone. It sounded like one person was playing with their pitch on purpose. I tried peering through the window, but it was closed. I knocked harder on the door, and when there was no reply, I left the box on his doorstep and turned to walk away. I found a spot around the corner to keep an eye on his house.

The noise of passing cars pulled my attention away, and when I looked back at the doorstep, the box was gone. I noticed the door had just been shut and locked.

"Whoa. What the heck," I chuckled to myself, wrapping my arms around myself. He actually took it inside to eat. Wait, was he afraid of me? Why wouldn't he even say hello? Did I give off a bad vibe when he helped me on the road?

I felt a sense of accomplishment and headed back to my cottage. Bursting with joy, I rushed inside and let out a happy scream. The mysterious guy had acknowledged me, albeit silently. It felt great to have this little connection, but I definitely needed to get in touch with my new friend.

Writing was my escape, and I spent most of my time crafting a new draft. I documented the memorable moments of each day, which fueled my passion for fiction. Everything was as usual, and my Camry was parked outside. After an hour of writing, I quickly set off to visit the coffee shop again. I worried about getting a flat tire on the way and not having Noah around to help.

When I walked into the coffee shop, I noticed unfamiliar faces. Even the unfriendly bartender was missing. Had I gone too far? Was this a different coffee shop? I checked the name. It was Sam's Coffee Mix, and I couldn't help but chuckle nervously.

What can I get for you, ma'am? One of the bartenders approached me, but I wasn't really in the mood for a drink.

"Actually, I'm here to meet someone named Sienna. Do you know where I can find her?" I asked him boldly. He shook his head, indicating he didn't know. I didn't want to take up too much of his time, and while I thought about ordering at least a cup, I decided it was better to grab some groceries instead.

"I'm sorry, but I'm here to meet her, not to have coffee," I said, quickly leaving before anyone could look at me with judgment. I hopped into my car and checked Google Maps as I drove around town. It was an eventful day, but nothing compared to having a loved one by my side.

Eventually, I found one of the most popular grocery stores. I realized I had some money left in another bank account. As I entered, I accidentally bumped into a man wearing a hat. I looked up to apologize, my voice trembling with anxiety.

"I—" I started to say sorry when I recognized his face. It was him. His gaze held me captive, and I felt completely frozen. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't move.

"I—I was actually heading to the coffee shop, not here," I stammered, trying to turn away, but his voice stopped me.

"Actually, there's another coffee shop at the back of this place," he said, and I lowered my head to thank him.

"Um, can I treat you to a coffee drink?" He asked, his tone hesitant. I felt confused by his pauses.

I looked down, feeling nervous. "I'm actually running late."

"I promise I won't take up too much of your time," he replied, and I sighed.

"Promise?"

He nodded and gestured for me to follow him. Once we were seated and he ordered the coffee, his eyes rolled towards everyone and when he noticed that they minded their businesses, he began to speak with me.