Chapter 13

Bella's POV

"You don’t look good this morning, Bella," Dede said as I walked into the restaurant first thing the next morning.

"Blame that on my nightmares" I replied, almost close to tears.

I was so exhausted I could barely feel my body due to my lack of slope the previous night. I'd woken up from a nightmare around one in the morning and I wasn't able to sleep back after that.

"Maybe you should take a break from work today" Dede proposed just as Eva had done and I refused her advice.

I was too scared to stay alone at home. I didn't want to be alone to avoid Adonis completely. The fear of him showing up in my house was too much for me to risk. I don't want to see him yet so it'll be better to avoid any sight of him.

"If you insist on staying, here's a cup of coffee to keep you up all day and I'm just two steps away if you ever need another cup" Dede stretched a cup of coffee to me, smiling widely.

"Thank you but please make it two" she laughed before going back to the machine to make me another one.

I looked around at that moment to see if there were any traces of Adonis but I couldn't see him.

"Dede, if you see that same man that came here the last time today, tell him I went on a trip"

"Why?" She questioned

"Nothing. Just tell him that. How's your mama?" I asked, changing the topic to avoid any further questions from her.

"She's fine. She's getting better day by day" she replied happily.

"How's Maria doing? Have you heard anything from the manager?" I asked, curiosity taking over me.

"Nothing yet but I wish she can stay there for a long time"

"Dede," I cautioned her.

"It's true Bella. This place seems peaceful without her nagging, complaints and attitude"

"Whatever, I'll see you later. The kitchen needs me"

I waved at her as I resumed into the kitchen.

Two hours later, I turned my head away from the microwave to see Dede looking lurking around the doors.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Almost," she replied.

"Then, why are you here?"

"I might have done something you'll hate, Bella"

"What did you do?"

"I might have told someone you were in the kitchen"

"Who?" I asked, already worried she didn't do what I told her.

"Adonis," she replied silently.

"What?, I told you not to tell him I was around"

"I couldn't help it. It was as if he knew you were already here and I couldn't say no when he asked where you were" She explained with regret in her eyes.

"Where's he now?"

"Outside" She replied. "Waiting for you"

"Okay"

I gently replied and turned back to the microwave. I fiddled with my fingers as I contemplated taking the backdoors as my escape route or facing him once and for all.

"I can go back to tell him you don't want to see him"

"That won't be necessary. Just go back to your post, Dede. I'll be fine" I replied, forcing a smile.

Going with my latter decision of facing him once and for all, I walked out of the kitchen and sighted him at the usual spot, closer to the door.

As I walked closer to him, he was smiling.

"Why do you want Adonis?" I asked angrily

"To see you"

"Why?"

"I don't think I should have a reason before seeing my woman"

"I'm not your woman Adonis, you're nobody to me"

"Don't talk like that mi amor. You mean the world to me" He was already on his feet.

"Just go Adonis, please"

"You wound me, Bella"

His words hurt me just as much as my own words to him did. I didn't mean any of those things that I said. My heart calls to him and I hate that feeling. I just want him to let me go and leave my life alone completely.

I looked up to see him studying me.

"Don't think too much about anything Bella, just take things lightly"

Not considering the fact that other people were sitting around us, he pulled me close and kissed my forehead.

"I'll be back, Bella" He was adamant and I hated that attitude.

"I'll be forced to go to the police if you do that" I threatened.

"You wouldn't Bella. I know you".

He replied confidently before leaving the restaurant.

I was back in the kitchen minutes later when someone suddenly walked in. I didn't fret because I thought it was Dede since the other chef wasn't around.

"You're working alone?" The voice startled me and made me turn abruptly.

"Who are you?" I asked

"I'm Matthew"

"Okay! What are you doing here?" I was suddenly scared because of the burned scars he had on his face and the iron stake he was holding made fear run through my body.

"I'll love to ask you some questions," He said, smiling wickedly.

"That'll be after work. As you can see I'm busy right now, I don't have the time for questions. You can come back later in a few hours. By that time, I should be free" I replied, thinking he'll leave after that.

Matthew suddenly moved closer to me, backing me into the shelf that was in the kitchen, making a few items to drop.

"Listen carefully, pretty girl. When I want something, I get it, irrespective of whoever the fuck they are. I want to question you and I don't care what you're doing or how busy you are. Don't make me hurt you. All you have to do is give me the answers that I require. Do you understand?" He asked and I nodded.

"Yes"

"Good"

He backed away.

"I'm from the animal control department here in this town and I have some questions concerning a particular creature that had gone rabid for a while now"

"I don't have an interest in animals," I said truthfully.

"Ahh, you sure have an interest in this one"

"Do you happen to know what a vampire is?" He asked

It was then that it became clear what his real intentions were.

"Yes, I learned about them in movies and books" I replied smartly.

"Good. So, have you seen one, especially recently?"

"In real life? I mean, here in this town?"

"Yes"

I laughed. U laughed even though I was dying inside. U laughed because that was the only way to protect Adonis even though I don't understand why I'm doing it.

I was this close to dropping to the floor and losing consciousness because of how nervous and scared I was but u had to laugh to prove that I was strong

"I wish I'd seen one in real life but no" I replied.

"You're quite a young confident lady and I admire your smartness as well"

"Thank you"

"Do you know any Adonis Gonzalez?"

I suddenly widened my eyes, "Is he the vampire you're looking for?"

"Not sure of that but he owes me one. He killed my brother and I'm after him to tell him that I'll be taking everything that's ever precious to him very soon including his life" he hissed.

I think he knew more than he was letting on.

"Wish me good luck"

I swallowed hard before I replied, "Good luck Mr. Matthew"

"You can call me Matthew. The formality wouldn't be necessary because I'll be seeing you again"

Adonis! Adonis!! Adonis!!

His name kept on ringing in my head even though my mouth was smiling at the man walking out of the kitchen.

Immediately he left, I picked up my phone and ran out of the back door to see if I'll catch up with Adonis before Matthew did. I need to warn him to stay safe.

I crashed into a body once I got out and I looked up to see Adonis.

"Adonis, you need to run. You need to leave, someone is after you"

"Is that why your heart is beating so fast?" He asked, ignoring what I just said.

"He said he'll kill you, Adonis. Leave already, please"

"You do care about me, Bella," he said smiling.

"Does that matter now? you have to leave town. It's too dangerous for you here" I warned.

"Calm down Bella, calm down and breathe properly, please" he begged but I didn't listen.

I kept telling him to leave and tried explaining what I just saw until I felt his lips on mine.

He crashed his lips into mine and held me close by the waist. My hands wrapped around his neck as he pulled me close into his body, my chest crashing into his hard chest.

Everything and everyone else seems so invisible and it felt as if only the two of us existed in the world.