Sitting at the table, Bruno couldn't take his eyes off Flávia. Her beauty was hypnotic; she possessed the gift of making any man face two choices: to take her for himself or to protect her.
What a curious woman, he thought. He didn't want, in any way, to look away. But why did he feel this way? He studied every feature of her face, alternating between curiosity and discomfort. His attentive gaze did not go unnoticed: Flávia clapped her hands, discreetly calling the maids, who quickly entered and served them.
Flávia began eating naturally, each movement elegant and graceful. For Bruno, it seemed as if, while watching her, even the wind paused to admire her.
— What do you want from me? — he asked, curious, waiting for her to finish chewing.
She looked away timidly.
— Bruno, don't take this the wrong way. You could make it easier and lessen your hostility.
— And why are you staring at me so much? — he asked, confused. — Did you give me something while I was sleeping? Your face… it seemed to hypnotize me.
Flávia slightly furrowed her brow, followed by a timid smile.
— Thank you for the compliment, but I didn't give you anything while you were sleeping.
— So, what do you want with me? — he insisted.
She took a deep breath and began, her eyes shining:
— Let's go back to the beginning. Vampires often lead monotonous lives. But when we find something we love, we do everything to have it. About fourteen years ago, when you were about to turn two, I saw you in your mother's arms, so cute, chubby little cheeks… and it affected me. For the first time in my life, I found something I loved: you. I followed every stage of your life. I saw when you decided to lose weight after the pandemic; I saw how hard you worked.
She paused, and her words seemed to weigh heavily on him.
— But you were happy with your family and friends, so I couldn't bring you into my world. Losing everything here would have made you sad; so I rooted for you, without you needing it, without being able to help. But when I saw you being thrown… my chest ached. For love, I couldn't take you away from your happiness, even though I wanted to so badly.
— But when that car hit you, I couldn't let you die — she continued, her eyes glistening. — So I set fire to the place where you fell, that building in front of the academy, and I took your body. It was impossible for you to survive with the doctor who was caring for you, so I decided to save you my way, even without your consent.
— But… why? — Bruno asked, curious and shocked.
— Because I love you, Bruno.
Those words struck him like a shock. Did she really love him? Even being tall, with a slightly toned body, he had never considered himself handsome; his face was, at most, average. The mention of "chubby little cheeks" brought back memories of his greatest trauma—the cheeks he had only been able to lose after much effort.
Did it all start there? Bruno didn't know for sure. His heart raced, his mind in turmoil, as he watched Flávia eat timidly. One persistent question echoed in his mind: was it love or obsession? It was difficult to separate his thoughts.
After a few minutes, she finished eating. With a napkin, she delicately wiped her mouth and stood up:
— Please, follow me, Bruno.
As he followed her, he watched every step. The wind whistled softly, and the sounds they heard seemed to come only from him; Flávia's steps were almost silent and incredibly elegant.
They arrived at a small, elegant, and cozy room, prepared for everything that was about to happen. She guided him to a small two-seater sofa and, to Bruno's surprise, climbed onto his lap. Her penetrating eyes locked onto his, and the connection they felt went beyond the physical; something more intense and visceral united them.
Bruno felt his own excitement. Instinctively, he embraced her, inhaling Flávia's sweet and addictive scent, her delicate and mature perfume mixed with the smell of her blood. The aroma seemed to drive him insane, pulling him closer. He felt her pale skin under his hands, the delicate collarbone, the neck, behind the ear, down to her bust. Everything seemed to call to him, provoking a primal instinct to protect her, possess her.
Flávia felt that tension too. Her flushed face and hopeful eyes reflected the intensity of the moment. Slowly, Bruno's lips touched hers; she did not pull away. The suppressed desire seemed ready to explode.
— Flávia… what have you done to me? — he murmured, inhaling her hypnotic scent.
She responded softly:
— You slept for three days and didn't drink a drop of blood. Your body is reacting to mine, with intensity… whether from hunger or desire.
— I can hear your heart beating, your scent hypnotizes me, your body calls me… — he confessed, unable to control himself. — Your scent… it's so sweet.
— Bruno, you are weak. You slept for three days. Your soul and body are still stable, but you need to drink blood — she warned.
He tried to resist.
— Flávia… my body is burning… I need more than blood… — he whispered, gradually giving in.
Minutes later, his fangs pierced her collarbone. His hands traveled down to her hips, and the sweet, exquisite blood flooded his senses. He couldn't stop. The touch, the scent, the connection were intense. Flávia embraced him, allowing him to renew himself, while the tension between desire and need slowly dissipated.
When the thirst passed, Bruno was completely renewed. Silent tears streamed down his face.
— I'm sorry… — he said, his voice trembling.
It wasn't just the thirst for blood; it was the intensity of being with Flávia, her beauty, her perfume, her touch. He should have gone slowly, respected her. Hunger and desire shouldn't have turned him into a monster.