( Ami's POV )
Saturday
The rain had been falling since my morning - steady , cold and heavy enough to turn the streets into mirrors . My body ached, my head spun and the tea I brewed for warmth had long gone cold .
Behind sneezing and coughing , I was trying to get my son , Kotaro , to finish his homework .
" Mom , you look like a zombie . " Kotaro said with a grin ,pencil dangling from his lips .
" Gee , Thanks , " I muttered dragging a blanket over my shoulders. " Finish ,your math ,young man before I actually become one. "
He giggled and went back to his workbook but the number , blurred beside my eyes . I felt dizzy again . The fever must have gotten worse .
I tried to stand to get medicine but stumbled catching myself against the table .
Then - a knock on the door.
Three sharp , rhythmic taps .
I frowned , " Who visits at 11 am ?"
Beside I could move , the door opened slightly , and a familiar voice cut through the rain . " You should lock your door , Ami . "
" Rin ? " I blinked , stunned . She stood there with an umbrella , her dark coat glistening with rain , eyes soft and worried - a rare expression on her usually clod face .
" You weren't at work today . " She said stepping in . " So I came to check . "
" I'm fine , " I lied , voice hoarse . " Just a little fever ---
" You look half dead " she said flatly already walking to the kitchen. " Sit I'll handle it . "
I wanted to protest but my legged disagree .
Reina found a towel , wet it , and pressed it in my forehead. Her touch was surprisingly gentle -- cool like moonlight.
" Mom , who's that ? " Kotaro asked peeking from his chair .
Rin turned to him , smiling faintly, " I'm your mother's..... Boss . "
Kotaro 's eyes sparkled . " You're so pretty !.
Are you a movie star ? "
I groaned , " Kotaro . "
Rin chuckled softly, " Thank you . What's your name , little one ? "
" Kotaro, seven year and Mom's really good cook when she's not sick ."
" Is that so ? " Rin smiled , then looked back at me . " The. I suppose, I'll have to make sure she gets better soon ."
Kotaro's curiosity only grew ." Do you like my mom ? "
Rin paused -- then, with faint smirk , said , " Very much . "
" Then ,you can marry her . " He said brightly.
I choked on air ." KOTARO!....
Rin , on the other hand, looked delighted ,
" Oh , I have your permission already ? "
Kotaro nodded with serious approval. " Only if you make her smile a lot . She doesn't smile enough lately. "
Something in Rin's expression softened. She crouched beside him , brushing a hand through his hair ." That .... I can do . "
I tried to hide my flushed face behind the blanket. " Rin, stop encouraging him . "
" Why ? He's a fine judge of character , " she teased . " Though I admit , I didn't expect to win a proposal today ."
I groaned weakly , " You're insufferable. "
" And yet ," she said looking at me with quiet affection , " you let me in. "
The warmth in her voice caught me off guard. For a moment , the world slowed -- the rain outside , Kotaro hummed softly , and Rim watching me with eyes that glowed
faintly in the dim light .
Her cool fingers brushed against my cheeks.
" You're burning up . " She murmured. " Humans ....are so fragile ."
" Don't start with that vampire superiority thing , " she mumbled .
She smiled faintly, " It's mm or superiority . Just fear. I forget how easily I can hurt you . "
Her words lingered in the air -- soft ,almost tender .
To break the tension , Kotaro yawned . " Cns you read me a story , " Miss Pretty Boss Lady ? "
Rin blinked and then -- surprisingly -- agreed.
" All right . But only if your mother promise to rest . "
" Yes , Yes " I sighed .
Kotaro climbed into bed and Rin sat beside him reading one of his picture books
Her voice -- usually cold and composed --
Become gentle and melodic . By the time she finished, Kotaro was fast asleep , clutching her hand .
Rin brushed his hair aside , then turned to me .
" He's a good child . "
" He's my world " I said softly. "
Rin's gaze lingered on me -- intense , unreadable . " You must have suffered alot raising him alone . "
I shrugged , avoiding her eyes , " I managed somehow .... "
She stood , walk over and fixed the blanket around my shoulders again ." You shouldn't have to manage alone . "
The silence that followed was thick, fragile .
Finally , she said , almost playfully , " So about Kotaro's proposal.....
I groaned , hiding my face , " if you bring that up again , I swear I'll....
Her soft laugh interrupted me , " Then I'll consider it ..... A maybe ... "
Her smile lingered even as she turned toward the door , leaving behind a strange warmth that cut through my fever better than any medicine .
And when the rain stopped , I realized something terrifying.
Rin Kurozawa -- the vampire who saved me ,
my boss, my tormentor --- was slowly stealing my heart .