Hold unto me

Chapter 7

Clara. 

"What are you doing here?" I asked. 

"I came here to apologize," he replied. 

"For what exactly?" I asked like I didn't know what he was going to say. 

"For everything, for treating you that way, for acting the way I did, I'm really sorry. I can't take it all back, but I want to make it up to you…. Please," he answered. 

Here he was surprising me with his every action. Never did I think that someone like him could apologize so easily. 

It must have taken a lot for him to say those words, certainly he is not someone to throw the word "I'm sorry" around so easily. 

"Well you're forgiven, but I don't know how you can make up for what you did," I told him. 

His mood immediately lit up like he had been given his first gift ever. He actually smiled this time around and his perfect dentition reminded me that I might actually need to pay a visit to the dentist as soon as possible. 

"Don't worry about that babe, I've got you covered," he said, giving me a seductive wicked wink. 

My heart definitely skipped a bit at the sight of his face right now, but I didn't want to show it, however my cheeks were so red I could not believe I was feeling this giddy for a vampire. 

The only thing I could do was accept that I was maybe, probably, falling in love with this handsome vampire. Still I couldn't show it, I had no plans of inflating his already huge ego.

"Alright, Nicholas, let's see what you've got," I told him. 

"Okay then, Clara Shawn, would you go on a date with me?" He asked, on one knee, like he was proposing, but he had his hand stretched out again. 

It was like he wanted me to make the decision and take his hand. Apparently it meant much to him that I took that bold step with him. 

I had to admit that it was romantic how he was on his knees all of a sudden, never was I expecting such a move, one would think that he was proposing or something. But no, he was just asking me out on a date, our first ever real date. 

"Sure, why not?! Let's do this," I said to him.

"Alright then go get dressed, I want to take you out," he told me. 

"Out? I thought we were having dinner here?" I asked. 

I looked around and it was quite obvious with the candles on the dining table and the set of plates arranged that he planned something fancy here. Even the music playing was quite lively and hinted at a home dinner. 

I glanced at Lydia and I could tell she was also quite taken aback by what he said. 

"Change of plans babe." he said. 

That was it. He didn't deem it fit to explain himself further and apparently that was the end of conversation. 

However strange the situation was, I had to admit that I was relieved. I did not want to share a date with him with Lydia there, especially not our first date. 

Plus I wasn't quite sure if he actually ate normal food or if he even enjoyed normal food. Could he even still eat normal food? 

To be honest I had no idea what I was doing here. All I knew was that I had to admit that I like him and I was ready to give this a chance, whatever this was anyways. 

"Alright, give me a moment," I said.

"Take all the time you need babe, I'm not going anywhere," he said.  

I just rolled my eyes as I remembered that he was immortal, surely he could wait till eternity. 

As I walked past Lydia towards my room, I signaled for her to keep him company while I got ready. 

Honestly I had no idea what to wear. This all came as a surprise to me! Not long ago I was wasting this perfect day in a coffee shop, trying not to think about Nicholas, but failing terribly even to do just that. 

Now here he was in my apartment, asking me out on a date. Here I was all giddy, preparing for my date with a vampire. 

I searched through my wardrobe for something nice to wear, after a while I decided that I had found the perfect attire for the evening. 

I laid it gently on my bed while I went to shower and apply my necessary skin care lotion. 

When I finally wore the gown, it reminded me of the time when my mum first bought it for me. Mum and I went shopping together, like we always do. 

Actually this time around I went because she begged me to go with her, plus she bribed me with the promise of getting something for me. 

When I set my eyes on the dress I knew I was in love and when I first wore it I decided there and then that it was especially made for me. 

The dress was absolutely gorgeous. It was a red dinner gown, it had a v cut at the front with a low cut at the back that showed just enough skin. The length was long with a side slit from just above my knee. 

I felt good as I wore the gown, complete with a simple black stiletto and a small black purse, silver earrings, rings and silver necklace. I sprayed my favorite perfume just to add that extra touch. 

As soon as I came out I could actually see his jaw drop, perfect! That was exactly what I wanted. 

"You look gorgeous Clara Shawn," he said as I got closer.

"Thank you," I told him. 

"No need to thank me babe, a beauty like you deserves all the compliments any man can ever imagine," he said. 

"Whoa Clara, you've got one sweet talker here!" Lydia exclaimed. 

"I'm only stating facts friend," he said referring to Lydia. 

"The name is Lydia dude, remember that," she corrected. 

"I'll try my best," he said, with his hands raised up like he was surrendering for just this battle. 

It was cute seeing them exchange words. I'd like to think that they were fighting for my attention but I knew better than to believe that. 

Truth is, they were both very proud beings fighting for control, but I can boldly say that I have never met anyone as proud as Nicholas Young. 

"Okay you guys, it's alright, it's not my fault I couldn't make formal introductions, so sort yourselves out please!" I groaned. 

"There's nothing to worry about babe, your friend is my friend," he said. 

"I wish I could say the same about you," Lydia retorted. 

"Come on Lydia, don't be like that," I groaned, "show some self respect," I advised her. 

"Yeah right," she scoffed. 

"Please forgive her, she is always like this but she's a good friend, I promise," I told him, with the most apologetic look I could muster. 

"Oh stop it, I actually do quite like her," he said. 

He is the strangest I swear. 

"Shall we?" He said, offering me his arm. 

"Sure," I told him, placing my arm in his like it was meant to be there forever. 

Being that close to him gave me a certain kind of happiness I never knew I could feel. I wanted this feeling to last forever but deep down I was not so sure he was right for me. 

I didn't want to feel this way, common sense was screaming at me to say no to all his advances. Certainly if I told Lydia what he truly was, she would never allow me to see him again, let me not even begin with my mum! 

However if just touching him this way could affect me this much, then there really is no harm in seeing where this would lead to. The least I could do was try my best with him. 

"Alright Lydia, I'll see you later," I told her. 

"Okay, You best take care of my Clara," she yelled at Nicholas. 

"With my life," he assured. 

There was something about the way he said it that made me realize that he meant it. 

As we went outside the apartment I noticed that it was an especially beautiful evening. This was the period that one could appreciate the beauty of nature. 

More surprising was the presence of a black limousine in front of my apartment. When did that get here?! 

He probably arranged for this while I was getting ready but I felt it was a little too much. 

The driver came out of the limousine and was dressed like a real professional chauffeur for royalty. 

"Hello Mr Young," the chauffeur greeted him. 

"Hello James, how is the weather this evening?" He asked.

"Very lovely, a very nice night to go out with, miss…." He said, implying that he still did not know my name.

"Clara, Clara Shawn," I told him. 

"Right, a very nice evening for a date with Miss Shawn," he said with a little bow.

"Please, Clara would be just fine," I told him instead. 

It felt odd being called by my last name only. No one had ever called me miss Shawn before, not even my lecturers.  

"Okay Clara, this way," he said, opening the door of the limousine for me to enter.

Immediately Nicholas was by my side telling the chauffeur not to bother, while he continued holding the limo door open. 

When I was in, he gently locked the door and went round to the other side of the vehicle, he opened the door and got in beside me. 

James was already at the steering wheel, waiting for the signal from Nicholas to move. Nicholas just gave a simple nod and he started driving, apparently he already knew where we were heading to. 

"So where are we headed?" I asked.

"Well there's this fancy restaurant that just opened and the owner is a friend of mine, I promised him that I'd check it out, but honestly I had never had a good reason to go there," he said.

"Maybe you just didn't want to go to a restaurant alone," I told him.

"Maybe that too, but I doubt I would have been alone, I'm a ladies' man after all," he said with a wink.  

"You're so full of yourself you know that," I scoffed at him.

"So I've been told," he retorted, "but you have to admit that it attracts you, even if a little bit," he said. 

"No it doesn't, not at all, to be honest it's one of the things that infuriates me about you," I told him bluntly. 

He just smiled, like I was giving him a compliment. He seemed unfazed by my words, if anything he looked like he was intrigued.  

"Do you know you look hot when you are angry," he said all of a sudden.

I could feel my cheeks getting red real fast. A moment ago I was ready to get off this limousine if need be, but with just a few words from him my heart skipped a beat, I felt out of breath even though I was in an air conditioned car. 

"No I wasn't aware," I told him. 

"Well now you know, seeing you angry only turns me on," he said. 

His voice was low and raspy, his eyes became darker, I never imagined that such a thing was even possible. All of a sudden the whole car was way too hot for the both of us. 

I could not let things get out of hand. He was doing things to me that I wanted to keep suppressed. Of course he knew I was attracted to him, but I was doing my best not to show it. Apparently my best wasn't good enough. 

"Aren't we there yet?" I asked, trying to change the topic. 

He smiled, arranged his expensive suit and laid back on his seat, looking straight ahead. He understood that I had enough of his tauntings for the night. 

"Soon babe, soon," he said. 

However I wish that soon could be right now. I did not trust myself with this vampire. He stirred up feelings in me that I haven't felt in a while, feelings that I wasn't sure what to do with. 

I wanted him, but I did not want to want him. Gosh! I was a mess right now. I could not stay so close to him anymore, just the two of us. 

Just like magic my inner prayers were answered. 

"We're here," he said. 

The car stopped and as I tried to open the door, he held my hand in place. 

"Wait here," he told me.

James was already out to open the door for him, he got out, walked briskly to the other side and was by the side of my door in a jiffy, he opened the door for me and helped me out of the limo. 

The restaurant was exquisite. The golden lights and the white decor was beyond beautiful. The majestic building stood out from every other around it. Even from outside I could see that a lot was invested into this place. 

He held my hand and led me in and I felt so complete. 

"Hold unto me," he whispered into my ears, and right now I had no intentions of doing the contrary. 

This night held so much more for me, I could feel it. I wasn't sure yet what was going to happen, but I plan to make the best of it.