A Stranger in the Night

I woke this morning, after the most peaceful night sleep that I have had in the longest time. I don't remember a time when I slept that well and that long. It was 8:11am and I had no intention of getting up any time soon. However, I did startle myself when I realised that again he was gone. I propped myself up on my elbows, lifting my head to view around my bedroom just to make sure. I listened intently incase I was able to hear him. But no. He wasn't here, yet I could smell him as if he was standing beside me. It was then I looked down to the layer on top of me and realised that his long cream coloured coat was covering me. I pulled it up to my face and breathed it in. Holding it close to me for a few moments and letting my mind retrace over our evening last night. I have never felt the way I did right now and I have never been treated like that before in my life. The only 2 relationships I have ever had, have pretty much left me scarred. I guess that happens when you are abused and tormented by your first love. There was more than one occasion where I was left for death but always came back to him, that was until he disappeared suddenly. The next one wasn't much better, but the emotional abuse I suffered still plagues me at times. It got that bad that even being around my family was too much for me. Hence why I had to move here. They didn't want my drama. Since then, I tend to shy away from people and even avoid the touch of others. I don't want to be close enough to anyone to be hurt like that again. But Alex....he was different. I wanted to be near him. To touch him and have him in any way I could.

My phone starts ringing and vibrating fiercely, pulling me out of my daydream. It's Jess...what do I say? Do I tell her about Alex? I mean, he never said I couldn't. I answer the phone and her screech is enough to break glass. The panic in her voice and the concern in her tone over me not messaging her makes me chuckle. I'm guessing she doesn't like being on the other end of the stick as normally it's me doing the panicking. She demands an explanation and the only one I can put together is I wasn't feeling well and went home and straight to bed. I wasn't prepared to tell her over the phone that a vampire saved my life then took me on a date. She would lock me up in the looney bin. I apologise for worrying her before she cuts me off and invites me out with her tonight. She doesn't say where we are going but that she would pop over after work and we could get ready together then go out. Our usual thing for a girls night out. I'm glad George gave me a few days off. I've been working so much lately and I needed some reprieve. I decided that whilst we were out, that I would tell her I've met someone but wouldn't go into too much detail. I wasn't ready for that part yet.

I got up from my bed, and had a quick shower. I put on my comfy track pants and my black tank top and head out towards my armchair when my doorbell rang. "DELIVERY!". I spot through the peep-hole a young man holding a white box and curiosity gets the better of me. "Thank you. You can leave it there and I'll grab it in a minute.". I wait and watch him walk towards the elevator before slowly opening my door, poking my head out to make sure he was definitely gone. I snatched the white box and slammed my door shut. Locking all the bolts and chains before racing to my armchair and holding it tightly in my lap. I haven't received a parcel in so long, the last one I received was a care parcel from Mum with some treats from home, including my favourite cookies she used to bake and a scarf she bought me. I pick off the small envelope and turned it to open it. There was a small seal on it with the letters ALV stamped into it. I opened it slowly and pulled out the small, folded note in it.

Luna,

Thank you for a magical evening. I am sorry to have left you again and hope this can make up for part of that. I meant every word I said and will be seeing you soon.

Alessandro

I slowly open the white box to find 3 gifts. Perfectly wrapped in gold paper and matching ribbon. I slowly open the first....it is the next book in the series I am reading, well the follow on to the book I literally just finished. With an inscription on the inside from cover -

I noticed you've finished your latest book, so I got you this one to keep you busy.

- A

How did he know? Ahhh my heart just melted a little bit. He could not have known about my passion and love for books but to gift this to me was truly magical. I begin to unwrap the next gift. It was a brand new phone! What the? Why did he gift me a phone? I turned it on, it already has a beautiful silver case on it and a picture of my armchair with the moon shining through the bay windows behind it. Instantly a message comes through as it finishes loading.

I know you don't have a way to contact me should you ever need to. So now that has been sorted. You also have Mason's number should you ever need a ride at any time.

- A

Ok. This too much. I feel overwhelmed at all of this and wondering why he has done these for me. I did nothing to deserve these beautiful gifts and remember that there is still one left to open. I look down, at the last and smallest gift in the box, and noticed a small note attached to it. "Do not open until told to.". Well that's not fair. How can you give someone a gift and tell them not to open it. Temptation was getting the better of me, but I was able to control myself. I place the book on my side table and the small wrapped gift in the table's drawer, then set my new phone up on my kitchen bench to charge. I send back a message to Alex, thanking him for the amazing gifts but explaining that they were totally not necessary. Instantly I get back a message from him telling me to stop being stubborn and enjoy my new gifts. A smile graces my face and I drift over into day dream land again.

I truly haven't done much today. I have cleaned and tidied and made up some snacks for this evening, for when we are getting ready. I popped down to the bottle shop and grabbed a couple bottles of wine, gosh knows I may need one or two to build up the courage to talk to Jess about this. And I've picked 3 outfits to wear and have left them out for Jess to help me decide. Hard to choose an outfit especially when you don't know where you are going. Since then, I've spent the rest of the afternoon, lost in my new book. It is so good, I struggle to put it down when the doorbell rings. "Coming!". Then the pounding on the door starts. "Hurry up Luna! This bag is sooo heavy!". I peer through the peep-hole to Jess on the other side. She is carrying her duffel bag and tapping her feet waiting for me. I giggle and begin to open the door. She barges through and throws her bag on my bed before pouncing on me and giving me the biggest hug. "Oh my God! Where have you been! I've been so worried and got so much to tell you!". Her face practically glowing with excitement. She heads over to the fridge and grabs a bottle of wine and two glasses off the shelf. She then pours a glass and gulps it down quickly before refilling it and going to begin pouring the other glass. I wave her off as I don't want one. "Suit yourself. Anyway, where the hell have you been Missy?? I don't believe for one second you were sick. Tell me the truth? Did you meet someone at the club and that's who you've been with?". My face must have been as red as a tomato. She jumped at me, 'I knew it! I knew it! Who is he? Why didn't you tell me!". I shrugged at her, not entirely knowing what to say. I mean I wasn't prepared for her to come at me like this. "I've only seen him twice...." I started, before she cut me off. "Ahh ok, still only new. Don't stress honey, you'll get there. Even that is a big step for you.". Jess knew about my past and I think that's why we clicked so well when I first arrived here. She was my only friend. We were both just as damaged as each other and knew each others pain. She came over and flung her arm around my shoulder. Not something I let anyone do, but I had gotten used to her doing it as she does it so frequently. "So remember how I was telling you about that guy I met....from the club....he wants us to come meet him tonight?". I must have looked confused or disapproving, because instantly she started with me. "AWW COME ON LUNA! DON'T BE A PARTY POOPER!". Ha, calling me a party pooper, how old was she. "Luna, please. I really want to go see him and want you there with me. I don't feel like I can control myself around him....argh! He just does things to me and I feel like I'm going to lose my mind!". I haven't seen her this worked up over a fella in a long time. Not even her ex had this kind of hold over her. I nod in agreement. "Where are we going then?". Not overly eager to hear her reply, as I feel that I know where this is going. "Where else???". She flicked her blonde hair around and began walking off to my room. "So what outfits did you pick for tonight?".

After a lot of convincing and making me do a mini fashion show for her, we both agreed on my dark denim jeans, black peplum top that had silver embroidery over the bodice and my black leather jacket. I decided against wearing heels, you know....after my last walk home from there. Not that that would happen again. Alex had made sure to set me up with Mason's number and I wouldn't be putting myself in that situation again. Instead I pull on my knee high black boots. Jess insisted on straightening my hair, although, I regretted agreeing to it after she burnt my hair and scalp several times. Once we were both ready we headed outside and waited for the cab together. Jess carrying a half drunken bottle of wine with her for the trip. The cab turned up momentarily and whisked us away towards the club.

The cab ride was just like any other time, with Jess singing awfully from the top of her lungs the song that was playing on the radio, constantly making the driver turn it up that little bit more. I felt my phone vibrate in my purse....it was a text from Alex.

Hope you are keeping safe tonight.

- A

Well technically I am....I ain't planning on walking home from here again and Jess is with me. Don't know how much safer I can get...unless she ditches me again..

The cab pulls up outside the club, there is already a long line of people trying to get in. "Looks like you ladies have a bit of a wait ahead of you.". Jess hands him the money for the cab ride, "well, sometimes, some things are just worth waiting for.". She laughs and slides out the cab door. I thank him and follow behind her. As we walk up the steps to approach the line, a bouncer looks directly at us, then down at his clipboard. "Uhh...Miss Tremere?". I stopped in my tracks. The bouncer called us over, curving his finger to beckon us. "You are Miss Luna Tremere?". I gulped and nodded. "Yes. I am Luna Tremere....is there a problem?". The bouncer turned and was talking into his ear piece, where we could not hear anything he was saying. I could feel Jess' eyes burning into the back of my head for what felt like an eternity. "What did you do.... If we've been banned I'm going to kick your ass...." she softly whispered into my ear. Although she spoke softly, her tone was anything but. "I didn't do anything....last time I looked for you and I left when I couldn't find you.". She huffed at me and began tapping her foot. "No problem Miss Tremere. This way. If you would like to follow Niko, he will escort you to your VIP table.". Jess and I turned to one another, both in a state of shock! "OK, whatever the hell you did Luna, don't stop! VIP baby! Whooooo hoooo!". Jess' quickly followed behind the host, pulling me along too. I thanked the bouncer and tried to catch up to Jess so it didn't feel like she was dragging me along.

We were escorted straight past the bar and past the booths and up a small staircase onto the upper level of the club. You could see everything from up here. We were led to a small roped off area with some beautiful velvet couches, a small table with bottles of expensive champagne on ice and platters of food. I stood up to look over the rail and view the club. It was particularly packed tonight. "Why is it so busy tonight Sergio?". Jess enquired, leaning back on the velvet couches, trying to act cute with him. The host shook his head, "it's Niko and I'm one of the Head Managers. It's a special event tonight. We host this party once a year for the Owners. If you need anything, please let me know.". He bowed his head but before he could walk off, "We will have 2 long Island ice teas and 4 shots of tequila please....and keep them coming.". Niko raised his head and looked at the two of us "As you wish". He smiled and departed from the table. Jess began pouring out glasses of the sparkling champagne that was in one of the wine holders and handed one to me. "Cheers big ears!" She shouted. "I don't know how you've done it but holy hell! I could get used to this!" We both began to laugh loudly before toasting each other and sipping on the delicious bubbly.

Just as we finished our first sip, a figure emerged out of the darkness and stood staring at us. "Good evening ladies...."