Only Two Of Us

by Cassandra Russell

  answer my question.

  "You gave to quench your thirst, not this ... longing for you," he murmured, landing.

  the look on the neckline of my dress, and then she shook her head to scare away the thoughts. Through the

  intonation of the voice, the word "saudade" would be fully substitutable for "hunger", but of course he was

  educated and too old to utter something like that anywhere else but between four walls. -

  You should get dressed. It looks like the temperature has dropped, "he advised suddenly.

  "I'm not cold, Doctor," I said.

  "Um ... Stephanie, why do not you come up and change at least this outfit?"

  - Because? Did not you like my dress?

  - I liked it ... I liked it too much, that's the problem - he pointed out, avoiding me with his face

  turned sideways.

  I could see that characteristic sigh he made when he wanted me in his arms. Perhaps

  the case is not so serious ... "I thought.

  Maybe my blood would not have affected him the way we expected?

  "You'd better sit next to him before my eyes change color," he said in a whisper,

  embarrassed by what he felt, realizing that the phone call had just ended.

  I smiled and got up, taking the time to kill a little of my old friend's father. A hug, for

  tighter than it was, did not seem to be enough to ease the weight of such an absence.

  There were many months of anguish, thinking that I would never see him again ...

  I did not have time to ask the reasons that led him to fall into that trap, as well as

  the apprehensive moments for which he probably passed in London. However, to speak of

  true, the way his head was concerned about Richard's story of swallowing my blood.

  would not be able to pay much attention. This conversation could be for later.

  The most important thing had already been done: my father was alive and that was all that mattered.

  "Father ..." The plea came implicitly in my eyes.

  - I know, daughter. You can understand the strong connection between the two of you, "he murmured,

  expressing conformation. "I'll do everything in my power, trust me." I will stay overnight

  working, without interruption. I will not give up until I find a solution to this case. I Think

  we will have a good margin of chance if this develops in the time we are anticipating, although

  based on a single case in history. But, today, surveys are more

  advanced and ...

  - How much time? I interrupted his speech.

  "According to Richard's research, this vampire died in an estimated twenty to

  thirty days after ingesting the infected blood and it took about a week to feel the symptoms

  initials.

  Huge pain squeezed my chest.

  Twenty to thirty days ?! Is this the maximum time frame for us to be happy?

  No. I could not accept it. The deadline seemed too small to vent the size of the passion that

  It burned within me.

  - Save him, Dad. For me, "I whispered into her ear. - I need him.

  "You do not know how much I want that too, my dear," she returned at the same volume.

  - I trust you.

  "I trust, too," said Richard, watching us.

  "Now, what can I do?" How can I help you? I asked.

  "Well, since I do not have an accurate knowledge of his species, I will guide the basics. Think

  that it should not work, much less make an effort. From what you said on the trip,

  strictly forbidden from exposure to the sun. Nor should you stop supplying the blood bank

  of it, causing it to feed itself every day from one that has no changes. And ... Ah! I Want to speak

  with his sister urgently. I need a sample of someone with the same characteristics to

  be able to trace the normality profile.

  I could not help but notice the way he was giving the instructions. He looked like a real father.

  making those boring recommendations that every child thinks he is tired of knowing and that even

  so they insist on repeating. In the same way, he carried Richard, disguising the grimaces when the

  especially for the "do not exert" part.

  "Allan, I did not want to interrupt your recommendations, but I'd like to make a request before

  "Richard said, drawing a dose of fear in his voice.

  "Ask for what you want," my father encouraged.

  Richard hesitated a little before beginning to speak, discreetly declining his head:

  "I know I'm not one of the people you dreamed of for your daughter." I also know that

  I'm not even human and I'm not sure how much time I have left, but I ...

  "But you love my daughter, do not you?" Dad completed. "And what else matters more?"

  Richard, you do not have to offer me any more evidence than I've already seen. I do not see how she can

  find someone more suitable, who deserves more.

  "So, may I ...?"

  "It's not exactly me you should ask for." If this is her decision, and if you feel more

  relieved by my support ... Yes, of course I do, "he agreed, seeming already to know what to do.

  treated

  "Thanks, Allan," Richard said.

  After that, the two allowed themselves a long handshake. Before my father left,

  combined to set a time for Richard to hypnotize the professionals who would work

  in that research, preventing the discovery of his secret from leaking.

  Richard seemed to have lifted a heavy weight from his shoulders, his features softening.

  As soon as the front door was closed, I felt a tight hug from the back and the fingers

  pulling the elastic from my hair, loosening it and pulling away the locks so he could inhale me.

  neck. I noticed, when he laid his mouth against my chin, how feverish he was already. Deviation

  slowly, so that I was forced to look for his blackened eyes.

  Although burning in flames, he simply opened the palm of my hand and placed a black box

  about her, waiting to see what reaction I would have. As soon as I saw her, I understood the depth of the conversation

  I had with my father. I was so moved that I could not open it, which, itself, the way I

  he was impatient, he ended up doing it for me.

  They were two polished gold rings with a written "Forever" - forever in English -

  and in the smaller one, which was supposed to be mine, instead of the word "o", there was a diamond in the

  same format.

  "Are you brave just because you think you're going to die?" I asked, looking him straight in the eye. My face already

  it must have been the color of a sweet pepper.

  He smiled.

  "Will you stop a dying man from being happy?" She challenged, sliding her warm face into mine.

  "If this is your last wish, I can even think of making an exception," I teased, feeling the

  breathing deregulating.

  "Exceptions," he corrected, whispering maliciously to my ear, and to intensify,

  nibbling my ear along the way.

  - You are unbelievable! How can you think ...?

  "I have not died yet. I'm not even a Christmas turkey to run from the day before.

  "You can not work, remember?" I rolled my eyes, heart pounding.

  "Allan does not understand vampires." Loving her does not tire me, quite the opposite. Only feeds the

  my body of energy to want to live even more. His voice trailed off. And you, how

  always, is to blame for everything. Who told you to look beautiful like this and perfume yourself to provoke me?

  Now there is no turning back, your passionate vampire has surged ...

  "If my father knew the pervert you are, you would not have given permission, much less t
he hand of the

  his daughter, "I said shakily as he lowered the straps of my dress.

  "Who said I only want your hand?" I want it all. And if he did not allow it, he would be hypnotized -

  he said, stroking my bare back.

  "Are you doing this to me?" Hypnosis? A chill ran down my spine.

  "No ... I would never do that." I need to feel that you really love me. I want it to be always mine

  by will. He started panting, his desire now uncontrollable.

  - I'm yours, Richard. Ever...

  Richard took my face in both hands and finished:

  "Stephanie, shut up and kiss me." I can not stand it anymore!

  But I did not shut up. I was silent.

  And the most ardent kisses I'd ever felt before. It seemed that every day he could overcome,

  letting me get even crazier for her caresses.

  This time he did not have time to climb the stairs. The living room rug began to share our

  secrets There was no more to say, only what to feel. And what he felt at that moment was the

  how much he needed of it, of this love that had nothing heretic or tainted. Richard was so vital to me.

  as the air I breathed. He was my soul mate, I was sure of that, or I would not be so

  complete, happy and without aiming for anything else in life.

  If God still allowed me to grant a single desire, I would ask Him not to take my breath away ...

  That night, I returned his love with all my strength, afraid that every second would be the last.

  Chapter 24

  Although it was something common in São Paulo, it was a reasonable time that it did not rain. But I woke up at the

  next day with the noise of the thin rain on the window, that famous drizzle on which the composers

  both spoke in their songs.

  Before she even opened her eyes, she was already touching the pillow beside him, looking for Richard, but he

  Dawn was empty. I did not even know how I had stopped in our bed ... Surely he should have

  carried while I slept.

  Immediately, panic gripped my brain.

  Why did not he stay in the room waiting for me to wake up, as he always did?

  I scrambled upstairs, brushed my teeth, put on any clothes, and found him serious in the

  living room. He was pensive, with a look of concern.

  - What happend my love? I asked, distressed. "Feeling something?"

  "Not yet, you can rest easy. He wanted to smile, but the sound of his voice brought him,

  demonstrating exactly the opposite.

  - You left? Where did you go so early? - I probed, after realizing it neat and with the key of the car still

  between the fingers.

  "It's not that early." It's after ten.

  "And why did not you wake me up?" I missed you by my side.

  "You looked tired. I supposed I needed to sleep more.

  "So far he has not replied ... Where did you go?" To my father's laboratory?

  "I was just solving a pending matter. No need to worry - he dodged the answer.

  "Then why do you look like this?"

  "I'm just ... thinking of taking some action."

  - What kind of measures?

  - This house, for example. The car, some societies, the bank account ...

  "What do they have?"

  - I need to get a lawyer. And I can not ask Ava.

  - For what?

  "I would not want this house to stop at someone other than you or my sister."

  He confessed.

  What? I could not believe what I had just heard.

  "There's absolutely nothing here that interests me if you're not in it," I said.

  in intimate revolt.

  - I know but...

  - Richard, enough! "I cut it short." "I do not want to hear any more!" You're leaving me.

  agonized

  I just try to be practical. We do not know for sure what will happen.

  That sounded like an arrow in my chest.

  "I know full well what will happen. You will be healed and we will be happy forever -

  guarantee

  "Forever..." He reflected deeply on the words. - It's funny how I never thought

  who would have wanted so much now, since it had always been a true martyrdom.

  Enough of discouragement! Let's get ready, make our morning meal, and get ready, because I'm going

  take him to meet my mother. What do you think of the idea? She still does not know my boyfriend -

  I suggested, trying to cheer him up.

  "Boyfriend," he corrected.

  I had not noticed. Richard had put the ring on my finger while I slept. His

  had also been positioned correctly on the right hand, and gleamed at every subtle gesture he

  did I was deeply moved, but decided that I would not cry. No, while I still had a

  the thread of hope in life.

  "I do not remember giving you an answer," I insisted.

  "I would not accept a" no "even ..." he squeaked, shrugging his shoulders. "Besides, you were

  crazy to accept, I just did not give him time to talk.

  And not even to breathe ... Jesus! What was that?

  "You're convinced, are not you?"

  "Stephanie, when will you realize that you were born destined to be mine?" God, when the

  He must have pointed him on a spear of fire in my direction and said, "Go, Stephanie, heal the

  empty heart of this unfortunate, that I can not stand to hear so much lamentation! "- dramatized.

  In the face of this whole scenario, he could not contain his laughter.

  "I did not know vampires believed in God," I said, still laughing.

  "Of course I do. Or you would not be here with me today. It took him a little while to

  to attend to my supplications, but then I discovered its purpose.

  "And what was it?"

  Richard brought my face close to his with both hands.

  "To prove that I was wrong. That I would beg Him to pass a thousand times for what

  I've come, just to feel the love I feel for you now. That anything in this life would be worth it,

  as long as I had her in the end. I'm sorry to tell you: you're not a good doctor, your diagnosis

  was wrong. I can not be in love because passion is a feeling that can end. Already mine

  love ... That yes, there is no end. It is unchangeable.

  It was the most incredible declaration of love I ever received, my heart seemed to jump rope so

  accelerated.

  "You're the most beautiful person I know," I said, stroking her curls behind the

  ear. "Infinitely lovelier on the inside than on the outside. How could it be underestimated

  time, thinking not to be worthy of someone's love?

  "I do not know if it's possible that you can understand what I'm going to say now because I do not

  You've met before, understand? I was empty, Stephanie. The word is exactly this: empty. A carcass without

  life, without hope. It was as if my soul had been torn from the chest by force at the moment of

  transformation. Several times I tortured myself, trying to understand ... Why me? When human, always

  I was connected to the humanitarian causes, I dedicated my office to helping people, I tried to be correct,

  honest, devoted to God ... What I had done to deserve such a punishment, which was to live forever

  excluded from society without having the right to choose? Why could not he just die like the others?

  and end this suffering once and for all, instead of wandering for more than a century in this

  world, alone, in an unhappy and meaningless wait?

  His eyes seemed to tune into what he was saying, losing his glow momentarily.

  "I've only really understood that now ... It does not matter how long it takes until the

  true love, but the inten
sity with which we feel it when it manifests in our lives. Today

  I'm full. In fact, it was not a punishment that He imposed on me, but a long preparation for

  I gave value to the prize I would receive later. If I have to die now, I accept it without complaining

  because, deep down, I believe He was very good to me when He sent her into my arms. I will love her

  for as long as I'm allowed and that will last forever.

  "It's so strange when you say these things," I said, almost choking,

  emotion. - It even seems to describe my life, not yours ... Of course, I was not marginalized by the

  society like you and much less lived all these years alone; I had my parents and a few

  friends. Or rather, a real friend. Despite this, I always found myself weird. And not only did I think

  so they all noticed the immense difficulty I had in relating to myself,

  to ask if I did not like men because I always avoided them from the first contact. At

  True, I've never been prejudiced about it, I respect people's choice a lot. Only the problem

  it was not with them, it was with me. I also felt this emptiness. And not a void whatsoever, but something so

  huge that suffocated.

  I inhaled deeply, remembering.

  In my heart, I struggled to stop behaving like an ice cube, but it was a useless war -

  I reported - The more I prayed for help to change my way of being, the more I seemed to be

  trapped within myself. I even made a bet with my best friend, ensuring that love

  it would never happen to me because, in reality, I have never felt anything for anyone, not even curiosity.

  Besides, all the time he had the impression that he bothered others, that this was not the place

  where it should be. No place was where it should be, not in my house. Can you believe? And now,

  say with sincerity: how could I believe that someone would really love me, if not

  could I even bear my own hollow presence? And even if they wanted to risk, as the

  My mother said, my immense "shield" would prevent it.

  I took another breath, before continuing to confess everything that was always stuck inside

  me.

  "That emptiness only began to disappear the moment I first saw him. You looked at me

  in a weird way that day and I could not understand why it made me so upset, already

  which I received at the time were not exactly compliments. I've been up all night trying to understand the