From the moment our paths intertwined, I have been inexorably drawn to observing her with an intensity that surpasses the mundane. Her frequent presence at the temple and library has become moments of exquisite fascination for me. Each night, excluding weekends, I have stolen glances of her, captivated by her enigmatic allure. However, on those elusive weekend nights, the mysterious figure vanishes, leaving me yearning for our next encounter.

As she passed through the temple gates, her presence was striking, adorned in a red sleeveless polka dress, accentuated by a black elastic waist belt and complemented by black buckle ankle boots. Her appearance was indeed charming. In the midst of her elegance, my thoughts were consumed by the pressing need to understand the events transpiring in Greenland and the methods employed against me. The notion that there existed something within their realm capable of inducing such agony was unfathomable.

Could it be that my lack of concern regarding all matters vampire related had led to a limited awareness?

“Willow!” A lad called the stranger I had been spying on.

She had already passed through the gates when he finally Aliceged to stop her. The other girls continued walking, unaffected by the interruption.

"Hello, Aki," Willow responded in a courteous manner.

“Did you enjoy tonight’s meeting?” Aki asked.

“You did well, taking over for your father in his absence,” she replied.

“Are you surprise?”

“No.”

Aki scoffed. “No?”

“You are a leader, Aki. It’s expected.”

“You could become one too, you know.”

Willow’s face paled by his response, and she shifted. “I am impulsive. That’s not the right quality for a leader.”

Aki observed her with a silent admiration that seemed to convey his approval of what he beheld.

“Was there something else you need, Aki? If not, I will go now.”

“Willow, wait. So, let’s get together tomorrow and go over ideas for the show.”

Willow nodded before giving him an actual reply. “Don’t you have something to do instead?”

“No.”

“Then, if it’s not much trouble, I guess it is okay.”

“Nice.” He smiled. “I will see you then.”

Aki, unable to resist, extended his hand and gently brushed Willow's arm. The unexpected touch surprised her, prompting a sudden self-awareness of her own unease. I wondered if she had always been this awkward.

“Sleep well, Willow.”

Her friends hurried to her side and, in their haste, tugged on her arms, inadvertently causing a book to tumble from her grasp.

“He likes you!” squealed one of the girls. “You are so lucky!”

“Lucky?” Willow stooped and picked up her book.

The other girl frowned and said, "Every girl likes him, and he wants only you."

“There is a disappointment. I don’t date. Besides, Aki is just being nice,” Willow said.

“As if your aunt will stop you from dating, Aki!”

The young woman's tone was acrimonious, insinuating that Willow's aunt should consider herself fortunate that someone like Aki was showing interest in her niece. This unexpected remark visibly altered Willow's mood.

“He might love you!” The decent friend gushed

“That’s absurd, Myla,” Willow disagreed.

“Are you committed to someone else?” Myla asked.

“Her studies!” answered the-not-so-friendly- friend. “Everyone knows you can’t wait to leave. Aki is wasting his time. Had it not been for your bloodline he wouldn’t have noticed you!”

“I suppose that’s the thing about bloodline, Lily.” Willow’s grinned was mocking. “Have a good night, girls.” She moved with such power, like the pounding of a beating heart.

“You like Aki, don’t you, Lily?” Myla asked her friend.

Lily gave an uncomfortable laugh. “I do not.”

“I am not judging, I swear!”

“In that case, what if I do?” she questioned.

Myla's countenance contorted at this revelation, yet she responded with composure. “If I notice, so does Willow.”

“It’s not fair!” Lily grumbled. “She doesn’t appreciate his affections.”

“Perhaps you are right, but don’t get your hopes up.” She warned Lily.

Willow exuded an air of grace as she strode with purpose, her determined steps echoing against the pavement like a symphony of resolve. The rustling of leaves in her wake seemed to herald her brisk approach to the graveyard. Towering willow trees graced one side, while a sturdy stone wall, adorned with clusters of vibrant tiger lilies, encircled the grounds. Despite her best efforts to ignore the solemn tombs that surrounded her, Willow found it nearly impossible to do so in the tranquil setting.

The wind gently brushed against her face, its whispers carrying a haunting melody through the dark. Leaves rustled, seeming to echo the cries of the departed. Willow paused, reaching out to touch two chilling, unyielding stones, only to retract her hands as if startled. Overwhelmed with emotion, she sank to the ground before the tombs, overcome with sorrow.

The profound depth of Willow's grief left a lasting impact on me. During the silent hours of the night, as all living beings yielded to slumber, I found myself unable to join them, yearning for a state of absolute emptiness.

“What am I to do, Papa and Mama? The temple! The Council…” Tears made wet tracks down her cheeks. “They try to lure me in with worthless words and cheap actions, as if I want what they have. I am just tired. I am so tired of it all.”

Upon hearing her words, I realised my presence was unwarranted. The intimacy and sorrow of the moment were palpable. I instinctively took a small step back, the sound of dry leaves beneath my feet reverberating loudly in the somber stillness.

“Who is there?”

I gritted my teeth and shut my eyes for a brief moment. Willow effortlessly stood up and surveyed the area. Her furrowed brows, pursed lips, and narrowed eyes bespoke intense focus as she took in her surroundings.

“You already made it obvious that I am not alone, might as well show yourself!”

I remain still, knowing if I didn’t move, she couldn’t glimpse me.

“YOU!” Willow screeched.

Before long, a jovial voice resounded through the air. It belonged to Aki.

"Why are you here?" she inquired as she gently extricated herself from Aki's grasp. He had stealthily approached her, securing her arms from behind.

“I received a call from Nora inquiring about your whereabouts, as you have not returned home. I phoned Myla. She told me you girls had an intense conversation, and you took off.”

“And you found me just like that?” Willow questioned suspiciously.

“Following the passing of your parents, you have frequently sought solace in this place. It has become your refuge. Therefore, it is unsurprising that I instinctively turned to this location.”

Willow observed Aki, who averted his gaze, fixating on the tombstone. Despite his distant look, she didn't appear displeased by his presence, and he spoke with a familiarity that suggested a deep acquaintance with her.

"Has Myla informed you of our conversation?" she inquired, as she delicately tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ears.

“No.” Aki steps forward, bridging the distance between him and Willow. He reached for her arm, entwining their fingers. "But I guess it had something to do with me," he said with an optimistic tone, a glint of hope in his eyes.

“Why would you assume such?”

“When is it ever not about me? You girls shouldn’t argue. Your friends.”

“Friends!” Willow scoffed. “I use such word loosely when dealing with certain individuals.”

Aki, with a thoughtful demeanour, lightly scratched the back of his neck and cast a glance over his shoulder, appearing to contemplate her response.

“We should go. It’s not safe to linger here any longer. I will take you home,” Aki spoke, breaking the silence.

“I can take care of myself. I don’t rely on your protection.”

His lips curled down. He looked away from her. “Our protection you mean.”

“I am not one of you!” Willow argued.

“Whatever! Let’s go!”

“Then go!” she snapped.

“Don’t act stubborn, Willow!”

“Go home, Aki. I am not yours to protect.”

The lad recoiled as though her words had struck him like a heavy blow. He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts before responding.

“It’s one thing to be here during the day, but at nights, it is dangerous. Let’s leave.”

Willow's heartbeat quickened as Aki turned to face her, his intense gaze locking onto hers. A lump formed in my throat, and a tremor ran through my fingers as Aki firmly grasped Willow's hand. Despite her feeble resistance, he pulled her towards the exit.

It shouldn’t bother me, the manner in which Aki handled Willow, and that it did, irritated me.