THE SIDAPA VACATION HOME, Tagaytay

Zephyr was tense the whole drive to the country estate. He seemed as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t. 

“Just say it,” said Dani. 

Zephyr didn’t know if he and Dani were close enough to be talking of things. Well, it certainly isn’t the right thing to be talking to a lady. “Well, you and Robin seem close.”

“Go on,” said Dani as she drove. 

“Erm…well—I don’t know if…”

Dani sighed. “Zephyr, by the uncomfortable look on your face I’m gonna guess what you’ll ask me. Yes, vampires can, in fact, have sex. How is it possible? I don’t know.”

“Aha,” said Zephyr. The air was awkward. He decided to once again, break the silence. “I’m just worried about Sophie. I mean, I just hope Robin didn’t do anything untoward.”

“I understand your concern,” said Dani. “You have every right to be. It’s my job as well to protect Sophie. I guess we’ll just know when we see them.”

“Say, Dani?”

“Yes?” 

“How do you know Robin? I mean…he’s a mafia don and you somehow are close enough to bring him to a club.”

Dani tensed her hands on the wheel. “He took me in when I needed help back when I was young. He helped me get back on my feet.”

It was only then Zephyr realized he didn’t know much about Dani or her past. The war was tough on everybody so I guess everyone has their story, he thought.

When Dani parked the car in front of the house, they walked together to the house. Zephyr helped carry Dani’s bags as she brought her doctor’s equipment. 

They walked in the house where there was no one in the common room. Zephyr started to get worried only to hear laughing in the kitchen.

They went inside the kitchen where he found Robin cooking breakfast and Sophie sitting on the stool where the kitchen island was.

“You cook well for someone who doesn’t need to eat human food!” Sophie said, laughing.

“Well, I asked Dani to teach me a few weeks before the wedding,” said Robin. He looked happy that Sophie liked his cooking.

“Awww, Dani, you helped him? Where’d you get the time?” Sophie looked at Dani.

So that’s where Dani was sneaking out at night. Dani shrugged it off. “He was begging me to teach him all your favorite food.” Dani said, grinning.

Sophie kissed Robin on the cheek which made Robin melt. 

Zephyr was happy that they seemed comfortable with each other. 

“Have you eaten?” Robin asked Zephyr and Dani.

“Not yet, but it’s fine. You guys enjoy eating together. I’ll wait in Dani’s room. I’ll set up my stuff so I can check her vitals.” Dani said.

“Alright,” said Robin. 

Sophie finished eating after a few minutes and went up to her room to get checked. Soon, it was just Robin and Zephyr.

“Zephyr,”

Robin felt a chill through his body. Robin was going to say something serious.

“I know your first impression of me wasn’t good. I must’ve cost so much worry when we sneaked out of the club.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it.” Zephyr said, avoiding eye contact.

“Zephyr, I would like to remind you that I’m a vampire. I can hear your heartbeat and I can tell you feel uncomfortable around me.”

“Ah,”

“I’d like you to know that I hope that I can soon gain your trust. But I’d like you to know I only want the best for Sophie. She’s immortal now and both you and I know how hard that is.”

“Tell me about it,” Zephyr snickered.

“In my eight hundred years of living, I’ve always closed myself off to anything close to romance. I thought it was something only humans could feel. But when I’m with Sophie I feel…like I could fall in love. Something I thought I was once incapable of.”

Zephyr saw Robin smile warmly to himself. He seemed genuine. 

“I see. I hope to be of service to your family.”

The last word struck Robin. Yes, he was in a family now. Zephyr had to protect that. He knew Sophie’s love for Robin would only grow. Zephyr shook the don’s hand. 

Zephyr heard Sophie and Dani come from upstairs. 

“Robin, are you still there in the kitchen?” Sophie shouted.

“Coming!”

Robin smiled at Zephyr then went ahead.

Zephyr was now alone. He realized in front of him was a plate of food Robin cooked for him. It was good. He should get the recipe from Dani.