For Centuries - Season 1 [Completed]

Episode 3

"Nightcall", London Grammar

At the Pearl, I sat at the piano. It was still early, but there were some people at the tables and the bar. I started to play a few notes. I improvised during the bridge. I did not know if it was a lamentation or a serenade, but it was full of love and pain. I did not watch the audience: my eyes were closed. And I was almost surprised by the sound of the claps at the end. I asked Anna for a glass of champagne and sat at the counter. I told her not to worry about me.

"You talked with Ethan?" She said.

"Yes. Listen, I feel better, alright?"

"You look a little bit better tonight, for sure. But your song was still quite depressing."

"It is not Disneyland happiness, but I am fine."

"Ok, ok."

She gave me my drink and went away to serve a client. I had the first sip of my champagne. It was a very good one. Then someone sat beside me. "It was beautiful, your song," he said.

I turned my head: it was the painter. My heart raced. He was the last person I expected to see. "Thank you. I saw you painting a few days ago. Your work really moved me."

"I saw you too. For a second, I thought you had tears in your eyes."

"I had. I could feel the loneliness and the longing for affection in your painting. I could relate."

His eyes opened a little bit wider. There was a cloud of darkness on his face, but he tried to return to a polite smile. "What's with the champagne? Celebrating something?"

"No, champagne is my go-to drink."

"Cheers, then," he said, raising his glass.

"I am Elise."

"Aidan."

He took a sip of his whisky. His movements were elegant but just a little exaggerated as if he were trying to contain an energy that was ready to pour out of his every gesture.

"I like this place. Do you come often?" He said.

"As a matter of fact, this is my club. I own the place."

"Oh! That's nice. Congratulations." He paused for a few seconds, staring at me. His light brown hair made the blue of his eyes shine. There was a world of possible emotions in those eyes. It was mesmerizing. "Forgive me for my bluntness but you are an immortal," he said.

"And you are a vampire."

He smiled. "It's usually not easy for a vampire to sense the presence of an immortal. But with you, it would be hard to miss. I assume it's because you are an elder?"

"I do not like this word very much. You see, I am young at heart." He smiled again, visibly enjoying where this conversation was going. "I would say, though, that I am old enough to know I should not trust your kind." The moment I said those words, I could see in his eyes he could be an exception to that rule.

"I can't blame you. However, you do not seem to be scared of me," he said.

"Again, I have been there for a long time. There is not much left that can scare me."

"Of course. Well, it was a pleasure to meet you. I hope I will see you again."

"The pleasure was mine. And you know where to find me."

He smiled at me a last time and then left. Anna came closer. "Well done, Boss. He's kind of hot," she said.

"He is too young for me."

She laughed and poured more champagne into my glass.