UNTIL DEATH ( Love should Never be this deathly )

CHAPTER 4

"Thank you ever much, sir. We are truly grateful for your help," the elderly driver said, his voice thick with genuine appreciation, each word resonating with heartfelt gratitude.

After new minutes, on the left side of the road, the two drivers stood face to face, diligently working to connect the jump leads. Inside the car, Enzo occupied the passenger seat, his gaze fixed outside, while Vincent sat directly behind him. In an effort to stave off the encroaching boredom, Vincent pulled out a cigarette and lit it with a practiced flick of his lighter.

The tendrils of smoke spiraled gracefully into the damp air as he inhaled deeply, savoring the moment before releasing the fragrant wisps with languid ease. He cracked the window slightly, allowing the cool, refreshing breeze to intermingle with the smoke as he reclined back, flicking the ashes into the night. Lost in contemplation—perhaps indulging in darker musings—he remained blissfully oblivious to the world unfolding just beyond the glass.

"Angelica, please stop... It's raining... Come back to the car!" A voice, as soft and inviting as the finest silk, called from within the confines of the vehicle. In a burst of youthful exuberance, a spirited ten-year-old girl named Angelica dashed out into the rain, her laughter ringing out like a melody as she twirled freely, utterly unfazed by the droplets that soaked her from head to toe.

Vincent's attention snapped toward the direction of that enchanting voice, his curiosity piqued.

Emerging swiftly behind the girl, a young woman rushed out of the car, her expression a mix of concern and determination as she sought to coax Angelica back to the safety of the vehicle and shield her from the relentless downpour.

Vincent's gaze followed the graceful figure of the woman, whose efforts to protect the girl drew him in. Despite his outward composure, his heart raced with an intensity he could hardly comprehend. He found himself wanting to catch a glimpse of the captivating person whose voice had resonated so deeply within him, each note weaving a spell of intrigue that held his attention captive.

The rain cascaded down in relentless sheets, and the lack of sufficient lighting along the road rendered Vincent unable to discern the figures outside clearly. Even the headlights proved inadequate, casting only a dim glow as the two figures stood behind the car, shrouded in shadows.

In an effort to improve his view, Vincent leaned forward in his seat, against the cool glass of the window, but the persistent rain continued to obscure his line of sight. Just then, the woman's voice cut through the rhythmic patter of the rain, gentle yet firm.

"Angelica... please come with me inside the car. It's not safe to be playing out here at this hour," she implored with a tone that radiated warmth and concern, completely unaware of the effect her mellifluous voice was having on the heart of the man sitting in the car across from her.

"Noooooo... I want to play!" the little girl declared defiantly, her words dripping with stubborn determination. She leaped joyfully, splashing rainwater with her shoes and creating small fountains of droplets around her, lost in the pure delight of her play, utterly oblivious to the woman's worries or the encroaching darkness of the night.

"Alright... but only for a few minutes! Then we must return inside," the woman conceded with a soft sigh, her heart entirely disarmed by Angelica's irresistible charm. Almost immediately, the atmosphere transformed as the delightful sounds of laughter and joyful giggles filled the air, drifting toward Vincent's ears like a soothing balm, enveloping him in a sense of tranquility.

With a growing sense of curiosity, Vincent leaned forward, straining to catch a glimpse of the woman's face, eager to discover the source of her captivating presence. "Master, is something wrong?" Enzo inquired, his brow furrowing as he observed the unusual tension etched across his master's features, clearly distressed as he gazed into the night for reasons unknown.