Destiny has left its mark (Vampire Romance) +

23 ~ Let me down slowly

It's late afternoon at the beach house, and I make my way to the kitchen, feeling a bit hungry after spending the day enjoying the sun. As I approach, I hear her voice before I even see her, close to the entrance. "What are you saying?" Penelope's tone is laced with hurt, almost a whisper, and it sends a pang of concern through me.

"It can't work between us," Neo replies, his voice steady but firm.

Curiosity piqued, I step into the kitchen and find them standing close together, seemingly unaware of my presence. The tension in the air is thick, and I can feel the awkwardness creeping in.

"Why?" Penelope's eyes are glistening with tears, and I can sense her heartbreak. "We were good together."

"Stop it, Pen." He gently wipes a stray strand of hair from her face, and for a moment, they look like a perfect couple—sun-kissed and beautiful, with his wet, messy hair contrasting with her wild curls.

She gazes at his lips, and I feel a wave of discomfort wash over me as I witness their closeness. The attraction between them is palpable, almost suffocating, and I want to leave the room. But I'm caught off guard, rooted in place, unable to move.

Then she leans in and kisses him, a soft and tentative gesture. He gently pushes her away, creating a physical distance that feels heavy with unspoken words. "No," he says firmly.

"Why?" As realization dawns on her, she adds, "Oh. It's her, isn't it? You still have feelings for her. I always wondered why I had your body but your heart was absent. Now I understand." Her voice trembles, and I can see the hurt etched on her face.

"We're not good for each other," he insists, and then notices me standing there. "Let me get you something to drink," he says, breaking the tension as he heads to the fridge.

Penelope crosses her arms, disappointment evident on her face, but she manages to smile at me. "I'm sorry you had to see that," she says, her voice softer now.

"It's between you two," I reply, feeling awkward and unsure of how to navigate the situation. "Neo is just being Neo," she says with a roll of her eyes directed at him. "I don't even believe mates exist anymore, but he insists—" She pauses for a moment, collecting her thoughts. "And he insists that you are his. How is that possible? You belong to someone else."

He returns with three beers, having opened them with a bottle opener, and hands one to me. After taking a sip, I sit at the kitchen counter, trying to process everything. I love being close to the sea, but I can't help but miss home. After hours of staring out my bedroom window, lost in thought, I took a shower to wash away the day before coming down for something to eat and drink. They seemed to enjoy the sea when they swam, keeping their distance from each other then, but now the dynamics feel complicated.

"I'm going to take a shower to cool down," Penelope says, taking her beer with her as she heads out of the kitchen.

"She's not who I thought she was," I remark with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.

"Are you alright?" Neo asks, concern creeping into his voice.

"I'm great," I reply, forcing a small smile to reassure him.

"Are you sure? You turned down our offer to swim, and you only came out now as the sun is setting," he points out, his brow furrowing slightly.

"I just needed time to settle in. What's going on between you two? Why deny it?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"She gets too emotionally attached, making it hard to work with her," he explains, his tone matter-of-fact.

"Then why not just be in a relationship?" I suggest, hoping to understand their situation better.