𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐘

𝐈 ━ 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔰𝔱 𝔪𝔢𝔢𝔱𝔦𝔫𝔤

chapter one
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"(Y/N), honey... this is my boyfriend, Devon Undri," the woman known as Katherine introduced said man to her daughter at the small cafe they had chosen as their respective meeting place.

(Y/N) stared at Devon.

He was an ungodly handsome man who seemed to enrapture everyone's attention from just his presence alone. His smile was charming and warm, and he stood with a type of charisma that exuded pure confidence. He had every right to have such confidence with his unblemished dark skin, slicked back dark hair, and piercing emerald green eyes that seemed to glow when the sunlight's rays hit them just right. Even the light scar over his right eye only seemed to accentuate his beauty.

"Hello," Devon greeted as he reached his hand out across the table for (Y/N) to shake, his voice as melodic and smooth as she expected. "It's nice to finally meet the famous (Y/N)(L/N). Your mother has told me a lot about you."

Hesitantly, flicking her gaze from his hand back to his eyes, (Y/N) reached her hand out to shake his. She was somewhat—yet not entirely—surprised from how much larger his hand was than hers, swallowing as she pulled away to lace her fingers nervously on her lap. It wasn't that she was nervous about meeting new people, it was that she was nervous about meeting someone whom her mother was dating. It was still a strange concept to her since, in her mind, she always only saw her mother with her father. Yet, such as life is, it sometimes takes an abrupt turn, taking with it someone loved.

In this case, (Y/N)'s father.

That was four years ago now, so she knew it was inevitable that her mother would start dating again. She just didn't think it would be with someone so handsome as he was imposing.

"So," Devon began with a smile. "I heard you're a senior in high school now. That must be exciting, right? One more year and then college. I'm sure you've already started looking, right? Is there any place that has caught your eye?"

"Um, yeah," (Y/N) nodded, glancing up momentarily before dropping her gaze back down. "Maybe Northwestern or the University of Iowa... I've heard they have great writing programs."

"So, you want to be a writer?" Devon questioned.

"Oh, she's been wanting to be a writer since she first started to read," Katherin chuckled as she took a sip of her water. "You should've seen the stories she made up when she was younger. I think I remember one where pencils came alive at night and had parties that the janitors would have to clean up the next day, making it a mystery for them to solve."

"Oh, mom, come on..." (Y/N) slumped a little in her seat in embarrassment, her face beating up.

"I would definitely read that story," Devon leaned forward slightly with a small chuckle, glancing at Katherine who gave him a knowing smile.

"Well... thanks," she mumbled softly.

Before anything more could be said, the trilling of Katherine's phone interrupted the flow of the conversation. Glancing at the caller ID, she sighed before excusing herself, walking out of the small cage to loiter right outside so she could privately take the call. (Y/N) followed her with her eyes, letting her gaze linger whilst her brows scrunched with worry before turning back to Devon, jolting a little when finding that he was already staring at her.

His smile returned as soon as she did, though, something that made her relax somewhat.

"So, are you writing anything now?" He continued with a small hum, picking up his small coffee cup to take a sip, looking at her expectantly for an answer as he did so.

"Uh... sort of," (Y/N) began with a small shrug. "It's just a short horror story... nothing too big."

"Well... would you mind at all if I asked to read it?" He asked politely.

"Huh?" She blinked, surprised.

"As you know, I am dating your mother, so I know it will be a little awkward at first," he chuckled with a sheepish grin. "To distill that, I've dedicated myself to learning about the daughter she has told me so much about, making it clear she loves you. And... I love her, so I make what is important to her, important to me. And that includes you. So, finding out what you're interested in—writing—is a way I'm trying to... get to know you. I myself am a fan of horror, so that makes me even more interested to see what horrifying tale you've spun."

(Y/N) blinked again, still shocked.

No one save for her mother and father had really been interested in seeing what she had to write, so this was a very pleasant shift.

"Oh, yeah," she nodded, quick to snap out of her momentary stupors. "Of course."

"Wonderful," Devon smiled. "I look forward to being absolutely terrified."

(Y/N) chuckled lightly, her smile soft.

"Well..." Katherine exhaled heavily as she sat back down beside Devon, pulling them away from his and (Y/N)'s conversation. "Work just called. I need to be there immediately to put out a fire, but..." She then glanced at (Y/N), uttering, "(Y/N) and I drove here together, so she has no way to get home. Devon, would you mind?"

"Of course not," he shook his head. "But only if (Y/N)'s comfortable with the idea."

"Yeah, it's okay," (Y/N) waved off his and her mother's worries. "It's fine if Devon drives me, mom. You need to get to work, so I'm not going to complain. I'll be fine."

"Alright," Katherine smiled as she kissed her daughter and boyfriend goodbye. "Be safe, you two. Love you, bye!"

With that, she left in a flurry.

"Alright, then..." Devon breathed out as he stood, rooting around in his wallet to drag out a twenty and gently slap it on the table before giving (Y/N) another of those dashing, bright smiles. "Should we get going then?"

"Let's," (Y/N) nodded.

They, too, then left the cafe as well.

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To be continued...