Eve

Chapter eight: Keeping an eye on you

Huh?
"I'm almost eighteen," Mary shot back, her voice filled with defiance. "I’m basically an adult. I’ve done and know what adults should." She paused for a beat, her tone heavier as she emphasized, “Adults.”

Damon’s smile lingered, but something in his expression shifted, hanging somewhere between amusement and something darker. Oh, he knew alright. He knew exactly what she was hinting at. "Well," he murmured, his voice low and teasing, "all that will stop, won’t it?"

Mary’s heart skipped. "What?"

His smile widened, but his eyes, those unsettling green orbs, were colder now. "I’m here now, after all. Someone’s got to put the mouthy kid on a leash."

Her chest tightened, heat flooding her face. "I’m not a kid," she muttered through gritted teeth.

Damon chuckled softly, leaning forward. “Oh, the kid wants to grow up so fast,” he said dryly, his gaze sweeping over her in a way that sent a strange chill through her body. "Tell me, do you really think you’re ready for the things that come with being an adult?" His tone was mocking, but there was something beneath it, something that made Mary feel like this conversation was more than just about age.

She straightened, glaring at him. "I’m ready for whatever comes."

Damon’s expression turned serious, his gaze locking with hers. "Is that so?" he asked, voice lowering. There was no smile now, just an intensity that made her squirm in her seat. "We’ll see about that."

The air between them felt thick with tension, like a string pulled too tight, ready to snap at any moment. Mary could feel the weight of his words pressing down on her, and for a moment, she questioned whether she was actually as ready as she claimed. But she couldn’t back down now, not in front of him.

She lifted her chin defiantly, trying to shake off the strange sensation creeping up her spine. "I’m not afraid of you."

Damon didn’t blink, his gaze piercing as if searching for something deep within her. "You should be," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mary's chest rose and fell quickly as she tried to steady herself. She wasn’t about to let him get under her skin. But something about Damon’s piercing gaze made her speak before thinking.

"Why are you always around me?" she blurted out, frustration evident in her tone.

Damon raised an eyebrow, looking amused. "You've noticed," he said, his voice low as he regarded her like she’d just done something praiseworthy.

Mary rolled her eyes. "Of course I’ve noticed! You’re everywhere ...my dreams, the rain, my house, the diner…" She began ticking off her fingers with each mention. “...and now my mind.”

Damon leaned back, a slow smirk curling his lips. "Your mind?" His tone was drenched in arrogance, his green eyes flashing with that familiar mischief. "Oh, so you've been thinking of me? I'm flattered."

Mary’s face turned crimson in an instant. "The hell!" she sputtered, not sure if her face was red because a part of it was true or because she was downright irritated. Another guy to get her agitated in record time. Just perfect.

But... she hated to admit it, the guy wasn’t entirely wrong. Who doesn’t secretly want their book boyfriend to show up in real life, right? She mentally cursed herself for even thinking that way. It was just ridiculous.

Her silence only seemed to fuel Damon’s narcissistic streak, as his grin deepened. "Speechless?" he teased, watching her carefully as if trying to peel away the layers of her thoughts.

Mary narrowed her eyes at him, the red still tinting her cheeks. "I don’t want you anywhere near my mind," she said firmly, though the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her uncertainty.

"Is that so?" Damon’s voice was laced with amusement. "Funny, I seem to be stuck there already."

Mary could only glare at him, willing herself not to engage further. She had enough of this ...this game he was playing. But even as she tried to ignore him, the weight of his presence was undeniable. It was as though he had rooted himself in her life, weaving in and out of her days and nights without her permission.

Her mind was spinning, and all she wanted to do was focus on her food. But the burger, once so tempting, now lay half-forgotten as the intensity between them seemed to grow with every word exchanged.
Mary took a furious bite of her burger, chewing aggressively while her eyes remained fixed on the mesmerizing green orbs sitting opposite her. She felt an odd sting in her chest ...being in his presence made her feel small, almost ugly, and she didn’t like it one bit.

"You didn’t answer my question," she mumbled through the half-eaten burger, not bothering to cover her mouth.

Damon raised an eyebrow at her lack of manners, reaching across the table to pass her a napkin. "Filthy," he muttered under his breath, though it wasn’t quite loud enough for her to fully catch.

Mary squinted at him suspiciously, her chewing slowing down. "What did you just say?" she asked, her voice tinged with irritation.

Damon’s lips twitched slightly, almost as if he was holding back a smile. "Nothing you need to worry about," he replied smoothly, his eyes lazily drifting back to his own food.

Mary narrowed her gaze even further, still trying to process what just happened. She wasn’t entirely sure what he’d said, but something about his dismissive attitude made her want to slap that cocky grin right off his face. Then kiss the mark she'll generate on his golden honey skin.
Get thee behind me Satan! Mary screamed in her head . Tf! She's been having the most out of thoughts lately.
Be normal she told herself .

"Yeah, right," she muttered, wiping her mouth with the napkin he’d given her, but her mind was still focused on him. Why was he always so damn cryptic?

"I'm waiting," Mary said, her tone impatient as she took a slow sip from her milkshake, eyes still locked on him.

Damon looked at her without saying a word for what felt like an eternity. His intense gaze bore into her, as if he was searching for something beneath her words. Then, with a nonchalant shrug, he finally spoke.

"Maybe I'm just here for the food," he said, glancing at the redhead waitress who was still sneaking glances at him from across the diner.

Mary followed his gaze, catching the girl’s obvious interest, but Damon’s next words pulled her attention back to him.

"Or maybe," he continued, his voice dropping a notch, "I just like keeping an eye on you."

Mary’s heart skipped a beat, her fingers tightening around her milkshake cup. She hated how calm he sounded, how he made such a loaded statement as if it were nothing. She wanted to snap back, but the words got caught in her throat. Why was he keeping an eye on her? For what? And why did his casual tone make her both nervous and... curious? Is he .. is he .. a psychopath serial killer? But that doesn't explain the dream does it?
"Keeping an eye on me?" she echoed, her voice quieter than she’d meant it to be.

“The dream... the... the place... who... who are you?” Mary stuttered, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and confusion.

Damon’s expression remained calm, but there was something unsettling in the way he looked at her, as if he enjoyed watching her unravel. He leaned forward slightly, his voice soft but clear as he said, “I’m Damon to you.”

He extended his hand for a shake, his gaze not leaving her eyes. Mary stared at his hand in disbelief, her mind racing. This wasn’t normal. Nothing about this guy, this situation, was normal.

When she didn’t move, Damon reached out, taking her hand from around her milkshake, and gave it a firm shake. The contact sent an unexpected jolt through her. She wasn’t sure if it was fear that made her heart race or  something entirely weird. The feel of his hand against hers, the warmth of his skin, made her insides twist in a way that made her uncomfortable.

She pulled her hand back quickly, wrapping it around her milkshake again, trying to steady her nerves. Damon’s eyes lingered on her, a hint of amusement tugging at the corner of his lips, as if he knew exactly what was going through her mind.

(Well this chapter was pretty short uhm... I'm trying for Eve to not be a  Wattpad cringy love story burhhhhhhhh🥲 anyways vote and follow. Bur byee😘).