Night Owl

Night Owl Ch.26

The café was drab, not like the ones that I'm used to going to. Looking around, the walls were covered in tattered pictures. Even the booth I was sitting in, the leather seats were worn as if they had been there for decades.

The waitress approached me, "Can I get you anything?" her smile was genuine and warm. I didn't want to seem standoffish to her. It wasn't her fault that the building looked like it could collapse at any moment.

"You know, I'd love just some juice," looking around, I tried to see the menu from my seat. "Oh, I'll take the passion fruit lemonade," I said as she jotted it down. "Okay, can I get you anything else? We do have an amazing chocolate cake." Nodding my head, "sure, why don't you throw a slice on there for me." Pleased she was able to make the upsell, she walked back behind the counter to prepare my items.

There weren't many people in the café with me. Just an older couple on the opposite side of the room near the front door, and a woman behind me. I only heard her voice, as she spoke to the waitress. I didn't see her face as I sat down, but I didn't really care.

Checking my watch the time was 1:15pm and Jin should be arriving any minute. I couldn't lie, I was nervous. I told JK that I was coming to see him, and he didn't seem like he was surprised which made me even more nervous. I hated walking into things blind, and this was definitely one of those moments.

Looking over, I saw him as I stared out the window. He was incredibly handsome. I mean I was in love with him, I know how beautiful he is, but it'll always take my breath away. Shaking my head, I rid myself of the thought as my eyes followed him, until he was sitting right in front of me.

"Hey Rae Rae," I didn't have the heart to correct him. I know that it's just muscle memory for him, even if I wanted to keep that line between us clearly drawn. "Hey Jin," I smiled in return. Getting our attention, the waitress came back with my items sitting them down for me. "That looks yummy," he said looking at me with a smile. "Can I have the same thing please?" he asked the waitress. "Yes of course," she smiled back, "I'll be right back."

Practically skipping back behind the counter, I could tell his beauty had her starstruck. I couldn't blame her. As my gaze drifted back to him, his eyes studied the features of my face. My cheeks flushed wondering what he was thinking about. "You truly are beautiful Rae." He said jolting me out of my own thoughts.

"Jin," I started. Holding his hand up to stop me from going any further, "I'm just stating a fact, no need to make it more than it is." I don't know why the words seemed to pinch me in the chest, but they did. I was ready to defend myself, but he stopped me in my tracks. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable around me. I'm sorry I was just so rude. I know you've made your choice. I'm living with that, so, don't worry. Okay?"

What else could I say but okay. Nodding my head he gave me another smile. "Why did you want to meet up?" Our attention diverted again as the waitress brought over Jin's order. "Can I get either of you anything else right now?" shaking our heads, she nodded at us before going to check on the other customers in the café.

Digging into my cake my eyes bulged at how delicious it was. "I know right," Jin said as he took a bite of his own. "This place looks sketchy, but the food and service are amazing." Nodding as I took another bite of cake, he placed his fork to the side, leaning forward as if he wanted to whisper something.

My noticeable swallow made him chuckle. "I wanted to talk to you about the Vampire Coalition." My brows pinched together clearly wondering why he was bringing this to me. I've heard this organization thrown around a lot lately. What was it? Why now, did it seem like people were trying to convince me to join it? "Again, Jin, what's this about?"

Taking in a big sigh, "my mom sent me. She figured you might be a bit warmer to me than to her. She'd like you to come and see the campus." Sipping my drink, my face scrunched at the yummy sour punch that kicked back at me.