✔ Dracula's Talisman #RomanceHalloweenMasqueradeContest

HALLOWE'EN NIGHT PARTY - 4

10:25am. After Halloween.

It turned out that, no matter how far I ran, or what plan I came up with to avoid meeting my so called betrothed, it just turned out fruitless.

I got back home at exactly 2am this morning, and managed to survive the intensity of my father's anger. I just ruined an important deal for him.

After I remained unyielding through our series of arguments, my mother's tears finally moved me into accepting to meet my to be in-laws and future husband.

Fully dressed and made up, I waited in my room until my mother came up to call me with a smile. "They've arrived." She said sweetly.

Slowly, I came down the stairs and walked to the dinning table. Everyone was seated, including my in-laws, and my father stood up to start the introduction.

When he got to my future husband, my heart beat instantly increased.

He is the right description of gorgeous. Everything about him.

Our eyes met and held, and I instantly felt a flow of familiar connection. I guess he felt it too, because his brows lifted, and a slow smile stretched his lips.

"This is Teile. Your fiancée." Dad's voice drifted into my ears and I found myself repeating his name. Teile.

"Teile, meet my daughter, Adura."

My future husband stood up and stretched his hand forward. I looked at his large tanned hand and I couldn't stop the gasp that escaped my mouth as I stared at his fingers.

Slowly, I lifted my hand, put it in his, and felt the firmness of his handshake, and the warmth of his palm. Sparks flew again and raced up my arm.

I recognised his touch, his smile and he has a sixth finger. The connection I felt last night was also there, but he hadn't spoken. I hadn't heard his voice yet.

"A pleasure to meet you, Adura." He finally said and my heart banged as certainty washed over me.

It was him. He is Dracula.

Oh my sweet lord!

"The pleasure is mine, Dracula." I muttered, and it was a pleasant sight to watch his perfect white teeth become displayed to my view, as he grinned at me. I ended up laughing shyly.

He already recognised me. I don't know how, but it was already obvious that he did.

I took a look at everyone surrounding the dining table, and I found them smiling at us. I blushed deep red.

"She's adorable. Isn't she?" I heard his father say.

"Absolutely." He replied, and I felt the temperature on my cheeks increase.

***

Forty minutes later - after brunch

"How did you know it was me?" I asked him, as we walked hand in hand, through the pathway. We decided to stroll around the vicinity, away from the prying eyes of our families.

He stole a glance at me and I caught the sweet smile on his face. "Your lips. Its shape and colour. Red looks great on you."

"So, you were studying my lips the whole night?"

He gave me a long, slow look. "I would be lying if I said no."

"Just say yes then."

He smiled at me, and stopped our movement. "Isn't this amazing? This time yesterday, I was having an argument with my parents about meeting you. The last thing I wanted was to see or meet you. I didn't want to have anything to do with you. But here we are. All I can see and think about is you."

"Awww... such sweet words." I purred. "Maybe what we needed was to meet each other at our own time."

"Yes, and when we did, it was perfect. Wasn't it?" He cocked his head to the side.

"Yes. So perfect, that I want to say yes to this marriage."

"Same here. But we'll take our time. This connection, the spark, between us, it has to develop and strengthen." He said slowly and surely, as he held my hands and my gaze.

"It will." I assured him, gave him a smile. "It definitely will."

As we continued our stroll, I realised that Halloween had given me a lifetime gift. A beautiful gift of friendship, that would escalated quickly—without a doubt— into love.

No matter what the future held, this year's Halloween is something I will never forget.

The End.

*722 words*

**Extra information about DRACULA'S TALISMAN:

The names of the characters are Nigerian (from the Yoruba tribe), and they have beautiful meanings when they are written or said in their long forms.

#Adura means prayer
#Teile means lay the foundation or the ground.
#Dara means Do wonders.

Those names aren't weird at all, are they?

Also, the book is not set in Nigeria, no. It's set somewhere in the world, where Halloween is celebrated.

Thanks for reading!