Lair Of The Beast || Nicolae Bartholy X OC || [COMPLETE]

12. The Joy of Dionysus.

It was the twentieth day of December which also happened to be Kate's birthday.

Nicolae knew that of course. He didn't miss any of Kate's thoughts. The good or the bad ones.

He knew she was happy with him, but he also knew she missed her father. And he felt guilty about it.

But he wasn't going to ruin her special day. Oh no. He wanted to surprise her.

While she was busy in the greenhouse, he had managed to step foot into town.

It had been years he haven't done so.

*

Before entering the store, Nicolae passed his fingers on his right cheek. His face was the only thing that still had signs of the years of darkness and madness.

Those black veins were disappearing thanks to the light that Kate had brought into his life. And it amazed him.

He took a deep breath, he really wanted to do this for her.

As he walked inside the store he pulled up the collar of his coat, making sure his hair would cover most of his face.

"Oh I am sorry we are about to close..." A female voice announced.

Nicolae turned towards her. He surely wasn't going to let that stop him.

"It is really important. Please, could you make an exception? "

He gazed towards the woman.  She moved closer, magnetically attracted by him.

"I guess... you can be my last customer." She smiled, mesmerized by his red eyes.

Nicolae nodded to thank her.
"That is very kind of you."

She nodded back.
"What were you looking for?"

He looked around, clearing his voice before speaking.

"I am not quite sure. It is for an amazing woman. It's her birthday and I want to surprise her." He spoke calmly, focusing on every word just like Kate taught him.

The clerk smiled warmly, her heart throb at his words. Who was this mysterious gentleman?

"Of course. Of course. Were you thinking about a dress? Or maybe jewelry? What does she like?"

Nicolae looked around himself.
"A dress, perhaps. She loves flowers."

"I see. Do you have a budget? " She asked curiously.

"No, price doesn't matter."

The woman beckoned him to follow her and lead him in the back section of the store where she kept the best.

Nicolae followed her always aware of his surroundings. 

They entered a very spacious back room with a few mannequins.

"In this room we keep the most precious samples of our collection. Please have a look around."

Nicolae thanked her and started browsing.

A younger clerk with blonde hair came up to the woman, whispering.

"Who's that?"

The older woman shook her head.

"I have never seen him before...but he has some kind of charm doesn't he?"

She whispered back.

The girl nodded.
"Oh my god yes."

They just kept staring at him, in complete awe.

Nicolae's attention was grabbed a few minutes later when he found a beautiful dress that would look perfect on Kate.