Chapter 36:
-The Rendezvous-
Michael left the apartment and the building and tried to find the way to Melissa what didn't represent any big problem to him. After fifteen minutes, he came again before the pretty house, where he had dropped her off last night. He knocked at the door three times and he could hear, like somebody came running down the stairways.He only hoped that the one didn't fall down. He grinned. One minute later the bolt behind the door opened and then the door itself. Melissa stood in the door in a beautiful red, evening-dress and put back the hair. She remained embarrassed and smiled. Michael grinned and looked to the ground.
"You're early... Michael."
" I didn't want to miss anything."
"Ehm.. do you want to come in shortly? I'm not quite ready yet but it won't last any longer."
"Yes gladly."
He entered. It was a beautiful house. He looked around a bit for itself and Melissa led him into the living room where he could wait.
"Sit down, I will be back soon."
"O.K.." Michael sat down on a soft sofa and had almost put up his legs, so comfortable was it however it would have been rather impolite. Then he could hear somebody suddenly coming into the room , but it wasn't Melissa, it was apparently...
"Hello. I'm Melissa's mum and you must be the young hero, who helped my daughter."
"I'm Michael and I was by chance on the way."
"I'm so grateful." she embraced him shortly. "Please take care of her tonight."
"Believe me, I will and she more than safe with me, Miss..."
"... Keoh. I don't want to lose her."
"You won't."
Melissa came down the stairway and simply looked... delightful. Michael rose and smiled.
"It seems... you introduced yourself already with my mother."
"Yes, I did and you can consider yourself lucky to have such a nice mom."
"You don't know her. She's constantly worrying about me and that can be pretty annoying."
"Ah Melissa, I want only the best for you."
"I know mum."
"And I have a very good feeling with Michael. He's charming, friendly and he looks strong."
"Mum." Melissa said embarrassed.
"All right, all right I stop. I wish you a beautiful evening and enjoy it."
"Many thanks, Misses Keoh."
"Let's go Michael. The evening doesn't wait. We see us later mum and don't worry."
Melissa's arm wrenched in Michael's and together they strolled comfortably down the street, in direction downtown.It was wonderful evening. The streetlights shone and the stars illuminated the heaven-camp also like the moon shone in his splendour. Melissa laughed at Michael's side as he did. They told jokes or little horror stories. They had much fun anyway. Melissa had chosen a normal however rather taste-full restaurant.
"Let us eat on the terrace, what do you think of it?"
"I don't mind." was Michael's simple answer.
They let them lead to a table for two and let them give the menus. Michael already had chosen his menu during Melissa wasn't sure yet. They ordered a bottle French red wine
"And, could you decide what you want to eat?"
"Cordonbleu and assorted vegetables doesn't sound bad together with a delicious summer salad and what about you?"
"Steak and different vegetables."
The waitress passed their table and took their order and she asked Michael:
"How would you have your steak, sir?"
"Bloody, please."
As she had all written down, she went into the kitchen and left the two alone.
"Bloody... my dad ate his steak like this, I never could this. That's disgusting." she sighed and stared at the moon and the stars and smiled softly. "It's a beautiful night. I love the moon... he if somehow magic, don't you think?"
"One could say."
"A stupid question, but... are you constantly risk your life for young girls, so that you get their attention?"
"No, it was the first time and it seems that it was worth it, doesn't it?" both laughed and Michael felt comfortable by it.
"Seem so and I'm glad that it is you."
"Oh, really? I am insufferable if you knew me better."
"You're funny, you're not insufferable. Have you been for a long time in L.A.?"
"No, I moved recently... have family here."
"Your parents"?
"No, my sister and my son."
"Son? Are you married or do you have a girlfriend?"
"Married no and... I had a girlfriend, she died with an accident unfortunately."
"Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't want to be too curious."
Finally their meals were served and they thanked. Michael looked somewhat disappointed, as he saw his steak. Frankly, he could have consumed more than only this. Damn it, what was he actually thinking there? He knew, that it was a while ago, as he had eaten something or even only had drunk blood and furthermore he had blood lost already today, through Alex's action. He had to pull himself together, to leave Melissa. True, her tender flesh and her young fresh blood provoked him however, he couldn't harm her.While they were eating, they looked at each other from time to time.
"It sounds stupid to say this, but you remind me of my lost girlfriend."
"Beg your pardon?"
"When I look at you, one could think you're twins only that she wasn't so heart-joyfully...like you. I don't want to compare you and want to put you into an unpleasant position, but, you gave me a beautiful evening and made me more than happy."
"That sounds sweet. You're still fond of her. It's hard to let go if one loved somebody very much. I lost my father when I was little. He was shot at his workplace, by bandits. We never got over it."
"I didn't want to offend you, I am terribly sorry."
"It feels good to talk with someone about, that understands you. You don't have to apologize, I can't thank you enough, Michael."
Michael sat a bit back when he was finished and observed Melissa while she was eating.
"Have you still something in mind or you would you like go home? The night is still young."
"I don't know... we could still pull something around the blocks and maybe we could go for a drink." she smiled and Michael saw surprised at her however he only grinned. "You wouldn't have thought about it, that such a girl like me goes in clubs. Come, let's have some fun, I know a great place, where almost everyone goes. Let's pay and we are away."
"Sounds great."