~Hello, sorry I havent updated in awhile! I've been busy with work and study! Haha. And also I am so mega sorry for all the confusions in the previous chapters! But no fear the wait is over..for now :3 _

A few weeks passed and Vlad and I became closer, spending more and more time together. We went to the cinemas and silent movie events. I spent more days at his place and we would just sit in front of the fire and talk, even the silence was comforting. Everything was going well until one particular night Anna invited Vlad and I to Dinner at this fancy restaurant downtown called "Providence" on Melrose avenue, about an hours drive from the countryside.

"So, how are you guys going?" Anna asked as she stuffed her face with the very expensive plate of Clam Chowder "This place is amazing, it's a money sucker though"

I laughed as I watched her chew multiple times and drink her wine at the same time, "We're good, looks like you're enjoying your chowder Belle" I acknowledged with a small nod. I twirled my pasta on its fork and stuck it in my mouth. I waited till it was safe to talk, "How exactly did you manage to get into this restaurant...the reservations for this place would make you wait at least a month"

Anna hurried to swallow her food down and speak, "That's what I wanted to talk to you about...Ryan's dad bought him the restaurant and he promised to get us a table the first chance he got" I watched as her eyes trailed from her plate to me and then Vlad, she stared behind her and waited, in that moment Ryan burst through the doors wearing a black button up shirt and black suit pants. "Here he is" she introduced as he made his way towards our table.

"Hi ladies" he greeted with his signature smile, "How are you all going?" he asked with his hands in his pockets. I watched as both Vlad and Ryan gave each other glares.

I smiled politely and nodded my head, "We're pretty good, thanks for getting us in" I replied. "I didn't know your dad bought this place for you?"

"The original owners were about to sell up and dad thought it was good investment for the both of us, how's your grandfather" he asked with raised eyebrows, "I heard he's still co-owning the company with you"

"Yeah, he's good. I think he's in Prague at the moment" I answered, I felt Vlad's hand on my leg tighten. I turned my head and smiled, "Vlad this is Ryan Johnson, Rye this is Vlad" I introduced the both of them.

Vlad stood up and shook Ryans hand. "How do you know Mara?" Ryan asked as he pulled out a chair and sat down. "Are you guys together?"

I panicked, I didn't know what to say. "Vlad was one of Anna's clients, and we're...kinda friends" I replied, going quiet on the last part.

"I don't think Amara's said anything about this but I'm her ex-fiance"' Ryan felt the need to make things even more awkward and even harder to explain, "Yeah, we were young"

were young"

I sighed in annoyance and slouched back in my chair, "At least we stopped it before it went any further"

Ryan gave me a small smile and nodded his head, "I agree with you on that, I mean it could have ended so much worse for the both of us" He answered

I took a sip of wine and pressed my lips together, we all sat in silence for a few minutes before Anna piped up and attempted to relieve the pressure that was growing but it went as swiftly as popping a balloon with a pin. It was going to end with a bang.

"Mara" she gestured with a smile, "Remember how you were telling me about your trip to Romania?" she trailed off with a smile, "Ryan's going there as well, apparently Alucard requested his presence during your stay...which will be at the one and only Castle Dracula"

Anna, just shut up. Those words ran through my head and I fought the urge to say them. Ryan must have caught on to my awkwardness and replied, "Yeah, my dad bought the Tepes estate a few months ago and since Mara is going, Alucard suggested I go with her"

I nodded my head and turned my gaze towards Vlad who adjusted himself in his chair and tossed me an uncomfortable glare. I tried to smile and reassure him but he shrugged it off and leaned against the table, elbows up. "Romania?" He asked with raised eyebrows, he couldn't the hide the fact that he was both jealous and annoyed at the same time.

I smiled sheepishly, "Yeah, some of my grandfathers best clients are over there and insisted I travel there. It's because of some religious belief or whatever" I answered as I took another sip of wine. "It's only for about a week, an extra day give or take" I glared at Anna as I spoke.

"And you'll be staying at Dracula's castle, in Transylvania?" He verified with a nod, he pushed back an slouched in his chair.

I finished my glass of wine and smiled, "The food was great, thank you Rye. We should get going, it's getting late and I have to be at the office early tomorrow." I pushed my chair back and stood up, Vlad did the same. "It was good seeing you Ryan, see you at home Anna" I flicked my head up and made my way outside. "I need to go to my apartment and get my toothbrush before we head to yours"

We walked down the street and passed an alley before stopping at a bunch of lights, "I think it'd be a good idea for you not to come over tonight" Vlad replied in a cold tone as he turned to me.

I narrowed my eyes, "What?" I questioned, "I'm sorry you had to find out about my trip, I was gonna tell you tonight" I assured.

Vlad sighed heavily, "I will happily walk you home and that's all it will be"

Before I could reply the light turned green for us to walk and thats what he did, Vlad took off as fast as he could. I followed and tried my best to catch up.

"Vlad" I called out as I tried to get him to stop, "Vladimir stop!" I called out a lot firmer as I stood my ground and waited for him to stop.

"What!" he growled as he turned around and faced me. I could see the anger and hate pulsate in his eyes. I almost jumped back in fright.

"What the hell is wrong!" I questioned with wide eyes, "Why are you acting like this?"

Vlad scoffed and took a few steps closer to me and pointed in the direction we walked from, "Him, it's him Amara!" he yelled, "I don't like him, I don't like the way he looks at you!"

I sighed, "He means nothing to me Vlad!" I replied as I shook my head, "I can't help what he does"

"Well, I don't like it nor do I enjoy the fact that the two of you were engage to be married" He sneered, lowering his arm and staring everywhere but my eyes, "Referring to me as a 'friend'...just a friend, is that all I am?"

I shook my head again, "Just because I was engaged to Ryan doesn't change the way I feel about you, he's in the past and you're in the now Vlad. I don't love him." I answered, "I don't know what we are and honestly I feel something for you I haven't felt for anyone...not even Ryan" My voice grew louder, "I think I'm in love with you Vladimir and I don't know if you feel the same way so yeah, until I know where we are in our relationship or whatever the hell this is...I'm gonna go with whatever comes to mind"

Vlad looked at me and his eyes widened, almost in shock. "You're in love with me?" he repeated.

I nodded my head, "Yeah, you big dummy" I answered, "I'm going home" I pushed past him as I moved I felt his arm wrap around my waist and pull me back, this time a whole lot closer.

"That's funny because I've been in love with you since the day I laid eyes upon you" he whispered before pushing his lips against mine. I pushed back and took in a deep breath before saying anything.

"Come with me to Romania" I thought about it right after I said it, how was I going to get what I needed done while he was there. I couldn't let him find out. "Please, you know the place better than I do and it'd be fun"

Vla sighed and a large smile grew on his face before he nodded his head, "Only if you want me to, I don't want to distract you from your work"

I shook my head, "Of course I want you too, I don't particularly want to be there alone with Ryan anyway" I smirked.