I'm such a failure! Even though I swore I'll fast-update, I failed. D: Sorry for the late release. I didn't expect that I'm going to be busy this month. Anyway, I hope you had a good time reading this~! :D

Even though the vampire princess refused to response and call back to us, Ever managed to get a hold at Miles with my help. Convincing him to hang out after rehearsals is hard since Miles was like, born to perform on stage with his whole heart on it and I thought I can't persuade him.

Eventually, he showed up with a guy named Eric and it was pretty nice to meet new people. The four of us spent a really fun night eating (they ate, I drank), swimming (I just dipped into the pool and 'listened' a bit to their chat) and watching gore scary movies. (I'm the popcorn-passing dude)

To sum it up, I tried smiling and talking when I'm really bothered by Haven's tattoo. I mean, if I were to give her something, I won't give her a tattoo especially if it's an Ouroboros. With that, she'll suffer the consequences that can lead to worse.

And I were really looking forward to try my best to concentrate on having fun but failing to graze around the wistful surrounding even though tonight's the night of relaxing and chilling out with old and new friends.

Afterwards, Ever made it perfectly clear that her Aunt Sabine was out of town and made me feel more than welcome to stay. But, I stayed just long enough for her to fall asleep as I quietly went out of her room.

I sat by the pool, wishing just looking by the clear water and its wavy ripples could calm my nerves. Too bad it didn't and made me feel more worried. But, I can't rush and go. And I can't afford to be late.

In the end, I slept by Ever's side and managed to wake up before the sun lights the earth. Silently, I made no noise as I went out of the quiet room and stepped down the stairs.

After finishing gulping some of my bottled elixir for breakfast, I step away from the couch in the living room.

I'm sure Ever won't mind me borrowing their kitchen.

Gathering a plate, a mug, a spoon and a small tray, I did as I pass by the fridge and grab some ingredients. I open the cupboards and find sugar and cream, while I reach out for the coffee with both.

Mixing the warm liquid with a spoon, I scoop a little and make a taste test. I nod in satisfaction as I sense cooked biscuits from the oven. I wish it suits her taste though.

I fix the kitchen in cleanliness swiftly and made the last step with a silver tray as I walked away from the kitchen.

Light passes through the window, indicating a wonderful morning. I open the door undetected and see a relieved Ever on bed. I smiled at her, showing her breakfast as I sit besides her, assisting her with her coffee and freshly-baked muffins.

We tried to call Haven again and I suggest we leave her a message or two. But, it's quite obvious minus the physic power that she doesn't want to speak to either of us. Ever finally calls her house and confirms that even Haven's younger brother doesn't lie when he tells he hasn't seen even a glimpse of his sister's shadow.

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"I thought I'd make dinner."

After a full day of lounging outside by the pool, I muttered dinner-making to Ever after I grabbed her phone when she is about to order another box of cheesy triangle food.

"You can cook?" Ever asks, surprise shows on her face, while she is yet to think anything I can do.

I smiled at her, swearing to myself I won't fail. "I'll let you be the judge of that."

Ever still offers, despite the fact she admit to herself that her kitchen skills are severely limited, according to her. She insists, "Do you need help?"

I appreciate her concern of helping but I want to do this myself. I shook my head and head for the stove as I hear her go upstairs.

Turning the fire on, slicing and mincing, flipping the pan and pouring wine over in the blazing pan are pretty much part of my cooking. Even though I don't consume food anymore, cooking can sometimes be handy and fun in the same time.

I set the table after I cooked. I borrowed Sabine's finest china, some linens, and candles to be lit and manifested a large crystal clear vase filled with dozens of promising red tulips.

Calling her, Ever goes down gracefully, her face shows clear amazement. I smiled at her, pulling out a chair for her as my natural French accent leads my vocals to say, "Mademoiselle."

"I can't believe you did this." Ever said, gazing at the heaping platters lined up before her, so piled with food. She can't help but wonder if we were expecting guests.

Automatically, even before Ever opens her mouth to ask, I replied with a grin. "It's all for you." I held her plate, filling it with vegetables, finely grilled meat and a sauce especially made sweet for her.

"Just me? Aren't you going to have any?" She said, watching me prepare her dinner. I smiled simply at Ever. "Of course. But mostly I made it for you. A girl can't live on pizza alone, you know."

She laughs, cutting a grilled meat with a small knife before looking at me. "You'd be surprised."

While she eats, she asks queries every chance she got. Every moment and then, I can't help myself but look into her sky-like eyes but the fact that she doesn't seem to notice makes me grin. She's really into knowing with curiosity evident on her face as I answer with care about things about my family, my childhood, the constant moves she can ever think about and the emancipation.

The more we talk, the more things I start to know about her. Ever starts to open up bit by bit and for one thing, I'm surprised to see how much we share in common. Even though I'm a little sketchy about the parts of my life that I see as hidden, I told her the fact that I am orphaned, too, although at a younger age.

She seemed to understand it, too as she ceased pushing about it and I'm really grateful about that.

After completing to finish her meal, Ever asks me, catching me off-guard, "So where'd you like best?"

"Right here," I smiled truly. I like the best anywhere where Ever is. And right now, I like her by my side. I wish she knows behind her squinching eyes that not quite believe what I said. She means the places by literally.

I divert her from thinking about Orange Country to the European cities I visited and lived through. "Seriously. I'm very happy here." I nod, glancing right at Ever.

"And you weren't happy in Rome, Paris, New Delhi, or New York?"

She struck me there. Unfortunately, even with all those exciting cities that promise thrill in life, I'm still empty and lonely. There's no meaning to life without her and in those places, over time, I experienced deep trauma and sadness for loss.

I shrugged, my eyes stung with pain as I tries to erode it by sipping my crimson drink. And it succeeded. Those eventually are buried within my heart by love and hope.

"And what exactly is that?" Ever suddenly asks, peering at the bottle. She looks like a child and it makes me feel fuzzy and tingled.

I smiled at Ever, flashing her with my grin. "You mean this?" I held it up for her to see, "Secret family recipe."

I swirl the contents around as the blood-like colour of its glows and sparks as it runs up to the sides and splashes back down. It sprinkles with its diamond dust-like glow. She watches it intently until I stop it, ceasing her to observe. This red elixir never fails to enchant.

"Can I try it?" Like a kid, Ever asks with a curious expression that urges her to take even just a sip. With that kind of face, anyone will allow her and I am surely will be bewitched by her charm. But, I shook my head, "You won't like it. Tastes just like medicine. But that's probably because it is medicine."

Ever gapes at me, imagining a whole worldly host of incurable diseases, horrible afflictions, grave ailments and she knew I were too good to be true – true to her misunderstood I all have that.

I shook my head and reached for her hand as I laughed, "No worries. I just get a little low on energy sometimes. And this helps."

Ever peers at the bottle, her eyes searching for some kind of mark, imprint or any label on the clear and seamless bottle in my hands. "Where do you get it?"

I smiled at Ever. "I told you, secret family recipe," I said, taking a long deep swig and finishing it off. Then I pushed away from the table and from my still-full plate, as I mumbled gentlemanly, "Shall we go for a swim?"

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"Aren't you supposed to wait an hour after eating?" Peering at me, Ever did as she asks. I reached for her hand and beamed a small yet assuring grin. "Don't worry. I won't let you drown."

Well, after spending most of the day in the pool, we decided to finish it and hang in the Jacuzzi instead. We seem to plan how to live forever in water while we laugh and chortle in fun until our fingers and toes start to numb and resemble small prunes. Together, we wrapped ourselves in big, oversized towels and head up to her room.

I followed her to the bathroom, stopping by the door. She drops her wet towel on the floor as I come up behind her, pulls her close to me and holds her so close that our bodies might meld right together, starting with mine. And as I brushed my lips across the nape of her neck, Ever pulls away.

"Um, you're welcome to stay," Ever mumbles and I can see her cheeks burning with embarrassment. My eyes clearly show amusement at her actions. "I mean, what I meant to say was, I want you to stay. I do. But, well, I'm not sure that we should – you know –"

She doesn't even know what to say next as I can read her confusing mind with jumbled words. Any girl like her would kill for a moment like this, but why won't she? She has this chance in the palms of her hand and yet pushes me away. I should help.

I placed my finger under her chin and lift her face until it's on level with mine. I whispered softly, "Ever, please, we've been over this." I tuck her hair behind her ear and bring my lips near to her neck. "I know how to wait, really. I've already waited this long to find you, I can wait even more."

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Ever falls soundly asleep while we were both curled up, my body holding her as I tickle her neck with my breath. I could drift off with her to sleep, but my intuition sent my body an order to wake up and stand.

I broke a sweat, that there's only one thing that can kick me off with adrenaline.

Haven.

After I sped away faster than the speed of light from Ever's house, leaving her safe and secured, I made it to Haven's. Good thing I read minds earlier of the location and could draw a map out of it.

I climbed to her room at second floor effortlessly, unlocking the lock of her window from within as I pushed it up and open smoothly and hopped light as a feather on the floor of her room.

And there I saw Haven on her bed, sickly weak and curled up like a ball with thick blankets over her shivering body. Her once lively Drina-like hair falls dryly while her lips are losing their pink pigment. Mascara and trails of tears are gone without a trace from her face, but her little consciousness is soon to drift off and black out. I can see her fragile body shaking, struggling to resist her sickness.

Without a word, I silently rummaged through the room and found the salve she said Drina gave her. It was an ordinary salve after all, except that it was supposed to make her feel better not to worsen and poison the wound the tattoo of the snake.

Now that I think about it, I rush over to her side and witness that Haven's been covering the bloody and gore mess of the Ouroboros with her hand.

There's still time.

Caringly, I lift her light body up as she passed out as we went out of her house in a manner. I realized that there are few hours before Haven goes to Summerland with no returning back and Ever and I won't like that.

Speaking of Ever, I almost forgot that. I drove to my house first and let her rest in the living room where I put her carefully on the sofa. With blankets, I covered Haven. I glanced at the window, gazing at the navy blue evening that soon will turn to a morning.

I left Haven, sorry to make her suffer for just a bit of time.

It's at least 3:40 A.M. when I made it in Ever's house as I parked my black car again in their drive. Quickly, I dash like a mouse to her room. As I opened the door, Ever is standing near the window, checking.

I made my presence, asking, "Looking for me?"

She turns, her eyes finding me in the doorway while her face gone blushing red. Ever stutters, pressing her lips, "Oh, I – I rolled over and you weren't there, and –"

"I went downstairs for some water." Taking her hand, I lead her back to the bed and smiled, assuring her that everything's okay and she doesn't need to fear anything without me. I laid down beside her, her hand drifts to my side, brushing across the sheets.

The early bird gets the worm.

Plus I have someone to save, too.

I went down the stairs, minutes before sunrise, as usual. I can see the mess we made the nights we have visitors and the times we were together. It'll be embarrassing if Sabine goes home just to see how tangled her home is.

I did a little clean-up at the kitchen and as well, make breakfast for the most wonderful girl in the world. But, I don't know if what I did can be counted as breakfast so she'll be the judge of that.

With donuts, bagels and cereals line-up, the only thing I'm missing is a drink. So I got a glass and made an orange juice from squeezed oranges.

"How long have you been up?"

I saw Ever coming down from the stairs in her full robe. Shrugging, I told her. "I'm an early riser." When she gazes at all the stuff on the counter, I reasoned out since instead of going to the store that can take up minutes, I'd rather manifest out of thin air. "So I thought I'd clean up a bit before running to the store. I may have gone a little overboard, but I didn't know what you'd want."

I smiled sheepishly, coming around the counter and kissing her on the cheek. Setting the glass before her, she sips from the glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice before asking me, "Want some? Or are you still fasting?"

"Fasting?" Out of all ideas, I lift a brow and look at her.

Ever rolls her eyes as she mumbles, "Please. You eat less than anyone I know. You just sip your... medicine and push your food all around. I feel like a complete pig next to you."

"Is this better?" Grinning for success, I picked up a chocolate donut and bite it in half, my jaw working overtime to break down the doughy mass for a point. Ever shrugs and gazes at the window. Turning, she fixes her eyes on me. "So, what should we do today?"

With my watch, I gaze at it and back at her. Haven is still hanging on and I really need to check her immediately, like now. "I need to take off soon."

I jangle my keys as Ever says, her voice whines, "But Sabine won't be back until late."

"I need to get home and take care of a few things." I said, my lips pecking her cheek, her ear and the nape of her neck, "Especially if you want to see me at school tomorrow."

"Oh, school. Do we still go there?" Ever laughs lightly, her mind avoiding the consequences and things that might follow.

"You're the one who thinks it's important." I said, making her remember her other self that at first, protests to ditch and even have fun. A great shrug came from me, the all-proud lazybones. "If it was up to me, every day would be Saturday."

"But then Saturday wouldn't be special. It'd all be the same." She says, picking off a piece of donut, "A never-ending flow of long lazy days, nothing to work toward, nothing to look forward to, just one hedonistic moment after another. After a while, it wouldn't be so great."

I smiled, "Don't be so sure." Because if even if every day is the same, it doesn't matter because a day becomes special when I'm with her.

"So what exactly are these mysterious chores of yours, anyway?" Ever asks, getting suspicious with me. Well, this isn't the first time she thought about me like that. Every moment she got, she's up to guessing me using her theories. Shrugging is my first answer.

"You know. Stuff," I said in a laughing way that's obvious it's waving 'I really need to go so please, Ever.' The thought in her mind surprised me as she starts, "Well, maybe I can –"

I automatically shake my head a big 'NO' even before she finish the sentence. "Forget it. You are not doing my laundry." Ever is still unpredictable, unreadable and before she does something, I shift my weight from a foot to another, warming up my muscles as if for a race.

"But I want to see where you live. I've never been in the home of someone who's emancipated, and I'm curious." Even though Ever tried her best to sound light-heartedly, she can't hide the desperation in her voice.

But I can't. Not now. I shook my head firmly and look at the door intently. She still continues, giving it one last go. "But why?" and peers at me, waiting for a response.

I gaze at her in focus, even though I swear I can feel my jaw go tense, "Because it's a mess. A horrible filthy mess." I said, because besides from the fact that my house is till empty unless I need a camouflage, I forgot to 'clean' the house especially my happy place. Plus she might get the idea I'm killing her friend instead.

"And I don't want you to see it like that and get the wrong idea about me. Besides, I'll never be able to straighten it up with you around. You'll only distract me." I finished with a forced and tight smile, an impatient set of eyes and me that want to go now.

"I'll call you tonight." I filled her, turning my back and head for the door. Suddenly, Ever asks with a nervous laughter, "And what if I decide to follow you? What will you do then?"

"Don't follow me, Ever." I said, flipping at her as she halts her tensed laughter. I don't like the way I said it, but it's necessary to. Don't follow me, Ever is what I mean but if she thinks, too that I said Don't follow me ever, those two just mean the same thing.

I turn, exited the house and climbed swiftly inside the car. Starting the engine, I did as I stepped hard on the gas, hoping for the best that I'm not yet late.