Contrary to Ethan's enigmatic fears and anxieties, nothing particularly unpleasant had occurred in the following days - the opposite, in fact. Nevertheless, that peculiar feeling of inexplicable dread did not vanish entirely, but given the distinct lack of physical evidence to fuel it, it shrunk into something akin to a subtle background noise - always there, but only if Ethan bothered to focus on it - which he didn't, most of the time.
Friday proved uneventful, with his morning routine giving way to a perfectly ordinary day at work, followed by a short visit to Daniela and much of the evening spent in the company of his own daughter, with his trusty television set taking over once his baby girl's bedtime came up.
Saturday passed in a blur, as the day was filled with affectionate activities with Ethan's loved ones, with no tedious work getting in the way. The man spent most of the day with his precious Rose - playing, drawing and watching cartoons with her, with the majority of the afternoon taken by a pleasant stroll through the local park.
Ethan knew that some parents would scoff at the notion of using their priceless weekends on silly stuff like that, but he was also aware of just how fragile peaceful life was. His grim experience in the meatgrinder taught him just how precious these little things were; that there was nothing more valuable in this world than a simple bonding session between a father and his daughter. To him, this uncomplicated Saturday brought nothing but joy; though, admittedly, it did feel like a piece of the puzzle that was known as perfection was missing.
Perhaps, after tucking Rose in and seeing her drift off to sleep, this is why Ethan went to visit Daniela - in search of that elusive missing piece of happiness. He rationalized that he couldn't go and search for it in some distant and unspecified place Mia happened to be, after all. Therefore, his frequent encounters with his redheaded neighbor could not possibly be construed as unfaithfulness, could they?
And indeed - disregarding the moral dilemma - Daniela's presence became that metaphorical piece of the puzzle that completed the jigsaw of happiness. The evening with her was fulfilling in multiple ways: not only did Ethan feel himself loved and appreciated by this capricious redhead, but it also felt surprisingly good to be actually helpful to someone in need - with Ethan's assistance Daniela was able to make leaps and bounds in acclimating to human society; leaving her bloodthirsty past behind. To be able to provide that kind of aid felt immeasurably more satisfying than writing soulless code for some faceless customers he'd never even talk to.
That's what the man tried to convince himself with, anyway. Still, a measure of guilt gnawed at his heart even as he spent yet another delightful evening with Daniela, filled with careless joy, affectionate touches and easy banter alike. Nevertheless, that little voice in his mind that kept telling him that his increasing ease around Daniela was wrong kept diminishing with each passing hour in her company. At this rate, it wasn't unfathomable to presume that soon enough that feeling of guilt would evaporate completely, allowing Ethan to finally cross that line - and that knowledge scared him.
Maybe it was precisely because of his awareness of his fading willpower to resist his distinctively romantic feelings towards Daniela he had then proceeded to invite the redhead to spend the Sunday within the Winters' homely abode. Ethan gambled that Rose's presence would ensure that he kept his grubby hands to himself.
Unsurprisingly, Daniela had no qualms about spending the Sunday with Ethan and Rose. The nigh-idyllic atmosphere of that day would stick with Ethan for a long time. It was with no shortage of amazement did the man observe Daniela's wholesome interactions with Rose - the redhead's capacity for affection baffled his mind as they so violently clashed with his preconceptions.
Daniela Dimitrescu, a man-eating bug-vampire from an isolated backwater settlement filled with mutated zealots…
Yet…
The way she played with Rose; her contagious laughter and unbridled mirth that was evoked by the most mundane of events; her beautiful smiling face and large eyes bereft of even a speck of ill intent…
He could scarcely recognize the vicious being that had assailed him four years ago. It was getting hard to remember that this very redheaded woman had the shocking capacity for violence and mayhem.
Most of the time. Occasionally, there were signs to remind him of that.
When they went out to visit a quaint little cafe not that far from their neighborhood, they had the misfortune to cross paths with a severely inebriated man, who happened to look - and smell - not dissimilar to a homeless person who hadn't had a shower in months.
The drunk was not belligerent or disruptive by any means, and he peacefully stumbled his way past them and went on his merry way across the street. Still, Ethan could not possibly miss the way Daniela's lips shifted into a thin line; the way her fists clenched or eyes narrowed into vicious slits as she burned a hole in the vagabond's back. He didn't dare to assume that a couple of buzzing flies that appeared out of nowhere meant anything good, either.
That poor man did absolutely nothing to them, except maybe momentarily decreasing the quality of air during his passage, yet it was clear to Ethan that Daniela harbored violent intent towards him. She did not act on that, for which Ethan was immensely grateful, yet this little display of hostility reminded Ethan that there was so much more to Daniela than could be seen with a naked eye. Not all of it was good.
Regardless, their trip to the cafe itself proceeded without incident, as Ethan had specifically selected it for its peaceful atmosphere and distinct lack of patrons at this hour.
Afterward, the trio walked around the streets Ethan knew to contain little foot traffic. A part of him wanted to revisit the park he went to with just Rose yesterday, but the voice in the back of his head reminded him that it might not be a good idea.
Any park in Valencia on a Sunday afternoon would be flooded with people, which presented two obvious issues. First would be that Ethan wasn't sure that Daniela was up to being in a crowded environment and he certainly didn't want to induce any unnecessary stress in the redheaded woman at his side. Her adjustment to human society had to be gradual, made with baby steps to ensure her transition from such vastly different worlds would be as smooth as possible.
The second reason for avoiding the park was a rather selfish one for Ethan. He would hate to admit it out loud, but the man knew better than to flaunt himself around his neighborhood with Daniela at his side. The Winters family might not have been the most socially-engaging one, but they still made some contacts in the area; with both Mia and Ethan being recognizable by certain people. He absolutely did not want someone acquainted with both himself and Mia to randomly spot them and then rush to phone Mia herself, pretending to be a 'concerned friend.'
Therefore, their peaceful walk around the neighborhood was mostly confined to back alleys and deserted streets, though neither Rose nor Daniela protested such limitations; both girls appeared eminently happy just strolling around while engaging in carefree chit chat.
When the girls had their fill of the outdoors, they all returned back to the Winters' residence, where Daniela eagerly treated them to yet another delightful reading session. Though they were fairy tales she was reading, which Ethan had long since outgrown and which Rose had heard numerous times, both of them listened with rapt attention. Somehow, these same old stories were seen in a new light now that Daniela's melodic voice and vast oratory skills breathed a second life into them.
After Daniela's throat had gone dry, the trio retreated to the living room's couch where they entertained themselves by watching 'The Lion King'. Rose and Daniela alike remained transfixed by the screen for the entire length of the movie, though the former also shook a couple of times during the relatively scary parts of it. In these moments Ethan eagerly provided the comfort the small child needed, with affectionate gestures and soothing words alike. In addition, the man found himself seeking an additional layer of entertainment for himself by sneaking an occasional peak at the redhead sitting on the opposite side of the couch. Even if he wanted to, he could not stop marveling at her lovely facial structure. Her cute nose, her full lips, her soft-looking cheeks and of course her gorgeous eyes all appeared as elegant and beautiful alike to his gaze.
Naturally, Daniela stayed for the night. A quick peck on his cheek marked the end of this splendid day, with the redhead alluringly vanishing into the guest bedroom. Resisting the urge to follow her there, Ethan retired for the night himself.
In the morning he was rather pleased to see Daniela still present and accounted for as the redhead greeted him with an exceptionally warm smile. Moreover, while her offer to pay back for their hospitality was completely unnecessary, Ethan found himself not in the mood to argue when Daniela had insisted on preparing a meal worthy of a king for their breakfast.
It took some oversight from the man of the house as Daniela had little clue where the ingredients were located and the cooking process itself appeared quite messy to Ethan, though he could not argue with the result - a full platter of delicious-looking pancakes. With maple syrup on top, all three of them proceeded to enjoy that simple yet mouthwatering meal.
In good spirits after a hearty meal, Ethan sensed an opportunity to properly introduce Daniela to Laura; hopefully clearing the air of any misunderstandings that may have sprung to life during their first, less than stellar meeting. That would require him to delay the start of his work day - a sacrifice he was more than willing to make - the man mentally noted with a small smirk. Surely his company would not go under if he missed a couple of hours this morning. All he'd need to deliver is the 'due to family circumstances' excuse and Lorenzo will be able to do nothing but grumble, since Ethan was previously not known to abuse things like that.
Initially, Daniela seemed a little uneasy about meeting with Rose's babysitter - another sign of her somewhat timid nature. All it took for her to become excited was Ethan's reassurance that Laura was a good person and a potential friend down the line, however.
Before Laura's arrival, Ethan made good use of his newfound free time by continuing to teach Daniela about modern electronic devices, with little Rose also listening with apparent interest, even though she was far too young for most of them herself. Ethan assumed that she liked their company, rather than their topic of conversation.
Once Laura arrived, however, Ethan could see figurative sparks fly as the two older women in the room exchanged wary glances. Clearly, a measure of distrust remained after their initial contact. It was up to Ethan to break the ice… or so he thought.
"Would you like pancakes? I've made some." Daniela suddenly offered, while motioning towards the kitchen. There was no longer even a hint of hostility left in either her tone or expression; instead, a genuine-looking smile now adorned her face. "You're awfully thin! Growing girls need their nutrients!"
Laura seemed to want to bitterly protest that notion, but her stomach decided to betray its owner at the most inopportune of times by loudly growling, making Daniela's mouth split into a wide grin, while Laura's own face grew red with embarrassment.
"Sure…" the girl eventually mumbled in a way that made it obvious that all she really wanted was to get out of the spotlight.
Regardless, that silly exchange served to thaw the ice between Laura and Daniela, even if it didn't shatter it completely. As the redhead scurried into the kitchen to warm up the leftovers of their own breakfast, Ethan decided to reinforce the foundation that Daniela herself had just laid out.
"I told you before that Daniela could use a friend…" Laura glanced his way, lightly nodding in recognition. Giving her a small smile, Ethan continued, "Maybe even more than one."
The implications were obvious; Laura chewed on her bottom lip as she pondered upon them for a couple of moments before locking her gaze with Ethan's and giving him an uncertain nod. That noncommittal gesture serving as her response made the atmosphere between them a little bit awkward as Ethan realized that he was pushing something substantial upon the lithe shoulders of the teenager. Perhaps she was not looking to make friends with an older foreigner woman - and an admittedly weird one at that; though for Ethan's sake she was willing to at least consider the notion.
Still, the man couldn't help but think that all of them could benefit from it, so he pressed on. "Daniela is not a bad person; I am sure you will have plenty of mutual interests…" The ugly side of the redhead suddenly came to the front of his mind - petulant and violent. He realized that Laura herself had to be protected from it. "Just don't pry into her past…"
Laura's eyes widened immediately as she processed Ethan's warning; she hurriedly gave a swift nod at that, "okay…" In turn, the man had to suppress a curse from escaping his mouth as he comprehended just how suspicious his own words sounded.
That makes it sound as if Dani is some kind of a murderer on a run or something… Well, I guess she kind of is, but I can't let Laura know that! Jesus Christ…
Scratching the back of his head in a futile bid to chase away such unsavory thoughts, Ethan motioned with his free hand towards the living room and the kitchen. These kinds of episodes made him think that he was not the best with words, after all.
Despite being somewhat apprehensive after Ethan's 'encouragement', Laura proceeded to follow the man.
Thankfully, the next thirty minutes were filled with both the cheerful and carefree banter as Laura eagerly chit-chatted with Rose and Ethan, as well as an occasional restrained comment, courtesy of Daniela. Even though the redhead had invited the babysitter with warmth, now that she was actually here with them, Daniela appeared more interested in observing and measuring the girl instead of actually interacting with her. That was understandable to Ethan, who assumed that Daniela acted in such a guarded way due to her inherent distrust of strangers, and that she would eventually warm up to Laura.
While he wouldn't have minded spending the whole day with the girls, Ethan realized that he had to show up for at least the second part of his work day. He could not afford to get fired, especially not after promising Laura to financially support her.
With that in mind, Ethan quickly got ready for the job, bid the girls a wonderful day, patted Roxy who showed up just to see her owner out and went on his way. To his surprise, Daniela caught up to him even before he got into the car.
Waving up at him while adjusting her hood, the redhead appeared quite chipper, contrasting her earlier self today - which was more reserved.
"I think I'll head out too," she noted while motioning in the direction of her house, causing Ethan to raise an eyebrow.
"Don't you wanna stay with the girls a bit more? I am sure you can have some fun."
Daniela averted her gaze while lightly nibbling on her lip. "Nah, I've got…stuff to do."
Somewhat surprised by her attitude, Ethan briefly wondered just what kind of stuff she was up to, but the answer came to him suddenly. It was quite possible that Daniela had nothing of particular importance to do in her own house, but rather that she did not want to linger at his place without him being around. Ethan knew that Daniela was just as afraid of other people as she was at lashing out at them herself, were they to do something she'd perceive as hostile or offensive. Yet the fact that she appeared to be completely at ease around him proved that she saw him differently from others. The next logical step was to assume that he acted as a sort of a stabilizing element that allowed her to feel mostly comfortable interacting with other people - as long as Ethan himself was around.
Perhaps he was overthinking it all, but something told Ethan that he was on the right track with his musings, not that it completely ruled out other explanations. Regardless, the man decided not to question the redhead directly as he felt a pair of exquisitely soft lips briefly gracing his cheek. The tantalizing contact did not last even remotely as long as the man's deepest desires demanded it to, since Daniela pulled back before giving him a cute little wave and pivoting on the balls of her feet.
"Have a wonderful day, Ethie!"
"You too…" the man mumbled as Daniela unhurriedly made her way towards her residence. Watching her graceful figure shrink in the distance for a couple of moments, Ethan had to forcefully tear his gaze away. As he got into his car, he couldn't help but ponder that parting from Daniela was getting harder and harder… Like a moth to a flame, he was drawn to her - that was undeniable. The question was - would he burn once he got too close?
As unbelievable as it sounded, somehow Daniela's sudden resurgence and her subsequent presence in Ethan's life gained a semblance of normalcy. While the capricious redhead had not lost her exotic appearance in Ethan's eyes, he had come to regard her as not some otherworldly being, but as a woman. A troubled, unpredictable and hardly ordinary woman, yet a woman he could one day hope to understand; a woman with comprehensible needs and desires.
Furthermore, considering the distinct lack of life-threatening incidents, Ethan found himself settling into a rather mundane routine, peculiar in its simplicity, yet utterly delightful, nonetheless.
He went to work. He did his best to find an excuse to go home early. He spent time with Daniela; whether listening to her read, teaching her about the ways of the modern world or just having casual fun. He goes back home, with supportive Laura and joyous Rosie there to greet him.
Before Ethan even knew it, the week was drawing to a close.
Nothing exceptional had occurred, yet Ethan could not deny that his attraction to Daniela was growing by the day. In mere two weeks, from an existential threat she became a constant in his life - one, without which he did not want to even imagine his future.
Even though they had to cross that line from which there could be no return, they were most definitely more than friends. A part of Ethan still bemoaned that fact, reminding him of his marital status, yet there was no respite to come from his 'second half'. All Mia had to say to him was that her organization had run into a number of issues and that it made it nearly impossible for her to give him an exact date of her return. At least she found the time for semi-regular video calls that included Rose - thankfully, she never bothered to inquire about her child's 'new friend', nor did Rose herself saw fit to mention Daniela.
Naturally, Mia's ignorance of Daniela's newfound spot in Ethan's heart was a cause for concern for the dutiful husband. The excuse that the redhead's situation was far too complicated for online communication and that it required a personal touch to explain properly was growing old, yet Ethan still found himself keeping her existence a secret from his wife.
Of course, Mia's presence - despite never truly vanishing from Ethan's mind and heart alike - slowly edged towards something one could describe as distant and abstract; with Daniela's own coming to hold dominion in its place. Her unspoken yet very obvious need to be loved and accepted into this world came to be at the forefront of his thoughts. Among his utmost desires was to make the redhead feel comfortable and welcome.
To that effect, Ethan constantly searched for opportunities to further introduce Daniela to the wonders of the wider world, which were denied to her for so long. Unfortunately, it was not that easy to find one, considering that not only Daniela herself was still quite wary of strangers and apprehensive about crowded places, but also - even more importantly - the lamentable state of her own identity.
She had none.
No passport, no citizenship (despite her vigorous claims of being a proud Romanian), no presence in any government's database. Living her whole life in an isolated settlement far outside the reach of Romanian officials, likely nobody alive today could confirm her identity.
As far as the world was concerned, Daniela Dimitrescu did not exist; in fact, according to the Romania genealogy records, which the two of them searched through on Thursday, she never existed. No woman with that name was born in the selected time period - a selection that definitely raised Ethan's eyebrows, though he refrained from asking the relevant question just yet.
They did happen upon Alcina Dimitrescu, but all that did was confirm that as far as the official Romanian government was concerned, Alcina had no living siblings; was the last of her line and that she vanished from the face of the earth somewhere in the late fifties. There was no mention of Daniela, Cassandra or Bela in any of the records they checked through. Personally, Ethan was hardly surprised as he very much doubted that they were actually related by blood, but he had to respect the crushing weight that revelation put on Daniela's shoulders.
Daniela Dimitrescu was a stateless ghost who found herself in a modern world while lacking any kind of digital or physical footprint. A nobody.
This made their excursions out into the city rather perilous, as keeping Daniela out of trouble became paramount. The very first cop asking her for an ID could lead to a disaster, so they could not afford to ever get in the spotlight.
To Ethan's chagrin, the redhead herself took this discovery quite hard. The knowledge that she was an unwanted outcast and that even her own nation denied her very existence brought her into a depressed mood. As he had gazed into her downcast frame, Ethan wished for little more than to alleviate her burdens, but that was easier said than done.
Considering Daniela's inhuman nature, they could hardly just march into some government building and apply for citizenship, could they? Not counting the myriad of bureaucratic setbacks they would face, the mandatory medical check-up would indubiously reveal her sinister pedigree, most likely putting a forceful end to her exploration of the world. To his knowledge, no governments today officially granted citizenship to sentient bio-organic weapons, though Ethan imagined that there had to be exceptions made behind the curtains. He had no pull to pursue that route, however.
The second notion to forge a fake ID also faced a number of pitfalls. Firstly, Spanish DNI was a complex document to forge - the very mention of doing that immediately put Antonio on alert when Ethan had inquired about that topic during the closing hours of Friday, causing him to swiftly change the subject. It was clear to the man that they would have to contact the criminal underworld themselves if they wanted to pursue that route - not only to forge the document itself but also to add Daniela to the civil registry - a dangerous process that would involve greasing more than one palm. It went without saying that all of this would be seen as a serious crime, if discovered.
All of that was a little bit out of Ethan's league, so the man found himself resolved to wait for his wife, who was far more savvy when it came to bureaucratic loopholes, legal or otherwise. Perhaps, once he'd make introductions and explain to Mia just how much Daniela had done for him, she would be amicable to assisting this wayward Romanian vampire in the complex task of obtaining a legal, state-recognized identity.
For now, they would do their best at keeping their heads low and attract no undue attention.
March 8th, 2025
Saturday; late afternoon
In a timely accord with the change of seasons, the temperature slowly kept rising over the week, reaching a comfortable 20°C by Saturday. On this cloudless day, one could fully appreciate the vast blue sky; with the warm Sun holding steady vigil over the city, many of its dwellers decided to eschew their sweaters and jackets, allowing the gentle solar rays to caress their bare skin.
Standing outside his house and observing the carefree locals enjoying the beautiful day, Ethan suddenly got an idea just how he could lift Daniela's waning spirits. He did not want to risk inviting her into some public or crowded area, but nature itself granted him a hint as to where he could take her. A place that was absolutely safe to visit, as well as being one Ethan was sure Daniela just had to enjoy.
Smirking at his own wit as well as genuinely anticipating the smile that he was sure would grace Daniela's lips today, Ethan started making the preparations by calling Laura. To his undiluted glee, the teenager quickly picked up and proved amicable to the idea of coming over to watch over Rose for a couple of hours.
The heart-to-heart he and Laura had the last week ironed out most of their differences, allowing them to continue enjoying the harmonious relationship they had for more than a year now. Moreover, Ethan's promise caused Laura to become even more agreeable, with the girl even visiting Daniela a couple of times when the redhead needed some help around her house and Ethan was busy at work. While the atmosphere between Laura and Daniela remained somewhat lukewarm and both girls retained a moderately guarded approach to one another, neither was fundamentally opposed to the other. For now, they interacted with each other only on the basis of their mutual friendship with Ethan, but the man himself could spot the signs that implied that both girls were slowly warming up to each other.
Regardless, with Laura coming over to continue her studies while also keeping an eye on Rose, Ethan was free to proceed with his swiftly-concocted endeavor. A large part of him naturally wanted to include his child into the activity he had planned, but another aspect of him insisted that this little trip remain private just between himself and Daniela. Even if he stubbornly refused to openly acknowledge it, Ethan was more than aware that Daniela craved the sense of intimacy just as much as those of comradery and acceptance, and he would not deprive her of it - not today, when she was already so down after learning the unfortunate truth about her anonymous existence. He will make it up to Rose tomorrow.
In mere twenty minutes, Ethan was already whistling in mirth as he stood right outside Daniela's abode. Having rung the doorbell, Ethan knocked on the door lightly for good measure as, unusually, the redhead did not appear to be in a hurry to let him in.
After around thirty seconds of waiting, Ethan finally heard measured and heavy steps - quite unlike Daniela, who was ordinarily very light on her feet. Tensing up a bit, Ethan quickly relaxed once the door swung open and he beheld the redhead herself.
The man had to suppress a wince as he took in Daniela's sorry state. Her stooped posture and the pronounced black bags under eyes spoke volumes about just how little rest she has gotten tonight. What truly struck the man, however, was the distinct lack of lively spark in her amber orbs, making them appear dull and lifeless.
Ethan truly did not expect that their little search for Daniela's identity would have such a crushing effect on her, even if he was not that surprised about its lackluster result itself. If he could've predicted that it would turn out this way, he would've never offered to search online databases for her bloodline. The last thing he wanted was to put her in the middle of an existential crisis with it, the man mused bitterly.
In turn, the redhead stared at Ethan for a second or two as if having trouble recognizing him, before the corners of her mouth finally lit up in a tiny smile.
"Sorry, Ethan… I haven't slept at all tonight, so I was catching a little nap on the sofa…" Daniela mumbled sleepily. "Come in… I'll make…something…" she continued in a happier tone, while apparently racking her brain for what kind of dish she could cook up on such a short notice, making Ethan feel sheepish for showing up without prior warning.
Before Ethan could respond, the redhead let out a large yawn, showing off her white teeth, while giving her belly a rub. It responded with a miserable grumble, implying that Daniela's foremost concern at this moment might have been more mundane in nature than he previously thought.
Looking at him shyly, Daniela murmured an excuse for her unruly stomach, "I am feeling a tad peckish myself, to tell you the truth; come in!" she urged again, moving to the side to give him the room to enter.
Ethan remained unmoved, a coy smirk decorating his face. "Actually, I thought we could go out today. I know a place I think you'd like."
"Go out?!" Daniela blurted out with sudden vigor; the spark of life immediately reignited in her eyes - showcasing just how fickle her moods could be once again.
"Yeah." Ethan nodded, smiling at her eagerness and apparent joy alike.
She furrowed her brows as she considered something. "But didn't you say it was dangerous for me to go out into the city?"
It was true, Ethan was quite wary of Daniela wandering around by herself, so the man took a moment to compose his response, which came off in a clear and specific manner - exactly as he intended.
"Visiting crowded or surveillance-heavy areas is a big risk, that is true, but I've had a different spot in mind."
They've already had a lengthy conversation on the subject, in which - with the benefit of hindsight - they had agreed that their previous foray into Bioparc Valencia had been a risk, and that further excursions into the city needed to be planned with Daniela's own safety in mind. Apparently, that discussion made an even bigger imprint in the redhead's mind than Ethan hoped for, as now the girl looked at him with a measure of uncertainty in her beautiful golden eyes.
"Don't worry, Dani - I won't take you anywhere dangerous and I am sure you're going to love the place."
That was enough to settle it for her, as the man soon found himself engulfed in a tight embrace. "I trust you, Ethie… I know you won't ever let any harm befall me…"
To hear such heartfelt words was uplifting. Ethan knew that he would do everything in his power to live up to her trust. The man tried to return the hug, though he wasn't given the opportunity to do so.
Smiling up at him, the suddenly energetic redhead broke the embrace and hurried upstairs, "Just give me a moment, though - I need to get proper!"
Ten minutes later, Ethan found himself letting out a playful groan at Daniela antics. It seemed like some things remained constant throughout his life regardless of the circumstances - such as the women taking their sweet time to apply their precious makeup - all in the name of beauty.
Honestly, as far as the man was concerned, Daniela shouldn't even have to bother. She was always beautiful in his eyes, ever since he had first laid his gaze on her - and that day she had dried blood smeared all over and around her lips, for fuck's sake. The way she appeared today - with black bags under her eyes and no makeup whatsoever hardly disqualified her from the beauty pageant in his heart.
As he paced around the first floor of her house while randomly inspecting objects around it, Ethan had to mentally chide himself about presuming that everything she did was for his sake.
Daniela's lengthy beautification ritual might have been done for his benefit, but just as likely - if not even more so - she did it for herself. Perhaps the very process of applying layers of makeup gave the redhead the confidence she needed; could be that even her peace of mind was benefiting from the knowledge that she was beautiful.
Regardless, mere five minutes later Daniela descended down the stairway, with each careful step made as if to underline her grace and splendor. All the musings Ethan had in the last fifteen minutes dissipated completely when confronted by this approaching apparition of beauty. It was now obvious that Daniela's extensive collection of makeup boosted her confidence just as much as her physical appearance.
Where previously her posture was weary, now she walked with perfectly straight back; her face no longer betrayed the lifeless appearance it conveyed mere fifteen minutes ago, instead, it radiated vigor and glamor alike. Her alluring eyelashes made it impossible to avert his gaze from her enchanting eyes of molten gold. The subtle lip gloss underlined the perfect shape of her full lips, making intrusive scenarios play out in Ethan's head.
A couple of steps before reaching the bottom of the stairway, Daniela paused and gave Ethan a self-assured smirk. She was definitely basking in the positive attention she was receiving right now - Ethan knew that, yet he did not mind that in the slightest.
Clearly aware of the way he gazed at her, Daniela suddenly offered the man her dainty hand, as if reenacting some renaissance play on romance.
Of course, Ethan would not scorn the fair lady, so he gently took hold of her hand and helped guide her down the admittedly tall final step of the stairway. He would never grow tired of touching her porcelain skin, though for the benefit of his willpower, the man focused on her clothing instead, which by now Ethan knew to be her preferred outfit.
A simple pair of dark denim jeans - though this pair was a rather form-fitting one, underlying her long legs and shapely rear. Likewise, the light-gray hoodie she wore today did little to conceal her alluring figure, though it still, presumably, did its primary duty of keeping her vulnerable body warm and her scar hidden. Comfort and warmth were two things she searched for in her wardrobe, and that casual outfit proved plenty of both.
"You ready?" Ethan had to struggle not to add 'my fair lady' to his question.
Letting out a light giggle and appearing in high spirits, Daniela responded with a simple, "Mhm!"
The duo walked out of the house still holding hands. After locking down the place, Daniela turned around and swiftly recognized Ethan's car parked nearby. The gears turned in head in the very next second. "Oh, are we going somewhere far?"
"Just far enough that it's more convenient to use the wheels," Ethan responded without missing a beat while unlocking the car and holding out a door for Daniela to climb in.
She promptly did so, with a brilliant smile shot his way. "You're such a gentleman, Ethie." Ethan accepted the compliment with a small smile of his own before getting behind the wheel and starting the ignition.
It did not take long to get to their destination; the gorgeous expression of joy on Daniela's face was all Ethan needed to know that he was not wrong in his calculations about her preferences.
Helping Daniela out of the car, Ethan mused that in a way it was absurd for her to have been in Valencia for two weeks without visiting any of its spectacular beaches. True, they had their hands full with helping her acclimate to entirely new and vastly different surroundings, in addition to the chilly weather not exactly being perfect for a beach trip, but still…
At the very least they were about to rectify that unfortunate fact, since now the duo was mere minutes away from the majestic Patacona Beach.
Before locking the car, Ethan reached into the backseat to grab a pair of items he had the foresight to bring along on this trip.
"I think this would look good on you," Ethan said while passing the larger item to Daniela.
The redhead blinked her large eyes in mild surprise before reaching out and accepting the offered gift with a light giggle. Before long the wheat-straw hat, with a black line in the middle of it, came to decorate her head in the place of her ever-present hood. A simple and fashionable piece of headwear, it certainly looked good on her; with the added bonus of being far more inconspicuous than her hood - which did appear a little out of place on a beach on a sunny day.
Admiring the view, Ethan let out a tidbit of trivia, "This is Mia's hat, but I don't think she'll mind if you borrow it for today."
The moment she heard the name of the hat's owner, a frown came to take the place of her smile; her hands shot upwards to take hold of the hat's brim, as if considering to tear the headwear away from her this very instant.
Ethan could not tell exactly what was happening in that buggy brain of hers at this moment, but just as quick as her apparent displeasure came to be, so did it disappear in an instant; instead of taking the hat off, she pulled it down even tighter, with her short-lived frown morphing into a coy smirk.
Not allowing her brief moodswing to confuse him too much, Ethan simply offered her the second item - a pair of stylish sunglasses. As she no longer wanted to use the colored contact lenses, complaining that they caused irritation to her eyes, a different way to obscure her striking amber irises was needed. Understanding his unsaid point, the redhead snatched the glasses and put them on. She then posed for him by putting her hands on her hips in what was likely intended to be a cool pose, though to Ethan it appeared cute more than anything.
"Well?" She spun around once, further nudging the needle towards cute, rather than cool. "How do I look?"
The man simply gave her a thumbs up and a grin as his response. Without thinking too much about the possible implications of his next move, Ethan then proceeded to offer his arm for Daniela's own to wrap around - a gesture she immediately accepted by doing just that and leaning into him.
To any passerby - and there were quite a few - they appeared as your typical sweethearts, but Ethan didn't care about their appearance at the moment. It was unlikely that any of his neighbors, coworkers or friends just happened to be on this very promenade at this very moment - so he was free to indulge in what he knew to be Daniela's desire - one for intimate affection. Nobody he gave a damn about was around to judge him.
"Ah…" Daniela mumbled while gazing lovingly at him, though as they proceeded to make their way towards the beach, her sunglasses-covered eyes - ever hungry for new sights and experiences - swerved to soak in the gorgeous vista that was opening to them. Ethan could hardly blame her; the combination of beautiful weather with the scenic beach made for an idyllic view.
As they got close to it, Ethan himself took a moment to appreciate the sheer beauty of this majestic place, even though he had seen it more than a few times during his two years in Valencia.
The line of evenly spread yet vibrant palm trees heralded the start of the beach - a lengthy and inviting expanse of light-brown sand that glinted with golden hues under the warm sun. Further ahead were the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea, stretching as far as an eye could see and eventually melding with the endless cerulean sky. Above the horizon, a couple of puffy white clouds accompanied the gentle sun, giving a truly picturesque quality to the overall vista.
It was hard to decipher Daniela's facial expression with her straw hat and sunglasses on, but Ethan could tell that she was enchanted by the way she moved with tender steps, as if in near-reverence.
Approaching the palm trees, Ethan was particularly pleased that his other assumption proved correct - the distinct lack of crowds that would have spoiled their little outing due to Daniela's skittish nature.
Compared to the nearby Malvarrosa Beach, which was larger and more tourist-oriented, the Patacona Beach generally offered a rather quiet and peaceful environment - perfect for the local families which would frequently visit it in the heat of summer. Of course, since the water was still far too cold to comfortably swim in, there were few people mingling around the beach today.
As they finally stepped from the promenade into the grainy sand itself, Ethan gently caused Daniela to pause in her understandable desire to move further forward. As mesmerized the redhead already appeared to be, the best part of Ethan's plan for today had yet to unfold - and he was absolutely sure that the woman at his side was going to love it.
"Have you ever seen sand like this before?" Ethan inquired while motioning around them when Daniela shot a questioning glance his way.
She thought for a second, before shrugging her shoulders and letting out a wry reply, "Only if you count the dirt and mud we would sometimes get in summers."
Smirking, Ethan nodded. "Alright then, how about we make your first time memorable?"
Daniela pressed her body tighter to his own, as much as her wide-brimmed hat would allow. "Even more memorable? Oh, I don't think I could forget this moment even if I tried to!"
"It gets better." The confidence in Ethan's voice attracted Daniela's attention, though she frowned a little as he separated their linked arms and took a step to the side. "Take off your shoes."
"My shoes?" Daniela sounded confused, with her eyes going up and down between her white sneakers and Ethan's grinning face.
Ethan nodded. "That's right." The man then proceeded to bend over and take off his own brown loafers. Wearing no socks in the first place in anticipation of this moment, Ethan eagerly stepped onto the pleasantly warm sand.
Most people would likely find nothing extraordinary in the act of walking on sand barefoot, but that was only the case since the vast majority of them probably experienced it on occasion, if not frequently. Would that also be the case for a being that had spent her whole life stuck in a harsh and cold mountainous valley? Ethan betted that to not be the case.
Encouraged by Ethan's example, yet somewhat tentative nevertheless, Daniela crouched down to take off her sneakers. "Socks too. You want your skin to feel the sand, Daniela. Trust me," Ethan provided further motivation, as he knew by now that the redhead took her warmth seriously. In a conversation they shared a couple of days ago, she revealed that she and her sisters had blood circulation somewhat inferior to that of an average human, causing their limbs to feel perpetually cold, hence why they liked to wear warm gloves and footwear at all times.
Nodding in understanding, Daniela did as told by pulling her black socks off her feet.
Not a second passed after the contact was established between the sand and her skin as a wide grin full of amazement came to decorate her face. "Ah!"
It may not be the heat of summer now, but the sun shined bright in Valencia for the last week, causing the sand on its beaches to heat up - a fact Daniela learned for herself as she stood up and made several tentative steps. Soaking this new and utterly delightful experience, the redhead walked around a little before trying to dig her toes into the welcoming sand. "This feels wonderful…so warm…"
In turn, Ethan merely watched the redhead finding such joy in what most humans would regard as an ordinary activity that hardly warranted more than a half-smile. Daniela's mirthful expression and increasingly vigorous movements reminded him of an energetic child who just entered an amusement park for the first time; moreover, it made him muse of just how many things humans took for granted in their lives, unknowing and uncaring of those who lacked access to such simple pleasures. Nevertheless, the carefree joy of a woman next to him made it impossible for any negative thoughts to take root in his mind.
For a bit, Ethan simply observed the redhead experience this new sensation. Though, while it was clear that she could amuse herself for a while just dancing in the sand, her grumbling stomach clearly had other ideas.
"Wanna go grab a bite?" Ethan addressed the obvious concern, though he also did it in part to avoid the increasingly likely scenario of Daniela rolling around in the sand like a cat.
"Certainly!" Daniela immediately shouted out without ceasing her cheerful gyrations. "I am famished!"
"In that case, follow me." Picking up his loafers with his fingers, Ethan turned to his left and proceeded to walk towards the nearby building that extended from the promenade and into the beach. Modestly-sized and with liberal use of glass in its construction, Ethan knew this to be a recently-opened restaurant. He also knew it to be on a rather expensive side, so he normally took his patronage elsewhere even when he happened to be around. Today, he will be making an exception.
Mirroring his movements, Daniela quickly caught up to Ethan; her feet all but gliding across the sand - making Ethan consider that perhaps she was born in a wrong biome after all. Or maybe she was some kind of a sand animal in her past life. Recalling that hyper-predatory desert cat he saw on TV some time ago made him chuckle with mirth as that week-long comparison scored another point.
"This is nice," Daniela suddenly said, breaking Ethan out of his peculiar train of thought. "I don't think it was ever this warm back home; or this sunny."
Ethan could definitely get behind that notion, though he couldn't help but recall the discomfort he personally felt during the heat of summer around these parts. "The weather is great now, but I wonder if you'd like this place in July, when it gets above 32C on a consistent basis, with a searing sun to boot."
"I wonder…" Daniela pressed her free index finger to her lips, appearing pensive as she seriously considered Ethan's question. She had likely never experienced the temperature he mentioned, therefore she could not provide an accurate response, though an obvious interest to find out was sparked in her head.
Entering the restaurant, Ethan was pleased to discover that not many other people were present, giving the place a uniquely tranquil atmosphere. The predominantly glass construction gave them a splendid view of the majestic blue-green sea; a soft, unintrusive music was playing in the background, though the sound of waves crashing against the shore could still be heard through it. From the promenade side, an opaque wall provided a measure of privacy from the passing tourists, while also being decorated by numerous maritime paraphernalia. All in all, this eatery certainly radiated serene vibes.
Finding a nice table that gave them an unobstructed view of the sea, Ethan and Daniela took their time going through the menu. A well-mannered waiter took their order, which consisted of beer and two servings of Fideuà - a delicious and filling combination of pasta noodles and various seafood. That meal proved sufficient for Ethan, though Daniela - feeling bold - decided to stifle the remaining embers of her hunger with an extra helping of Arròs negre - a platter of rice and squid, with its distinct dark coloration coming from the unfortunate squid's own ink that was generously poured over the dish.
Despite living in Valencia for two years, Ethan had yet to become a proper adept of seaborne cuisine, so he glanced at Daniela with a modicum of apprehension as she eagerly gobbled up her inky meal. It never ceases to amaze him just how much food can vanish down that slender woman's gullet. Moreover, the way she left her plate squeaky clean made the question about whether she enjoyed her food redundant.
One cup of cappuccino and admittedly tiny chocolate cake later, Daniela was slouching in her seat with a satisfied smile on her face and eyes in half-lidded daze; she was the very picture of contentment. "I am stuffed…"
Ready to be on their way, Ethan finished his own coffee and asked for a check, which was promptly delivered to him by their waiter. The amount owed made him unable to suppress a wince, though he paid it without complaint while leaving a rather modest tip. Food was delicious, the atmosphere pleasant and the view magnificent, so he didn't feel like he was being robbed. As a one-time thing it was certainly not a big deal, but he would definitely not frequent this place until and if he won a lottery and became a millionaire.
Departing the restaurant, the duo resumed their walk arm in arm. Now, with their dietary needs met, they were able to focus on simply enjoying their day and the scenic place they were in, so they did just that by strolling closer to the shoreline while holding small talk.
At some point when they got too close to the water, Daniela - despite Ethan's precaution that it was too cold - decided to hold a little experiment by planting her feet in the way of the inbound wave. Though the wave only reached up to her ankles, Daniela yelped in a high-pitched tone and leapt back. "Cold!" she whined a second later while looking at Ethan and burying her feet in the warmer sand a little further from the coast.
Instead of proudly telling her 'told you so' like a part of him wanted, Ethan simply chuckled in a good-natured manner before explaining that it always took the sea far longer to warm up than for the surrounding sand. Only a few people would want to voluntarily swim in March, with most refraining from the activity until at least May, when the sea temperature would approach and eventually exceed 20C.
Mindfully avoiding the chilly seawater from that point onward, the duo continued their trek along the picturesque shoreline. It was a simple activity, yet Ethan found it to be not only soothing, but pleasant and fulfilling.
They must have meandered around for more than an hour. Their bellies were full and the warm sand caressed their soles in a pleasing way; earthly concerns felt far away and insignificant, so the duo simply enjoyed the serene beach and each others' company while holding small talk, with an occasional burst of mirth from either Ethan or Daniela to break the monotony.
He felt utterly content, not worrying over his potential unfaithfulness to Mia or his dangerous desire to take things to the next level with Daniela; instead, the man simply enjoyed this peaceful moment as he walked across the pleasantly warm sand, with a lovable redhead on his arm. In a way it was the perfect balance of right and wrong he had managed to find now, though he was certain that he could not maintain it for long. It was human's nature to always crave more, and he was no exception to it despite his moldy heart.
Still, in bid to stave off the inevitable, Ethan tried to strike a conversation as he suddenly recalled a certain something Daniela had told him a long time ago.
"So…" Ethan cleared his throat, not exactly sure how to proceed with that particular inquiry despite deciding to go for it. "I… ugh…I never got around to asking you that before, but, ahm… what happened to your buns?" Ethan felt his face flushing red with embarrassment - a feeling that was only exacerbated once Daniela turned to gaze at him with her mouth slightly open from shock. She took off her sunglasses, revealing wide open yellow eyes.
"My… buns?" Daniela appeared lost for words, likely not remembering the incident in question, causing Ethan to double down. Somehow, the man managed to do that without stuttering the words out.
"Yeah. Did your mother spank them like you thought she would?"
Of course, Ethan was referring to the incident that had occurred when they had first met - when Daniela had implied that Alcina would spank her rear for helping Ethan get out and had used that exact term to describe it.
After a tense moment of silence, Daniela's eyes lit up in recognition. "Ah! Oh!" From surprise, a brief flash of what could only be as fear or grief bolted across her whole expression, though it swiftly gave way to an alluring smile and coy eyes.
"Maybe she did. Would you like to see my buns for yourself to find out, Ethie?"
That came out of nowhere and the redhead's voice gained that undeniable seductive quality that caused the hairs on Ethan's neck to stand up. By now, he was not exactly unfamiliar with how suddenly Daniela could begin her advances, but it still took him by surprise, though, in hindsight, what exactly was he expecting with that kind of question in the first place?
Totally aware of the way she had Ethan's undivided attention now, the redhead continued in that low, sexy voice of hers; her index finger now trailing a line across the exposed part of Ethan's chest. "They are round and firm… excellent for spanking… maybe you want to give it a try as well? I am a naughty girl, after all…"
I am gonna do more than spank them…
The intrusive image has been firmly planted in Ethan's mind; he knew that there would be no coming to the safety of the illusion of platonic friendship for today between them. Still, the man did his best to reign in his dirty mind, "Dani…" It was a plea more than anything, as Ethan realized that the true control over his treacherous thoughts and body alike was now within Daniela's grasp. Her words and ministrations had the potential to drive him over the edge, once and for all.
She had to have figured out as much, and for a second Ethan could see uncertainty raging in her expressive amber orbs - back down or press forward?
A moment later the decision was reached in that buggy brain of hers; her seductive expression fell from her face, replaced by a wry one.
"So you wanna know what Mother did to me for helping you get out, Ethan?"
There was no mistaking the sadness of her tone; this was not an easy or pleasant topic for her. Still, to Ethan it seemed almost as if she herself wanted to let the accumulated grief out by confiding in him. He would be only too eager to help her shoulder that burden, if he could.
He squeezed her palm, the sexual tension temporarily fading into the background in the face of this clearly significant and mirthless topic. "Only if you're willing to tell me about it, Dani."
Daniela smiled at him, a genuine smile of trust that she seemingly reserved only for him. They understood each other well, perhaps too well for someone who had spent relatively little time together. Just over two weeks in a timeframe of four years they knew each other… nothing but a drop in a bucket, yet sometimes a drop is enough to make all the difference.
The smile lost its luster, becoming a joyless one as Daniela lost herself reminiscing about that chaotic period in her life. "Mother was furious, Ethan. Absolutely livid. I had never seen her as angry before - or after."
The man swallowed, fearful of Lady Dimitrescu himself even despite the tremendous distance between them at this moment. With her colossal stature, that horrible woman could invoke dread even when appearing perfectly calm. He could only imagine how scary it could be to face her wrath directly while knowing that your own fate was completely within her grasp. Empathetically, Ethan reached out to give Daniela a warm hug, which she reciprocated.
"The truth is… she did nothing."
Pulling back in mild surprise to give Daniela's face a good look, Ethan should've been relieved hearing that no harm came to Daniela as a result of their rash accord, but the tone of her voice made it clear that there was more to it.
"Nothing?" Ethan spoke in what amounted to be a little more than a whisper, while taking her hand in a gentle and supportive grasp once again. He tenderly squeezed it in a bid for her to continue.
She did so, but not before averting her gaze to stare at the sea, adrift in a dark ocean of memories of her own. Taking her slow rotation as his cue, Ethan let go of her hand, though unwilling to deprive her of encouraging physical contact, the man moved to stand behind her before gently placing his palms on her shoulders. Daniela let out a soft humm of approval, though she remained quiet for some time afterward.
Sun was far past its zenith, but it was still bright. Nevertheless, despite the serene - some would say romantic - surroundings, the atmosphere around the duo became a somber one.
"I love my mother, and for a long time I was certain that she, too, loved me."
To come to doubt your own mother's love for you was not a trifling thing, so Ethan just listened attentively without offering his two cents.
"To hear the person you love accuse you of treachery most vile was a disheartening experience - Mother was certain that I had betrayed not only Miranda's directives, but our whole family."
Pausing for a moment, Daniela continued to relive these painful memories.
"For that unforgivable crime, Mother wanted to disown me right then." Daniela shuddered, as if cold. "I believe you can imagine what that actually entails in my case."
Ethan knew that from time to time it was unavoidable to have some disputes with one's parents, and that these could sometimes get quite ugly. In the most severe cases, it was not unheard of for parents to cut all ties with their children outright - a process which would naturally include forcing their offspring out of the family's nest. It did not take a genius to figure out that in Daniela's case, being disowned like that was an actual death sentence.
Clearly, that did not occur, but Ethan felt too guilty to ask why. He had no reason to doubt the righteousness of his cause back then - nor would he do it now, but this new perspective of how his deeds could lead to lives of others being ruined was a hard one to take in. Nevertheless, Daniela did not leave him hanging for long.
"Bela talked Mother out of it." Warmth seeped in back in Daniela's tone when she mentioned her elder sister's name. Despite them being a veritable family of freaks, Ethan was certain that Daniela truly loved her sisters. "She and Cassie convinced Mother that it could be for the better; that we were nothing but tools for Miranda anyway - that we could be finally the masters of our own fate if you succeeded in dispatching her - and you did."
Ethan could not see Daniela's face, but he could feel her smile as she concluded his adventure and the effect it had on her own family. That smile was short-lived, however, as Daniela suddenly addressed a certain 'what if' scenario that Ethan himself had been considering for a while now.
"But if you didn't… If Miranda emerged victorious and came to settle the score with us…" Daniela paused; Ethan could feel the woman taking a deep breath and did best to soothe her by applying just a little bit more pressure to her slender shoulders. He wanted her to know that he stood with her, that no matter how gruesome her past had been, there was still a way forward.
"...I was to take the entire blame for your escape."
The hammer dropped, making Ethan's heart leap up to his throat momentarily. From what little he saw of Lady Dimitrescu, he did not take her to be an overly-loving mother, but this…
An angry scowl appeared on Ethan's face. The shock from Daniela's revelation turned into indignation. To think that the giant bitch would even consider throwing her own daughter under the bus just to smooth things over with that crazed priestess was revolting in the extreme. How could any parent be willing to sacrifice their child's life for their own sake was simply beyond Ethan's comprehension.
"Would she really go that far?"
Daniela considered the question for a second before replying, "It never happened, so I cannot tell for sure. All I can say is that neither of my sisters looked happy to let me be the sacrificial pawn to return us back to Miranda's good graces. I wonder if they would've actually stood up for me, if things turned out different…"
The redhead went silent, likely considering that grim alternative future; whether her sisters cared enough about her to fight for her. In turn, Ethan couldn't help but let anger overtake him, though it didn't last long as the man realized how unproductive that emotion was. The two of them were here and now.
There was nothing to be done about that callous bitch Alcina, but there was a vulnerable soul right in front of him that has suffered so, so much. Daniela Dimitrescu lived through a mind-boggling existence, with even her illusion of familial love shattering - revealing her nothing more than a bargaining chip in the end. There was no reason to be furious at her behalf; rather, it was vital to show her that love existed and that she was loved by someone. Maybe her sisters would've rallied to her defense, maybe not; but Ethan knew where he stood.
In that moment of powerful emotions that flooded his mind, Ethan did not consider how wildly inappropriate his next movements could be seen as - he did not care; nor did he care about the burning passion he himself had for Daniela Dimitrescu.
Instead, Ethan simply went to wrap his arms around Daniela's shoulder, pressing her body tight to his own. It was a pose far too intimate for 'just friends', but all Ethan was concerned about was letting Daniela know just how important she was to him. The movement dislodged her hat, which fell on the sand next to them, but none of them appeared to be in any hurry to rectify that issue.
Eagerly leaning into his frame, Daniela let out a sigh of contentment; the dark memories abating, but not entirely gone. "Things were never the same afterwards. Though you have averted the most dire of outcomes - both for yourself and for me - the bitter aftertaste of that day lingered. I could never forget the words my mother has spoken to me; how seemingly easy it was for her to consider discarding me."
Another pause followed, which Ethan took as his cue to let his chin rest on the top of Daniela's shoulder.
It seemed like the more Ethan learned about Lady Dimitrescu, the less he thought of her. She could certainly benefit from a lesson in parenting, even if she would likely not be entirely amicable to receiving one.
In a resigned tone, Daniela concluded her tale. "After Miranda's demise, Mother never spoke about any of it again and life went on in our castle, but I could not pretend or forget as easily as she apparently did. I could never feel like I truly belonged there ever again, not really."
He struggled to even imagine how something like what Daniela went through could feel. No doubt that this lack of the sense of belonging played its part in her running away from home, even if it wasn't all there was to it.
Understandably lacking words to address her family's complex situation, Ethan did his best to provide a measure of comfort by whispering a simple yet tangible reassurance, "It's alright, Dani. You're always welcome here."
By 'here', Ethan naturally didn't mean the beach they were on right now, or even Valencia in general; rather he spoke about something abstract like a place at his side. Daniela needed no clarification, however, as she hummed in mellow contentment. She could feel that he meant the words he had spoken.
"Thank you, Ethan."
They stood like that for several minutes. The sun was nearing the horizon, with its reflective rays playing a spectacle of honey orange upon the shifting surface of the sea. In the distance, someone started launching multi-colored fireworks from the direction of the Malvarrosa beach, inadvertently helping Ethan and Daniela to regain their previously festive moods.
Both of them shifted their postures around to regard the short-lived yet colorful blazes in the sky.
"Wow…"
Daniela appeared to be particularly impressed by the pyrotechnical display. While Ethan recognized it as a small-scale event, likely performed by an amateurish group of individuals, he still shared in her wonder. Perhaps it paled in comparison to an annual 4th of July celebration in New York City, yet it still imbued this evening with a sense of transcendent beauty.
The two of them observed the display without breaking their rather intimate hold on each other: Ethan had his arm wrapped around Daniela's shoulder while her own smaller hand itself coiled around his midsection.
In between the colorful explosions of metal salts, Ethan found himself sneaking an occasional peek at the face of the redheaded woman that now occupied such a special spot in his heart. Her serene expression made it so damn hard to look away.
Beyond the shadow of a doubt, Daniela Dimitrescu was beautiful. From her alluring features and hourglass figure, that beauty was dazzling; moreover, it was not limited by her outward appearance alone.
More than just her mere looks, Ethan found this woman to be in possession of enchanting character. After getting to know her better and especially after the revelation she just shared, Ethan realized that he admired Daniela's unyielding spirit more than anything else.
Many of those who knew the true history of Ethan Winters would claim that they themselves admired his endurance and resilience, but in this moment of time Ethan felt like Daniela's perseverance was remarkable in its own right.
This woman at his side who was observing the fireworks with child-like wonder in her eyes lived through countless atrocities; witnessed endless horror and endured the shattering of the only constant that she had through it all - the faith in her family. Yet… despite all of that, the spark of life within her was not extinguished.
Instead of giving up - like so many would've done in her position - she moved forward, again and again. Her hope in the better tomorrow remained steadfast despite fate's best attempts to bring it down. Regardless of everything that happened, Daniela still wanted to live and to experience the world around her, even if it was oftentimes cruel and harsh.
That undying spark of life was perhaps Daniela's most alluring feature in Ethan's eyes, as he could only wonder how someone like her can still find marvel in this cold world, while he himself grew jaded and disillusioned. Life in her was potent enough that it felt as if her mere proximity brought a second breath to Ethan himself.
Becoming aware of Ethan's unerring gaze on her, Daniela turned around to regard the man next to her, with him pulling his arm back to accommodate her movement.
The fireworks slowly died down, though at that point neither of them paid it any attention, as they focused wholly on one another.
Daniela poured her heart's worries out to Ethan, and now she felt safe and at peace, if her relaxed expression was any indication. Likewise, Ethan experienced nothing but bliss as he saw the redhead's serene state. Her half-lidded eyes revealed the comfort she felt in his presence, and her slightly parted lips appeared more inviting than ever.
All Daniela truly wanted to belong; to love and to be loved in return; to experience life in all of its many colors. Who was Ethan to deny her that?
It was from that nigh-entranced state that Ethan suddenly closed the distance between them, with his strong hands coming to possessively hold her back, while his lips smashed against her own.
With no regard for the potentially dire consequences, Ethan allowed himself to love this inhuman woman that had gone through an incalculable amount of suffering without losing her sense of self. That celestial feeling poured out of him, manifesting itself in the greed with which he held her as their hungry lips remained connected.
For a second she did not reciprocate, but that all changed in the next moment in which she returned his fervor in kind. Soon her tongue demanded entrance and Ethan obliged without a second thought.
Barefoot on the beach, in between the sunset and the endless sea, the two of them released their long-suppressed feelings and desires into a singular intense kiss. It easily matched and eventually eclipsed the passion of their very first kiss in the Castle's library four years ago; instead of merely trying to play their assigned roles, their emotions were all too real this time.
Neither of them wanted to be the first to break this magical moment, so both of them did their best to make the kiss last as long as humanly possible, while imbuing it with ardor that demonstrated the extent of the feelings they had for one another.
It was wonderful…
Author's Note:
I can't believe it took me this long to came with this update... ah well, I hope at least it was somewhat worth the wait despite me trying out some new narration style in the start of it (skimming through Dani/Ethan days to provide a sense of a timeskip and their increasing bond.) Anyway, it really means a lot to me as a writer that you guys are still sticking with my story despite my less-than-stellar update schedule.
The next chapter will be a large one, as it will be the final of the first part of this story, with what I hope to be a rather major tone shift. I am also likely gonna bump this story's rating to explicit from mature when I post the next chapter (though it will probably not going to be due to what some of you may be hoping for after reading this chapter's end :P)
As for this chapter, feel free to ask me anything in the comments! I actually try to create a realistic environment for this story, with most locations and places are two lovely dimwits visiting being real, though there are exceptions like this beach restaurant here or the neighborhood Daniela and Ethan are living in (I envision it as a sorta mix between a typical American small town and Mediterranean architecture - basically a collection of small villas on an outskirts of Valencia.)
Anyway, thanks for readings and if you got any feedback about my writing or narration style; suggestions or opinions, always feel free to share them as I always strive to improve my writing in general and this story in particular! Stay safe out there!