There is a stubbornness about me that can never bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me. ~Elizabeth Bennett

Jane

I gazed through heavy-lidded eyes at my reflection in the mirror, my eyes looked dull and lifeless I noticed it even though others couldn’t or maybe they didn’t care enough to notice people tended to be selfish and self-serving at the end of the day, I had come to learn this over time and through some hard truths. I let out a heavy sigh. I knew not everyone was like that, but I was becoming jaded. Events had changed me, changed my core and belief that people were good how naïve I was I knew better now, and I would not forget it ever again. I splashed some water on my face to wake up some before heading back out into the club. I was glad I wore something simple and comfortable instead of a form fitting dress and high heels. I wore pink sequin ballet flats, black high wasted leggings and a pink sequins crop top that matched my shoes. I planned on possibly passing out at the bar tonight being comfortable was a must for such occasions I slid back onto the bar stool I had been occupying for the past hour I waved the bartender down he sidled back down to me and flashed a smile which did nothing for me which was a shame he was very handsome with his short curly black hair light mahogany skin and warm hazel eyes and sensual lips that any girl would love to kiss and I didn’t even feel a twinge.

   “Same or would you like something different love?” He asked me as he set a glass down in front of me.

   “Same” I answered rocking my foot to the sultry jazz music filling the club my eyes scanning watching everyone not trusting a single soul, nodding he mixed another vodka and cranberry which I quickly downed as soon as he finished pouring “Just keep them coming” I said without taking my eyes off the people around me I reached over and grabbed my cup once he poured me another one.

   “Rough day?” He asked me I turned around to fully face him the genuine concern on his face was surprising not all people are monsters I reminded myself.

  “More like rough couple of years, months, days, hours, minutes.” I answered honestly, I did not feel up to faking that I was perfectly fine and not a complete mental and emotional mess “But nothing makes it better than good old vodka” I said nodding to my empty glass he eyed me for a moment before refilling my glass.

 “I’m sorry to hear that” he finally said, and I knew he sincerely meant that grabbing my glass I downed in and turned away for a moment he had made me feel and that was the last thing I wanted because when I feel I really feel which is a curse at times. Out the corner of my eye I saw him refill my glass and walk away to take care of the other customers. Taking a deep breath, I shut myself back down until I felt like stone hard and cold it was better this way... Who was I kidding it wasn’t better but at least it was easier…?

“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you ardently I admire and love you” Jane Austen

   Antonio

I drummed my fingers restlessly against my knee as my uncle drove at a snail’s pace down the street towards Jane’s home, I was anxious and afraid to see her at the same time. Especially after I left her the hurt in her eyes hunted me every day for the last three months since I walked out her life and left with my uncle to Italy but I couldn’t stay away from her any longer I couldn’t live without her in my life I needed her and I was afraid she no longer would want anything to do with me after I hurt her something I promised I never would do I thought I had made the right choice I thought I wanted her to have the choice to live a normal life with a normal man not a vampire.. she said she wanted no one else but me but she hadn’t lived long and really experienced life she could easily change her mind and I didn’t want her to regret her choices and regret being with me but I was wrong for taking her choice away and trying to force her into one and most importantly not trusting her and her feelings towards me thinking they were as fickle as the weather when it was just my fear of her no longer wanting me…So I pushed her away and now it might be too late I wanted to be selfless but I knew deep down within myself I was absolutely selfish when it came to her I wanted her all to myself I had left to give her a chance to live life without me and to prove to myself that I could do the selfless thing for her sake and couldn’t I needed her to much excuses be damned I could no longer lie to myself I was a greedy coward.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

 “Relax Antonio I know how much Jane loves you she will forgive you” his uncle assured him turning left onto her street.

“Maybe, maybe not Vincenzo” I said ready to leap from the car and rush to the front door. As soon as his uncle parked, he got out of the car and at her front door in an instant ringing the doorbell the three seconds he waited for her father to open the door was like an eternity.

  “Where is she?” I asked as soon as the door opened her father just stared at me for a long moment with disinterest on his face at my mere presence and fury in his eyes and I did not blame him I had hurt his daughter. I would feel the same way in his shoes.

  “Please Richard” I said when he continued to just stare me down after a moment her father let out a heavy sigh and stepped aside to let me and my uncle in, I followed behind I had just started for the stairs when her father grabbed my arm stopping me.

“She’s not here she moved out last month” he said releasing my arm her father headed down the hall into his office I followed.

“Well, where is she tonight do you know?” I asked I know I sounded crazy and desperate, but I didn’t care I had to see her I needed to talk to her, her father sat down in his office chair and let out a weary sigh, even though he didn’t need to breath he had become a vampire after Jane’s mother passed away.

“Yes I... keep tabs on her she’s at some club called Midnight” and he did not sound happy about that of course she was only twenty-one and that club was catered primarily to the paranormal. I gave him a quick nod.

“Thank you, Richard,” I gave my uncle a pat on the shoulder when he handed me his keys as I rushed past him down the hall and the door, I got in my uncle’s car and sped off I knew exactly where the club was, it should have taken me twenty minutes to get there I got there in ten parking I quickly made my way inside my eyes quickly scanning the room and I saw her. she was dancing all by herself Can’t Sleep by K.Flay was playing and she was lost to the music I wanted to rush to her but I held myself back I’d let her finish dancing and then I’d approach her I decided moving over to the bar I sat down and didn’t take my eyes off of her even as men seemed to gravitate towards her and watch her with lust in their eyes I held myself back but if any of them so much as touched her he’d kill them he sighed that might be a bit dramatic he’d simply break their hands hmmm yes that sounded better. Her hair was longer he noted it went past her waist to her hips and she had dyed the ends a light blue he loved it.

“She’s wasted” I slowly turned to whoever had spoken it was the bartender I gave him a blank stare and raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t think she never drinks that much” I said bristling slightly I saw the way he eyed her, and I did not like it she was mine... “She’s about six drinks deep trust me I don’t even know how’s She’s dancing right now” the bartender said shaking his head then his gaze roamed over him, and a knowing look entered his eyes he scoffed.

“I’m pretty sure your part of the reason” without another word he walked away I turned back to Jane who had stopped dancing and was staring at me from across the room her hand went to her throat eyes widening she turned and bolted for the door I was off my feet at once and going after her I caught up with her just as she burst out the front door and onto the empty street. ‘Jane! “Wait please” I called after her she paused with her back to me slowly, she turned around to face him the bartender was right she was drunk he could see it in her glazed eyes.

“ I can’t do this right now, I just can’t please just go’’ she said waving a hand in the air and taking a stumbling step backwards he quickly caught her before she hit the ground I swung her into my arms her head fell back against his arm she looked so lost and broken it was something wrong with her that went deep he could see it in the depths of her eyes to her very soul it was more than just him leaving her.

“Antonio I’m sorry” was all she got out before she passed out what did she have to be sorry for holding her close he headed to the car and carefully put her in the front seat and buckled her up before getting in the driver’s seat and heading to his loft he gently stroked her face what had happened while he had been gone…?