The door swings open to reveal Mia's cozy apartment, a haven of colorful throws and mismatched furniture. "Hey guys!" she exclaims, her smile wide and welcoming. "Need any water or anything?"

We decline her offer, eager to dive into the conversation that's been brewing since my phone call.

"So, Mia," I begin, settling onto her plush couch, "tell us what you've been up to lately."

She shrugs, a playful glint in her eyes. "Girl, I go to work, hang out here, play Fortnite, I go to sleep. Okay, now tell me about this."

With a flourish, she holds up her phone, displaying a photo of Vivienne and me flashing the entire Crimson Veil. The image is a stark reminder of the wild night we had, a night that feels like a lifetime ago.

“Where did you get that photo, Mia?” I ask concerned.

Mia takes a leisurely sip of her tea, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Where did I get that photo?" she echoes, raising an eyebrow. "Evie, it's all over X! Two hotties showing the goods. Look at those lights at the Veil! Best night of my life!" She laughs, shaking her head in disbelief. "The captions go on and on. People have reposted, commented, and liked the photo thousands of times. How have you not seen it?"

I shrug, a sheepish grin spreading across my face. "I haven't even been on my phone really until today," I admit, "until I called you and my parents."

It's true. The past few days have been a whirlwind of emotions and experiences, leaving little time for social media. But now, faced with the undeniable evidence of our wild night splashed across the internet, a mix of embarrassment and excitement courses through me.

"Well," I start, a blush creeping onto my cheeks, "I met Vivienne, the other girl in the photo, that night. We kind of got caught up in the revelry, you know?" I glance at Arlo, who gives me a supportive nod. "I also ran into Sarah and Benji there before the photo was taken. So, yeah, maybe I had a bit too much to drink."

I pause, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Vivienne is one of Arlo's old friends."

Mia's eyes widen, her gaze shifting between Arlo and me. I can practically see the wheels turning in her head, piecing together the puzzle of my wild night and the mysterious man standing beside me.

Mia's playful tone cuts through the air, a teasing glint in her eyes as she addresses Arlo. "Arlo, you're a brave man letting your ex meet your future girlfriend."

"Mia, why do you think we're together like that?" I retort, a playful smile tugging at my lips. "I came here to..." I pause, a sudden realization hitting me. "Wait, have you been spying on me?" I accuse, my smile widening.

Mia throws her hands up in mock surrender, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Not me!" she exclaims. "It was Noah. He was there all night."

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Noah? Spying on me? I can't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all.

"He called me asking about this mystery man you sat with at the VIP lounge." Mia shows me the texts on her phone, “He said you all never left. He waited in the parking lot for 30 minutes after closing, and you never came out."

Mia sets her phone aside, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I just told him I had no idea," she says, a playful smirk on her lips. "You know, Evie, you're a woman of international mystery."

Her words, though lighthearted, strike a chord within me. In a way, she's right. I've always been a bit of an enigma, even to myself. But now, with the revelation of my true nature, the layers of mystery surrounding me have deepened. I'm not just a woman with secrets, I'm a creature of the night, a being that defies the natural order.

Arlo's voice cuts through my reverie, his brow furrowed with a hint of concern. "Who is Noah?" he inquires, his gaze shifting between Mia and me. "Should I be concerned?"

The question hangs in the air, a reminder of the complexities of my relationships and the delicate balance I'm trying to maintain.

I reach for Arlo's hand, offering a reassuring squeeze. "Noah's just a friend," I explain, my voice soft but firm. "He's a bit overprotective sometimes, but he means well."

I glance at Mia, a silent plea for her to corroborate my story. She nods, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Noah's harmless," she chimes in. "Just a puppy dog who's a little too eager to please."

Arlo's expression relaxes, the tension in his shoulders easing. "As long as he's not a threat," he says, his voice laced with a subtle protectiveness that sends a shiver down my spine. "I trust your judgment, Evie."

His words, a reaffirmation of his faith in me, warm my heart. It's a reminder that despite the challenges we face, Arlo is my ally, my confidante. And in this moment, surrounded by the warmth of friendship and the promise of love, I feel a sense of security that I haven't experienced in a long time.

Taking a deep breath, I gather my courage. "Mia, I wanted to be the one to break the news to you... Arlo and I are dating. We just made it official yesterday."

Mia throws her head back and laughs, a hearty sound that fills the room. "Evie, we all knew this to be true at your parents' house. I don't think you were hiding this from anyone. What else you got for me?"

Her response catches me off guard. Did my feelings for Arlo show that much? A blush creeps onto my cheeks as I realize just how obvious our connection must have been.

"Well," I stammer, trying to regain my composure, "there's something else..."

Mia reaches across the coffee table, her hand gently enveloping mine. She turns my palm upwards, her eyes tracing the lines with mock seriousness. "You know you can always tell me anything, Evie," she repeats, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "The secrets of your heart are written in these lines, my dear."

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Her touch, light and playful, sends a shiver down my spine. It's a comforting gesture, a reminder of the unwavering support she offers. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the revelation to come. It's time to share the truth, no matter how unbelievable it may seem.

"So, I called my parents to check in with them, like I promised," I begin, my voice a little shaky. "They are doing great, by the way." I pause, gathering my thoughts. "My mom told me that I am not my father's child. That she doesn't know who my father is."

I recount the details of my mother's story, the raw emotions still fresh in my mind. "I love my dad for all he has done, but this revelation is so much to process."

Mia listens intently, her face a mask of empathy. "Do you have another father?" she asks gently.

"No," I respond, shaking my head.

"Then he is your father," Mia states firmly, "regardless of whose sperm went into your mom's egg."

"Mia!" I exclaim, a blush warming my cheeks. "That is TMI."

"That is how these things work, Evie," she retorts with a playful grin. "Do they not teach that anymore? How are you a doctor?"

I roll my eyes, but can't help the small smile that tugs at my lips. "Mia, I know he is my father, but what if I am one of those 1000 kids you see on Netflix? Who am I?"

Mia reaches across the table, taking my hand in hers. "Evie, you are Evie," she says, her voice soothing and reassuring. "That is all there is to this."

Her words, simple yet profound, resonate within me. Amidst the confusion and uncertainty, one thing remains clear: I am still me, Evie, the woman I've always been. And that, in itself, is enough.

The silence stretches for a moment, the weight of my revelation hanging in the air. Then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, Mia breaks the tension.

"Well, now that that's settled," she declares, "and you're still my best friend, and have been a doctor for almost a week, and dating some random dude you met just as long ago... How's the sex?"

Arlo's face flushes a deep crimson, a shade I didn't know was possible for a vampire. I can't help but giggle at his embarrassment.

"Mia!" I exclaim, playfully swatting her arm. "You know I'll tell you privately." I turn to her, a conspiratorial wink accompanying my words. "But it was decent."

Mia's eyes widen in mock surprise, and she lets out a dramatic gasp. "Decent?!" she exclaims, feigning disappointment. "Evie, you're dating a club owner! I expected fireworks, explosions, the whole nine inches!"

We all burst into laughter, the tension dissolving into a shared moment of lightheartedness. It's good to be back in Mia's company, to feel the warmth of her friendship and the comfort of her unwavering support.

The laughter and conversation flow freely for a few more minutes, a welcome respite from the emotional rollercoaster of the day. But as the clock ticks closer to midnight, Mia playfully shoos us out the door.

"Alright, lovebirds," she declares, a teasing glint in her eyes. "I can't stay up all night with you fools. I have work in the morning, and it's already Tuesday morning. Go back home and... well, I can see you both want to."

She gives us a gentle push towards the door, her smile warm and genuine. "Love you both," she calls out as we step into the hallway.

I glance back at her, a wave of gratitude washing over me. Mia, with her unwavering support and infectious laughter, is a constant reminder of the beauty of friendship. Even amid chaos and uncertainty, she's a beacon of light, a grounding presence that keeps me tethered to the world I know.

The drive back to the penthouse is filled with comfortable silence. I rub his thigh feeling his hardness beneath the fabric. feeling him grow under my touch embodies me further as I unzip his pants pull out his member and tease the head with my touch. As he moans and I feel him pulsing I look into his eyes seeing his desire as I lean over teasing his head with my tongue. Arlo hurries to return to our apartment, punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine and the occasional stolen glance between Arlo and me. The city lights blur past, a kaleidoscope of colors that mirror the vibrant emotions swirling within me.

As we step into the elevator, Arlo's hand finds mine, his fingers intertwining with mine in a silent promise as we start to remove our clothing leaving them in the elevator. We ascend to his penthouse, the anticipation building with each passing floor. Mia's words echo in my mind, a playful reminder of the unspoken desires that simmer beneath the surface. The elevator starts its assent as I slowly make my descent. Now taking off Arlo’s pants leaving his erectness to be exposed. He then removes my shirt as I work to continue teasing his firm member with my tongue. He rips off his shirt. Then when he has had enough he pulls me up and tears off my bra holding me against the cool metal elevator wall. I remove my pants and underwear. Pressed against the wall he kisses my neck, biting gently as I feel his fangs against my skin. The Elevator doors open.

The apartment welcomes us with its familiar elegance, the soft lighting casting a warm glow over the carefully curated space. But tonight, it's not the luxurious furnishings or the breathtaking views that capture my attention. It's Arlo, standing holding me up, his eyes filled with a hunger that mirrors my own.

Without a word, he carries me into the penthouse, drawn by an irresistible force. The world outside fades away, leaving only the two of us, lost in the dance of passion that Mia so aptly predicted. Tonight, we embrace the night's youth, surrendering to the desires that bind us together. Arlo spins me around the room thrusting me into the wall near the elevator. My back, feeling the ruff wall against my skin. Feeling his stubble as he kisses me and slides me down with ease entering his hardness into my wet core. He then thrusts me into the wall feeling me sit taking all of him inside of me. The anticipation makes me release nearly instantly as he continues his rhythm. He kisses down over the top of my breasts feeling all those little facial hairs rubbing against my smooth exposed skin. A feeling of pleasure that is rough but sensual. I grab his head pulling him tighter feeling his bit on my breast. So many sensations my body vibrates hard with an explosive flowing through me. I feel his release adding to the pressure deep inside.

I melt into Arlo's strong arms, my body yielding to his touch as he effortlessly carries me toward the bedroom. The scent of his cologne, a heady mix of sandalwood and musk, fills my senses, igniting a flicker of desire within me.

I press a soft kiss to his neck, my lips lingering on the warm skin. "I love you, Arlo Thorne," I whisper the words a heartfelt confession that spills from my soul. The vulnerability in my voice surprises even me, but there's no denying the depth of my feelings for this enigmatic vampire.

Arlo's body tenses slightly, a subtle shift that speaks volumes. He lays me gently on the bed, his gaze locking with mine. In his eyes, I see a reflection of my own emotions, a mix of surprise, longing, and an undeniable love that transcends the boundaries of our worlds.

The bed embraces us, a sanctuary of soft sheets and plush pillows. Arlo spoons me from behind, his body a comforting presence against my own. The coolness of his skin sends a shiver down my spine, a stark contrast to the warmth that radiates from his aura. Our energies intertwine, a silent symphony of connection and trust.

I close my eyes, savoring the feeling of his arms around me, the steady rhythm of his breath against my neck. In this moment, all the worries and uncertainties of the world fade away. There's nowhere I'd rather be than here, nestled in Arlo's embrace, enveloped in his love.

As sleep gently claims me, a sense of peace settles over my soul. The future may hold untold challenges and revelations, but for now, I am content. I am loved. And in the quiet darkness of the night, that is all that matters.