The Last Embrace

They were sitting side by side, under the shade of a big oak tree. There were lots of big trees of the same kind surrounding the man-made lake. The wind was blowing steadily around them, fanning their skin, blowing Jessy's hair in the process.

Jessy has been studying Adam's immobile face for a while. "You don't want to go swimming-?" she finally asked.

His gaze was fixed on the far distance, beyond the wall of the mansion. He seemed to be detached from the beautiful scenery surrounding them, she noticed that.

"Nah, you go ahead. I will just watch you from here," he replied blandly.

"Hmm...I think I will skip today," she said. "By the way, you were the happiest yesterday celebrating your birthday, but now you're back with your old self. You looked like a cow who just lost all his front teeth," she tried to laugh with her lame joke in an attempt to cheer him up.

The joke was indeed lame, but somehow it was able to produce a tiny smile on Adam's lips and that was enough for her.

"W-what are you thinking? What is bothering you? Care to share...?" she persisted. She's interested to know what's going on in his mind.

He stared at her for a few minutes. "What-? Are you getting obsessed with me now?" he laughed at her.

She rolled her eyes, sighing. "Lol, I'm just trying to help you. After all the bad things I've done to you, I have this d.e.s.i.r.e to be on your good side."

Adam chuckled. "That's nice to hear, Jess. But you don't need to try so hard. You already apologized and I have forgiven you, the pain was already gone. I'm over it, you should move on. Trust me, you're already forgiven. Besides, I can't stay angry at you for a long time," he said softly.

She examined his face thoroughly, he seemed to be telling the truth, she felt relieved.

Then he tucked several loose strands of hair behind her ears and c.a.r.e.s.ses her cheeks lightly with his fingers. Then he withdraws his hands absentmindedly, he got this dreamy look in his eyes.

She looked at him with fascination, she was already used to Adam's lingering touch, his touchy-feely attitude towards her. She tolerated him most of the time. She noticed that he derived p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e by just the mere contact of her skin.

She reached for his hand, his fingers automatically intertwined with hers. Then he kissed the back of her hand softly, his lips nibbled on her knuckles. Oh... God! She shivered, feeling the hot sensation coursing through her body and then she smiled, amused by his behavior.

"A-are you m.a.k.i.n.g. .l.o.v.e with my hands in a broad daylight?" she joked too sweetly, teasing him.

He suddenly laughed and let go of her hand, he g.r.o.a.n.e.d, he's feeling a little bit ashamed of his action earlier. "You're such a tease, Jess!"

She smirked.

She still has lots of questions to ask him though. She might as well start questioning him now. "Tell me more about the vampire kingdom ruled by your father. Was your kingdom as beautiful as this-?" She waves her hand at the beautiful scenery that surrounded them. "Was your family's castle magnificent just like those I read in books?" she asked excitedly.

Adam replied gravely. "Your place here is more beautiful and comfortable compared to the place where my family is currently living."

"Huh? You mean to say that the vampire King and Queen were no longer living in a grand place-like castle or something?" she asked disappointed.

"You're right. After the powerful vaccine was created and was released to the masses, it brought massive annihilation to our vampire clan, our clan went into hiding underground. Staying above the surface was pretty dangerous. And worst some human vigilante groups love hunting vampires. Some vampires were running for their lives and many were scattered far and wide trying to save themselves. Those under my father's command were in a bit safer location though. We can only run and hide as far as we can or else die. For how long the dire situation last...? I have no idea. But you are our last ticket for survival...maybe there's hope after all," he explained sadly.

Jessy felt sad for all vampires, after all, her father was a vampire. "Am sorry. So, how many siblings do you have?" she continued. Upon seeing his crestfallen look, she tried to divert her question into a much lighter topic.

"I got one older brother and one younger sister. We get along well with each other...until I was brought here forcefully against my will," his voice spoke volumes.

She looked at him with compassion in her eyes. "I'm sorry. You must have missed them very much, especially your parents."

He did not reply. He got mixed feelings when it comes to his relationsh.i.p.s with his parents. He resented them for abandoning him, he can still remember how doting parents they were to him before the destruction begun...

"Yeah. I truly miss them," he said miserably.

Silence temporarily descended upon them.

They were both lost in their thoughts.

Jessy smiled at him. "How does it feel to be a 'Prince'? I'm glad to meet you...your majesty! I'm your humble servant, Jessy, bowing before you," she curtsied in front of him. She meant it to lighten the heavy mood surrounding them.

But Adam's face darkened even more. He was not amused by her joke!

"Damn! Are you making fun of me now!?" He demanded in a hardened voice. "What is the used of being a Prince, when you don't even have a kingdom to rule?" he added forlornly.

Jessy froze upon seeing the disp.l.e.a.s.u.r.e on his face. She can only stammer and say. "A-am s-sorry Adam."

"From now on, don't call me Prince!" He glared at her.

"Promised, I will never call you with that word again," she said quickly trying to appease his anger.

Adam no longer utters a word.

Once again they were engulfed in a thick silence.

Jessy still got one last question for the day. She will consider her day complete today if she can get an answer from him. She studied his face intently...the scowling and brooding seemed to be fading quickly from his face...he looks fine right now.

She inhaled deeply. It's a very s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e question. He might not like hearing about it. But she's been dying to ask this question for a very long time. "Adam, I h-have another question for you," she hesitated a bit.

He looked at her trying to gauge what her question will be. He has to hear her out. "Go ahead...bring it on," he finally said.

"W-why your appearance was a bit different from my father and other vampires?" She blurted the question nervously. She dared not look into his eyes. Instead, she busies herself wiping imaginary dust on her left shoulder.

Adam's eyes darkened again. He felt uncomfortable with her question. It's one question he doesn't want to answer. He shut his eyes tightly, this girl can sometimes irritate him to no end.

After a few seconds of silence, he stood abruptly and smiled at her. Then he reached for her hands and motioned her to stand up. "I'm no longer accepting any question, Jess. Let's go swimming instead!" he said.

But she won't budge, she refused to be dismissed just like that. She needed her answer. "Can you please answer my question? Pleaseeee," she begged.

Her heartfelt plea which she coupled with puppy dog eyes melted his heart. He relented. "I'm cursed-since four years old. That's all you need to know." Then he picked up Jessy quickly before she can protest and tossed her into the cold water. Then he dived after her... a few seconds later, he resurfaced in front of her...grinning. Then he planted a wet kiss on her lips and swam away at lightning speed.

She was stunned and speechless...