Page 108 of Vampires of Eden: Oliver
“I do.” I wander over toward the edge of the bed. I’ve missed this so much. Hearing his voice and having these forthright, honest conversations. These discussions that strike directly to the heart of the matter. I only get this with him, and it’s deeply comforting. Like walking into an emotionally safe space.
“I understand what you mean,” I go on, sitting on the colorful quilt. “I just… I look at your social media all the time and you’re so elevated and refined. Successful. I wonder what the hell you saw in me. Or if I imagined the whole thing.”
“You look at the very carefully crafted instrument I use for advertising my work and compare yourself to it?” he asks rhetorically. “Please don’t.”
“I know—”
“I mean it. Please stop. That is my resume for my job. It means nothing in the larger scope of my life. But you? You meaneverything.”
Holding the phone against my ear, my mouth is agape and my heart practically doubles in size. I’m about to tell him that I feel the same way, but his smooth voice flows over the line once more.
“I love you, Oliver. No matter what, I want what’s best for you. If you’re avoiding me because you are enjoying your freedom and have moved on, I can accept that. But if you are falsely deeming yourself as inferior solely because you haven’t checked enough ‘achievement’ boxes—that, I cannot accept.”
When I swallow, it goes down thick. “I am enjoying my freedom, but I could never move on from you, Aries. I love you, too. I want… I want to be with you.”
“Then be with me, when you’re ready. I’m here, darling. To hell with spaghetti.”
A warm sense of relief washes over me. I take a deep breath, smiling. “I’ve been applying for internships abroad.”
“I know. Sasha told me.”
Surprised, I sit up straighter. “She did? How—Did she give you my address, too?”
“Yes, because I reached out to her on social media to ask how you were. Since she was made privy to our circumstance, I figured I’d be candid with her. I tried Camille first, but her phone was disconnected.”
“She quit. She left Eden and lives in Paris now.”
“Yes, Sasha told me that as well. We talked at length. You sister divulged all that’s transpired over the past month, including the confrontation with your father. I was… surprised that you didn’t attempt to contact me at all.”
There’s a perceptible hurt in his voice. A sadness. My heart aches with the realization that I’ve caused it. “I wanted to talk to you,sobadly. But I also didn’t want to drag you into this mess. I really imagined myself as being stronger and better the next time I saw you. I wanted to be your equal.” Plus, crippling insecurity. But I don’t say it.
“Because of the difference in our bloodlines, we can never be equals,” he says pragmatically. “Even beyond that, I can never be a great photographer, and you might never design clothing. Inevitably, there will always be areas where one of us ascends and the other falters. But we can be balanced. Our unique natures—our minds, hearts and temperaments—can be well matched.”
Nodding, I grin. “They can. I think we are.”
“I agree. And what’s more, I recognize that you have been exposed to much trauma and disparaging admonishment in your life. The insecurities created from this likely reside deep within you. The impact might wane over time as you become more liberated. Regardless, I accept you, Oliver. All of you. Always, you can talk to me. When in doubt, please tell me what’s on your mind?”
If he were in front of me, I would kiss him. Hard. I’d wrap my arms around his shoulders in an embrace so tight that he’d physically feel the depths of my love and gratitude. If he allowed me to, I’d rest my aura so that there’d be no further question in his mind.
I can’t do any of this yet, but I’m looking forward to that moment. “I’ll be honest about how I feel from now on, and once I get my proper IDs and can leave Eden, I’ll come to you. We made a promise?”
“We did indeed.”
Flopping back onto the bed, my smile broadens. I can’t wait. “Thank you for the camera. I’ve never had a professional-grade lens. I’m excited to try it.”
“An artist needs his proper tools. I’m happy that you like it.”
“I love it,” I say, exhaling a contented sigh. “How are you doing? Is everything okay with your body and nature?” I only exposed my aura to him once, so I doubt that he’s been deeply impacted by me. Even still.
“I am well, my darling. But I’m looking forward to the day that I can gaze into your celestial eyes. When I can kiss the sweet pout of your beautiful lips.”
From head to toe my nature glitters inside, wildly euphoric. Bubbling with anticipation.
“Me, too. I want those things and much more, Aries. So much more.”
I can’t see him, but I can hear the handsome upturn of his mouth into a wry grin. “Whatever the young master desires, he shall receive.”
Later in the week, Alexander visits the cottage in his same camel-colored wool trench coat. His thick blonde mane is handsomely swept back and his attire is smart—all signs of his having left an important engagement.
