House of Vampires: The New Wife

Chapter Nineteen

As we walked into the dimly lit bar, the sound of laughing and music filled the air. I felt a buzz of excitement run through me as I caught the eye of a few people already seated at the bar. Their eyes travelled over my outfit, and I could see the subtle nods of approval in their expressions. My confidence was definitely boosted by our successful shopping trip. We found an empty booth and sat down, our waitress arriving moments later. I couldn't help but feel proud of myself, both for the amazing new outfits we had found and for how effortlessly cool I felt. It was going to be a great night.

"What can I get you two?" The waitress asked.

"I'll have a gin tonic please," Mark replied before looking at me, "And she will have cranberry martini."

"Alright, and will that be all?" She asked with a smile.

"Yes and keep them coming wouldn't you darling?" Mark gave her a prize winning smile that caused her to blush as she walked away.

The waitress came back quickly and sat our drinks down with a smile.

I couldn't help but admire the bar's rustic decor and relaxed ambiance.

"I love this place," I said, taking a sip of my drink, "It's so cozy and inviting."

Mark smiled, looking pleased at my compliment. "I knew you would like it," he said. "It's the perfect spot for a night out with friends."

As I took another sip of my cranberry martini, I looked over at Mark curiously.

"So, why did you think that this drink would fit me so well?" I asked, intrigued by his choice.

Mark took a sip of his own drink before answering. "Well," he said, "cranberry martinis are bold and sophisticated, just like you. They're not afraid to stand out and make a statement, but they're also elegant and refined. It just seemed like the perfect drink for you."

I blushed at his words, feeling both flattered and impressed by his choice. Mark had an incredible eye for style, but it seemed like that talent extended to drinks as well.

I'm really curious," I said, turning to Mark. "How did you get to be so good at reading people and their tastes?"

Mark smiled, leaning back in his chair. "Well, it all started when I met my Amarette," he said, "She was really into fashion and style, and I wanted to impress her. So, I started paying attention to what she liked, what was in style, what looked good on different body types. It just became a passion of mine over time."

I listened intently, impressed by Mark's dedication to his late wife and his craft. "That's so sweet," I said, "I love that you put in the effort to make her happy, and it's amazing that you've turned that into a talent."

Mark grinned, looking pleased with my praise. "Thanks," he said, "It's definitely come in handy over the years, and it's great to have someone to share it with. I'm glad we can enjoy shopping and fashion together."

I nodded, feeling grateful for Mark's friendship and expertise. It was clear that he truly cared about the people in his life, and that he had a real talent for making them feel good about themselves. I was lucky to have him in my life.

As I took another sip of my drink, I turned my head slightly to glance around the bar. My gaze fell on Cyrus and Zaidon, seated at the bar and laughing with a group of people.

Suddenly, I felt a knot form in my stomach. Despite the fun I had been having with Mark, seeing Cyrus and Zaidon together made me feel afraid and uneasy.

Trying to shake off the feeling, I turned back to Mark and forced a smile. "This is great, isn't it?" I asked, hoping to distract myself from my thoughts, "I'm so glad we came."

Mark looked at me skeptically, sensing something was off. "Are you okay?" he asked, "You seem a little uneasy."

I shrugged, attempting to play it off. "It's nothing," I said, "Just a weird feeling, I guess. Let's have another drink, okay?"

But as I took another glance toward Cyrus and Zaidon, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go wrong.