Aphrodite

On the bed, a stunning fit-and-flare dress caught Rachel’s eye, with its elegant beige lace bodice blending into a flowing black pleated skirt. Next to it lay a bottle of perfume, inviting her to try it. A vase on the bedside table, filled with blue hyacinths, white roses, and lilies of the valley, added a sophisticated charm. She took a moment to relish the scent of the flowers before trying on the perfume, touched by the thoughtfulness of the arrangements.

The anticipation of reuniting with Beth and Adam brought her immense happiness. Yet, amidst this joy, she had a slight apprehension about how Beth would react to the changes in her life.

At the sound of a knock on her bedroom door, Rachel sprang to her feet.

“Are you set? They’ve arrived!” Estella’s voice, bursting with excitement, filtered through the door.

“Shit,” Rachel quietly cursed.

“What’s the hold-up? Quick, get changed. We’re all in the dining room, waiting on you.” The echo of Estella’s footsteps retreated down the hall, pushing Rachel to hasten her preparations.

The prospect of seeing Beth brought a spontaneous smile to Rachel’s lips. She dressed in record time, opting to go without shoes. After a quick adjustment of her hair, she made her way to the dining room.

Beth’s reaction upon seeing Rachel was immediate—her eyes widened in surprise before a joyful grin took over her face. She closed the distance, wrapping Rachel in a warm hug. “I am so glad to see you!” she exclaimed. Pulling back, Beth eyed Rachel’s blonde curls with a teasing gleam. “You bleached your hair! I remember you swore you’d never.”

Rachel returned the tease with a sheepish grin, a twinge of guilt accompanying her decision to bend the truth. “Estella assured me she had plenty of experience with bleaching hair and promised not to damage it. It turned out quite well, don’t you think?”

Beth, still smiling, took Rachel’s hand, guiding her to sit down at the dining table. Beth positioned herself next to Rachel, across from Estella and Adam. At Rachel’s other side, a seat was reserved for Vlad, his place at the table conspicuously vacant.

“It looks great on you,” Beth complimented, her eyes bright with happiness. “I’m thrilled about this dinner. I’ve been looking forward to you meeting Adam properly. Glad to see you and Vlad made up.”

Rachel glanced around, asking, “Where’s Vlad?”

Estella’s voice floated towards the kitchen, “Vlad, dear, do you need any help in there?”

Vlad appeared from the kitchen’s direction; his hands occupied with two serving dishes. “No worries, I’ve got everything under control,” he assured them, setting the dishes down in the middle of the table with a practiced ease.

“You don’t hire someone to do this for you?” Beth asked.

“Beth!” Rachel scolded, embarrassed by her friend’s remark.

“What? He’s a successful businessman, owns that nightclub, and this mansion is enormous. Isn’t it a bit strange for him to be serving dinner?” Beth reasoned.

Vlad returned, balancing a third serving dish, which he set on the table before finally taking his seat. He offered Beth a calm smile, unfazed by her observation. “I’ve invited you as my guests, and as such, I am your host. Having someone else serve wouldn’t express my appreciation quite like doing it myself.”

A touch of embarrassment coloured Beth’s cheeks as she managed a shy smile. “I didn’t see it from that perspective.”

Catching Rachel’s eye, Vlad shared a look of deep understanding. “Living as long as I have teaches you the value of genuine gestures. Wealth can purchase many things, but only your actions can truly convey your feelings.” Discreetly, his hand found Rachel’s knee beneath the table.

Rachel responded warmly, “This means a lot, Vlad, especially with all you have going on.” Her hand sought his, offering a reassuring squeeze.

“You look beautiful in the dress,” he remarked, a compliment that brought a soft glow to Rachel’s face.

“Okay, lovebirds, that’s enough,” Estella chimed in, her grin teasing as she leaned in. “This spread looks incredible. It’s been ages since you cooked, Vlad. I’ve been looking forward to this.”

Effortlessly, Estella speared a lamb cutlet and transferred it to her plate.

“Go ahead, everyone,” Vlad encouraged, his laughter mingling with the warmth of the moment as he gestured for all to start eating.

Catching Vlad’s gaze, Rachel saw a light in his eyes, a sign of genuine contentment that seemed miles away from the reserved figure she had initially encountered. As the meal commenced, and she took in the feast laid out before them—perfectly grilled meats, a duo of fresh salads, roasted vegetables, creamy polenta, and a platter brimming with succulent fruits.

Rachel selected a slice of peach, its sweet fragrance enticing her. As she tasted it, Vlad momentarily halted, observing her enjoyment.

“Fruit at dinner?” Beth remarked as she helped herself to some salad.

“Fruit is the sustenance of the goddess who breathes life into our world,” Vlad responded, not breaking his stare from Rachel. He then picked up a raspberry, consuming it with a pointed intention. “It feeds the goddess, enabling her to thrive without the need for sacrifice.”

Estella’s cough broke the moment, a clear signal that she found the charged exchange across the dinner table slightly over the top.

“So, I’ve got some news,” Beth interjected, clearly aiming to steer the conversation elsewhere. “I’ve quit my job.”

Rachel’s attention immediately snapped to Beth, her surprise evident. “Why? What’s your plan?”

“Adam has asked me to move in with him, and I’m going to assist with some of the administrative tasks at his club.”

“You agreed to that?” Rachel was incredulous. Beth had only just met Adam, and now she was making such a significant change. She glanced at Vlad, her expression troubled. “Fruit may sustain life, but if that fruit is deceptive, who’s to say it won’t turn out to be spoiled?” She was troubled by the thought that Beth’s decision had been influenced by Vlad’s enchantments.

Vlad served himself a generous portion of lamb, slicing through it to reveal the rich, red centre. “You’re looking at it the wrong way, Rachel,” he remarked, pausing to appreciate a taste of his selection. “It’s more like a bee pollinating a flower. All you’re doing is enhancing the appeal of the pollen. Whether or not it results in fruit is left to nature.” He smirked as he took another mouthful.

“People can get hurt, Vlad. It’s not ok to play with people’s hearts.”

Adam, looking puzzled, scratched his head. “What’s this about?”

Vlad nodded, taking the moment to subtly steer the conversation. “Exactly, we are only human,” deliberately stressing ‘human’ to signal Rachel to tread carefully with their discussions in Beth’s presence.

Inviting Beth to visit was a significant gesture on his part, and Rachel knew this wasn’t the time to undermine his trust. She looked back at Beth, who was serving herself more fruit. Beth smiled at Adam, her complexion glowing. She was dressed elegantly in an off-the-shoulder black dress, complemented by a silver necklace, her hair casually pinned up in a messy bun. For the first time, she wore minimal makeup. She barely knew Adam, yet he made her feel confident enough to embrace her natural beauty.

“What have you two lovebirds been up to?” Rachel couldn’t resist asking.

Beth looked towards Adam, a soft blush colouring her cheeks. “Watching movies, walking around the city, and we even tried cooking together last night.”

“That sounds incredibly sweet,” Estella chimed in, her laughter light and teasing.

Rachel shifted her attention to Vlad. “How was your day?”

“Uneventful,” he answered, his voice carrying a note of disinterest, perhaps indicating a reluctance to delve into the details.

Intrigued, Rachel played with a strand of her hair, seeking a bit more. “No one needed help?” She hinted, recalling Estella’s mention of aiding a creature in distress.

Vlad’s response was a dismissive wave of his hand. “Just routine matters, nothing worth sharing with the group.”

“Tell me, Vlad, how did you make all this money?” Beth asked. Adam nearly choked on his meal at the question, shooting Beth a look that conveyed his disapproval. Unperturbed by his reaction, Beth simply shrugged, her knack for social cues evidently lacking.

Turning his focus away from the awkwardness, Vlad addressed Rachel instead. “About your earlier question, I was assisting a colleague today. We had some... interactions with the police,” he explained, stressing the word ‘police’ in a way that made Rachel understand he was alluding to the very humans he had cautioned her about.

“And was your colleague ok?”

“I arrived in time.”

“In time for what?” Beth asked.

Seeking to steer the conversation towards a less dubious topic, Vlad gently laid his hand on Rachel’s. “The lesson here is to steer clear of trouble. Attracting police attention is a guaranteed path to getting arrested.” In Vlad’s context, ‘arrested’ likely implied a fate far grimmer than jail—being hunted, perhaps even dissected, by those who sought them.

Beth’s expression shifted to one of confusion, her head cocking to the side. “Wait, is this related to the police who were asking about Rachel at the office?”

Estella interrupted with a change of subject. “Alright, time for dessert!” she announced, standing up with enthusiasm. “Vlad, thank you for a wonderful dinner and even better company. I’ve made tiramisu, so I hope everyone’s left a little space for it.”

In the brief pause that followed, Rachel leaned in towards Vlad, her words a whisper meant only for him. “I’m sorry. It was brave of you to take that risk for someone else.”

Rachel’s hand found Vlad’s knee under the table, a faint purple luminescence blooming from her touch before it disappeared into the fabric of his clothing. Vlad’s reaction was immediate; his pupils widened, and his frame stiffened as they exchanged essence.

“And Vlad, this evening has been wonderful. I’m especially grateful to you for ensuring Beth’s well-being,” Rachel voiced, maintaining the façade of normalcy.

“The one I’m truly looking out for is you.” He carefully lifted her hand, pressing a kiss to it. “Maybe we could skip dessert.”

Rachel couldn’t help but bite her lip, relishing this tender side of him. He was caring, generous, and loyal. “Estella would never let us live it down if we left now.”

“You’re right. It would be rude. Another time, perhaps,” he conceded with a soft smile.

Estella made her way back into the dining room, her arms full of plates bearing her homemade tiramisu. The first bite was met with an outpouring of compliments.

As the evening wore on, the atmosphere remained warm and jovial. Beth and Adam displayed a natural connection that Rachel couldn’t help but acknowledge as authentic. Despite her initial reservations about the influence of her powers, it was clear there was real affection between them.

Vlad, too, revealed layers of warmth and charm. Their unique connection, fortified by their shared essence, deepened in a way Rachel was only beginning to explore and cherish.

As the night drew to a close and Beth and Adam departed, leaving Rachel with Vlad and Estella in the quiet of the dining room, Estella set about tidying up, her mood light.

“Thank you both,” Rachel expressed, her gratitude genuine. “This evening meant a lot.”

Vlad returned her sentiment with a warm smile. “The pleasure was ours, Rachel. We should do this again soon.”

Retreating to their rooms, Rachel was enveloped in a sense of optimism. Though her life had taken a turn she never anticipated, the warmth of friendship, the comfort of connection, and the possibility of love left her with a feeling of promise for the days to come.