Grandma soon fell asleep and started snoring and not long after, the door opened and Yiannais appeared through the door way.
"Riña, do you have time?" He mouthed as she sat up.
What was wrong? For him to call her out late, was there something he didn't mention to her?
She nodded and he gestured her to come out which she did.
Kaiwan was behind him and he led them to the living room where the other grandparents were having dinner.
"Good evening." A grandma greeted and she gave a slight now.
"Everyone, we have guests."A young woman said and her little son ran to hold Kaiwan's hand.
"How come there are guests tropping into this little town?" A grandpa asked.
"Wow, he's tall." Someone muttered, staring at Kaiwan who avoided their looks.
"So she's Yian's first love?" A grandma beside her, asked
"No." Zuriña and Kaiwan chorused ad the grandma frowned.
"You don't like her because she's sexy?" Grandma asked and Yiannais, feeling awkward, passed a plate of rice to the grandma with a smile. "Grandma, eat a lot."
Zuriña smiled as he turned to them. "I figured they would be pleased since it's been a while anyone came here. so just enjoy yourselves."
She turned to the detective. "Should we?"
"Just drink a little, then we head back." Kaiwan replied as he crouched to carry the kid by his side.
Another grandma beckoned to Zuriña. "Come,sit here. Are you Yian's friend?" She asked and Zuriña went to sit beside her.
"Yes, we used to live in the same neighborhood."
"So, you are from this area?"
Zuriña looked confused. "Do you not remember me, Grandma? I'm Zuriña Anderson. I used to live around Clifford market." She said and the older woman took a look at her. "Zuriña Anderson? Who do I know?" She shook her head and asked and Zuriña grimaced as the grandma turned to the food on the table.
"I heard there were guests coming so I prepared a little food. I don't know if it's up to your taste...Here, try some." She said and passed her a plate of spaghetti.
She shook her hands, disgusted by the meal before her. "Ah, you don't need too..."
"Come on, try it."
She swallowed. "That's too much."
"Why? Don't you like it?."
What should she do? Grandma was giving it to her with so much care, so she couldn't turn her down...but if she ate this, she was going to puke even before she got to the bathroom.
"Grandma, could you pass the plate?" Yiannais suddenly asked and she couldn't be more grateful for the diversion.
"Yiannais." She muttered with a grateful look.
"I'll see you in a moment." He mouthed and she nodded, before she rose to head out, with Kaiwan watching her.
Yiannais was out a couple of minutes later.
"Hey."
"Hey. Um..I was wondering if you managed recall your parents earlier, when you passed out?"
She shook her head. "Not yet. I'm trying to, but I still can't remember."
"I see. Um...do you mind going...for a walk with me?"He asked.
"Sure."
They fell into an awkward silence as they walked and Zuriña decided to speak first.
"So many things have happened today. Thanks for earlier."
"No, I feel like I've been burdening you since I called you out."
"But, why did you call me out earlier?" She asked.
"It's just..."
"Just?"
"I feel if I don't say it now, I can never say it."
Zuriña was puzzled."Say what?"
Her phone vibrated as he turned to her and she sensed it was the detective calling. What Yian had to say was important, so she reached in to decline it.
He turned to her with a ragged sigh. "Riña... please don't fight with Master. His gaze, what he did to your parents, I could never forget it. I was destined to live life as a sinner, and I became even more certain when I saw you today." He said and put his hand on his chest. "I can stop being a pastor...I'm even willing to die, so please don't fight Master. Give me a chance to pay for my sins."
"That's not necessary." She replied and her phone vibrated again as they arrived a bridge.
"What?" He dropped his gaze to the floor and she declined the call. "Sorry,I know this can't comfort you after all you've been through."
She smiled as he raised up his head."No, I was comforted enough. At least, you were my friend when we were young. You made no mistake then, you were young, so don't pay for a sin you didn't commit."
She must have said something that didn't make sense as he lowered his gaze and she wondered if she was being too serious? Change of conversation would be better.
"It's a beautiful night." She asked, looking up at the sky as she leaned against the barrier rail of the bridge.
Unfortunately due to the bridge's old nature, the rail cracked.
"Riña..." Yiannais called as she fell.
"I'm okay." She screamed back and turned to look at the distance she was from the ground.
There was a rock close to the river and there was enough space for her to land safely.
"Riña..." Her head turned to see Yiannais had jumped to catch her and she was completely dumbfounded. Why did he jump too?
"Watch out." He screamed and wrapping a hand over the back of her head as they fell into the river.
Her head bobbed up on the surface as she kicked against the water and Yiannais came up to the surface, almost immediately.
"Riña, you alright?" He asked and she noticed a trail of blood dripping down his face.
"Yiannais..."
"Did you get hurt?...I'm quite happy I could save you even if it's just once." He said and she slapped his arm.
"Yiannais, you're bleeding."
He raised his finger to his forehead and looked at the blood with a smile. "It's nothing, as long as I could save you."
"What do you mean nothing? Your blood is dripping."
She wrapped an arm around his waist and they swam out of the river. That was the second time he'd gotten injured because of her in one day. What had he been thinking?
"Have you forgotten I'm a vampire? You were like this earlier at the train station too. Why are you reckless?" She asked and he sat on the chair,by the foot of the bridge.
"I must have jumped unconsciously."
"Even if I get hurt, I'll recover, but you won't." She yelled.
He shrugged. "I just scrapped my forehead. It'll heal soon and so what if you're a vampire? I can't just let it be..."
She raked her fingers through her wet hair with a sigh. He was still stubborn."Anyway Yiannais,be careful." She paused to laugh. "This is so nostalgic. Every day, you made fun of me because I only looked at the pictures in books."
"Call me Yian, like before." He said.
She wasn't comfortable with that. "I still haven't regained my memories with you..."
"Is it uncomfortable?"He asked.
"Yeah...But after this battles over, I want to live life like how it used to be."
He sighed as he turned to look at the river. "I also wish everything could return to the way it used to be."
Her phone vibrated yet again,and this time she took it out. It was indeed the detective. "The detective keeps calling me. Looks like we need to head back." She said and he rose.
"By the way, I'm curious."
"What is it?"
"What's your relationship with the detective?"
She tilted her head as she paused for a minute. "We're co-workers. You can say we're in one team."
"I see."
"But basically, a colleague..."Her voice trailed off as she recalled what he'd told her back at the bus station.
"I also want to show that kind of world to you."
She jerked out of her thoughts as Yiannais have her a suspicious look. "Riña, seems like you have another thought...Did I ask something I wasn't supposed to?"
She shook her head. "It's not that. I was thinking about something else."
"You look tired. You should rest even if it's just for a little while. Are you guys leaving tomorrow?" She halted as she sensed a power similar to hers nearby and her claws lengthened.
"Riña..."
"Listen carefully to my words." She ground out as she clenched her fist and dropped her head.
"Why?...What's wrong?"
"Don't look back and run to the nursing home as fast as you can."
Yiannais sounded confused. "What do you..."
"Remember when I said I wanted things to go back to the way they used to be? Looks like it'll happen sooner."
"What is..." Yiannais turned to see a scary figure behind him and he froze.
"Long time no see, pureblood. I've been awaiting your arrival for ten years." Master said.