"Are you having fun today, Jade?" Max asked when they reached the front of the house.
Jade chuckled. "You're asking the same thing today, Max. Of course, I'm happy. Spending Valentine's Day with you makes me happy. I'm glad to have known and met you."
Max smiled and took Jade's hand. He kissed her, looking at her. Then Max quickly let go of Jade's hand because soon the door to the house opened, showing Zack's serious face.
"I'm going to your room later," Max said. He then got out of the car and opened the side door for Jade.
"Can you spot someone's arrival?" Jade asked.
But Max didn't answer. Instead, he just smiled. They then drew closer towards the door while Zack looked at them probing.
"Did the party go well?" Zack asked.
"Yeah. I'm so happy, Dad!" Jade replied with a smile.
"Then go to your room. It's getting late." Zack's gaze fell on Max as he motioned for Jade to come into her room.
Jade smiled and looked at Max. "Thanks and good night, Max," Jade said.
After Jade went upstairs and into her room, Zack gave Max a fatherly look. Max wasn't the least bit nervous. He was still smiling and ready to answer any questions that would be asked by Zack.
"You're not messing with my daughter, are you?" Zack asked.
"Of course not, Zack. I appreciate girls."
Zack nodded. "Make sure you prove it too, not just words."
"You can see for yourself in the future."
"Then go home. It's late, and thanks for dropping her off."
"Good night, Zack. Have a nice dream."
Max got back into his car, and Zack hadn't closed the door until he saw Max leave the car park at his house.
Jade was already thinking negatively that Max wouldn't come to her room. Finally, she changed her clothes and washed her face, and brushed her teeth. When she came out of the toilet, she was surprised because Max had come and sat in her study chair.
"Sorry, I surprised you again, didn't I?" Max asked.
"Hmm, I guess I should get used to surprises by you. And I was thinking that you won't come to my room, Max."
Max immediately stood up and approached. His hands were on her cheeks until he felt her touch accidentally touch the pulse of Jade's neck.
"Are you going to bite me?" Jade asked fearlessly.
Max laughed and rubbed her cheek. "No. Of course, I wouldn't hurt my girlfriend. It's enough that I hurt your hand once to prove who I am."
Jade swallowed her saliva. "Wouldn't it be better if I became a vampire too? We'll live forever together. I want to be with you forever, Max."
"And now we're living it, Jade."
Jade sighed. She saw the look in Max's eyes that looked like he wanted to divert the discussion about eternal life.
"You will become a vampire, but not now. And you will always be with me. I can guarantee that."
There was a glimmer of hope in her after hearing Max's words. Somehow she felt happy even though this kind of relationship was forbidden for her. But her father didn't know, and it wasn't a problem for Jade.
"Is that true?" Jade asked.
Max nodded. "I'm not going to explain it clearly, you'll see for yourself how time works for you."
Jade hugged him. Max's body felt stiff at first when he felt Jade's sudden hug. He had never hugged a girl since he became a vampire, except for Jade.
He finally replied to her with a hug and took a deep breath of Jade's scent.
"What are you going to do tomorrow, Max?" Jade asked.
"Doing boys stuff with Robbin and Ace, I think. What are you going to do yourself?"
Jade thought hard apart from she was just going to college. "I have no idea," said Jade.
Jade let go of her arms and she crawled onto her bed. Then she asked Max to join her, so she could cuddle him in her sleep.
"Why do you have such feelings for me, Max?" Jade asked.
"You're different. I mean, your blood smells different from most humans I've ever met. And you're beautiful. It's just a bonus, I think."
"Isn't it the same smell of someone's blood? I mean, of course, it smells very rancid and iron-like, doesn't it?"
"Not really. You smell delicious to me. Not only that. I can't stop thinking about you, even though I've been trying to get you out of my mind for years."
Jade immediately sat up and looked at Max. "Many years? I thought about it for only a few months. That means-"
Max nodded. "I know what your life is like, Jade. Look, for the other vampires, to be able to convince themselves whether she/he is our soul, we'll have to go through all these years. If not even one can replace she/he, meaning she/he is our soul," explained Max.
Trying to make sense of it all, Jade was curious as to why he had to spend years trying to convince himself. But considering they are vampires, it's certainly not a difficult thing.
"Oh my gosh! What am I supposed to do with you, Max, you took so long to convince yourself that I was your soul?"
Max touched Jade's chin. He shook his head with a smile. "There's nothing you need to do. Living with you alone has paid off for my waiting."
Jade smiled. She immediately kissed Max's lips when her boyfriend didn't start, even though she had touched her chin.
The kiss became more passionate, but Max managed to stop it. "Jade, I want to keep you intact. I feel it would be better not to spoil your virginity this Valentine's Day. And I want you to keep your chastity until the day of your immortality comes."
"Why, Max? Don't you have any desire to make love to me on this special day?" Jade asked sounding disappointed.
"Not this time, Jade. And of course, I want to make love to you. It's just this isn't the right time. Trust me, we'll do it someday."