The waitress arrived with their dishes then and slowly adjusted them on the table, and Charlotte grabbed the napkin on the table to place over her lap. It smelled absolutely heavenly, and Charlotte was practically mouth-watering at the visuals of the plate. She was tempted to take a picture but realized that she didn't have a phone.
It didn't serve to be a problem since the contacts that she needed were her family whom she wasn't allowed to see and Vincent, who was constantly by her side, so it would be tough for her not to be in contact with him.
The waitress straightened. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Vincent dismissed her, and there was a flash of irritation on the woman's face which Vincent did catch, making him slide her an icy glare. Charlotte knew that that look wasn't directed toward her, yet she did end up sitting straighter and closing her mouth from the smart remark she was about to say.
They ate in silence for a while, but Charlotte didn't mind, busy savoring the flavors that were exploding in her mouth. Tangy and sweet which was a combination that she loved.
Charlotte stole a bite from Vincent's plate which made him pause and look at her curiously, and she popped it into her mouth before slowly chewing and immediately taking a sip of water.
"Spicy," Charlotte wheezed. "I didn't think that you would be one for spicy foods."
"I'm okay with them," Vincent replied with a tweaked smile. "I prefer stronger-tasting foods."
Charlotte chewed slowly on another bite of her dish. "When are you meeting Stone?"
"We'll meet him tomorrow when our paths cross."
She nodded. "Did you update people that I would be with you?"
"Word's getting around, and that's fine. It's not as if they can't forcefully take you away."
"You're saying that as if you dare them to."
Vincent lifted a shoulder. "They can try."
Charlotte leaned her head to the side and sighed in agreement. Everyone that she had met so far didn't seem hostile but more so curious. But she also got the feeling in their eyes that echoed in her mind often saying that it won't end well.
Vincent suddenly stiffened and narrowed his eyes past her shoulder, and Charlotte was about to turn around to see what it was when just barely shook his head. Her brows went up in worry when she quietly whispered to inquire what was happening.
"What is it?"
"There are eyes on us."
Charlotte could practically feel someone peeping at them, and she shook away the uncomfortable shiver that went through her body.
"Don't move. Don't even think about looking over back," Vincent took a sip of his water naturally. "There are vigilantes in the building."
"What?"
"And they are right behind you."
Charlotte cringed. "We can't do anything with everyone around right?"
"Yes," Vincent said as the golden rims appeared. "There are four of them in this room right now."
"How did we miss them earlier? Normally you would be able to sense them right?"
"They must have just crept in."
"Are they staring straight at you?"
"Do you think it's normal for a vigilante to come willingly into vampire territory?"
"Ah, no."
"What is the best course of action..."
Charlotte bit down on her lips. "For what?"
"We need to get out of here now and lure them out with us."
Charlotte wiped her mouth with the napkin and placed it down on the table. "I'm ready whenever you are."
Vincent smirked. "Let's go."
He stood up abruptly and placed tip money down on the table before grabbing his card and slipping it back into his wallet. Charlotte straightened herself up, and he grabbed Charlotte's hand, pulling her towards the door. The waitress who was serving their table went up to them, and Vincent waved her away.
"Put it on my tab."
The waitress sputtered still not wanting to give up, but Vincent continued out through the doors without waiting for another word, Vincent pushed the black stained glass doors and walked out, not waiting for the restaurant doors to shut fully behind them when they started sprinting down the hallway.
The glass doors shut harshly, the echo ringing down the corridor that led only to the elevator which was making Charlotte freak out since they were headed straight into an enclosed space that could make or break their escape.
Once inside the elevator, Vincent clicked a floor, but the doors weren't closing fast enough, so Charlotte spammed the close button frantically when the vigilantes strode out the restaurant doors at the moment.
The ding of the elevator felt way too long. There was a split moment as the doors were about to close when a thin blade flew through the air through the crack, hitting the back of the golden elevator doors with a thwack.
Charlotte screamed in horror, and Vincent placed a hand over her mouth to try and shut her up. She slumped back into Vincent's body when the elevator went up to the penthouse floor, her heart in her throat, hoping that when the elevator doors pulled open, it wouldn't reveal more vigilantes, but at that point, it was too much to ask for.