Next morning, Ann woke up and noticed the black cat was already gone. Getting up from bed, she went to get ready for the day ahead. Wearing a long green dress, she adorned her brown hair with a clip at the back of her head and went downstairs.
When it was past twelve thirty in the noon, Ann decided to leave for forest. When she picked up her brown waist bag, she heard her mother, "Ann where are going?" Without waiting for Ann to reply, Althea continued, "I allowed you the other day to go to library but you won't be going anywhere today! If the Officers on patrol will catch you roaming around, they won't spare you! You know how serious the condition is right now!"
Ann assured her mother, "Don't worry Mumma, I won't get caught I will make sure of that. And it is something urgent that can't wait otherwise I would never break the direct order implemented by the Board."
Althea stated with no room for discussion, "Everything can wait Ann, I won't let you leave the house for rest of the curfew days."
Ann was about to argue when she heard her father's voice, "Althea dear, let Ann go! It must be something urgent if she has decided to go in the curfew."
Edmond turned to Ann and said in an understanding tone, "Ann you can go just be careful and try not to get caught!"
Ann nodded at her father and giving an apologetic look to her mother, she left the house.
Reaching the restricted forest, Ann walked to where the Dark Witch died. There is no sound except for the crunching noise coming from her footsteps on the dry leaves. Reaching the spot, Ann looked around but couldn't find the red eyed man, "Maybe he hasn't arrived yet! I should wait here." she thought to herself and leaning on tree, she set on the forest ground.
After waiting for an hour, Ann stood up and started to Walk around here and there, When the shadow man didn't come after another hour passed, She decided to go the Waspa River where the restricted forest ends.
Reaching the Wapsa River, Ann took in the beauty of the scenery in front of her eyes. Water flowing from the valley, Green mountains covered by some fog, birds flying in the sky like they have reached their destination.
Mesmerized by the beauty of nature, Ann felt the fresh air touching her skin and the wind swiftly moving her wavey brown hair. Closing her eyes, she lifted up her hands a little and took in the fresh breeze as if to capture the beauty inside her soul and a small smile appeared on her lips. She was so immersed in the moment that she forgot why she came to the forest in the first place.
Vincenzo has arrived few minutes ago in the forest, not finding the girl at the decided spot, he followed her scent to the river and found the girl captivated in her own world. Without making any noise, he walked towards the girl and stood in front of her. Unable to help himself, his eyes studied her face, some of her hairs hovering over her face, her small yet full pink lips stretched into a smile as if her closed cosmic blue eyes has already captured the scenery.
Feeling like the wind around her changed, Ann opened her eyes with a frown and saw the red eyed man standing in front of her which made her gasp out of surprise. Taking two steps backwards to maintain a safe distance, Ann asked the man ahead, "When did you arrive?" Not giving him the time to reply, she sheepishly continued, "I arrived two hours ago and waited in the forest but you didn't came so I thought of taking a walk to the river!"
"That I noticed! Acting as a free bird like you just did not discovered that you are the possessor of the strongest book exist!" Vincenzo stated with amusement.
Ann pursed her lips and said with a hint of sadness in her voice, "I was just trying to live all the good moments that I could cherish before my life take anymore unexpected turns which may not necessarily be good!"
Vincenzo didn't commented and bring forward his hand which held a book.
Ann frowned before asking, "What is this book about?"
Vincenzo replied, "You can learn the basic words and spells from this book and it will help you understand the Book of Spells." He paused when Ann brought her hand forward to take the book but he didn't release his grip on the book. When Ann looked up at him with questioning gaze, Vincenzo continued speaking again, "Finish this book in a week so that i can give you another one." and let go of the book
Thinking that was all he wanted to meet for, bowing at the man, Ann turned around to leave but Vincenzo get hold of her wrist, startled, she asked, "what?"
Tilting his head, Vincenzo replied, "Who said you could leave?" Not interested in her answer, he continued, "Go into the river."
Ann's eyes widened and a question in return slipped through her lips, "What??"
Noticing the look on his face, in an attempt to clarify and avoid the crazy vampire's crazy ideas, she tried to make him understand, "I can't, I don't know how to swim!"
Vincenzo who hasn't let go her hand, started to move towards the river and Ann tried to convince him, "Please understand! I swear i don't know how to swim and on top of it, I'm terrified of water bodies." Before she could talk anymore, Vincenzo swiftly took the book from her hand and pushed her into the river. He watched the girl gasping for air while trying to stay afloat on water.
When her efforts failed and she was about to drown in the river, Anneliese felt a strong arm holding her by her waist. Taking a moment to adjust, she saw the red eyed man immersed in the river with her. To support herself in the water, she put her hands on his shoulders. looking into his red eyes, she asked accusingly, "Are you trying to kill me or what? Why would you pushed me into the river when I explicitly mentioned, I don't know how to swim?"
Vincenzo did not answer instead he put his another hand around her legs before lifting her in his arms while she adjusted her hands around his neck. Carrying her in his arms, he reached the ground and put her down but didn't let go of her waist and kept holding her firmly on the ground.
Unable to handle his intense gaze, Ann gulped and whispered, "I really don't know how to swim."
Vincenzo acknowledged with a 'Hmmm'. He kept looking at her intently and questioned in his mind, "Why do you look so familiar?"
Realizing the closeness she is sharing with a man, Anneliese brought hands to herself and tried to get away but it only made Vincenzo's grip firmer on her waist as if, telling her not to move.
Finally letting go of her waist, He stepped away and noticed the girl drenched, her green dress hugging her, showing every curve of her body and her wet hair dripping droplets of water. His eyes followed a drop which trailed down her chin to her neck before immersing in the valley of her blossom beneath the dress.
Anneliese turned conscious under his intense gaze and turned around before hugging her body because of the cold breeze. She asked him, "Why did you pushed me into the river?" and she heard Vincenzo's voice, "Original Witches can walk on water, I had guessed that you are one and pushed you to check my theory!"
Shooking her head, Anneliese closed her eyes and murmured to herself, "This vampire is crazier than I thought!" When she opened her eyes again, she saw the man standing in front of her with narrowed eyes as if he heard her murmur and then she realized vampires has sharp hearing power and she smiled awkwardly.
Vincenzo gave the book to Ann which he left on the ground before jumping in the river. Shivering a little, she said in a shaking voice, "It's more than three hours since I left the house! I should take my leave now" And she bowed before saying, "Good bye Mr. Enzo. I will meet you here after a week and Thankyou for the book." Anneliese walked few steps and turned her head only to see, the vampire has already left!