Twenty-Five

When my eyes met his it felt like the world around me stopped. Those grey orbs just seemed to suck me in, stealing both my breath and thoughts. I lost all brain power as I stood, clutching my purse excessively tightly, completely frozen. Raphael just stared back, seemly as frozen as I was.

After about a minute of both of us staring frozen into each other's eyes, I felt a tap on my shoulder, pulling me out of my trance. The waitress was looking at me concerned and I smiled sheepishly at her once I realized how weird I was just acting.

"Are you okay?" She asked, tilting her head slightly.

I laughed awkwardly, nodding my head and resuming my walk to the table, "Ya, ya, sorry about that." I said and she chuckled a little, winking at me before making her way back to the employee area.

When I turned back to Raphael he was still staring at me, a small smile that he was clearly trying and failing to hold back on his face. Finally he seemed to come out of his haze and smiled, knocking the breath out of me once again as I settled in across from him.

"Hi." I breathed out and he smiled wider.

"You look absolutely stunning." Raphael said with a breathy laugh and I immediately felt all my blood rushing to me cheeks.

I looked down shyly, placing my napkin on my lap and adjusting it awkwardly until I felt cool fingertips gently grazing under my chin.

I glanced up to meet Raphael's concerned gaze.

"What did they do to you?" He whispered so quietly he probably thought I didn't hear. I was just about to question him on it when the waitress reappeared.

"Hey y'all, how's it goin tonight?" She greeted and I responded kindly, feeling my heartbeat begin to return to normal as Raphael's hand left my face. He leaned back in his sight, seeming to be deep in thought as he tilted his head slightly, staring me down, making it almost impossible to listen to the waitress that was talking about their wines.

Finally Raphael's gaze slid away from me for a second and to the waitress. "We'll have the Louis Roederer Cristal 2008 please." He said quickly before returning his attention to me, bringing his hand up to his chin to scratch the dark stubble slightly.

"Of course, I'll have that right out for you guys." The waitress said before walking away, leaving me defenseless against Raphael's intense eyes.

"Do you believe in mythological creatures?" Raphael suddenly asked out of nowhere.

"Uhm, do you mean like zombies and stuff?" I asked, unsure why we were having this conversation right now.

"More like werewolves, dragons, witches, siren, fae." He said, as confident as ever.

Oh god. I really can't deal with another slightly crazy person in my life. I think having a thing with the strangest case my mental hospital has ever seen is more than enough.

"Okay... No, I don't. Why? Do you believe in them?" I asked, unable to hold back my cringe on my last sentence.

He smiled lightly but remained quiet as the waitress placed the bottle of wine and poured us each a little taster to make sure it was all okay. I let Raphael do the honors and he slowly lifted the glass to his face and tasted it, nodding that it was good, never breaking eye contact with me.

Meanwhile I was looking anywhere and everywhere. I found myself unable to hold his intense eye contact, but I couldn't help but glance back at his mesmerizing grey orbs at every chance.

This time when the waitress left we fell into an easy conversation about his move. I talked a bit about my day but didn't really have much to contribute. It's not like I'm about to tell him about 32.

The only uncomfortable part is when he would ask about my family or my childhood. I never knew what to answer, I just physically couldn't remember the responses to the questions. I can't remember much before a few months ago to be honest... I know the general idea of what happened but it's all kind of fuzzy. Maybe I should get that checked out. Seems concerning.

As someone who works in mental health you'd think I'd be more aware of this, but up until now no one had really asked me about my past. I think the fact that my parents died scares everyone out of asking me about anything that could possibly bring back any memories.

"So what are fae? I heard you bring that up earlier while you were naming those creatures. I feel like I've heard of them but I'm not totally sure what they are."

That had been bothering me since he said it. Something inside of me desperately needed to know. I felt this strange itch in my mind and couldn't shake it out until my curiosity was sated.

Raphael looked taken aback for a second before a blindingly large smile graced his face.

"Fae are mythological creatures that can control the elements, fire, water, air and earth. They look almost exactly like humans except that they have wings, sharper features and pointed ears. They are generally very connected to the earth and very, very mischievous. Fae cannot lie, but they can easily play with their words and bind you into contracts and things without you even realizing. You should never ever get into business with a fae, and if you do be extremely careful and explicit with exactly what you want. The funny thing is is that a lot of people are actually under the misconception the fae are sweet and harmless, nowadays, especially the stronger, more physical types, like werewolves and dragons, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Just because they don't look all that dangerous doesn't mean they can't mess with you head until you owe them your life."

I just blinked, confused about all the information I'd just received. He was so passionate about it too.

"I mean at least according to - uh - books?"

He's a little odd, but I can get behind it. I chuckled airily, still slightly in shock from the long explanation.

"So, uhm. What are your plans for Christmas? Are you going to stay with your family or something?" He asked, a slight blush on his face as he leaned back, rubbing his elbow awkwardly.

I shook my head. It might be extremely early to bring up something like this but I guess it needs to be said.

"They actually died in a car crash a long time ago. I was in the car with them but I survived, I was sent into a comma for a while but managed to pull through. I did stay with my grandma afterwards for some time but she died too a few years back. Old age." I explained, keeping my voice light and free of worry despite the heavy facts that pushed down on both of us.

"I'm sorry." He said softly, a sad look on his face. Suddenly his face smiled a little and I almost tilted my head like a dog I was so confused. "I have a feeling everything will be okay very soon." He said with a devilish smile.

I couldn't help but crack my own smile, shaking my head slightly.

"How do you know?" I asked softly.

"I just do. Trust me. Everything will be okay very soon."

I rolled my eyes, still feeling a little down from the thought of everything I'd lost.

"You know if you're feeling down, I'm happy to feel you up." He suddenly said and I swear to you my heart stopped.

"Wh-what?" I coughed out, choking on my own spit. I reached for my water to help soothe the awkwardness but I ended up knocking it so hard it flew into another table, shattering to the ground.

As the sinking feeling of dread entered my gut I grabbed the glass of fancy wine, the only thing I had left, and threw it down like a shot, pouring myself another to try and drown the embarrassment.

I'm not an alcoholic... I swear.

He grinned mischievously, chuckling at my reaction.

I knew my cheeks were ever more red than a fire truck and I put my hands in my palms, groaning in embarrassment, only taking a break to give my sincere apologies to the waitress that was now cleaning up the mess I made, and the couple I nearly shattered a glass of water on.

They were all very nice and forgiving about it, they honestly looked amused if anything, but I was still mortified.

I finally took my face out of my hands to find Raphael laughing and couldn't help the smile that lit up my own, laughing at my own stupidity.

"Much better." He suddenly said victoriously, his eyes dropping down to my lips and I couldn't help the way my mouth stretched even wider as I realized what he had done.

That's one way to distract me...

The rest of the evening went on really well. We joked and laughed, talking like we'd know each other for years. He had a way of making me feel like I've known him forever, while simultaneously knocking the breath out of me with each look, just like the first time we met.

It was very disorienting.

When the evening was done the waitress came by with the bill. I was laughing at a story Raphael was telling me about a teacher that he one had. She was on old lady and had a... thing for him. When he first told me about it I snorted it caught me so off guard, but as soon as she placed the bill down I felt my laughter die down and my heart enter me throat.

There weren't any prices on the menu, which was already a bad enough sign, but the wine I'd looked up when Raphael went the the bathroom and it cost nearly 300$ for a bottle.

My hand shook the slightest bit as I reached out for it but as soon as my fingers met the leather of the little holder, Raphael's hand was on top of mine.

I noticed him shiver slightly, as our hands met and his eyes darkened slightly. Almost like 32's. Almost exactly like Thirty Two's eyes.

"I'm paying." He said sternly.

I shook my head, "You're new to town, consider this a welcoming."

He shook his head.

"At the very least let me split it. It's not like this is a date, you don't have to pay for me." I said and I noticed him flinch slightly at my last words.

"How about this, I'll pay tonight and you get the check next time." He said and I found myself nodding, letting out a tiny breath of relief.

I could probably manage to save up a little for next time, that way I don't won't have to worry about money for food.

He threw a role of cash the size of my fist, filled with twenties, down on the table before standing up.

The waitress came by when she noticed us leaving and looked at the role of cash with wide eyes.

"Keep the extra." He said with a small smile before walking over to my side of the table, placing a hand on the small of my back as we walked out.

Just breathe, Opal. It's just a friendly gesture, stop walking like a leaping duck and breathe.

I turned to him and once again found myself breathless, studying how the moonlight bounced off his features, making him look dark and mysterious in the best ways possible.

"Thank you for tonight, Opal. I had a lot of fun." He smiled I melted a little right there.

"We'll have to do another dinner soon so I can return the favor for today. I know a bunch of cute little placed I think you'll like." I smiled and he smiled back.

"I'm going to hold you to that."

"Please do."

We stared into each other's eyes for a solid minute, grinning like idiots before I finally pulled away.

"Goodnight Raphael." I said softly, finally stepping away.

Everything was pretty normal, but it was the next thing he said that caught me off guard. He said it so quietly he probably thought I didn't hear him, but I just managed to make it out.

"Goodnight my Evangeline."