My boyfriend Vampire lord

Chapter 8: A Midnight Return

Chapter 8: A Midnight Return

Adrian was still laughing.

"Hahaha… Claire…"

"You really…"

"Hahaha…"

"You look so funny."

Hearing that, Claire became even more annoyed. She took a step toward him and narrowed her eyes.

"Oh, really?"

"So I look funny?"

The next second, she raised her flour-covered hand and smeared it directly across Adrian's cheek.

Adrian froze in surprise.

"Hey!"

But now, a victorious smile appeared on Claire's face.

"Go ahead."

"Laugh now!"

Adrian touched the flour on his face and then looked back at Claire. Suddenly, a mischievous glimmer appeared in his eyes. Slowly, he picked up a little flour from a nearby bowl and, before Claire could react, smeared it across her face.

"Now we're even."

Claire stared at him for several seconds.

Then their eyes met.

And suddenly, both of them burst out laughing.

It had been many days since Claire had laughed so freely. Hearing her laughter, an indescribable warmth spread through Adrian's heart.

"Wait!"

Claire suddenly shouted, charging toward him with the kitchen knife still in her hand.

"I'm not letting you go today!"

Adrian's eyes widened.

"You crazy girl!"

"Put the knife down!"

Laughing, he stepped backward.

But Claire wasn't someone who backed down easily.

"Don't run!"

"You made fun of me so much!"

She rushed toward him.

But suddenly—

"Ah!"

Her foot stepped on one of the fallen pots lying on the floor.

In an instant, she lost her balance.

Adrian's laughter disappeared immediately.

"Claire!"

He lunged forward to catch her.

But unexpectedly, he lost his balance too.

The next second—

Both of them fell onto the floor.

Silence filled the room.

For several seconds, neither of them moved.

Adrian was lying underneath.

Claire was on top of him.

Her eyes were tightly closed, and out of fear, both her hands were clutching his shoulders. Her long hair had fallen over his face, and their faces were unbelievably close.

Close enough to feel each other's breath.

Moonlight streaming through the window bathed them softly, and in the quiet room, the only sound was the rapid beating of their hearts.

Slowly, Claire opened her eyes.

The moment she saw Adrian's face, she became lost for a few seconds.

It was the first time she had seen him from such a close distance.

His deep eyes.

His calm expression.

And the faint smile on his lips.

Meanwhile, Adrian quietly stared at her.

The flour on her cheeks.

Her slightly messy hair.

And the blush spreading across her face.

She looked so adorable that, for a moment, he forgot everything else.

His heartbeat had become much faster than usual.

"You…"

Claire whispered softly.

Then suddenly, she realized their position.

Her entire face turned bright red.

"Oh!"

Immediately, she tried to stand up.

But in her panic, her hand slipped again.

"Ah!"

And she fell right back onto Adrian's chest.

This time, both their eyes widened even more.

A small laugh escaped Adrian's lips.

"Looks like falling on top of me is something you really enjoy."

"Shut up!"

Claire snapped, her face completely red.

"This is all your fault!"

But this time, there was far more embarrassment in her voice than anger.

After several seconds, she finally stood up and quickly moved to the other side of the room. Neither of them had the courage to meet the other's eyes. An awkward silence spread through the kitchen.

Suddenly—

Smoke started rising from the forgotten pot.

"Ah!"

Claire cried out.

"My food!"

Adrian looked at the smoke and then at Claire.

Their eyes met.

And the next second, both of them burst into laughter once again.

That night, dinner was never made.

But inside their hearts…

A new feeling had quietly been born.

Adrian was still trying to hold back his laughter while Claire stood there glaring at him with a knife in her hand. Suddenly, Adrian looked at the burned pot and wrinkled his nose.

"I can't eat burnt food."

"So I ordered noodles."

The moment Claire heard that, she puffed out her cheeks.

"Oh, really?"

"So according to you, I eat things like this?"

She crossed her arms angrily.

"I worked so hard, and you…"

Adrian immediately raised both hands in surrender.

"Hey, hey!"

"That's not what I meant."

"Maybe you worked so hard on this…"

"That you've developed a taste for burnt food."

The next second, Claire raised the knife again.

"Just wait!"

"You never learn!"

Adrian quickly stepped backward.

"Okay, okay!"

"I already ordered food."

"But it'll take some time to get here."

"Until then…"

He pointed toward the flour scattered everywhere, the broken dishes, and the vegetables spread across the floor.

"We have one little problem."

"We need to clean this entire kitchen."

Claire immediately started looking around innocently.

"Hmmm…"

"Then go ahead."

"It's your kitchen, after all."

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"Oh really?"

"So some evil cat broke into my kitchen?"

Claire turned away, trying not to laugh.

"How would I know?"

Adrian stepped in front of her.

"Oh, and this mysterious cat also carries knives?"

"And somehow gets flour all over her cheeks?"

Claire finally burst out laughing.

"Okay, okay!"

"Stop teasing me."

"We'll clean it together."

For the next several minutes, the two cleaned the kitchen side by side. Adrian washed the dishes while Claire wiped the counters. Every now and then, they looked at each other and started laughing again. Nearly thirty minutes later, the kitchen had finally returned to normal.

Just then, the sound of a motorcycle echoed outside.

"Looks like the food is here."

Adrian sighed in relief.

Claire smiled brightly.

"Thank God."

A while later, the two sat together at the wooden table eating noodles. Claire secretly watched Adrian. Despite spending the entire day searching for stores, despite not feeling well, he had never once complained. He had smiled the whole time. Meanwhile, Adrian found himself stealing glances at Claire. For the first time, he had seen her laugh so freely. The woman who had once drowned herself in tears and sorrow was now sitting across from him, arguing over noodles with a smile on her face.

Gradually, the night grew deeper. Eventually, both retired to their rooms. Claire fell asleep within minutes. But in the room next to hers, Adrian remained awake. The clock on the wall showed two in the morning.

Slowly, Adrian stepped out of his room.

But this time…

He no longer looked human.

His eyes glowed a deep crimson.

Two sharp fangs slightly protruded from his mouth.

His expression had become serious.

Quietly, he stopped outside Claire's room. The door was slightly open. Inside, she slept peacefully, a faint smile resting on her face. A small smile appeared on Adrian's lips.

"Good."

"This crazy girl is asleep."

"Now I can finally go home."

He stepped outside and looked at the motorcycle before shaking his head.

"No."

"The noise might wake her up."

With that thought, he started running.

But it was nothing like human speed.

His body became nothing more than a blurry shadow as he raced forward. Roads, trees, and hills vanished behind him in seconds.

Before long, he reached one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in New York. Towering skyscrapers, luxurious mansions, and endless silence surrounded the area. Among the countless multi-million-dollar estates stood an enormous white villa. Massive iron gates guarded the property while security personnel stood watch.

The moment one of the guards spotted Adrian, he immediately straightened himself.

"Good evening, sir!"

He bowed respectfully.

By now, Adrian's eyes had returned to normal.

"Did anyone come looking for me during the last ten days?"

He asked calmly.

The guard lowered his head.

"Yes, sir."

"Miss Maya came twice."

"But since you weren't here, she left."

Adrian nodded slightly.

"I see."

"Very well."

Without another word, he walked through the gates. Respect was clearly visible in the guard's eyes. But the man had no idea that his master had spent the last ten days living inside a tiny wooden cabin…

And with a girl who was slowly changing the peaceful life he had maintained for centuries.

The moment Adrian entered the luxurious villa, lights throughout the mansion turned on automatically. The shining marble floors, expensive furniture, priceless paintings hanging on the walls, and the magnificent crystal chandeliers made it obvious that this was no ordinary home. Yet despite all its beauty, an eerie silence filled the entire mansion.

Slowly, Adrian walked toward the grand staircase.

There was no happiness on his face.

To him…

This house was nothing more than an empty palace.

Suddenly—

A sweet but slightly annoyed voice echoed from upstairs.

"So…"

"His Highness finally remembered that he has a home?"