The Fractured Wife

Chapter 20

Roma smiled as she walked to Lucien’s car, sneakily glancing at Lucien as she felt the butterflies in her stomach going crazy. “Well, what’s the plan?” Roma asked as Lucien held the passenger door open for her. Lucien smiled as she got into the car, “ You will just have to wait and see,” Lucien smirked as he got into the driver’s side of his car. “But we are going to have to hurry up as the reservation is at 7:30 and it takes half an hour to get to where we are going,” Lucien said as he reversed the car and driving away from the house. 

Half an hour later they were pulling up in front of an Italian restaurant. “WOW, You’ve outdone yourself this place is lovely,” Roma said as she gazed at the building and seeing the lights that surrounded it making it look romantic. “How did you know that Italian food is my favourite?” Lucien took her hand and escorted her to the door before whispering in her ear, “a  little birdie told me.” as he opened the door.

“ Ah Lucien my good fellow, welcome back!” said the greeter as he saw Lucien walking in. “Will you be having the usual table?” He asked Lucien before he saw that Roma was with him. “Ah sir, this way we have an excellent table prepared. He led them to the back of the restaurant and once they were seated proceeded to say what the specials were and taking their drink order.

After he left, Roma looked at Lucien admiring him in the candlelight as he looked over the menu. She could see the muscle working in his cheek as she felt herself blush when Lucien caught her staring at him. “Sorry,” before she hid her face in the menu. Lucien had ordered a bottle of white wine and after that had been brought to their table he took the time to study Roma who was staring at the menu. He couldn’t believe his luck that she was on a date with him. “Have you decided on what you’re having?” Lucien asked breaking the silence between them. “I can’t decide as it’s all in Italian, what are you having?” Roma looked up at Lucien hoping he wouldn’t notice her discomfort from admitting that she couldn’t read Italian. 

“If you want I can order something for both of us if that is easier as he saw the waiter coming over to their table to take their order. “ We will both have the lasagna with garlic bread on the side please,” Lucien finished the order before handing back the menus as the waiter left. “I thought you couldn’t be anywhere near garlic? Is everything I’ve seen in films wrong?” Roma asked startled that he had asked for garlic bread. 

“Well the movies did some things right like the silver,  that can kill us and we can compel people and we are wickedly fast,” Lucien said trying to be serious, but it didn’t work as Roma was looking too good and he fought the urge to claim her as his. “Hasn’t Jane told you about all of this?” Lucien questioned. “She only went on about when vampires find love and what happens but nothing else,” Roma said squirming in her seat.

“how old are you?” Roma asked Lucien once their food had arrived. The lasagne smelt amazing as Roma breathed in the smells that overcame her senses. “Erm, I’m older than most vampires but I wouldn’t say I’m the oldest vampire,” Lucien started “but I am the oldest vampire I know who isn’t settled down yet,” Lucien said uncomfortably when he knew she was the one he was waiting on. “I am 550 years old Roma, and I’m waiting for the right person to come into my life.” Lucien went on to describe that the only way to kill a vampire permanently is to cut off their heads and remove their hearts. Roma sat quietly listening to him and felt her heart slightly break when he said that he was still waiting on the right person for him. “So tell me,” she said looking into Lucien’s eyes, “ How did you become a vampire?” 

Lucien almost dropped his fork as he wasn’t expecting her to be right to the point but if he wanted things to work with Roma then he would’ve had to share his story eventually. “Well,” He said taking her hands in his, “ I was 38 when I was turned. I was working on my home when I saw the most beautiful creature I had ever seen in all of my years. Her name was Loren. She was breathtaking with brown curls pinned to the top of her head. She had olive skin and the most amazing eyes that drew you in every time she looked at you. They looked like doll’s eyes.” Lucien stopped as he remembered her. Roma squeezed his hands and urged him to continue. “Well, I was called over as she was struggling with her horse and asked if I would be able to help her. The gentleman that I am walked over her and we struck up a conversation. We had a lot of things in common and we hit it off straight away. We quickly fell in love, but her father didn’t like that we had fallen in love as he had another suitor that he felt was more suited for his daughter. When I went to his father to ask for his daughter’s hand he turned around and laughed in my face saying that I wasn’t good enough or powerful enough for his daughter. I was distraught and went home to bury my sorrow at the bottom of a brandy bottle. 

That night Loren came to my house in tears after fighting with her father about him allowing her to marry me. I was consoling her when she blurted out that because I wasn’t a vampire she couldn’t be with me anymore. I was broken when I heard this and jumped up suddenly making her look at me like a madman. I suggested that she turns me so her father would agree to the marriage. I was desperate to be with this girl and the only way I saw that happening was to be turned.” Lucien looked up with tears in his eyes as he remembered the past like he was reliving it. “I made her change me that night. As soon as I felt her fangs dig into my neck I started to regret my decision but I thought we would be together forever. The next day she showed me how to control my instincts and how to survive in the world. Once I was turned Loren became a different person. She became cold and distant towards me. I tried everything to get her to talk to me. She disappeared for a couple of weeks with her family visiting relatives and when she came back she was married to the man her father had arranged before I turned.” Lucien stayed silent for the longest time before Roma lifted her hand and brushed his hair away from his eyes. “What happened?” Roma asked holding her breath and waited for Lucien to continue. 

Lucien sighed before continuing “She had agreed to meet this suitor her father had arranged for her and she found the person that she was made for and married him quickly. Vampires don’t hang around after they find their special someone. I was devastated and fled from my home as I couldn’t bear to be around her any more. I promised myself that I would never be with anyone else until I met that person that is just for me. I also promised myself that if my love had kids then I would treat them like my own just for her.” Lucien finished his tale and held his breath while Roma thought about what he was trying to say. “So you’re telling me that in all that time you haven’t dated or slept with anyone since you turned?” Roma asked with wide eyes as the realisation sunk in that he never dated till now. “Lucien if you are still looking for her, then why are you here with me?” Roma spoke feeling suddenly nervous as she remembered that night not long after they met. “Why did you sleep with me that night?” Roma whispered the last part looking down at her hands in her lap.

“Roma since we bumped into each other I can’t get you off my mind. That night we shared was the best night of my life. I meant everything I said that night and in that note the next morning. I knew that when I looked into your eyes that you were the person I was waiting for, that’s why I jumped at the chance to take you out.” Lucien said desperately as he searched her face for anything. “Lucien I won’t deny that I have feelings for you and I’m happy that you felt comfortable to tell me your story but I can’t do this as I have my sons to think about and their happiness goes before mine.” Roma cried as she looked up. Lucien felt heartbreak as Roma told him that they couldn’t be together as she needs to put her sons before hers. 

“Now you know,” Lucien whispered but then he did something he never thought he would do. “I promise to be your friend and if things happen but I will never force you to be with me,” as he stood holding his hand out to her. Roma took his hands as she was pulled into a hug in which she felt safe and warm. 

“Fancy getting out of here and going to get some ice cream? Ice cream always makes things better and since I’ve dampened our date it’s my treat,” Lucien said into her hair which rewarded him a smile and her jumping up and down in his arms. 

After Lucien paid for their dinner they were leaving and heading towards the car, when Roma suddenly felt like someone was watching her. She shivered and quickly looked around panicked she saw a man in the shadows that only the street light showed his eyes, before retreating into the night.

Roma couldn’t move. “He’s found me! How could he have found me? It’s him, can’t believe it’s him. He’s here,” Roma started to hug her body even more than what she was. Lucien had noticed she had stopped walking and was staring into the darkness. He knew someone was there as he could smell the beer off him. “Roma? Are you OK?” Lucien was in front of Roma in a blink of an eye. “What is it? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Lucien grabbed onto Roma’s arms firmly but not enough to hurt her.

“It’s him, He’s going to kill me, he’s going to hurt my boys, He’s found us.” Roma kept whispering to herself unaware that Lucien was shouting her name.

“ROMA!” Lucien shouted for the umpteenth time. “Who are you talking about?” Lucien asked her even tho he had a good idea on who she was talking about.

“FRANK MY HUSBAND!!” Roma screamed.