Mated To The Vampire

Chapter 4: Hurt

The restaurant buzzed with elegance and sophistication. It wasn’t just any diner — it was a five-star culinary gem in the city. Known chefs from all over the U.S. were employed here. The scent of fresh truffle risotto mingled with the aroma of perfectly seared steaks and wine sauces. Every table was set with precision: fine silverware, imported crystal glasses, and silk napkins folded like art.

Giant chandeliers glimmered from the ceiling, casting a golden glow across the polished marble floors. The walls were adorned with modern art and soft music filled the space from hidden speakers.

Hazel moved effortlessly through it all, balancing grace with fatigue. In her black skirt and white blouse, her figure still turned heads, but her mind was far from flattery. She scribbled down orders, smiled at customers, filled drinks, cleared dishes.

The day had finally come to an end.

Hazel stepped out of the restaurant, her shoes clicking softly against the pavement.

standing near the entrance, hands tucked into the pockets of his coat like he’d been waiting a while.

“Just in time,” he said with a calm smile. “Hi, Hazel.”

Her heart skipped a beat as she turned to who spoke

“Y-you’re here,” she said, caught off guard.

“I’ve been waiting. Come on.” He said softly with a smile as he walked her to the car, opened the car door for her, always the gentleman. She hesitated but slid in, folding her hands in her lap nervously.

The ride was quiet for a while, the only sound was the soft hum of the engine and the occasional turn signal clicking. Hazel stared out the window, unsure of what to say — until she broke the silence.

“Thank you for the gift,” she said softly, looking over at him. “It was… a really lovely fragrance.”

He nodded, his eyes fixed on the road.

“But,” she added gently,

“I’d appreciate it if… things like that stayed outside of work. Please.”

He glanced at her briefly, then looked back ahead.

“I’m sorry, Hazel. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, and I understand.”

His voice was calm, but she could feel something pull inside her chest. She didn’t want to hurt him but the truth was always the hardest part.

They arrived in front of her house. Ethan shifted into park and turned toward her, like he had something on his mind — something he wanted to say but was holding back.

“We’re here,” he said simply.

Hazel hesitated.

“T-thank you… for the ride,” she replied, fumbling slightly with the door handle before stepping out.

Ethan battled with his thought whether or not he should say what was in his heart to say, it would ache if he held it in.

he got out of the car hurriedly before she left for her house

She was halfway to her front porch when she heard him.

“Hazel!” he called out.

She turned around slowly, the cool evening breeze brushing her cheeks.

Ethan walked up to her, a nervous urgency in his steps.

"You are very beautiful, hard working, lovable.. Hazel.. " he stated as she avoided his eyes.

“I like you, Hazel,” he said, standing just a few feet from her.

“I want to know if maybe… you feel the same.”

She opened her mouth, but nothing came out at first.

“Ethan, I…” Her eyes dropped to the ground.

His shoulders dropped a little, but he nodded.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything now. I just… wanted you to know. You’ve got all the time in the world to think it through. I am in no hurry”

"Ethan.. " she called softly

Then he stepped forward, gently kissed her forehead, and gave a small smile , one that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Goodnight, Hazel.”

She stood frozen, watching as he walked back to his car, reversed, and drove away down the quiet street.

Hazel stood on her porch long after Ethan’s car disappeared down the street.

She felt awful — really awful — knowing she was hurting someone like him. Ethan was a good man. A really good man.

He was in his late twenties, tall, with a gentle presence that made him easy to be around. His short brown hair was always neatly styled, gelled to the side in that effortless kind of way. And those eyes — soft, ocean blue — held warmth, sincerity, and something else she couldn't quite name.

He had a small bookshop on the corner of Grove and Maple. A quaint little place filled with old poetry collections, modern bestsellers, and handwritten notes tucked between the pages.

The day they met, he'd followed her after her shift, waited until she got close to home. He didn’t come off as threatening — just… nervous. He said he’d watched her go in and out of the restaurant for weeks, and he couldn’t keep pretending he didn’t want to know her.

That was three months ago.

Since then, he’d been showing up at her door with small gifts.

And her mother loved him for it.

In fact, if her mother had her way, Hazel would already be planning a wedding. Ethan checked all the boxes , stable, kind, respectful. He didn’t rush her, didn’t pressure her. He always said she could take all the time she needed. But he kept coming back. Waiting. Hoping.

Hazel pushed open the front door and stepped inside, only to find her mother standing near the window, gently letting the curtain fall back into place.

“Seems he dropped you off,” Mrs. Helen said, not even trying to hide the fact she’d been watching.

Hazel paused, exhaled. “Mother…”

Her mom turned toward her with that familiar twinkle in her eyes — the hopeful one.

“Tell me, is something cooking up between you two?”

And that was what scared her most.

Because Hazel didn’t want to hurt anyone ,not again. And every time she saw the quiet disappointment in his smile, the hurt tucked behind his patience, it broke a little piece of her.