13. Alin Nadhiya

I am engulfed in emotions. All the feelings are now mixed together, making my heart uncertain and my mind confused.

On the one hand, I had vowed never to get into love with any man other than my native country, but I had broken that vow. I love Daniel, I want him to be mine.

However, that's where the real problems started.

When I dared to love him, entrusted my heart to him, reality then slapped me viciously.

Even after Daniel's sweetness and oath of loyalty to me, we wouldn't be together until we were old. No, because Daniel will not age, he is immortal and I will perish.

That fact invited tears, invites sorrow and a burden on my heart that I can only feel alone.

There is still another way to solve all this.

I gave up everything and chose Daniel, became immortal, just like him. However, I can't. I don't want to turn into a vampire, I don't want to leave my family, I love my mother and father.

And the only choice left was ....

Forget about that man before it's too late.

"What are you thinking about?"

I shook my head, his burly arms hugging my stomach telling me how close we were now. Sharing the heat and breath we exhale together.

"Daniel?"

"Hm."

"Why are you here?" I asked in a serious tone. Since long time ago, I didn't know the serious reason why he was in Japan.

Daniel smiled faintly. "I want to see the outside world, Alin. I've been cooped up in my room too long."

"Why are you cooped yourself up?" I asked, not understanding.

What was he cooped himself up for? Why should, because he is not human, then he hides his figure from the world?

Then why ... Yuki said, if Daniel is a noble. Vampire nobility? Is he rich?

"There's no reason to leave, no interest whatsoever to require me to leave." Daniel let out a harsh sigh. "No, I didn't go out because I hated the world that denied my existence."

My breath caught.

"All humans understand, what will you do when the world rejects your presence? Are you going to have fun enjoying that world? No ... I'd rather shut myself up, Alin."

I'm speechless, right. If the world rejects my existence, I prefer to stay at home. However, fate said otherwise, the world always welcomed me warmly, unlike how Daniel felt so far.

"And when I saw you for the first time, how you with your innocence live carefree around this world, I was attracted to you. I looked for you, then followed you to this place."

My eyes are bulging. "Follow me?"

Daniel smiled crookedly. "You won't notice." Daniel closed his eyes. "In my memory, you are always smiling, walking around the park, around the highway, stopping at any place that interests you. The smile on your face never goes away."

My cheeks are flushed, remembering that's what I've been doing. Even though I like traveling the world, that doesn't mean I'll just stop at a tourist spot.

No, I took walks, walked around the streets, circled around until I knew which direction I needed to go, and of course spent time resting in a park.

"But here, your smile changes. You're desperate because of what's going on. The terror keeps you locked up, you can't feel your happiness anymore and every day you always glance at the contents of your wallet. What do you see there?"

My cheeks are getting flushed. "Don't talk about it, I'm not as rich as I seem."

"Who thought you were rich?" Daniel laughed and then tightened his arms. "You're just an ordinary human who has a lot of energy, that's why you can't stay in the same place for long periods of time. When you are asked to be quiet, you will be confused because your expenses will increase instead of being happy, you will only get a burden on your mind. Am I right?"

"Daniel, you really are a vampire, right?" I grunted loudly.

"Doubt me?"

"If you're a vampire, don't act like you're a fortune teller." I let out a harsh sigh. "Now, answer my question!"

Daniel was silent, he was waiting for my sentence.

"What are you going to do after this? You're going to find the terrorists, right? Get over this damn nightmare, right?"

Daniel nodded. "If that can bring your old self back, I will."

My eyes are closed. "When this is all over, I'll be back." I looked into his eyes boldly. "You understand, right? We're going our separate ways."

Daniel shut his mouth.

"I'll go back to my home country, I won't go out again until I save enough. I—"

"I will not let you go."

"Daniel, wake up! I can't possibly be with you forever! Maybe now, we can do whatever we like, but after this—"

"Come with me, Alin!"

I shook my head firmly. "No, I don't want."

"Why?"

"You must be aware, right? If I come with you, I will still age and die, then what about my family? I want to meet them, I want to see my mom and dad happy, I want them to see me have a family, have cute kids they will be proud of." I looked back at him. "You must understand, right?"

"In other words," Daniel glares at me, "you don't want to be a vampire?"

I shook my head. "Which human wants to turn into a vampire?" I smiled sadly. "I'm naive and stupid, but I'm not that stupid just for love. No, Daniel, after all this terror is over, we'll part here."

Daniel fell silent. "Then, I just have to let this terror drag on."

"W-what?!"

Daniel pulls my body over him, his gaze locks in my movements.

"I'll do anything as long as you don't leave me, Alin. No." Daniel shook his head. "Even if you can run away, I'll make sure, I can get you back."

I shook my head firmly. "You're terrible, Daniel."

Daniel closed his eyes. "Go to sleep." He gave me a glare. "Do you really want to be a vampire who is always up in the middle of the night?"

No.

I tried to close my eyes, even though it was difficult because Daniel now pulled me into his arms.

I didn't expect loving him to be like this.

Can't I break free?

Am I going to end up with him until I die?

Is this what is called true love, love to death?