"...For Bonnie's matter, let's not tell Elena and the others for now. This outcome doesn't really affect them, but I'm afraid if they know too much, they might let something slip, and if Anna finds out, it could cause unnecessary trouble," Kevin advised Bonnie after things were more or less settled.
"Okay," Bonnie nodded in agreement.
"Grams, we'll see you then. I have some other things to attend to, so I'll be leaving first," Kevin said, bidding Bonnie's grandmother farewell.
"Alright, dear," Bonnie's grandmother replied with a smile and a nod.
Kevin left Bonnie's grandmother's house and drove to a restaurant to eat, but unexpectedly, Anna found him there.
"Hey Kevin," Anna said, walking over to Kevin's table, sitting down, and greeting him.
"Anna? Is this a coincidence, or is there something you need me for?" Kevin asked directly, not bothering with empty pleasantries.
"I do have something to tell you," Anna said to Kevin.
"What is it? Is it about the tomb?" Kevin asked.
"Actually, Katherine isn't in the tomb. I saw her back in 1983. And she also knows Damon and Stefan are here, but she doesn't care at all," Anna revealed a secret.
"So, there are only 26 vampires in the tomb. You hid this fact just so Damon would help you open the tomb?" The moment Kevin heard this, he understood why Anna had concealed it.
"Yes, before, it was for that reason. As for why I'm telling you this secret now, it's mainly because I know how much you detest Damon, and telling him this truth would be the greatest punishment for him," Anna said. Actually, her main fear was that Kevin might back out of the deal, and this news was intended to ensure Kevin would personally take Damon into the tomb to punish him. If Kevin was satisfied, the tomb would definitely be opened.
"Well, well, you're quite savvy, aren't you? Don't worry, when the time comes, I'll take Damon into the tomb and let him see this truth with his own eyes," Kevin said, patting Anna's head.
"Is there anything else?" Kevin asked, continuing to eat and looking at Anna, who remained seated without moving.
"No, it's mainly that I don't have much to do right now. As for the spellbook, after you left, I told Elena and the others. Emily's spellbook was actually given to Elena's ancestor back then. Once Elena finds his diary, she'll know where the spellbook is," Anna explained.
"Then why don't you go find your little boyfriend Jeremy? I saw you two chatting quite happily last time," Kevin said to Anna.
"He's not my boyfriend. And his ancestor betrayed my mother back then. I'm only looking for him to get that diary from him, guiding him to discover things about vampires so I can get my hands on it. After you finish eating, are you free to go for a stroll with me?" Anna explained her dealings with Jeremy, then asked Kevin.
"You know I don't have a particularly good impression of vampires. And I just broke up not long ago – with Caroline, whom you sat with today," Kevin said. He somewhat understood Anna's implication. He recalled Stefan once saying that when humans turn into vampires, their emotions and desires intensify explosively, often translating into hunger. This was likely why vampires were so fond of "rolling in the sheets" with humans. It was possible that what might have been a slight attraction for a person could, under a vampire's heightened emotional state, turn into "like." Coupled with the more open attitudes in this "Beautiful Country" (America), it was enough for them to end up in bed together.
"Haven't you already broken up? What's the big deal? And I heard the reason you two broke up was because of your immortality. Think about Stefan's vampire identity; Elena still loves him to death, doesn't she? It can only be said that her feelings for you weren't that deep," Anna said nonchalantly.
"Love wasn't deep enough, huh? Hearing you say that, I feel like if I could accept breaking up with Caroline so quickly, maybe I didn't love her that much either. But honestly, we only met a total of three times, and frankly, those encounters weren't exactly friendly. If you're bringing this up for that reason, there's no need. Since I promised you, I won't trick you," Kevin said, thinking to himself that he was still too kind-hearted; he'd resolved to be a scumbag and yet here he was, still giving Anna such reminders.
"Don't you worry, your charm isn't as low as you imagine," Anna said with a smile, a corner of her lips twitching. In truth, Anna had been observing from the shadows for a considerable time while planning to open the tomb. Honestly, Kevin's actions could truly qualify him as a good person. Look at what Stefan had put Kevin through because of Damon; if it were a normal person with Kevin's abilities, they would have dealt with Stefan long ago.
"Well, it's a small town. Shall we go to the bar for a bit later?" Kevin nodded. Since all that needed to be said had been said, he might as well stick to his "Three No's Principle."
"Sure," Anna said with a smile.
Kevin quickly finished off the rest of his food and then took Anna to the bar, where he ordered two drinks and they sat down.
"Honestly, after you rescue your mother, do you have any plans on where to go? Or are you planning to stay on in Mystic Falls?" Kevin asked Anna, taking a sip of his drink.
"I'll see when the time comes. It really depends on where my mother wants to go," Anna said after some thought.
"Hey, Kevin," Caroline said, having come over to find Matt and seeing Kevin with Anna, she approached and greeted them.
"Hey Caroline," Kevin greeted her back.
"Has there been some new development with the plan?" Caroline asked, looking at the two of them with a hint of suspicion.
"Nothing, it's not about the tomb. Just two single people having a chat," Anna interjected before Kevin could speak.
"Caroline, were you looking for Matt? Anna and I are about to head out for a walk, so we'll get going first," Kevin said, no longer in the mood to drink there. He downed the rest of his drink and addressed Caroline.
"Oh, okay. See you," Caroline said, her tone a little awkward.
Kevin nodded and then led Anna back to his car.
"So, any ideas where you want to go next?" Kevin asked Anna, who was sitting in the passenger seat.
"Why don't I go check out your place?" Anna said very directly.
"Are you serious? If you really come to my place, it won't be so easy for you to leave if you decide you want to," Kevin said with a deeper meaning. One had to say, this wimp Kevin kept saying he wanted to be a scumbag, yet he backed down when faced with such a situation.
"What, are you going to eat me? Couldn't it be me eating you?" Anna said with a playful smile, revealing her fangs.
"Well, well, well! You think I'd be scared of you?" Hearing that, if Kevin still backed down, he truly wouldn't be a man. He slammed the sports car's accelerator and sped home.
"Come on in, Anna," Kevin said, no longer hesitating as he watched Anna follow him without any reluctance, and directly invited her into the house.
"Have a seat on the sofa first. Is there anything you'd like to eat?" Kevin asked, casually closing the door after Anna entered.
"Anything's fine. I'm not actually very hungry right now," Anna said, taking off her jacket and sitting on the sofa.
Kevin nodded, got some small snacks and two bottles of drinks, placed them on the coffee table, then sat down beside Anna and casually turned on the TV.