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Celeste was already waiting when Miki stepped into the rooftop café.
She wasn't dressed in her usual CEO attire today — no sharp heels or blood-red lipstick. Instead, she wore a soft turtleneck under a beige trench coat, her hair tied loosely, giving her a strange air of... approachability.
Miki hesitated at the door, taking in the scene.
There were only four tables. The breeze carried the scent of roasted garlic and thyme. No clients. No assistants. Just soft jazz humming under the sound of the wind.
Celeste looked up and smiled.
"You came."
"You ordered for me," Miki muttered as she sat down. "I didn't have a choice."
Celeste gestured to the plates — pasta, grilled veggies, and a ridiculously fancy lemonade with mint and blackberries.
"I know you don't like eating red meat," she said. "So I tried to be thoughtful."
Miki narrowed her eyes. "You remember that?"
"I remember... everything about you."
The words hit a little harder than she expected.
Miki looked away.
"Stop saying things like that."
"Why?"
"Because I don't know if you mean them."
Celeste paused for a moment. Her fingers toyed with her straw, the light catching her pale knuckles.
"I used to say sweet things because I wanted to drink you," she admitted softly.
Miki's stomach twisted.
"But I say them now because... I want to understand you."
Miki met her eyes — hesitant, unsure.
The food went untouched between them.
"You really think this is going somewhere?" Miki asked.
Celeste leaned forward. "I think I've lived a very long time chasing taste, luxury, and power. But ever since you walked into that boardroom looking like you couldn't care less if I set the building on fire... I've been stuck."
Miki blinked. "That's your way of saying you like me?"
"It's my way of saying..." Celeste exhaled, "You might be the only thing in this life I can't buy, bribe, or seduce. And that makes me terrified. But also — incredibly drawn to you."
Miki didn't respond immediately.
Instead, she stabbed a piece of zucchini and chewed slowly, her brain working overtime.
Celeste watched her like someone waiting on a final exam result.
Then Miki finally said, "You're not entirely wrong. You are terrifying."
Celeste wilted a little.
"But also..." Miki glanced at her. "You're not boring. And I don't say that about many people."
Celeste lit up like the sun just peeked through storm clouds.
"I'll take that as a win."
"You'd take a sneeze as a win."
Celeste chuckled. "Still counts."
They ate in silence for a few minutes, the tension easing like butter in a hot pan.
Then Celeste added, "You know, I could eat here every day if it meant seeing you smile like that."
"I didn't smile."
"You almost did."
Miki rolled her eyes, but the faint curve on her lips betrayed her.
She didn't stop Celeste from leaning across the table, nor did she pull away when the vampire gently brushed a crumb from her cheek.
And for a single breath in time, the city noise faded. There was no office. No teasing coworkers. No centuries-old secrets.
Just two girls.
A hot lunch.
And a fragile thread of something... real.
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