Chapter 10: Deadly Nightshade

Natasha's POV

After running in circles for a couple of minutes, I finally found the exit of Valerian's company. And I was right; the building is so big that my feet started to hurt already from all the walking and running that I did.

Now that I'm finally outside, with all the noise of cars in the street and people walking on the sidewalk, I don't know where to go.

I'm new here in the city, and I didn't get a chance to explore, so now, I'm as lost as a newborn child.

"Hi, can I ask?" I approached a woman walking in front of me, and she stopped in her tracks, nodding at me.

"Where do you think I can find--" I trailed off, unable to finish what was I'm saying, when I realized that I shouldn't talk to people because Valerian might use it to find me so quickly if I interacted with humans. I have to be careful.

"Never mind, I got it." I smiled at her before I turned my back on her.

I'm in downtown right now, and I know it should be easy to find what I am looking for here.

I started walking, looking for a grocery store, and I got lucky because I found one big grocery store right away.

I didn't waste any more time and went inside.

I have very minimal time, and I have to move quickly. I feel like Valerian is already wondering why I'm not back yet from the bathroom. Still, I hope he'll get so busy with his meeting that he won't notice my absence.

There are so many aisles here full of goods because this is really a big convenience store, and even though my feet were already hurting, I went to look in every aisle and grabbed everything I needed.

And for the most essential ingredients, I went to the vegetables and greens aisle, but before I could even start looking for it, I saw the back door that led outside slightly open.

I roamed my eyes around the surrounding. There are several people here in the area, but they are all busy doing their thing, which is a good advantage for me.

Subtly, I walked towards the door and went out.

Fuck.

I was right.

I couldn't help but smile triumphantly when I saw what I was looking for.

When I saw a glimpse of it earlier while I was inside, my hope went up to the roof, and I'm so glad that I was right and destiny didn't disappoint me.

I don't know why there's something like this here, but whatever the reason, it doesn't concern me anymore. I'm just glad lady luck is on my side today.

I carefully picked it up and hid it.

I roamed my eyes around the surroundings one more time before going back inside the store.

Acting as normal as I could, I went back to picking items.

Nothing changed here. The people are still busy doing their groceries, and it seems like no one noticed that I went outside, got something, and went back.

I'm glad.

"Natasha."

I was busy picking cucumbers when I heard Valerian's voice.

My heart started to beat fast when I realized that I didn't hear him inside my mind this time.

He's here behind me.

I turned around and found him staring at me with his piercing eyes while his forehead was creased.

He looks like I just drained his patience, and it seems like it's not a good thing.

"This doesn't look like the bathroom, Natasha."

Although there's a distance between us, I can clearly hear the impatient and authority in his voice.

I want to ask him how he found me, but that will be so unnecessary. It's Valerian Fenrir; I should not forget.

"Natasha," he called as he looked at me with burning eyes.

Fuck.

Is he really mad at me?

I mean, yes, he told me not to go anywhere without him, and I went against his order. Of course, he would get mad.

I took a deep breath and gathered all my courage. "I only went here to buy something."

He didn't say anything and just continued looking at me sternly.

I blew a breath. "I want to cook something. I know I don't need to because I could just feed on your blood, but I have a normal diet, and I don't want to just depend on you. I want to eat normal food," I told him in a low voice because there were people nearby.

I don't even know if what I'm saying right now makes sense because we both know that even if I eat a lot of regular food, I still need to drink his blood or else I'll get weak. I'll live with just drinking his blood now, so I don't need to eat food; thus, cooking is unnecessary. I learned that when I didn't eat for two days when Valerian disappeared on me. I was hungry, yes. But only hungry for his blood and not for actual food.

I can go days and days without eating, but I can't live without his blood.

I don't know much about mates, and I don't know if this is a lifelong thing-- depending on the taste of his blood-- but I hope not.

I sighed as I thought of another reason to tell him. "Look, I just really want to cook, okay? I have nothing else to do in your house, and I miss cooking."

Thank goodness Valerian can't read my mind; otherwise, I'd be in danger right now if he knew what I'm actually doing.

I cleared my throat and avoided his gaze. "I want to cook for you."

Valerian chuckled lowly, which made me look at him.

I creased my forehead and glared at him to hide the embarrassment that I was feeling because of what I said and how he reacted. "What's funny?"

My cheeks heated up when Valerian eyed me with so much amusement dancing in his eyes.

I couldn't handle the embarrassment I was feeling anymore by the way he looked at me, so I quickly walked past him without saying anything.

I walked toward the cashier, and I didn't know Valerian was following me.

Of course, he is.

Well, good thing he's here.

I turned to face him when it was already my turn to pay.

"I don't have money," I directly told him.

Valerian was not fazed by what I said. He just inserted his hand inside his pocket and got his wallet.

A small smile automatically formed on my lips as I watched him hand a black card to the cashier.

Yeah, he should really pay for everything I got after embarrassing me earlier when I told him I wanted to cook for him.

After paying, Valerian carried all the bags of goods I bought as we went out of the convenience store. I couldn't complain. It's the least thing he can do to appease me for everything he has done ever since we've met.

He was stressing me out and making me question my sanity.

"Is your meeting done?" I asked as I watched Valerian open his car and arrange all the paper bags of groceries inside.

Valerian didn't answer, and now I can't help but think if it's already done or he ended it to go find me.

"Where are we going?" I asked as we sat in his car.

"Going home," he answered without looking at me.

I creased my forehead at him. "Why? I thought you were busy at work?"

Valerian took a quick glance at me before he focused his gaze in front again. "I thought you said you want to cook?"

I sucked on my lower lip.

He's making it easy for me, thank goodness.

I flashed a small smile at him and uttered, "I can't wait to cook for you."

~*~

The drive going home was silent for Valerian and I didn't talk about anything.

Well, we have nothing to talk about, and I'm still trying to force myself to be so talkative around him so that he can also start talking and share some information-- even the tiniest ones that will be useful, but it's kinda hard for me to, mainly because it's not my nature and I'm not yet really comfortable around him-- and I don't think I will ever be.

"What's your favorite food?" I asked, trying to start a conversation with him.

Valerian is sitting on the high stool right now while I am busy cutting ingredients at the kitchen counter in front of him.

He has such a big kitchen, and I didn't know how nice it is to cook here until now.

It's such a spacious and peaceful place.

"Human heart," he casually answered.

I automatically looked at him, not because of what he said but because of the way he said it.

He said it like it's just a normal thing to do.

He said it with no remorse!

I fell silent as I continued cutting ingredients and preparing spices for my dish.

I don't think I will ever get used to Valerian saying things like those. There are really times when I would forget that he's a devil.

As I start cooking everything I prepared, I can't help but wonder if Valerian eats regular food or if they only rely on human blood. I saw him eat steal before, but I know that wasn't a regular steak.

I just hope he will eat what I made.

I was finally halfway done. There's only one thing left to do.

I glanced in his direction and saw him staring at me, watching everything I was doing.

Fuck.

I flashed the sweetest smile I could possibly form.

Valerian creased his forehead at me, obviously confused by my action. Still, I didn't stop and just continued smiling at him.

I was right.

A smile is such a good distraction.

I placed the plate of food in front of him when I was finally done.

"Enjoy," I whispered as I handed him a fork.

"Won't you like a taste?" he offered.

I shook my head. "Oh no, I made that just for you."

I intently watched Valerian as he brought a spoonful of the dish I made into his mouth.

I can't help but smile.