An Exception

Both girls walked into the restaurant and Natalie couldn't stop the questions she kept bombarding Ashley with.

"So tell me. Why did he have to bring you to work?" She asked first.

Ashley thought of how to give Natalie an answer, how to explain everything that was going on and the real reason Damon was helping her. Once again she didn't feel like letting Natalie know about this, at least not yet.

"He offered to give me a drive." She shrugged. It wasn't a lie though.

"He came to you or what? And you accepted?" Natalie asked, confusion, concern and surprise evident in her tone.

"I didn't just accept but he insisted."

"He insisted?"

"Do you think he likes you?" Natalie asked which made Ashley heart skip one beat and her eyes widened.

"Likes me? Oh, Natalie." She pinched the space between her brows and shook her head. That was totally not the case. Besides Damon didn't look like someone that would like a person like her. She wanted to laugh at what Natalie said. Ashley felt she didn't reach his standards. He was too beautiful and wealthy to think of dating somebody like her. He was only doing all this because he said he had to. So obviously if all these weren't happening even if she came across him a thousand times, he wouldn't even spare her a glance not to even talk of liking her.

Now, she was doing exactly to herself what she hated the most that other people did to her. Looking down on herself. She hated it so much, but it was somehow true. Damon didn't look like someone who would ever grow feelings for somebody. He looked instead, more like those men who liked to use women. Especially as he had those extremely good looks. A man like that was risky and Ashley knew she was slowly falling for his looks, which was not good.

"I mean what other explanation would we give for all this? But it's strange if he likes you just so suddenly. You two never knew each other till the first time he visited our restaurant and suddenly he becomes a super hero for you, always saving the day." Natalie said, making Ashley almost laugh out.

It was a lot more complicated than that. And Ashley didn't know how Natalie would take in everything if she explained it to her. It was a bit easier for her since she had been experiencing a lot of strange things like literally since the beginning.

Natalie trying as much as possible to understand what she was going through was okay for now. Maybe she would get the courage later to tell Natalie everything. That demons were the ones after her and the man she thought liked her was not a human as well.

Ashley wasn't sure she wanted a demon to even like her, for any reason. She shuddered at the idea of being in a relationship with one. 'Ooohh' she shook her head.

"What about the lady that was with him the first time. Wasn't she like supposed to be his lover? She seemed just the perfect type for him." Natalie said again.

True. Ashley hadn't thought about that. If there was anybody that would be up to his standards it would be that woman. But She had called Damon her friend. Was there more to that friendship?

Ashley shook her head she shouldn't be analyzing all that. That was their business and not hers.

"Don't worry Natalie, Damon doesn't like me."

"But damn, he looked so hot this morning," Natalie drawled.

Well, Ashley didn't fail to notice that when she first saw him. She had seen how smart he was dressed when he was still by the car and God, did she feel so nervous when he knocked on her door. Then looking at him from up close after she opened the door for him, he looked even more mesmerizing. He smelled heavenly, like spices. She wondered what perfumes he used.

His face was strikingly beautiful. She never used to admire guys that had piercings and wore earrings but this one was an exception. He had piercings, more than one on his ears and then nose. His eyes that looked at her from beneath those beautiful long lashes were filled with something she couldn't explain. And his lips....

Ashley stopped herself from remembering anymore. It was happening again! Why would she be drooling over his appearance, how he looked and his smell? She was never like this, she had never felt like this toward any boy or man. This was not good but she couldn't help herself. Why did he have to look so perfect? She had to find a way to help herself before she fell into one of his traps.

She didn't want to be used and dumped. She wished for love.

With this his beauty and inviting scent, she wasn't going to survive staying with him. But one question she had to ask was why he would look so beautiful when he was a demon, they were supposed to be monstrous and ugly. Perhaps he wasn't a demon and was lying to her. But why would he lie about being a demon? He had been serious. He never even joked with her.

She had decided to let him know that nothing he said about danger would stop her from going to Natalie's. He had only looked at her without saying anything, his expression was unreadable as usual. She wondered why she had even suddenly gotten pissed off.

"By the way, what's with the bag?" Natalie said, bringing Ashley out of her thoughts.

"Oh that, it contains my stuff."

"Your stuff? Why bring so much of your stuff to work?" Natalie asked patting the backpack.

Ashley sighed, the lady had clearly forgotten.

"You talked about a sleepover on the weekend remember?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, it's Saturday and the sleepover's today."

"Dude! Gosh I totally forgot. I'm sorry."

Ashley nodded. She couldn't blame her.

Later in the day, Zuka came by the restaurant again and Ashley attended to him.

"Hello there Sir, its nice to see you again." She said formally with a wide smile when she got to him.

"Hello Ashley, how are you?" Zuka asked returning the smile which this time revealed his completely white front set of teeth. He was handsome too, and had slightly longer canines she noticed.

"I'm very well. What can I get you?" She was acting a lot more formally than the last time he was here, she thought.

"I'm not here to eat Ashley." He told her. He seemed worried.

"Really? Why are you here then?"

"Could you just get me iced tea, don't let me disturb your work. Your friend needs you." He said guesturing slightly with his jaw towards Natalie who was shooting daggers with her eyes at Ashley from where she stood.

"Alright then, I'll be back with your iced tea." She said and left.

"You two have also become close huh?" Natalie smirked when Ashley got to her.

"Oh come on, I didn't even stay there for too long." Ashley rolled her eyes.

"I'm glad you've made a new friend. But we're at work okay." She said.

Friend? Zuka had become her friend? Well he seemed nice, she shrugged at the thought. But she would be sure with time.

"And when we're at work, you only get to interact more with me." Natalie said again and nudged Ashley playfully.

"So you're jealous." Ashley said with a grin.

"I am indeed." She admitted.

Ashley chuckled and went back with Zuka's iced tea.

"Here you go." She said as she dropped it on the table. He nodded with a smile and she walked away from him, feeling his eyes on her back as she went.

Soon, the day came to an end and the girls were headed home. They boarded a taxi to Natalie's house just like she always did.

"You're gonna be meeting my family." Natalie said excitedly in the car as if she was getting married and bringing her spouse home.

"I forgot about the sleepover so I didn't inform my mom."

Ashley felt nervous for some reason.

"They'll be surprised. Just wait till you meet my brother."

"You have a brother?" Ashley asked. She had thought Natalie was the only child. The lady had never mentioned a sibling, and Ashley had never asked any further questions.

"Yes I do, he's older. And he's a fun guy too you know. So with him around it wouldn't be a boring night."

This was supposed to be a girls night, Ashley thought.

"My dad is out of town. But my mom is around." Natalie said and Ashley nodded.

The drive took quite sometime and Ashley wondered just how early Natalie always left her house to be at work on time while she always walked down.

"Your house is a bit far." Ashley stated.

"Yeah, what can I do?" She chuckled. "But we're almost there."

After a few more minutes they arrived in front of a beautiful duplex. Ashley knew Natalie came from a rich family too but obviously not as rich as Damon or Sephirah. Gosh, why was she comparing now?

They both got out of the taxi and Natalie turned to her.

"We're here."