When climbing out of Edward's Volvo, I take notice to Angela and Jessica exiting the bloated toad restaurant. The place Jessica chose and agreed on having dinner in, i feel an immediate repentance of guilt for keeping them waiting. I give a chastened smile, putting my hands in a surrender. " I have an excuse, for being late."

Jess uses her glove slapping my arm.

" we waited. Where were you?" She snips.

" we left you messages, you had us worried. Kai." angela inputs her own word of worry.

" yeah, we waited. But we were, like, starving so we.."

" your concern is appreciated, girls. But I was made distracted when I took the wrong turn, and ran into trouble." I say, dismissively, a shrug of my shoulder. " wait. What do you mean you got into trouble?" Jessica asks, a discomfiture of confusion now playing on her face. Their eyes widen with shape, when I begin speaking.

" I got in a brawl with those drunk assholes, on the way back, for hassling you girls. trying on your dresses." using a composed tone of voice, I explain.

" were you hurt? oh my gosh. Kai, are you okay?" Angela takes my arm, searching for any indication of the 'brawl'. " do we need to tell chief swan?", I didn't need Charlie to find out. Not wanting to add on strain, he was working with a neighbouring county sheriff, having cases of 'animal attacks'. This 'altercation', the one I finished before it even happen, was easy to dismiss.

Those boys learnt their lesson.

I feel and hear Edward saunter over to where I stand, he is composed. A differential change of his anger before, in the car. " Hello, I am sorry to have kept Malachi from dinner. I had assist in helping him, when I saw he was in trouble, walking on the street. With some consideration, i had offered to drive him the rest of the way. he accepted, and we began talking. Until right this instance."

his words are charming, even having me raise one of my eyebrows becoming aware to how he had a hand touching the material of my jacket. on the centre of my back. The movement goes unnoticed.

I focus and train my eyes on Edward, as he continues talking.

" if you will accept my expression of regret."

His charming way of words works. Jessica and Angela wear smiles, Angie waving him off. " No, we totally understand. I mean, it happens, that.. Happens. Talking is nice. right?" Jessica fauns, I had to hide the laugh I wanted to give. 'Oh. Jess.' " we were just leaving. Malachi, are you going to come back. with us?" She pauses in her spot, standing next to where I am. having one hand resting on my forearm, " it is pretty late."

" I think I should make it sure that Malachi has something to eat. If you will allow it?" Edward is abrupt to speak, taking my arm. I try in reading his eyes, only to have zero understanding of what emotions he was feeling. They were indecipherable, a closed book that I had struggles in analysing. 'You are a novel I wish I could understand. Cullen.'

" I will drive you home, myself."

" that's so thoughtful." Angela, now more in shock, says. " it's really.. thoughtful, yeah." Jessica agrees, " who knew Edward Cullen could be such the gentleman." She reaches up, to my right ear, in a feeble effort in 'whispering'. I, staring bemusedly, make a feign clearing of my throat. mortified with her failed whisper.

" I could eat, definitely."

On cue, my stomach decides to make a gurgling noise.

-

" Here is one spaghetti Rangoon, with extra mushrooms. and a peach ice tea!" My plate of food arrives, the aroma already having my stomach gurgle with hunger.

" thank you." I didn't wait, using my fork to twist the strings of pasta on the steel cutlery.

" So, are you sure there is nothing I can get you?" The waitress, making it obvious with her flirtation, is declined when Edward says a polite " No. no, thank you."

Air leaves my nose, withholding the laugh i badly wanted to release. " she could have made her flirting more conspicuous." I spoke, my mouth chewing on the fine piece of food. Edward, not having ordered from the menu or food in general, sat staring perplexingly.

" You not hungry, Cullen?" I ask, I already knew he count eat actual human meals. Just wanting to see if he would try, no avail though. He moves his head in a 'no' motion.

" the spaghetti. it's amazing. But, nothing can beat my Mom's recipe. well my grandmother, Penelope her name is, handed the recipe down. a family one, you could name it."

He gave a light hearted smile, that didn't reach his eyes. " I am on a special diet." I swallow the remaining food, that which I was chewing. I wanted to ask the palpable, in question, only I knew the answer, never the less. I wanted Edward to tell me. " I need answers." He hums. " yes, no. To get to the other side. One point seven seven two four fi-".

" I don't want to know the square root of pi is, now, Edward. I am already aware of that equation." I interrupt, the fork cluttering on the porcelain surface to the place.

My chair is now turned, horizontal and opposing to Edward, moving near.

" how did you know where to find me?" i stare in Edward's eyes, there I notice how captivating in colour they appear.

A butterscotch gold, created in a vast of warm mellow honey.

" I didn't."

I sigh. ' I am an idiot for thinking Edward would tell me.'

" thank you, for dinner. but if you won't answer my question. I will just leave."

defeat in my voice, I go to leave my seat then Edwards cold hand attaches and encases my wrist. " please. don't, leave." his words sincere, There is a a clear indication of conflict in his eyes. He stares, a silent plead on his expression for me to not leave the restaurant.

" did you follow me, Edward. I just want to know." my words are faint, soft. He becomes pensive, deep in thought of what words to say next. He is slow in moving his hand, to interlace our fingers and he makes a noise of discouragement.

" I feel very protective, when it comes to you. Malachi." is his proclamation, trying to give a smile. It wavers. I feel very protective, when it comes to you, Malachi.

" so, you did. Follow me."

He watches me, observantly, to see how I react. I inhale, coming to understand what he had just said. " I was trying to keep a distance, unless you needed my help. However, I could see you were just fine. With no assistance." he chortles. " you must have done a pretty good number, to have make them afraid the way they were acting. but, I heard what those low-lives inner thoughts were. How they wanted-".

" you could understand, and know what they were thinking?". 'He can read minds?' This intrigues me, a mind reading vampire. 'Does that mean he could read mine?' I, mentally, remove that thought with an internal scowl. 'No. It wasn't possible.' " can you read, mine?".

Edward moves his finger at the patrons, that were dining, talking about their days. Their lives. " I can read every mind in this room, excluding yours. There is money, sex, money, sex. Cat. and When it comes to you, it's hard in explaining. I can only describe your thoughts as just television static. this interception of lines, like a broadcast interference. It's loud. I find myself thinking of how frustrating it can be."

'Well that is certainly an explanation.' My mind was essentially an internal safeguard from his gift. " do you think there is a reason, a problem, with me? And not having the ability to read mine?."

My words amuse Edward, he gives a frivolous smile. " see, I tell you I can read minds, and your words are worries that there is something not right, wrong, with your brain. With you."

I disregard the growing feel of timidity, when he gave a genuine laugh. He holds himself together, pausing his chortling. The same shadowing torn look, returning. He becomes implicit, not speaking. I take notice. " What is the matter?".

Edward could only hold my hand, I could spot a couple at a table staring with disdain at our hands. I rest my glare, at the couple, only being brought back to him speaking up.

" I don't have the strength, anymore, in staying away from you. Malachi." My lips curl in a smile, encouraging. " then don't."

There is a beat of silence. Just staring, marvelling in the moment and enjoying his company. Our hands remains clasp, Edward in content breathes. " you can finish your meal, then I will bring you back to chief swans house."

-

My phone had unread messages. One is from Bella, inquiring of where I was stating her worry, The second being from Angela having her wonders of how the dinner went with Edward. Wanting me to inform and tell the gossip that Jessica too wanted to know.

I could only give a short chuckle, replying to Bella first. I was distracted with blue and red police lights, the station approaching.

" what is going on? Is that Charlie's cruiser?".

I unbuckle the seat belt, Edward brings the Volvo in front. I notice Bella, she is inside the station, by the entrance. " that is my fathers car on the end." Doctor Cullen? What is he doing here. A deep concern rested in my body, a guttural feeling of dread. It was an emotion I couldn't explain.

I get out of the car, that was still rolling to a stop. " Malachi! you are ok." Bella hurries over, where I was walking from, enfolding me in her embrace. A terrified, alarm, look creeps into those soft and kind brown eyes.

" what is the matter, B? Why are you crying?". She was sniffling, holding in her tears.

" Carlisle, what is going on?" Doctor Cullen comes waltzing out, through the entrance of the station. Grim, and Solemn. " Waylon forge was found in a boat, mauled. Out near his place." He informs, " I just examined his body. For the confirmation of death."

I hold Bella close, alert and aware. Horrified to what I was just inform about. She held me, close, to her own body. I cast a glance to Edward, whose face had darken. It was subtle, enough, that I caught the exchange stares.

" I was so scared. Because I didn't hear from you, and I had assume the worst when you did not reply. The attack, it. It was so close, they are increasingly becoming close to town, Kai." I soothe Bella, stroking her back, allowing her to cry in the material of my cotton threaded sweat shirt.

'You are safe. As long as I am here. I won't allow harm to come to you.'

-

author speaks;
We had our first Malachi and Edward date. (:

Comment what you think of this new update.

®️The Twilight saga.