Did My Heart Just Beat

Chapter 2

Nicholas's POV

The moment she stepped into the house I could not help but notice her. I was drawn to her with a force I have never experienced in my 200 years of existence, even though I did not look a day older than 23, thanks to being a vampire. 

The party had been fun, not as fun as expected, somehow I was not at the top of my game tonight. 

I've flirted with a few girls whom thanks to my vampire aura and might I add my irresistible looks, were practically falling all over me. 

The strange thing though was that I didn't even care like I used to. Something in me felt numb, making me almost regretting that I allowed Hunter, my only human friend, to throw this party.

However from the moment I saw the gorgeous brunette in her pretty shirt and her crazy looking friend, I thanked my stars. 

I stood upstairs as usual and from this point I had a perfect view of my mansion and everything that was going on. Plus I could hear every single thing happening but at nights like this I had to turn it down a little so I do not go crazy. 

I could not keep my eyes off the gorgeous girl. I could tell she was a human, but I didn't care, whatever attraction I felt was stronger than whatever reason my mind could think of. 

So imagine my anger seeing her crazy looking friend introduce her to one human boy whom I'm sure I've seen trying his luck with at least five different girls here tonight. 

Worse still was that she was left alone with the human boy while her friend went on to another pretty face with no brains. 

However, I could tell the brunette was not interested in whatever the human boy was offering, but he obviously was not smart enough to comprehend that. 

Then the boy was onto her, I could hear her, I could feel her, I could see her, her aura was so clear… she was screaming for help but nobody was listening. 

It was like I felt this urge to be responsible for her and I felt this extreme indignation towards the human boy. Next thing I saw was myself tossing the pest away from the beauty. 

I wanted to do more than that just to protect her, I wanted to rip his arm off his shoulders for even daring to treat her that way. 

Control was something I worked hard to exercise, and right now I had to make sure I didn't lose it, plus I didn't want to go through the stress of making everyone here forget what they saw. 

Finally I was standing so close to her and the attraction I felt earlier was stronger than before. Something was strongly drawing me towards her and I could not explain it. 

I could not keep my eyes off her. Here I was trying to decipher what was so special about this human girl when she looked up at me for the first time and the strangest thing happened…. I could not tell exactly what she felt about me. 

It was part of my vampire abilities to be able to read anyone's aura and decipher what they taught about me, anyone and pretty much everything. 

It helped me manipulate people according to their thoughts and desires and it also protected me from those who do not wish me well, although it was hard to hate me because of my natural charm of course.

Here I was staring at this gorgeous human and I had no clue what she thought about me, but I could still read her general feelings and right now it was all over the place. 

Before I could even say a word she was out of my reach in no time. I could tell she didn't want to be around people right now, but what I couldn't tell is if she didn't want to be around me too. 

I mean, I just saved her when no one else even noticed she needed saving, the least I could get was a thank you, but no, she had to run away like a typical damsel in distress. 

Still I had to find her, I could not rest till I knew why I was so attracted to her.

***

Finding her was no problem, I mean I couldn't really get her out of my mind and her aura was so strong I could hardly stay away from her. 

She was in the east wing of the mansion, her delicate features leaned over the rails in the balcony. From here one was in a separate world from the noisy party going on in the other side of the mansion. 

The human girl felt at ease here, like she was finally in an environment that she could use that intelligent mind of hers.

"You know, that's no way to treat someone who practically saved you," I said, making her know of my presence. 

She turned around quickly and almost missed a step or two there. She obviously did not notice that I was already right behind her. 

I wouldn't blame her though, I had this extreme vampire stealth that even some vampires could not discern let alone a human. 

"I'm sorry," she said quietly, after she finally realised it was me and then she went back to gazing at the stars. 

I was amused. Don't get me wrong, it was a beautiful view from here, but I wanted her attention and she wasn't giving it to me.

I was at her side in an instant and stood quietly with her for a while.  

"Don't you mean thank you?" I asked. 

"Ugh" she said, apparently oblivious to what I meant. 

"Instead of saying sorry, a thank you would suffice" I pointed out. 

Then she smiled for the first time and I could not help but think that this human must be using a charm on me, because I've never been so captivated by just a smile. 

Here I was already thinking of wedding bells and I did not even know her name. 

"Thank you….." she said, implying that my name would complete whatever she wanted to say.

"Nicholas, Nicholas Young," I offered. 

"Thank you Nicholas, you are an angel," she said, with that gorgeous smile.

I chuckled a little at that… I was definitely no angel, but who was I to refuse a compliment from this captivating beauty. 

"You're welcome, and may I ask who you are?" I asked.

"I'm Clara Shawn," she said. 

"Clara Shawn," I repeated, "That's a very beautiful name Clara," I told her and I meant every word. It sounded like a name I would never forget. 

"Thank you," she said gently then she went back to gazing at the stars.

I could not tell if she was naturally a calm person or if she was just not open to talking to strangers.

Well at least now we weren't strangers, we knew each other's name and that's more than I can say for the numerous ladies I have been with. 

"I'm going to be blunt with you Clara Shawn, I don't know why yet, but I find you irresistible," I said.

"What do you mean?" She asked, looking at me like I must be crazy. 

Well I must be crazy, because I could not quite explain this feeling myself, but I never held back from saying what was on my mind, never. 

"There's something about you Clara, I don't know what it is but all I know is that I'm drawn to you in a way that I can not explain," I told her.

I half expected her to laugh it off or do something silly but she was calm. She was studying me. It was like we were trying to communicate without words just there staring at each other. 

"You're too good to be true, you're way too good to be real," she said. 

"Well that's because I'm not ordinary," I told her.

"Then what are you?" She asked.

Could I really tell her? It was not like I kept my identity a secret, it was just that I was always in the situation of "if you don't ask I won't tell" and no one had ever asked me that question. 

Every human I have come across just thought I was a regular spoiled wealthy kid with too much time and a special affinity for the dark. 

I had a daylight ring and could go out during the day, but I preferred to rule the night. I felt more comfortable at night, like I was in my element. 

No other human apart from Hunter knew that I was a vampire and I always like it that way. Still here I was faced with the most truthful question anyone could ever ask me.

I wish I could lie to her right now. I wish I could pretend to be normal just like her. I never liked that I was a vampire but it was moments like this that made me absolutely loathe what I was. 

Lying to her though was not an option, I wanted to be honest with her. Honesty was a moral I held at high esteem and I could not go back on my values now just because I hated what I was. 

She was still staring at me, waiting for a reply and it was now or never.

"I'm a vampire Clara Shawn, I'm a blood sucking, night loving vampire." 

And then there was silence. I could not read her thoughts or her aura towards me just like before. This was new to me. 

I would give anything to know what she was thinking about me right now. 

Then she went back to staring into space and I could not help but think that she was kind of weird. Even though I was obviously undeniably attracted to her, I could not help but notice these things… call it a bad habit but that's me.  

When she spoke next she was calm, her voice was so gentle but with my increased heating I could understand each word. 

"Have a nice night," she said. 

Then she walked out, never looking back and she was gone, just as sudden as she barged into my mansion. 

The difference now though was that I had seen her, now I know her and even though she was no longer here I still felt her presence so strongly. 

It was like all I needed to be hooked was to be with her and now that I know she existed I could not stop thinking about her. 

I had this sudden strong impulse to feed. It was like I suddenly realised that I was hungry the moment she left me. Somehow I felt completely full just being with her.

Still as I walked to my mini blood bank, something deep within me told me that even the satisfying taste of blood would not get the mysterious Clara Shawn out of my mind.