Chapter 151 Chapter 151
“Maxwell, what supernatural being would dare attack me in broad daylight?”
“Some don’t care about being discovered,” he growled and stared at her. “You’re not going alone. Think about what Xander said. Somewhere out there is a person who might be looking for us, and I don’t want to take chances.”
“I don’t want to be a burden.”
“You’re never a burden,” he said. “I’ll stay close by, and I’ll also bring you home afterward. Problem solved.”
\---
Hours later, Valerie met up with her friends to make preparations for their Halloween costumes. They did this every year since sharing their ideas and working on their costumes together was a lot of fun. Valerie and Naomi had been invited to Hope’s flat this time, bringing everything they wanted to use for their outfits along with them. They sat down in the living room, where they had enough space to spread their countless accessories and clothes out.
“So, what’s your plan this year?” Naomi asked curiously, taking a look at the accessories that Valerie had brought along.
“I’ll dress up as a demon,” Valerie said. Hope’s jaw dropped, and she stared at her with wide eyes before she began to laugh loudly.
“That’s so funny,” she giggled. “I think I know who put you up to it.”
“Yeah, well… he convinced me,” Valerie replied and cleared her throat.
“What’s he planning to wear?”
Valerie heaved a sigh and shook her head in annoyance. “He’s going to be a demon, too. Very original, right?”
Hope snorted, her shoulders shaking as she failed to hold in her laughter. “Yes, very original.”
Naomi looked confused, not understanding what was so funny about that. “Hm, he does have an unhealthy obsession with demons. One time, he tried to convince me that he was a demon. That was so silly of him,” she chimed in. “Your boyfriend is weird.”
Hope and Valerie exchanged a highly amused glance since they both found her cluelessness funny. “He’s not weird, he’s special,” Valerie corrected her.
“Yeah, that’s one way to look at it,” Naomi shrugged. “His hairstyle is special for sure… I wonder how many times he bleached his hair to get this pure shade of white. And does he really take the time to braid it every single day?”
“Ask him next time you see him,” Valerie giggled, already imagining his exasperated scowl. “What will you two wear at Halloween?”
“I want to try a zombie make-up tutorial I’ve seen on YouTube,” Naomi said. “That means I only need to rip some holes in my clothes and maybe add red paint for the blood. That’s it. Easy costume.”
“Yeah, sounds convenient,” Hope replied. “Since I already was a witch last year, I thought I could try being a ghost now.”
“You’re going to hide under a white blanket?” Valerie wheezed, almost dying in laughter at the idea of that.
“Valerie, no. That would be so cringy and childish,” she sighed. “I wanted to use an old-fashioned white dress and wear fitting make-up.”
“I like my idea more. I’d even lend you a blanket.”
“Typical Valerie.”
\---
It was Saturday evening, and Valerie had already spent over an hour in her bedroom, getting ready for the Halloween party. She’d planned her costume with great care this year because she wanted to impress a certain someone. A giddy, nervous feeling had settled in her stomach, and her hands had become a little shaky, making it a challenge for her to apply the eyeliner properly.
She needed some patience for this part, but eventually, she succeeded and smiled at her reflection in the mirror. Now she looked like a more sinister version of her usual self, like she would imagine a female demon. She just needed to convince Maxwell to wear a pair of demon horns, too, and then they would be good to go.
He was sitting in the kitchen and seemed to be bored. Valerie noted that while he had dressed up for the occasion, his clothes didn’t look all that different from what he’d usually wear. He’d chosen black leather pants coupled with a black jacket, and he also wore a belt around his waist. It was a fitting outfit for a Halloween party, but still, if he wore a pair of horns, it would look more convincing.
When she entered the kitchen, he got up and glanced at her curiously. His lips twitched in amusement while he took in her costume. “Your idea of a female demon is… interesting,” he remarked.
Her clothes looked similar to a Victorian dress, with the difference that it ended above her knees and was ripped at the ends. She’d put on a black choker and elegant gloves to match the rest of her outfit, a pair of black high heels, and dramatic make-up. Her long hair fell over her shoulders in soft waves. To top it off, she wore horns on her head to leave no doubts as to what being she wanted to portray.
He chuckled, poking the tips of her horns with his finger. “Cute,” he teased.
“It’s not supposed to be cute,” she pouted, already not happy with his reaction. “I’m trying to be an evil demon.”
“Mhm, you’re very evil, sugar,” he smirked and leaned in to steal a brief kiss. “I’m terrified.” His voice dripped with sarcasm.
“Maxwell, don’t mock me. I’m serious about this,” she grumbled and sulkily put her hands on her hips.
“You’re like a little kitten trying to imitate a panther,” he said, holding in a grin.
“I put a lot of work into it,” she sulked. “Don’t you like it?”
“I do like it,” he said huskily. “And I won’t share you with anyone tonight. You’re all mine.”
Her heart skipped a beat, the sudden possessiveness in his eyes hitting her unexpectedly. He dipped his head, getting close enough for her to see the red sprinkles in his iris. “You are going to be the prettiest demon at that party,” he said and pecked the corner of her lips before he straightened his back and watched her blush profusely.
“Thank you,” she said, finally satisfied and smiling at him. “Please do me a favor and wear this,” she added and held out a pair of horns to him that he regarded with raised eyebrows and a mocking smirk.
“No. That’s ridiculous.”
“But you’re a demon.”