Chapter 58: Chapter 58

While Elena and Ryder had breakfast together, they chatted about random topics. Her shop, for example, and a possible reopening. Elena was excited about it and shared her ideas with her soulmate. A melody interrupted them, confusing Elena until she realized it originated from Ryder’s phone. He checked the caller ID before picking up. She watched him curiously, wondering who it was.

“Hello?” he said. His fingers tapped on the surface of the table. “Are you back home?”

He paused and listened, cocking his head. “That’s very sudden. I know you’re curious, but I want to ask her first. Is it okay if I call you back?”

Another pause, before he added, “Yes, talk to you later.”

He put the phone on the table and heaved a sigh. “That was my mother,” he explained to Elena. “She and my father returned from Kuala Lumpur today, and she wants to meet you soon. I know it’s very sudden, and you haven’t recovered from the blood loss yet, so it’s fine if we postpone it.”

Elena remembered him mentioning his parents before, and it was to be expected that they wished to meet the soulmate of their son. If they were anything like him, then she had nothing to worry about—regardless of that, she was nervous about meeting them. She felt uncomfortable in the presence of vampires whom she didn’t know, and she wondered how they would treat her.

“I don’t want to postpone it,” Elena answered. “Let’s do it whenever your parents are free.”

“Are you sure?” A worried frown settled on his face. He creased his forehead.

“Yes,” she said. She preferred doing it this way instead of putting it off.

“Knowing my mother, she will invite us for dinner soon,” Ryder warned. “She is very eager.”

“It doesn’t matter. I will accompany you.”

“If you insist. I’ll call her back,” he said and got up, leaving the kitchen. Ryder wanted to address a few things he didn’t necessarily want Elena to overhear, so he made a beeline for the front door and sat on the stone steps in front of the manor. His mother, Jennifer, picked up right away.

“Ryder. I didn’t expect you to call back so soon.”

“I talked to Elena about your invitation, and she agreed,” he answered, his eyes darting to a group of birds on the lawn.

“Great. How does eight pm tomorrow sound? I planned to order dinner from a restaurant for our guest of honor. Does she have any kind of allergies?”

“Not that I know of. Eight should be fine,” he said and paused for a moment. “Please be careful and don’t overwhelm her. She tends to be apprehensive in the presence of vampires.”

“Hm, you mentioned this before, I remember. She’s a part of the family, and we will treat her as such. I don’t doubt we’ll get along, even if she needs time to unbend.”

“Thank you. See you tomorrow.”

---

Elena had already spent the better part of an hour trying to decide what to wear. Her clothes shouldn’t be too formal; she didn’t want Ryder’s parents to think she was uptight. On the other hand, if she dressed too casually, she would feel strange as well. As far as she knew, his parents were old and wealthy vampires who owned a law firm, so they would likely appreciate it if she dressed formally… She groaned in annoyance, glaring at the dresses she had spread out on her bed. One of them was light blue and had a cute bow near its neckline, while the other was covered in pink flowers. Which one should she wear?

“This is ridiculous, why do I put so much effort into it?” she sighed, despite knowing the answer.

She wanted his parents to like her and to leave a good first impression. As their son’s soulmate, she was practically a part of the family. And as much as it flustered her to think about it, she was aware that soulmates normally ended up in a romantic relationship. It was not uncommon for them to get married and have children, and while Ryder and she and Ryder were not officially a couple, they acted like one in many aspects. Living together, sleeping in the same bed, going on dates… All that was missing was intimacy. They had not shared a proper kiss yet... Elena’s fingertips touched her lips. She blushed. Why had he not kissed her yet?

Someone knocked at her door, and once she told them to enter, Ryder appeared in her bedroom. He was already dressed, wearing dark colors as usual. The strands of his ebony hair were damp since he had showered recently. His black dress shirt emphasized his elegant figure. He had rolled up the sleeves to his elbows, exposing his lower arms. Once his blue eyes took in the scene in front of him, an amused grin lifted the corners of his lips.

“You’re not ready yet,” he commented matter-of-factly. “Do you need help?”

“I can’t choose what to wear,” she admitted. Thankfully, she was finished with her hair and make-up; she would have been in trouble. They shouldn’t be late because of her indecisiveness.

“I think the dress with the flowers would suit you the best,” he said, shoving his hand in his pocket while he watched her. “I want to see you wearing it, buttercup.”

“Okay, then I will,” she mumbled and picked up the pink dress. She was about to open the button of her jeans when she paused, glancing at a very mischievous Ryder who watched her intently.

“Hey, what are you looking at?”

“You,” he smirked.

“Oh, you don’t say,” she rolled her eyes. “Please wait outside.”

“Alright, fine,” he chuckled and left the room.

At record speed, Elena got ready to leave. She discarded her clothes and put on the dress, closing its zipper and checking her appearance in the mirror next to her bed. The dress was tight, but flared out at her hips, cascading in soft waves and ending above her knees. It had a modest neckline adorned with embroidery. Since its sleeves were short, it didn’t hide the bandage around her wrist, but she figured it would be fine. After all, she had changed it recently and wrapped her wrist with a fresh one. Her soft pink lip gloss went surprisingly well with her look. To top it off, she put on silver earrings that caught the light of the lamps.

“I’m done,” she said as she left her room in a hurry, looking around for Ryder and finding him leaning against the wall. His blue eyes lit up once he gazed at her.

“I knew this dress would look great on you,” he said and offered her his hands. “Let’s go, sweet pea.”