The 19th Century Vampire (Wattys 2020 Winner - Paranormal)

Chapter 3

"I can be both," she smiled.

"So, what are you doing here? What's your plan?" he asked.

Kinuha naman niya ang notebook niya at pinakita niya iyon sa lalaking kausap niya. "I'm a journalist and I think that's a good reason for being new in town."

"So, what you do? Leeching town's secret?" he smirked, hindi naman nakasagot si Stella but she raised her head para hindi siya malusutan ng lalaking ito. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me." He winked at her.

"You're weird," she stated.

Natawa ng bahagya ang binatang kausap ni Stella. "Everyone in this town is weird."

"Yeah... so weird," ngisi pa nito sa kausap. She wanted to end the conversation right away but she can't keep her eyes off of him. May kakaiba sa kanya. Siguro dahil nakikitaan niya lang ito ng resemblance sa mga Hollywood actors na napapanood niya. "So, what are you doing here in town? Are you here to have fun?"

"No, I live here," he answered.

Stella wasn't surprised but to speak with someone who lives in this town tickled her mind. "Would you mind telling me something about this town?"

Natawang napailing na lamang ang lalaki sa kanya. "You think, mapapaikot mo ako sa tanong mo 'yan? I don't have anything to tell."

"Then why did you approach me?" pagtataray na tanong ni Stella. Hindi na niya nagustuhan ang pinapakita ng lalaki sa kanya but he wanted to have more conversations with him, hindi lang niya nagugustuhan kung paano siya barahin nito. Well, she thinks, she's the only who's capable of putting other people's self-esteem.

"Your scent," he noted, "I like it... very familiar to me."

Napataas ng kilay si Stella. "My perfume is a high-end brand, ibigsabihin I don't use cheap one-I won't defend myself but thank you for noticing it," she smiled. But she knew that the perfume she's wearing was just a gift from someone.

He nodded. "Alright, I see."

"And does this mean, you got a girlfriend?" she asked, at sa loob-loob ni Stella ay umaasang wala ang isasagot nito.

"I actually do have," he said. Bumagsak ang balikat ni Stella at nilagok ang isang baso ng wine. "Maghinay-hinay ka lang, you wouldn't like to end up in the streets."

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Stella sa sinabi ng lalaki sa kanya. "Are you implying with what, huh?"

Stella didn't get an answer from him when Ully called her attention. Nang makalapit naman ang lalaki sa kanya ay binaling ulit ni Stella ang tingin sa lalaking kausap niya pero napakunot-noo na lamang siya nang nawala na rin ito kaagad. She even asked Ully if he sees the man left pero hindi naman napansin ni Ully iyon. She just shrugged it off, wala rin naman siyang mapapala dahil may girlfriend na ang tao. She's not a snake para ahasin niya iyon.

"What's with you Ully? Tapos mo na bang landiin iyong mga babae doon? You're not supposed to do those things,  alam mo 'yon diba?"

He chuckled. "I know, they just wanted to have some selfie. Pinagbigyan ko lang naman," aniya. "Anyway, remember what the girl from the souvenir shop told us?"

Tumango naman si Stella habang inaalala iyon. "Yes, the auction? Is it happening na?"

"It is, we should find a better spot now," ani Ully.

Kinuha ni Ully ang kamay ni Stella at dali-dali naman nilang tinungo ang stage kung saan mangyayari ang auction. Mariing nakipagsiksikan ang dalawa para mapunta sa harapan. To get a better view of the items that will be lined up for auction. Stella and Ully has no money to bid but simply they just wanted to see how it works lalo na sa mga ganitong event.