HE SHOULD HAVE guessed that Janette hated him so much. He stared at the junk of an apartment that the woman reserved for his small vacation from work. It was indeed bare and bland from the outside but for Lucifer's cry, the inch thick of dirt covering the living area tickled his innate demand for cleanliness. He wanted to order someone and tear the woman's prided garden now. 'Just so you wait, Janette. You towered over all demons and monsters!'

"Mr. Adenhart, you called me for help?" The landlady smiled. Her gaze went past Max with an appreciative gleam. She stepped inside the threshold and immediately grimaced. "Oh, mama... Jesus Christ, what devil resided in here on the past few months? I thought I had it all cleaned up!"

"Since when?" Max curtly asked. His voice frosty and biting.

"Uh, I had this cleaned... five months ago?" She laugh with unease. "I mean, it's not like we have new residents here every month. At most I can only have… three to four tenants for a year. It's a waste to have everything cleaned up with no people to fill in. I'll only lose money and gain nothing for that."

"I booked two weeks ago."

‘The money should be deposited the day Janette booked in.’ She’s not that tactless.

The woman shook her head. "Yeah, most people book earlier than that but in the end they all decide to back out. That's why I do things at the very last moment so I won't be played at, yeah? I heard you're a businessman too, Mr. Adenhart. I hope you can understand me."

Max heave a breath and nodded with his face blank. "Clean the place for me, then. The money was deposited on the day of reservation. When did you thought I would arrive, next year? As far as I know, that's not how you do business."

The landlady was well versed in the situation. It was though this wasn't the first time that it had happened. "As I've said, in a remote town like Little Maddison, most tenants would choose to back out once they saw the entire place. I'm really sorry for this. How about… you stay on the cafe shop one block from here and I'll have your apartment sparkly clean by dusk. It's good, yeah?"

'Yes. God really do hate us.' Max lowered his eyes to the watch on his wrist and nodded grimly. "It's barely lunch and you want me to stay in a cafe for full six hours. That's feasible. I am ecstatic."

Max will leave a three point zero star rating on their website.

"Ah!" The woman sighed with relief. She choose not to notice his sarcasm. "You're a good man. You can talk to Dolly the whole afternoon. She's a friendly woman, I tell you."

'I went here to escape talking nonstop for work and now you want me to play a rational conversationalist? Not gonna happen.' Maximilian fixed his tie and set afoot to his journey in the new neighbourhood. 'Cafe. Cafe. Cafe.'

"WELCOME TO DELI cafe!" Dolly pleasantly beamed as she welcomed the fourth customer on that morning. It was a teenage girl with a large red beanie. "Rika, how's your swimming class going on?"

"It was awful." Rika threw her rucksack on the nearest chair before strutting to the counter. She complained, "It was so noisy. Stella was being a bitch again and everybody just keeps on saying 'yes' to her whims. I hate it."

'It was the usual stuff, then.' Dolly nodded her head earnestly. "Don't mind her, Rika. I've seen that girl here a few times before. She seems like a good kid."

"Oh, my God, Dolly! Don't be fooled by her large puppy eyes. She barks like a full pledged Siberian husky, I tell you!"

Dolly grinned despite the mean things the girl had said. "She knew how to dress 'properly'."

"Who needs to dress 'properly' if we can have our own fashion statement? I love my loose pants. No one can take them away from me." Rika sulked. "A caramel frappe, please?"

"Hmn. Love that choice!" Dolly turned to make her order. The girl stared at her back.

‘It’s good that she calmed easily this time.’

"There's a weird guy on the street," Rika started, "he's dressed like a freak. But a handsome freak though. I think… I think I like him. His style is different from everyone else's."

'The weird guy?' Dolly halted. 'It's been thrice since this morning that he's mentioned.'

"In this town, wearing a suit under a humid weather is considered wrong," she commented.

The wind chimes rang. Light steps entered the shop. A deep voice hummed before asking, "Why is that?"

"Meep!" Rika shrieked. "Dolly, Dolly! You have to reserve this drink. I— I'll come back, I promise!"

Dolly called after her. She managed to put the straw in a to-go cup before looking to the stranger in front.

Now she understood why Rika didn't stop for a moment to snatch the bag on the chair before running away.

On his height of 6 foot and 3 inches, the man appeared strong and respectable in his black mourning suit. Dolly struggled to look away from his steel gray eyes and failed to notice how the man stared at her face with unflinching tenacity in return.

She shuffled on her feet. Dolly tried to smile but her mind shrank the moment she raised her sight to his face.

His sword-like brow suggested youth and vigor. His nose stood proud and mighty without the presence of a bump. His mouth, thin and pale pink, was straight as iron. It was obvious that he didn't like to smile.

"Hi…" Her voice sounded shy and excited. It almost make her flinch in shame. "I'm Dolly. Wel— Welcome to Deli cafe!"

The man sighed deeply. Dolly became weary in just a flash. 'Am I too antsy?'

It’s her first time seeing such a handsome man. ‘Am I being too obvious? I just welcomed him though.’

"You're a rabbit shifter?" he asked. His voice quality mellow and soft. He knew that the question might rattle her. "And a friendly one at that."

"Yes." Dolly took a step back and sniffed discreetly. The guy noticed her movement. His lips twitched but his entire demeanor remain guarded. "Yes, I am indeed friendly. How did you know?"

"How did I know that you're friendly?"

“About me... being a shifter.” Dolly scrunched her nose. The man chuckled. He looked up with an unbelieving face. "God… should I thank you or not?"

Dolly frowned. This man look resigned and even... a bit mollified about something.

She shrugged. "A thank you is fine, although I'm not giving your orders yet. You're welcome!"

He snorted but the mirth was clear on his eyes. "Hmn, I'm a vampire shifter named Maximilian Adenhart. And as for the drink..."

'Maximilian…' He got a nice name. Dolly tiptoed to be closer to him. "Anything. I can make you anything."

It was late when Dolly realized she sounded too boastful when she said that. Her cheeks reddened in shame.

Maximilian's eyes squinted. A small smile appeared on his lips. "Are you flirting with me?"

'He smells unique.' Dolly was momentarily speechless. 'He has that strawberry-chocolate scent.'

"I'm not! That's not a good thing to do when you're working!" She hesitated a bit, then divulge, "It was your perfume."

"I'm not using…" Max' faltered but then lean over to ask, "What do I smell like?"

"Strawberries dipped in warm chocolate," she stated truthfully, "really amazing smell."

Max broke in a loud cackle. The sound tickled Dolly's chest. "You're delightfully honest. Then… do you know you smell like aged wine and oak to me?"

Dolly's mouth slack open. She defended herself, "I don't drink so the smell of wine is not from me—" She inhaled deeply and nearly whimpered because of the sickly sweet scent. "You… there's only your scent around."

Max swallowed and said deliberately, "So… what do you think of strawberries and chocolate, dear?"

"Fin would like that," Dolly said as a matter of fact, "he's a guy living with me. If your scent calms me then maybe it has the same reaction to him."

"Fin…" Max murmured. The light in his eyes dimmed. "Can I have a black coffee, Dolly? The blackest possible, please."

Dolly laughed nervously. She fumbled through the stacks of paper towels. "That's bitter!"

"Is this Fin your lover?"

“Oh... no.”

She figured it must be okay for him to know since he’s a shifter. He will understand.

Dolly launched in a precise story while Maximilian took a chair from a set table and place it right in front of the counter. Dolly was pleased by this action. She didn't know why but the need to secure the man and assure that he gets all his trivial needs sends a scratch on the soles of her feet. It warms her insides.

‘Is this the feeling of liking someone for the first time?’

"…anyway, you're a vampire, right? So, uh, you feed on humans, no?"

Max shrug carelessly. His pensive frown didn't ebb after Dolly told him her escape. "I feed on humans but you don't need to worry. I make sure that they are willing."

'Willing?' Dolly stealthily snatched a handful of glances at him for a few times until she understood what he means to say. 'Willing victims? Of course! Who wouldn't be willing to you, Maximilian? Do you even own a mirror?'

Dolly's stomach soured on the idea. She hunched over the spotless counter and wiped it repeatedly. It was an endless cycle. She decided to be quiet as she make his order.

A cough made her jump. Max had moved from the chair to the counter. He leaned with an eager pair of eyes while saying, "I stopped feeding from them eight months ago. I'm a five hundred year old bat. This one can go longer without blood."

'Five hundred years old?' Dolly throw the knowledge at the back of her mind. Vampires were known for their timeless beauty, and this is her first time meeting one. "Then… then that's great! Feeding on humans can be bad. My parents used to tell me that overfeeding can cause obsession."

"Yes." Max agreed with his soothing tone. His eyes went blank for a few seconds before it recovered. "Yes, that's right."

"Especially when it's ladies' blood. It—It tastes bitter."

‘Where did I get that?’ Dolly’s head warmed like an oven.

Max chuckled. "Yes. I agree. No more from now on."

Dolly was not satisfied though she can understand him. They’ve only met. His expression clearly states that he’s only pacifying her mood. ‘What an empty response!’

'HE MUST BE so shocked because of my news.' Maximilian lit his cigarette and look down on his vest. 'It's the most shocking thing of the century. Not even Jeffrey's birth could surpass its importance.'

"What did you say, Max?" Jeffrey's father, Mikael Duvas, asked for the second time. “I think my ears failed me.”

Max enunciated patiently, "I have met my 'fated mate' just a few hours ago, but that's not the issue. I'm calling you to inquire about the coven's progress. How was it?"

"Oh… the coven is still unfriendly towards the mortals who wants to enter the family business. Your inquiry had me blanked out for a second as to why would you ask me that— an outcast’s husband won’t know a thing. Well, congrats about finding your 'fated mate' but since it's not a big deal then let's forget about that—"

Max frowned. "Don't be shit to me right now."

He needs to tell someone. This is not something to be ignored.

Mikael's carefree laugh grated on Max' nerves. "God, you're so fun to tease, Max. So, how was your mate? Is she great?"

"She's amazing. Can you believe it? Kael, she's a rabbit shifter." Max inhaled deeply on the cigar. "She's my rabbit shifter, and now I had to quit all these vices."

"You're smoking right now? I thought you quitted that already!"

Max winced. "Yeah… it's the least I can do when you know you have a mate but she's living with a guy named Fin under one roof. For Pete’s sake, what a nasty name, right?"

Kael choked. "Yes, Maximilian."

"My name is golden." Max walked to the window. He savoured the cold smoke but it didn’t help his already heated lungs. "My mate's name is Dolly. I'm not going to tell you how does she look like."

"Sir, I'm married."

Max can't see his point. "It's the same. Janette didn't bite you. You're not tied to her, and you don't have any ties with her too."

Mikael hissed. Max on the other hand was pleased with himself. "Don't rub more salt on the wound, Max, or I would jinx you and your mate."

"Don't you dare." Max looked at the telephone. "My house smells like public comfort room. Who puts too much bleach on everything? No. I can't sleep here."

"You don't need sleep anyway. Just stand there or hang yourself upside down and be Dracula for the night."

Max stood silent, seriously considering his words before realizing that the man was teasing him. He sighed deeply. "You brat. Send Janette my words, okay? I will do everything to break the two of you apart. I'll curse half of your ancestry line, Duvas. I won't spare one—"

"Jesus F. Christ— Honey! Honey, listen to your brother. He's angry. He wants to—"

"Lucifer's cry, Mikael! I'm listening, okay? Tone down your voice or he will know—"

"Oh, shit. Okay, love."

Max' mood dived in a second. He stared at his window hard. His face full of incredulity. This is what he hates the most when using the telephone. He can't detect who's listening on the other line!

"Janette, are you this bored that you’ll actually eavesdrop in my affairs?"

Her scorn flew past Max' ears but he played deaf to his sister's snarl. "What affairs? I just happen to hear Kael talking to someone— I didn't know it was 'you'. Don't speak as though I wasn't aware about what you told my Jeffrey. Who do you think you are to send him at Cedric Mallory's office? That uncouth bloodsucking albino horse! My son is so much better! You could have done better! Have you ever thought on sending him to a normal school?"

"Cedric is a friend who's very close to me. He's not a horse— he's a vampire too, just like you. Yes, I forced him. Yes, he was unwilling. But that's only because you know I'm lying. Swallow that pill with a bitter lemon juice, Janette. He's my nephew and he chooses to listen to me."

Mikael's voice echoed in the background. The harmless banter resulted into serious nit-picking between siblings. ‘Not my fault!’ Max resolutely shook his head.

"Stop. Stop fighting! Love— Honey, let the lamp down now. That's worth a couple of hundred dollars!"

"Don't stop me, Mikael. Did you hear him? He's so arrogant! He's used to getting what he wants! I knew he was a little devil when Momma gave birth to him. He must be grinning right now. I won't let him. I'm a hundred years older than that asswipe, Mikael. Let me pull rank!"

Max stopped his mouth from smiling widely. He scowled. "Pull rank? I'm head of the coven, Janette. Who can pull rank on me other than my mate?"

"Who's your mate? Don't be delusional, Maximilian. When the woman was already living with a guy named Fin, do you still think you can be with her? She could be bonded to him by now, kiddo. You're still green after years of collecting bitches, Maximilian. A tad too green for someone named the head of a coven!"

His eyes flared red for a second. Max' breath became troubled as he flounder for a reply. "Once we establish a connection and we mutually consents to be marked, I'll bite as much as I can, Janette. I'm not going to wait for my mate to grow a pair of fangs for herself in order to claim her. I'm not you. Consider it well, sister. Jeffrey has grown up and matured. He'll be old soon… so does your mate. When Mikael can't stop death from knocking on his door, do you think you can save him from old age?"

"…Max!" Mikael shouted, "Stop it, okay. Janette is a woman. She's your sister. Cut her some slack, won't you?"

He laughed. "We're siblings. We've done so much when you're not around. We're shifters. Be weary for yourself and don't mind my sister. Ready your maintenance pills now, Duvas. Unfortunately, for Janette you're not worthy enough to spend her lifetime with you."

Max lowered his cigar. After dropping the call, he felt a little remorse for his sister. But then, it's been a decade since he asked her to think about Mikael's life. Until now, she still hasn't yet decided on what to do.

She can’t possibly turn human overnight. That’s a delusion born from insecurity.

Mikael was stupid enough to endure and continues to conform to whatever his wife wants. Max couldn't bear to see him wither and die all just because of Janette's selfishness.

Mikael was his only human friend. They met when he was bored and decided to enrol himself and study thermodynamics for fun. Kael was a college professor and he accidentally met Janette when she stormed inside the campus to call Max back in service.

Max only managed to attend two classes led by Kael. Needless to say, he failed it.

What the woman does not understand is that Mikael is her 'fated mate'. And once Mikael dies, she would soon follow through. Janette wants to be human while Mikael is ready to be 'turned' for her sake. Max can't catch up to her thoughts. He doesn't really understand Janette and with what she has been doing all this time, Max wouldn't even try.

Now about what the woman said about his mate is true. Fin's origin and his mate's past is quite suspicious for him. There is something about their meeting when Dolly 'escaped' that baffles him. He must free his mate first from the things that strangles her.

Only then they could meet halfway.

'Dolly, my mate, how would I know what you feel?'

Max eyed the road through the wide glass panel of his apartment and blinked slowly. "Dolly, do you know who am I to you?"

A white figure flashed on the street. Max stilled for a moment before his image stirred and vanished in a flash.

He saw a white rabbit tottering with twitching ears. It could only be someone named Dolly Cesaro. Fleeing away from something that's distressing her.

'HE'S AT IT again!' Dolly took a sharp turn to the left. Reeling on the wet asphalt, she clung for her life. A loud howl made her jump twice. She knew that Fin was just around and he's about to claw her back. 'No! I won't come back! I had enough!'

It took long hours to pass before she finally understood that the man who introduced himself as Maximilian Adenhart is her precious vampire only meant for her and her alone. Her mate. A fated mate.

She has one.

Then there's no way is she going to live with Fin anymore!

The moment the vampire went back to check his home, Dolly was swept with restlessness that she never felt before. Fin had always told her whenever he is sane that no one wants them around, that they better be together because they were the same. Losers.

Dolly always felt that there's so much out there in the world for her. Be it with or without a mate. She can make way for herself if there's no path for her to take.

Knowing that there is someone out there that was destined to be hers was just a proof that life has so much to offer other than that dingy apartment she's residing in with Fin.

‘Leave me alone, Fin!’

This is not the first moment that Dolly attempted to escape one of Fin's panic attacks. When she mentioned that he met a man that could be possibly her 'fated mate', Fin started to be restless for full fifteen minutes before breaking into a half shifted state.

When Fin turned into a wolf, Dolly risked shifting to track her mate.

She wants to leave this place and ask her mate to come with her. She enjoyed working at Little Maddison but with Fin in sight, she would never rest assured.

Fin will only force her to be his mate. Dolly said she will think about it but in all honesty, she couldn't. Even without Max, she couldn't make herself do it.

A hot breath fanned Dolly's back. She sprinted with all her might. The people were all fast asleep during this time of the night. And even if they can see her threatened state, there is no stopping a big black wolf from eating her alive.

'Meep!'

The air stagnated where Dolly stood. She paused in her run and turn to face Fin. He was just five feet apart from her. The mysterious thing was, Fin couldn't seem to advance.

"Bold of you to think you could touch my mate, you rascal," a voice so familiar to Dolly echoed in the empty street. Her heart gave a happy lurch. She stomped her feet and waited patiently. Her ears twitched with frantic delight. With another two seconds, Max appeared in front of her with his feet elevated from air. Smoke gathered on both of his hands. The man has dismissed his outer coat. Only his vest and white shirt left. His long, swept-back hair was disheveled. It gave him a dangerous contrast to his pristine clothes. "My, my mate is a strong woman! She escaped successfully from this dog's filthy paws."

Dolly preened with his complements. She attempted to jump on his black leather shoe but she slide through the process. Another bout of stomping her feet with a demanding expression, Maximilian finally understood her complaints.

"Let's take care of him first then we'll talk, darling," he promised. "I guess you already know who am I to you?"

Dolly run around chasing her tail. She couldn't understand him except when he said 'let's'. Dolly liked it when he said it. He considered her presence in this!

Max snorted. "I thought so. Let me introduce myself in another way, then."

"Dolly Cesaro, I'm your fated mate."

MAXIMILIAN HATES THE taste of bitterness inside his mouth. Seeing his mate fighting through death and finally reaching his side is something he never wanted to happen again. He never felt such agonizing thrill in his entire 500 years in life. Yet when he was ready to strike the vicious rascal down, his mate had shifted back to her human self with all her naked glory only to beg for the man's leniency.

It was out of his logic.

He refused to accept this.

His mate was 'naked'. All the way, he can't really accept this.

Max decided he could let the man go that night. He needs to hear his mate's reason as to why sparing the man was a smart move. With all her clothes on of course. Max didn't need to see the red cinnabar mole on the left side of her waist nor the curve of her back while they talk.

The sight was not for the people of Little Maddison. Not also for his love rival, Fin. He had the brown wolf rendered into an unwanted sleep. Throwing him at the nearest dumpster, he was pleased when he saw his mate back in her white rabbit form.

He stepped on the cement and squatted to her side. "I reckon you don't have a place to stay for the night," he prompted, "Would you stay with me? You know I won't stop worrying 'til I know you're somewhere safe."

Max would like to know her more too. And the wet street was not a good place to strike up a conversation. He needs to know who is Fin for the lovely fair-skinned woman.

The rabbit jumped on his hand. Max let her climb up to his shoulder and snuggle there. It felt warm. Max can feel her fragile heart beating. "Only sniffing, mate? Are you sure you don't want a bite?"

A flimsy rabbit swatted his cheek. He squinted. "Now, now. You like to be physical with me too. It's good that you're open and honest to me."

Max fixed his hair with a hand. He nodded solemnly. "Hold tight, sweetheart."

DOLLY COULDN'T MAKE herself shift. When she risked the idea earlier, she was raked with Max' appreciative eyes. Now that they are inside Maximilian's spacious apartment, she could not muster the courage to shift. Under the brightly lighted ceiling, her boldness popped like a balloon. She became insecure and weary.

Maximilian's delight was because he couldn't see clear to her body. The street was dim and she was sure Max' only saw the flash of her skin and not the scars it has. Dolly had opted to hop on his side while the man suggested to make dinner for both of them.

"I don't know what do rabbit shifters eat. I'm really sorry, sweetheart." Max rummage through the kitchen's pantry. Dolly couldn't believe the amount of pasta that the guy kept. "I… I only have these. Do you like to eat pasta, darling?"

'No.' Dolly did her best to nod and pretended she knew the logic of eating those regularly. 'Max, don't you know what fruits are?'

"Okay, then. I'll cook us something special." Max tapped the counter. After a great while, he sighed. "I'd really like to know more about Fin, Dolly. Would you mind telling me?"

'Telling you?' Dolly understood that she needed to shift for them to talk. She looked at him with her pained eyes before starting to shift.

She didn't see how Max stared at her legs before pretending to stack the pastas in front. "Do you want clothes? I only have mine though. You can use a bathrobe if you're not comfortable."

Dolly's eyes fluttered with shame and restlessness. Her flaws are clear and distinct now. There's no way Max will still want her. "Bathrobe, please?"

Max' image vanished with the wind into a quick puff of smoke. With just five seconds, he emerged from the apartment's only bedroom. His smile laced with charm. "Oh, look at this, darling. I have a black robe here."

Dolly laughed at that. "You act so surprised. Your apartments interior design is black and white."

His smile deepened. He offered the robe without glancing at Dolly's body. She was surged with disappointment. 'I knew it.'

"It made you smile though." Max adjusted his vest. "Please don't mind the smell of detergent. My landlady was careless this morning."

"Oh…" Dolly defended Mrs. Shelly with a gentle tone. "This apartment is the biggest here in Little Maddison. No one has rented it for years that's why she never spent anything to refurbish this. Please don't get mad at her."

Max focused on cooking. He nodded. "I won’t be once we have a sincere talk, Dolly. Should we start knowing each other more? I'd really like to know what happened to that scar on your lower back."

Dolly's teeth rattled. "It's hideous! I know, I know. It happened when—"

"Before we launch on that, I just want you to know that it's not hideous. I have lived for hundreds of years and I saw how life and death quickly pass me. Believe me when I say a scar like that is not a tag of shame but a proof that you have gone something bad and you live through it when most often drop dead and perish." Max used too much force on the knife. It had bended to the side. "If we're going to be together somehow I'd like you to know that I have those too. Dolly, Maximilian Adenhart is not perfect. But I'd like to tell you every single details of why I am not. That way, maybe, you'd still like me anyway."

Dolly's heart squeezed. She stared at his back for a moment before letting the robe fall down her shoulders to her lap. "Then… I don't need these robes."

"What?" Max turned wide-eyed and surprised. It was a novelty for Dolly to see a reserved and calm man being fidgety in her presence. "Why? Are you not afraid I'm going to drain you or something?"

"No." Dolly resolutely gathered the robes on her lap. "You cook, I'll talk. Go on."

"You sure?" Max asked for a second time before continuing his task. "I'm known for my talent in multi-tasking. I can watch you while I cook?"

Dolly chuckled heartily. "No!"

She's only teasing the man. Dolly covered her body with the bathrobe. Now she feel good and comfortable.

"O-kay." Max frowned but eventually asked, "so… about that scar?"

She heaved a long breath. "It was when I ran to the fields. My dad kept on shouting that they must get me. The four rogues didn't hesitate and chase after me. One of the rogue's hand landed on my body and it hurt. His claw almost tear me apart, Max. I... I don't hate those men. I hated my dad for asking them to kill me. I wished for a sudden death that night but it didn't happen. I'm afraid of the pain but I want it all to end. It was the most confusing thing that occurred to me."

He remained quiet but Dolly noticed the unnatural stiffness of his shoulder.

"I don't want Fin to die because somehow he helped me, Max. When you raised your hand and you were so intent to kill him, I feel so bad. He carried me despite my bloody state and drive out of our neighborhood. He—"

"The rogues didn't chase after the two of you?"

"Yes," Dolly answered gratefully, "yes, they didn't. Which was lucky for the both of us."

"Darling, how much do you know about rogue wolves?"

Dolly stilled. "They're vile! Monsters!"

Max smacked his lips. "Yes, baby. They're monsters. Monsters with their hearing skill a little bit more enhanced than your regular wolf. They are called monsters because of their drastic temper switch, and stinky fur."

"What do you mean, Max?" Dolly hugged herself. She felt cold just by remembering her past.

"Nothing, love." He finished chopping the spices. "Fin is a peculiar alpha wolf. You don't mind me doing a brief check on his state, yes?"

"Do whatever that you want but please don't kill him."

"Hmn." He brought out a large saucepan from the cabinet. Dolly enjoyed looking at his back. "What's the name of your neighborhood, darling?"

"Sta. Mesa. Why do you ask?" Dolly rubbed the silky fabric on her hand. "Max?"

"Oh, it is nothing." Max' nonchalance ebbed Dolly's worry. "Let me share something about myself now, okay?"

"Sure!" Dolly knew he's interesting. Knowing his five hundred years worth of story, she felt as though she would hate every woman mentioned in it.