The path (barely a trail) that led to the café amazed me and brought me calm in equal measures. Almost hidden among the ever-green ferns that were splattered like bright green paint on pale green canvas on the outskirts of our small, quaint town, it was the kind of attraction that only a thorough Google search would return.

I am ashamed to admit it, but I too had become aware of its existence recently when a visitor had bumped into me quite literally, asking me for directions to get to the 'Ever Night' Cafe. A resident of Miraville, yet not having heard about this place, a heritage site cum tourist attraction of sorts, I had immediately taken it upon myself to fix the situation that had stemmed from my ignorance. I had ended up finding my new favorite hangout: a run-down-middle-of-the-forest working coffee house. Though it was in the middle of the forest, it was anything but run-down.

The owner/barista/server was a regal-looking young man who always smiled like he had woken up on the right side of the bed, and nothing could punch the optimism out of him.

I would kill to have that attitude. I would probably sell my soul for it. Then again, how much would a soul of a down-and-out writer be worth?

The day I had strolled inside the charming cafe, the man had introduced himself as, 'William, it's always nice to have young blood visiting this old place.' before leaving abruptly and returning moments later with a worn-out leather-bound menu. 'Please, take your time.'

I had taken the words to heart and had run with them. I had spent an hour bathing in its timeless architecture, the paintings depicting knights, kings, queens adorned in pearls, gold, and jade, a time history had forgotten. Everything about the coffee house reeled me in and forced me to stay...to return.

I don't know when it had started, but when I look back, I can't remember spending my evenings anywhere else.

Just like every other evening, today as well, without my knowledge, my feet carried me to Ever Night, where, like always, I found my spot empty as if waiting for me. My eyes scanned the almost empty Café before settling on William.

Something was amiss. 'The smile.' my mind supplied. I knew it was not my place to ask what or who had taken it away, so I did what I have always done: get writing (of which I had done none since the past few weeks).

My mind a blank page, devoid, except for a question, 'Where did your smile go?' I glanced at William, who was looking up through his lashes at someone sitting a few tables down from me. I leaned over to get a better look and was surprised to find Mr. Moress, the grumpy grandpa, as he was (not) fondly called, going over the menu diligently.

A movement at the corner of my eyes caught my attention. It was William, turning and rushing out the backdoor. I wondered what was so important that he had run off keeping the espresso machine on.

I contemplated if I should turn it off and almost got up to do it when I saw William enter the Café at the speed of light and switch off the misbehaving machine. He glanced up and beamed up at me. As if reading my mind, William bowed; tapping the top of the coffee maker, he offered me a sunny smile.

It was too much for my heart to take. So, like self-proclaimed tsundere, I pretended not to understand the gesture and turned back to the empty word document that desperately needed to be filled with well-meaning, articulate words.

I gulped and let my fingers fly over the keys. As I proceeded to look busy while typing out 'Klingon' aka gibberish, my eyes stealthily followed William, who approached the grumpy grandpa.

"Welcome to Ever Night. May I have your order, please." The barista asked the man who stared up at him with brows furrowed.

"You look exactly like the man who used to own this coffee house when I was young. I should know; he used to be my boyfriend." The man with salt pepper hair spat out as if the recollection had offended him.

To be honest, I would never have guessed him to have a boyfriend in his youth (his granddaughter was my lunch-mate in elementary school), but even before the info could sink in, I heard something that sent chills down my spine.

By this point, I was totally invested in their (unquestionably) private conversation and couldn't help but gasp when William's warm eyes grew cold, and he spoke in a voice that could cut steel. "You said that I look exactly like him." His already deep voice turned sultrier, "My love, what makes you think that I am not him."

Mr. Moress looked like a deer caught in headlights. His figures fisted in the elegant satin cloth draped over the oak carved table, and a bead of sweat rolled down his temple and quickly disappeared under his collar.

"That's...that's. How rude!" Mr. Moress stammered and stood up, pushing the chair a few feet away. His chest heaved, and with haste, he turned tail and ran.
I couldn't stop myself. I couldn't look away. I knew I was being absolutely shameless, but I continued to stare nonetheless. My mind was running a mile a minute.

Was he joking?

Was he perhaps trying to scare the man?

Did he bear a personal grudge against him?

Or was he being honest?

A multitude of questions swirled in my head, but before I could make up my mind, William turned and held my gaze.

I could look away.

I really couldn't.

In a matter of seconds, William was standing next to me. He threw his head back and laughed. It did nothing to stop the dread from spreading through my veins, turning my heart into ice.

His ocean-blue iris had turned red; the smirk on his lips made his aura that much colder.

It couldn't be...could it?

William stopped laughing abruptly and suddenly sat facing me. Just like he had done with Mr. Moress, he leaned in. His cold breath fanned the nape of my neck, and I quickly coved the exposed skin with the palm of my hand.

That's absurd. We are not in the twilight.

I am not Bella, and he definitely isn't...

A soft chuckle rocked his tall, broad frame, "Edward." He completed my thoughts.

He completed my thoughts!

The red of his iris dissolved, giving way to ocean blues. With his finger under my chin, he lifted my face, and in slow, clear words, he asked, "Rose, do you want to run away just like he did or-" His eyes narrowed; he looked past me towards the exit for a split second before seeking mine again, "-would you like to stay and listen?"

Who the hell wants to leave?

He lowered his eyes and smiled a small secret smile, "Alright then, I guess you are the best candidate for it: a writer looking for a story."

'I never told him what I did for a living! How did you he know!?' No sooner had I thought it, I felt my cheeks heat up.

His fingers brushed a stray lock of hair from my forehead and tucked it behind my ear, "It's okay." He patted my head just like one would a child and added, "I won't look into your head anymore."

Relieved, I tried to smile, but my facial muscles refused to obey. I must have looked comically constipated; at least William wasn't in my head anymore, so he hadn't heard my ramblings.

"Rose, before I start, there is something I need you to do." He requested, taking my sweaty hands in his ice-cold once, and without waiting for my reply, he pulled me to my feet. Picking me up in his arms, he rushed out of Ever Night.

I closed my eyes, fearing the worst. However, barely seconds later, I felt a cool breeze caress my face. I opened my eyes and found myself in the thicket, the very same I crossed every evening to get to Ever Night.

A moment after that, William set me down and moved behind me, "Rose, I need you to be Bella just for a few. Can you do that?"

I looked around. The scene felt familiar.

"Twilight." He whispered in my ear.

Understanding dawned on me, and I got into character. I knew what William wanted. I let out a shaky breath and muttered, "I know what you are."

Though my back was turned to him, I could tell he was smiling. The very same smile I had come to witness at Ever Night every evening.

"Say it." He demanded; it sounded exactly like Bella's Edward. He paused for dramatic effect and continued in a breathy voice, "Out loud."

"Say it." He repeated, and I let out a few more shaky breaths before replying, "Vampire."

I turned to look at his pale, gorgeous face, and he asked, "Are you afraid?"

"No. I am not." I replied with conviction; all the while my heart pounded, I was scared as heck.

William nodded and patted my head again, "Thank you, child."

All my fear faded in an instant, "Child!?" I exclaimed irritably.

"Of course, you are a child. Did you not see how old my ex is?" He teased, walking back towards Ever Night. He didn't ask me to follow, nor did he look back to see if I was following him. I guess it was a give-in that I would.

I fell in step with him and argued back, "But..I...I am not that small. Surely I could be-"

He sighed, "Even if you aren't, I still can't be what you want. Rose, you are not my type."

Oh right...

Well, at least I tried. Moreover, I still had the epic story of Edward's...I mean, William's (most definitely) extraordinary life that I was looking forward to hearing.

As I entered the coffee house again, I hoped this was the story that would finally pull me out of my writer's block.

#WrittenWithPride