First love to last

 
   Worried by Barnabas's strange behavior, Victoria decided to go to the town and find out what was it that caused his sudden change.
 As she got to the town, she heard of this new boss of Angel Bay.
"She's so much like her aunt, so business like but still so lovely woman."
She heard some old ladies talking.
"Excuse me?" She asked one of the ladies, "Could you please tell me how I could find this new boss of Angel Bay?"
"Oh deary, go to Angel Bay and ask her assistent when she is free for meeting."
"Thank you madam." Victoria nodded and kept walking.
She didn't need to inside to get to take a look of new boss, as black haired woman came out, followed by two very fine looking business man.
 "Yes, tomorrow morning." She heard woman saying, "8.00 AM, I will be here around 7.30 if you gentlemen want to come and have cup of coffee or something before we start."
Victoria froze, that voice and wicked smile couldn't belong to anyone else but Angelique herself.
 As woman finally turned her eyes on her, she quickly looked away.
"Excuse me for moment" She heard Angelique saying and got awful feeling as she came closer.
 "Good afternoon, Miss Winters, is it not?" Angelique smiled.
Victoria looked up into her ice cold eyes and nodded weakly, "Yes Ma'am"
"No need to call me Ma'am, Angelina Bouchard"
"Angelina?"
"Hm, Angelique Bouchard was my aunt.... It was so awful to hear her passing away."
"I'm.. Very sorry for your loss then. I didn't know her, but I didn't thought that she had family. I mean, in Collinsport."
"Well, she did."
"Yes, yes so it seems."
"Why are you outside of Angel Bay, Miss Winters?"
"I was.. I was coming to greet you. I've heard so much about you and I thought it would be polite to come and wish you welcome to the town"
Angelique laughed and lean closer, whispering with her cold voice; "I'm always welcome in my town, but if I was you... I would consider leaving right away before something awful happens."
Victoria winced and step back, "Angelique..."
"Yes.. But you will not tell that to these people if you value your life."
"I'm not afraid of death Witch."
"Oh yes, you are already undead. But I have my ways to torture Vampires to death."
"Please! Leave us alone!"
Angelique took hold of Victorias wrist, pressing her nails in Victorias pale skin.
Victoria winced again and tried to pull her hand free, "Please... I don't mean anything bad for you"
"You will leave this town Victoria, or you can only stand and watch as you lose Barnabas."
"Leave him alone!"
"Never. I loved him over two centuries, I will not give him up now. And he loves me. Somewhere deep down in that cold heart of his."
Angelique let go and turned around to go back to the business men who were waiting for her.
Victoria quickly run back to Collinwood.
Barnabas saw her in hallway, "Ah, Victoria. Where have you been?"
"I was... Just taking a walk."
"You look frightened, what happened?"
"N-nothing"
Barnabas looked suspicious but nodded then slowly, "Very well"
 Victoria watched as he walked upstairs and sighed. She couldn't remember when Barnabas had last time hold her in his arms or kissed her with his gentle, loving manner.
 Soon Barnabas came downstairs again, ready to go out.
"Where are you going?" Victoria asked.
"Just.. Taking a walk"
"But it's late, should I come with you?"
"No need my dear. I will find someone unfortunate to drink and will come back. You enjoy yourself." After saying this, Barnabas left.
  He felt quilty of lying to Victoria but he needed to take care of some unfinished business.
 As he came to Angel Bay, he entered Angeliques office.
Angelique who was getting ready to go back home, looked surprised to get this late visitor.
"Barnabas? What brings you here this time of the evening?"
Barnabas sighed and place his cane to her desk, coming closer to her.
"I do not know what you have done to me... But I want it end now."
Angelique looked perfectly confused, "I haven't have time to do anything for you. I sent you the letter so you came to meet me, that's all."
"Speak the truth snake! Why can't I stop thinking about you?"
Angelique laughed softly "Maybe it's because you still have feelings for me."
Barnabas took hold of her wrist and pushed her against the wall, "Why? Why have you done this to me?"
"Done what?"
"You've put a spell on me! I was perfectly happy with Victoria, my sweet Victoria! Now I cannot even kiss her without thinking of you!"
Angelique shake her head, "I haven't done anything. My back-up plan with Angel Bay keeps me busy for next month or so, I can't give you any better answer."
 She pulled her hands free and walked to the door, "Maybe that you already thought you lost me forever, made you realize I actually am your first love... Most likely also last."
Before she got out of the door, Barnabas pulled her back and kissed her.
Angelique blinked in surprise but kissed him back, soon relaxing in his arms.
When Barnabas finally pulled back and cathed his breath, he looked into her eyes and sighed softly, "I'm sorry"
"I'm not."
"I cannot do this Angelique... I have Victoria, I must-"
"Shh.." Angelique said and rested her head against his chest. "Don't fight against what is obvious. We are meant to be, my love... I can give you little time to get rid of her, then we can start all over."
"But-"
"No... Don't decide anything yet. Feel me and my love for you, love me back Barnabas. I need you to love me back."
Barnabas hold her gently and closed his eyes for while, "But it is so difficult... And I cannot forgive what you did to Jose-"
Angelique pulled back and looked into his eyes, "Really? If you can't forgive me, why you keep coming back to me?"
Barnabas sighed and looked away. They both knew why. He desired her. He had always desired her.
 Angelique took her handbag and shut the lights. "Come back to me when you're ready to start over Barnabas. Or I will come to you and make it happen."
Barnabas took his cane and followed her out.
As she locked the doors and turned away to go to her car, he called after her;
"Angelique!"
"What?"
"If... I'd love you once again. Would you perhaps release me from my curse?"
"Maybe..."
"Would you release Victoria as well? Only if I asked this as a favor?"
"If you loved me enough, maybe."
Barnabas nodded his understandment and watched as she drive away. He didn't want to let go of Victoria. He had finally got back his one true love, but Angelique was right about that she had been his first love. Did he still somewhere deep down in his heart wish her to be his last love as well? After all what she had put him through?