Silver received a call from Aldridge, he was to return to the headquarters and accompany Xiran on Project Phantom (name given to the stealth operation against Phantom).

He had packed his gear and clothes. Now his only worry was on how to talk to Rubisha. He took a deep breath and made his way to her condo and knocked on the door.

Rubisha opened it and her face beamed seeing him standing there.

"Hey! Good morning," she greeted him.

"Hey! Can I come in?" she took his hand and dragged him inside.

"You don’t ever have to ask," her smile widened as they settled down in the living room.

Rubisha had grown even close to him since he saved her life and told her the truth about Aselia.

"I am returning to the headquarters. I have been called back for another important mission. Another hunter will take my place here," the smile on her face instantly faded and she felt her heart clench in the worst possible way. Rubisha knew he would have to return one day but didn’t know it will be so soon.

"Why so early? You were here for an extended period of time."

"Yes, but they need me for another important mission. The situation here has stabilised so they think someone else can handle it too," he replied calmly keeping his eyes on her face which was almost scowling now.

"I thought we would have more time together, get to know each other better," Rubisha was diligently trying to mask her feelings for him but it was easier said than done.

"That’s what I want to talk to you about, Rubisha. I don’t know where we stand with each other," his face was almost stoic but his gaze was sharp on her, he wanted to see what she would say. They had never really spoken about what they felt for each other although both of them had been falling in love with the other.

"Umm, for starters we are friends..." she trailed off, lowering her gaze for his intense one was making her uncomfortable.

"Only friends? We have been more than what friends do," his words made her blush a deep shade of crimson.

"I know," her voice was barely a whisper as she couldn’t muster up enough courage to look at him.

He extended his hand and lifted her chin so she would meet his gaze.

"Rubisha, relationships are complicated especially between hunters and vampires. You have a clear example of Xiran and Aselia and see how it ended. We don’t want to extend this any longer if we don’t have any deep feelings for each other," his words were crystal clear and he continued:

"You are beautiful and independent and you have a life here. As a hunter, I can’t stick around too long. Also, hunters have short lifespans so I don’t want you to suffer in case anything happens to me," his words sent shock waves throughout her body. In short, he was trying to say they couldn’t be together. She blinked at him and tried to speak but words didn’t form. He waited.

"Y...you mean we can’t be together?" she finally blurted out, looking horrified.

"Options don’t seem to be in our favour and I don’t even know where I stand in all this. I need time to think about it and so do you," he kept his voice low but firm.

"I see, what if I want to be with you Silver? Can you accept me?" Rubisha reluctantly asked knowing he might completely reject her. She was doubtful that he had fallen in love with her. Her question had him thinking.

Could he fall in love with a vampire? A species which murdered his entire family. A species he loathed and had hunted throughout his life.

"I am not sure Rubisha. I need time to think and staying away from each other will give us plenty of it. We won’t always end up in bed, we seriously need to think this through," she found his words somewhat callous but knew they had to do as he had said. She wanted to process her feelings about him. So she simply nodded with a grim expression before asking:

"Can I call you?"

"Whenever you feel like," reaching out he tugged some stray hair behind her ear and gave her a half smile. Hoping her smile would return. But she remained solemn.

"I have to go now. My plane will be arriving in a few hours," Silver got up and Rubisha followed him.

"Ok, have safe travels," she stepped closer to him and hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest. Her emotions were all over the place failing to comprehend how to act and how to let him go.

Silver hugged her back and planted a kiss on her head.

"Stay safe Rubisha and call me if the need ever arises," with that he let her go and went back to his condo. His heart was hurting, a bitter ache settled in it.

In the solitude of his condo, he wrestled with his emotions. Doubts gnawed at him, but he clung to the belief that their separation was for the best, and yet his heart didn’t agree.

It was time for him to leave. So he picked up his bags and exited the condo. Mayor Kirlian had informed him that he will meet him at the airport to thank him for everything he had done for them and the city, he decided to hand over the key to him there.

As he neared the elevator and opened the door to enter, he heard another door close behind him. Turning around he found Rubisha running towards him. Her face was tear stricken and his heart took a dive seeing that she has been crying.

Instantly he dropped the bags in the elevator and opened his arms, she landed right into them as both of them entered the elevator in each other’s arms. Rubisha lifted her face and whispered:

"Don’t go," there was so much pain in her words as fresh tears erupted and flowed down her rosy cheeks. He wiped them with his right hand while keeping her steady and glued to him with his left.

"I have to lassie. It’s important, a lot of lives depend on the mission."

"I think... I... am falling in love with you, my heart hurts so much," she finally stammered, staring into his bluish orbs gawking for his reaction.

Silver’s pupils dilated in shock and he glassily stared at her, his heartbeat had upped a fraction and Rubisha noticed that as his grip around her waist tightened.

"Rubisha!!!" he sultrily murmured, placing his forehead on her. She grabbed his face and hungrily brushed her lips against him. All his restraint evaporated having her in his arms again.

He pushed her against the elevator wall. The doors slid shut, enclosing them in the confined space, he pressed his sturdy body against her. The air crackled with tension as their eyes locked. Time seemed to slow down, suspending them in a moment that belonged only to them.

He jailed her hands above her head, his action sending shivers down her spine. Her breath hitched, anticipation building as his gaze dipped to her parted lips. Slowly, almost teasingly, he leaned in, his warm breath mingling with hers.

Their lips met again in a lingering fervent kiss, the world around them fading into insignificance. Their mouths moved together in perfect harmony, a dance of desire and longing. His lips possessed an undeniable hunger, igniting a fire deep within her.

Lost in the intoxication of the moment, she whimpered against his lips as his hands slid inside her dress and cupped her breast. He tugged at her nipples and slightly pinched them, making her legs turn to jelly.

The elevator seemed to disappear, leaving only the heat of their bodies and the electric connection they shared.

As the elevator continued its descent, their kiss grew more fervent, the desire between them building with each passing second. Their bodies pressed against one another, aching to be closer, to meld into one.

The ding of the elevator arriving at their destination brought them back to their senses, reluctantly pulling them from their passionate trance. Breathless and flushed, they unwantedly pulled apart but he still held her close, not wanting to let go.

"Oh! Silver," she gasped and he collected her in his arms once again.

"I have to go now but I promise I will come to visit you after the mission," he murmured in her ear and she nodded.

"Promise you won’t forget me," she pleaded with teary eyes.

"I promise," his words held reassurance and she finally let go of him so he could leave. Although the mere thought was shredding her heart to pieces, she knew he had to.

With one final lingering glance at her, Silver sighed and dragged his luggage out of the elevator and finally left her standing there with a heavy heart and slumped shoulders.