Mila’s expression brightened as Charlie praised her cooking skills. She always considered it a personal triumph when her meals came out a success. It was no easy feat to cook something without being able to taste test it. Food just turned to ashes in her mouth. Oddly enough, she could still appreciate the aroma of food and drink. But of course, they held no appeal to her appetite now. “Thanks, I’m glad you like it~” She leaned forward against the island, opposite Charlie. “I don’t cook very often to be honest, although I do enjoy it. I used to sneak into the kitchen when I was just a girl and help the servan-.. ah.. the maids – I used to help them prepare meals. My mother never liked it when I did that,” she laughed. “Anyway, I’ve had a long time to practice. I should cook dinner for you sometime.” She was turning back toward the sink to finish rinsing and stacking when she saw Charlie stumble out of the corner of her eye. She might have easily crossed the short distance between them to catch her, but such a quick movement would have given her away. Instead, she reacted at “normal speed,” stepping to Charlie’s side and placing a concerned hand on her shoulder. “You’re sure you’re alright?” she asked, leaning forward to examine her again. It was normal of course, for Charlie to feel a little weak. “Hopefully you’re not getting sick or anything. Do you feel feverish?” She pressed the back of her cool hand to Charlie’s forehead and let it linger there for a moment. Then she slowly moved it to the side of her neck. She could feel her pulse beating deliciously hard and fast beneath her fingers, pumping that scarlet blush across her cheeks. “Well, you do feel a little warm at the moment,” she teased softly, “But I don’t think it’s a fever. I have to confess, there’s a bug going around the office right now. I hope I didn’t give it to you. I’d hate it if it was [i]my[/i] fault you felt this way…” Mila was pleased to see that the girl was actually taking it pretty well, compared to some others she’d “sampled.” No cause for alarm so far, but she would have to make sure to be careful. Charlie was so petite after all. The vampire would be disappointed if she accidently went overboard. She was by no means inextricably attached to this human yet, but the girl was growing on her. And last night she had tasted ..indescribable. The best she’d had in a long time. Still, Mila had learned early on not to get too attached to her food. She always resisted developing any kind of silly, [i]emotional[/i] attachment. [i]"Oh, and if you need any help here is my cell number."[/i] “I’ll text you later so you’ll have mine too,” she replied, taking the slip of paper. “And yes, wine is a must! Oh, before I forget, do you have a spare key I can use?” Mila picked up her purse from the counter and moved toward the doorway to slip on her heels. [i]"Do you have any movie preferences?"[/i] “Hm, I do have a love for the classics. You know, Hollywood's Golden Age," she said, looking nostalgic. “Gone with the Wind, Casablanca… there was that vampire movie too, I’m forgetting the name. I haven’t seen it in ages. It was so [i]scandalous[/i] at the time,” she laughed, then added, “At least, I imagine it was. Something like that might be fun. Or whatever you think looks good. I trust your judgment.” She winked. “Ok, I’m off.” With her purse tucked under her arm, she turned toward the door. “I’ll see you tonight. Keep the receipt for that wine, I want to split it with you.” She flashed Charlie a smile and left the apartment to collect her things. She had nothing to fetch of course; everything she had was in the car parked downstairs. She would need to go buy a few things to make it appear that she owned more than she did at the moment. Shampoo, toothpaste – all those things she didn’t need. Pajamas too. A mischievous smirk flickered across her face as she wondered what she could get away with.. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- She was back a little later than she said she’d be. It was closer to six when she slipped the key in the door and turned the knob.