41. (JO POV)

(JO POV)

Two weeks had passed since we'd been confined to Deirk's room, and our initially cautious interactions had evolved into something much more intimate. Our days were now filled with constant conversation, laughter, and unexpected comfort in each other's presence, and our once-timid touches had grown into habitual cuddling.

"Remember how I told you my stepmother used to scold me for forgetting my Spanish?" I teased Deirk, recalling when my stepmother insisted I speak Spanish at home. "Looks like you've become my new maestra."

Deirk smiled and corrected my pronunciation: "It's 'maestro,' but I'm happy to take on the role. Your Spanish is coming back beautifully, by the way."

To fend off the monotony, I finally gave in to Deirk's suggestion to play the array of children's board and card games he'd amassed. Watching a centuries-old vampire delight in something as simple as 'Go Fish' was heartwarming. "I never took you for a board game enthusiast," I remarked, amused by his chil