My Baby Daddy Isn't Human-Chapter 115: Exist?

The library doors creaked softly as Raelynn pushed them open. She stepped inside, greeted by the familiar scent of old books and polished wood. The sun streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm, golden glow over the rows of shelves. Her heart felt lighter today, a rare flicker of peace settling over her as she made her way toward the counter.

Axel was there, perched on his usual chair behind the counter, flipping through a thick book. His glasses slid slightly down the bridge of his nose, and his sharp features were relaxed in concentration. The faint scratching sound of a pen on paper accompanied his movements as he jotted down notes in a small ledger.

Raelynn approached with a hesitant smile, clutching the book she had come to return. The light sound of her footsteps on the floor caught Axel's attention, and he glanced up.

"Hi, Axel," she greeted softly, holding up the book. "I came to return this."

Axel closed his ledger with a faint thud and set it aside, leaning forward slightly as he rested his elbows on the counter. His usual composed expression shifted into a hint of a smirk.

"Well, well," he drawled, his voice low and teasing. "Look who finally decided to show up. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about this place entirely."

Raelynn rolled her eyes, though a small laugh escaped her lips. "Hardly. I've just been...busy."

Axel raised an eyebrow. "Busy? Really?"

Axel leaned back slightly, crossing his arms as his sharp gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than usual. "Came alone this time, huh?" he remarked casually, though there was a subtle edge to his tone, as if the question carried more weight than it seemed.

Raelynn hesitated, caught off guard by the shift in his expression. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, clearing her throat softly. "Yeah, I guess so," she replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "Why? Is that a problem?"

Axel's lips twitched, and for a split second, she swore she saw the corner of his mouth lift into the faintest smile.

She placed the book on the counter with a sheepish grin. "Oh, right, I just realized on my way here that I forgot Vampire 10,001 at home. I'm sorry. I'll bring it next time."

Axel tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Next time, huh? You sure this wasn't all part of your master plan to see me again?"

Raelynn's eyes widened in mock annoyance. "Oh, please. Don't flatter yourself, librarian."

Axel chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Fair enough. But if this does turn into a habit, I might start charging you a late fee in the form of coffee."

Raelynn laughed, shaking her head as she leaned slightly against the counter. "Duly noted."

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The conversation shifted as Axel nodded toward the book she had returned. "So, how was it? To your liking?"

Raelynn hesitated for a moment before launching into an enthusiastic summary of the romance novel's plot. She gestured animatedly, her voice rising and falling with excitement as she described the twists and turns of the story. Axel listened patiently, his expression amused but focused.

Midway through her retelling, Axel held up a hand, cutting her off. "I didn't mean that book," he said, his tone dry. "I meant the vampire one."

Raelynn blinked, momentarily flustered, before recovering with a laugh. "Oh. Well, I haven't finished it yet. But so far, it's...entertaining."

Axel leaned forward, his eyes narrowing playfully. "Entertaining, huh? That's it? No deep thoughts about the tragic lives of vampires, the allure of immortality, or the ethical dilemmas of drinking blood?"

Raelynn shrugged, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "I'm not sure I've gotten to the ethical dilemmas part yet. But hey, it's fiction, right? Vampires don't exist."

Axel tilted his head, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes. "And what if they did?"

She laughed lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Then I guess I'd be in trouble. I don't think I'd make a very good vampire. Too squeamish about blood."

Axel chuckled, but his gaze didn't waver. "You'd be surprised how adaptable people can be."

They continued their playful back-and-forth, joking about whether vampires would prefer coffee or tea, whether they'd need sunscreen or umbrellas, and the logistics of blending into modern society.

Raelynn, caught up in the lighthearted conversation, didn't notice the way Axel's demeanor shifted as the conversation went on. His smiles became smaller, more contemplative, and his eyes held a faint shadow of seriousness.

Eventually, there was a pause—a moment of quiet that settled between them like the turning of a page. Axel, who had been leaning casually against the counter, straightened. His gaze locked onto hers, and his tone dropped slightly.

"What if," he began, his voice measured and deliberate, "I told you vampires do exist? Would you believe me?"

Raelynn froze, her smile faltering as she stared at him. For a moment, she wasn't sure if he was joking. The intensity in his eyes sent a shiver down her spine, though she quickly masked it with a nervous laugh.

"Well," she said slowly, searching his face for any hint of humor. "I guess that would depend on how convincing your evidence is."

Axel's expression didn't change. He watched her carefully, as though her answer held more weight than she realized.

Raelynn fidgeted under his gaze, suddenly aware of how quiet the library had become. She cleared her throat, forcing a smile. "But, uh, until I see a vampire with my own eyes, I think I'll stick to believing they're just in books and movies."

Axel finally broke the tension with a small smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Fair enough," he said softly.

The conversation shifted again as Raelynn asked about the library's new arrivals, and Axel returned to his usual, easygoing demeanor. But even as they talked, Raelynn couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted in the air between them—something she couldn't quite put into words.

As she left the library later that day, the question Axel had asked lingered in her mind, echoing like a faint whisper.

What if vampires do exist?