EROS
Port sat on a picnic cloth with his legs crossed; he distributed sandwiches to the kids forming a straight line. His face was a perfect picture of euphoria."Eros," I turned to my left and saw a familiar face. She was wearing a plain white shirt and navy blue skirt with a veil on her head. It was Sister Connie, the pre-school teacher in the orphanage. She was smiling at me as she approached.
"Sister," I greeted, bowing my head.
"God bless you, son," she said, patting my head.
"It's been ages, sister,"
"When was the last time you have visited here?"
"Last year. I think May," I answered shortly. I joined her walking around the field where picnic setups were made.
"Ah, it was Sister Ely's birthday. Blessed her soul,"
I nodded. I finally recalled it was Sister Ely's birthday celebration,
EROS"Eros," I jumped. Port sprouted to my side, his hands on my shoulders, and he was worried. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked.I didn't answer. My head was blurry and dizzy. Pictures of vivid and faint thoughts flooded my brain, suffocating and drowning me. My pulses were throbbing intensely that I could hear and feel them.Port guided me to the bench along the hallways, brushing his hands against my back. On my periphery, he was looking at me intently.I heaved a deep sigh. "Did you see the woman I was after?" I asked, looking at him as we sat.Port's forehead creased, then he shook his head, "You were running alone,""Impossible. I was following a woman wearing a black hoodie jacket," I explained. "It was real. I was after her. And when she eventually stopped, in a second, when you arrived, she dissipated in the midair.""I swe
EROSAs I descended on the staircase, the whole unit smelled of an aromatic, warm home meal. Port was at the counter, busily preparing something. The kitchen was a chaotic mess; this time, it was a good mess—unlike his first days in my old house."Good morning," I greeted him as I walked toward the kitchen.Port gazed at me quickly, smiling at me, then chopped vegetables. "I tried to wake you up, but you looked tired, so I decided to let you snooze,"I giggled as I sat on a tall stool. "It was an exhausting day yesterday.""Not me," he gave a half-shrug.I scanned the whole kitchen; stacked containers with food inside were placed at the side near the refrigerator. At the stove, a crispy-sounding noise from deep-fried chicken wings and the faint boiling of a tomato sauce on another pan. Bowls of queued spices, prepared for another
EROS I couldn’t believe people were falling for these lies. I have established my career since ten single-handedly, and all I got are false accusations—ALWAYS! I am tired of how the media wanted to drag me to filth when I did nothing but paint. I was a painter, not an actor, but since I became known to mainstream media, my life has been this messy. I could never rest from this mess. “Hey, you!” I rolled my eyes as I heard the caller. “I’m not in the mood, Perth,” I answered as I laid my back on the couch. “Are you in your sanctuary?” “You know where I am, right now.” “I am coming over. I am bringing liquor—your favorite, Cognac,” said Perth, laughing. “Nah, you mean your favorite?” I replied. “Just come here. I am bored to death!” A few minutes passed, and Perth arrived. He brought his
EROS "I already cleaned his wounds and covered them with dressings. When he wakes up, make sure he takes antibiotics," said Perth. Perth was in his med school, and he was knowledgeable about treating wounds and stuff. The naked guy was sleeping in one of my guest rooms; his cuts were already dressed and cleaned. "Sure," I nodded. "You know, what's weird… I remembered how bad the wounds were when I first saw them. But then, after I cleaned his wounds, it's like they virtually disappeared. I mean, he still has wounds, but they're no longer that deep." "Are you sure? If my memory is not mistaken, I saw exposed flesh too," &
EROS It was Sunday and gloomy--every day to me was gloomy. I was still on the loose from the social justice warriors and keyboard smashers, and it became more gloomy. Gloomy. Dreary. Cloudy. A regular day for me—except I am nursing a sleeping stranger in my house. On a typical day, I was either painting or traveling to gain ideas and inspiration. That way, the visual bank inside my head would expand, and the ocean of images, shapes, symbols, and patterns would drown me into the abyss. Port was inside the room for almost two days already. For once, he's alive. He responds but does not go out of bed, doesn't take his meals which I was worried about because if this person died under my care, I would be doomed. Today is his third day at my house. "Hello, Eros, I miss you so much!" Ara, Perth's girlfriend, greeted me as she entered my house. She passed me a box of pizza and a
EROS "Eros, I am sorry I have to leave early. I have to bring Ara to her house. She's anxious and sad. The first naked body he saw wasn't mine," Perth said in a video call. "That's valid, Perth. I know how genuine and innocent Ara is. Don't mind me, and I am sorry for the trouble it caused her." I said apologetically. "What's your plan with that stranger?" I closed my eyes and wondered, so far, I don't have any plans with him. "I don't know, but I have a request," "Spill," "I want you to background-check thi
EROS The next day, I called Port to join me in the kitchen. At first, he was hesitant, ashamed of what had happened, but as the hours passed, he finally loosened up. "I am doing this not because I am okay with you being here. I am currently investigating your origin," I said sternly. Port just nodded in response. "I will teach you house chores. It seemed like you were an heir without experience in cleaning, cooking, and washing clothes. On this property, I am alone, and I don't have any housemaids. As payment for your accommodation and food in this household, you will work as a helper. Is that clear?" "Yes, I will!" he exclaimed.
PORT Nine years since I was re-classed. I was happy and contented with my life as a Herald. Meeting terrenes daily to deliver messages to and from different realms, meeting higherhierarchangelicalbeings and angels from other classes. The task for a Herald was simple: to deliver important messages. We could transport to different places and times through theblessingswe received as a Herald. I still remember myblessingsas a Keeper and how it's different fr
EROSAs I descended on the staircase, the whole unit smelled of an aromatic, warm home meal. Port was at the counter, busily preparing something. The kitchen was a chaotic mess; this time, it was a good mess—unlike his first days in my old house."Good morning," I greeted him as I walked toward the kitchen.Port gazed at me quickly, smiling at me, then chopped vegetables. "I tried to wake you up, but you looked tired, so I decided to let you snooze,"I giggled as I sat on a tall stool. "It was an exhausting day yesterday.""Not me," he gave a half-shrug.I scanned the whole kitchen; stacked containers with food inside were placed at the side near the refrigerator. At the stove, a crispy-sounding noise from deep-fried chicken wings and the faint boiling of a tomato sauce on another pan. Bowls of queued spices, prepared for another
EROS"Eros," I jumped. Port sprouted to my side, his hands on my shoulders, and he was worried. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked.I didn't answer. My head was blurry and dizzy. Pictures of vivid and faint thoughts flooded my brain, suffocating and drowning me. My pulses were throbbing intensely that I could hear and feel them.Port guided me to the bench along the hallways, brushing his hands against my back. On my periphery, he was looking at me intently.I heaved a deep sigh. "Did you see the woman I was after?" I asked, looking at him as we sat.Port's forehead creased, then he shook his head, "You were running alone,""Impossible. I was following a woman wearing a black hoodie jacket," I explained. "It was real. I was after her. And when she eventually stopped, in a second, when you arrived, she dissipated in the midair.""I swe
EROSPort sat on a picnic cloth with his legs crossed; he distributed sandwiches to the kids forming a straight line. His face was a perfect picture of euphoria."Eros," I turned to my left and saw a familiar face. She was wearing a plain white shirt and navy blue skirt with a veil on her head. It was Sister Connie, the pre-school teacher in the orphanage. She was smiling at me as she approached."Sister," I greeted, bowing my head."God bless you, son," she said, patting my head."It's been ages, sister,""When was the last time you have visited here?""Last year. I think May," I answered shortly. I joined her walking around the field where picnic setups were made."Ah, it was Sister Ely's birthday. Blessed her soul,"I nodded. I finally recalled it was Sister Ely's birthday celebration,
EROSGolden rays of the sun beamed through the open window, illuminating Port's pale face in his silent slumber. His brows scrunched from the heat, so I had to block my hands for a cover. Other rays passed through his naked body, glaring at his perfect, radiant curves.I giggled as I heard him snore. Last night, he had told me that we would wake up early to jog together before the sun rose. However, he was here with me, sleeping soundly.Port shifted his position toward me, grabbing the blanket up to his neck. "Stop watching me, pervert!" he grunted, still closing his eyes."Hey!" I exclaimed. "I'm not a pervert!""Pffft,"
EROSPort and I sat on the sofa, holding hands while Perth was striding back and forth, crossed arms and stern face. The door opened, and Ara hurriedly entered. Port lowered his head upon seeing his best friend."I cannot believe what I just heard!" she howled, walking toward the living room."I'm glad you came," Perth greeted his girlfriend."As it should!" she pointed. Ara glared at us, "Eros!" I jumped upon hearing her shrieking voice. "How dare you lay your hands on my bestie!" Ara snatched my hair then pulled it."Argh," I groaned, trying to shove Ara's grasp."How dare you, Eros Cuevas!" she cried, tugging my hair forcefully. All I could do was screech and lean forward to minimize the distress in my scalp.Perth was shouting, stopping Ara from balding me, and Port was helping me to remove her hands."Bestie,
EROSPort entered the unit with shopping bags in his grip. He was beaming upon seeing me in the living room, rushed toward the kitchen then placed the bags at the counter."Port, can you come over?" I called."A second," he replied.He greeted me with a smile, but it faded when he saw my expression. Port and I hadn't had a chance to talk about the elevator fiasco—the following day, when I woke up, he was already gone with Ara."Take a seat," I commanded. Port settled himself on the single couch opposite to where I was sitting. He pursed his lips, looking at the ceiling with his hands rubbing on each other."Do you remember anything from yesterday?" I asked directly.He looked at me with a blank expression. "What about yesterday?"I blew a quick laugh. "I'm the one's asking here," I gritted my teeth. "Wh
EROS"Eros, are you listening?" Perth snapped in front of me. I looked at him, and he was displeased.My brain cells suddenly wired and brought me back to the present. They reminded me that Perth and I were alone in the living room. Ara and Port, we're out shopping."I'm sorry. Where are we?"He crossed his arms against his chest, one leg forward tapping the floor. "Now. Tell me, what's bothering you?"I faked a laugh. "No. I think I need more sleep,"Perth sat beside me. From the corner of my eyes, I could see his judging look. I turned to him and stretched a smile."You cannot lie to me, Cuevas,"My shoulders dropped, protruding my mouth. Perth was a human lie detector, proven and tested by experts. He could always sense the best and worst of me."I'll tell you later," I promised. "Repeat what you were speaking of
EROSPort greeted me with a smile as I entered the unit. He was in the kitchen, cooking something. The unit smelled butter and the sound of frying food popping like raindrops on the roof."What are you preparing?" I asked, striding to the living room."Uhm," he hummed, looking at the pan. "I am cooking a fillet,""Fish?""Yep,"It had been ages since I had tasted a meal cooked by Port. The last time was when my property was still standing; it was a beef broth with sweet corn.I sat on the couch facing the counter of the kitchen where he was busily cooking. I could tell that he was very enthusiastic, holding a ladle and facing a pan from where I was sitting."Are you hungry?" he asked, still focused on cooking."Not really,""Well, would you mind if I ask you t
EROS"I don't think Val was lying when he said he knew Port," Perth said, driving our way back to my unit."Yeah. I agree. How did he know Port's name? They must've met before,""But, a month had passed; how could he remember everything vividly?""He said that Port was wearing a weird outfit that day. Maybe the outfit was remarkable enough that it was worth remembering?"Perth nodded. My whole history was chaotic, and Port's past was more confusing. It was understandable to be in shambles to dig events twenty years ago, but Port's was a month-old tracking. In his case, it was always a dead end.