>>HazelWhat is wrong with him?I know I broke a deal but it was unreasonable to begin with. I was forced into something at gunpoint, of course I’d break the deal and run away at any chance I get but I guess Valek doesn’t understand that.I guess he’s too thick skinned to understand anything!He only wants me to do everything he says.I sighed and looked at myself in the dressing table mirror in my room.I look like shit.I stared at myself in the mirror and shook my head with sadness.I’ve been wearing the same clothes for four days now… My shoulders slumped in disappointment.Well, I was mugged four days ago so it’s a given.Maybe I can talk about getting some new clothes?I stared at the mirror blankly. I think he will agree to that. I mean, I think he's not as cruel as I thought he was.I cleared my throat.Why do I think that?Because~, Yesterday night he acted a little weird.He was a bit soft? I practically asked myself the question.I shook my head as I bit my lower lip softly
>>HazelBreakfast was quite awkward.I entered the dining hall after calming myself and Emilio came running to me in happiness the moment I made my entry. Seeing him and his liveliness made me relax a bit more and I was able to sit down in my seat calmly but when Valek entered the room it got me tense all over again. I didn’t say a word when he came in, heck! I didn’t even look at him. It felt so awkward but I pretended I was fine and began to eat normally.I was expecting Valek to behave like me too and not talk or even make an attempt at that but while we ate he suddenly spoke, “Oh!” He looked at me, “Hazel,” He called out my name and I flinched with the toast in my hand that I was about to eat but thankfully I didn’t drop it. If I had, that would have given my internal nervousness away, “You wanted to say something to me this morning?”Wow. Asking me in front of everyone so that I have to answer. He sure loves being a jerk.I sighed.Well, it is a necessary thing so I guess it’s
>>Hazel As we entered the mall my eyes landed on the big sign behind the main reception, ‘Xander Corp.’ This isn’t their main building but even this one is quite grand. I took a deep breath as we made our way towards the shopping area. Ren stayed with us while the rest of the men blended into the crowd but I was sure that even then they’d be close by at all cost. It was easy to blend in in an area like this. Malls usually have a lot of people so it’s fairly easy. Surprisingly Emilio didn’t talk to me much, instead he remained a bit distant and shopped quietly. It was a bit weird, I thought he’d be all jumpy since he was so excited at the breakfast table. He didn’t even buy much, just a jacket he found cute. All the rest of the clothes were mine and I’ll be very frank. I bought a lot because I wanted to use Valek’s extra money but at the same time I was expecting to be stopped but Ren didn’t even bat an eye. He quietly just paid for everything I decided I wanted to buy even thoug
>>HazelWe reached home around five in the evening and I saw Emilio quietly leave the car and walk inside, during the whole ride I couldn’t bring myself to talk to him. The primary reason was because Ren was there too. I felt really bad the whole time but since Emilio had already gone through the effort of saving me from his bodyguard I didn’t want to ruin it.But still, I felt like I really should apologize to him so I started following behind him when Ren stopped me by blocking my path.“Miss Hazel,” He talked to me calmly, “It would be best if you don’t disturb the young master for now.” He stood in front of me like a huge pillar.“What? I’m not disturbing him. I just wanna talk.” I folded my arms in retaliation.Ren stood unfazed, “The young master’s tutor will be taking his classes now.” He adjusted his glasses with his index finger.“What? It’s evening. What classes?” I was genuinely astonished.“The classes he didn’t take in the morning.” Ren’s tone remained the same.I stood t
>>HazelHeart beat spiking.Breathing raggedVision having trouble focusing yet focusing a bit too well and the brain’s ability to not think straight at the moment.This is the combination that sets the mood for something that you might regret later. That later can be a few months later or right the next morning but when you are in ‘that’ moment, you are too high on the atmosphere that escaping just doesn’t seem like an option and the thought about regret doesn’t really flows in most of the time.I looked at Valek with wavering eyes while his gaze was set on me too, just that the look in his eyes was unswerving.He was waiting for an answer while my mind wasn’t functioning.I felt his hand slide under the belt on my pants and the sudden realization sent a shock down my whole body. I regained some of my logical senses and yet still I did something very stupid.But well, doing stupid stuff is my forte so who cares?I backed my head a bit and then brought it ahead with full force and co
>>HazelTears were flowing down flushed fluffy cheeks, small sniffles could be heard after small intervals yet the blanket Emilio was holding onto didn’t budge. He held onto it very tightly while he looked down in shame.“Oh Emilio…” I felt really bad. What kind of a person have I become in my desperation? I seemed to have forgotten human decency, “Hey,” I whispered and then closed the distance between our bodies, “I don’t hate you.”He sniffled, “You don’t hab to lie.” He hiccuped and I smiled at him softly.“I’m not lying.” I shook my head gently, “I’m sorry if I made you feel that way.” I reached for the corner of his eyes with both my hands, “And I’m sorry I squeezed your hand very hard at the shop.” Gently, with my thumbs I wiped his tears away, “Emilio,” I took a deep breath, “It’s true I don’t like it here.”He sniffled again, “See?”“Yes, I don’t like it here because I don’t have any friends here.” I continued to caress my thumbs on his skin to wipe away any new tear coming ou
>>HazelValek stopped when he noticed me, apparently he wasn’t expecting me in Emilio’s room, but that’s just my deduction because he looked a bit surprised to find me sitting on the bed.“Daddy?” Emilio looked at his father, “Are you leaving early?” He asked as he pouted his lips in disappointment,“Yes,” He turned his gaze away from me and looked at his son, “I’m going straight to work after I change, I won’t be having breakfast with you.” Come to think of it.This is the first time I’ve seen Valek in casual clothes. He was still in his pajama bottom and a simple full sleeve black t-shirt, even his hair was down.Emilio groaned in disappointment but didn’t say anything. I guess Valek coming to Emilio’s room early in the morning is something associated with him going to work early and not having a proper meal with his son because Emilio already got the idea when he saw his father enter his room.Then I guess normally their first meeting is at the breakfast table.“Emilio,” Valek spo
>>HazelAfter Emilio was done with his classes we went out with the same guards as before. The drive wasn’t long and soon we arrived at one of Emilio’s favorite restaurants. Apparently they had one of the best kids meal options.Since it was a restaurant we just went and took our seats. I chose a four seater table because I thought Ren would sit with us but much to my surprise he didn’t. He made sure Emilio and I were seated and then turned to leave.“Wait,” I grabbed his wrist and he stopped, “Aren’t you going to sit with us?” He looked at me and shook his head.“No,” He looked around, “The restaurant isn’t crowded, there is no need for me to sit with you.”“But you sat with us when we got icecream yesterday.” I looked at him with my eyebrows raised.“Yes, because malls are crowded and you never know when a shop might get filled with people so it was necessary.” He released his wrist from my hold, “But it will be fine here. Felix and I will be sitting in the corner, we’ll keep an ey
>>Roshni (4 years later) “You know.” I licked the ice cream from my ice cream cone as Emilio and I sat on the beach side at night, “I can tell you’ve been meaning to ask something for quite some time now.” He looked at me guiltily, “How long…?” He looked like a criminal who had got caught. “Honestly, for months at this point.” “Shit..” He looked defeated as buried his head in his free hand while the ice cream was melting in his other. “Finish that before it melts onto your hand,” I said and he raised his head to look at the starry sky. He sighed, “It’s nice,” He stared at something distant, “Isn’t it?” The soft sand was comfortable to sit on, the sound of ocean waves was extremely calming and the soft wind that followed just blew one's worries away. “Mmm,” I replied to affirm. Emilio quietly ate his ice cream as he kept looking at the clear black sky and I could tell there was something on his mind but I waited for him to say it first and ate my dessert quietly. The silence b
>>Roshni I knew I had to give him an answer. I couldn’t stall it anymore. Not for him, not for me. I knew it wasn’t possible. I knew the words of rejection won’t ever come out of my mouth since I’m madly in love with him too. The feelings that were exploding like a volcano in my heart would say only one thing now. Just looking at him and just thinking about him makes me happy. And perhaps, I should think about what makes me happy. I’m fretting over the world I lived in for centuries but never got to experience these feelings there. But here, it’s different. My life here has been short but I’ve loved every single day. I wish to stay here more than anything, I wish to stay with this person in front of me. “Fine,” I gripped his finger tightly as my own heart pounded violently in my chest, “I’ll stay with you.” I felt so shy it was hard to look at him, “I surrender.” I smiled, “To you.” “Really?” He couldn’t believe it at first. He was even bewildered and stared at me with his eyes
>>Roshni I ran back home. As soon as Lio was done singing, I dashed towards the exit, took the bus, and ran into the mansion, straight to my room Why? Because I was overwhelmed. I ran away because I felt like my feelings would explode. My heart felt so full I had no idea what to do. I crashed on my bed as the sound of my heart pounding drummed in my ears. God! What is this? I’m supposed to be a demon! My heart shouldn’t be trembling like this! I placed my hand on my chest. I guess I’m getting like this because he’s being straightforward now. Before he was avoiding the subject and didn’t respond that well but now, it’s like he’s taken the sword and is charging full speed ahead on the battlefield. My face was hot, my cheeks flushed, and my thoughts a mess. I want him. I want him so much but what about my life in the demon realm? Do I just abandon it? Do I just forsake centuries of life there? I picked the pillow from the bed and hugged it tightly but still the tightness in
>>Roshni A few days have passed and Lio didn’t come to visit me. We went to college separately too and to be honest. I had all the time to think for myself. The half of me that was here is already madly in love with him and now that we’ve combined into a whole again, those feelings are affecting me too. I wasn’t expecting I’d fall for this guy and so much that just the thought of him gets me all excited. Now that I think about it, he’s done everything to make me fall for him over the years. He’s fulfilled my wish of living as a human and experiencing all that I’ve ever wanted. He’s been the sweetest most caring person in my life. I rolled on my bed in my room and a soft flush appeared on my cheeks. I know I love him, I was only able to tackle his words that day because my two halves had combined and everything hadn’t merged completely but now, after a few days, everything is in order yet this human heart of mine is in agony. The agony of love. I thought the feeling would neutr
>>Roshni “You don’t love me,” I told him. “Oh!” He smiled, “But I do,” He seemed quite confident. “No, you don’t,” I shook my head at him “I most definitely do,” He stood his ground, “I always have.” “No,” I shook my head as I felt a little annoyed, “If you did, you would have loved me as Roshni too.” “What makes you think I don’t?” His immediate reply left me baffled. !!! “I- , What?” I shook my head, “You’ve never responded to anything I ever did!” I was feeling furious, “You never made a move.” “It’s because you don’t understand,” His voice got a little serious “I do,” I glared at him, “Your love, your confession of love, it's all fake.” My words made his expression turn grim yet he answered me in a normal voice. “No, you don’t,” He moved to close the space between us and I began to move back. He looked at me with so much longing in his eyes it made me feel things, weird things, “I’ve held myself back for years.” I stopped at the edge of the summoning circle and he close
>>Emilio (4 years old)“I want you.” I said, “Can’t you come with me?”“Hmmm~” The demon wasn’t sure what to say to me, “You want me?” It looked at me quite fondly, “Why?”“I like you,” I said but my confession alarmed it.“You like me?” It looked at me as if I had said the most unusual thing in the world, “You,” It pointed at me, “A human,” Then it pointed at myself, “Like me?” It looked like it didn’t believe me.I nodded at the question, “Yes.”
>>RoshniI didn’t notice it at first, but there were some weird markings there written in different places around the circle and the star. It was a language that felt awfully familiar but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it because I had never really seen it before.So why did it feel so familiar? I had no idea.I quietly made my way into the middle of the blood-red drawing and stood there in the center. My emotions and my thoughts were all mixed up.The sight on the scene was too hard to see but with Lio insisting on so much I just decided to through with it.I had an impending sense of danger around me. It made me feel like if I went th
>>Emilio“Thanks,” I took the box from Aries who came to visit me late at night.“Well,” He shook my hand, “I’m leaving for home now.” He smiled at me and I gave him one back in return, “Are you done with everything?”I nodded, “Yea, everything’s in place,” I looked at the box, “This is the last thing.”“Well,” He stepped back from the porch, “Good luck.” He smiled, “Hope no one dies.”I snickered, “Me too.” I waved at him, “I doubt we’ll be meeting anytime soon.”“Considering how we both live on two different sides of the country.” He shook his head, “No,” He then took a few other steps back, “And clean yourself up before you go to her.” He smirked.I snickered, “The bath’s already running.” I need to get the blood off of me.
>>RoshniEmilio has traveled a lot, to many places but each time he said he was going to look for something and it wasn’t for the sake of leisure.There’s always been something mysterious about him. It’s like he’s searching for something. I have seen it in his eyes, his passion and obsession towards a goal I’m unaware of.There have been times he brought back some weird things with him when he came back from overseas trips but most of the time, it was just weird ritual books. It was a weird hobby of his to read all that stuff but since it was just a reading hobby, no one said anything about it.It was a cloudy day, the atmosphere was dark and I stood outside the cafe looking