CHAPTER TWO

Theo tossed and turned in his bed for hours but he was unable to sleep. He sat out of frustration then pulled his shoulder-length hair. Theo groaned before he decided to take a swim at the lake behind his palace. He stripped naked then he swam until he was in the middle of the lake. 

He wiped his face using his hand before he looked above. The two moons next to each other are glistening that contrast the dark blue sky. He sighed hashly before letting himself sink in the deep and pitch-black water. 

Theo is restless because Madeline is disturbing his peace. She kept visiting his thoughts and he couldn't help but to entertain the possibility of being with her. He wanted it to come true but even if he’s the highest and most respected god, he’s powerless when it comes to that. 

He’s immortal and she’s not, so even if he uses all the gods' powers, she couldn’t live with him forever. She’ll die eventually and it will break Theo into pieces. Gods can only love one time because it will last a lifetime and despite seeing her once, Theo already knew that Madeline is the woman for him. She’s the one who will keep his heart beating but their identity is what keeps them apart. Loving her is only a torture for the both of them. 

"What's bothering you?" 

Theo looked at Jonah before he put down the bow. He hasn't gotten enough sleep and Madeline keeps invading his thoughts so he has no focus right now. It's evident to the targets that his arrows have missed. 

He shook his head to Jonah before walking away but he still followed him. They entered the hall where they met Philip and Samuel. They greeted the two of them before coming with them. The three of them are Theo's most trusted soldiers so he considers them as his friends as well. 

"You can tell us your problem, Theo. Did something happen when you visited the earth?" Theo automatically stopped due to Jonah's question. 

He faced them and they all looked worried about him so he sighed and decided to tell them his dilemma. 

"Theo!" 

Theo was interrupted when someone called his name. The four of them looked to their left and saw Ingrid, the goddess of beauty and love, walking towards them. Philip and Samuel smiled maliciously at Theo before they stood behind him while Jonah just stayed on his side. Theo kept a straight face when Ingrid stood in front of them. 

"It's been a while since we saw each other. How are you, Theo?" She's all smiles and the longer Theo stares at her, the more he realizes that Madeline is more deserving of Ingrid's title. 

Ingrid is beautiful. She's the most beautiful goddess but now that Theo found Madeline, he's certain that they've been wrong for centuries. 

"I am doing good, Ingrid. Thank you for asking." Ingrid smiled at Theo before she went between him and Jonah. 

Ingrid linked her arm to Theo but he doesn't seem to mind as she's used to her playfulness. Philip and Samuel teased them that caused Ingrid to beam. Theo looked at Jonah and simply nodded at him so he went in front of them. 

"Come on, Theo. You need to train. Excuse us, Ingrid." Jonah's tone is strict and firm. 

Theo removed Ingrid's hold to him and just smiled a little. His smile is enough to boost Ingrid's positive attitude again. In their world, everyone knows how much Ingrid loves Theo and even though he has been indirectly rejecting her for centuries now, she's still showing her feelings for him. She's the goddess of beauty and love, after all. 

"We'll get going, Ingrid. Take care." Theo and his soldiers left Ingrid who dreamily watched her love walk away. 

"Why don't you just open your heart to Ingrid? She's beautiful and sweet." Samuel said as they made their way to Theo's palace. 

"I am wondering, too. I bet she will love you with all her might." Philip chirped in. 

"Quiet, you two." Jonah even glared at them but Philip and Samuel just stuck their tongues out to him. 

"I cannot. I already love someone." Theo quietly said that caused the three to halt. 

They were dumbfounded and couldn't believe their ears. Theo looked back at them and he almost laughed at the reaction. Even the strict and serious Jonah is showing a weird shocked face that forced a smile out of Theo. 

"What? When? And how?" It was Samuel who recovered first. Philip nodded in agreement while Jonah remained silently looking at him, waiting for his answer. 

Theo sighed before he asked them to come closer. When they were all a few inches from each other, Theo snapped his fingers. In an instant, they were all standing in front of the frozen Madeline. 

His three soldiers are baffled as they look around. Everything's frozen so they moved freely. Theo's eyes remained at Madeline. She's smiling to the person in front of her and even though it's not for Theo, he's still delighted. He's tempted to touch her face but he's afraid he might hurt her so held himself back. 

"It's a human you're in love with?" 

He's right when he thinks that it is Jonah who'll figure everything out. Theo kept looking at Madeline because he knows that this will not last forever. Any time now, they have to go back to their world. 

"Isn't she the most beautiful woman?" He asked rhetorically. 

"But she's just a human. Are you sure you love her?" 

Theo's hand quickly wrapped around Samuel's throat. He's looking at him sharply as he shakes due to anger. Jonah hurriedly pulled him away while Philip helped Samuel who's now coughing endlessly. 

Theo didn't answer Samuel's question as they all know the answer. He turned his back to his friend and savored the last moments of being with Madeline. 

"What's stopping you?" Jonah asked as he stood beside him. 

Theo sighed before he looked at his friend. Jonah is just seriously looking back at him. 

"You're a god, Theo. The god of all gods. If you love her then go get her." 

Theo was surprised for a second because Jonah read his mind. From him, he shifted his eyes to Madeline. He smiled a little as he saw her smile again. 

'I will never get used to this beautiful smile.' he said in his mind before he faced his friends. 

He snapped his fingers and sent them home. Theo sat on the corner where he can still see Madeline then as he took a deep breath, he made the world spin again. 

Jonah is right. He's a god and he can do whatever he wants. Theo desires to be with Madeline so if it takes to be in her world then he'll gladly do it. Seeing her from afar is enough to satisfy his growing love for Madeline. 

"See you tomorrow, Maddie." Randy, the owner of the restaurant where Maddie is working waved his hand at her as she went out the door. She waved back with a wide smile. 

"See you. Take care." 

She held her tote bag closely as the cold night breeze blew. She forgot to bring a jacket this morning so she has to endure the coldness of the night. Her apartment is just near the restaurant but it's already late. The lamp posts are far from each other so she's getting swallowed by darkness from time to time. The cloudy sky is not helping her as well. 

She started to hum her favorite song to lessen the fear that's starting to grow on her. She's used to going home late but this night is strange for her. Maddie nervously looked back as she felt someone's tailing her but all she saw was an empty sidewalk. 

She tried to walk faster to get home soon but it seems like she's not getting near. She had goosebumps as she felt someone's watching so she looked back again but there's no one behind her. 

"You're overthinking, Maddie." She told herself as she tried to breathe evenly.  

She started walking again but she felt being followed again so she screamed and ran. She didn't stop until she reached her room and quickly locked the door and all the windows. Maddie is catching her breath while her heart's still pounding due to fear and nervousness. 

She courageously peeked at the window and her brows met when she saw no one's in the streets. She is certain that there's someone with her on the streets so she finds it strange that it is now empty.  

"He's probably hiding. He's not a ghost to disappear in an instant. I should buy pepper spray tomorrow." She said to herself before heading to the bathroom. 

Theo chuckled at Maddie's remark. He is hiding behind a tree in front of Maddie's apartment. It's not his intention to scare her but he still found it funny and amusing. However, it only made him want to be with her even more.