Indebted Love

♡ vingt quatre ♡

There's a smeared blood splatter at the crook of Angel's neck. The left side as I wrap my arms around his neck and his hands fold around my waist. When we pull apart, I see it's still there, imprinted on his skin, noticeable when he turns his head anyhow. And tucked in his new blue-collar shirt.

He doesn't seem to notice and care anymore. He washed the rest of the blood off his face- the ones I could see. His daemon is softer, welcoming, and warm- a human being capable of holding a person in his arms. Of being affectionate despite the cold cruel side of him I haven't seen much. Only a glimpse because there's something he doesn't want me to see.

That makes me realize how little of him I know. At least how I little I know about the kind of world he participated in but that's only for my good. It's the only reason I survived last weekend...

"Are you sure you're alright with us meeting Mr Kapoor?" Angel's voice breaks my thoughts before I start thinking about...

"Yeah, I'm sure," I confirm, watching him shove his phone into his pocket and open the door for me.

I smile and thank him, linking my hands through his as we walk down the stairs.

"Did someone die?" I ask cautiously and anxiously, turning to see Angel's angelic face.

"No." He said firmly, looking back at me with the same affiliation. "It was just a little punishment for putting someone I... care about." He continues once he sees the interest in my eyes.

"Oh..." I trail on, the assailant face perfectly captured in my mind.

"Jalah," Angel stops us at the bottom of the stairs, turning to face me and threading both our hands together. "I'm so sorry for bringing you into my mess. You are an innocent civilian who doesn't belong in the Mafia world. Please forgive me."

I'm a little speechless. Nothing about my life was normal, to begin with. And Angel to apologize for bringing me into the Mafia world?

"I forgive you," I say softly, removing my hands from his and walking towards the therapy room (a spare room with couches for some reason) Mr. Kapoor occupied for the time being.

Angel doesn't follow me, staring at me as I close the door and finally face Dr. Kapoor. Slowly sliding into the chair opposite, Kapoor offers me a gentle smile.

"Good evening Jalah," he greets, swinging a leg over the other, "How was work- actually how are you?"

"I'm good. Thanks for asking."

"That's good. And your teaching job? Is enjoyable? I rather find children intolerable but you seem to have a knack for it."

I laugh." Yeah, teaching is enjoyable. I just think the children love me so I go with the flow."

"Right right," Kapoor looked around and I realized he didn't have a notepad like a therapist. "I'm going to be honest with you. Angel called me out of concern for your well-being. I believe this meeting is very overdue and even I had to tell him that bringing a civil life into the Mafia world wasn't a good idea.

"But I care about you and everyone's talking about how good you are for the business and the men. Now, Jalah tell me, when was the last time you visited your parents?"

I blink once when he mentions the men. Another flutter of blinks as he says my parents, driving back to the root of these changes, this arrangement. The cause of this marriage!

"I haven't seen my parents since the Christmas party last year," I answer truthfully.

"How come?"

It's a simple question.