The Devil's Love

||. Chapter 28: Disclosure .||

Rain can be a hassle and a bliss. 

The heavy droplets of water that poured after Jonathan's visit swept Angelo's cheerful evening into a bin. He tightened his grip onto the wet cloth, wiping the counter carefully. Guilt seemed to be having a lot of fun rubbing itself across his chest as if it was a healing ointment. His dark eyes glanced towards the corner of the café, watching Lily explaining something seriously to Ansel.

Angelo smiled at the sight, knowing how much Lily adored Ansel's work and discipline from his previous video call with her. Washing the cloth under the sink Angelo recalled his genuine intentions to speak with Ansel, but her work ethics were held strongly. Her job and career, both come first before their relationship

Would telling her the truth during their first meet make any difference? 

Untying the apron, Angelo hung it neatly by the shelf. He bagged himself a hot chocolate with three chocolate cupcakes. He needed a word with Ansel after work, but the rain didn't seem to permit him to have a long walk with her. Staying in the café would no longer be an option since Lily's return meant she would be closing the shops from now on.

Angelo produced an umbrella from his bag, ready to leave only to hear Lily calling out for him. For the first time after the awkward situation, he met Ansel's blank eyes. He caught a glimpse of Ansel's small smile before she marched to the cupboard to grab her things and left the café without him. Her black umbrella glowed under the street lights, showing the inconsistent drops of water from the skies.

Wasting no time, he turned his attention towards Lily. He rushed over to help out with the café's accounts, making sure he made no mistake. For once, Angelo wished he could be dismissed earlier. Five minutes felt like five hours to Angelo as he kept glancing at the wooden clock by the refrigerator. Time seemed to be laughing at his stupidity as he watched the minute hand ticking slowly to test his patience. Angelo glared at the innocent clock before diverting his eyes towards the infuriating numbers. Picking up his pace, he filled them up immediately and within fifteen minutes, he bid goodbye to Lily.

Angelo grabbed all his belongings in one arm, balancing his cup of hot chocolate with the bag of cupcakes in the other. The minute he set foot outside the café, he felt coldness enveloping his skin and it reminded him of his old territory. He clutched tightly onto the umbrella, deciding to take a long way home to clear his head. Tons of emotions swirled within his mind. Sometimes he wished he was mortal so things would be less complicated. Even though he understood that mortals have their pain, he rather has those over centuries-old miseries.

He never intended to have Ansel hearing about his conversation with Jonathan earlier, but it was as if destiny played a trick on him and tossed him off his steady feet. Angelo remembered clearly those questioning eyes despite her silence. He could almost feel her hurting on the inside. Seeing Ansel, he doubted the truth on how a smile can hide the worst pain. He had seen pain radiating through a person's eyes and actions. If one were to pay full attention to it, they would notice how much the other is suffering.

The world seemed to be moving too fast for anyone to pay such intense attention to a living being.

The last thing Angelo ever wanted now was to lose her. He couldn't bear the thought of not seeing her again. He needed to make things right. Angelo tightened his grip onto the umbrella as his boots clicked across the puddle of water, splashing large droplets of water at the poor toad that took shelter under the grass. Honking sounds by the roadside mattered not to him anymore. All he could focus on was arranged his words in a truthful and proper explanation. He lifted his head from the ground and made sure the lane was clear before crossing the road again.

Ansel left almost half an hour earlier than he did. He was positive that she would have been home by now. Needing some silence, Angelo headed over to the park where he used to spend his time with Ansel after work. The pitter-patter of the rain continued, serving as a loyal company. Reaching to the side pocket of his bag, Angelo pulled out the cup of hot chocolate with his right palms and sipped onto it. The bittersweet taste lingered across his tongue, soothing his confused soul. He closed his eyes, allowing his system to recognize the taste.

When he opened his eyes, Angelo saw Ansel sitting in the hut alone. He tightened his grip onto the hot drink, reminding himself that he wasn't dreaming. Angelo stopped his tracks, taking in the magnificent sight in front of him. To him, Ansel had always been angelic, but the rain made her stood out even more. With her umbrella set by her side faithfully, Angelo began imagining her taming one of his beasts.

Now is not a good time for you to fantasize, Angelo. - He muttered angrily at himself.

Picking up all the courage he had, Angelo arranged his steps carefully across the slippery steps with only one motive in mind.

"When were you planning to tell me the truth about yourself?" Ansel questioned, the minute he set foot inside the hut and placed his umbrella by his side. "If I had not heard what you were conversing with Jonathan earlier, would you have wanted this conversation? Will you ever tell me?"

Angelo swore he would feel better if Ansel were to scream at him, but her calmness made him felt like a criminal. Hanging his head low, Angelo set himself next to her. His fingers clutched onto the hot chocolate, brushing the edge of the cup. Angelo heaved at the tension building up within his chest.

"Yes, I want this conversation still. I wanted to tell you a lot of things, but I didn't want to drag you into my mess," he said softly, raking his fingers through his black hair the minute he set the warm cup aside and face her. "I never wanted you to find out this way. I intended to tell you myself without having you overheard my conversation with Jon. I need you to believe me that I have been contemplating the best ways to reveal the truth to you. Even now, I still do not know how to word it out properly."

Lies were not his cup of tea. He would lie to anyone to save Ansel, but not lying about himself to her. He wanted her to learn the truth about him, but everything was easier said than done. Angelo grazed his upper teeth on his dried lips nervously. His fingers dug deep between his trousers almost drawing blood from his skin underneath.

"Then, I am assuming that this is not the kind of situation you pictured in your head for us to talk about his matter," Ansel spoke calmly, her voice mingled with the sound of rain crashing against the roof of the hut. "So, what was all that about? Why don't we start simple? Who or what are you?"

Angelo stuck his tongue to the side of his cheeks the minute the question was thrown at him. Should he just spit out the truth in one sentence or explain it in detail? When he saw Ansel staring at him intensely, he did not blame her. Silently, he wished he could be a mortal. Seeing Ansel's relaxed features made him shiver.

He had seen his friend's lovers shouting at them and throwing tantrums about such issues. One of the most intense was Jonathan's last mortal girlfriend. She had been a hassle, but Angelo swore Jon loved that girl. Ansel seemed too calm to be true. For once, he preferred to have her yelling at him for his stupidity, but no. She sat there calmly, staring right into his eyes directly while waiting for his answer.

"I'm not human," blurted Angelo. "I've been living for centuries just like what you read in the books you owned. I go by many names. Some called me the angel of the Dead or the angel of Souls. As far as I remember, I lived three-quarters of my life in Hell, and this is the first time I have resided for so long in the mortal world."