The Reaper

Chapter 9: Free Of The Curse

Chapter 9

Free Of The Curse

I am Almira Italia and I struggle to make things end for me and my family. I just want to feed my mother and my brother, provide what they need, give them shelter, and most specially, money. You can't have all of that if you don't have money. Money can buy foods, money can buy clothes, money can help to buy or rent a house, money can help you with education, and you can't get health services if you don't have money.

I sometimes thought of suicide. What if I take my own life? Will it help to forget all of my dilemmas? But then I'd talk to Paul or to Paula; the twins who happened to be the nurses at the hospital where my mom got admitted, and they somehow lifted my confidence. Confidence to continue my life.

I am really tired of everything in my life. I love my mother and my brother but I just can't keep up with life.

When the Reaper and I first met and he said that he's a grim reaper, I kind of believed him and thought that was the end of it all. But not until he said my mother's name-- Anastasia Italia, and not mine.

I always wonder why he stated my mother's name, yet she is still alive. What I mean is, he's the Grim Reaper right? The names that he speak were the names of the soul that he's going to take. I wonder why is that.

The Reaper and I are barely acquaintances. My blood tends to boil whenever I saw him and it feels like the feeling is mutual.

But one specific encounter changed the emotion that we have for each other. That kiss ends the annoyance in me. But I don't know about him. But he was the one who kissed me, right? I just responded. Ugh.

And now as we face each other, the air suddenly feels heavy. Awkward.

"What--Why--Is that the real Hades?" I asked him to relieve the awkwardness and I'm literally shocked to see Hades and Lucifer in the flesh! My eyes are still widened.

"Yes. I apologized for Hades and them appearing right there in front of you. I know you're quite flabbergasted."

"Not quite, I'm totally flabbergasted! Imagine, I'm a nobody, then suddenly came Hades and Lucifer talking to me. Not to mention, YOU, the Grim Reaper! I feel like I need to see a psychiatrist. Or a psychologist? Ah whatever!" I blabbered on and on. The feeling of seeing those two aren't getting out of my mind. I feel like crying. My heart is palpitating and I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack.

"Hush," he said as he tightened the hug more.

I am so overwhelmed, I kept on crying on his chest for a few more minutes while we still embraced and him caressing my hair. When I feel like I can't breathe anymore and my eyes are swollen as hell, I departed from his embrace and wiped my nose with the sleeve of my trench coat. I feel embarrassed.

"Is Salazar your name?" I asked.

"Last name." he said while looking into my eyes.

"What is your name then?" I asked again as I felt the pull again. Just like what they call them in werewolf books, the mate-bond. Soulmates but does the reaper has a soul?

"Lorenzo," he said. "You have a beautiful name." Lorenzo smiled at me.

I returned the smile with a wider smile and hugged him. For the umpteenth time, I hugged the guy! "Thank you, Lorenzo. For always being there for me. And for saying that my name is beautiful," I smiled.

"You are always welcome." I felt like he smelled my hair and I blushed. "Do you feel the pull?"

"The pull?" I asked but I think I know what he's trying to say.

"How can I say it?" he mumbled. "Attraction. Don't you feel the attraction between us? My heart is hammering whenever I see you. Do you feel it too?"

I exactly felt that. I know what he feels. But me? To a grim reaper? Are the Gods playing with me? "But, you're not an actual... human."

"I am lifted off the curse and you are the reason behind it," he smiled mischievously. "But I need to take care of my papers back in Pludospea before I resigned."

"So you're human now?"

"I don't know. I have an upcoming meeting with Aphrodite and the other Gods and Goddesses before they approved my resignation."

"Aphrodite? The Goddess of Love and Beauty? Who do you work for? Where's your scythe? Do you have an hourglass? Do I die early?"

"Deities including Lucifer. I don't have a scythe but I can make one if you want. I have it but only me can see it. And no, I don't think so. Apollo is the one who can see the future. I am Death and I can't see the future, I just come to collect souls."

"And why did you say my mother's name the first time we first met?"

He looked at me and held my hand. "Your mother is going to die that same day we first met each other. I thought you're her so I said her name in front of you."

"What? Then why is she still alive?"

"I don't know either. There are certain events that I cannot explain nor understand. Just like that time that I saw you on the road when the truck almost hit you."

My phone suddenly chimed and I saw a message from Ellie, my boss' niece/ co-worker from the coffee shop saying; "Almira, the customers are lining up. I could use some help here. Get in here as fast as you can while my aunt isn't here yet."

"I have to go, Lorenzo." I said. I have to go before my boss or else I won't have a job anymore. My budget will be short if I lose my job and we can now say bye-bye to our little house.

"Let's go, I'll walk you there." he held my hand and we walked towards the coffee shop. "Take care, Almira. I'll see you later after your shift." he smiled and walked away.

I walked inside with a smile on my face, making other people look at me weirdly.

"Hey, Almira. Who's that pretty guy out there?" Ellie asked tickling me on my side.

I chuckled, "Secret."