The Devil's Love

||. Chapter 20: Departing .||

"What in the world are you doing here?" exclaimed Jiang when he saw Ansel sitting on the ground by his bed the minute he got up. "Girl, I permitted you to come into my room, but this is too much. I might get diagnosed with a heart attack after two days." 

Ansel smirked, blowing the fringes off her face. She picked up the light blue shirt on the ground, tossing it towards Jiang before standing up to open the curtains. As the sun rays basked into the room, Jiang hissed like a vampire. He pulled the shirt over his head, snuggling beneath the sheets again. With his eyes closed, he let a soft hum and pat the space next to him.

"What is it that you want to talk about, child?" questioned Jiang with his face snuggled against his bolster and breathed in the sweet scent of his shampoo. "What's bothering you?"

He opened his eyes to face Ansel who had been lying by the side, staring up into the ceiling. She seemed to be troubled with her thoughts. Jiang knew her for about a decade now. Each time when she crawled into the space next to him, he could have guessed it would be something about her family. The family who harshly tossed her out of the luxury she had. Pushing himself up with one arm, Jiang studied her empty looks only to reach out and brush her hair gently.

"Is this about your mother again? I told you, it wasn't your fault. Whatever happened that night, it was not your fault," assured the elder boy in a soft tone. "Your mother would not want you to live your whole life thinking about her especially when you have a bright future ahead. What your father did back then, I know it scars your heart, but you have been moving on in life for a very long time now. Don't you think it's time to forget him for a while and live your life?"

"I just hate it when he leaves my mother unattended. Isn't it bad enough he has an affair? Why can't he just spend some money to heal her? He practically chooses everything in our life. My mother doesn't deserve this life. I wish I could save her, but of course," chuckled Ansel. "Life is unfair."

Jiang shifted his glance towards the clouds in the skies. She had been only fourteen at that moment. Ansel's life had been like a fugitive. The only reason the cops stopped chasing after her was because her father had openly told the press that he did not want to press any charges on the killer. He left out the fact that he was selfish, irresponsible and an ungrateful man. Jiang clenched his jaw, his fist tightened in between the sheets and his brow furrowed at the memory. The girl was left with nothing but a bounty on her head by the Black Mamba. He breathed out the air, reaching out to hold onto Ansel's palms.

"Take my words. Leave the group," advised the elder. "Please, Ansel. I watched you grow up. You are like a sister to me, my family. I know you are a very capable person and you can achieve more. I cannot bear the thought of losing someone so dear like you. Will you consider that at least?"

"I am leaving them," answered Ansel softly, turning to face the elder. "I have been thinking about that for months now. I am returning what they want. I don't want to be a part of that. You are right, I don't need violence to get back at my father. It's his loss. He'll live to regret it."

The elder laughed heartily at her words.

"I bet he is regretting it now already," said Jiang, messing up his hair as he wiped his face with both his palms. "When are you returning it? Do you want me to come with you? Or at least drive you there?"

Ansel shook her head in confidence.

"I'm not dragging any of you into this. It is my mess and I am cleaning it on my own," the younger spoke with a wide smile on her lips. "Even if this will be the last time I am meeting them, I do not want anyone here to be in danger because of me."

== xxx ==

Her short hair combed backwards neatly. Tiny fringes fell off from their place as Ansel ran her fingers in between them. The scent of her hair gel overpowered the chlorophyll around them. Her dark eyes ran across the green forest that seemed to be dancing under the presence of the sun. At times like this, she would be laying in her room, reading or writing the stories that lingered in her mind. Dropping the bag on the ground, Ansel settled herself in front of the hut, waiting for Daniel to return from his hunt.