The Devil's Love

||. Chapter 29: Under the Rain .||

Ansel chuckled at his words, her fingers tapped on the bench in rhythm while she leaned back on the backrest. Angelo could feel her gaze on his porcelain cheeks. He saw her fingers moving in lines, and when they reached her garment, she tapped on them unendingly. He began to wonder if he made the wrong move by telling her the truth. 

Mortals do not believe in supernatural beings.

When Ansel's smile did not cease, Angelo felt like a fool. No one in their right mind would believe his words. His body stiffened the minute her chuckles died down, leaving the pouring rain to accompany them. Angelo wanted to reverse his words right at the moment. He wished he could bravely say that it was a lie, that he was messing with his mind, but his guts told him to be truthful and his intentions faded the minute Ansel spoke up. This time, she looked more comfortable, speaking about it.

"I'm not surprised," Ansel finally answered, his black orbs mirrored hers as she breathed in heavily. "Fate always has its own game. You know, my father is a very superstitious person who highly believed in fortune-telling. My mother was not a believer, but she cannot change my father's perspective on those. When I was born, they foretold that I would be a betrayer to my family and would not be a loyal child. That ticked off the burning splinter in my father, but when they told him that I would have a dying love," she said, stopping for a moment before laughing. "You should see the father's expression, but on the serious side of it, my father perceived that as messing with dead elements for my love life and I am never going to be a filial child. When I met you, I thought they were wrong, but after hearing what you said, I guess it's my fate."

Angelo noticed how unbothered Ansel was when she spoke about his father's despise on her. Had she grown accustomed to the horrible remarks thrown at her as she grew up? Angelo lifted his fingers to the bridge of his nose, brushing it gently. Perhaps those were the reasons why Ansel stood out from anyone he met on Earth. She walked a different path from those whose parents appreciate their child's presence. Weighing the number of problems, Ansel might have been through, Angelo sipped onto his chocolate drink before continuing.

"And you were fine with it? All those problems that appear in your life and tear you down, you just walk through it?" Angelo questioned curiously and added. "Without mentioning it to anyone else? Or seek help?"

Ansel nodded, "It's my mess. There is no use seeking help when everyone has their problems, Angelo. I grew accustomed to it. I know for sure that if I can prevent myself from hurting others, then it matters not how much burden there is for me. I trust myself enough to know that I can change the future, like how I choose not to follow my father's guidance. I never listened to him ever since he stopped me from entering the shooting range. I choose my journey. Fortune-telling is just a traditional belief. Even if it is true, it is only a guide, not a mirror to your future. The future is in my hands, Angelo. It's my choice and it's also my choice to trust you even if you are an angel of Death. I just need you to tell me what is going on so I can understand you further."

Understand him; Angelo repeated the two words mentally.

How could he possibly ask her to understand his complicated life?

Angelo couldn't help but felt his heart soften at her words. Everything about her was perfect to his soul. He shifted his gaze to the visible raindrops and recalled the number of ladies who would present themselves in his court willingly. He had to admit that they were beautiful at first glance, but when he got a front-row seat in their lives, Angelo despised them. The ladies he knew were filled with nothing but gossips and malice. Ansel, she's different and Angelo would do anything to prevent her from dying. He knew he would find her even if she would be reborn, but he couldn't wait for it. He craved to cherish her, to love her wholly till the end of their time. Breathing out softly, Angelo met her gaze again.

"Whatever you heard this afternoon, Ansel, it's dangerous. I'm not ready and will never sacrifice your life for my world," explained Angelo truthfully, his eyes sparkled under the dim light in the hut. "I lost my powers when I descended. I might have the name and soul of an angel, but my body is of a mortal. I'm useless against the many angelic or demonic threats that are about to come. I can't protect you from whatever danger that might come and it scares me to lose you," Angelo expressed, his brows furrowed at the thought of her limp features.

Settling the cup at the side of the bench, Angelo reached out, grasping her palms in his and caressed them carefully. Her warm palms against his were the biggest blessing in his life.

"It's crazy how much I am willing to sacrifice to protect you, Ansel," confessed Angelo. "I've never done that for anyone and it scares me. Ansel, you are just a supporting character in my world. Someone who is meant to pass by like an asteroid that refuses to collide. I cannot ask too much from you. You have a life here yourself. This world, it's..."

Angelo's eyes widened at the soft lips grazing across his blood-stained lips. His fingers squeezed gently onto the palm he was holding. They were so close to each other that Angelo could sniffle the scent of her favourite carnation and lavender perfume. He studied the beautiful features of her round face, memorizing every crook of it as if it would be the last time he would see her.

Letting the rain to drown his doubt, Angelo shut his eyes and replied the kiss willingly. His other palms brushed lightly across the skin of her neck before cradling her cheeks on his large palms. Angelo heard his heart pounding against his heart calmly as if this was what meant to be for both of them. Their heartbeats synced and Angelo felt his lover placing a soft kiss at the corner of his lips before she leaned her forehead against his.

Opening his eyes slowly as if he was awoken from a dream, Angelo met those beautiful dark orbs that mirrored his. He smiled, feeling his misery being lifted away together with the sound of slow raindrops on the roof. It was worth waiting for her. Ansel is his everything. Holding her palms tightly in his, Angelo tucked a strand of her hair behind her ears and chuckled. She is his satisfaction and the meaning of trust. Feeling the cold breeze, Angelo felt his soul comforting in between their love for each other.

"I need you to remember one important thing, Angelo," she muttered softly, leaning her head on his shoulder as they looked out at the rain. "My life is already a mess. If this is what I am meant to be in, I am willing to take up this adventure. Whatever you are going through in your dimension, I want to be in it with you. I don't need you to save me. I want us to save each other and I am not ready to lose you and all the people that I love dearly to my heart."

Knowing how inexorable Ansel is, Angelo nodded before parting his lips to speak.

"I can't guarantee your survival. You might..."

"Die?" Ansel laughed. "Nothing is ever certain, Angelo. You promise me that we are going to work on this together even though I am just a side character. I want to help. Since I am a part of your story, why not make the best out of it?"

"Sure," Angelo said in whispers, turning to look at her. "I give you my word that we will work on the best options. Thank you, Ansel. Thank you for accepting me for who I am."

When Ansel nodded, Angelo laid back gently on the wooden bench. His fingers laced in between Ansel's fingers as he caressed them lovingly. The raindrops began to disappear, just like his worries. 

For once, after a long, long time, he felt appreciated. Deep down, he swore a silent oath to himself that he will never keep anything from the girl who deserves his care and attention. Staring ahead, he could almost hear Jonathan's devilish cackle.

Jonathan was right.

Ansel is a warrior. She needs no saving, and both of them would ride out to save the world together instead of watching it burn.