Chapter Six chasing cupids

"What the fuck?"

I stared back at him as he loom over my petite form. My wings nervously fluttering on my back. I thread my fingers on my hair and bit my lip. “Oh, hello there. It's me, Rubin. What about you? What is your name?" He just glared at my hand which is currently holding the red book. This action made me let go of it and silence took after the thud of the book. “Look, I'm sorry. I just wanted to talk---"

"Wanted to talk? Wanted to talk? You are snooping around my apartment, reading my books, handling my things, and you just wanted to talk?!"

"I said I am sorry. I didn't mean to... snoop around. It's just that...your room, it's quite entertaining." His gray eyes appeared stormy than before, his lips contorted into a frown. "I swear. I didn't even know that this books existed. The covers were like the ones my Uncle used to paint on my room and the dates on the map, it’s quite overwhelming."

"If it's overwhelming for you then you shouldn't have wandered around my apartment" he snorted but the sound did not appear to be irritating. I actually find it to be funny. And cute.

"It is. But I still like it. This is like being back at Eros again. My grandma’s library is just like this, except for the paddle on top of the mirror—it’s just…brilliant”

"Oh, get to the point already. I do not have so much time in my hands to listen to your blabber. " he shrugged, his tall form now leaning on the sofa.

"Alright". I cleared my throat before looking him in the eye. " I just wanted to ask if you are a cupid too and if you are my contender? It just--"

I did not have much time to ponder on what he is doing before he drag me out of his room. “What are you doing?” the questions stumbled upon my mouth, staring at his hands that are digging deeply on my skin. I sneakily grab an apple and slip it inside my robes, trying to stay perfectly silent even though his grip on my arm is painful.

“Wait!” his strides outmatch my few short ones and my limp from awhile ago doesn’t help me at all. I bit my lip as we descended down the stairs and tried to stop the tears from falling down as he shoved me down the stairs and to the reception. He muttered a few warnings to the lady behind the desk and to the man guarding the doors. The glass doors opened abruptly with the flick of his hand.

I cannot stop myself anymore, "If you are a cupid too, why do you do this to me, your fellow peer? We are equals!" I hastily wipe a stray tear before asking, "Is this part of my mission?”

"Well, technically, I am not a fucking Cupid. I am an Espiègle." He said proudly puffing his chest as he gaze down at me. "An Espiègle?" I wondered out loud, still holding his gaze.

"Bringer of Chaos, conflict and jealousy..." he tick off his hands for every word he say, "Counter part of Cupid, sometimes the cause of death because of confusion, depression. All of the negative things, the other side of what love gives, that is me.”

I just stood there, now dripping once again because of the not so gentle rain pouring down on me. His long black coat appears to be dry even though raindrops kept pelting down on it, but his hair is as wet as mine. My fingers are now tinge blue as I shivered once again. I momentarily take the time to breathe in and could smell the rotten scent coming off of him, the combination of dead roses and earth radiated off him.

"If you are what you say you are, then why do you hate me so much?"

"I don't specifically hate you." his face suddenly appeared in front of my face, his gray eyes scrutinizing my soul, "I hate all of you--Cupids, Erosian-- all of you fuckers!" His voice rose that it made me cringe. I bit my lip to stop myself from crying, bowing my head so I wouldn't see him frowning down at me. “I hate all of you for condemning me down here. Haven't you realize it when I push you through the window awhile ago? So don't you dare try to meddle with my business again, Cupid." I glance up at the mention of my name. His eyes gleam mischievously but still, his words wound me.

“Here’s a few euros,” he throw the bills on me, some of it hitting my face, “You will survive Paris, after all, this is not New York.”

I watch him as he turn his back at me and make his way back to the apartment. I was then surprised when he suddenly turn his head and said, " Daemon"

"What?" I asked not knowing what he truly meant.

"I said Daemon. That is my name."

And with those words, he draw the line between the two of us, making me realize that love doesn't bring only love but also chaos, jealousy, hatred.

Most importantly hatred, which I, undoubtedly could feel.

Why do we have to be opposites?

●

I wandered around the city of love, finding no inspiration.

It’s like the weather is as gloomy as my feelings. I don’t understand. How could—I mean, I didn’t expect that we, Cupid, has a counterpart. I know that all things have the opposite, good is to evil, great as to worst but for love to have an other side, I do not know what to expect anymore.

I mean, how could something as innocent and pure could turn so dark and dangerous?

The cold air bit my skin harsher than ever. It felt like it’s proving to me that love doesn’t appear warm and fluffy and that it could turn sinister and cold, too.

With all the revelations catching up to me, I snuggled inside a box near the bin. I do not know where exactly I am now. I have wandered far from the station and much farther away from him. Yet, I keep on thinking about him

I stared down at the bill on my hand. Tomorrow, I decided, will be the day that I will spend like I am a human.

●

I woke up, opening my eyes slowly, I shrieked as a brown fluffy thing was staring at me with the same green eyes. Though mine have orbs, this…thing have slits.

I slowly backed away and gulped. My eyes widening as the thing suddenly jumped and snuggled on my lap. But I, reacting upon instinct, push it off and willed myself to disappear.

I appeared seconds later in front of a boutique. I entered it without second thoughts.

“Bonjour, mademoiselle. Bienvenue au Pink Shop. Je suis, Flor.(Hello, Miss. Welcome to the Pink Shop. I am, Flor)” The little lady smiled and guided me in.

The interior of the shop was pristine and cute. White fluffy drapes are on the ceiling with warm yellow light shining through them. “We have everything of your preference, mademoiselle. From coats to shirts, scarf and jeans, shorts, skirts. Tout, madame (Everything, miss).” I ran my hands on the silks and cottons surrounding me and giggled. The lady then left my side and let me explore the shop.

Not long did I find a perfect one. It was a blue coat and the insides of it quite tickle my skin but I am pretty sure that it will feel very warm on me. I found a cream colored shirt and decided that it should do well on me too.



Observing the ladies around me, I find out that they are not wearing dresses like me, rather they are wearing something that is tight, and dark in colour. Snatching some from the shelves, I was directed by Flor on one of the cubicles so I could try it on.

The tight and dark colored ones made me quite struggle for a bit making me realize that they have sizes. And so, I went back out again and snatch a couple more before trying it.

It took me a while but it was fine because then, I found the perfect fit. I shrug my old clothes on the side and kick them off with my bare feet. I decided to prance around with my new clothes but before I even got out of the shop a lady held me in.

“Excusez-moi, madame, mais vous devez payer pour cela. (Excuse me, Ma’am, but you have to pay for that)” the lady sneered, glaring at my new clothes. I reached for the bill that Daemon gave me but then a hand suddenly held mine before a voice spoke out, “Desole (sorry). My friend here is just confused. C'est sa première fois en France. (It’s her first time in France.)

The lady looked just like me but she have almost white blonde hair and warm brown eyes. She smiled at me before she held out a card. The saleslady swipe in on the device she is holding before letting us go.

The lady pulled me outside and sighed, “Oh geez, you really are clueless, aren’t you?” I just look at her, not knowing what I should say. “Well, I am Rose. Don’t worry, I don’t bite. I know your situation, in fact you remind me of myself!”

My eyes widened as her words finally sink in. She is a cupid? She might have recognize my clothes and my quiver, but I made sure that—

“So which college do you go too?”

“College?”

“Yep?” she answered, her brows furrowing before she suddenly slapped her forehead making me jump a little. “ Oh well, you Scots might call it Uni or whatever. I am not even sure if you really are a Scot because of your red head but seriously? Those freckles you’ve got are killing me. I mean I do not—”

“Wait.” I held my hands up before turning her head to face me. “I am not here for college or Uni. I am here for a…job.”

“Oh, a job. A job?!” her eyes widened, her eyes catching lights that it kind of shown a shade of yellow or was that green?

“So, you wanna catch some lunch with me?” Rose stared at me as she fumbled with her coat buttons. I simply nodded at her direction and I was surprised when she suddenly pulled me with her.

It felt like I have found my best friend on earth

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