5. Lucifer in Love
1248 Words
5. Lucifer in Love
Sara
"I thought you were already home". Franco's tone of voice shows me that he's angry despite his smile. "You still haven't explained where you stayed the other night", he questions me. I thought that matter was already forgotten.
"I stayed with Dante, right friend?" Cerberus nods, even though he's always been afraid of my brother-in-law.
"Y-yes. She was at my house. My mother likes her to stay over." The silence from "Gramps" makes me understand that he doesn't believe a word. He directs his gaze towards my friend, who understands the visual hint.
"I think I'll wait for you in the room, Lucifer... I mean Sara". A giggle escapes my lips. He almost called me by my nickname. When we're alone, I throw myself onto the sofa.
"I thought you were still at the party", I ask him, but he remains silent. He sits in the armchair in front of me and rests his forearms on his legs. That position tells me a long talk is coming.
"What trouble are you getting into?" I remain silent at his words. I can't hide everything from him because he's also had my back in some other situations. As the saying goes, he's saved my skin when I've needed it.
"They're my issues, don't worry. I can handle them." He sighs and looks at me.
"You know, little Sara, I'm scared. I'm not young anymore, and it terrifies me to think you might get into some dangerous trouble and I won't be there to help you. I know you have your parents and siblings, but you've hidden your true personality from them well."
I listen to him speak, and a shiver runs through me.
"Don't be so dramatic, you've got plenty of years left to keep up with my antics".
"Mischief, you say?" I see him make a sarcastic face. "You were almost locked up with all those teenage criminals".
I remain silent because he's right. That time was the most dangerous, as the group I belonged to were still novices.
"Are you going to hold this against me forever?" I try to feign weakness. It works for my sister and niece. It's also worked for me with my father.
"I don't want you to keep taking risks. You need to channel all that adrenaline in a different way. Being a model doesn't help much. Why don't you want to go to university?"
How do I explain to him that school seems like a waste of time to me? That there are many things to do in the world and getting a degree isn't what I want.
"I don't like school, I tell him with a whiny voice."
I guess my pout works because he comes over to sit next to me.
"Little Sara. Or should I call you Little Lucifer?" I remain silent. He is the only one who knows my nickname besides Dante. "What do you want in life? What is your purpose?"
I don't answer because I don't even know myself. I help those kids with their big ideas of changing the world and making things right. I want to be like one of those heroines who manage to defeat evil.
"I want a better world. I know I can do it." Franco strokes my hair like when I was younger. Although it made my father even more jealous, I saw Franco as another father. Besides, Mr. Juan Luis has, in a way, gotten back at me because he looks after my nephew José Luis a lot. I think he has thought about making an exchange with my sister, asking for her son and trading me.
"You're such a dreamer. Noble, generous, and concerned about the future, but you must think about the moment and not stray from the good things. You must be careful because evil is around you and your naivety could be used against you. Maybe what you think is right could end up hurting someone you care about. Will you promise me you won't be reckless?"
I listen to his words and from the bottom of my heart, I nod my head.
"You're a good kid. Someday you'll understand we do it all for your own good." Franco begins to stand up to leave.
"Why do you protect me?" I ask him with a touch of anxiety and curiosity.
"You know what? I've rarely felt envy in life. One of those times was seeing your father, taking care of you and pampering you when you were little. You were such an intense kid, but so lovable. I longed to have a daughter and channeled that desire through you. Even when my children were born, there was always a special place in my heart for you. You are like the little daughter I asked heaven for."
I can't help but be moved by his words. It's true. When I was a hyperactive child, he was always there for me, to play and dedicate his time to me. Both he and my sister were like additional parents. How lucky I was!
"Thank you, “grandfather.” I throw myself into his arms, and he hugs me. He pats my back and sends me off warmly.
"You have nothing to thank me for. Go to your room because that weird friend of yours must be biting his nails." I giggle because he knows my Cerberus so well.
*****
"You took forever, Lucifer. What did your “daddy-grandpa” say?" I let out a giggle at the way he calls him.
"He's just worried that something might happen to me. Did Demonio say anything before I got here?" I ask as I start to take off my wig and my loose hair falls over my back.
"Yes, they reviewed the information you provided, but there was no compromising document there. They must keep looking. But I think you should let someone else take over. It's getting dangerous."
I shake my head emphatically.
"No. I'll handle it. I want to find out if that man is really involved in the manufacturing and shipping of the batches of medication." My friend looks at me puzzled. He knows I always do my job, but I don't usually take extra risks.
"What's so special about this mission? Demonio kept checking the time all night and got angrier with every minute you didn't show up. What happened?"
I flop onto the bed on my back, looking at the ceiling. I close my eyes and the memories of that night replay in my head.
"Dante... I slept with him." I say slowly, and my friend stays silent for a long time. "Aren't you going to say anything?" I urge him to tell me what he thinks.
"Why?" is all he says. That's precisely the question I can't answer.
"I don't know. It just happened". I try to brush it off. But inside, I know that's not the right answer.
"I know why you did it." I prop myself up on my elbows. I just need to see his face to know what he's going to say... because I sense his answer will clear the clouds in my head.
"Why, according to you?" I say sarcastically. He looks me in the eyes and I know his words will be full of truth.
"Because you're in love, my friend." My eyes open in surprise, but inside, my feelings are finally revealed. "I'm sorry to tell you that Lucifer fell in love".
- Writer
