THE ARCHANGEL'S SECOND CHANCE

CHAPTER 8

The past and the present.

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Where am I? Elliana found herself lost in a place she has never personally seen before- all infrastructures are made of woods, women wear long sleeves and long skirts with their hairs tied up neatly in either buns or braids, men wear long sleeves and pants that has the same fabric with their clothes, children were running freely while laughing and animals are abundant as they feed themselves in the green, grassy field with hays and grains of rice. In this place, everything screamed traditional.

When she was about to take a step forward to approach a man to ask, the whole place changed and she was brought in a place with nothing but blood- there were beings crying for help while their body are filled with cuts and deep wounds, the forest is howling with cold breeze as the raging ocean beneath them hits the shore with overwhelming strength. There are beings with gold eyes and glowing wings, beings with red eyes and sharp fangs, and beings with pure black eyes and horns.

Angels, vampires, and…demons? Elliana’s eyes widened in horror as the three beings clashed together. Blood mixed of red, black, and gold began to ooze out as their weapons and abilities clashed against each other, causing for the ground to crumble as the inhibitors of heaven, hell and earth fought against each other with their eyes reflecting the burning blue light of the full moon.

Kriiiing!

Elliana jolted awake when her alarm clocked sounded. With her quick heartbeat, she sat up and turned it off, wiping the sweat off her forehead despite her air-conditioned room. What was that? As someone who’ve lived long enough, she never experienced nightmares, only either short dreams or straight hours of sleep.

Ever since that happened yesterday, she never found herself calm and peaceful- she will often get scared by her own reflection, she gets surprised whenever someone calls her name, and she often hear the same whisper of the voice who says the same word over and over again: “Earl.”

She’s so distraught and uncomfortable. As much as she can, she tries her best to never show the signs of fatigue over everything that stresses her out. But for Mandy, being a good friend she is, she didn’t listen and resorted on insisting for Elliana to take a day off and try to calm herself first so that she’ll be back in full shape after giving time to herself.

Now that she has the next 24 hours for herself, she wanted to spend most of it by sleeping. But how can she do it if she will wake up with a headache, sweat, and fast heartbeat? “So that’s why my instincts are telling me to not turn my alarm off.” She said, sighing. Thank goodness I woke up.

Shaking her head, she stood up with her arms crossed as she rubbed her arms to generate some heat after feeling cold and walked out her room, her hair still uncombed. Walking straight towards the stairs with her eyes still in the middle of dozing off, her slow footsteps and sleepy eyes was stopped when she saw a figure on her couch.

Squinting her eyes, she let out a gasp as she saw Vincent smirking at her as he sat prettily inside her house. “I went in your hospital and Mandy told me that you’re-” before he can finish his sentence, Elliana quickly rushed back to her room, leaving him chuckling on how flustered she was. Cute.

Running back to her room, her heart’s beating fast because of the sudden visitor, not because of her nightmare anymore. Why is he here?! With her question left unanswered, she quickly picked up her comb and combed her hair. After that, she used a wet wipe to clean her face.

Gently hitting her cheek to wake herself up, she heaved a deep breath and stared at herself in the mirror. “It’s just Vincent, Lia. A vampire. No need to panic.” Once she’s done conditioning herself, she bit her inner cheek as she marched out her room, gathering her confidence to drive the intruder out.

“Hey.” She began as she stood on top of the stairs, looking at him with a glare. “You’re not welcome here. Get-” her practiced line was interrupted when Vincent teleported and landed in front of her, causing for her to trip on her own foot as she moved back, making him act and hold her by her waist as her hands held on his arms.

“I came here because she said you’re sick.” He said, looking straight at her surprised eyes as he pulled her up. “Did you know that I canceled two business meetings today just to come here and stay for a day off?” he asked, grinning at the woman whose cheeks are tinted pink.

“I don’t care.” She frowned. “No one told you to skip work just to be here.” She said as she pushed him away and walked down the stairs. Vincent, on the other hand, smirked at her response and just followed her down till they reached the kitchen.

“Your house is small.” He said, his voice echoing through the silent house as Elliana poured herself fresh milk from the two-door refrigerator. “You just live in a big mansion, sir.” She sarcastically smiled before rolling her eyes and drank the milk in one go.

Seeing how fast she is, he whistled, teasing the woman who glared at him before rolling her eyes as she stood there with her hands on both her waist. “You drink milk, I drink blood.” He said, shrugging with a smirk as he stared back at her who just sighed.

“Don’t change the topic, Dela Vin.” Elliana firmly stated. “My current surname is pretty good, huh?” he asked, casually walking towards her and looked down on her despite her angry glare. “Bet it suits your current name too.” He winked, earning him nothing but angry silence.

Not wanting to give up, Vincent continued. “Elliana Dela Vin.” He said, seductively mentioning her name as his lips curved up with a taunting smirk. Oh heavens. Who allowed you to create such a tempter?! Ignoring her mental panic, she shook her head in disgust.

May the lord guide me. “Don’t put that surname in my holy name.” she said, contrasting her crisis deep inside her head. “If you don’t like it…then,” he paused, his grey eyes looked at her green ones with emotions Elliana can’t comprehend- it’s vague, yet seemingly pulls her close.

“Morningstar.” With that, a fragmental scene flashed within her: a man and a woman sitting hand in hand under an apple tree with the sun shining upon them, laughing together. It was a millisecond, blurry scenario but was enough to make her dizzy, causing for her to blink and held her temple as she balanced herself.

Seeing her slightly stagger, Vincent moved and held her shoulders as he stood beside her, letting her lean in for support. Her reactions, however, didn’t brought him reasons to make fun of her- it just made him serious and more cautious with the woman he’s with.

“You okay?” his deep voice that whispered in her ear made her head ache worse. “Are you okay?” The same voice asked, but there’s nothing expect darkness. “I’m never hurt when I’m with you.” She heard next- it was the same feminine voice who repeats only a single name inside her head.

With a gasp, she opened her eyes, finally seeing Vincent who’s eyes flashed relief before it was changed back in his usual unexpressive orbs. Catching her breath, she stood up properly and fixed her hair in attempt of not looking awkward and nervous.

“I’m just overworked the past days. Sorry about that.” She said, followed by a chuckle as she looked at his eyes, hoping to fool him to save her dignity and avoid the probability of having herself explaining what she saw or felt in that short span of time.

“It’s okay. It’s not like you can actually stop yourself from feeling human emotions.” He shrugged, playing along with her webbed lie. “It’s not my fault you chose to conceal yourself too much to the point that you’re suffering even when you can do something about it.” He mocked.

Thank heavens he trusted my alibi. “Oh shut up.” She shook her head, sighing as she massaged her temple. “If I use my abilities on myself, I won’t be able to relate to humans. How do you think can I know what they’re feeling or needing?” she asked in a duh tone.

“Angels can do it with their blessed eye. You can scan them and know everything in an instant.” He said. “I don’t want that. My life’s too boring already, let me be.” She responded with a small frown, slightly decreasing his guard as he smirked.

“Your life won’t be boring if you’re with me though.” He said and was about to touch her when she moved her hand and pushed his chest away. With their topic changing again, Elliana rolled her eyes and turned away, walking back to her living room.

He’s pretty simple. She thought. I thought he’ll bug me about it but he just quickly went with the flow. Is he really letting me off the hook that easily? She asked herself, but despite her curiosity, she kept her façade and just took a sit on the couch, waiting for the vampire to sit as well.

She reacted with the surname. I wonder why. Vincent took a sit beside her, beginning their staring contest where he looks at her with a teasing smirk, and she looks back at him with an annoyed frown. She had the same reaction from before. It was milder today, but I know it’s a sign of her reaction.

As they remained stuck with ach other eyes, the two of them were thinking of each other, bit their thoughts were opposing each other’s minds- one thinks how the other is a cold and serious simpleton who’s like a big baby who throws a fit when he doesn’t get what he wants, one thinks that the other hides something more than what meets the eye: same place, but different train of thoughts.

10. 11. 12..Thir-

Elliana blinked. “Whatever.” She said, frowning deeper as she looked at his victorious smirk. “Just accept the fact that you need me in your life, doc.” He said, making her face twist in disgust as she rolled her eyes and waved her hand in dismissal.

“The connection of your words and the topic we have right now is nowhere to be found, Mr. CEO.” She said, crossing both her arms and legs as she leaned on the couch, looking at him with a brow raised. Seeing her confidence, his smirk turned into a seductive one as he looked at her up and down.

“I’m saying that I will give you what you lack.” He said, brushing the smirk off as he stared at her seriously. “You got a boring life? Then I’ll spice it up for you,” as he spoke, Elliana’s urge to mock him subsides gradually.

“You chose to feel what humans feel? Then I’ll be that vampire who’ll give you the comfort whenever you’re tired.” He added. “You want to be the angel who guides everyone silently? Then I’ll be that man who’ll give you reasons to feel anger. Don’t be a saint all the time.” He added with a small smile.

Hearing everything, Elliana’s confusion with the supposed simpleton of a vampire doubled. “What exactly do you need from me?” she asked with her brows meeting in between. Aren’t we a little off the track? We’re supposed to be enemies. I myself am confused about how did we get to this point in time.

“Because…” he paused. You oddly remind me of her. “I find you interesting.” Hearing that half-hearted answer, Elliana frowned, feeling deflated. “Right.” she sarcastically said, hiding her disappointment and offended feelings with a glare.

“And…” Samantha’s not a ghost anymore...because of you. “You’re my blood bank, right?” he grinned, making her groan in annoyance as she picked up a pillow from her couch and threw it at him, in which, of course, he successfully caught right before it hit him.

“Trust me when I say I’ll never let you off my sight.” Wait till I connect everything. Despite his determined declaration, a small voice in his head asked him: what if she’s not the one you’re looking for?

My blood, huh? “Whatever, jerk,” Elliana mumbled and stood up. “Where are you going?” he asked. Not turning back to look at him, she responded. “I’ll cook. I haven’t had my breakfast yet.” With that, she walked towards the kitchen, leaving the man who said nothing and just staring at her retreating figure.

Blue hair, green eyes, and a feisty attitude. None of them matches hers. Vincent fell in deep thought as he watched her disappear to the kitchen. But there’s a feeling within me, that tells me she might be her. Was I being too delusional? Or was I living in the past too much?

“Samantha…” he muttered, making her image flash in his head- her straight, golden hair, that sways with the wind as she stands in front of the setting sun, her lilac eyes that turn crescent as she smiles, and bright smile that lights up his world.

It was her in his mind, but the woman he exists with was not the woman he once pictured his whole life and future with. It was messy, but somehow, he feels a connection with the angel he just met in this present time. Is he delusional? Or just too hopeful?