CHAPTER 2

AILA

“ Your father will be so proud of you,”

The echoing voice of my Aunt Monica and Uncle Demetrius roused me from where I was. I groaned at the pain upon my shoulders, imagining their worried faces. They were my acting parents and they cared for me like I was their own.

Yet here I am, alone on earth to accomplish a mission and look for my parents.

I shall not fail them.

I have sacrificed so much to repay their kindness upon caring for me in behalf of my father. I have a mission, and that is to give love and not receive it. I have  a purpose, and that is to find out what happened to my parents and if they are still alive. Uncle Demetrius told me so, that my human mother is here on earth, and I am hoping that my father is also alive and well. Even though I am not certain of what they look like and what their names are, I believe in fate.

 I held on the lamp post and tried to stand. The sight of my wing fluttering hopelessly made me sigh, the other one hanging upon my back like an over size  cape, limp and wet with pink liquid– Erosian blood. I look around to see the streets empty, the crowd gone because of the sudden rain.

To my great luck, the rain poured harder upon me, soaking me through.

I shake my head as a pair of bright blue eyes burned in my mind, the feeling of betrayal driving me angry.

How can a cupid be so rude? How can he just push me off the window as though I am a pesky bird? I am just trying to be friendly to him but he made me feel undesired.

Is he annoyed of the kiss?

It wasn’t my fault that we ended up kissing, twice! I never meant for it to happen. I am as surprised as he is so why is he acting like an hermit. Plus, he doesn’t need to make my situation worst by pushing me off the window - a nice cup of tea would’ve been great!

I glared at his window and shivered, pulling my wings closer, hoping to provide warmth to my drenched body. I thought rain is pretty sight here on earth like how they tell it in the books, but now I know that it isn’t.

That cupid, I will face him again and show him what I am worth!

I glared up at the window, cracking my knuckles and baring my teeth. “Just wait. I’ll get back at you and you will regret it!” I bit my lip annoyed as I remember his pretty face. So what if he resembles an ancientgod? For all I know he was a devil in disguise. He just wait. I will target all his victims and leave him with nothing. I am so irritated I could only think about beating him in every way possible.

I am about to make my way to the building when a woman clad in a peach colored dress caught my attention. She was pretty, her brown hair plaited into two halves, adjusting her glasses on top of her nose. She was seated in front of a cafe, sipping on a hot cocoa as she nibbled on a sugar coated bread. She wiped her tears while leaning back on her chair, trying to appear emotionless.  I focused on her mind and saw the reason why she was crying–Her memories flashing in my own head and there I  found the reason behind those tears: She was heartbroken because her fiancée had died.

Snatching an arrow from my quiver, I smiled as it buzzed underneath my fingers–the arrow knows it purpose and it is excited as I am. I quickly position it on my bow and let it fly across the glass wall of the cafe as though it was water, hitting the girl. She was stunned as she clutch her chest, standing up. Her eyes then landed on a tall man that resembles her fiancée. He is currently ordering a coffee, unaware of the woman as she stands and makes her way towards the man. He was about to pay for his coffee when she turned him around, holding unto his waist before she stood on her tiptoe, pressing a solemn kiss on his lips. His eyes widened for a moment as the girl deepen the kiss, the arrow blossomed and reach towards the guys chest, intertwining them.

It was beautiful and they are perfect.

 “Okay! This is getting heated.” I rub my hands together and smiled brightly, “I just have to find more couple to shoot to complete my mission, then I can look for my parents.”  I held the daisy upon my ear and sigh, hoping that my longing for my parents would fade away but it didn’t.

My frustrations build up again as the rain stopped. I stared up at his window and shivered–I need to do this.

I need to ask for shelter and better yet, confront the guy. I need to know why he is here, why they sent him and why he hated me so much when he is also a cupid. I need to get answers for I never wanted a conflict on my mission. Speaking to him shall clear the misunderstanding and the least he could do is hear me out at least.

*

I sighed, barely escaping the attendants as I successfully got his room number. I started counting up the rooms, 358

.

365

.

377!

It was a simple cedar wood door, the only cedar wood in this whole floor–This confirms that he is a Cupid for this wood gives us energy and power. The cherubim on post outside his doors look ridiculous; what with the petal crown and necklaces accentuating how little both of the cherubim are. Is he the one who did this? He’s got a sense of humor hidden underneath his scowl. If he could only smile, I am pretty sure that he will make every woman fall down on his feet. He is so pretty but he’s got a bad habit of kicking people out or is it just me that he treats that way?



Anyway.

I tried for the door but it was locked, as expected. I ran my hands on the surface of the door, feeling the power and the enchantments on it as it lightly pulse beneath my hand. I pull one of the arrows from my quiver and slide the fletching along the sides.

With a smile, I open the door with ace and quietly entered, expecting that he will be attacking me in surprise but there is no one in the room.

I did not expect for him to have a very unguarded room. It seems like he isn’t expecting a cupid to visit him.

I am surprise to see how clean and elegant the interior was. The floor was completely covered by different patches of carpet, a worn leather sofa placed on the far side. The curtain hanging by the window looks like the flag I've seen from England, battered and quite old like everything else inside his living room. There were spiral of circles afloat near the window, the same size that is on the table beside the leather sofa.

“Someone is obsessed of old things,” I muttered to myself as I ran my hands down on the carpet that have traces of enchantments, allurements. He must have been using those to attract more people. “I can’t believe that it is actually possible to live here on earth while exercising our power when we were warned to be discreet.”

The steel arrows that I saw him using awhile back, was tossed carelessly on the sofa,  a blanket barely covering it. No clothes were tossed on the floor rather they were hung on the arms of the leather sofa as though he just came home. There is also a large mirror reflecting the canoe shaped stairs on the back of the sofa. The shelves situated near the windows held a thousand of books, the only thing inside this room that really drew me in.

My hands carefully brush the spines of the books. I pulled out one of the books that is entitled: Eros: A Cupid History and randomly opened it but instead of finding words in it, it reflected a couple of gold images floating on the cream colored pages. Mesmerize but bored, I pull out another one that is under the title of ‘Cupid Conundrums’.  The letters and sentences appear golden against the cream pages. The paper, although old, smells like it was newly written, the font looks so elegant that it kind of reminds me of Grandma Aphrodite’s handwriting. “This is crazy! I have never been to a house full of Cupid history. Seriously, what is he? Is he a scholar sent down to Earth just to study?”

I stow the book inside my satchel hidden under my robes before entering another room situated on the right wall that appears to be the bedroom. The light coming from the window blinded me for a while and I have to blink twice to clear my vision–the rose plant situated next to the window appear differently with its amethyst flowers blooming with a hint of gold in them. I gently touched the flower before entering the room.

It was very simple–the window, where I said hello to him, was closed as expected. His bed that is facing the entry, appears comfortable and inviting; the wool brown blanket on top contrasted the black bed sheets and pillowcases. A couple of books sat at the bench which is situated at the foot of the bed, there are maps and globes everywhere, too.

I pick up a couple of steel arrows and put them on top of the map I begin to scrutinize. I took the biggest of all the maps and saw red pins that is carefully stuck in it. It was in oddly named places and most of them I barely knew since I am always focused on looking down here in the city Paris. I wonder where  South Korea and Canada is? Were they as wet as London days or as cold as the Alaska? There are lines connecting one unto the other and there are dates on it, way back from 1400 until today.

Geez, that is creepy. 1400 is six hundred years ago. That is just…old.

There were notes scribbled next to the places and it is confusing. What do these numbers mean? Why does he have box and package designs? And why does he need meetings? What does new application launch got to do with games and what are mobiles?

What is he doing here on earth, exactly?

I leave his  notes and proceed at his bedside. I took one of the books which is red in color–it has marks on it and some scribbles on the margins. I cannot understand the words at first but then I realize that it is written in our Old tongue. It will take me a while to translate this so I put it inside my satchel and plan to study it later on.

I am so curious of trying to read the title of the book I just took from the bench that I did not notice him going inside the room.

Is he a ghost? Why did he turn up suddenly?

I am so startled of his presence that I let go of the book and it fell with an echoing thud. His words continuously ringing on my ear as I gawk, “What the fuck?"



“Oh, what does that mean?”

His eyes hardened at my question and I bit my lip. He sauntered low to my level only to stumble on one of the long ribbons from my dress, making his lips crash unto mine.



My eyes widen as I properly felt the weight of his lips upon mine, his body pressed firmly while his hands were in between my head. He sucked in a deep breath and I have to close my eyes to digest the feeling.

I didn’t have time to say anything about the incident when he pulls away in an instant. His face is flushed as mine did, his jaw tightly clenched as he bit back the words, pointing his finger at me, “ No one can know about any of this, do you understand?”

계속

CHAPTER 3

CAELON

It is my first time to feel my heartbeat on my throat. I feel like a thief running from the authorities after stealing from a bank, as though I committed a grave sin.



This is wrong. This is definitely wrong.

A banished cupid should not feel this way. I should be indifferent and proud. I shall not feel embarrassment and anxiousness. Just looking at her deep green eyes make my steps falter and I am cornered in a space next to the door to the living room.

She touched her lips and I suck in a deep breath. "Will you stop doing that-"

"Aila." I scowled as she interrupted me, "My name is Aila Seymour so  address me with my name. I know that I haven't introduced myself properly but please, stop being rude to me. After all, we are the same."

"No, you are clearly mistaken. I am-"

"I would like to say how fascinated I am in everything that you have. I didn't even know that these books existed! The covers were like the ones my Uncle used to paint in my room and the dates on the map, it is way back- it is quite overwhelming. A thousand year old worth of information...I just can't believe that you possessed such treasures."

"I know and the books are worth more than anything in this flat," I glared at the book and took it from her arms, "These books contains the root of your very existence and I wouldn't let you get a hold of this, if possible. It is more than you can handle." I put the book on my bedside tabJe and gave her a murderous glare, "If it's overwhelming for you then you shouldn't have wandered here in the first place." I snorted she only gave me a smile on which I scoffed at.

"It is overwhelming, alright, but I still like it. This is refreshing."

"Get to the point already, I know that it is not your purpose to prise upon my things. Say what is going on in your head, Aila."

"Alright," She takes a deep breath and said, "I just wanted to ask if you are a cupid too and if you are my contender? It just-" I pulled at her arm and drag her out of the room. She whimpered and tried to pries my hold but I only tightened it, making her groan. "Wait, I have to know what you are!Are you a cupid or not? Why are you kicking me out without answering my question?"

"I am kicking you out because you are disrupting my work...my life."

She shakes her head, "If you are a cupid too, why do you do this to me? I am your kind. We are equals!" I pressed the speed dial on my phone and it automatically alerted Newman. I shall let them take her out. "Why are you doing this? I'm your fellow cupid."

I laughed at her and touch her cheeks, wiping her tears away. The action startled the both of us and I cleared my throat, explaining, " Technically speaking, I am no more a cupid. I am a Dieuoubliè, a banished cupid, so don't think of me as if you and I are equal because we will never be the same."

"How could you become so evil? What happened to you?"

My eyes hardened at what she said and I huffed, "You must listen to me. You shall stay as far away as possible and never try to make contact with me again, do you understand?" She shakes her head no and I sighed, " "The police men will come and collect you. They might be harsh but you will survive. Just say, 'Je suis désolé', okay?" she glared at Me, "Repeat after me, 'Je suis désolé'"

She huffs before saying, "Je parle français. (I can speak French)."

"Oh, good." I gave her a pat on the head before saying, "By the way, Caelon is my name."

*

"I can't believe that I  kissed a girl, but not just any girl, a cupid!" I huffed, letting the water flow before rinsing my mouth again and scrubbing my lips. "I can't believe that a filthy creature like her has touched my lips."

Yet my thoughts are totally different.

It was like something has awakened in my chest and my faltering heartbeat seems to follow a rhythm that only they can hear. I was entranced by her face. Her eyes appears to be familiar, like I have seen her before. Maybe she was a reincarnation of someone I have seen in the past?

The sound of the opening door startled me and I turned around to see Emyr, his golden curly hair that rivals mine is swept behind his ears, making him appear like a girl. He is holding a scroll and his face is contorted in a serious manner. He never visits me like this, with a scowl upon his face and a troubled look on his eyes. He is the epitome of excitement so why must he appear like this now when my day hasn't been going well?



This might be bad news.

"I found the scroll, Caelon, and you will not like what is written in it."

I looked at him through the reflection in the mirror and sigh, splashing a handful of water on my face again after feeling the need to do so. This isn't enough. I feel like I need a cold shower to remove my irritation against the cupid but Emyr doesn't like to wait. Snatching the towel, I headed into the living room and take the scroll from Emyr's hand.

"When the arrow struck thy heart, it shall bring chaos and love. Will rejoice while suffering inside until the heart shall beat its last. In the world filled with lies and love, only one shall thrive." I stared at Emyr in question, "So what? I've been suffering since Gaea brought me back. What difference will it make to have someone shot my heart?"

"No, Caelon. It is not the same." Emyr took the scroll for me and brush his hand upon the letter, "The one who strikes the heart is a cupid. Tell me you haven't met one when I can smell the scent all over you."

"huh?" I chance a sniff in my body but smelled nothing. "But I didn't."

"You are lying. Your left eye twitch and blink when you do." He leaned closer and scowled, "Tell me Caelon, have you possibly met a cupid just before I arrive?"

I looked into his eyes and sigh. There's no lying in front of those bright gray eyes.

"Yes."

"But you didn't just brush at each other, am I right? The scent is strong, like you bathe yourself in it or something." He squinted his eyes, "Did you just have sex with a cupid?"

"Had sex? Are you hearing yourself right now, Emyr? Because that is not the word I expect you to say after a millenia!" I hurled at him and pulled him close, "Do you want to die?"

He laughed at me as he quickly evade my arms and pointed an arrow upon my throat. I shake my head. "Tell me, Caelon, what did you do?"

"It was accidental, okay?" His furrowed brows made me shrug. "I kissed her, and I didn't mean to do it. She fell upon me and I was not able to avoid her."

Emyr sat quietly, his brows drawn in the middle. He looked like he was in a deep thought as his hands continuously glide upon the scroll. "She is gone so she won't be a problem. I have had her arrested after she trespassed my room."

"Are you sure that you just kissed?" His suspicious gaze made me falter but I nodded, "Then why did you not avoid it? You are much powerful than me, even if you are a banished!" he ran his hands through his hair which turned white then gold again. "I know the reason behind the sudden existence of this scroll because you just took a step closer to the prophecy. You are falling for the cupid."

"No, I am not and will not!" I gasped when Emyr lunched himself upon me and grabbed me tight, "You will die, my friend, if you fall in love. Please, forget her before she even gets the chance to pierce your heart. She is a monster." Emyr got up from his seat and started walking in circles, "She will manipulate you and make you believe a lie before trapping you. We must find a way to monitor her actions. We cannot let our guard down."

"I have an idea." I clapped Emyr's back and smiled, "You shall trust me with this, Emyr. I am sure that I won't be harmed."

Emyr just nodded as I rise to my feet and flicked my hand. I have to take her out of the prison and after that, I shall ask her a very important question that will change the history of cupids and Dieuoubliè .

I just hope that it will work.

계속

CHAPTER 4

AILA

“LET ME OUT! I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Are you sure about that?” the police man raised an eyebrow at me, “You have trespassed a private property young lady and you don’t even feel any kind of remorse upon committing such crime.”

“But he knows me, he definitely do. Don’t I have the right to enter his home with that reason? Caelon has trapped me into this mess to ruin me. He probably—” I stopped as I saw a tall man walking inside the prison cell with a hat upon his head and a black coat. His hair was blond, his eyes full of anger and sadness like Caelon. There is no emotion plastered on his face and he kind of reminds me of someone.

I sigh.

“She is to stay here for a day to reflect upon her wrong doings. She needs to know how she can be severely punished the next time she repeats this.” The man turns at me and I glared at him, “It is definitely clear that she is lying about knowing my master. She is no more than a stranger to me and him.”

“Indeed, Mr. Newman.” The police snarled at me before waving at the man, “Would you care for some tea and biscuits? I have sugar free cakes, too. We can discuss her punishment while having a small break.” The man nodded at the police and followed him in the room.

I looked at their departing forms and licked my lips. Sugar free cakes? Why would Gaeans make sugar free cakes? How will they be able to enjoy that?

“Let me out.” I groaned, hugging the bars of my cell, sliding down so I could lie upon the cold floor. The rustle of coats made me look up to see  Caelon peering down at me–my heart pause for a minute before it angrily pump faster, being chased away by those freezing blue eyes Caelon possessed.

“I guess, you are fascinated of my face again?”

I stared at him, confused on why he was here. He opens the door with ease and out the hall. He stopped before we reach the street, shaking his head as he said, “I can’t believe I am doing this.” He pulls away his hand, his lips turning to a pout.

"I need you to be my wife."

"What?" Did I just hear him say that he wants, no, needs me to be his wife?

My ears tingle of what he just said for it is as absurd as saying that the moon above is split. Caelon sighs, "You heard me, I need you to be my wife. You do not know anything in this earth, I can be of assistance to you. In return, you repay me by being by my side."

But there are a lot of women around

could pretend with him if he wants. Caelon is the most good looking man I have ever seen and there is no doubt that anyone could resist being next to him. So, why would he ask me, specifically?

Is it because we kissed? Did he fell in love with me because of that?

Surely, life on earth is as confusing as it sounds.

Caelon squinted his eyes at me as though he is trying to read my mind. I bit my lip. "I don't understand."

"I know that you are confused why I am asking you but I just find it convenient because you know that I am not human. Though, it is easier to be with any woman I select, it is different when I am with you. I don't have to hide my identity." His words hit me like bricks and I take a step back. Caelon pursed his lips, scratching the back of his neck. "But it is okay if you feel conflicted. I know it is sudden and you were surprised. Even hearing myself now makes me doubt that it will work."

He started to step out to the pouring rain and I followed him. He stopped abruptly, turning back at me with his hands on his hips. I  remained standing next to him, now dripping  because of the not so gentle rain pouring down on us. His long black coat appears to be dry even though raindrops kept on pelting down on it, but his hair is as wet as mine. My fingers  are now tinged blue as I shivered, the blast of cold wind making it worst. I momentarily take the time to breathe in and could smell the weird scent coming off of him: the combination of  roses and other flowers radiated from the insides of his coat. I held out my hand to touch him but he pushed them back, glaring at me, “I have saved you from suffering what you deserve, you should be  thankful at least. You don't have to follow me."

He starts to walk again but I only followed him, making him stop. " The deal is off. I am crazy for thinking that marrying you will suffice my situation.  Remember my warning : stay away from me from now on if you refuse to be connected to me.  It seems that you don't want to be tangled up with the likes of us, banished cupids, but know that I hate you to. Do you understand what I mean?”

I tried to catch his gaze but he turn upon his heel and he started walking the other direction. "Why? I don’t understand why I should stay away."

I pulled at his hands, holding them tight only to be blasted–a flash blinding me for a while. I blinked my eyes to see his icy stare freezing me on the spot and making let go of his hand, “I get it that you are a banished cupid but why do you hate me so much as to not even want to touch me?"

"I don't specifically intend not to touch you or hate you.” He ran his hand upon his hair and sigh, “There is a damn well reason why I refuse to touch you and why I act like this,”  his expressive eyes startled me as he leaned down in front of my face as though he is scrutinizing my soul, "I hate all of you–Cupids, Erosians–all of your kind. I hate all of you for condemning me down here. Haven't you realize that when I push you through the window awhile ago that I hate you? It is my mistake that I propose a ridiculous idea after saving you." He pointed a finger at me and I take a step back, " Don't you dare try to meddle with my business again, Cupid, because I promise you that it is not an easy task. There will be no turning back. Consider this as my last warning.”

He started to walk away, his coat billowing about, carried by the non existent wind. I waited for a while before following him, shivering because of the cold. He is my only chance for survival in this peculiar world, I have no choice but to follow.

Caelum quickly went down an alley and I am taken by surprisewhen he appeared in front of me.  “Do you think I do not know you are following me?” 

“I am sorry but I am so hungry and cold. I am all alone here. I don’t have anyone I know besides you.” My face grow scarlet as my hair while my stomach rumbled as if trying to prove my point.

"I guess, I'd have to feed you first before hearing your answer to my proposal." He gave me an exasperated sigh before turning, continue to walk down the alley.

I am getting a little bit nervous as the walls grow dingy and dark. I was about to ask him why we are heading this way when he turn around–his breath is fanning my face and it intoxicated me, making me a little bit dizzy–his hands trapping me in between the wall and his body. I gulped. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to do anything with you just yet,"He gave me a smirk before he  waved his hands and a gust of wind swallowed him.

“Wait!” I quickly ran towards the wind, my hands shaking as I closed my eyes.

*

“No, no, no, NO!”



He stands from his seat before huffing, placing a chair  next to me. He tucked a stray hair on my ear and take a napkin out of the pod next to me, “Are you from a jungle or a faraway island? I thought, cupids are sophisticated and highly regarded creatures–so what happen to you and your etiquette?” he pass the napkin at me which I quickly use to clean the sides of my mouth. “Should you have attended those classes instead of going down here on earth? I didn’t know that I will be so lucky to come across a barbaric cupid, not to mention an idiot one.” My face burned at his words and I avoided his gaze. “Hey–I am only saying this so that you will listen and learn, Aila.”

Aila, oh, I like how he say my name. I smiled at him and he cleared his throat, looking at the other direction.



“Okay Aila, watch how you should do it the proper way,” He took the fork and spoon, gently twirling the pasta on the fork over the spoon. After doing so, he pushed it towards my mouth and I swallowed it. He huffed, giving me the fork and spoon, “Now, you do it.” Shyly, I followed his example and got it right, earning a chuckle.

 “Good job, Aila!” He pat my head and watched me as I proceed with my pasta. His eyes widen at what he said and he cleared his throat, scratching his neck.

He ordered me food after food, giving me as much as I could handle. The food here on earth is undeniably delicious, specially the dessert but I love the pasta. I helped myself with the third serving of the chocolate mousse and stared at him when he stood. He glared at the black pad on his hand, his gaze seems like it is burning a hole through it.

“What’s the matter?”

“Huh?”

“Why are you staring at the black pad like you will chuck it off at the middle of the ocean?”

“Black pad?” my odd words startled him that he gave me a slight smile, shaking the black pad on his hand, “You mean this?” I nodded, focusing on the black pad. “It’s not called black pad, silly, this is a phone , you see,” He scrolled on the pad and I am surprise as the icons move, “a phone.”

“ A phone,” My eyes were glued on it. He gave me a slight smile before he sighs. I curiously peered up at him and was surprise to see him apologetic.  “I have to go, it’s urgent. I am so sorry…” He pat my head, awkwardly, before pulling some paper from his pocket. “Here’s a few euros,” He puts them on my hand before he draw back. “Keep it safe, and do survive, okay?”

He gave me another look, waving his hands as he walk at the gust of wind but I am not done following him, yet.

Not anytime soon.

계속