THE ARCHANGEL'S SECOND CHANCE

CHAPTER 4

Everything happens at the right time even when it looked like it’s not.

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Still feeling the guilt of giving her blood to a vampire, Elliana has a small frown on her face while drinking her hot chocolate. She is currently inside her warm home, savoring the sweetness of her drink while using her 5-hour leisure time before going back to the hospital.

Her house is built enough for 2 people, a design she picked between all the glamorous pieces the architect offered her. And Elliana being Elliana, chose the simplest among all of them. The outside of her home is painted with cream and blue, while the inside walls were painted white. It is beautiful, but undeniably the simplest among all the types she was offered years ago.

Blowing the steam off her drink, her eyes were glued on the television, absentmindedly watching the morning news. Dressed in a comfy pink sweater and black leggings, her legs were crossed while she’s half paying attention, and half not on the news displayed in front of her.

“This news is being repeated every day. Is this even news?” She muttered, talking about the advertisement and promotion of the up-and-coming businessmen. She shook her head and took a sip of her drink before picking up the remote. She was about to switch channels when a certain face appeared on the TV, making her almost spill the drink in her mouth.

“It is such an honor for us to be graced by your presence today, Mr. Dela Vin.” Ignoring the female host, Elliana’s eyes remained on the man who’s looking at the emcee with a small, formal smile. “This is the first time you agreed in any interviews. May we know the reason why you gave us time?” The female asked, then turned her mic to Vincent whose eyes were now focused on the camera.

“I have a personal reason. And I will be lying if I’ll say I’m interested in this kind of event.” He said, a smirk playing on his lips and Elliana felt as if his gaze and his words were meant for her. “I want a certain someone to know that I’m here. I care less about anything. I just want her to know I’m here.” He added.

“Why is he using public TVs just to make me feel embarrassed?” she can feel her cheeks heat up upon the fact that someone used a national TV just to communicate with her. She heaved a sigh and put her mug down the glass table, her eyes still focused on the man who’s bluntly saying that the interview is irrelevant for him.

“Oh…” The female emcee is lost for words, her pride as a host and her dignity as a staff of the TV program were wounded by his cold voice that stated his honest response. The silence she gave off made Vincent turn to her. “I will leave a piece of advice for aspiring businessmen. Will that be enough?” He asked, snapping the woman out of her trance.

The commotion he gave just by appearing on a TV show, let alone in a live morning news program, is obvious because of how the woman turned her gaze on the side of the camera as if asking permission or mentally talking to their director.

How selfish can this man be? Elliana thought as she watched him remain staring at the camera, looking like he’s trying to test her patience with the antics he made. As if he’s unsatisfied with a mere interview, Vincent smirked and mouthed ‘Surprise’, his mocking face and smirk made that single word irritating or her.

“W-well then.” The female emcee cleared her throat and put on a strained smile. “May we know what advice will you give to our future business tycoons?” She asked, then turned the mic to him so he can speak his words of wisdom.

“Money isn’t the first thing you should earn. It’s confidence.” He started. “Having money but lacking self-confidence is like walking in a war with guns but with empty bullets. If you can’t believe that what you’re doing now will bear you success, better quit. Business is not a plaything. Be serious and don’t offend me by sharing the same field with me.” He said and stood up before walking away without caring that the emcee he left is staring at him with wide eyes.

“Thank you for such…a unique way of encouraging the next batch of business holders.” The female emcee tried to laugh it off, but it sounded way too forced that she had to clear her throat and stop herself from laughing. “And that is for our morning Business News. Back to you, partner.” The show then shifted to Entertainment News.

“How rude can he be?” Elliana turned the television off and just stared at the faint reflection her unlit screen gave her. There, a scowl painted on her face. “Shameless. Does he think that he’s really that high that he can disrespect people like that?” she irritably asked.

Knowing that she can do nothing about that, she just shook her head and picked up her hot chocolate, continuing the peace she had before seeing that face who brought her nothing but confusion and irritation. “I better not see him today.” Because I don’t want to repeat what I did yesterday.

***

Dela Vin Enterprise occupies a building composed of a total of 82 floors, the tallest and biggest building located in Yorkshire City. With a building big enough to cover thousands of its employees, people passing by the said location couldn’t help but raise their heads and be blinded by the sun as they look at the peak of a tower-like company.

 After the issue created by their president’s appearance in an interview, Public Relations Department were on the verge of collapsing due to the continuous calls from different companies, all feeling the result of the uproar caused by their head’s single public interview.

“First-ever Inspiring Message Given by the Most Successful Businessman, Vincent Dela Vin”

“Money isn’t the first thing you should earn. It’s confidence- President Vincent Dela Vin”

“CEO Vincent Dela Vin: If you can’t believe that what you’re doing now will bear you success, better quit.”

Despite the lack of proper manners while on the morning news program, newspapers from different publishing companies have spread his words while omitting the rudeness he portrayed live. All media companies ranging from printed and the not were all busy making their pieces that show the bright impact from his few minutes of appearance.

“I told you, sir, our president does not entertain any calls from any media company. Stop or I will sue you under our company’s name.” Slight irritation was noticeable on the tone of the Head of the PRD, Ethan Eisenmann before he ended the call and annoyedly dropped the telephone back on its holder.

He massaged his temple before shrinking back on his swivel chair, his disheveled, fluffy, chestnut, curly hair spread on the black fabric like brownish clouds. “Should I curse you in the name of the gods, Vincent?” he sighed, his equally chestnut-colored eyes bore annoyance as he glared at the door in front of him.

“No, you shouldn’t.” His gaze, along with the swivel chair, turned in his side’s direction, now noticing Vincent who’s leaning by the closed rectangular windows and looking at him with his usual blank stare. “I’ll personally send you back to church if you want to follow your father.”

Ethan’s father, Valdez Eisenman, was a priest who works as an exorcist whenever a supernatural breaks any of the rules established between the mortals and the nonhumans.

“If you want to shift to modeling, tell me beforehand so I can look for a job that will help me live here in Yorkshire.” He shook his head and put his left leg on top of his right thigh. “And don’t make me start thinking about the church. I spent three months just to make my father agree with me working here and not as a priest nor an exorcist.” He grimaced.

Vincent ignored his remarks and just walked towards the lime green couch and sat there before spreading his arms by the headrest, then turned to him once again. “I want you to book me an appointment with a general surgeon named Elliana Winters,” he ordered, earning him a scowl on his employee.

“I am not your secretary, Vincent. Tell that to Bella instead. I’m still busy dealing with all the media who want to interview you. Wait, all under PRD is busy, actually.” Ethan frowned. “Elliana’s an angel,” Vincent responded, not answering his suggestion, but giving him a reason to take on his order.

The frown on his face was quickly replaced with confusion and amazement. “Angel? As in a real angel?” he asked, his eyes went wide as he leaned closer to his table, then put both his hands on the table, clasping them together as he felt a rush in his system.

“You badly wanted to see one, right?” Ethan nodded in response. “Schedule me a checkup and don’t let her say no and say things

such as I’m healthy and her specialty is giving surgeries,” Vincent said, fully aware that he successfully took the attention of the human who knows his real identity.

“You’ll see her and I’ll have a reason to see her. That’ll be killing two birds with one stone.” He smirked, feeling victorious after seeing Ethan look like a kid who was given his favorite candy so he’s now all smiling, and not throwing a tantrum anymore. “I want you to leave now.”

Motivated, Ethan nodded and stood up before walking straight to his mirror, now finger-combing his unruly hair. “But what if another call will-” his question was interrupted when his eyes turned to his table, now glaring at the telephone that rang.

“I’ll handle it. Just leave.” Vincent stated and stood up, then walked towards the telephone. Without further ado, he picked it up and say his single line. “I’m Vincent Dela Vin, I’m giving you 5 minutes to call all the media companies and tell them I won’t entertain anyone.” He hanged up.

Ethan laughed at what he did and just shook his head before fixing his suit, trying to look more presentable and worthy of his name as the head of Dela Vin Enterprise’s Public Affairs Department. “See you later, boss.” Filled with excitement with just the thought of meeting an angel and checking one of his to-do lists, he picked up his phone from his table before saluting on Vincent.

Once he’s out of his own office, Vincent blinked twice while staring at the door Ethan closed after exiting. And when the face of the angel he’s curious of passed by his train of thoughts, his lips curved up into a smile. “That angel’s one hell of a mystery.” He chuckled to himself before teleporting back to his own spacious office.

Ethan, on the other hand, is currently filled with wonders that he forgot where he currently was: 43rd floor, Public Relations Department. All the employees of the PRD paused on answering the calls when they saw their boss happily passing by.

Feeling that people were staring at him, he paused and removed his grin then turned to his side, causing for them to return back to what they’re doing and act like they’re all busy with turning down the callers who haven’t stopped yet, and probably the callers were was not yet informed by the man Vincent answered a minute ago.

He smirked and faced front before continuing his walk towards the elevator. So this is how it feels to be the boss. He grinned and shook his head before stopping by one of the ten elevators present on their floor. Power sure is something else.

***

After a 20-minute-long drive, Ethan is now standing in front of Proxima Medical Center, feeling amazed with how it is painted with mint green, gold, and silver, a rare combination of colors that made the hospital look more of a hotel, and not a place where miracles and deaths happen.

Parking his car right at the single available slot at the front parking lot, he fixed necktie tie before marching down the entrance. It’s a good thing that I happened to be on time when one of the cars unparked. He cleared his throat and finger-combed his still unruly once again.

“Good morning, sir.” The guard greeted warmly. “Good morning.” Ethan greeted and gave the guard a huge smile, which showed his energy that’s fueled by his excitement, unlike his drained self some time ago even when it’s just 10 in the morning.

Passing by the entrance, his amazement with how peaceful the hospital looked from the outside was broken down by a blonde female doctor who’s yelling while chasing a young girl in a twin tail who’s laughing out loud while holding a pink lollipop, wearing a hospital gown.

“Brugada! Come back here!” Mandy shouted before stopping in the middle of the main lobby, her hands on her knees and catching her breath with her eyes focused on the tiled floor. “If your heart will go crazy again, no ‘revival’ for you!” she shouted and raised her head to follow the kid who’s encircling her and look at her with a glare.

Most people stopped and watched her, and among them is Ethan, who, unlike the rest, suddenly erupted in loud laughter, causing everyone’s gaze to turn to him, and for the kid who’s having fun to stop laughing and stare at him as well.

Realizing that he took the spotlight, he cleared his throat and shut his mouth before walking- almost running, towards the elevator who luckily opened right after he arrived. Instead of cursing Vincent, should I curse myself in the name of the gods? He shook his head and ruffled his hair, messing the locks that he just combed before entering.

He let out a loud groan and turned to look at his reflection by the clear insides of the elevator when his eyes went wide, suddenly becoming aware that he’s not the only one who’s riding the elevator. “Sorry.” He muttered before facing the front, mentally shouting his frustrations for being embarrassed twice in a row.

Not thinking about what he should do, Ethan quickly got of out the elevator on the 2nd floor without looking at all the people who is with him during the short, but definitely embarrassing ride. “Angel Elliana, please just appear out of nowhere!” he whisper-yelled as he walked with his eyes still focused on the ground.

And as if his desperate wish was quickly granted, he heard a soft voice that made him stop walking and lift his gaze. “Excuse me, sir.” There stood a beautiful woman with long, wavy blue hair who’s staring at him with an emerald-like pair of green eyes. “Was that an expression to call me, or you know what I am?”

Ethan looked at her ID and saw the name he’s looking for: Elliana Winters. A wide smile appeared on his face and he stood up properly, now having all his worries fly away the second he met the angel he was assigned to see. “Hi, miss! I am Ethan Eisenmann, head of the PRD of Dela Vin Enterprise, and my friend- I mean, boss, Vincent, asked me to-”

His introduction was cut off when one of the elevator doors flung open, and he heard a familiar voice from behind him. “Hey, Lia! Brugada was on it again! And oh, we saw a weird, cutie back in the main lobby!” he slowly turned around and his eyes went wide, seeing the same doctor who’s holding a kid by her left hand.

“You?!” Ethan and Mandy exclaimed at the same time, both pointing at each other.

Elliana and the little kid, on the other hand, just exchanged glances and looked back at the whoseho’s eyes were wide with surprise, a situation that oddly reminds her of someone she met unexpectedly just a few days ago. Oh no, not another fateful encounter.