THE ARCHANGEL'S SECOND CHANCE

CHAPTER 1

Fate started its game again.

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It was never a good thing to be invited in high end parties, let alone host one. Vincent stood at the center stage with his natural red lips curved up in a smile as his grey eyes that is hidden beneath his black mask roamed around the area, scanning all the people who attended his party.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.” he fixed up his white gloved hands before gesturing to everyone.

As much as he hated gatherings where fake people were scattered around, he chuckled to blend in with the atmosphere. “This day is lovely, isn’t it?” his humorless statement made the people laugh. “I am grateful to see such wonderful people sitting here and celebrating my 30th birthday with me.”

“Perhaps, grateful is an understatement. I am delighted to see you all spending time to greet me despite your busy schedule.” He put on a small smile and looked at the glass of red wine beside him. “I won’t put on such a boring show anymore. Who wants to listen to long speeches, right?” He then picked up the glass, slightly swaying it and watched the red liquid beautifully move along the glass.

“Thank you for another year.” He smirked and looked at the crowd as he lifted his glass, making the crowd lift their own glasses which are either filled with juices or wines. “May you all enjoy this party.” With that, he drank his wine while his eyes continued to observe the people who drank along with him.

After lowering their finished glasses, they all gave him a round of applause. Smiling politely, he gave them small bow. He then turned to his side and gave the musicians a curt nod, signaling or them to play a slow, instrumental music. Ah, what a waste of time. He walked down the stage and proceeded to side exit present on the stage’s left end.

Once he’s out, he looked at the empty wine glass he brought with him before letting out an annoyed sigh. That wine sucks. He turned to look at his both sides to check for anyone who dared to betray his order of leaving no man by the venue’s left wing.

And after seeing no one, he teleported to his room.

After just a millisecond, he’s inside his rented room in the hotel that is mainly colored with black and red, a combination he loved all over the years. He quickly went towards the refrigerator and pulled out a blood bag which he teared open using his sharp teeth and poured the thick, red liquid into his former glass wine.

While waiting, boredom was painted on his perfect features as he watched the liquid fall down. How dumb can humans be? They are stupidly forgetful and has a short lifespan, but why do those heavenly bastards prefer them over us? Shaking his head, he tried to ignore his building hatred and bitterness by throwing the empty plastic on the trashcan beside him and drank the blood as if it’s water.

“Too bland.” He glared at the glass that still has a few traces of the blood he drank before putting down on the rectangular table placed beside his refrigerator. With a sigh, he was about to remove his mask when his phone placed on his suit’s inner pocket rang. “What?”

“Good evening sir. The guests were asking on your whereabouts. They wanted to express their gratitude by showing you their gifts and proposals for a potential part-” Vincent ended the call and clicked his tongue as he placed his phone back to his pocket. “Money suckers.”

Teleporting back to the exit, he looked at both sides again to make sure no human saw him. After entering, the crowd all turned to him, silencing the short talks and gossips that was spreading before he came in. “Pardon me. I was just out for a drink since my favorite wine is exclusively prepared for me in my room.”

His cold, deep voice made females swoon more. Males, on the other hand, harbored either envy or fear as they felt the immense aura that he got just by standing and speaking. Vincent walked towards the empty center table, his strides gave off authority and his intimidating presence gave off confidence.

He took a sit on the single chair present on the table that was reserved for him and put both of his hands on the table, clasping them together. Ignoring all the food present in front of him, he watched the crowd form and gather around him, all approaching him for various reasons.

“Mr. Dela Vin, I heard your father had passed away a week ago. We express our condolences to you who’s now alone in this cruel world.” One of his former business partners stated with an apologetic expression. That’s why I terminated our deal. He sucks at lying. Vincent nodded at him with a small smile. Unlike me.

“It’s okay. I promised my father that I will enjoy my birthday and think ahead without mourning too much for the past.” His answer made the crowd praise him for his bravery. If he wasn’t in a party that he hosted himself, he wouldn’t spend his time to talk and smile to the people he doesn’t even personally know. Birthdays are just a waste of time. This isn’t even my real birthdate.

“I knew Dela Vin Enterprise will be successful with you on the lead.” One of the female investors spoke and chuckled as she leaned on the table and facing Vincent with a flirty smile. He, on the other hand, remained composed as he sat without doing anything.

“I bet your future wife’s going to live the best life.” She was about to reach out to his hand when Vincent smirked and shot her a sharp stare, making her retreat her hands. “Miss, I believe that matter doesn’t concern you.” He said, making the woman who dared to physically approach him move back and let out a slow, awkward chuckle.

Everyone who surrounded him all felt the power radiating off him, creating the blanket of silence that made the air conditioner’s air feel colder than it already was. Fear. No matter how much time passed, humans were still vulnerable to fear. Vincent was about to speak up a reason to leave the hotel when his nose picked up a scent.

It was sweet, alluring, and definitely attracting not only his senses, but also his thirst for blood. His eyes turned dark red, almost like crimson, a signal that he was aroused by a strong urge. Luckily, everyone had averted their gazes after he spoke, so none noticed the changes his eyes exhibited.

Masking his red eyes with an illusion that portrays his grey orbs, he stood up and looked at his visitors who quickly pinned their attention on him. “Excuse me. I will be back.” He excused and the crowd who looked at him nodded with a huge smile, giving him their permission in hopes of not stepping on his wrong side.

 Walking out, the illusion he created was removed. Reaching the exit, he closed the door and teleported back to his room, irritation and strong attraction with the scent drove him crazy and clouded his visions, a familiar feeling he never felt for after a long period of time.

“Who the hell owns this scent?” he growled and closed his eyes as he harshly threw his mask on the floor, hitting the tiles ground with a small thud. “Damn.” Breathing heavily, he sharpened his senses and concentrated on pinpointing the location of the person who gave off such scent.

As he looked from one place to another, his breath hitched when he felt a strong, attractive scent by the hotel’s lobby. Indeed, that presence is enough to make him go and devour that person in one bite.

Opening his eyes, his blood-colored orbs turned darker and his fangs began to show themselves. With a snap of his finger, time stopped and only he has the ability to move. Not wanting to delay everything any longer, he teleported to where the presence was located.

There stood a woman who’s back is facing him. She’s wearing white long sleeves that is tucked in on her faded jeans, which is partnered by a pair of black pumps. Her long, wavy blue hair that falls gently on her back as she faced the other side made her look like an angel sent from above.

Knowing that no one’s allowed to move as he held the time on his hands, he took three steps forward, now having a few inches gap with the woman who gives off the scent he’s been looking for. Is she really just a normal human?

“Who are you?” Vincent whispered, seriously looking at the woman who turned around and gave him the sweetest smile he has ever seen. Her green, sparkly eyes that showed surprise when she turned around, her lips that curved up in a smile as a greeting, and her bright face made his brows meet. She’s one of them.

“What is an angel doing here?”  he knew well that none of the supernatural can counter off his ability to stop the time except for the heavenly beings: the gods and the angels. “Why are you pretending to be a human?” he asked since he felt no presence from her, aside from the tempting scent she gives off.

The woman just shook her head and tucked a few stray locks of her hair on the back of her ear. “I’ve been living here as a general surgeon so I see no reason why I shouldn’t mask off my presence. And I was just passing by when I felt a faint trace of a supernatural here.” Her soft voice sounded like a lullaby.

“You must be a strong vampire, since I assume that you’ve already masked out your presence, but a few leaked out.” She smiled, looking at him directly in his eyes.

“I was looking around to look for you and I haven’t even noticed you’re already behind me.” She chuckled. “I was in deep thought so-” Vincent didn’t let her finish her statement and just grabbed her arm, causing for her to gasp as she looked down on where he is touching her.

With a split second, the two of them were at the rooftop, the dark sky that replaced the light of the sun came into view. “Oh, teleportation.” The woman chuckled as an attempt to brush out her building nervousness. “So, I was right. You’re no ordinary vampire.”

Vincent remained staring in her captivating eyes. The stars seemed to lose its shine, and all of their light was poured down on her green orbs. “Uh, would you mind?” she asked and looked at his hands again. “Look, let’s settle this like normal people and-”

Again, her words were interrupted when he used his speed to push her by the wall, trapping her between his arms. “Who are you?” he asked, repeating his unanswered questioned. The silence of the chilly night and their close distance made him focus more on her attractive scent.

It is sweet, but not too strong. Its aroma is like a hot cocoa but it has a hint of roses, as if the cocoa was served in the middle of a garden filled with nothing but fragrant roses.

“Mister, I think you should calm down and we should-” she tried to reach out to his arm but she flinched and stopped her sentence midway when his eyes glowed brighter, emphasizing how dark red his pretty eyes is. “Whoa. All I want is to warn you to be careful in mingling with humans and don’t disrupt peace, don’t look at me like I did something wrong.”

Vincent clicked his tongue and leaned closer, causing for the angel to move back further even when the wall made her efforts bear no fruit. “Just answer me.” He spoke, sending shivers down her spine as she let herself be lost with his eyes that is redder than the blood she sees every time she operates. “Who. Are. You.”

The woman averted her gaze and just looked at the cemented floor. “Elliana.” She heaved a deep breath and looked up to him, giving him a sweet smile. “Elliana Winters.” She thought that when she answered him, the vampire will finally give her time to talk, but she flinched again when the man leaned closer.

“H-hey!” she tried to pry him off but he quickly took her hands and pin it above her, letting himself feel her skin as he leaned down to smell her neck. “Your blood.” His voice made her skin tingle as his mouth is near her neck, making her feel his breath. “Your blood is calling me.”

Panicking, Elliana took a deep breath before unmasking her presence and letting her wings spread, causing for her energy to make him move backwards and watch her be showered by glittering lights for a few seconds, before emerging as a woman with huge, white, feathery wings, and with gold eyes that completely outshined the stars.

“I-I told you to stop, didn’t I?” she stuttered and put her hands in front of her, putting her right hand over her left, with both her palms facing him. “I know spells that can exorcise any supernatural, so please just listen to me and don’t do anything bad.” She warned, then a small ball of white light formed in the middle of her palms.

Vincent, on the other hand, remained composed and just looked at her with his blank eyes. In the middle of a chilly dark night with the light of the stars and moon above them as their light, the two stood in a silence caused by them being cautious of each other.

 “Major spells like that should only be practiced by archangels. I know all four of them and you’re not included.” Vincent took a step forward, automatically making her step back and raise her hands further to warn him to stop. “Who are you?” he asked again.

Having no words to say, Elliana remained quiet and just spread her wings. “Why do you know so much about us?” she asked as she watched him cautiously. “Who are you?” this time, it was her who wanted to know not the name of the man who’s trapping her before.

A few seconds passed and he still said nothing to answer the question she brought back to him. “Vincent Dela Vin.” He finally spoke, then took another step forward, making her put on a bigger defense by enlarging the ball of light by her palms.

“Don’t repeat what you did, Vincent.” As she speaks, her wings slowly flapped. “And do not hurt humans. Please.” With that, her wings gave off a powerful blast off before she flew away, leaving Vincent who was half a second late to react.

After seeing her fly downwards after two seconds of quick flying, he snapped his fingers and let time flow normally again. His fangs retreated back and his crimson eyes were now back to his greyish orbs. Elliana Winters. Just by mentioning her name, he can feel himself being drawn to her even when she’s not present.

He pulled out his phone and dialed the number of his secretary, his eyes were still glued on where the angel landed. “Give me the list of all the general surgeons from every hospital near this hotel.”