THE ARCHANGEL'S SECOND CHANCE

CHAPTER 7

Love-hate relationship?

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Inside Elliana’s dull blue colored office, Ethan and Mandy are struck with each other, both occupying different seats as if they haven’t introduced themselves a little before they reached their destination- Ethan is sitting on the black couch, while Mandy is standing beside the water dispenser, staring deeply on the still water.

While on the way up the 59th floor, the presence of the people that goes in and out the elevator made the two stand together with distance that varies depending on how many people enters. When they reached the 56th floor, people filled the elevator, causing for their bodies to be closer than the rest.

Ever since that, they reached their destination without saying anything and Mandy just guided him by walking in front of him, both not having the will to speak or initiate something that might save them from the silence they formed on their own.

How in the world did we developed this awkwardness? The two of them wondered, causing for them to lift their gazes up and look at each other at the same time. In return, their eyes widened with the sudden contact which, in return, quickly made them change directions and focus their stares on something else.

I was just about to make friends with him before since he’s cute and all, but how come we can’t even start a conversation after we went out the elevator? Mandy thought as she stared at the blue wall with a small frown. I don’t suck at making friends. What happened? Why am I so conscious?

Meanwhile, Ethan isn’t wondering what he did wrong back then. Damn it. Why is she being so adorable? He turned and glanced at the woman who’s pouting to herself while her right foot is softly tapping the floor as she stared at the wall. How can I look straight in her eyes right now? Get it together, Ethan. You’re better than this.

Due to a reason that he hasn’t found yet, his attention is being drawn to the doctor who broke all his expectations on the doctors in the Proxima. He finds himself unable to talk when he looks at her as if he loses his ability to converse despite the fact that he was trained how to mingle with people to avoid the unnecessary attention. Because of his little crisis, he sees no hope in trying to spark up a topic if a few moments later, he’ll get tongue-tied.

Ah, never mind. Planned or not, try to be cool, okay Mands? Composing herself, she put on a smile and let out a small laugh. “Lia’s taking a little too long on sending our little Brugada back to her room, huh?” she asked, her eyes were sparkling with hope as she sweetly smiled at the man who smiled back and nodded at her.

Father, did I save the world in my past life? Why am I blessed with such an adorable- Ethan! Stop. “Maybe she’s having a hard time in keeping her inside her room.” He said despite his mental breakdown that’s still on the verge of ruining his firm answer- he hasn’t taken interest with the cardiologist named Many Moore.

Heartbeat, 112. Calm down, Mands! You’ve watched lots of dramas so put your memory in good use. “I haven’t told you this yet, but…” she paused, smiling at him as she walked towards him with her hips swaying like a runway model. “I like your hair that matches well with your eyes.”

Hearing that, Ethan’s breath hitched. “I-I like you too.” Surprised with what he said, the two of them stared at each other with disbelief in their eyes before he decided to break it down by laughing.  “I mean, I like your hair and your bright eyes. Your eye color’s just a little...you know, lighter.” He chuckled as he ruffled his curly hair.

“I like how we match in some ways, haha.” He added, a little hesitant on his small laughter. Yay! You made it! Mandy mentally celebrated as she chuckled and took a sit beside him, crossing her legs like a formal businesswoman without breaking their eye contact. See? How hard can it be? It’s just-

Her internal monologue was cut short when she stared longer at his chestnut eyes that seemed to pull her closer, wanting to see more of the darker version of her own orbs. “Your eyes are amusing.” She said, then her gaze traveled down his lips. “I wonder if you’re-”

Before she can finish her words, the two of them jumped in surprise as the office door opened, causing or them to sit properly and stare at the door nervously- there stood in front of them are Elliana and Vincent, who, due to their sharp senses, are aware of their heartbeats that’s erratically moving as of the moment.

“What’s wrong?” Elliana asked with a smile as she walked in, followed by Vincent who just stared at the two of them with his usual blank stare. “You two looked…surprised in a suspecting way, hm?” she joked, trying to build a good atmosphere to prevent herself from carrying the silence they both had while making their way up to her office.

Vincent and Elliana came up to a silent agreement of letting go of each other and letting her lead the way to the office after he let the time flow freely again on his own accord. For the two of them, even without any of them speaking up about acting like nothing happened, they began their journey as if they actually agreed in letting each other off the hook despite all the unanswered question left inside their heads.

“W-well..that’s because-” Mandy’s wandering eyes in search for an answer stopped at the two newcomers as a smirk formed in her lips. “We wonder why you, our hospital’s boss, Lady Elliana, and him, his company’s boss, Mr. CEO Vincent, came here together.” She dramatically enumerated, completely diverting the topic.

“We happened to ride on the same elevator. He said that he’s here to-” Elliana’s excuse was interrupted when Vincent spoke. “Ethan’s so slow in booking me an appointment with my doctor. I gave him enough time and he know it, right?” He asked, giving his friend a glare in continuation of his excuse which made Ethan chuckle nervously.

In the company, they all know how serious Vincent is when it comes with time. No matter what happens, the worse thing you can do that will get you fired is being tardy. So, in order to secure your spot, an employee is required to perfectly finish all the task the fastest time they can to avoid reaching the deadline that Vincent randomly set without telling them.

His doctor? Elliana repeated his words inside her head. “A-anyways,” with a small stutter in her word, she cleared her throat and walked towards her swivel chair, not forgetting to motion for Vincent to sit down, which he did- he pulled a swivel chair located on the side, just beside a shelf full of books with a small table and a lamp and a cactus on it.

He put the chair in front of her and took a sit as if he did nothing wrong. What in the world is he thinking? Confused, her brows knitted together but was soon gone when she looked at the two behind him, both looking at them with a teasing grin.

Rolling her eyes, she looked at Mandy and pointed at her before pointing at the door. Understanding what she meant, Mandy stood up with a big smile on her face before tapping Ethan’s shoulder, silently motioning for him to follow her out the office.

When he’s about to say no, Vincent raised his hand and pointed at the door as well, shutting Ethan up which made him sigh and smile at Mandy before the two of them walked out side by side. Once the door closed, Elliana heaved a sigh of relief.

“I said nothing wrong. Why do you look so relieved as if I was about to say something wrong?” Vincent asked as he leaned on the chair, sitting all high and mighty, catching her off guard which made her gasp with the sudden use of verbal words in communicating with her.

“If they’re here and we suddenly found ourselves arguing again, do you think it’s healthy for them to witness such thing?” she asked as calmly as she can. “They aren’t aware of who we are or what happened between us. If they’ll suddenly see us argue without knowing that we’re not just acquaintances, then-”

Before she can continue, he asked. “What are we then?” hearing that, short-lived silence began to circulate between them, but was soon broken down when she found an answer that is best for now. “A vampire and angel. We’re born to be enemies.”

Sarcastically, Vincent smirked. “The last time I heard that phrase was centuries ago.” Looking straight in her emerald orbs, his grey eyes scanned her expression, taking note of her hesitancy and nervousness in front of him. “Why do you look so bothered? Are you not confident with your response?”

“Because…Sam-” she shook her head, quickly stopping herself from mentioning the name that might trigger her pain again. “She made me doubt who we are to each other. I- I don’t want to jump to conclusions even when I’m scared of knowing the truth.” She softly added.

“You changed your view of me, because of her, am I right?” he asked, staring at her wandering eyes till it landed on her lap as she slowly nodded. Even so, he found himself unable to be mad even despite the fact that in normal circumstances, he should’ve been mad about it.

She’s scared and lost. Calculating the situation, Vincent clasped his hands together as his elbows rested on the handles of the chair. “I want to propose a deal with you.” He suddenly said. Hearing that, she lifted her eyes up and looked at him confusedly.

“I want you, the angel who hates me but still possesses the softness and kindness that you show to humans, to give me blood every week.”

Shocked and confused, she remained quiet and expressed herself with her eyes. “In return, I won’t hurt humans.” He said, feeling the wave of nostalgia as he repeated almost the same words when he first conversed with Samantha.

“Since you’re annoyingly soft and kind, I want you to give me blood every week. If you will comply, I vow to never hurt humans.”

He wants to test her reaction. If she will respond with the same response with the woman he met centuries ago, then he will take that as a sign and will take the risk of actually believing that she’s her- he will find ways to prove his theory as subtle as he can. In this world where impossibilities are almost close to zero, he have the rights to believe in this seemingly impossible resemblance.

“I just want peace for everyone. If…you will keep your words, then I’m willing to.” She said, her eyes were unwavering as she stared back at the man who was taken aback, but didn’t show it.

“All I want is peace. If you’ll keep your promise, then I’m willing to.”

They possess no similarities in physical appearance, but they both possess the same characteristics and uses the same spells. Elliana isn’t an archangel but she’s able to do things a normal angel can’t. I guess this is it. “Okay then. I will keep my word.” I’ll keep this sign too.

Elliana knew nothing of his purpose of that deal. Between the two of them, it is her who remained blank but is stained with fear due to what happened to her. I shouldn’t trust this man, but why do I have a feeling that I have to comply? With no one to ask, she remained stuck with all the questions she can’t answer on her own.

“I will keep my promise, so you should too.” Vincent said, then he stood up and walked towards her and extended his hand for a handshake. Even with slight confusion evident on her face, she stood up and reluctantly held his hand for a handshake.

“I never break any promise or vows.” She said, looking straight in his eyes and for a second there, she saw a glow of hope in his greyish orbs. Unaware that with her words which exactly mirrored what the archangel told him before, she gave him light- and that is enough to make Vincent stop seeing Samantha as a ghost that haunts him down.

This time, it’s his time to hunt the truth without exposing his thirst for answers. “It’s a deal then, my angel.” I will work on it alone, so wait for me, Elliana.