Chapter 28: Chapter 28

CHAPTER 27

RUBIN

I can’t believe how fast the days pass us by. After I found about my parents and who they really are, I tried to spend time with them both – much to Emily’s delight as she teaches me her unique way of planting succulents. As for Newman, he chooses to be discreet with showing his affection and reluctantly helped me and Emily transfer the various selections of succulents.

“Dad,” Newman freeze, my address to him made him blanch, and I almost laughed at his reaction if it weren’t for the harsh glare of the sun, “should you put that much soil in that pot? I don’t think the plant would like that.”

“Here, here.” Emily smiled taking off her gloves and touching Newman’s face, “I’ve never realized how handsome you’ve become after all these years, dear.”

Newman’s eyes widened, clearing his throat, he said a discreet, ‘Thank you’ before bowing his head. I couldn’t help but notice how red his face had become, his ears pink. I smirked.

So, I got that trait from him – why haven’t I noticed all of this before?

I smiled, taking the little pots and sliding the glass door with my feet. The smell of cinnamon overwhelmed my nostrils as I sniffed, sighing happily while I placed the flower pots on the coffee table and heading inside the kitchen. Caelum was busily taking the trays of cinnamon rolls out from the oven and lined them up on the counter, his sweat making his shirt stick on his body. I smiled, tilting my head as I tried to find a better angle.

“Take a picture if you must, I won’t charge you.” His velvety voice snaps me out of my trance and I gave him a sheepish smile. I made my way across the room, walking slowly as I drink in his glorious appearance – now I can see why he is the first son of Venus.

“I’m going to melt into a puddle if you continue staring at me like that.” His remark made me blush and I bowed my head, my hands on my cheeks as I tried to hide from him.

“Would you really?” I muttered, biting my lip. His silent laughter made me look up to see him holding the bowl of whip cream on his hand, distracted of what I just said to him. Squaring my shoulders, I took some of the whip cream from the bowl and smeared his face with it. I haven’t even halfway through when I burst out laughing, my face feeling like it would split in two.

“Arrgh, Rubin. You’re on for it!”

He snatched the whip cream and I gawked as it landed on my cheek with a splat. I gritted my teeth, wiping a handful of whip cream off my face, preparing to throw it across the room when Aeon appeared, a couple of feet away overlooking the patio.

“What a bunch of whelps! That was supposed to be for the cinnamon,” I hid my frosting covered hand behind my back and look down, finding the patterns on the floor interesting. I risked a glance at Caelum who is equally embarrassed, his face murderous but his eyes, glinting with mischief. I smiled at him and he sighed.

“I can’t believe that leaving the both of you for just a quarter of an hour will cause such a mess and you still dare smirk at me,” The sharp slap of the book on the table snaped me out of my trance. I can feel my heart beat quickening, and I chance a glance at Caelum to see his fist tightly clenched. I gulped, averting my gaze to see Aeon smirking, eyes shining with amusement, “Kidding!”

Aeon laughed out loud. I gritted my teeth and hurled the whip cream across the kitchen, nodding to myself as I hear the satisfying splat as it hits Aeon squarely on the face. Caelum snorted as Aeon appears mutinous, his nose flaring. In just seconds, the wind picks up and the cloud looms menacingly, threatening with rain that Newman and Emily retreated inside, their hair ruffled as they snuggled in their coats.

“Interesting! I didn’t know zat you are having a food fight. I’m sure, you are all ‘aving fun. Do you mind if I join?” The question caught me off guard and I looked at Emily, alarmed of the sight of her rolling up her sleeves. The gentle tug on Emily’s coat made me perceive Newman’s concern gaze as he looks at Aeon who is gritting his teeth.

Aeon takes the sleeves of his travelling cloak and wiped the sides of his face with it, his purple gaze trained on the floor.

“Oui.” He answered before raising his head that I am surprised to see his eyes now the same shade as the ocean, “But I’m afraid, we are already finished.”

He smiled, his demeanor changing into a kind one as he addressed my mother with a bow. Caelum resumed his work after he his face with a tissue. Caelum placed dollop after dollop of whip cream on the rolls, whistling to himself, while I remain standing there, flabbergasted of what has just transpired.

How can they shift their emotions like that?

“Where izz Rauze?” the question made us looked at Emily. “I thought she’ll be ‘ere by lunch time and join uzz?” Emily continued, unaware of Aeon’s nervous traits as he scratched his ear and rubbed his nose.

He checked his watch and clicked his fingers. “She’s on her way. I bet, she’d be here in about ten minutes. I'll pick her up by the crossroads.”

“Good, good. I’ll be serving us lunch once she arrives – it izz crucial zat we leave early. We never want to miss our flight.”

My stomach drops.

I caughr Caelum’s worried glance and shrugged, shaking my head at him. I took the sleeves of my shirt and started cleaning up my face, contemplating about the excuse I shall make for I am terrified to fly on a plane – I consider them dodgy and highly unreliable means of transportation for I don’t trust human invention.

I know that Caelum will be with me as we fly but I don’t want to hang on to that risk. Caelum stopped with the whipped cream as he handed me some tissue. I muttered a small thanks, avoiding his concerned look.

“’Hun,” I snapped out of my daze as I stared at Emily, addressing Newman with such adoration that it made him blush. “Will you help me pack some of the things I still need to bring? I am afraid that I shall make some additions to what I originally planned.” Newman nodded his head, following my mother up the stairs.

I sighed.

I wish he could show her the loving she deserves.

“Rause should be waiting for me now. I’ll go and get her.” Aeon flicked his hand and faded until he was gone. I looked back to see Caelum stowing away the cinnamon rolls inside of the luxurious boxes.

“You know, all you have to do is ask me to stay if you really don’t want to go. I’m sure your mother will understand.”

“No, Caelum. It’s not that I don’t want to go. I just don’t want to ride the plane.”

“It won’t take that long to ride it, love, besides, you will be travelling with me and you have flown with your wings; there’s not much of a difference.”

“I object. There's a very big difference flying on that plane, Caelum, I mean, it doesn’t flap its wings.” Caelum shakes his head at me as he crossed his arms over his chest. “I won’t rely on human invention. You know how faulty they can be!”

“Planes are not that faulty. You are likely to die from choking than in a plane crash, and you don’t even have to worry because I will be sitting next to you.” My scalp prickled with annoyance at how indifferent he is being at my predicament.

Doesn’t he realize that flying on a plane is my greatest fear?

”In another thought, we can just let them go and I will transport us there within seconds.”

“Will you, really?” I stared up, hopeful of his suggestion. Caelum shakes his head as he pulls me in his arms and leaned in to kiss me. My cheeks felt like they were burning as I wrapped my arms around his neck and drew in closer, enjoying the feel of his lips on mine; I felt loved and cared for.

“Ehem!” Aeon’s voice broke us apart. Caelum’s eyes dangerously glared at Aeon who is smirking, his hands full of Rause’s luggage while Rause shifted on her feet, her face flushed. “Now, now. I didn’t know that ten minutes will give you much time to land you both on more trouble.”

Aeon squinted his eyes on us and Caelum gritted his teeth.

“Stop it!” Caelum placed himself before Aeon, crouching as though he is ready to pounce on him at any given moment.

“Smittened are you? Just like you were a thousand of years before?”

“Quit it now!” Caelum’s flushed face is turning purple while his nose flair. I took his hand and pulled him towards me, whispering, “Caelum, he’s just joking.”

“On purpose.”

“Yes and you know his nature so don’t fret about it!” I took a cinnamon from his tray and pushed it in Caelum’s mouth, “Eat this and help me with my things.”

I marched pass an amused Aeon while Rause gave me a wink, making me laugh out loud.

The rickety stairs squeaked with every step that we take for the house is old and it kept on groaning with every move. Cringing, I tugged at a confused Caelum as we went up the landing and inside my temporary room. He frowned, standing on the threshold, “What are you trying to do?”

I rolled my eyes and tugged at his wrist, pulling him inside. “It’s not what you think! I just want to show you something.” I let go of his hands and kicked my baggage to the sides, trying to make way for the both of us since there is not much space to move from.

“You told me that I am going to help you with your things.”

“I’m already set three days ago, besides, this is one of the best ways to distract you off your thinking.” I removed my long sleeve shirt and tie my hair with my shirt, leaving me in my blouse, “Rubin-I am, I mean, I won’t-“

I stopped fixing my hair as I frown at Caelum, whose face is so red, he looks feverish, “Did you seriously--? Oh my, Caelum! I didn’t know you got a dirty mind.”

I raise my hand on my mouth and laughed only to stop as I noticed him frowning at his feet. I sigh. “It is never good to dwell with your problems alone, Caelum.”

“What are you talking about?” Caelum stated, averting his eyes as he sat on my bed. I took a seat next to him, and put a hand on his knee, “I am alright. I am fine with spending my time with you and my family. Hades doesn’t matter.”

“I know,” He put his arms around my waist and whispered, “I know.”

I lean my head on his chest, “I need to show you, something, come on.” I tuged at his hand and pulled at the latch by my bed side table. The stairs descended with a deafening squeak, making the both of us cringe. I secured the stairs on the latch and offered my hand to Caelum. He stared at me with a confused expression, his hand on mine.

I couldn’t hide my excitement as I motioned for him to follow me up the stairs. I fumbled with the lock and heard Caelum gasp as the sun shone brightly, the wind blowing on my face.

We emerge at the small opening and I smiled back at Caelum whose mouth is open, his eyes wide.

The old rooftop now resembled the Field of Forgotten. I may have failed to capture the way it glows but the varieties of flowers I have managed to cultivate, amazes me as they dance with the wind.

“So, what can you say about it?” I asked, curious as to what is running inside his head as he looks around, eyes wide like his mouth. His brows were furrowed and I bit my lips, nervous of what he will say.

“I know it doesn’t meet your standards but I work harder than you think. I’m glad Aeon had offered some help so I can access the field without your knowledge and transport the flowers I like.”

Caelum remains speechless. Slowly, he headed down on the middle where a meadow sits, and settled there, lying on his back. The clouds drifted past and casted large shadows over the garden, making the flowers glow slightly, appearing as though we are back at the field. I guess, Caelum’s presence have brought such power to the flowers.

I walked closer and sat next to Caelum, who glanced at me, his face gentle. “I never know that you have talent for this.” He mused, breathing out and stretching his arms so that his hands slightly touch the bushes.

I squared my shoulders and smirked at him, “Well, I’ve got so many talents I have yet to show you during our get away, Mr. Rouen.”

“And how, Ms. Hearthrowe, can you actually show it all if your parents and that dunderhead Aeon is there to witness it all? Not to mention his woman friend who is up to no good like he is.” Caelum rolled his eyes and I snorted. “I would have preferred to just spend all my time with you. Call me selfish if you must but I’d rather have you all for myself.”

“I won’t call you selfish for it is the same thought that is running inside my head.” I smirked, leaning down so that I can snap my teeth next to the hollow on his throat and laugh at his reaction.

“Why you little woman!” He rise from where he lay and attacked me with his fingers – now expertly grazing the parts on which I am most ticklish.

“Caelum!” I shrieked, before cringing at how shrill my voice had become. I clenched my jaw, gritting my teeth so that I can avoid the screams that results from his vicious attacks. I sneak my fingers to his neck, leading down to his spine making him keel over as though he was shot by a rogue arrow.

“No fair!”

“All is fair in love and war,” Caelum stared at me as though he couldn’t believe what he is hearing.

“You dare quote something like that again in the future, I will pester with you Shakespeare’s melodramatic words!”

“With pleasure, s lord,” I gave him a smug smile and he raised an eyebrow at me, though his brows disappear beneath his hair line as he watched me escape down the trap door, answering to Emily for she called for me.

“Though what you quoted before was not Shakespeare,” Caelum concluded as he descended the stairs, following me.

*

“It will take them ten to twelve hours to reach Italy at this moment. Come on, we are going to assist them out,” I followed Caelum, carrying the duffel bag on my shoulder while Emily shuffled next to me, passing me by with a smile. Newman gave me curt nod, his hand behind Emily’s back as I watched them head for the kitchen.

“No fair,” I turned my head to see Aeon, huffing, arms crossed over his chest, resembling an overgrown petulant child. “I thought we are all going together!” Caelum rolled his eyes at Aeon as he checked their boarding tickets and their itinerary.

“This is no fair, Caelum. You didn’t say.”

“What? Don’t tell me that you are going to miss me. Your girl will be so disappointed to know-“ Caelum wasn’t given the chance to finish his sentence as a flying book was hurled in his direction, hitting him squarely on the chest. Rause laughed with me as she hid behind the stairs, her raven hair highlighted by the afternoon sun.

“Watch it, mortal.” Caelum muttered and I hit his arm with my fist.

“No fair! I can’t believe I will be stuck on that ten hour flight. Ten hours of sitting when I can just-ugh!”

“Suck it up. Rubin is very good with planning our itinerary and as a banished cupid – she isn’t entirely human so she can still travel like me.” Caelum answered silently so that only I and Aeon could hear. Caelum shrugged a shoulder, still poring over the itinerary which is a foot long.

I wonder what they will do in Italy?

Rause pulled at my arms and I assisted her with her things, taking it to the sitting room.

“Why are you not joining us?” I shrugged, smiling at her, “Where are you two going, exactly?” I shake my head and smiled, “Why are you giggling, Ru?”

I tried to force a straight face, my voice quivering as I answered an annoyed Rause.

“I am not certain about it. You don’t have to worry, though, we are going to follow you there as soon as possible.”

Rause gave me a suspicious look before she crosses her arms over her chest and said, “Are you going to materialize just like how Aeon does when he turns up at my place?”

I just nodded, still caught up in a daze as I daydream about my and Caelum’s alone time. Rause shakes her head and muttered, “Alright. I guess, you are old enough.”

I laughed at her comment and was about to retort when Emily tugged at my sleeves, her expression worried. “What is it, mum?”

“Why are you not going wiz us, my Crimsyn? I zought you wanted to spend some time wiz us?”

“I’m sorry, mum. Something came up and Caelum can’t go anywhere until he finish that. It’s quite urgent and he wanted me to be there with him.” I bit my lip, scratching my ear.

It’s harder to lie and spout worthless words when she is looking at me with such affection. I do hope that she’ll be okay under Newman’s care as I am not there to see that she is comfortable. Newman catches my eye as Emily captured me in a hug, muttering things under her breath.

“My dear Crimsyn is not a baby anymore. She’s grown. She’s grown.” After she decided that her chanting has broken my ears off, she leans close to kiss my forehead. Newman followed us, his eyes full of emotion of which I could not understand.

I adjusted the strap of Rause’s duffel bag and was about to follow when Newman held me back, motioning for me. I turned to him as he stopped by the threshold, biting his lip.

“What is it?”

“I saw how you look at her and I just want to inform you that, you don’t have to worry about her. I’ll care for her as much as I could.” I tilted my head to the side and gave him a smile.

“Good. Or else I’m going to ask Caelum to make you do something embarrassing that you wont even have a face to show.” Caelum flashed me a curious glance as he caught his name in our conversation.

Newman’s eyes widened and he swiftly nodded his head before an amused smirk appeared on his face, the both of us walking out to the driveway.

The lot of us waited and soon a blue rental arrived. Me and Caelum watched as they loaded inside the car which will take them to the airport, assisting them as they stow the luggage inside the boot.

“You’ll follow us, oui? We will see each ozer again at ze winery.” I nodded at Emily and waved them goodbye. The blue rental car starts to drove off until it turns a corner and disappeared.

Caelum smiled and took my hand on his, making me sigh as I leaned my head on his chest. He flicked his hand and in an instant, the late afternoon evening fades into darkness and I gasped as the glowing flowers appear before me.

We’re back at the field!

Fireflies surrounded me as soon as I took a step. I trudged up the hill leading to the dome, the undeniable feeling of being free making my heart leap in my chest a hundred beats for minute. I laughed out loud as Caelum followed me and lifted me on his shoulders, my feet dangling off the ground as we trekked the remaining distance.

Without exerting much effort, he balanced me on his arms and settled me down on the grass, his head automatically settling on the hollow of my neck. He smirked, tickling me.

“What would you like to do for the rest of the night, love?” his voice made me shiver as I turned, drawing closer, his forehead now leaning on mine. I am quite amazed at how handsome his shadowed face is. I wanted to say so many things to him but I contented myself by saying what I most desired at this moment.

“Kiss me, Caelum.”

I waited with bated breath.

The glowing flowers appears to be the most entertaining thing at the moment as I darted my eyes away from his intense gaze, feeling my cheeks heat up. I am quite thankful of the dark for it has settled around us - It will make it harder for Caelum to see my expression.

Though I tried to avoid his eyes, I can feel them burning the side of my face. I turned, gasping when he kissed me with such ferocity I haven’t expected from a god like him – he almost resembled an animal acting by instinct.

I shifted so that I am sitting on his lap, assuring that I can properly receive the loving he is providing me while I try to reciprocate the feeling, forgetting about my worries of only having a week left on earth; a week to live.

My life appears to be so short. I haven’t even experienced half of it yet so why must fate be cruel at me? At us?

Caelum must have sensed my worry when his kisses became gentler, his arms drawing away from my waist as he settled his hand on the back of my head – like he was cradling a child. His kisses turned into sweet lingering ones that took my breath away at how much the affection he puts, clenching my heart. His action made it harder for me to respond as I tried to rewire my mind, willing it to store this in my memory.

I shall not forget him.

Caelum stopped and I gasped as the cold air touches my lips. I opened my eyes, surprised that I have closed them in the first place because of the overwhelming feeling that seems to hold unto my very being. Caelum is frowning at me. I bite my cheek, watching him as his hand caressed my cheeks, brushing the sides and wiping them.

Have I cried?

Embarrassed of what I have done, I bowed my head but he only raised it with his finger, a sad smile plastered on his face, “Why cry, my love? Am I that bad at kissing that I made you cry?”

I shook my head and tried to stop the sob that is bubbling up my throat, biting my lip. His fingers held my cheeks and slide his thumb down at the base of my lip which he pulled, making me let go of it.

“I am the only one who have the right to treat those lips like that – biting them is not up to you,” He smirked before enclosing me in a tight hug that took my breath away.

I couldn’t help but sighed at the action. I might die earlier if he keep on doing this. I bet, he have taken special lessons with Hades to be an expert at killing people with love alone.

I grabbed a fistful of his shirt and tried to shelter myself under his warm embrace, sniffing and trying to store everything in my memory, committing it in my heart.

I loved how his touches felt like feathers on my skin, his eyes turning darker of every caress he delivers while his honey scent intermingled with the smell of the field.

Caelum kissed the top of my head and whispered, “You know, the field has the best view of the stars in all of the realm, this earth and the next world. I have heard from Rause that girls like you, wants this things,” He smirked at me and tucked my hair beneath my ear, “I brought you here so that you can see it for yourself. Now, will you stop crying and lie down next to me as we gaze at the stars?”

I simply nodded, not having the energy to answer him for I am trying so hard to suppress another wave of tears.

How can he be so thoughtful?

Even if he is witty and snarky, he is still so affectionate that it tugged on my heartstrings. It was a bizarre thing to witness him change from being a Dieuoubliè to a cupid.

He pulled away, instructing me to scoot over so he can take a blanket from his worktable and lay it on the grass. I crawled on top of the blanket and lied down, my shoulders still shaking slightly of each suppressed sob. Caelum settled next to me, his breathing slow and calming as he pulled me close so that I am lying on top of his chest, my ears leaning on his heart that thudded occasionally.

“This organ has been dormant for two thousand years. I have never expected that it will beat again,” his words made me stop. I put my hands on top of my chest and listened – though it may not beat consistently like a normal heart would, it is very enchanting to hear it thud as though it has just waken.

“Did you regret it – falling in love with me?” I blurted out the question that I have been thinking for weeks now, my own heart thundering against my ribcage. I hid my face from him as I thought of how I only embarrassed myself for asking him such a stupid question.

Caelum did not speak for a while; his arms around my waist occasionally traveling up to my arms and down my spine, like they were tracing words on my body; unbeknownst to the two of us but is engraved deep down in our hearts.

“At first, I felt angry,” I can tell from his voice that he is scowling up at the sky, a wrinkle forming in the middle of his brows, “But then, I realized how much I have been deprived of something that I freely had given in the past without so much of a demand or assurance. I did not even noticed it but I began accepting the idea that I can love, even after all this time.”

He adjusted me so that he is looking at my face , the gentle glow of fireflies lighting up his face as they flew by.

“It was painful, Zeus. I can’t even fathom the words that I needed to say, I mean, I have never known that being thrusted into love is like having thousands of elephants trample down on my chest! My brain felt like it has gone mushy in certain places and the weight, oh Feta! I can’t believe how heavy a little organ can affect the whole of my existence.” He pulled a strand of my hair and leans in to kiss my forehead, smiling slightly.

I turned at the sky and observed the stars as they glimmer and shone.

“Caelum?”

“Hmm?”

“Is it true that when you wish upon a falling star, your wish will come true?”

Caelum frowns before answering, “I heard that from humans but Aeon once said and I quote,” Caelum motions his hand at the beginning of his speech making me laugh, “ ‘Wishes only comes true if it is achievable to happen. However, one cannot trust their life on a star that has fallen out of the sky, instead, cling on the star that is holding on.’ ” Caelum shrugs, giving me an apologetic smile.

“Aeon is as weird as that, spouting things so sudden that it beats me which of his wind and him is faster at changing. As for me, it all depends on you to make that wish come true.”

And with those words, I closed my eyes, asking the heavens for permission to love the man I have always loved; To let me have the life that I have been snatched of, the moment the arrow has pierced my heart. As I desperately asked the heavens, I barely noticed the tears that have left my eyes and the worried glance Caelum has given me, tightening his hold like he will never let me go.

I just wish that he won’t.

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