Chapter 5: Chapter 5
Chapter Four: cupid on cover
RUBIN
I held on the lamp post as I struggled to stand. I regret looking behind me to see one of my wing fluttering hopelessly while the other hang on 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 sigh and pulled 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. Specially when you were kicked out or should I say, pushed down? I shivered as thunder rumbled in the distance, already regretting my decision of chasing after the guy.
Oh, please don’t make it rain harder!
I was so used to being safe and sound back in Eros watching over earth as it rained. I had longed to experience the feeling of raindrops on my skin but now, I do not know if I should be crying because I could finally experience it even if I am so hurt, cold and alone.
How could a cupid be so rude to his own kind? I am just trying to be friendly. I feel rejected, undesired. 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 limped towards a bench by the Tres Bien. Shivering, I reached out and touched the bangle on my foot closing my eyes for a moment as it shines–making me dry and happy again. I could feel my limp wing fluttering on my back as a new energy surged through my system, healing my bruises and taking away the pain. I am glad we have such wonderful but limited power. I would have to feel happy again to recharge that power.
That cupid, I will face him again and show him what I am worth!
I glared up at the window, crunching 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 a god? 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.
Sighing, I looked down and checked the arrows on my quiver - forty seven couples more.
I can’t believe how easy this is!
I took a deep breath before I stand up from the cobblestones. I spread my fingers so I can reach out, smiling as the raindrops fell on the palm of my hand. I stepped out of the comforts of the shop and out to the rain, relishing the feeling of it: cold, and undeniably smooth against my skin as every drop flows down on me. Now it felt nice to be in the rain because I am finally well.
I am shivering but not because I feel cold, I am shivering because I feel excited.
I snatch an arrow from my quiver and position it on my bow. My dress dripped, the long ribbons on my shoulder slithering on the pavement but it didn't bother me one bit. I close one of my eye and aim at the man who is crossing the street leading to his car though before I was able to send the arrow at him, he pulled away from the lot. “Argh!” I stomped my feet but smiled to myself when suddenly, the man opened his window. “I can do this, I can…” I close one of my eyes and took a deep breath.
I gladly let go of the arrow and smiled as it blossom on the guy's chest. He momentarily stopped his car and got out, only then did I see that the arrow was halfway buried on his chest. He hopelessly look around until his eyes landed on a blonde girl, shielding herself from the rain with a book held tight, positioning it on top of her head.
He strides toward her, pulling her close before he lean down, kissing her. The book she was holding landed with light slosh on the puddle as it lay open, the raindrops weighing it down. The golden arrow blossomed on the couple’s chest and together they laugh as the man twirl the woman around. The people around us pointed and smiled as they see the happy couple splashing on the rain like nothing matters but themselves alone.
I smiled before I carefully walk towards a woman clad in a peach colored coat, 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 push her eyeglasses on her hose and wipe her tears, leaning back on her chair, trying to appear emotionless. She looks very pretty even when she is crying right now. 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 another 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.” I happily dance around, glad that people are now staring at them and not me.
I made my way out of the restaurant while counting my arrows–I have forty five couples left. The rain drops felt cold against my skin and it made me shiver. I took a deep breath and tried to comfort myself by crossing my hands over my chest, blowing on them. I am so cold that even when I press my hand on the bangle, it didn’t make any difference.
I have to find shelter soon.
I am so distracted of my thoughts that I didn't notice I am already making my way towards the direction of the building where the man is currently living. I remembered the window to his room, and the way it looks inside. I wish I can ask him to let me in and get warm for a while, though I didn't know how to contact him. Plus, I doubt if he would even let me inside.
I shivered again. The cold air blew on my face and it felt like it's biting my skin off–It is really growing colder. I watch as people take shelter inside the buildings, leaving me alone as I walk on the pavement.
I look up at his window and shivered–I need to do this.
I need to ask for shelter and better yet, confront him. I need to know why he is here, why they sent him and why he hated me so much for he happens to be my kind. I need to at least get some answers for I never wanted a conflict on my mission–I have to speak to him. I think he will hear me out at least.
I wanted to take a shortcut and just slip through his window, unnoticed, but then I couldn't fly for my wings are dripping wet. Plus, my bangle is not functioning well–I haven’t got enough energy to recharge them. I spot a couple of people walking out of the building and observe them as they made their way out.
There's a revolving door!
I quickly proceed, pushing the elegant door open as I enter the building–the interior was even more beautiful, the rococo style making me sigh as I remember the Erosian castle.
The man that was standing by the door look at me from head to foot, welcoming me in, bowing. I bowed back and gave him a smile, though he just stared at me, eyes squinted–It was like he is trying to figure me out. I look at him, matching his stare and after a while, he diverted his eyes. A few ladies are sitting behind a long table in front of us talking and writing, stroking a black pad and staring on boards in front them–Their blond hair was twisted in a bun, their faces resembling each other. I catch the gaze of the one in the middle and she smiled, making her dimples appear.
"Bonjour, mademoiselle. Comment puis-je vous aider? (Hello, miss. How may I help you?)" It was clear to me that she is speaking to me in French, I rake my brains, saying in a shaky voice "Bonjour, Je cherche quelqu'un. (I am looking for someone) Il est à propos de ce grand, (He's about this tall)," I stretch up my arms before continuing, "Ses yeux sont gris, il a des lèvres en forme de coeur, un nez très droit (His eyes are gray, he has heart shaped lips, a very straight nose) and oh, he is from room...J'ai oublié, désolé. (I forgot, sorry)" I bit my lip and she stares at me, frowning at my back where my wings were attached.
"I'm sorry but we do not give informazion ‘bout our clientzz." She suddenly replied in English with a heavy hint of French accent on it. I lean on her desk, desperately, "But I really need to talk to him. C'est assez urgent (This is quite urgent)." She stared at me for awhile before muttering in French–saying something about him meeting me in a restaurant and I, wanting to meet up with him again.
"What izz your connection to ‘im?" she asked, her eyes still scrutinizing me, the other two ladies are looking at me trying to be discreet but I can sense their gaze. "I'm..Je–" I cleared my throat before continuing "Je suis son ami (I am his friend.)" The lady sigh before she looks at the other two, nodding her head on my direction and pressing a button.
"Room 377." She stared back at me before her fingers moved over a black pad, she momentarily pause, "Oh. I'm zorry but, Mizzter Rouen haz gone out. Maybe you could come back later and meet?" She concluded, her eyes drifting from me and back to her work.
I just stand there for a moment, weighing my choices–shall I wait for him today? Or should I just come back tomorrow? Or...I could sneak up the stairs and find his room since I already got the number.
I stared at her for a moment before looking back at the man near the doors. He is not going to chase me away if I ever did try to get in, right? He won’t even notice me for I will be discreet and I am best in doing that. I look outside the window–rain is still pouring and in here is much better; I feel safe and warm even if the staffs are not so welcoming.
I decided to follow my instincts and move away from the desk. I sneakily to the stairs, occasionally glancing on my back before running up the steps. This felt like creeping outside the castle during curfew hours. I am very good at this, I am sure I can do better. I ran up the stairs–ever winding and stretched beyond, I am afraid that my legs will fall off. I reach the third floor when the corridor split into two–I started going for the left wing.
350
.
343
.
325
"HOLY CUPID!"
I slap my forehead, irritated of my own silliness. It seems that I am going on the wrong direction, bloody arrows. I quickly turn and ran towards the other direction, my wing weighing me down a bit. I chose not to bother of it though, it comes in handy when I need to run away from here but right now, I am struggling. I pulled it close, breathing hard as I willed for it to disappear. I smiled as I feel them sinking beneath my skin, racing onwards and quickly searching for his room. I started running back to the right wing, my dress dripping water on the carpet. I glared at the man who is pushing the cart as he is staring at me like I am some kind of a lunatic–I guess I appear like one.
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 out one of the arrows from my quiver and slide the fletching along the sides.
With a smile, I open the door with ace and slid in.
I did not expect for him to have a very unguarded room. It seems like he isn’t expecting a cupid to visit him. When I open the door I am surprise of how clean and elegant it was. The floor was completely covered by different patches of carpet, a motorcycle was fashioned on the side and a worn leather sofa placed next to it. 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, a glass table sat in the middle of his living room, holding what seems like a weighing scale.
“He’s got a thing for 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 this is actually possible to live here on earth,”
The steel arrows that I saw from him was tossed carelessly on the sofa, a blanket barely covering it. No clothes were carefully 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 am mesmerized. I gently touch a 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. Six hundred years ago is just…old.
The notes scribbled next to the places were confusing for my vocabulary. What do these numbers mean? Why does he have box and package design? 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 did not 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?
계속