C13 12. CAUGHT CUPID

RUBIN

"What the fuck?"

I stare back at him as he loom over me–he is so tall that I have to crane my neck to be able to stare at him. My wings appeared instantly, nervously fluttering on my back, my hands steadily growing sweaty as I swallowed. I was quite shock that I was still breathing for I am afraid of what he will do. A few seconds passed and I squared up my shoulders, taking the book from the floor while trying to gather up more courage as I began to speak, “He-hello there. It's me, Rubin, Rubin Hearthrowe. What about you? What is your name?" I cringed at how shaky my voice appeared and instead, tighten my hold at the book. He glared at my hand which is currently holding the book. I let go of it and cringed as the book thudded, its sound echoing followed by a lingering silence. I sighed having this urge to kick myself for letting go of the book once again. I should’ve put it inside of my satchel. “Look, I'm sorry. I just wanted to talk–"

"Wanted to talk? Wanted to talk?! You are snooping around my flat, reading my books, handling my things, and you just wanted to talk?"

"I said I am sorry. I didn't mean to... snoop around. It's just that your room–it's quite entertaining." His eyes appeared stormy than before, his lips contorted into a frown. "I swear. I didn't even know that this books existed! The covers were like the ones my Uncle used to paint on my room and the dates on the map, it dated way back–everything’s quite overwhelming. A thousand of years old worth of information...I just can’t believe that you possessed such treasures."

"I know and they are worth more than anything in this flat,” He glared at the book and take it from me, “This books contained the root of your very existence and I wouldn’t let you get a hold of this, if possible. It just contains more than you can handle.” He put the book on his bedside table and gave me a murderous glare, “If it's overwhelming for you then you shouldn't have wandered here in the first place.” he snorted but the sound did not appear to be irritating–I find it to be funny and cute. I gave him a smile on which he scoffed at.

"It is overwhelming, alright, but I still like it. This is refreshing.” I carelessly toss my hair back, the vicious curls now escaping the intricate design my aunt have plaited. I glanced around, “Did you just say that these books is about our very existence? Does it contain a guide about my mission and how I will survive here on earth?” I started to walk around, not bothered by his glare as I make my way back to his living room, the soft pad of his feet against the carpet somehow comforted me instead of making me feel threatened. “This is like being back at Eros again. My grandma’s library is just like this, except for the paddle you put on top of the mirror–that’s just…whimsical. It made me feel like I belong here, like this is some kind of an extension of our world.” He gave me a dubious stare before he sighs, sitting down at the sofa. He takes a book beside the sofa while he followed me with his eyes. “It’s amazing to meet someone so interested about everything concerning the past. Uncle always told me to stir away from it because there’s no point wallowing about, for you can’t change it. ” I watched him as he shifted, clenching his jaw. I bit my lip–did I say something wrong?

As if reading my mind, he snorted again, his eyes dark with irritation. "Oh, get to the point already and say your purpose. I do not have so much time in my hands to listen to your blabber. " he shrugged, his tall form now leaning on the sofa as he sit up. The glint in his eyes made me wonder what he’s thinking but I chose not to ask.

"Right,” I cleared my throat before looking him in the eye. "Well, I just wanted to ask if you are a cupid too and if you are my contender? It just–" I did not have much time to ponder on what he is doing before he started to drag me. “What are you doing?” the questions stumbled out of my mouth, still distracted of the beauty of history that is around me. I glared at his hands that are digging deeply on my skin and hissed at how tight they were being. I sneakily grabbed an apple and slipped it inside my satchel, trying to stop myself from crying out as his grip on my arm grow painful. “Wait, I have to know what you are!” his strides outmatch my few short ones and my limp wings from awhile ago doesn’t help me at all as he continue dragging me. “Are you a cupid or not? Why are you kicking me out when you haven’t answered my question?”

“I should kick you out because you are disrupting my work…my life.” I watch as he settled me next to the door and tied his shirt on my wrist. I can feel the word bubbling up and I cannot stop myself further as I said , "If you are a cupid too, why do you do this to me? I am your kind. We are equals!” He stroked a black pad on his hand before he glared at me. He quickly spoke on the black pad, irate, his jaw clenched as he snarled. “Newman, I need to speak with the manager, direct me to her,” I waited with bated breath, listening to him as he rant about shitty security and giving information I couldn’t understand. After a heated argument, he puts the black pad in his trousers and stared at me, making me ask him, "Is this part of my mission?” my voice quivered as I speak, tears falling down my cheeks. “Why are you doing this? I’m your fellow cupid.”

He laughs at me before he wipes my tear, the action both surprising us as his eyes widened. He cleared his throat and turns his back towards me, " Technically speaking, I am not a cupid. I am a Dieuoubliè so don’t think of me as if you and I are equal." He said turning to the side and puffing his chest as he gaze back at me. "A Dieuoubliè?" I wondered out loud, still holding his gaze.

"I am a forgotten. A bringer of chaos, conflict and jealousy..." he ticked off his fingers for every word he say, his face growing more sullen than before. “Counter part of Cupid, sometimes the cause of death because of confusion, depression–all of the negative things, the other side of what love gives, that is me.”

“How could you become so evil? What happened to you?”