SWNOVELS Chapter 9
9. Azael
For some reason I wake up feeling antsy. An overwhelming urge to go outside and have a cigarette takes hold of me. Slipping into a pair of black jeans, I don’t bother throwing on a shirt or even taking the time to put on a pair of shoes. Barefoot I pad out to the front porch and light up a cigarette before my gaze travels across the street landing on Cassiel. Even this early in the morning she is breathtakingly beautiful. She hasn’t noticed me as yet, so I take advantage of the moment to really observe her. As I look at her, I see the front door open and close and then the same dude that sat with her two evenings prior has once again joined her, which surprises me because I thought she had said he was upset with her. And so, I listen to them as they chit chat. I’m happy for her that she wants to mend her friendship with him, and I shock myself as I don’t feel an ounce of jealousy towards him. Maybe it’s because she told me there was no chance of her developing feeling of love for him that has made the emotion dissolve within me, who knows. Secretly I’m hoping when their conversation is done that she will come over and say hi. This doesn’t turn out to be the case though and after her friend goes back inside, she only stays a few seconds longer before getting up to go in as well. Finally, as she stands up right, she notices that I’m outside. I wiggle my fingers and after taking control of the stupid grin that snuck across my face, I mouth the word hi. She does the same and once the door clicks shut, I snub out my cigarette and quickly go inside. I have decided that today I will trail her movements and see in person how they are faring. Hurriedly I pull a black tee shirt over my head and rummage through a drawer until I find a pair of socks. I stick my feet into my black hiking boots and then pull the cuffs of my jeans over top of them. After this I run my right hand through my hair a couple of types trying to tame it down.
Going across the hall I take a seat in front of the window that faces the street and the angels’ house. After that I wait for the purple-blue water to appear within their living room area. And I wait... but the light never comes which leaves me sitting confused. Why wouldn’t they use a portal to where they are headed today? Finally, about 15 minutes later I see the portal come to life, but it is only visible for a few seconds which is quite odd in of itself. It would mean that only two of them went through. So instead of linking to the portal like I had originally intended to do I grab my cell phone and send Asmodeus an email to let him know. Soon after the portal shuts the rest of the house seems to go silent, no movement throughout. I continue to sit at the window for another half hour just to confirm within my own mind that there truly isn’t any movement about it before heading down into the kitchen and making a pot of tea.
At nine I go out onto the front porch and light up a cigarette and I can’t seem to stop my eyes from drifting towards her place. I yearn to see her face, crave to be near her. Cass is like a drug, and I’m totally addicted. It almost feels like I manifested her to life as she appears on the porch. My heart rate speeds to triple time as it beats against my rib cage. For some reason when she goes down the steps and onto the walkway that leads to her driveway, I think she’s going to come over and say hi but this isn’t the case and instead I watch her climb into the van that they’ve been using. Realizing that they are going to be leaving their home via vehicle, I immediately go inside and grab the key chain to my own rental and then make my way back outside so that I can get into my vehicle. Just as I start up the engine, I see them back out of their driveway and head towards the main road as though they are going into the village.
I wait a few minutes after they depart before I leave to follow them. My assumption is correct, and they drive into the small town. Watching them park out in front of a grocery store and go inside I do the same. I feel the urge to buy a gift for Cassiel. Also, I realize I need to pick up some food items and beverages so that I’ll be able to cook dinner for her tonight. The first isle I go into has beverages in it from wine to soda. I place a couple of bottles of wine into the cart I snagged as I entered the store. Next, I make my way over to the poultry isle and pick up some chicken breast. Grabbing some pasta, I take a jar of herbal butter sauce and then I make my way back up to the front of the store. Just as I start to think I’ve lucked out for not bumping into any of the angels, I hear Cass’s voice right behind me. “I thought that was you, Aza. What are you doing here?” She looks at me curiously before looking around me and peeking into my cart. “Oh,” she says and a touch of pink blossoms across her cheeks and then she whispers so that her friends don’t hear; “for tonight?”
Grinning I nod my head yes. “What’s got you up and about so early today?” Genuine curiosity settles upon my face.
Cass smiles, “we had another day trip planned but it got cancelled last minute. So, my friends and I decided to come into town and pick up some items. After that we’re going back to the house and probably just lounging around. Do you have any plans for today?” She asks and I realize I could spend the entire day with her if she wanted to, that is, because I could spend the rest of eternity with her.
I shake my head no and then say, “hmm, we could spend the entire day together if you wanted to...”
Cass’s smile widens, “Oh, that sounds lovely. Is there any particular time you would like me to come over?” I think for a moment and then suggest noon which she nods her head yes in response.
After paying for my items, I lean close to her and whisper, “see you later,” causing her smile to stretch further across her face.
A high unlike anything I’ve experienced before, and it was only a few minutes in her presence. I can only imagine what it will feel like if we make love. The thought shocks me because I’ve never referred to sex as making love, EVER! I put the groceries in my car, placing them on the front passenger seat before buckling my seat belt and starting the car. Backing out of my parking spot quickly, I hop onto the main road and go slightly over the speed limit okay maybe a lot over the limit, but I wanted to get back to the house and make sure it’s clean.
I really must be losing my mind because I’m feeling nervous and fidgety, and I find myself pacing back and forth between the kitchen and living room. With a growl of frustration and a run through my hair by my hand, I decide to go out and have a smoke. Glancing at the watch on my wrist I see I still have a half hour before Cassiel is supposed to come over and not a clue on what to do with myself. I end up chain-smoking 3 cigarettes before going back into the house where I promptly sit on the couch and stare blankly at the black screen of the television for the last 15 minutes before finally hearing the chime of the doorbell. Quickly I jump to my feet and make my way to the front door. As I place my hand on the door knob my heart rate skyrockets. Trying to grasp at some composure, I open the door. My eyes fall to her face which is smiling at me with an angelic glow.
“Hi,” she whispers to me as she gazes into my eyes. I smiled and then realize I still have her standing on my front porch instead of having her come in. Moving aside I jester for her to come in. After she walks through the threshold, I close the door and ask if she’d like to go into the kitchen and have a drink.
Cass slides onto one of the stools and I open the fridge door to rummage through it. “I’ve got soda, juice, tea and bottled water.”
She thinks about her options for a moment but then pushes her lips out into a pout, “what, no wine?” Cass asks with a grin.
“Um, I was saving the wine for dinner, but I guess we could drink it now.” I shrug my shoulders and start to pull the bottle out of the fridge before I hear her giggling.
“No, no, no,” she says waving her hand for me to stop. “I was just joking; I’ll take a bottle of water though. We can totally save the wine for later.” She gives me a wink and I can’t help but think there’s a hidden meaning behind that wink. I’ve never blushed before in my life and yet here I am standing in between the refrigerator and its door staring at her baffled. After I’ve registered that she was messing with me, I grin sliding the bottle of wine back onto the shelf and grabbing a bottle of water instead.
After handing her the water I take a bottle of tea for myself. “So... any thoughts on how you would like to spend the day?” I ask as I lean against the counter.
“Um, I’m not sure. Want to hang out on the couch and watch some television, even cuddle a bit...”
The prospect of spending the day with her snuggled against my side is quite appealing and trying not to sound too eager, I nonchalantly say, “yeah, that sounds fun.” Coming around the counter I take her hand in mine giving it a tug so that she slips off the stool, I pull her into the living room. Looking about the room I take all the blankets that had been laid upon the furniture about the room and place them in the middle of the floor and then I grab up all the pillows and place them on top of the blankets. Backing up I ask, “is this okay with you? I figured the couch isn’t large enough for us to both fit on there and be comfortable...” I let my words trail off as I gaze at her and see her smiling.