Dominion

Hunger

The week passed with Jacob reversing everything I teach William. He had a way of confusing the boy with words, changing the main thought of what I said into the complete opposite.

However, the time we spent with the boy had me realizing that he already knew what's good and what's bad. Despite the demon reversing the things I say, the boy would ask him questions as if he knew that what Jacob teaches him goes against the common morals.

William isn't the type who watches cartoons or animés. He likes to watch movies and shows inappropriate for his age which is much to Jacob's delight but nevertheless, he somehow knew what the moral of the story is at the end of the movie.

I would always accompany him and every time he watches these shows. I couldn't tell him otherwise and watch something appropriate for him since Jacob would change the channel back. However, when the boy doesn't understand something, he would ask why the person did what he did, and I explain it the way it wouldn't corrupt his mind. Sometimes, even if it's just William and me, Jacob would just appear out of nowhere and reverse everything I said.

The demon ticks me off most times that I ended up having an argument with him in front of the kid which he shouldn't witness. He is so good at using my own words against me that somehow, I would look bad.

"Rosé, what do you think of Jacob?" The boy asked out of the blue while we're watching A Dog's Purpose. I have to put up a good movie for him and it looks like he's interested.

"Jacob, huh? Well, he-"

"He's like my nanny before."  He added, cutting me off.

"What do you mean, hon?" I asked as my brows furrows.

"When my playmate told me that I'm only treated better than the rest of the other kids in school because my mom and dad are rich. When I told my mom, she said that I'm treated better because I'm a good boy and I'm well behaved. But my nanny would tell me things like my playmate is envious because I'm rich and that I should push him for being nosy, that I should tell him to mind his own business." He answered, eyes glued at the television screen.

"Maybe your nanny told you that so you wouldn't get pushed over by your playmate, she's protecting you... But you know it's not nice to hurt someone, right? Just because they say mean things to you doesn't give you the right to do bad things to them or to hurt them." I stated as I move closer to him and pat his head and he looked up to me nodded.

I'm glad he understands what I'm saying.

"Do you think Jacob is bad?" I asked and he nodded in response.

"But he was good in my dreams. He's like a real older brother to me or like my dad. He even brought me to bath with him and laugh with me.... but he's different now when not in my dreams." He answered, gaze returning back to the TV.

His dreams of Jacob are so vivid. 

Are these really dreams? 

He even knows how he looks like as a demon.

"I can tell you he does and says things to protect you, William. Don't worry, Jacob will be a good boy like you." I smiled and hugged him while he rested his head willingly by my chest. 

"Uhm, can I have a dog?" He asked looking up to me.

"Hmm...?" I hummed as if I'm thinking it through. "Promise me you'll take care of it and love it?"

"Yes!! I promise! Can I really have a dog?" He yelped perkily and I could see the excitement in his eyes.

"Okay. Tomorrow we'll adopt one." I answered, chuckling in the end. 

"Yeeey! Thank you so much, Rosé!" He shrieked excitedly and pulled me by the neck to kiss my cheek.

I heard our front door open before Thomas entered and greeted. Seconds later, a wild Jacob appeared with a full grimace on his face.

"What happened to you?" I asked.

He sat beside the boy and hang his arms at the couch's backrest, completely ignoring me.

I always wonder how he gets to change his clothes. The first time I met him, he said he didn't have anywhere else to go. But he had completely changed a whole new outfit.

Is this a demon thing? They can magically dress well?

"Are you okay?" I asked again and he just responded with a quick nod, keeping his eyes at the screen.

Moments later, he asked while scrunching his nose,  "What's this s**t?" 

"A dog's purpose. Rosé will get me a dog tomorrow." The boy shared excitedly.

"Dog's smell." He said in disgust.

"You're not the one who's gonna take care of it," I argued.

"Adopt a cat instead, cats are independent. Unlike needy dogs."

"So, you're a cat person?..." I asked.

"I'm not even a person." He retorted.

"We'll adopt a cat too... for you, Jake." I teased him with a nickname, chuckling once again.

"Really?" The boy between us looks up to me once again.

"The hell? Wait... Did you just call me Jake?" His eyes widened while his brows furrowed upon hearing the nickname I find cute.

"Ever heard of the phrase dogs are from heaven and cats are from hell?" I asked.

"No" Jake quickly answered.

"Maybe that's why you preferred a cat." I teased.

"Not even close." He rolled his eyes then averted his gaze away from me.

After the movie was finished, I did not realize that William was fast asleep and was leaning against me.

I turned off the TV and moved slightly so I wouldn't wake him as I was preparing to carry him. However, Jacob offered to carry him instead, so I let him.

His nanny was fast asleep when we entered his room. I told her to rest since I offered to take care of the boy until he sleeps.

After tucking the boy in his bed, Jacob and I both went out of his room and closed the door gently.

Out of the blue, I realized that he came in through the front door earlier unlike before that he just magically appear out of nowhere. 

"Reminds me, did you just walk in the main door?" I asked. 

"Got that right. This f*****g form is half mundane. If I don't go back to hell soon, I'm gonna starve to death." He answered.

"You haven't f-fed?" I stuttered, realizing that he's here to feed on me later. 

However, he just said he's half mundane... A demon as powerful as he is is only a half-breed?

"Can't find a human who tastes to my liking." He sighs.

"And that means?"

"Nothing at all... don't worry about it." He said, dismissing the conversation as he turns his back on me. 

"Can't you go back down... there?" I asked.

"In hell? Yeah... unless my mission is over, I can't go back."

"So you'll die if you don't feed if you're up here with the living?"

He suddenly turned his head over his shoulder and scowled as he approached, looking down at me, "I'm not gonna die. I'll just turn weak..." There was an awkward silence between us after as we stared each other down.

"Your chance of killing me." His eyes squinted for a second before averting his gaze.

"I didn't even think of that," I replied, muttering. "I was just... asking."

"Yeah... whatever. I'll be in my room." He then turned his back and starts to walk towards the direction of his room.

Maybe he'll feed on me later.

I then turned to the opposite direction where my room is but stopped in my tracks.

Wait a second...

Am I expecting him? Since when have I been willing to give my blood to him?

He hasn't tried anything on me this past week. The kiss in the middle of the lawn was the last close interaction I had with him.

That night, I was so sure that he'll visit my room. I ended up not having enough sleep since I waited for him. It also made me think of my actions and responses towards him. 

Why have I been always giving in?

I ended up not having enough sleep as I ponder on my actions and behavior towards Jacob. I can't deny that I'm attracted but, this may be due to the natural beauty that demons like him posses that lures prey in.

Morning came and after having breakfast, I went to his room to check on him. I stood outside, contemplating on any alternative food for him.

"Can't find a human who tastes to my liking."

So he doesn't like how I taste anymore? I bit my lip by the thought.

All of a sudden, the door opened and my mouth drop when I saw him, topless.

How is it possible for him to look this gorgeous? So early in the morning.

"What do you want?" He asked nonchalantly while I tried to keep my gaze up to his face.

"Breakfast?" I offered.

"I told you I don't eat human food....."

I couldn't answer after. I was trying to concentrate looking at his face and force myself not to look down his bare torso that my brain did not process his reply.

However, a smirk crept on the side of his lips as he mutter, leaning closer, "Oh... so it's you?" 

"No... God no." I wave my hands in refusal as I took a step back. "I was just gonna ask if it's okay with you to drink blood stocked from the hospital instead of starving. I can get some for you." 

"Fine." He replied before slowly pushing the door, closing it.

"Jake!" I called out, exclaiming.

"Stop calling me Jake." He ordered, half chuckling as he pulled the door open again.

"I thought about what you said last night, you don't wanna hurt anyone, right? Thank you for not feeding on anyone."

"I'm picky... That's all... So you thought of me. Did I keep you awake last night? You should've just come to my room." He smirked again.

I grimaced playfully showing my disgust, dismissing what he said on the latter, "But you're willing to drink stocked blood. That meant you chose not to hurt anyone."

He did not respond to what I've said and just stood there, looking at me as we had another of the staredown contest with awkward silence.

However, he then broke the silence, "How long before the blood arrive?" He finally spoke and asked.

"Give me an hour."

"Okay. Is that all you have to say?" He asked

"Um... Yes."

Then, he shut the door on my face which made me pout but relieved since I no longer have to worry about him rampaging on a feeding frenzy. But most of all, because his topless is out of my sight.

My hand unknowingly touched the hardwood where his abs were leveled earlier while I let out a long sigh. All of sudden, the door opened again. My hand stayed in the same position while I look up at him, eyes widened in surprise.

As he stepped out, my hand landed on his hard abs while my mouth hangs open.

"Oh, you're still here..." he looked down on me.

"Y-yeah." I replied quickly a bit breathy and stammering.

"Thank you for the blood, I mean for getting me some blood." He said, smiling nicely.

So he can say thank you. And what is that smile?

"No problem," I replied, suddenly astounded with his sudden gratitude.

"How does it feel?" He asked, smirking once more.

"Huh?"

"My abs. How does it feel for you?"

"Tight... I mean, yeah... uh... it's nice." My hand quickly retreated to my back Before I brisk walk away from him.

It took 45 minutes for the blood bags to arrive. I don't know how much he needed but I asked my staff to get several bags.

A while later, Jake went to the kitchen and saw me pouring the blood in a crystal glass. I thought it would be messy if he drinks straight through the blood bag so I troubled myself to prepare his food.

Thank God he's dressed now.

I slid the glass to him across the marble counter. He smelled it while his brows furrowed as if he was taste-testing a wine. He took a sip and grimaced so hard after he gulped.

"How was it?" I dared to ask.

He let out a long sigh, "It'll do." He then gulped all of it in seconds shaking his head in distaste.

"More." He asked.

"How many bags do you need?"

"How many do you have?

"Seven," I answered lifting my hands, gesturing seven.

"What are you? Seven?" He asked, looking at my fingers that held the number before I decided to hid my hands behind my back sheepishly.

"I can ask to get you some more-"

"It'll do." He replied, cutting me off.

I poured all the blood in another glass and every time I finished pouring, he would immediately grab the glass and gulp it down his throat in seconds.

"You're still famished?" I dared to ask once again.

"I won't be quenched unless I got what I want." He answered wiping the blood that dripped from his lips with the back of his hand.

"What is it then?"

"Blood I can't have..." he looked at my neck before gulping whatever's left inside his mouth.

My blood?

"Don't mind me. I'll be in my room." He stated nonchalantly before he vanished into thin air.

He's gained his strength already. No need for my blood... right?

But he said... "the blood he can't have..."

Does he mean, he won't feed on me unless I...

I stood outside his room again. It's like I no longer have control over my feet... or even my emotion.

Why am I so concerned about him?

I should be glad that he settled with the stocked blood and not feeding on me or any human.

But why am I so affected and disappointed that he won't feed on me?

"What do you want,  Rosé." He asked from beyond the door.

"Can I come in?" I mutter. 

"It's your house."

I let myself in and closed the door behind me. He was sitting in the middle of the bed, legs crossed, leaning his back against the headboard. He was holding an open book with a black thin ribbon hanging on its edge.

"If you're using an enchantment on me or anything to control me, release me now... Please." I asked nicely.

"What makes you think I'm using enchantment on you?" He asked, turning his gaze back to his book.

It's something I can't admit.

This attraction is slowly making me lose my mind.

"Just... Do it... please?" I asked.

"I'm not using anything on you, Rosé. If I could do enchantment, I would've used it on William already. I wouldn't be here if I really could because I've already won. I will no longer need wait to kill your guardian angel and you'll..." he suddenly stopped.

"I will what?"

"Humans will perish if I succeeded in the mission. I'm certain you'll be up there in paradise because you're good." He answered. He pulled the ribbon in between the page and closed the book, setting it aside under the pillow.

"And you?" I asked.

"Where else should I be?"

Why does that felt heavy on my chest?

"Jake..."

He chuckled in a scoffing way before saying, "One more Jake I hear from you and I swear, I'm gonna suck you dry."

"Are you sure you're not controlling me?" I questioned.

"Have you heard of free will?" He asked. My breath hitched I stiffened by the question. Of course, if demons can do an enchantment freely, then there would be no war between good and evil.

"One of God's gifts to man is free will. Well, man kinda took his freewill after eating the forbidden fruit. That's why the good and evil battle for man's soul through influence. If either of the two can control free will then there's no point in the whole judgment day, isn't it? " He continued.

"And I told you already, I'm not good at lying." He added.

"Alright. Thank you for clearing that up." I look down before turning towards the door.

"Why did you think I'm using enchantment on you?" He then asked.

"It's nothing really, I just thought that I'm too forgiving over you even if I knew you were a demon," I replied, turning to face him again and smiled.

"That... and something else..." he stated with that awfully teasing smirk once again.

"You're infatuated with me, aren't you,  Rosé?" He asked all of a sudden.

"No." I denied quickly, brows furrowing tightly.

"You're such a liar." He scoffed, shaking his head. "Tell me why are you really here." He continued.

He's right. 

I just realized I came here for something else.

I hate losing control and letting my instincts take over me. Being attracted too much is making me feel so stupid... how could I be infatuated with someone like him this fast?

I wanna take control but I lose every time he's around me.

Is this why man sin repeatedly? Because of uncontrollable emotions?

"Bite me," I replied, whispering.

"Is that you being feisty or are you inviting me? 'Cause your tone says the latter." He asked.

"I'll let you decide," I answered as I turned and head out his room.

What are you doing, Rosé? I asked myself as I leaned my head back against his door after shutting it close.