Infernal Incarnation: Asmodeus to Ari

Chapter 6

*****

    Ari scrunched their eyebrows together and blinked their eyes slowly as the first rays of the rising sun filtered into their room. Most people hated having an eastern facing bedroom with windows, but Ari loved it. Raising their arms overhead and stretching out like a cat after an especially delicious nap, Ari let out a yawn then rolled over to the side of the bed closest to the restroom before standing. Punching a button on the remote that controlled most of the electronics in the loft area of their apartment, Ari started brushing their teeth as they gently swayed side to side and bobbing their head to the music that flowed from surround sound speakers. After finishing up their morning bathroom routine, Ari grabbed their yoga mat and walked out onto their upper balcony. Yoga and meditation were newer additions to their morning routine, but were quickly Ari's favorite part of their morning. 

    Finishing up the rest of their routine, Ari grabbed a quick shower, then dressed in their usual two piece suit, crisp white button down shirt, signature 'A' cufflinks and Brogues. Looking in the mirror with a smirk, Ari mentally recites thier affirmations. Today is going to be a great day, I am smart, I am kind, I am fierce and I am protected. They turned to head out, then paused and leaned back again looking at themself with a coy smile and a wink, "oh, and I'm one good looking sun of a gun".  Whistling and walking with a pep in their step they descend downstairs and then they're hit with that gut-sinking feeling looking over at the living room where they had experienced an anxiety attack the night before. I have to call the doc and see if she's available some time today... Ari just couldn't shake the feeling that someone had been there. Someone had infiltrated and violated their sanctuary... but they couldn't prove it. I'll have to check on in-home cameras as well. Maybe then I wouldn't feel so vulnerable... or like I'm losing my mind. Shaking their head, shoulders and torso briskly, they grabbed their bag, made sure they had their keys, phone and wallet and set out about their day.

    Seraphina awoke to her phone ringing. This time, to her delight and dismay it was Ari. She was overjoyed that they were calling her, but knew she couldn't answer in case they wanted to see her within the span of 30 minutes like usual. Knitting her eyes together and letting out a frustrated sigh, she quickly folded the throw cover she used to sleep, stored it under the passenger side seat and sat her own upright. Grabbing a small bag from her glove compartment, she headed into the truckstop gas station to look for a restroom. She had to at least brush her teeth and wash her face before getting back on the road. I cannot believe I slept so long. What's the point of setting an alarm if I just sleep right through it?!  She hurridly finished brushing her teeth and silently cursing for still being so far from home, then turned to leave. 

    A burly woman with a sour attitude looked her up and down and sucked on her teeth before addressing Serafina, her accent a thick southern drawl. "The restroom ain't free, you gonna buy somethin' in the store or are you gonna be buyin' gas?" 

        "I'll be putting some gas on my credit card on pump seven", Serafina squinted her eyes and gave a sassy smile before sauntering out to her car, acting as if she were going to move it to the gas pumps. She saw the gruff woman staring at her through the streaky window and just waved at her. The sneering woman only deepened her frown and stood still staring in a disapproving manner at Serafina. Just then, Serafina decided that instead of gas, she would have some fun. She put the car back in drive then peeled off with her middle finger held high out of her window. Squealing and laughing Serafina sped back to the highway, Serafina thought to herself, I gotta get the hell away from this backwoods ass place. 

    As Ari and Jerome made their way to the office, Ari noticed that Jerome was being a bit more quiet and reserved than usual. "Something on your mind, Jerome?"

        "Huh? Oh... Nah, it's nothin', boss", Jerome answered with a half-hearted chuckle.

        "Seriously, Jerome, what's eating you? I can tell something is going on. If you truly don't want to talk about it, that's completely fine; and I'll respect your privacy. But... you know if there's anything you need to talk about, or if you just need someone to listen to you without saying anything... Well, I'm here for you man."

        "Thanks, boss man. I know. I just... it's just that my mate asked me super last minute to go out of town and I really want to go, but I also really don't want to let you and Kate down." 

        "Jerome, how could you possibly be letting us down, what do you mean? Are you going to be running away with your mate to some exotic tropical island to never be seen again or something?" Ari asked, really hoping that his lame attempt at getting Jerome to smile or laugh wouldn't backfire in him answering with a 'yes'. 

        "Aha, good one boss... No, no, nothing like that. It's just that Matt had asked me if I'd go out of town with him to meet his parents, but it's the same weekend Kate comes home from school. Y'all are like family to me so I really wanted to be there with y'all and spend time, but I also really wanna meet my mates parents, you know?" Jerome let out a bit of a short sigh and pressed his lips together before continuing. "I just, I don't like feeling like I'm choosing my mate over my best friends, my family... but I also don't want my mate to think that I am not serious about him, you know?" 

        "Jerome", Ari started seriously, "There is literally nothing you can do that would make us feel like you're choosing your mate over us, man. This is just what happens when we grow up I guess." Ari gave a short, sharp exhale. A bit of sadness tinged their next words, "When we grow up, we find someone to love.  Someone who will love us in the same way back" Ari looked down momentarily with a sad smile. 

    "We find someone we are meant to love and we go out of our way to show them we love them. That includes going to meet their parents even though our sister is coming home from school this weekend." Ari finished with a sincere lopsided smile. "Besides, meeting the parents... that's kind of a big deal man. I'm really happy for you!"

    Jerome beamed up at Ari, making eye contact in the rearview mirror. "You know, boss, you're alright by me." A big smile still spread across his lips. 

        "You already admitted we're family Jerome, you can't keep calling me boss after that", Ari laughed while shaking their head and rolling their eyes. 

    Jerome and Ari pulled up in front of the sleek downtown highrise and Ari let out a big sigh. "Well, time to go get the bacon. Will you be back for me this evening? It's Friday, so I know you and Matt may want to get a head start on the drive out of town. I can call an uber or lyft or something."

    Raising his eyebrows and scoffing incredulously, "You would seriously call an uber or lyft?"

        "If it meant giving my baby brother time to get packed and get a good head start on his trip before sundown, not knowing how long he's gonna have to be driving to get to wherever he's going, yes." Ari said with confidence and a smirk. 

    Jerome just dropped his head forward, scratched his head with his eyebrows raised, as if he didn't quite believe what Ari was saying to be true, but conceded. "Alright man, but if you need me, let me know. You know you haven't really been doing well interacting with others lately."

        "I know, but I'm working on it with the doc. Liz has helped a lot with everything. And who knows... maybe I'll get lucky and get a lady lyft driver. I've always been good with the ladies", Ari says with a smile while wiggling their eyebrows. 

    Jerome couldn't help but crack up at Ari's facial expression... They really did have a way with the ladies, some of the enby's and guys too, but Ari interacting with ladies was almost always a guaranteed good experience for Ari. "Yeah, yeah, I know, I know... you would be one of those people who are just lucky like that".  I'd kill to have that kind of luck with the guys... well, I would before. Now I have the perfect man and I can't believe he's all mine. He's just so... Jerome's attention was suddenly pulled away from his thoughts.

        "Earth to Jerome... I see those wistful, happy goo goo eyes... Make sure you don't start day dreaming while driving, that's bad for your safety man." Ari said to Jerome with a sincere smile and a pang of sadness in their heart. 

    Ari really was happy for Jerome, they loved seeing the man that they looked at and regarded as a brother to be so happy and in love. They just couldn't help feeling a bit sad for themselves. Ari had wanted more than anything in the world to find someone to truly love, and for that person to truly love them back. 

        "Alright, I'm heading in, but really... Take tonight off and get a head start on your trip. Give your mate my regards, and let me know if you need anything while you're away." Jerome nodded in agreement and Ari closed the door and gave the top of the car two taps as a means of bidding farewell. Turning on their heel, Ari squared up their shoulders and straightened their posture as they headed into the building where they would no doubt spend the next eight hours doing tedious, mundane and exhausting tasks. 

    Walking through the lobby, right at fifteen paces, Ari looked up to wave and greet the security team on duty. "Good morning, y'all. How are things?"

        "Oh you know, same ol' same ol'. Another day, another dollar." said one. 

        "Good morning, boss, we're just livin' the dream here" said the other.

    Ari smiled and waved to acknowledge their statements, but also to acknowledge they would not be interacting with them any further. Giggling to themself, Ari couldn't help but think, Am I being a bit of an asshole? Should I try to start holding more meaningful conversations with people?

        "Nah." This brought a smile to Ari's lips.

    Trustworthy voice in my head, I'll follow your advice. Ari smiled to themself. Oh! I almost forgot... I have to text the doc and ask if I can be seen today. That'll give me a reason to cut out of here early, although being the boss means I don't need a reason... who is going to look for me anyway?  Ari considered playing hooky for the whole day for a few moments before deciding against it. They didn't even know what they would do to pass their free time. Ari frowned suddenly realizing that Serafina still hadn't called them or texted them back. I'll send her a text as well. Hopefully everything is alright. 

    Elias paced back and forth, furious that he had not heard anything from Justin with results yet. Sera hasn't been in contact with him since last night either, but Elias was sure she'd be fine. That woman always was able to take care of herself. Going for extended periods of time without hearing from her was par for the course. Elias picked up his phone and punched in the number to dial Justin at the lab again, then lifted the phone to his ear with one hand while raking his free hand through his hair. Patience was truly not in this mans vocabulary. 

    Waiting rather agitatedly while the phone rang, Elias's eyebrows knit together and his lips tightened, with the corners of his mouth pointed downward; all too similar to a five year old angrily pouting pre-tantrum. When the phone call rolled over to voice mail yet again, Elias let out a massive frustrated growl. Hanging up, he squeezed the phone between his two hands with all his might, doubled over shaking the phone as if he were wringing someone's neck, then screamed, "Just answer the f*****g phone!! That is ALL I ASK" at no one in particular. Feeling his veins straining, Elias realized this anger was misplaced and in vain. There was nothing he could do to control this situation anymore. He would just have to wait it out.

    Elias then righted himself, taking a deep breath, and smoothing down his suit jacket. "If that pipsqueak Justin isn't answering right now, he's likely either still asleep or still working. In either case it will be fine", he said to himself as a means of trying to calm his anger down. Elias took a few more deep breaths to steady his rage and looked back at his phone. Maybe Sera is a better bet... but what would I call her for? To make sure she's fine?  Elias scoffed at the idea. Surely she had been truthful about dropping off the hairbrush with Justin, what else was there to be said between the two of them? She hasn't yet called to let me know she'd be by to pick up her check... Elias paused for a moment at the thought. Maybe he -should- call her after all. 

    Hearing her phone ring over the car's bluetooth system, Serafina looked over to see who it was and saw Elias's face lit up on her screen. Pushing the accept call button on her steering wheel, she answered curtly, "What is it Elias? I'm still trying to get my ass home". 

        "What do you mean?? I thought you would have made it back by now, it's nearly one in the afternoon!"

        "Well, if you must  know, I had to stop and sleep in my car before heading back because I ALMOST DIED on the way to drop off the damn package, due to your impatience", Serafina replied coolly. 

    For a moment, Elias was silent, unsure of what could be said in response. Instead of replying in his usual sarcastic or short manner, Elias softened a little, realizing that she honestly could have fallen asleep behind the wheel... and all because he couldn't wait until the morning for her to drive up to Tulsa. 

        "I'm sorry to hear that. Are you hurt? Did anything happen? I will gladly pay for any dama- "

        "No, I'm fine", Serafina cut him off. "Everything is fine, I just had to sleep, because like I told you last night, I'm only human, Eli."

        "Yes. Right, well, when are you going to arrive back in Dallas, per your GPS?"

        "I'm already almost back. I should be home in 10 minutes or so. Then I will head your way around 3 o'clock to get my check. I just need some time to get up to my apartment, shower, change, eat and then I'll be headed your way."

        "Alright" Elias answered. "I'll be here, waiting", Elias said exasperated as he let out a huff. 

    Serafina's chuckle came through the phone and Elias smiled at her laugh. 

        "Alright boss man, I'll hurry, I know patience isn't quite your thing. Just busy yourself with something, or someone, and I'll be there before you know it."

    "Hmph, alright, Sera. Drive safe. I can't have you going off and disappearing on me. You're one of the best."

        "Aww, I knew you loved me." Sera said jokingly into the receiver, then hung up before the old man could retort.

    Sure, I'm the best. That's why you chose me for this mission. I just don't know if I can carry on with this farce when I'm developing real feelings for my mark. Sera inhaled deeply, then bit her lip thinking of all the possible scenarios where things could go wrong if Ari were to learn the truth. How could they want to keep me in their life, knowing that I was essentially paid to seduce them and get them to let their guard down enough to take me to their home. Sera shook her head and rubbed her face with her free hand and tightening her grip on the steering wheel with the other. 

    Now that Sera was thinking more clearly, she reconsidered whether or not she could actually go through with telling Ari how she feels about them. She couldn't help but wonder what would happen if she did decide to profess her feelings to Ari. Would they say they feel something for me also? Would they reject me and say that they were only in it for the mindblowing s*x?  Would they try to let me down easy? Would they be excited? Well, maybe them being excited about me catching feelings for them would be wishful thinking on my part. 

    Serafina let out a dejected sigh, knowing deep in her gut that no matter what she did or said, or how she pleaded her case, her relationship with Ari would eventually come to an end. If she told them about her feelings, she wouldn't feel right keeping the truth of how she came to be a part of their life a secret... She would have to tell Ari that she was paid by someone to get close to them, or the guilt of keeping that secret would only eat away at her. 

    Otherwise, if she doesn't tell Ari about her feelings for them, they could end up falling for someone else; believing that what they have with Serafina is purely s****l, with no potential for real romance or emotion. Serafina let out a deep exhale and decided to just focus on one thing at a time as she parked in the garage of her apartment. 

    First, a shower.