Infernal Incarnation: Asmodeus to Ari

Chapter 10

*****

            What do they mean there's this woman?!  Since when do they speak of there being a woman?  It's always some rendezvous or encounter or something along those lines, but 'there's a woman'??  This is BIG!!  "Spill it!  Spill the beans!  Who is this woman that has captured your attention, and not in a purely just for s*x way?!"  Kate squealed, still reeling at the words 'there's a woman' falling from Ari's lips.  Never in a million years did she think her older sibling would be interested in someone for an actual emotional or romantic relationship.  Ari was always more of a love 'em and leave 'em kinda person. 

    Ari didn't even bother replying.  They simply cupped their hands to their face at an attempt to hide the reddening of their cheeks and the goofy ass grin they could feel spreading across their face so big their cheeks hurt.  

        "Come on biscuit head!!  I have to know, we have always told each other everything, your early adulthood is no time to be keeping secrets from your lil sis",  Kate added with an exaggerated pout and her best puppy dog eyes. 

    Moving their first two fingers on each hand aside to look at Kate through their fingers, Ari groaned even as they smiled.  There go those damn butterflies again, fluttering all around like they're trying to kick up a storm.  This was something new and exciting and they have never felt this kind of effect from someone before.  

        "Well,  there's not much to say... I mean, I don't know her all that well.  I know her name is Laura, and she only recently started working at the firm as one of the security team members.  Gus saw that Jerome wasn't there for me today and volunteered her to give me a ride home, haha.  She got so flustered and it was so cute to see.  Then, when we got out to her car, there were these books and baubles, little bags and rocks and things in her front seat."  Ari remembered with a small grin.

        "I asked her what all that stuff was because it was strange and intriguing.  I mean, how many people do you know that have small satchels in their seat, you know?  That's when she started telling me about her family, their spirituality and something about a patron deity.  Honestly, bubbles, I don't know what it is about her or why, but I could listen to her all damn day.  And, and I even opened up to her about us... I mean, our family and how we went to church at first but then it kinda petered out over the years, you know?  It was just so natural, I hadn't even realized I was telling her something that should be deeply personal...  I would never in a million years have said something like that to anyone else.  Especially not someone I was attracted to",  Ari paused suddenly blushing and wanting feedback from Kate.  

    Looking over at Kate expectantly,  Ari started to worry that maybe they had said too much.  It wasn't like them to be so excited over someone, especially someone that might as well have been a perfect stranger.  

    Afer a few moments Kate finally drew in a deep breath and let out a shrill scream that turned into a laugh, then ended with more squealing.  She had felt the happiness for her sibling building up inside of her the same way bubbles build up in the bubble bath.  "I am just so happy for you, Ari." she blurted out after her explosion of happiness.  "I just knew this was going to be a bomb ass summer, and look!  My first night home and my sib is already having mushy goo goo feelings for someone, FINALLY."

        "Whoa, whoa whoa!  Hey now, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves", Ari protested.  "I am simply intriged and excited because this is a new and different kind of interest in someone.  I'm just not used to it... what if it's just a mild infatuation that goes away with time?"  Ari said more to themself than to Kate, only to be met with a swift back hand to the arm from their sister. 

        "How could you say that?  Don't try to play it down.  A new kind of interest in someone is of paramount importance, Ari.  It's new and exciting for you, so I'm hella happy and excited for you, biscuit head."  

        "Yeah... I guess you're right, bubbles.  It could probably be a thing.  For now, I just want to take it slow and explore it before broadcasting it to the family, though, you know?  Can you keep a secret?"  Ari asked as they bit their lip and put their hands together in a prayer or pleading manner. 

    Kate just laughed with a snort and grabbed Ari's hands with her free one, "Don't worry, I got your back.  And besides, when have I ever let anything slip before?"  Kate thought for a moment then let out a deep sigh.  Pulling up to a stop in one of the available spots in the parking garage of Ari's apartment bulding, Kate looked over at Ari then inhaled sharply.  "Do you want to hear about the woman I'm interested in?" she asked with a nervous chuckle. 

    Ari's eyes lit up as they looked at their sister with their mouth gaping open in surprise.  "The WHO you're interested in?!"  

    Kate just laughed nervously again and then started to tell Ari all about the first time she had met Jessica.  How it had been instant 'like at first sight', then finding out that they were going to be suite mates, and that they would essentially be living together while also attending a few of the same classes.  She went over their various adventures in detail and told Ari that she had never been happier, or felt more like herself than when she was with Jessica.  Ari listened intently, their eyes glittering as they took in all that their sister had to say about her life with this woman.  It was still hard for Ari to think of their sister and other people her age as anything other than kids, but they technically were legal adults.  

        "Then, during our mid-terms we basically ended up being inseparable because we were study buddies.  We spent all our non-class waking time together, helping each other study and holding each other accountable.  There was just something so magical about being with her and around her... but,  Ari... I never told her how I felt.  I just held it inside,  afraid that if I said something I was going to ruin the friendship we had built."  She finished, a pang of sadness sitting heavy in her chest.  

    Ari wasn't expecting to hear the last bit after all that Kate had told them.  I thought for sure she was about to tell me that they were girlfriends...  "I'm so sorry, Kate.  I know what it's like to keep to yourself because you're afraid of messing something up or ruining something... Remember when I came out to the family as pan, then non-binary?  I thought for sure mom was going to disown me right then and there.  So, I mean... even though they're different situations... they're similar in that, if you don't speak your truth and tell her your feelings, you'll just end up suffering in silence; always wondering what would have been or could have been.  I don't want that for you, sis."  Ari looked at Kate, and reached out to give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Do you think that you would want to tell her how you feel?  I mean, you never know, maybe she feels the same way and is just as scared of scaring you off."

    Kate looked over at Ari as she grabbed their hand on her shoulder.  "I want to, but I'm scared to do it alone.  Are you cool with being there with me when I'm ready to call her and tell her how I feel?  I don't want to be alone, in case she rejects me."  Ari simply nodded then gave their sister a kiss on the cheek, both of them teary eyed.  Then they just sat there in a comfortable silence, each lost in their own thoughts for a while before Ari asked Kate if she'd still like to see their apartment. "You bet your sweet ass I do!"  Kate whooped and just like that, her good natured always happy-go-lucky smile was back. 

    The two of them made their way into the building, walking toward the elevator when all of the sudden a sultry voice called out from behind them.  "Well, well, well, and who do we have here?  A third?"  Ari stopped abruptly and looked back at Serafina, while Kate had been halted mid-step; initially unaware that the voice was directed at them.  

        "What are you doing here?"  Ari asked, feeling aggravation start to rear it's head.  "Why would you come here without any prior notification?"  Ari's eyes narrowed, their facial expression cold and unreadable. 

        "I'm sorry, I assumed you missed me and were calling me to take me up on the offer I left for you the other night",  Serafina replied with a scoff before looking Kate up and down, raising an eyebrow.  "Or was the phone call and text meant to give me the impression that I should stay away?" she asked with a tinge of venom in her voice.  

        "Well, seeing as how you hadn't bothered to answer either the call or the text, I didn't think I would be seeing you any time soon.  Much less at my home."  Ari responded coolly. 

        "Uh-huh, I'm assuming that's why you've got this new girl here with you?" Serafina narrowed her eyes back at Ari before whipping her head to address Kate,  " hah... I- I'm sorry, how old are you?  Are you even legal?"  

        "Wha- Excuse me?!"  Kate scoffed, taken aback by Serafina's question and deplorable attitude.

        "Enough!"  Ari growled out through gritted teeth.  "Not that it's any of your business, but this is my sister." 

    Sera couldn't believe what she was hearing.  "You've never mentioned having a sister before... why should I believe you?!"

        "I'm a private person, Sera.  I don't divulge my whole life's story to every person I have s*x with.  I don't owe you a window into my private life.  Nor do I expect one into yours.  Now... Please leave and NEVER come here without my express permission again."  Ari responded in a tone that only thinly veiled their rage at what Sera had insinuated and how she treated Kate.  

    Serafina opened her mouth to start to try to defend herself when Kate suddenly spoke up.  "You heard them, OUT!"  Kate glared at Serafina as she stood by Ari's side with her finger extended toward the door.  She knew how Ari got when people invaded their privacy.  It's something they've had to deal with ever since childhood and she couldn't do anything about it then, but she'd be damned if she sat here and allowed some wanna be escort try to insert herself into Ari's life when they clearly weren't okay with it.  

    Serafina glared at Kate and Ari before turning and walking away, yelling out "You know what, Ari, do us both a favor and lose my number!" over her shoulder as she pulled the door open to exit.  

        I'm so stupid,  Serafina thought to herself as she walked back out to her car parked down the street from where Ari lived.  How did I come here to profess that I was starting to develop feelings for Ari, only to end up in a fight with them.  What if they actually do lose my number and forget all about me after tonight?  Ugh!  And who was that dumb b***h with them?!  I sincerely doubt she was their sister.  I swear to god if I found out that they're actually f*****g I will loose my ever-lovin' mind!  

    Serafina realized that she was only angry because she had been so embarrassed that Ari wasn't happy to see her.  Breathing out a deep, shaky breath, Sera fina pressed her eyes tightly closed, trying to fight back the tears that threatened to fall over.  Serves me right, anyway.  I knew that they didn't like it when people invaded their privacy and they had already made it crystal clear that the only times I was allowed over to their apartment was if they took me there.  I knew I should have just called or wrote back.  Maybe if I just come clean about how much I desparately want them, love them even, they would forgive me.  

    Finally making it to her car, Serafina just sat in her front seat and felt the tears she had been holding back finally fall freely down her face.  Her whole body shook with each sob, and she felt like she couldn't breathe as she gasped for breath between the howls of pain that escaped her chest.  How could a declaration of love go so wrong?

        Maybe the fates will no longer allow me to try to pursue happiness with Ari because of my secret betrayal,  Serafina thought soberly after the worst of her weeping started to wind down.  With a sniffle, Serafina tried to recompose herself so she could make the drive back home.  Putting the car into drive, and merging into the next lane over, Serafina sent up a short and silent prayer.  Fates, please, please be in my favor.  I deserve love, too, don't I? 

*****