At The End Of Their Tunnel Vision

Chapter IV

When she got home, Narelle immediately opened the tv to distract herself. Of course, regret always came afterwards as the deed was done. It would be so awkward when she had to go to her work later. The grumbling sound in her abdomen halted her anxious thoughts. Demanding for an offering, she obeyed with a stagger through her strode towards the kitchen.

And so she pulled out the remaining pack of instant noodles inside the cupboard. She boiled the water in the small pan. Since this was the only thing she could do. A wary sigh escaped from her mouth. It was official her Monday sucks.

Narelle went out of her room with her duffle bag strapped on her shoulders. She expected that Elliot would be in the living room, but he wasn't there yet. Which further spoiled her mood. But based on her experience living with the dark angel, he mostly got so lost in time when something bad going on in the corporation he was working on. So she only sent him a text about her getting off to work.

Like always, she walked towards the familiar path leading her into her workplace. But tonight her steps were heavier from worry. She even had a thought of calling out for work. Yet, she decided against it. Being poor making it impossible for her to miss even a couple of bucks in her paycheck.

Well, Narelle has to face the consequence of her unwittingly terrible excuse. Upon entering the backdoor she immediately clocked in and changed into her uniform. The staff room where empty since her shift being in between of afternoon shift to night-shifts. And gladly, Roan always got the night-shift schedule.

Narelle went out of the backroom and proceeded going through the front where the bar was located. Monday nights were always slow, so she stuck inside the bar. Occasionally she would help Thalia, a harpy, by bussing the tables.

"How's the day off?" Thalia asked.

Her hands were busy washing the rack and beer glasses since Harold, the dayshift bartender, went for a smoke break.

"It's been fine."

The harpy clicked her tongue, clearly displeased at her answer. "Boring. You're wasting your looks, hon. I've known you for two years and you haven't been into any actions."

She rolled her eyes. Argh. Here she goes again, she disgruntled in her mind. Thalia doesn't care about her well being or why was she so dismissive about dating or having a commitment. The harpy just wanted a gossip. Or to be precise, someone she could talk about her s*x life; which was nonexistent right now.

Because of her reluctance, so many speculations about her revolved around the pub. In an instant, she became the center of the attention and being always asked about her development. As if love life were necessary in order to achieve happiness.

Narelle was happy about what was happening in her life. But she couldn't be happier if Elliot let her have a pet cat. Unfortunately, the dark angel detest the fluffy creatures. Still, she was happy none the less.

"Thalia, I've barely got a time for that. I am a lazy slob. All I do when I got home is to sleep and eat, then sleep again. I love my life wasn't that enough?" Whisking her hands, she grabbed the towel to begin drying the glass.

"Ugh, you are hopeless." The harpy stood up from the stool she was perched on. When the bell attached to the door rang. Leaving her alone in the bar.

"What got her irritated?" Harold asked when she passed behind her. The faint smell of smoke drifted towards her nose. Her nose scrunched from the offending smell. Why did the cigarettes Elliot smoke doesn't smell so bad? Unlike what she usually smelled from the patrons and co-worker here at work.

She continued drying the glass when the powerful scent of men's perfume hit her nose like a punch. The glass in her hold was immediately put down, and she used her magic to make her body phase into a projection. The man that attempted to hug her slipped through her body. And she walked out of the bar counter. Narelle undid her magic, glaring at her another co-worker, Kyle, the night shift bartender.

"Why are you so heartless to me, mi amore?" Kyle said in an utterly hurt voice.

Narelle looked at the guy with disgust. Seriously, this guy thought that every woman he met was her love. And she couldn't decide if he was being stupid, acting like a total creep. But Kyle's record was totally clean. The reason why the owner kept this guy working. He was just overly affectionate on every woman she met. And oh, he was a dampyr.

"Knock that off, creep. She's already been taken." Roan screamed while standing at the side of the entryway towards the backroom.

The feeling of multiple eyes directed towards her. Oh, no. And multiple strings of what resonated inside the pub. Oh, f*****g lemon in a curd. Monday. She hated Monday after this.

Thalia strode right beside her and slamming the tray on the bar counter. "That is an obvious lie. Unless Narelle shows us the proof. Bring your boy here. Then I'll believe you. How was that?" The harpy eyed her, scrutinizing her.

"Hey, we can't pressure her from doing that. If she wanted to keep it private, then let the girl do what she wished." Harold interjected.

Yes, please listened to Harold. Because she doesn't want to get caught from lying. Besides, where we’re all the patrons. Was the pub went empty? But when she scanned the pub, all the customers were staring at them. As if watching a series.

"Come on, bud. Do you even believed that? Besides, I wanted to meet the guy. Were family here, right? Narelle, being the little sister, aren't we supposed to meticulously check the guy." Roan said.

Narelle saw Kyle and Thalia nodded her head and looked at Harold, waiting for his affirmation. Since Harold was the oldest among them. She shook her head. But it appeared on his sadden face. She knew in making decisions here the majority always won. And the majority wanted her to show her boyfriend.

"This is ridiculous. This is a breach of privacy," she blurted out.

Roan finally walked near towards them. She only stopped when she was right in front of her. "Why are you so scared right now, Narelle? Perhaps you don't really have a boyfriend? Or they were so many that you can't decide which of them are you gonna introduce?"

Is she mad and felt petty about her rejection earlier? Is that the reason why Roan pushing her like this. Again, pressure. She hated putting up in such a forceful manner like this.

Narelle gritted her teeth. "Fine!"

Her stubbornness will end up killing her someday, for sure.

Thalia spun her around, making her face the overly joyed harpy. "Really?" Which she nodded stupidly at being overwhelmed by the attention. "Good! How about tonight? Since Allen has a drink tonight."

"Good idea, parrotlet." Roan even instigate.

It occurred to her she didn't have any way out of her current situation. She had to make a call. But she doubted the man she was asking to be her temporary fake boyfriend would even listen to her.

"Ok. I'll call him right now."

Narelle walked back inside the backdoor, grabbing her phone and lock herself inside the bathroom stall. With a trembling hand, she tapped the screen of her phone. Placing the device beside her right ears, she waited for the dial to go through. Her breath audibly hitched upon hearing Elliot's voice. Not expecting the dark angel would answer her call in an instant.

"Hello? Did something happen? Why are you not answering?"

She shook her head, snapping out of her startled daze. The nervousness was back again and making her fidget uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry for the s-sudden call. Are you still busy?" She heard him heaved a heavy sigh. Not a good sign.

"Yes. I am still stuck here. Why is your voice sound like that? Are you crying?"

"N-no. I’m not, chimney. I accidentally got a sniff of the pepper when someone ordered a margarita. I'm sorry for calling you all of the sudden."

"We were living in the same apartment for two years, Narelle. I am sick of reminding you about lying. Tell me what happened. NOW."

Her shoulder trembled, then a muffled whimper bypassed from the gaps of her hands covering her mouth. She heard him cursed.

"Please, it’s not about the imps. None of that happened. But I really need your help. I–I kinda got into panic mode earlier."

"Blow your nose. And breath please. Before you continue explaining this panic mode, you just mentioned. "

She did what he commanded. After taking a few breathing breaks and calm down, she began talking again and explained what happened in the grocery earlier and the circumstances she got into just now. In the entirety of her explanation, Elliot was silent. Which she presumed he was listening and preparing a snarky reprimanded for her.

"You truly are a special brand of i***t, Narelle." he chuckled. "Why didn't you just tell her off?"

"I did, Elliot. Even my body language showed how put off I am with her suddenly asking me out. She's been so mean to me because I'm a succubus. I-I–I got scared, Elliot. I'm not showing any interest here at work. So, so I got confused, suspicious."

"Is that so?"

"Please. Elliot, help me."

"Fine. Shut the f**k up! Sorry, that was not meant for you."

"Are you ok?"

"Yes. I am fine. So, based on your explanation, which is a kind of convoluted like a child's drawing–"

"Not now Elliot."

"Heh, I am pointing important lecture to flourish how to proper narrate–"

"Elliot!"

"You are no fun sometimes. Are there any endearment you like?"

"What for?!"

"Do you want your co-worker believed our fake relationship?"

"Oh”

Something she liked?

"Bunny."

She heard a chuckle in the other line. "Bunny? Never thought of that one before. Ok my little bunny. Give me a minute and I'll be there."

Her heart leaped upon hearing Elliot the endearment of her parents used for her when she was younger.

"Thank you, Elliot."

And the call ended.

The phone call was beyond her expectation. Somehow that made her breath without the oppressing pressure from the discussion earlier. She managed to resolve her problem.

But she got another set of dilemma. How would she react to being a girlfriend with Elliot? Wait? She made the term wrong. A fake girlfriend was what she meant. How could she react when she didn’t have a proper experience in being a girlfriend? That automatically gained her a slap from face planting both of her palm.

Then her phone beeped again. A text from Elliot asking for the name of the pub. She faced palm again. Her fingers hastily tapped the screen. After the reply, she turn off her phone again and went out of the cubicle. When her eyes caught a glimpse of her face, she winced. She looked awful. So she washed her face and freshen up.

When she went out of the backdoor the pub. Only few tables were occupied by the loyal patron. And Allen was sitting in his usual spot with Thalia beside him, that changed into her casual dress.

Thalia had a mischievous grin on her face. "Narelle, is your boy coming?" she asked, with a hint of wickedness in her voice.

Instead of answering her, she continued walking towards the clipboard to check the designated table area under them. And of course, the whole bar counter was given to her. She rolled her eyes.

"Don't be too bitter now. Your boy's gonna visit tonight. So the two decided to give you the area one."

She groaned. When Kyle continued whining about her getting a boyfriend and how she cruelly shattered his vulnerable heart or threw away their future.

"For f**k's sake, shut up, Kyle." she screamed indignantly. Ignoring the people around, she just wanted to take out her frustration.

"What a sight to see my bunny getting worked up in her workplace."

Her head snapped in the direction of his voice. Elliot, in his dark glory, showed up. Standing at the far end of the bar next to the wall. How did he manage to sneak in? Even the two of her co-worker and Allen looked utter shock from his sudden appearance.

"I know you are a scatterbrain, bunny. But you can't just forget your boyfriend for that lame reason." He kept staring. He looked totally sharp and professional from the suit and tie he neatly unbuttoning. Why does his appearance distracted her? He carefully wore off the suit jacket, hanging the jacket on the backrest of the chair she pulled. And elegantly sat with a poised of pure, confident man.

Her mesmerized eyes pulled away when Thalia spoke. "A corrupted? Are you serious?"

Elliot only hummed while unfastening the chuff of his white shirt, rolling the sleeve up to his elbow. "Got a problem with that, bird?" he asked without even looking at the person he was aiming. Oh, wow. Elliot didn't have any ounce of being subtly.

Even Allen appeared conflicted about confronting the creature, from insulting his girlfriend. From the sheer shock. Considering corrupted considered an endangered species. But also one of the most dangerous in the list.

"N-nothing, nothing at all. It's just. Oh god."

Elliot chuckled without any humor in his gesture. He just finished rolling the sleeves on his other arms. "Hate to spoil you, but god is the biggest asshole in the entire cosmos." He scoffed in derided manner. "They do not care about any of your pathetic whining. When they are busy killing each other in between the plane of existence." Elliot's eyes were alarmingly getting darker from usual. He really hated hearing that name.

Narelle forgot about the effects Elliot gave to people. Just because of his stranger outward appearance.

Walking in front of him, you pet his cheeks. The swirling inside his iris stopped and his eyes gradually went into lighter blue. "Do you have any order? Because if not I'll politely asked you to get out of the pub." She pulled her hand away when he deemed he was calm and grounded again.

Elliot stared at her before he laughed. "I just got here, bunny. And you wanted me out already. Give me whiskey on the rack then I will behave for you." he said in uncharacteristically suave voice.

The heat gathered on her cheeks and she rigidly pulled out the bottle of the identical bottle she saw in his room. Kyle arched his brows at her question: why was she giving the most expensive whiskey available on their shelf? Narelle ignored the dampyr look. She remembered his brand because she was the one cleaning his room.

When she placed the drink, Elliot told her a simple thanks with a grin. She looked to her left and noticed the confused and flabbergasted stare from the other two co-worker.

Kyle was beside her when he decided to ask his own question. "Uhm. How did you met, Narelle, anyway?"

Elliot took a sip of his drink before he put the glass down. "Not the right question, but I will indulge your curious inquiry. But before that, may I have an ashtray?" she grabbed and placed an ashtray in front of him. While he pulled out his packet and lighter. "Narelle met me two years ago. Broke in to my apartment like a raccoon ransacking my room. As if recreating a burrow."

"Elliot!"

"What?!"

Her cheek felt numb from overheating.

"Come on, bunny. They wanted to know." he wedge a cigarette between his lips, lighting up the tip with his zippo lighter. After taking a long drag on the cigarette, he blew it in front of him. "Anyway, as ridiculous as it sounded, that is how she met me."

Yes! It sounded so ridiculous. She forgot Elliot had a sadistic tendency. He enjoyed picking on her mistake. But somehow he looked happy while telling how she met him. His eyes were nearing into the shade of cyan.

"Just like that?" Kyle asked again. Clearly unsatisfied, since the story was obviously far from being over.

"No. Far from it, really. But that was the gist of it. Besides, we agreed on keeping everything private after all." he grinned with a hidden meaning that only she knew what it meant.

Kyle moved from the other end of the bar to place the orders by two busy co-worker. But she didn't miss the glare Roan gave her.

"You knew each other for two years. How long are you two being in a relationship?" Thalia asked. But the harpy's eyes fixed on her.

That was a tricky question. They would definitely ask next something about recent events here that Elliot knew nothing about.

But Elliot didn't looked bothered even a bit. Instead, he continued puffing in his smoke that smelled like a sweet spice. When he huffed the smoke, he didn't answer yet. His eyes were trained ahead as if listening to something. "Hmm, around a month or two. We did not talk about our relationship that much. We just letting it happened. Since we lived together for two years, we became attach to each other. So, we gave it a shot." Elliot was just blabbering at this point. But he surprisingly sounded fine, playing the part of being her fake boyfriend.

After hearing Elliot answer, Thalia looked at her again. She heard the screeching of a chair being pulled. Her eyes averted from the space between Allen and Elliot. Roan took the seat. The amazonian's height towered over the two creatures beside the woman. Roan took a slight turn to her left so she could face her dark angel roommate.

"Was corrupted always looked edgy as f**k?" Roan jeered on the smoking being. That looked completely unaffected by the insult. Was Roan seriously gonna agitate her roommate?

Elliot placed his cigarette in the ashtray before grabbing his glass and took a sip. Although Elliot's body language was reserved and calm. His eyes looked far from it. As his magic continued gleaming into a darker cloud of blue. "I am far from looking edgy right now, actually."

Roan laugh. A full bellowed laugh. "Really? Can you get even darker?" She giggled and snorted as if she Elliot told her the funniest joke. "After all, you are nothing but a disgusting amalgamation of the sins you indulge. Black and impure."

Elliot only looked at the amazonian beside her in unimpressed expression. He lugged a sigh. "And you are nothing but a woman." He carefully twirled the glass around, swirling the content inside. Before he downed the whole content in one go. "If your mouth can only do is spit unoriginal insults, you are boring me into oblivion." Then he placed the glass back on top of the coaster, pushing the whole item forwards.

Narelle knew how Elliot could be mean in his insults. To the point she got used to it. But nothing beats the direct slap in the face remarks, especially if it was a sore topic. And Elliot never cared if he crushed someone with his brutal words. When consequences didn't scare him anymore. He got nothing to lose, so he gave it all straight, ruthless, but true.