Falling For You

Chapter 3: The Admission

When we returned to the gates of Heaven, I bid Cassiel a pleasant evening and we went our separate ways. I knew Seraphina was lurking around somewhere, and I tried my best to avoid her as I calmly made my way to Father’s planning room. As I rounded the last corner, I bumped into someone with fiery red hair and froze.

“There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you,” Seraphina answered in a relieved voice.

“Seraphina, Did you have a pleasant afternoon on the beach after I left?” I deflected, trying to avoid staring straight at Father’s office door or into her bright eyes.

“Yes, I did. I went to the… Wait. What are you doing over here? This isn’t even close to your room… What are you planning now, Azrael?” Seraphina’s green eyes stared daggers into mine as she awaited my answer.

“I- Nothing. I was looking for you,” I said, taking her hand to try and lead her back the way I had come.

“Don’t tell me you are planning on doing something reckless. I see that look in your eyes again, sister. What is it you are after?” she shot back at me as she placed her hands firmly on my shoulders.

Staring into her fiery green eyes made my insides boil. She was angry and disappointed in me, again. I had only ever once made the mistake of making her this angry. It was when we were previously working together to create part of the solar system. I told her that her idea was dumb and we were using mine unless she wanted the humans to call God an absolute i***t.

I was barely treading water here and knew I had to carefully select my words. “I wanted to see something in Father’s office, that’s all. It’s okay, I’ll just get what I need, and we can go back to my room together,” I proclaimed, trying to be as indifferent as possible, and failing miserably.

“Father told you to stay away from his office. He told all of us not to be in there when he is gone. You are looking for things you shouldn’t be, aren’t you?” Seraphina whispered, as a few siblings passed by. Her grip on my shoulders tightened painfully.

She was too smart for me. I knew there was no way out of this, yet I lied through my teeth. “No, that’s not it. I was- it was because I needed to double-check the waterfall plans. Cassiel insisted that something was missing and I wanted to make sure it was completed according to Father’s wishes,” I hastily responded.

“Very well,” Seraphina said, releasing her hold on me, “Lead the way.”

“I can do this on my own. Why don’t you wait in my room, I won’t be but a moment,” I stalled, trying to keep her away from my dishonorable plan.

“No, if it’s related to your job, then there is no problem. I will go with you. Now, please open the door and find what you need,” Seraphina smiled sweetly, clearly trying to make me be true to my word or trying to uncover my scheme.

“I- I can’t do that with you here,” I mumbled, hoping she wouldn’t hear me.

“What?” she asked, irritation further seeping into her tone.

“I need to do this alone. I don’t want you to come with me,” I responded firmly.

“Because you’re not doing what you said you are doing?” Seraphina questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes,” I mumbled, avoiding her eyes once again. “Please, let me do this. I need to know.”

“What exactly is it that you need to know? Why must it be a secret from me?” Seraphina whispered, reaching out toward me as I stepped back.

I didn’t want to lie to her, but I didn’t want her to know the truth either. That was just as dangerous. It was one thing to be an angel and lie, but it was another to be involved in something that would anger Father. I couldn’t do that to her, but I also knew she would never let this go.

I let out a long sigh then began, “Fine, I’ll tell you, but only if you let me do this on my own. I don’t want you to get in trouble for my selfish actions.”

Seraphina’s eyes widened at the realization that I was about to be in big trouble with God, but nodded her head silently and waited for me to continue.

“You were right,” I paused as a few more siblings passed leisurely by not paying attention to our conversation. “I do have feelings for Cassiel. I’m not sure what they mean. I’m also not sure if I will even be allowed to work with him now, because I’m certain Father has already figured out my plan. But I have to know what is going to happen to me next. I have to know if I will still be allowed to be near him.”