My Guardian Angel

Chapter 3; Presence unseen

I watched her sleep, peaceful as humans sleep.

Not in the way mortals do; not from the foot of the bed or beside the window. I hovered in the stillness that lives between moments, between light and shadow. I had always been there, even when she couldn’t see me. Especially when she couldn’t. I needed my presence to be felt, I needed her to feel the energy that came with my presence.

Scarlet stirred, shivering slightly, even though the night was warm. I didn’t mean to let the cold touch her. Sometimes, my energy slipped, bleeding through the veil of immortality. What was it like to sleep? I had wondered countlessly. To be as peaceful as she was. To hold her close in my arms, I often find myself wondering about the impossible.

She sat upright, kneading her eyelids , her hair messy, and sweat beads around her face and neck, eyes still foggy with sleep. I flickered the light not intentionally, not to scare her, when I tilted closer. Twice. My control wasn’t what it used to be. It was getting rusty, or do I say it was getting weaker, not as weak as humans feel after a tired day, or after being beaten from a fight.

She saw the message I left, only for a second.

“You’re never alone.”

A whisper of truth scribbled weakly across the mirror. She blinked, and it was gone. I hadn’t planned to reveal anything to her yet, but I couldn’t help myself. She had become more potent, softer,yes, but more potent.

Her heart had survived storms that would’ve ruined many. I was drawn to her, and I don't think I can survive without her. She was the reason for my entire existence. I am here today only because of her. I wanted her to be alright, to be fine, and I wanted her to be peaceful. I never want to see her without a smile or, with any more tears it those lovely golden eyes. I hadn’t seen a human as perfectly created as my soul, I think God gave my charge over the most brilliantly beautiful soul.

I knew I shouldn’t interfere. But she was mine to guard. To watch over. To love from afar.

She moved through the day, unaware that I followed her.

At work, I watched her stop in the hallway, her eyes darting toward the sound of her name, though no one had spoken aloud. Not in her domain, I whispered it. Gently. Just to feel it, leave my lips. This was the first time I was letting her name slip out of my mouth.

“Scarlet.”

She didn’t see me. Not yet. But her soul did. I could tell from the way her heartbeat kicked, the goosebumps on her arms. Souls remember what minds forget. She looked around, trying to figure out who called her name. She was almost too sure she had heard her name. She spun around the hallway and was dead quiet with no single person insight, which was unlikely. The hallway always had people, maybe two or three, some gossiping or handing over files or going towards the elevator. Today felt strange for her.

She stopped by Jane's of She was the admin, "Jane? Jane, who was buried in her laptop, sorting out some deliverables for the day, lifted her face at the sound of her voice.

"Good morning, Scarlet. I hope you had a great weekend?"

"Yes...yes, I did. Did you, by any chance, call my name a few minutes ago?"

"No, I did not." She responded, trying to figure out the expression on her face.

"Are you alright, Scarlet?

" Yeah, sure, I'm fine, I'll head to my office now. Please send the folders to me once you're done."

"Sure, you'll get it before noon. "

By evening, she returned home to a lull house. But the door… she'd forgotten to close it completely before leaving the house earlier. She felt the tension again, the exact one she felt in the morning at the hallway. Immediately, she felt the weariness in her stomach, her ferocious strength returning. I liked that about her. Her gut feeling was never wrong. She had survived this far because of how bold she has been. I had shut the door.

She opened the door. I stayed frozen, unseen, though my effect saturated the space. I did not touch anything. I only kept a little gift of white roses and baby’s breath, wrapped in white silk, with a small note, written, "I love and always will. The very way she liked it.

She stood unable to move, staring. She smiled at the gesture. She dialled a number. It was him, it was Austin’s number, the first person she would call when she saw this kind of gesture.

“Hey Honey, did you drop by my house today?

I should not feel the way I do each time she says his name, I shouldn't it doesn’t feel right, why Am I talking about feelings, I am not supposed to feel only humans feel.

Austin replied "no honey I'm still at work. Do you want me to drop by?he asked.

Without waiting for her response "okay then I will drop by. " I was just wondering. Love you, honey. "

“Love you.” I whispered, but this time she didn't hear me, only the wind did.

That night, I was in her dreams. That was the only way I was sure to talk to her and have her respond to me without freaking out or where the rules of heaven weren't blurred and the weight of divine laws limited.

I made myself an illuminous, shiny, only silhouette of warmth.

“Not now, hold on." I told her gently. She smiled, peaceful in her sleep, I reached out to touch her face. Her reaction from the touch had me thinking if she actually felt my hand on her face.

She reached out to touch me, and her touch nearly broke me. Her fingers touched my chest lightly, and I felt it. I felt her touch like fire and peace all at once. But I couldn’t stay any longer, she needed to wake, she needed to face her reality. I didn't know if it would be possible to ever have her finally see me.

She woke up gasping, gasping for air. I had left a feather tucked behind her pillow. This was my sign to her, my promise that one day she would see, touch me, and I would kiss her and be melted in her embrace. How could I be desiring things that were only the exclusive preserve of humans?

All I knew was that I wanted more. I wanted Scarlet for myself.