Eliezer’s Ange by Eden Auclair

IX

cassiopeia is nineteen

she is a junior in university

“Here you go.”She giggled, grabbing her phone from the small coffee table in the living room and returning to Eliezer, who gave her a devilish smirk in return. But as her home screen came into view, his smirk fell seeing a “hi boneca” from a certain... best friend. Eliezer felt his blood turn to ice in his veins.

Cassiopeia hadn’t seemed to realize that Ansel texted her since her phone was on silent and Eliezer clenched his jaw, feeling his control slip ounce by ounce because he knew terribly well who her best friend was. And he didn’t like it in the very slightest. Ansel Belizaire, he came to understand over the years, was someone dear to Cassiopeia’s heart; what he didn’t know, however, was the close relationship they still shared. And it bothered him to no end.

“Eliezer?” Cassiopeia called timidly.

“What Cassiopeia?” He suddenly growled with his eyes focused on her phone, blindly burning on jealousy.

“Eliezer, what’s wrong?” Her brows furrowed together and her tone turned demanding just as suddenly. The cynical sound of her voice broke him out of his jealous haze and his eyes flickered up from her phone to meet her inquisitive gaze with a smoldering one of his own.

She gasped softly, suddenly breathless from the intensity of his stare, and this time, he didn’t ignore the desire burning in his body that only shecaused. Her eyes cut to his hand holding her phone and she stared wide-eyed at his pale knuckles. His eyes followed hers, looking down and he realized then just how tightly he was holding on.

“Sorry, amour.” He uttered, easing his hold and finding his way through her phone, first calling his number and then sending a simple ‘hello x’text. He knew he gave her his number, he remembered with clarity folding the napkin in her hand, but why she hadn’t called or texted him once since, he planned to find out.

Placing the phone back in her small hand, they were left staring at each other—a half-smile, half-smirk resting on his face with his hand stuffed in the pockets of his dress pants and a nervous smile on hers with her arms crossed over her chest.

“I want you to start working with me tomorrow.” He said amidst the quiet that settled between them, in his usual dark tone that brought a blush to her cheeks. “Please.” He closed his eyes as a smile grew on his lips. Her heart danced a little in her chest, but her eyes slowly narrowed into a squint that Eliezer found adorable.

“I… don’t know, Eliezer,” she said, shrugging absentmindedly. His jaw clenched and she managed a small smile.

“I just...” She shook her head and let out something between a pained giggle and tired sigh. “I need a moment,” she said quietly. It was her faint sniffle that sent him stumbling back with widened eyes. “You threatened me last week. You hurt me, Eliezer.”

“I know and I am sorry, so fucking sorry. I promise you I will atone, I will kneel at your feet in penance if I have to.” He murmured, stepping closer to her and tenderly cupping her jaw.

“We barely know each other.” She replied in soft reluctance and Eliezer inhaled sharply, feeling her slip through his fingers.

“Little Cassiopeia.” He brushed her cheek with the pad of his thumb before pulling away. “I promise you if you give me a second chance, we will have all the time imaginable in our palms, just you and me.”

“Oh,” she whispered, staring into his eyes with doe-eyes of her own. He merely chuckled, willing her to finally say yes.

“I…” She hesitated, biting her bottom lip and Eliezer begged in his mind. “Okay, yes, maybe,” she said tentatively.

He nodded with his signature smirk. “Tomorrow, ange,I’ll pick you up tomorrow.” Her eyes flared feeling the weight of the ardent fire kindling behind his eyes. Meanwhile, he stood, still leaning against the frame of the door with his hands in his pockets, staring down at her with such intensity—he was memorizing her every detail, her every feature.

“Until then,” he said quietly after what felt like forever. He realized time didn’t exist, not with her and it never will, not when he was always getting lost in the depths of her.

Nothing and absolutely nothing could explain to Cassiopeia what led her to do what she did next.

“Wait, Eliezer.” She rushed out in a whirl of unexpected fervor with wild eyes. He spun around without a moment of uncertainty, anxious that anything could’ve happened to her in the split second he turned away, but was surprised to see her holding the door open wider than before.

“Would… would you like to come in?” Her voice came out much softer, much more timidly as she stared at him with wide, clear eyes. He couldn’t say no even if he needed to.

“I’d love to.” He found himself saying as he smiled boyishly and stepped inside her loft. She shut the door softly, turning around to find his tall frame creating a grand contrast against her creamy, beige apartment. She walked up next to him, giving him a small smile when he turned his head slightly and looked down to meet her eyes. Together they walked into the kitchen with Cassiopeia leading the way and Eliezer getting lost in watching her body sway tantalizingly.

Upon entering the kitchen, her cheeks heated crimson as she muttered, “Oh God.”

“I thought I was a mess,” Eliezer stated incredulously, yet teasingly. He looked over his shoulder to see her standing at the entrance of the kitchen, looking flushed and at everything but him.

“Cassiopeia, what were you trying to make?” He laughed a throaty laugh and she thought to herself how she could listen to the sound on repeat.

“Absolutely nothing.” She choked out with her hands flying up to cover her face.

“Cassiopeiaaa.” He taunted in a sing-song voice, striding over to her and gently prying her hands from her beautiful face. She shook her head frantically, avoiding his stare that would most definitely see past the white lies she’d muster.

“Tell me,” he prodded in a gentle voice, looking down at her with genuine eyes.

There was no way she would share what she’d been trying to do only moments prior. But he stood right before her, and when his hand cupped her jaw, she felt her stubborn resolve crumble. Her breathing became erratic as she took in their close proximity.

“I was trying to make the drink that you made last week,” she murmured, closing her eyes sheepishly.

“Darling...” His brows furrowed in confusion. Her eyes slowly peeled open and she peered into his eyes. She couldn’t help the small gasp that escaped her, feeling utterly entranced by his sapphire irises. Cassiopeia couldn’t help butadmire the man before her. Though he was brooding to the eye at first glance, up close, he had soft features and with just one look in his eyes, he had her weak in the knees. She found herself breathless, just from locking gazes with the brute. “Why didn’t you just call me? I would’ve come.” He frowned.

A bubbly feeling washed over her hearing those words leave his lips and she grew distracted watching the curves of his full lips as he spoke. Eliezer found himself entranced by the angel before him—he was wholly and utterly fixated upon her. Involuntarily, she bit her lip in a tempting manner, the sexual tension between the two was slowly driving her wild. Unbeknownst to her, the minuscule action caused arousal to stir within his being. His control holding him back from hoisting her up on the marble counter and fucking her senseless was slipping.

A low growl left his lips as he stared at her with dark eyes and her own almond-shaped winter-gray eyes widened. He was tempted, so tempted to claim her lips in his, feel her soft, pink lips move ferociously against his. But he fought the temptation, averting his eyes to the white ceiling for a quick moment before flickering his eyes back to the girl. His girl.

“Ange?”

Cassiopeia shook her head slightly, her eyebrows crinkling in confusion. before she said, “I’ve been a little bit of a nervous wreck,” and giggled timidly.

“Nervous.” His face scrunched. “I make you nervous?” His translucent irises flashed with what she thought was hurt, as his brows knitted together, making him appear crestfallen.

“In a good way,” Cassiopeia uttered under her breath, not even realizing the words left her lips. His eyes flared with hope and a slight smirk was etched on his face.

“Come.” He spun her in his arms and led her around the marble island, hoisting her onto the barstool. He shrugged off his blazer jacket, draping it on the stool’s iron backrest that she was sitting on. Eliezer made his way around the island, rolling up the sleeves of his satin royal blue dress shirt. His eyes flickered around everything out on the counter as Cassiopeia watched him intently.

His smirk grew proud on his lips and he looked at her across the island, through his dark lashes. “You’ve got nearly every ingredient, I’m surprised,” he smiled cheekily. “Do you have any more coconut milk?” She nodded with a shy smile, making a slight move to get up, but he rushed over to her again, almost slipping on his own feet. She tumbled back on her stool, in surprise, and reached out, grasping his upper arms to steady him.

“Sorry,” he rushed out sheepishly as his large hands settled on either side of her waist. “You look tired and I want to do this for you, bé-” He stopped short and sudden, contemplating whether he should let the endearment slip past his lips, but looking into Cassiopeia’s wondrous eyes, his pondering was forgotten.

He smiled. “Bébé.” Her eyes crinkled and she blushed wildly, falling in love with the way the endearment rolled off his tongue.

“It’s in the fridge,” she said with a sweet smile as she fell back and relaxed in her seat.

A few minutes later, he stood with his arms crossed and resting on the island opposite her. He watched her closely, a half-smile plastered on his face and an invitingly arched brow. Cassiopeia stared back with clear wintry irises, her gaze flickering between him and the two tall glasses filled with her favorite tea that stood on the counter before him.

“For you, Cassiopeia,” Eliezer clinked the glasses together before sliding one over to her.