The Odyssey of the Devil

"A devil is sent to Earth once in a century. A chance he is given to free himself from the curse he had been bestowed with and become an angel. In that time, he is given a mission to complete before his time on Earth is over.

Knowing that the devils were known to be liars, cunning yet beautiful charmers, it wasn't easy for the Gods to just hand them the title of an angel. Giving them the title of an angel was equivalent to submission for the gods. So they laid down a few criteria."

I shifted in my seat as I became more invested. Tucking a strand of hair behind my ears I asked, "What were the criteria, grandma?"

She looked at me with her old eyes and smiled showing me the wrinkles etched all around the corners, "The criteria you ask?" She thought for a while, "The gods knew the power humans held over their beings. Once the devil is here he is to stay with a human for all his time here. The only time he is spared from this criteria is if the girl is already married or in love with someone else before she turns twenty-four."

A chuckle escaped my mouth, "As if staying with a human is difficult."

My grandma looked at me with those knowing eyes, she looked at the red woolen ball in her hands before continuing, "He is supposed to help the human in any way possible. He has to keep them safe. He has to be there for them. Doing all that without falling in love."

"It's still not difficult, don't you think?"

She sighed before looking ahead but I knew her mind was somewhere else, "Who knows. Only their kind can know, don't you think?" She chuckled at me lightly, "When we humans can fall in love at first sight, I wonder how immune one has to be to stick together without catching feelings."

I nodded my head at her. I guess she was right. But I knew better than anyone to not take these tales much more than some stories just passed down generations to keep people hooked. From the beginning of humankind, we have always found ways to justify and prove the existence of the things which don't meet the eyes.

"Grandma?"

She hummed in response.

I shifted in my seat again and sat properly to face her. The sunlight from the french windows was touching the sides of her face,

"What happens if the devil falls in love?"

She thought for a while looking around before saying in her quivering voice, "The human should not fall in love."

I shook my head at her. That's not what I meant,

"What if they both end up falling for each other? What happens then?"

"The devil has to make a choice and leave nonetheless. If he refuses, he has to face the consequences which doesn't end up good. For either of them."

"How?"

"I don't know sweetheart. I wish I knew. But I don't."

I pouted before standing up while rubbing my hands together, "It's just a myth so it doesn't matter." I laughed.

She shrugged her shoulders, "Is it?"

I stared at her as I stood there frozen in my place, "What are you talking about? Of course, it's just a myth. Devils? Angels? Who will believe in that... The story was very interesting grandma, don't get me wrong. But it's just a myth everyone is told."

She sighed before closing her eyes, "It is a tale, Avery."

Tale or not it was the same thing for me. None of them existed.

I could sense her disappointment. I went and sat down beside her. Taking her hands in mine I said, "Maybe it's true. But it still doesn't have anything to do with me or us, so arguing over it is stupid. Let me help you with the work as I took a day off today."

She nodded her head at me smiling and stood up slowly, "Let's go outside to the garden then. You have some muscles to move."

I laughed and followed her outside. I always loved the garden in front of our house. Whenever I wanted peace I always came here and sat down on the grass. The fragrance of the rose always made its way to my nostrils while I sucked in a deep breath.

"Water the roses," Grandma said while going and sitting on one of the chairs that were put here in the garden with a table.

I saluted her with two of my fingers and went right to work.

I had taken a day off today so I came here to meet grandma and my mother. Because of my job which is quite far from here I had to look for an apartment closer and move away from them.

I could hear the news channel being put on in our neighbors' house. I sighed before shaking my head to myself. Living in a close and small neighborhood meant that everyone could hear and know everything about everyone. Sometimes, songs, news, or just radio was turned on with the full volume on purpose so that everyone could enjoy it.

If only everyone enjoyed it.

"Mrs. Kepler never fails to announce her presence," I stated referring to her and her blasting of the news, grandma chuckled lightly.

I was watering the other side of the garden and I couldn't help but hear the news blasting through our neighborhood.

"A tech company building collapsed, while it's been reported that the people working there are injured there have been no deaths confirmed yet.

A mysterious fire broke out in a couple's house. The wife survived while the husband couldn't make it out in time. They had no children leaving the wife alone.

A moving vehicle turned over and crashed on the highway. Upon inspecting, no one was found in the car. The cops are speculating that the survivor abandoned the car and presumably went to the nearest hospital."

"Tell me when you are done watering the plants...you have a blind date to go to."

I stopped midway and slowly looked up at my mom. She had her arms folded in front of her as she gave me a pointed look which clearly told me to not argue back.

"Mom! At least let me rest on my day off. I am not going on any blind date." I denied.

"Avery, you are twenty-four! You have a stable job, an apartment. It's about time that you find yourself a partner too." She said sternly, "I thought you said Kevin was the one for you. Why did you have to break up with him? He was such a sweet boy."

"It didn't work out." I looked down at the grass. I didn't want to talk about it and my mother could see it too as she cleared her throat, "Just go on the blind date."

I looked at my grandma for help, "Tell her I don't want to. I am happy being single."

Grandma sighed before looking at my mom, "Don't force her."

Mom looked at grandma while shaking her head at her, "I don't want to force her. But she is twenty-four already, she has to find somebody and you know it."

"Why?" I asked but she ignored me.

"Whoever can stop from what it is to happen?" Grandma said to my mom, "It's better to let the things be as they are and watch them unfold."

"What's going on? Why aren't you guys telling me what you are talking about?" I asked looking at both of them. This was frustrating me now.

Mom looked at me and sighed, "You might stay single forever, leaving me to keep stressing about you. This is what we were talking about. My concerns regarding you. So just get ready for your blind date today. And I am not taking any 'no'."

Without saying anything else she turned around and went back inside. I looked back at grandma with my mouth open,

"She just cares for you." She smiled, "Come on, water the rest of my roses."

***

I got down from the car and stood in front of the restaurant. I sighed before clutching onto my handbag tightly. In the end, no matter how much I tried I was still standing here for the blind date.

My phone rang in my hands. I looked at the caller and let out a deep breath before answering,

"Mom?"

"Try to stay calm, okay? Don't be nervous."

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, I won't mom."

"I hope things work out between the two of you. I have heard that he is a CEO of a big company."

"That doesn't matter. Anyways, I will get going now, okay? Unless you want me to be late."

"No. No. I won't keep you. I'll be hanging up now."

I put my phone in my handbag before taking a deep breath and walking inside. As soon as I walked in I was greeted with the warmth of the reception. It was the month of winter, I was wearing an overcoat with my black dress.

I made my way towards the desk,

"Do you have any reservations, miss?" The receptionist asked me smilingly.

I still remember my mom telling me to just let them know my name, so that is what I did.

"Can you check under the name of Avery Viotto," I asked in a kind voice.

The guy opposite to me nodded his head and started typing onto his keyboard,

"You will have to go upstairs, miss Viotto. One of the staff members will escort you to your table." He told me.

I nodded my head at him before turning around. One of the staff took my overcoat since it was warm enough inside, while the other one escorted me upstairs just like the receptionist told me.

I walked just behind the staff member as he showed me the table from a little far away,

"That would be your seat." He motioned.

I thanked him before making my way towards the table. I could hear the clanking of my heels against the floor. It was empty. Why were we the only people on this floor? Before even getting close enough I could see a guy sitting there in a black suit.

I looked down at my dress and a mocking laugh escaped my mouth. We were both wearing black. What a coincidence.

I did not even take another step forward when the guy turned his head around to look at me.

As much as I hated coming here I could not help but suck in a deep breath at the gorgeous face staring at me.

But not letting it bother me I put on a straight face before walking towards the table clutching onto my handbag. The guy stood up to his full height and adjusted his blazer before walking towards me and extending his hands for me.

I looked at his hand before looking back at him. Slowly, I put my hands into his and allowed him to escort me towards my seat. Like a gentleman he was acting, he took the seat out for me and helped me in before going back to his own.

As soon as he was seated he cleared his throat and looked at me with a smile on his face. As much as he was good-looking. As much as it seemed like his face was sculpted, I couldn't help but roll my eyes to myself because apparently doing so in front of him that too in the first few seconds of our meeting would be too rude.

"I am Avery Viotto," I said crossing my legs under the table.

My apparently blind date in front of me let out a chuckle before passing me his charming smile. I could not help but run my eyes across his face. His black slick hair was styled perfectly and the green eyes were piercing straight through his cat eyes,

"It's quite a pleasure to finally meet you, Avery Viotto. I am Deandre Elrod."

As soon as I heard his name I fell silent. It sounded somewhat similar. Elrod? Where have I heard it?

I tried to stress hard on my brain. Where have I heard of it? Elrod? Elrod com... it finally clicked me. Shit. It's not even funny. How can I even forget this?

"Is everything alright?" He asked.

I nodded my head at him, "Yeah. It's just your name, it just reminded me of the company I work under. You see, the company has the same name as your..." I stopped mid-sentence and remembered what my mom said.

Deandre raised one of his eyebrows at me amusingly.

"No way." I shook my head before laughing and waving my hand in dismissal, "There is no way that is the case."

"What is the case?" He asked interestedly leaning a little on the table now.

I pointed at him, "You... no way." I laughed looking around before looking at him with a serious expression again, "are you by chance, just a minimal chance, the CEO of 'Elrod Company'?"

He took in a sharp intake of breath as he folded his arms and sat straight in his seat now, "Am I?" He asked squinting his eyes at me, "Do you want me to be?" He tilted his head slightly to the side.

I bit the insides of my cheek. I could see he was having fun,

"You are not, right? I just know it. I can just tell by looking at people. Even if you were I wouldn't care really. Because this will be the first and the last time we will be meeting." I smirked at him.

"I am afraid that would not be the case, Miss Viotto." He smirked in return.

"Aren't you getting ahead of yourself, Mr. Elrod? If I choose not to meet you, we don't."

"I am not getting ahead of myself at all. If anything I don't even have to. I am just stating facts."

"I don't see any fact that tells me why I am obliged to meet you." I glared at him.

We weren't even five minutes into our conversation and he was already annoying me. Meet him again? I don't even want to sit with him for another minute.

"You want me to state facts? I will gladly do them for you, Miss Viotto." He brought back his charming smile. I wanted to wipe it off his face but I held myself back, "What about the fact that I will be moving in with you?"

I stopped breathing. Hold up.

Did I hear him right? Wait, am I hearing things or did he just tell me that he will be moving in with me?

I looked around the table in need before finally getting the hold of the glass. I was about to empty the insides of the glass on him but he held his hand out to me,

"Stop." He said before leaning in a little, "I tried looking my best today. I would appreciate it if you don't ruin my look." He smiled before going back to his seat.

The nerve of this guy.

"Besides," he started again, "I spent a whole load of money on this suit. Ruin it and you will have to foot the bill."

"IT IS WATER!" I said with my eyes wide.

"SOO? Water can't ruin the suit? Are you underestimating the power of the water, Miss Viotto?" He asked in all seriousness but mischievousness in his eyes.

I looked around in disbelief and ran my hands through my hair, "Are you a pervert?"

He laughed lightly, "You are hurting my pride now. No, I am not."

I looked into his eyes and shook my head, "No pervert would go around announcing to the world that he is one."

He laughed heartily. And the more he laughed the more I felt like banging his head on the very table we were sitting, "Trust me, I am not."

"You just asked me, no, told me that you are moving in with me and you want me to trust you?" I looked at him wildly, "Perhaps, if not a pervert, have you gone insane? Do you need me to call a hospital? Look for a psychiatrist? Or better yet, just try to make your brain work by banging them around these walls?"

Deandre sighed before putting on his charming smile back, "You are going to be interesting."

"I am leaving," I announced before standing up. I was about to walk away when I heard his voice again. But this time it was all serious,

"Haven't you heard from your family?" He asked.

I stopped and looked back. The smile on his face was long gone and now he was looking at me with a straight face. What about my family?

He motioned me to sit back down. I hesitated for a second and he sensed it too because the next thing I knew he said he won't tell me if I didn't take a seat.

Sitting back down I repeated my question.

Maintaining the serious face he opened his mouth, "About the tale. I am sure you must have heard it from them. You are twenty-four, they must have told you."

I felt my throat dry up. The tale? How did he know about it? What was this about? Why was he bringing it up?

"Why does it matter even if they did?" I asked sourly.

He let out a breath through his mouth before clasping his hands together on the table and fixing me with his gaze, "You aren't the brightest, are you?"

"Huh?"

"The tale, Avery Viotto. It doesn't take long to put two and two together. You are the human, and I am the... Devil."

___