Lord Adonis stared at the umbrella he had earlier taken from the bridge and he remembered the girl he has saved two consecutive times in just one day. She desperately was seeking to end her own life while he was consistently saving her against his wish. What an irony!
Lord Adonis took the umbrella and hid it in his safe.***The sun was rising and the sounds of birds chirping could be heard from a distance.Audrey tried to open her eyes but had to shut it immediately as she felt her head banging.'Where am I? Am I dead? Is it over now?' She asked herself multiple questions at a time.Audrey tried to open her eyes again but this time very slowly. She was welcomed by the sight and noise of water. The events of the previous day came replaying slowly in her mind.Who was the man that had come to her rescue?His eyes were crimson red and his body was so cold.Again, she saw someone else or was it a mermaid? Or was it just her imagination?She was jolted out of her blurry memory by an awakening headache that threatened to spilt her head into two.She slowly sat up realizing her plans to end up her life has failed."What could be worst than this? Even the land of the dead does not seems to want to have anything to do with someone like me" She gave out a loud cry and broke down in tears.Audrey cried to her heart content and after a while stood on her feet with just one question in mind.What next?She was torn in between going to the hospital or going back to an empty house. She eventually choose the former.Audrey started walking away from the bank of the river and suddenly remembered that she had left her umbrella on top of the bridge.She went to the bridge and searched for the umbrella but all her efforts proved futile. She gave up on her search and headed to the hospital.*At the hospital...Azrail, the second in command to Adonis sat at the reception to carry out the mission given to him. This was the first mission given to him by Lord Adonis in a million years, he can't afford to mess it up so he intended to do it by himself. He needed one more house maid to complete his assignment and he hoped to finish it before the end of the day.He knew better than drag the assignment given to him. A hit from Adonis and he will never be reincarnated.To get mortals to work at the frosty, old and almost creepy mansion even with a high pay was quite difficult. They had to be desperate enough to do anything and where else could he find desperate souls if not in the hospital where mortals have their loved ones hanging in between life and death.*Audrey got to the reception of the hospital looking all tattered and weak. She walked towards the nurses.One of the nurses on duty was Alma."Oh goodness me what happened to you, Audrey?" Asked Alma" How is my granny faring?" Audrey asked ignoring Alma's question."Come with me" Alma said to her after a long pause and another long look at the disheveled sight of Audrey.Audrey's got to Henrietta ward and was broken by the sight that greeted her.Henrietta looked pale and weak. Her skin was so dried and dehydrated.Alma gave Audrey that knowing look of "I'm sorry but you have to get the money before we can proceed with the needed surgery."Audrey nodded and moved closer to Henrietta. She held her hands stroking her hair grey gently."I'll do everything I can to save you granny, even if I have to sell my soul, I will. Please hang in there for me."Audrey turned to Alma,"I'll get the money in few days." She said to Alma, with a confidence she absolutely wasn't supposed to have.How could she get that much money in a few days? But she was determined to get it anyways.Audrey walked out of the ward thinking of what to do when Azrail spotted her. She seemed so exhausted, tired of life and the type to do anything to get what she wanted. Azrail recognized that look on her face very well. She was desperate.Audrey sat adjacent to where Azrail was and Azrail was quick to take the opportunity to approach her."Here you go sweet" he said giving her a bottle of water."Thanks a lot" Audrey replied giving a faint smile to the stranger."What's the problem? You look tired. Do you care to share?" Azrail said giving her a fake sweet smile.Audrey took a sip from the water and her tummy made some funny noises. She was embarrassed."I'm sorry about that" Audrey said. It was at this point she realized that she was hungry and that was completely normal after all she had had nothing to eat for some time now. Food had been the least of her thoughts."The hospital cafeteria sells good food, hope you don't mind me asking you to join me for breakfast"? Azrail said giving her a small smile and a gentle shrug of his shouldersAudrey smiled at him and accepted his offer. She could not afford buying meals for herself anyways so it would be stupid to decline.At the cafeteria, the two were quiet while eating. Azrail cleared his throat and asked Audrey if she wanted more food, Audrey politely declined and said she was okay.After eating, Azrail led Audrey to the field of the hospital building. Just when he was about to start bargaining, Audrey broke the deafening silence between them."Audrey" she said"What?" Azrail asked"My name is Audrey" she continued abd stretched out her hand for a shake.Azrail looked at her small outstretched hands and an amused smile tugged at his lips."Thanks for the meal, I feel like I've regained strength for the battle ahead of me.""I am Azrail" he replied shaking her hands and Audrey could not help but notice how cold his skin was. It seemed more like he had been holding ice for some time but she knew that was not the case.They both had a hot meal before walking up here."Azrail" what a strange name, Audrey finally responded, letting go of his hand and shaking off the strange coldness."Who do you have here?" Azrail asked changing the topic."My grandmother" replied Audrey almost immediately before she realized she was starting to say too much."Do you need my help Audrey?" Asked Azrail with his eyes fixed on her, giving her his signature smile once again while his eyes turned a little bit intense.Audrey took few steps backwards. She knew there was no free meal anywhere. The only reason why she accepted his water and food was because she was hungry but now that she is filled to the brim. She could start thinking again."What could you possibly do for me?, I'm in this situation because of your gender." Audrey almost screamed at the top of her voice but it only ended up coming as a whisper, an audible one.After what seems like as moment. Azrail decided to change his approach."What do you want Audrey?""I want to save my granny" she replied."You look rich, can you save her?" She snorted and gave Azrail a mocking laugh, a laugh meant to hide her own pains and sorrows.Azrail found it amusing that Audrey was asking him the second in command to Adonis, the end of all lives to save her grandmother but then to her, he was just another normal human, like her."What can you do for me?" Azrail asked."I'll do anything you ask me to if you can foot my grandma's medical bills. What have I not done before anyways?." Audrey said, giving a sad chuckle at the end.Azrail heaved a sigh of relief. He had gotten just what he wanted."Consider it done but don't you forget your promise Audrey."To say Audrey was stunned was an understatement."Who are you Azrail?" Audrey finally mouthed when she finally found her voice." Starting from this moment, I'm your employer." Azrail said while walking away from her."I'll see you soon Audrey" he said as he walked away, leaving Audrey completely confused and mystified by all that had happened.Who was this stranger, really?Audrey stood over the grave of her grandmother all by herself wondering what went wrong. She was more than devastated that the blazing hope she was clinging to had bursted right on her face.Audrey was hurting deeply but had ran out of tears to express how she was feeling. She wondered what she was going to do with her life henceforth. No family, no lover, no friend. Her world was indeed lonely and dark.A man stood few meters away from Audrey. It is time for her to fulfill her part of the bargain. He knew how tenacious Lord Adonis was and Audrey might never make it back alive once she started working for him so he allowed her a moment to grieve her family. After a while that seemed like forever Audrey slowly turned around to go back to empty house when she noticed the presence of someone."Maybe he is here to pay respect to his loved one too" she thought within herself. She could relate to his pain but she wasn't in any position to sympathize with anyone so she walked past him.
The girls were ushered into a big hall with bed bunks. They had filed up on a straight line. A bowl with different tags was placed in front of them and they were made to choose a tag that will become their identity and help them to their bed space as well.Audrey picked the tag with number eight boldly written on it. She would share her bunk with the person with tag number seven.After the girls had finished picking their bed tags, they returned to their initial formation. "Number eight, you will be in charge of the other girls. Henceforth the girls are your responsibility, you'll be held accountable for their wellbeing and mistakes." Azrail said without looking at her direction.Audrey was beginning to find Azrail infuriating but she knew better than to talk so she just nodded her head."Is that a yes or no number eight?" Azrail asked"Yes Azrail" Audrey responded"Don't you dare call me by my name here. I'm the second in command to Lord Adonis. Is that understood?" Roared Azrail"Ye
Adonis knew the girls at his disposal were just alternatives to his one true option, he had to find himself the one person whose blood would liberate him from his weakness. A weakness no one should find out or he would be at risk to lose everything his existence stood for. He clenched his fists. At any cost, he will do everything and anything to find her. Audrey and the other girls continued to live their lives in great torment mixed with fear and a faint glimpse of hope. They woke up each day with uncertainty filled in their hearts. The next moment wasn't promised for them so they worked very hard yet with great caution.Audrey was determined to leave the Palace of Ice and soul but didn't know how. She was also aware that a single mistake could cost her life.Audrey thought about her escape a thousand times in a day. If Azrail could find her the first time, he would always find her again but the only difference was that she had nothing to lose, probably she still have her miserab
Azrail ran as though his existence depended on it. He ran past the girls in the main hall and the girls felt a sudden cold breeze and were terrified. None of the girl could comprehend what was going on and gave each other quick glances.Lord Adonis walked towards Audrey and with each stride, fear filled Audrey's heart. Just as Lord Adonis was about to touch Audrey when Azrail called out."My Lord, the end of all things" Azrail said as he lowered himself while breathing heavily Azrail was more than thankful that he made it right on time but what next? He came running without no plan."It was my mistake, I instructed Audrey to inspect the other girls as I had other things to attend to, she must have lost her way while doing that. I know my fault master, please punish me." Azrail found himself saying.Lord Adonis looked at Azrail to be sure he heard him correctly."Audrey?" Lord Adonis asked inquisitively Azrail got Lord Adonis message and instantly corrected himself."My lord, I mea
Azrail walked away from Audrey with plenty of thoughts in his head. He walked into a room. It was his chamber. Azrail needed to be alone. A girl with the tag number eleven was seen cleaning up this space. The moment Azrail entered, the girl felt a old aura and froze dropping the hand towel in her hands to the ground."I hail you, second master" The girl said frightened while trying to pick up the towel. While the girl was trying to pick the towel, she accidentally kicked the bucket of water beside her and the water splashed on Azrail."Oh my!!! What have I done? Second master, I'm sorry." The girl with the tag number eleven lowered herself in the pool of water she had just created shivering."There are no rooms for mistakes, you know that already. How could you be so clumsy?and how do you intend to clean up this mess?" Azrail questioned while walking towards her.Azrail looked at the girl and immediately felt a sense of deja vu and stopped dead in his tracks. He sure was in the same po
Lord Adonis remained at the garden. The mansion bell jingled; a signal for the girls to turn to their various bed. Lord Adonis realized though he had spent his entire day at the garden, it seems like a short while. His mind was filled with numerous thoughts. He then decided it was time for him to retire back to his room. It's been a long and eventful day. He walked through the main hall and observe his environment. It was quiet, neat and calm just as he loved it."The girls ain't totally useless, I guess." Lord Adonis said to himself. He walked majestically through the corridors to his room. He looked around his room and was very satisfied with what he saw."No doubt, she does a great job taking care of my space, if only she could do the same for herself." Lord Adonis found himself soliloquizing as he moved round his room.The event that has earlier taken place continued to play in his head as he took off his clothes. As Lord Adonis unveiled his body, his body displayed an artistic
Audrey entered the room she shares with the other girls exhausted. She had expended all her energy cleaning Lord's Adonis quarters, she definitely can't have him interrogating her the second time for negligence towards her duty if she cherish her head, besides It had given her a moment to take her mind off what had happened.Audrey made for her bed but was stopped by a girl who gave her an unpleasant look before speaking."Do you mind explaining what happened earlier at the hall?"Audrey was too tired to give answers, she took a quick glance at the girl's tag. She had number five boldly written on it."Look all I want is to be left alone and I'll appreciate if you can respect that." Audrey said walking away from her but she was stopped again by a different girl. She was wearing tag number thirteen."If you really want to be left alone then I'm afraid you will have to explain to us what transpired between you and second master else""Else what? Since when do I owe you an explanation?"
Azrail heard the bell jingled and right away he knew it was going to be a long day. Everything gotten comes with a price, if he had pleaded on Audrey's behalf, he should be willing to pay the price as well."It's the red code, brace yourself Azrail." He said to himself. Azrail was still finding it hard to believe that he had interfered with Audrey's punishment knowing fully well he was putting himself into jeopardy."I wonder why I did that in the first place when it has nothing to do with me? It's totally impossible to know what Lord Adonis is thinking. What will his sentence be? What is to come will definitely come." Azrail mustered all his courage as he stepped out from his chamber to the main hall.***The girls were waiting at the main hall when Azrail walked in"We greet you second master" the girls chorusedAzrail walked passed the girls without acknowledging their greetings but stopped briefly to take a look at lucia before he proceeded to his position and bow his head, The g