For The Love Of Angel (Interactive)
Chapter 1
Elias
Maria, Jefferson, our time is up.
Elias smiled into the DSLR camera, stationed on a tripod, just above the built-in webcam of his laptop.
Along with the bright ring light that encircled it, they were the most important things he owned — at least to him.
Elias
But before we part our ways, is there anything you think you should work on before we see each other again?
Jefferson
We were thinking...
The couple calmly expressed their thoughts one after the other.
Elias was proud of their immense progression since the first session, with no more shouting over one another, never allowing their partner to speak.
Elias
Excellent. I look forward to continuing this conversation next week.
After Jefferson and Maria said their goodbyes and their part of the screen turned black, the smile on Elias’s lips died, and he sank back into the office chair.
Absentmindedly rolling the pen between his index finger and the plastic back of the clipboard in his hand, he looked at the crisp recording of himself, staring right back at him.
He didn’t look bad — quite the opposite.
Natural platinum hair — the top of it playfully styled to the side, elegant yet strong jaw, and lips that were full and yet somehow still firm.
The white dress shirt and the unbuttoned blazer of unintrusive navy-blue color, with the sleeves, rolled up to his elbows, were fitting his lean torso perfectly.
And atop of it all, his features seemed to be too lazy to age, making him seem closer to nineteen than twenty-eight.
The condition was called neoteny, which was really just a fancy scientific term for cuteness.
No, he didn’t look bad at all.
So then why were those gray, almost silver eyes, nestled above the defined cheekbones, so empty, so full of sadness?
Elias
Because it doesn’t matter.
...he muttered to himself.
Right then, the phone started to buzz on the desk, liting up.
Catching it just before it would fall over the edge — he really should start being more mindful of where he was putting it — he answered the call.
The voice of his best friend since high school — and also one of the best surgeons in the city in Elias’s opinion — blasted into his ear.
Naomi
Elias! You gotta check this out! It’s crazy! They’re—
Cringing, he removed the phone from his ear — his eardrums felt as though they were going to pop.
Elias
Stop yelling, girl. Are you trying to kill me?
Naomi quickly apologized, but the enthusiasm didn’t leave her voice.
Naomi
Anyways, you really have to check this out.
Elias brought the device back to his ear and placed the clipboard on the desk.
He closed the video conference program and unplugged the cable and the Cam Link from the laptop.
It was late afternoon, and Jefferson and Maria were the last couple on his schedule for today’s counseling.
The only thing left was paperwork, which he would do after the call.
Naomi
You’re still saving for a trip to LA, right?
Naomi
But it’ll take forever with your current pay, especially since you cant opt-in for crowded, cheaper options, you know?
As Elias turned off the camera and the powerful LED light, a knot tightened in his stomach.
Elias
*Oh, I know alright.*
After obtaining his hard-earned PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy, he had thought — naively hoped really — that things would change.
Elias
*I couldn’t have been more wrong. *
But he didn't want to think about it.
Not when there was absolutely nothing he could do to change his…situation.
Instead, he took in a deep breath of orange-scented aroma, wafting from the diffuser on the shelf to his left.
Elias
*At least, you have a job.*
Elias
*Even if you are severely underpaid.*
Elias
That’s right. What about it?
Naomi
You know that super luxurious hotel where all the celebrities and rich people go?
Naomi
They’re doing a giveaway right now, and they’re going to have two main winners, each of them getting a trip to their hotel plus a two-week stay.
Naomi
Everything will be paid for, and I mean everything.
Elias
Come on, you don’t really believe this is real?
Elias
It’s so obviously a scam.
Elias
Isn’t the owner some nameless billionaire?
Elias
Are they just feeling generous?
Elias
I’m pretty sure I’ve heard somewhere you have to book a year in advance just to get in.
And yet, his hands moved almost on their own, sliding the mouse across the screen, then clicking and typing and clicking some more.
Naomi
I couldn’t believe it either, but I swear it’s real.
Naomi
Everyone’s talking about it, plus, it’s on the official website...
...Naomi insisted, her voice beaming from happiness.
Just then, Angel’s Haven popped open before Elias.
Right there, on the front page, was a huge, modern banner, announcing the giveaway.
The sign-up page it took him to prompted him to connect his Instagram account if he wanted to take a part in the randomized drawing.
There were listed over a hundred prizes, most of which were merch.
However, right at the top, just as Naomi had said, two all-inclusive vacations were boasting in a large font, with an explosion of shimmering golden glitter on a sleek, black background around them.
Elias
You’re going to participate?
Signing up for the giveaway wouldn't make any difference in his life.
Even if it was real, the chances of winning it were close to zero.
Naomi
And I swear to god I’ll claw your eyes out if you don’t, too!
Naomi
You want this, and I won’t let you lose an opportunity like this.
Elias chuckled and clicked on that little ‘Sign up with Instagram’ button.
Elias
Just don't be disappointed when nothing comes of it.
He entered his personal information and finally clicked on ‘Send’.
He pushed himself back from the desk and stood.
Elias
Since it’s Friday, do you wanna go out later?
Elias
I was feeling like maybe going to The Broken Lipstick.
It was their favorite night club in Philly, always so lively and full of energetic people.
But then, her voice changed to one of uncertainty.
Elias’s heart sank to his stomach.
He forced himself to smile.
Elias
Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.
Elias
You must be busy with the hospital.
She quickly grasped the lifeline he was offering.
Naomi
I wish I could go out with you, but you never know when I’ll be needed.
Naomi
I mean, accidents can happen anytime…
Elias
*That’s bullshit and we both know it.*
Elias
*Just yesterday, you told me how you’ll be working only the regular schedule for the following weeks.*
Elias thought that, but out loud, he said:
Elias
Of course, I completely understand.
Elias
Some other time then?
Elias could almost see the olive-skinned girl nodding vigorously, the long chocolate waves of hair bouncing around her shoulders with the movement.
Because he knew her. In due time, that promise would come true.
Elias
Sounds great! Bye then!
The thought of going to the club now abandoned, he called his father right after ending the call with Naomi.
However, that conversation, too, ended on a bitter note.
Jeremy
How many times do I have to tell you?
Jeremy's anger was clearly heard in his voice.
Jeremy
I would rather sell my soul to the devil himself than let you anywhere near Jem.
Jeremy
He’s terrified of you, and for a good reason.
Jeremy
I always felt that there’s something wrong with you, and I’m not talking about the fact that you…
Elias
Bat for the other team?
...Elias helpfully offered.
More choking sounds followed, to the point of Elias entertaining the thought of calling the ambulance to check on him.
Jeremy
I don’t care about all that.
Jeremy
You know, it’s your choice and you’re an adult.
Jeremy
You can do whatever you want.
Elias
*Not really a choice.*
But Elias didn’t have the energy to argue about it.
Jeremy
What I'm trying to say, is that there’s always been something diabolic about you.
Jeremy
If you weren’t my own flesh and blood…
Jeremy
Just don’t try to contact me or my family ever again.
He cut off the call, leaving Elias with the sad beeping sounds in his ear.
Elias
*Jem is my family, too.*
Elias ran a hand through his hair and bit on the lower lip in frustration.
Elias
*He’s my little brother.*
Distracting himself with doing the paperwork and then mailing it to his employer, he tried not to think of how much he missed being close to someone.
Or — as the messages that greeted him as he later opened Grindr reminded him — a hookup.
...one of the texts read.
Thumb hovering above the screen, Elias hesitated.
He knew exactly why the faceless man was asking him that.
"Looking for someone who loves danger and fun," was a line on his profile that he could never go without.
He would gladly elaborate exactly what it meant if it didn't make him look like a serial killer.
Elias
Yes, I am. Do you want to meet up?
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