POV BETTY
It had been a long time since I'd had such a wonderful day. Tamara messaged me in the morning to say she was inviting Gabriel to the concert.
Good.
I didn't have to wait for some vague "maybe someday" message from him.
Certainty is better.
I watered my plants, then went grocery shopping. I was still enjoying those three days off I'd officially granted myself as a reward for three years of suffering.
It was possible that after the concert Gabriel Stone might offer to walk me home, so I prepared for everything. Yes, I bought wine too.
In my thoughts, I already belonged to him.
Around noon I went over to my sister's for coffee. Then my sister, her friend, and I went to a salad bar for lunch.
None of this was planned. I was happy—and finally calm.
Paula no longer annoyed me.
What's more, Paula will never annoy me again.
In the afternoon I even took a half-hour nap, then chatted with Tamara and Naberius.
Tamara told me Selma wanted to promote Gabriel. Gabriel hadn't told anyone; the news was spreading behind his back. There are no secrets at that company, that's for sure. Paula probably already knows.
That woman.
Naberius had met Selma. I was rooting for them. Selma is fair and intelligent—maybe sometimes too serious. It would do her good to get together with Naberius.
And Naberius chose well too.
I'm glad Gabriel has such sensible people around him.
My day was going great.
Later in the afternoon Naberius messaged me again. He praised Gabriel. That evening, Gabriel would be helping Naberius.
"So Gabriel won't be walking me home," I thought.
No matter. After the concert I'd drop by Celestine's for a non-alcoholic cocktail, then read until midnight.
Great day, great plan.
All that was left was to carry it out.
I did a restrained makeup suitable for the concert and styled a simple, elegant hairstyle. With that, I could afford to wear something a bit bolder. The overall effect wasn't vulgar.
Well, if he doesn't walk me home, at least he'll think about me a lot.
That's what I'm counting on.
We waited for Gabriel inside the hall.
He seemed troubled. I'm good at sensing other people's moods—unfortunately, I often absorb those vibrations too.
I was used to Gabriel being absurdly funny. This other side of him—the overly serious Gabriel—felt strange.
He didn't even mention his victory over Paula.
Maybe he wasn't interested in me at all and just didn't want to refuse Tamara's invitation.
"You lost, girl," I thought.
Fine. We can still be friends.
I didn't say a word until the exit, but I'll ask him to play basketball the day after tomorrow. Friendship is great. I'll even cheer for him if he likes someone—and if that someone isn't me.
When we said goodbye, he hugged me—but not the way you hug a friend.
"Always wear this talisman," he said, then rushed off without any further explanation.
I was genuinely surprised.
Okay. I'll wear it.
Before heading to Celestine's, I took a photo of the talisman and sent it to Naberius, because I had no idea what it depicted.
"Ah, that's an Enochian-era symbol. The whole friend group wears the talisman. It protects against unwanted, external, negative influence."
As proof, he sent a photo of his own talisman.
"Great, I've been accepted," I thought happily.
I threaded the talisman onto my bracelet. People leaving the concert hall stared at what I was fiddling with.
John was always at Celestine's too. Clearly—well—very close with her for months now, though they both denied it.
Well, that's their business.
We know. One day they'll admit it.
I was still talking with Celestine and John when Naberius sent another photo.
Of course—he and Gabriel were in it together. I zoomed in a little to get a better look at Gabriel, and that's when I noticed something strange in the background. A peculiar, flying outline.
It looked like an angel.
Naturally, I circled the odd shadow in an image editor and sent it back to Naberius.
I could practically feel the stunned silence on the other end.
"Tell me where you are, and stay exactly where you are."
I was shocked too. I was truly stunned when a police car stopped in front of Celestine's bar. Gabriel and Naberius got out.
It didn't look like a crime scene.
"So, is there going to be a warrant out for the angel?" I tried to joke.
I aimed it at Naberius—it's easier to throw absurdities at a buddy.
"Almost," Gabriel replied seriously.
Now I understood nothing, and when they explained it, I simply couldn't believe the nonsense.
Even though all three of them insisted.
Lucifer? Angels? Guardians? Demons?
Come on. I looked around, half-expecting Gargamel to join this fancy circus.
"You doctored the photo and you're trying to scam me for something," I snapped at them.
I waited for one of them to laugh.
They stayed serious.
"That is an angel—and not one of the good ones," said the police officer, shaking his head.
Civilian name: Thomas. Demonic name: Aamon.
"My ex," Gabr—Azazel shared this crucial information with me.
"Fine. I'm going home now, and none of you should try to talk to me as long as you believe in this madness," I threatened Gabriel… Azazel. Whatever this cheeky guy's name is.
I'm not letting myself be fooled—no way.
I looked around one last time. Not a single angel in sight.
I wished them good night. I reminded Gabriel that the day after tomorrow—if by then he manages to get his angel ex out of his head—he can still come play basketball.
It came out sarcastic. Very.
Gabriel simply kissed me.
Yes—on the mouth.
"I'll prove tomorrow that none of us has gone insane," he promised.
Well, I'm home now, sitting alone. I opened the wine I bought in the morning. I'm very curious about that proof tomorrow.