STELLA
"Everyone’s so pathetic, what a world to live in," said Nullus as he stared at the television screen. He idly chewed his food, turning to face me with a shake of his head. "Do you agree with me, love?"
I gave him a cold look. "You're the only pathetic one here."
"Oof," he said. "You're cruel."
I remained silent because we wouldn’t get anywhere with arguing. And yes, Isaac is a hypocrite. He despises the people in my world but enjoys the food here. Like… is he okay?
Yet, he enjoys the food. And… I watch over him.
I noticed him glancing around.
"I’d say I can see the disgust in your eyes, even with those shades on," I said sharply. "Stop looking around."
He looked up at me and grinned. "Make me."
I shook my head.
After finishing our meal, I pulled him out of the fast food restaurant. We wore disguises—face masks and sunglasses. My hair was usually tied back, but today I let it down. I didn’t want to come back here—or be seen with this man. But… damn it, I can’t stop what’s going on in his mind. He was having a tantrum. And it’s annoying. He claimed he was bored and hungry.
I told him to shut up and just order food. But he didn’t want to be served; he wanted to try something new—something different.
"This should be a disguise," I said as we walked down the street. "But—" I glanced at him irritably and gave him a sharp look. "We’re looking stupid."
"Huh," he said. "We look fabulous."
No, we don’t. We’re drawing attention!
He wore an outfit that looked like it belonged on a fashion runway. I had no choice but to wear the dress he insisted on—a yellow dress with sunflower designs that reached below my knees. It drew attention, and truthfully, it wasn’t bad for me—it was him I couldn’t stand. He looked like he belonged in Paris rather than the Philippines—he outshone even a runway model!
Hello? We’re in the Philippines. It’s hot here!
He wore that ridiculous outfit—a throwback to the one he wore when we first met. He was going to a fast-food place but dressed in a coat. God, he’s such an… extra.
"Stop staring," he said. "I might think that you’re starting to like me." He glanced at me with a grin. "Do you?"
"Hell no," I replied irritably, then followed him wherever he wanted to go. Should I just run away?
Well, he is a demon. I can’t exactly do that.
He walked into an ice cream parlor, and I followed. I prayed as we saw the long line at the counter. Isaac hated waiting.
Yeah. He’s that ridiculous.
"I hate—"
"You hate waiting, I know," I interrupted, pulling him toward the end of the line. "But if you want to eat quietly and properly, you should shut that mouth of yours."
"Never," he said, but obediently stood in line.
He’s like a ticking bomb—so when we finally ordered, I told him to get it to go so we could leave.
We returned to his so-called "home." His ice cream was finished by the time we walked there. I’m still not used to these things… I don’t understand the magic. I don’t understand anything. All I know is, when he opened the door to a boutique shop, we were led into his mansion.
Now, I’m staring out his window. Watching birds flit among the trees, and even if I don’t admit it… the view is beautiful.
There are mountains visible, and the calm sky is grayish, almost obscured by mist. To some, it might seem eerie… but here, it’s peaceful. In Manila, all you see are buildings and cars. The traffic has only worsened, and the roads have widened with massive overpasses. The Philippines has changed over time.
Yet, the people are still hypocrites. They don’t seem to learn. Judgemental. But not everyone. Many are open-minded and fight for what matters.
Still, it’s exhausting.
I hate to admit it, but here, in Isaac’s presence… it’s like…
...I can finally rest.
"Goddamn it," I heard the door open and Isaac’s coughing fit. My gaze shifted to him, furrowing my brows as I examined him.
His face was dark, covered in soot. His white pants were dirty, and his simple black T-shirt had holes in it. What the hell happened to him?
He carried a tube filled with a purple liquid, which was smoking—so was Isaac, his messy hair burning with heat.
"I know I look stupid," he said, pulling apart his cluttered desk, removing random objects.
"What are you doing?"
"Spell-making," he replied, then glanced at me.
"Are you a witch?" I asked, stepping closer to his space.
But he didn’t answer. He stared at the tube in his hand. "This is supposed to be a teleportation spell, so I don’t need a door to go home." He threw it to the ground, and I winced as the area around him briefly glowed.
When I looked at what happened, my brows lifted. "You’re naked."
"I know," he said with sarcasm, smirking. I mean, he was completely naked.
"Ahh," I sighed and laughed softly. "Only your clothes teleported."
He glared at me. "Thanks, Miss Obvious, I didn’t realize that."
I shook my head. What a brat. I ignored him again. I returned to my spot and watched the world below.
There were still no guards—those monsters. It felt strange. I don’t know if he’s just lazy or if he trusts me a little now. Is he too confident that I won’t run away? Or is he testing me to see how I’ll react when the exit is wide open for me?
I don’t know. I don’t understand.
"What are you looking at?" I was startled when I felt Isaac behind me. "You’ve become so boring."
I rolled my eyes. "The view is beautiful. Is it wrong to look, huh?"
"I’m prettier, though."
Tsk.
I turned sharply to him and tilted my head, meeting his gaze. His terrifying eyes—normally frightening—were now calm and beautiful, devoid of malice. With the curtain open, natural light bathed his face.
Yes. He’s prettier. Much more beautiful to look at than the outside, I won’t lie.
"Do you want more attention?" I asked, bored. "Don’t you have anything else to do?"
His smile widened, genuine and breathtaking. "Your job is to amuse me," he said. "And I fucking hate spell-making."
"Why not sleep?"
"You're going to escape."
I sighed. "Yeah, right. I’ll escape. I’ll run out into the unknown. Very convenient. Such wise decision-making."
He grinned, like an idiot. "You’re starting to like me."
"In your dreams."
I stared at his eye—different from the other—beautiful in its own way. He leaned in slightly, his fingers brushing my neck, trailing gently along my cheek. "Can’t you see? We were made for each other."
"No, we weren’t—"
"Uh-huh, yes, we are," he said with a smug smile. "We’re perfect for each other, Stella. We can take over the world—you can have the riches of the universe."
I swallowed hard. "No, we’re not."
"You can say that," he said once again, closing the curtains behind me. As the natural light faded, he smiled slightly. "I won’t send you back to your father."
I chuckled softly. I shook my head, whispering, "You said it yourself... everyone is pathetic." I shrugged. "I guess you’re right," I teased.
His smile grew wider, genuine and mesmerizing.
*****