Page 44 of Eyes Like Angel

I will shelter and bask you with light and air.

I gulped, and read the words, but then skimmed it over to the next paper.

With your shining veil and your necklace alight on your chest,

You are divine.

With your gentle hands and a gentle voice,

You are divine.

Then I took the third paper out.

Roses are red, violets are blue,

The most beautiful color is the eyes of green.

Green is my favorite color of all.

Within a shaky breath, my heart thundered at the last sentence. When I reached to the last page, the paper contained a drawn portrait…of me.

At once, I shoved the papers back in the folder and closed the top drawer, sighing in relief.

When I turned around, Adrian was standing behind me.

I nearly shouted, and held my screams as I stumbled back, and he captured my waist, pulling me upwards and closer to his.

“Sir, I was cleaning your drawers,” I explained, stepping backwards.

His pitched-black eyes watched me, glinting, leaning back as he took a good look on me, and eyeing me from head to toe, then back to my face.

“I could see that,” he said, almost amused, fingers lacing to my waist, lingering. “I never thought coming here to clean my room with your holy presence would be worth it.”

I watched him watched me back. In his towel wrapped his hips, freshly soaked from a clean shower.

How long has he been watching me?

“Thank you for taking care of my room,” he purred, lacing my waist it almost tickled me.

I nodded, calming my heart beat. “May I go now?”

“You may,” he said, releasing me, hesitating at first.

A breath released from my trembling lips.

Once I left, my hands were shaken, gathering my cleaning supplies. I hope Adrian didn’t tell this to Mrs. Rivers about me snooping.

Forgive me, Lord, I said in my silent prayers, praying that trouble doesn’t come to me this time.

15

Adrian

On another day settled in, I didn’t mind noises, as long as my mom wasn’t scolding anyone, especially me. My mood often gets flipped if someone who I don’t wish to see ended up scolding me, but more so, on Eva’s part. She does her occupation well, but whenever Mom shows up to criticize Eva, it stirred and poked anger easily, getting the better off me.

I’ve seen Eva doing her business around the place. I’d say she’s pretty decent; she took the challenges well and exceeded. I knew this of course, based on how she polished the statue at the church before her near-death fall. But to Mother’s standard was unattainably high she had to excuse herself to go out and shop. Her addiction has gone off the radar pretty badly.

Quietude was my ideal type when it comes to relaxing time. But with Sister Eva—Eva—being present, my mind wondered elsewhere, somewhere nice…and unholy.