Three years ago…
Elizabeth
It's Sunday today. I went to church and got back early. Since I'm home alone, I decided to engage myself with the Word of God.
I was in the bedroom, reading the Holy Bible, when the angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to me, delivering God's message.
I used my hands to shield my face from the blinding light radiating from him.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose,"
his voice echoed like the sound of many waters.
This is not my first encounter with God's angels—and I know it won't be my last.
I agree—I'm blessed and privileged to meet and speak with them, both spiritually and physically.
"Haven't I been faithful enough?" I asked, still shielding my face. "I've been a faithful servant all my life. When am I going to get my reward?"
"You have been doing well, Elizabeth. God has seen your good works. They have all brought glory to His name. You have a good record of keeping His commandments and doing His will."
"He gave me life and showed me kindness, and in His providence watched over my spirit," my lips trembled. "But amidst everything He's done for me, He asked me to request anything I need in life. I don't know what I need."
"Giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light. The Lord Almighty, who created you, already knew what you need—even before you were born."
"I know," I whispered.
"The Lord has given you a great reward, Elizabeth. And this great reward is so marvelous in His sight."
"Where is it?" I asked hopefully.
"In your palms," he said, smiling.
I looked down at my hands—nothing.
"I'm not talking about the physical palms, Elizabeth. The Lord has wiped away all your secret tears. He has granted all your heart's desires. He has sent for you the reward of a comforter."
"The Holy Spirit is my comforter," I warned fearlessly.
"I'm talking about a human comforter. He has brought him for you, and you will be his helper. He will guide you, and you will preserve him."
I gritted my teeth in annoyance. "I don't need a man. Tell the Lord I say so."
"Who dares decree a thing when the Lord has not? Elizabeth, be very careful. God's given opportunity comes only once. Don't throw away a chest of gold into the ocean all because of a little diamond."
"But—"
Before I could finish my words, he disappeared, and the room returned to its usual temperature.
The reward of a comforter?
Who's the comforter?
But I don't need such a thing. Not at this point in my life. I'm equipped with the Spirit of God—I can't waste it all because of some human I don't even know if I've met already.
I was expecting a miraculous message about my family or something, but instead… he's talking upside-down.
I shut the Bible. I'd lost interest in studying. Sitting on the bed, I felt confused about what to do next.
I took a deep breath and went to the kitchen for a bottle of water.
I was drinking when I heard my phone ringing in the bedroom.
I set the bottle down on the counter and hurried to get my phone.
I groaned when I saw the familiar number.
Slipping my thumb across the screen, I answered with a slight frown. "Yes?"
I heard Sebastian's breathing hitch a couple of times, like he was troubled.
"...Elizabeth…" his voice was low, barely audible. "I'm about to die…"
"What?" My eyes widened in fear.
"...I think I have five minutes to live—"
"No! You won't die, okay? I'm coming to your place right now." I scrambled, looking for slippers, shoes, sandals—anything to wear. "Wait for me! Just hold on, okay? Is Bruce there?"
I waited for him to speak, my heart pounding. For a moment, I thought he had died right there on the phone.
Finally, I heard him again, his voice tight and hoarse:
"...He's not here. He's away, and I'm dying, Elizabeth. Please… come save me. I need you…"
"I'm coming!" I threw on a trench coat over the weird mix of clothes I'd thrown together in a rush. I didn't even remember to cover my hair. "Hold on for me, Sebastian, please—in God's name."
"...I'm trying… I have two minutes more…"
Then the line went dead.
"No! No, no, no!"
I tried calling him back, but it wouldn't go through.
I wanted to call Bruce but—
There was no time.
I locked the door and sprinted down the hallway, booking the fastest Uber available.
*******
I paid the Uber driver and fastened my pace toward the gates. Before I could touch them, they unlocked on their own. I guessed the camera had gotten used to seeing my face all the time.
As I rushed through the foyer, my heart thudded in my chest. Silent prayers tumbled in my head, frantic and desperate.
Oh God, please preserve him. Protect him. Have mercy on him. Give him another chance to live, I beg you. Just one more chance—please.
I nearly collided with Bruce on the way. My balance wavered, but he caught my arms.
"Ms. Barros, you look troubled. What's the matter?"
I snapped his hands away, my pulse racing wildly, sweat beading across my forehead.
"Why did you leave him to die? How could you be so heartless as to abandon your boss when he needs you, Bruce? If anything happens to him, I swear I'll hold you responsible—responsible for his death!"
He blinked at me, looking genuinely puzzled, as if I'd just started speaking another language.
"I don't understand. What are you talking about? And who told you my boss was dying?"
Pretending? Really? I wanted to squeeze the truth right out of his guts.
"Get out of my way!" I shoved past him, but he caught my arm again.
"Ms. Barros, I don't know who fed you the wrong information, but as far as I'm concerned, my boss is the most solid rock that can never crack. Sometimes I think he's immortal—let alone dying."
I clenched my jaw, irritation simmering. "You're supposed to protect him. That's your job."
"And that's exactly what I'm doing."
I shook my head. "No, you're not doing it right."
He raised an eyebrow. "You think I'm lying? Fine. Come with me—I'll show you how fine my boss is."
I followed him to the patio… and nearly froze in place.
There he was. The same Sebastian who claimed he was five minutes from death, sitting comfortably—smoking and drinking like he'd just won a thirty-billion-dollar lottery.
"You animal!" I snatched the pillow from the couch and hurled it at him. My anger boiled over instantly.
How dare he.
He dodged with ease, then turned to meet my glare.
He stubbed out the cigarette, set it and the drink aside on the tray, then rose to meet me.
"Coward!" My eyes darted around, searching for something—anything—to crack over his head.
Bruce tried to hold me back while Sebastian just stood there, hands in his pockets, that infuriating smirk tugging at his lips.
God, I hated that look—like he was peeling my clothes off with his eyes.
"Let her be," he told Bruce, who immediately stepped away. "You may leave us alone now."
Bruce nodded and left.
I faced Sebastian, my chest rising and falling like a lioness ready to pounce.
My gaze fell on the whiskey bottle on the table.
He followed my eyes, snatching it up and tucking it behind him. "Wow. Nice hair. You didn't tell me you're Rapunzel's younger sister."
That's when I realized—I hadn't worn my headscarf. My hands flew to my head, feeling the long, loose strands spilling down.
No wonder the Uber driver had stared. No wonder Bruce did too.
I tied my hair into a rough ponytail, but it still brushed my legs.
Whatever. Not the issue right now.
"You told me you were dying. Why did you lie?" My voice shook with anger I couldn't swallow down.
He put on a fake pained expression, then sighed. "Tsk. My bad. I'm sorry, dear. It was just the only way to bring you here."
"My God, you almost gave me a heart attack!" I snapped. "You're impossible, Sebastian. I hate you!"
He gave me a look that said Really? "No, you don't. You just proved how much you love me—thanks to my little test."
Love… what? Disgusting element!
So this was a test?
I shoved him hard until he fell back onto the nearest couch.
The whiskey slipped from his grasp, shattering on the ground.
"You wanted death, right? I'll give you one!" I launched myself at him, raining slaps across his face.
He didn't fight back. Just sat there shielding his face from my blows.
"How dare you! You almost scared me to death! Your insane lies made me look like some madwoman escaping from a psychiatric hospital!" My fists kept coming, even as my voice cracked with rage.
With one hand, he caught both my wrists and held me still.
"Get your hands off me, moron!" I jerked, but his grip was iron.
He released me only when I threatened to bite him.
That's when I noticed my outfit—oh dear Lord. Black trench coat, green ankle boots, pink palazzo pants, orange sweater, and a yellow neck scarf.
What am I wearing?
"You look cute when you're angry," Sebastian said, touching his face where I'd hit him.
I glared. "Call me cute again and you'll regret it."
"You're not even a redhead, and yet you've got a hot temper," he teased, grinning. "Come on, I was only pranking you."
Pranking? He called that a prank? He had to be insane.
"That's an expensive joke, Sebastian," I shot back. "You almost gave me a heart attack."
"I'm sorry for that. Apologies."
"To hell with your apologies!"
His brow furrowed. "You've got anger issues, Elizabeth." He stood and closed the space between us. "I already apologised, okay?"
"What were your intentions for bringing me here?" I crossed my arms, holding his stare.
He stopped in front of me, gaze locked on mine. "It's Sunday. I thought of doing something cool with you. And if I'd called you normally, you'd have told me you were busy."
So now he reads minds?
"Here I am," I said flatly. "And I swear the last thing I want is for you to ask me to have sex with you."
He chuckled—soft, rich, maddening. He brushed his thumb along my cheek, and I slapped it away.
"It would be my pleasure if that's what you really want."
"I'd rather die than have sex with you, Sebastian," I bit out.
"Really?" His eyes swept over me slowly, deliberately. "You know, I like you for two things—your anger and your stubbornness. Makes me wonder what our kids would be like. Good DNA."
Kids? With this psychopath? I wanted to throw up.
"Eww! You suck."
"I like your hair. So long and fancy. Don't cut it." His fingers brushed through the strands again.
I slapped his hand away.
"Is it a bad thing to compliment you?" he asked, irritation flickering in his eyes.
"Let me be, Sebastian. I want to go home."
"Come. There's something I want to show you—that's why you're here." He took my hand, his grip tightening no matter how hard I tried to pull away.
"Relax, I'm not going to harm you. I just want to show you something—and trust me, it's not in my bedroom." His voice dropped, eyes locking on mine.
I studied him for a moment, then gave in.
Whatever he's planning, it had better be worth it.