"Your soul was imprisoned momentarily. But don't worry, the fact that you're here physically means that you're in top form. If you want though, I can give you the details much later on. But for now, I suggest you settle in."
Scarlett who had been sitting up all this while finally straightened her back and leaned back into the bed.
"What about Eliana? Has she been set free as well?"
"I already told you not to worry Scarlett. Take a breather, relax, it's all over. Both of you are alright."
She resisted the urge to shoot him more questions, and instead, she gave him a grateful look. It was in her eyes. She was truly thankful. Alex was the closest thing she had seen to an angel. He had all but swooped in and changed her life completely. It was funny, they had met in the most unconventional way, and yet, their relationship had developed so quickly within a short amount of time. As she closed her eyes, she felt as though a huge burden had been lifted off her shoulders.
It was a lot deeper than just a sense of relief. She felt what she had not felt in a long time- FREEDOM.
Having completed his mission, he saw no point in staying any longer. The siblings could actually do with some alone time, so Alex decided to leave. As he turned towards the door to head out, Scarlett spoke from behind him;
"Let's have dinner some time Alex. All three of us, considering what we've all been through, I think we owe it to ourselves to celebrate."
He raised his eyebrows, "You sure you're up for it? I mean, you're kind of still stuck in a hospital bed..."
"Don't you taunt me mister Alex. Even in this state, I can still take you out with my little finger!!"
Alex laughed heartily. It was probably the first time he had laughed genuinely with Scarlett. And she knew it.
"I guess I'll see you all later then. Evening ladies."
Eliana called out to him one last time; "You don't have to use the door again mister Alex! Feel free to time jump anytime!!"
He heard her, and left. This time, he did not use the door.
Back in his home, Alex could not believe the last thirty six hours he had just had. He had gone from thirsting after a Cursed Blade, to being robbed, to having his room invaded, to discovering an A-level potential human, and finally, rescuing a soul from Hell, while he fucked his ex. It was not the typical last few days.
It was not until he dove into his bed that he realized just how mentally exhausted he was. As he rolled over, he rechecked his panel to see just how far he had come. Thankfully, the results were pleasing to the eye. His total stats had increased by a thousand percent! Close to a billion more points had been added, as well as a whole bunch of other skills. It was a tidy reward, but it had come at a steep price.
He rolled his eyes when the image of Lilith crossed his mind.
Alex had never been one for hate. But when it came to Lilith, it was almost epic just how much he despised her character. Only his past dalliance with her had reminded him just how diabolically dubious and controlling she could be. He was only just realizing it now, but from their last encounter, it was clear that Lilith was the one who had come out ontop. He was unwittingly given her a free pass to access him whenever she liked!
This sudden realization washed over him like cold water on a cold winter morning!
He was really beginning to regret not negotiating further. Sure, he had greatly benefitted from their most recent affair (in terms of skills and stats upgrade). But the fact was that, he would rather sleep his way through a bunch of low potential pretty girls on earth, than with an unstable creature like Lilith!
By status, she was a full fledged goddess. But she was a lot closer to being a demon. Maybe that was why she was so interested in Hell's politics. It was probably why she had been chosen to investigate the recent troubles in Hell. While his mind was on a rampage because of Lilith, his phone screen lit up from a text. Welcoming this distraction, he reached for the device, and read the message;
"Tomorrow night. 7:00pm. EDEN'S GARDEN. Don't be late!!
Love,
-Scarlett J."
Alex read, and re-read the text two, three times over. Just when he thought his dance with adventure was over, another promising one now lay in the horizon, waiting for him to pluck it. He put the smarphone to charge and went to bed that evening with something that vaguely resembled a smile on his face. That night, he did not dream. His sleep was peaceful.
Twenty hours later, Alex was seated at a table in one of the most exclusive resturants in the city.
Eden's Garden sat on the open deck of a large luxury cruise ship. The weather was perfect, so the stars looked down on them as they dined, The ambience was wonderful. The style was real victorian, and some authentic pieces from that era were put on display to lend credence to the authenticity. The customers were mostly of a certain class.
The chandeliers that had been engineered to make it look like they were suspended in space, the champagne glasses, the silverware and the fine people all glittered under the lighting. It was a solid spot. But even with all of that, nothing compared to the profound loveliness of the two beauty queens seated across from him. Especially Scarlett.
It was simply amazing how she could look when she wanted to be glamorous. By every standard, she was naturally pretty. But tonight, she glittered like a star, and shone with the radiance of a heavenly body. Next to her, Eliana was also seated in a sea-green dinner gown, with her hair all done, and her eyes twitching back and forth with youth-like restlessness.
No doubt, she loooked good too. But that evening, Scarlett was the real star. That evening, Alex had eyes only for Scarlett. They were all seated together, huddled over a bottle of white wine, waiting for the waiter to bring in their order.
Eliana who had been twitching nonstop made known to the table her thoughts;
"I must say sister Scar, this place is really impressive!! I heard regulars actually have to book a table three months in advance to be able to get in here! How exactly did you manage to pull this off???"
Scarlett tried to play it cool. It only enhanced her already attractive aura. She waved her fingers dismissively;
"It's nothing Anna. I still have my contacts from my old job, so..."
But the younger sister was not having it. She continued to rave excitedly.
"Just take a look at this spot for heaven's sake! That woman over there, I'm pretty sure the ring on her finger it worth ten of my kidneys! This place is insane!! Don't you think so Alex???"
Eliana's enthusiasm was understandable. It was not her fault really. She had been cooped up in a wheelchair at a hospital for a decent amount of her life, with no hope of ever getting out. Her whole life had practically been her phone, and television. The fact that she was not only out of the hospital, but here, (and without her wheelchair) was not something she had quite come to terms with fully yet.
The cruise ship was a nice touch. It was also understandable that she expected Alex to also feel what she was feeling.
But Alex came from a realm whose glamour and elegance far exceeded even the most glorious places on earth. Compared to some of the gods' dining places, Eden's Garden was like a soup kitchen for homeless people. But of course, he did not say that. Instead, he steered the conversation towards the direction he knew it was already heading;
"Indeed Eliana, you might be right. However, what I truly think is that, that place has the dull ambience of the insdie of a shoe when compared to the resplendent stardom of your sister's beauty..."
The words, the tone, and the eye contact, everything Alex had said was genuine. Scarlett felt that. She kept cool and allowed her mouth to stretch out a small smile. But Eliana was grining from ear to ear like a goblin.