Viviana took in a deep breath and looked at the stone pavement down below. She tied her robes.
'I don't want to get charged for indecent exposure in public along with suicide!'
"Pfft!"
She laughed at her own joke that she told in her head. She didn't come to this rooftop just for the view. She has another plan.
To end her life before she gets caught in the grip of Leander.
There is a very low chance—an astronomical one—for her to survive the fall. But she had been in such dangers before. And she survived.
She hoped fate is gracious with her this time.
She wanted death.
Although she was very focused on dying, standing at the ledge, she faced a conundrum. Her heart pounded as adrenalin coursed through her veins.
'Should I leap like diving into a swimming pool, or just fall flat with my arms spread to mimic flying, or should I try to walk on thin air to recreate cartoons?
Which would improve the probability of my death?
Oh, Viv, you should have researched more…'
"Stay right there!"
Her deep thoughts were disturbed by the low grumble akin to the growl of a lion. A smile crept up on her face. And she stepped forward intuitively. But then she stopped.
'Ah… Maybe I'll take one more look at his face… To compare with Lucifer's face when I meet him in hell today…
Or maybe he is Apollo!'
She slowly turned, raising her hands...
For a final, fatal encounter; one that brings the death she desires.
Just as she laid her eyes on him, as if someone was controlling the weather, the grey sky turned to gold in the East, letting the sun peak out to put a spotlight on the beast. But he looked more like the tamer version of the beast.
With his long wool coat fluttering, "The Young Lion" was standing tall just five meters from her. There were a couple of his men beside him, but she didn't bother with them.
On that hazy morning, the features of the man she was very curious about, were not very different from those statues she had seen in museums.
Strong eyebrows, deep-set eyes, tall nose, manly lips… The stubble was obvious because it glittered in the golden sunlight (he didn't have time for grooming today, obviously!), and his dark hair was slicked back. (How silky and straight his hair is! Did he wake up like that?)
'No, not Apollo. Apollo has curly hair. He is Lucifer!'
"Hello, there, Mr. Kastello! Here to get the same service as your brother?" she winked making a chopping gesture.
He looked at her, stunned, probably because he doesn't usually get this reaction from those, he points his gun at.
His reaction amused her. Her smile widened.
"Sorry! Not working today. As you can see… Bit busy," she pointed at the pit behind her with her thumb.
He gripped his gun tightly. She watched as his hair fluttered in the wind. And yet it didn't get unruly.
'He has nice hair…like a reed meadow... Mine is like tumbleweed...Eh!'
She spread out her hands. The wide sleeves of the silk robe fluttered in the wind. Her long unruly hair fell on her face and eyes. The wind was gaining momentum.
She decided on falling flat with her arms spread out. She wanted to know what it feels like to fly for the first (and last) time.
"Where is it?" Leander asked, taking a step forward.
The men with Leander drew their guns out and pointed at her.
"Where is what?" She smiled. "I didn't steal anything from your brother if that's what~"
"Where is it?" he raised his voice. It was like a peal of thunder rolling close to her ears.
Viviana jerked reflexively. Letting out deep breaths, she patted her chest. "Oof! You just scared me there, Mr. Kastello… What if I slip~"
"Where is my brother's penis?" Leander spoke, each word distinct and crisp.
Usually, that would invoke the fear of God in the listener's heart, but Viviana was amused.
"Oh," She laughed as she casually inched closer to the edge. "You said it! You said "penis"!" she chuckled holding her abdomen.
She couldn't help it. It was funny hearing it from that man.
Leander gritted his teeth. "Tell me where you're hiding it! What do you want in return? Speak. You don't have time."
And this was funnier.
"Do I not have time, Kastello?" Viviana chuckled. "Or is it your brother?"
He looked a little out of it although he knew to keep a stoic expression. "You are the one with a gun pointed at you, woman! I think you're the one short of time."
She scoffed. Of course, he would think this way. He always got what he wanted. "And what if I don't tell you?" holding her hands behind her back, she leaned forward.
A blush was on her face as the cold wind caressed her face. Her big almond eyes were watery, and her long lashes fluttered as the wind irritated her eyes. She wetted her lips which went dry. She didn't remember the last time she ate or drank anything.
There was not an ounce of fear in her heart. She had prepared for death for a long time. She feared neither death nor torture.
And when there is no fear, there will be peace. She was pleased as she has accomplished what she always wanted.
In the deepest part of her soul, was a deep tranquil pool she attained after going through a lot. She knew what she wanted. And that left her only with courage.
She looked at him.
'If eyes are the windows to the soul, show me the beast in you, Kastello…'
"Aren't you going to shoot me…"
She has never had the luck to stare right into his eyes before. She didn't know how many who had the chance are still alive. But they were very pretty—his eyes.
As the golden sun illuminated his brown irises giving the illusion of golden rings, in his eyes, she searched for the beast everyone sees in him.
It was just a couple of seconds… or it could even be a fraction of a second; she couldn't say for sure. But it was just a negligent amount of time… Time, so minuscule, to do anything worthwhile.
But just in that time of looking into his eyes, everything else froze around her. In the silence of the stillness, a small ripple formed in the deep pool of tranquility she had cultivated over time. And her lips that lost the luster to the ardent stress she went through to get here, uttered a name so precious to her.
"… Leo?"
Leo…
She winced and stood straight.
She didn't know why she said that name to him—his eyes to be precise. But like a flower letting slip the dew drop it guarded in its belly, she let that name slip out.
She remembered another set of brown eyes. It was just a flash of an old memory.
When she closed her eyes, she heard a hearty giggle.
Although it was an old memory, she still remembered fondly. It was her treasured memory after all.