Chapter twenty-two : Everly

"Here you go," I stepped aside for Lucifer to enter my apartment, as I locked the door behind I saw him looking around. Oh god that man looked so big in my small apartment. "I didn't expect something like this looking at the building from the outside." He said.

"Don't judge a book by its cover," I got him a glass of water.

He smirked, "Well you are right, it reminds me of my first apartment." He took the glass, his fingers brushing against mine.

"First apartment?"

"I had one in my college days. It was just like this, maybe had a few extra rooms, but quite similar."

A few moments of silence followed while he looked around and I stood there frozen not knowing what to do.

"Can I use the bathroom?" He asked putting down the glass on the table.

"Sure, it's right there." I pointed to my bedroom which had the sole bathroom of the apartment. He nodded and went inside. Great now he'll see my messy bedroom too. I sighed and and pulled my hair out of the ponytail and removed my jacket.

"Everly," Lucifer came at the door, "Do you by any chance own a cat?" He asked.

"Cat? No I don't." I said before the realisation dawned upon me. "Oh shit," I muttered and ran to the room, Lucifer stepped aside. I turned to look at the window, it was opened. I forgot to close it. Damn it, I slammed my palm on the forehead.

"Is something wrong?" Lucifer leaned down.

I shook my head, "it's Whispers, that damned cat infiltrates my house whenever he sees the window open, and today was its lucky day I guess. Getting him out is one heck of a job." I moved to bathroom and there it sat on the wash basin counter. I stepped inside while Lucifer stood at the door. "You might want to step aside it's going to rough." I said.

He looked amused and said, "I'm good here."

"Don't tell me I didn't warn you."

We first went off in a staring competition, "Whispers, get off the counter." I said sternly and that cat looked me then stretched itself and purred. I heard a chuckle from my left. "I'm sorry, please go on." Lucifer said stifling his laugh. Okay so now it was about my pride, I had to get it out of here. "Whispers," I raised my voice. It turned to me and hissed. It was the hard way then. I lunged for it but it easily dodged me and leapt on my face then jumped off my head. It got out of the bathroom through the opening between Lucifer and the door. I ran after it, pushing him aside. Now it was on my bed lounging comfortably, I went for it but it jumped away on the dressing table and then on the shelf, knocking down my stuff.

Now I'll have to clean that up too. Damn it.

I stood in the middle of the room while it moved gracefully on the floor. I waited for my chance and followed it movements, like a predator looking at its prey. I will put an end to this rat chase, rather cat chase (pun intended). I finally found an opening and leapt at it. I grabbed hold of it while it kept struggling, "I won't let you go," I tried to get up. But that cat started scratching me, once, twice, thrice, at the same spot and managed to get out. I cursed and looked up, it had made its way to Lucifer, "Lucifer get it." I shouted.

To my surprise, Whispers didn't act all wild and violent instead it rubbed himself against Lucifer's leg. I looked at it dumbfounded. What the hell? That traitorous cat. Even though we weren't exactly friends but we knew each other longer. I had occasionally given him food even though it scratched me each time. And right now it was cozying up to Lucifer.

He bent down and picked it up, and that stupid cat purred, then he walked past me to the window. He held Whispers out and set it down on the emergency staircase and it jumped away. He closed the window and turned back to me with a smirk on his face, "You would want to close your mouth."

I immediately closed my mouth, realising it had dropped open. He made his way to me and bent down in front of me, "Quite a rough fight." He smirked again.

"You just got lucky," I shrugged and tried to blow off the hair that had fallen on my forehead. Unsuccessful at that too.

Lucifer extended his hand and brushed them off, tucking them behind my ear. He smiled, dimples full force, "but you gave a good chase," and he stifled his laugh.

"I know," I pouted and crossed my arms on my chest. He stood up and lent out his hand, "Come on now, stand up." I thought for a moment and took it.

His eyes fell on my hands and it tightened, I followed his gaze, my hand was scratched and bleeding. A little, maybe. "It's just a scratch," I tried to pull away.

"No it's not. It is bleeding." He pulled me onto my feet and dragged me to the bathroom. He turned on the tap and put my hand under the running water, it stung a little. "Where's the first aid kit?"

"Bottom right drawer," I nodded my head toward it. He quickly pulled it out and then turned off the tap.

He dried my wound gently, and then gingerly dabbed on some disinfectant. He covered it with a bandage, "This'll do," he murmured, "wait a minute," he took my chin between his thumb and index finger and tilted it up, "it scratched your face too," taking out a disinfectant wipe from the kit he wiped the scratches. "There you go, all good," he let go of my chin and washed his hands.

I went to the kitchen to get myself a glass of water. Lucifer followed and leaned against the counter, "You fought well," he smiled again, with his dimples and all. This man's smile was capable of knocking down an entire building, I swear.

We stood there until I finished off my glass. He looked down at his watch and then at me, "I should get going," he said, "Thank you for inviting me to your house,"

"No big deal," I said smugly.

I escorted him to the door, he stepped outside and then turned to me, he cupped my cheek, then leaning down planted a kiss on my hair, "Good night Everly." His thumb caressed my cheek and he smiled softly.

"Good night Lucifer," I murmured. Looking down at me one last time he moved down the hall to the stairs. I stood at the door until the sound of his footsteps completely faded. Then I got inside and locked the door. My hand involuntarily moved to my hair where he had pressed his lips. My lips curled up.

I shook my head and went to my bedroom and stopped short at the mess. It seemed to have been hit by a storm. I sighed, I was in no mood of cleaning after having such a good day, so I just cleared up my bed for my sleeping and headed to change.