Chapter 4

Most people around the world believe eclipse as evil omens that bring death, disasters, and destruction. It have caused fear, mythology and superstition throughout the history of mankind.

But for us Angels, eclipse was a special phenomenon. When day turns into night as the moon covers the sun. The heat, friction and gravity exude and generated overflowing powers gift from above.

My wings automatically retracting into my back as soon as my feet landed on the floor. We flew over the city while a eclipse was happening and allow ourselves to make some changes or improvement and possessed a diserable abilities.

"Wow." Suruel gasped when I stood in front of him. "You are glowing," There are small translucent particles scintillating over my skin. "You look even more beautiful," His wings started to unfurl and is glimmered against the moonlight, some of his green feathers fell on the floor covered of snow. "Aphrodite will get jealous if she sees you,"

A smile crept on my lips. "Thank you but I'm nothing compared to the great goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation," I grabbed my cardigan and put it on as my eyes scanning the hem of his feathers. "And your wings has a gray now,"

Suruel gave a shrugged and retracted his wings. "Funny but I feel more," He paused and stared at the dark sky. "Powerful,"

"Well, I think it's a good thing," I said and handed his long sleeves. Since he's Nephilim, the weather affects him. "But like Uncle Ben says in Spiderman, great power comes with great responsibility,"

Suruel's forehead creased. "I'm not Spiderman,"

"Still, you have a responsibility to Humanity," I insisted. The hot chocolate is already done when I smell it's deliciously scrumptious aroma in the air. I went to the kitchen and got us a steaming hot chocolate.

We just stood on the terrace and silently watched the busy city of Manhattan. The moon was sheltered by the murky looming clouds and snowflakes was silently falling from heaven.

"What time are you going to meet Celestine tomorrow?" Suddenly my best friend asked. His breath looked as though he just puffed on a cigar.

"After my class," I replied as I took a sip of my hot chocolate. The milk is creamy and the chocolate is strong. It's rich flavor coated my tongue before it flowing down my throat.

"Were you suprise that Celestine asked you on a date?"

"It wasn't a date Suruel," I gave my best friend a sideway glance. "But more like tourist and a guide,"

Suruel chuckled. "If you say so," He caught a small snowflake and watched it melt in his hand. "This is the moment you have waited for, make sure to ask her everything you wanted to know."

"You know I will," I breathed out. The wind smelled like strawberries coated by brown sugar. "It feels like we are starting all over again. Everything we had, those memories and love we had shared vanished like bubbles," My heart clentched in dolour and sorrow.

"If everything was gone then why not build a great bond and create new and loving memories with Celestine?" Suruel laced his fingers together and turned to me. The moonlight contours his blue eyes. "You know Salt," He was loving my new name. "There are times that you have to let go of the past and move on in the present, for a better future."

This is why I like about Suruel. He is very optimistic, positive and open minded. So never argue with him, it's such a waste of time.

"Well I guess you are right," I said, smiling. If Celestine can't remember anything about our past then be it. But I will make her fall for me because she belongs to me before until today. "Anyway, what do you think of Celestine? How do you find her?"

A playful smile tugged at the corner of his full lips. "All of your description about Juno really fit her. Her beauty is exceptional and her aura irradiates like a raging shooting star," His eyes glint. "Now I'm torn,"

"Torn of what?" I asked. My eyebrows raised, seeming interested in his answer.

Suruel comb his fingers through his curly hair. "Who I'm going to love, wether it's you or Celestine," A giggle escaped my mouth which made my best friend look at me. "What's funny?"

"Nothing," I told him, shaking my head in disbelief. "But there is something to be said about two people who find each other time and time again. They will end up in or how far apart they become, they come back to each other."

••

My hair fell from shoulders when someone put a steaming coffee on my desk while I was checking the paper of my students at the faculty room.

"Don't you feel cold Ms.Quinn?" Mrs. Cervantes asked as she sat down on her designated table. She was the old woman who thought I was a student in my first day here.

"Thank you Mrs. Cervantes!" I told the old woman gratefully. Honestly, at first she was a little intimidating by the way she look at you but I discovered that she is actually a nice person. "Yeah, it was really cold today because of the blizzard," Shaking my head. "Is your class over?"

"Oh no yet," Mrs. Cervantes turned on her latop and started tryping something. "I still have one last class." She looked up to me through her eyelashes behind her spectacle. "Anyway, are you married?"

I didn't know where the question came from, maybe she was just curious because I was new here and we didn't get a chance to talk.

I quickly dropped my gaze as my fingers brushed the hair off my face. "I'm still single,"

"Why?" The old woman frowned hard. As if it's a mortal sin to be an independent woman. "You are a very beautiful lady Salt."

But before I could answer, some of our co teachers came. Since my class finished early today, I have decided to get something to eat before the anticipating tour with Celestine.

My boots crunched through the powdered snow every time my feet hit the ground. A smile drew my face when I saw the glimpse of the sun and it's brilliant rays already shined brightly and began to warm the air.

I went to the diner, there were only few customers inside. And to my suprise, my necklace suddenly glowing. But why? It's impossible. Celestine wasn't here. I'm not at the coffee shop either. But when I lifted my head and about to order, I froze when my eyes met her sparkling green eyes.

Celestine was shock when she saw me. That is why my necklace is glowing because she is here. "Good afternoon," Her voice felt like a music in my ears.

"Hey Celestine," I greeted her without turning my face away from her. My eyes secretly scanning her from head to toes. Celestine is wearing a short skirt, a collar shirt and bandana in her head. She gave me a to die for smile and handed me the menu. "Thank you,"

"I didn't expect you here," The beautiful woman said while standing cutely in front of me. There was something in those eyes that I couldn't wrap my fingers around it.

"Neither did I," My eyes scan the menu. Not really interested with the food. "Can I ask you something?" then I looked up at her. Celestine gave me an approving nod. "How any jobs do you have?"

Celestine blushed and her eyes cast downwards. "I have two right now, but sometimes three or so,"

My chest felt tight. If I only knew that Celestine is struggling in life, I should have come here in America sooner. "You are very hard working,"

Celestine gave me an appreciative smile. "Thank you. I have to work hard for my family especially the twins,"

Twins? Did she already have a child? My heart slowly broke by the thought of it.

"Salt," Celestine says my name.

I gracefully tucked my lose hair behind my ears. "Yeah?"

"There is something about you today," She told me while her eyes never left me as if she was scared to missed something important. "You are just different and I can not tell what it is,"

Probably it was the eclipse. I felt myself smiling.

"Celestine," A pretty girl interruped us. "Emergency," she motioned the phone and from a smile, Celestine suddenly look worried.

"Excuse me," Celestine told me before she left. My senses are focusing to Celestine. In her footsteps, breathing even her heart rate. She was talking with someone over the phone and delivered something bad news.

"Elise, I have to go. The twins," Celestine told the young lady apologetically. She quickly grabbed her coat and bag but stopped when she saw me standing at the door and already wearing my expensive coat. "Salt, I'm so-"

"I have a car," I told Celestine.

I have to drive safe and slow like a turtle inside the peanut butter because the road was covered of white layer powdery that resembles of clouds in the sky.

"Thank you," I heard Celestine say. This is the first time she has spoke to me since we left the diner. I didn't ask her what is bothering her though because I respect her privacy and silence. "My stupid car is broken,"

"No problem Celestine," I told her as I stepped a little on the gas when the road is clear. I swiftly turned to the left side of the road, going to the East village where all amazing, newest restaurants to old-school record stores were.

"Please stop there," She pointed at the small apartment which made me slowly stop the car. "Thank you so much Salt," Celestine said gratefully and quckly jumped out of my car.

I watched Celestine waited patiently in front of the apartment. A two little kids, a boy and a girl opened the front door and ran towards her. There were tears running down their face, Celestine bent down and hugged the twins.

All of a sudden, a tall rugged man came out of the apartment. He appeared to be drunk and enraged. He walked up behind the twins and pulled on their shirts and throwing them to the side of the street.

"Give me money," I heard the drunk tall man spat out to Celestine.

"I don't have money," Celestine said between her clentched teeth. I could feel her body raging in madness. "Please leave us alone,"

The tall guy grabbed Celestine angrily by front of her coat. Celestine eyes went wide as she saw what is coming. I felt the time stop as I saw his fist inch closer to her face.

My body moved like lighting and fast as Usain Bolt. The twins closed their eyes while Celestine already accepted her fate.

But before they knew it, I had the guy's fist in my hand. Celestine gasped loudly when she saw me in front of her. She looks horrified and flabbergasted.

"Who the hell are you!?" The guy snarled at me. Without any words, I twisted his hand effortlessly. "Oouch, Ouch," the guy cried in pain. But not I'm yet done with him for hurting Celestine. I put a little more pressure in his hand until we heard the bone crushing sound of his wrist. "No- aw. No," he dropped on his knees in tedious pain.

"Salt, please. Let him go," Celestine whispered against my ear. She was gripping hard in my arms. Her hot breath stroke the back of my neck and sending shiver down my spine. "We will get in trouble,"

It took awhile before I let go of his hand. He fell to the ground. "You broke my f*cking hand," The guy hissed and won't stop cursing in different language. "I will be back and I need my fucking money!" He slowly stood up and run away like a deated puppy.

I was suprised when the twins hugged me. There was no fear in thier eyes but admiration.

"Wonder woman!" The little girl said, looking up to me. I saw the stars in her eyes.

"She is not Wonder woman," This time the little boy corrected his twin. "She is an Angel, she saved us and our sister,"

My head twisted towards Celestine who was smiling really big. I really thought they were her children. "Let's get inside, it's snowing hard," She opened the door and the twins run inside. "I'm sorry about that," Celestine whispered as I followed behind her.

"Who was that guy?" I mimicked my thought. My curiousty slowly killing me. I want to know who was that heartless person who attacked the twins and Celestine.

"My Mother's brother," Celestine answered bitterly. I look at her thoughtfully. "When my parent's died from car accident two years ago, I got some money from Insurance," She went to the kitchen. "That money is for the education of the twins,"

My eyes roamed around, the apartment is a studio type and really small for three person. Only one space for the kitchen, dinning and living room. The bathroom is inside the bedroom.

"Do you want anything Salt?" Celestine asked from the kitchen.

I took off my coat and hang it against the wall before I sat down next to the twins who are now watching a cartoon. "Just water,"

"Are you Wonder woman?" The little girl asked with a mischievous smile on her innocent face.

I placed my hand in her thigh. "No, I'm not her,"

The little boy leaned closer towards his twin and whispered. "Told yah, she is an Angel,"

If they only knew who I really am. This twins would freak out.

"Stop torturing Salt. Rue and Sue," Celestine scolded them and handed me a cold water. "Have you eaten?" She asked the twins. "Because the food I left in the fridge was gone,"

Rue, the little boy scratched his chin while looking at his eldest sister. "Ivan ate them,"

"Ivan said he will beat us if we tell you," Sue quickly added.

Celestine just sigh and went back to the kitchen. "Do you guys want a pizza?" She was holding her phone now. "Papa John? Domino?"

Sue jumped off from the couch. "I want tacos, ice cream, chicken and pizza,"

"Sue- that is alot, only one," Celestine looks conflicted. I know how hard she works for every money.

I fished out my phone from my pocket and faced the twins. "What do you want guys?"

The twins squeal in excitement and jumped up and down like they won in a lottery.

"Hmm Salt, don't do that," Celestine protested. The twins look at their sister like Celestine is the most horrible human being on Earth.

"It's okay," I told Celestine. "They need a distruction about what had happened, food will help. Don't worry I will cover for everything,"

"But you don't have to th-"

"One bucket of chicken for Sue," We totally ignored Celestine. I ordered everything the twins wanted, some for Celestine. I know the food will last for few days. If there is any way for me to help Celestine I would do it. She told the twins to take a bath and change their clothes while waiting to the food to arrive.

I also got chance to look around when Celestine went to her bedroom. There were some painting in the corner of the living area, there was drop cloth and blank papers scattered on the floor, paint tray on top of the wooden high chair and small brashes.

But what really caught my attention is the unfinished painting in the canvas. My heart ached when i recognized what it was. The semblance of light and shade, shadowy and glossy colors. I could feel the love and sorrow with every stroke of the paintbrash.

"The moon," Celestine whispered next to me. She has a beautiful smile on her face while we are looking in her painting. "It was strange because the moon always appeared in my dreams. Like the moon and I have a connection,"