My Angel, My Doom.

The plump woman looked at me. "Hm ... he's telling the truth."

"About Michelle's original face being beautiful?" Valeria protested in disbelief. She had never seen it, but given the rumors that were circulating, Michelle's original face was supposedly very ugly.

Leah nodded, "He's telling the truth." Immediately, suppressed whispers could be heard among Michelle's friends. I sighed. I had honestly thought that her original face must have been beautiful before the accident, or perhaps this plump woman was trying to help me.

Michelle, looking thrilled, hugged me. "Oh, I love you."

I didn't feel the same.

This place was genuinely eerie and stirred both excitement and fear within me. I wanted to leave as soon as possible. Valeria tried to force a smile and then dragged Philips, the poor man, away.

"Well, ladies, it's time for this unrefined man to depart from your conversation. I'll take my leave and find my friend," I said gently. I kissed Michelle's right cheek and whispered in her ear, "I know you're here to seek out handsome guys. I'll be in the hotel garden. If you need me, just call. If I linger here, my disguise might be exposed. Besides, have you noticed the number of guys staring at you with their hungry eyes?"

Before Michelle could respond, my index finger was already on her lips. "I love you, darling. Enjoy your time with your friends," and with that, I made my exit.

Staying near Michelle and her friends was far too dangerous. People would ask and compel me to introduce myself. Being at this party was already a risk, especially being near a lie detector.

I didn't want to get caught in a similar situation as before, ending up hurting someone's feelings. Suddenly, I felt immature for toying with Philips, whom I barely knew, just because I was a bit more informed and wanted to escape this situation.

Easing open a glass door, I stepped into the garden situated on the hotel's topmost floor, instantly enveloped by the embrace of the warm night air. The outdoor expanse, a symphony of man-made design and natural splendor, welcomed me with open arms.

I found myself immersed in an Eden perched high above the city. Water danced gracefully in the intricate fountains, and tranquil pools captured the reflections of scattered stars. Trees swayed gently, their leaves rustling with whispered secrets in the breeze. The garden was a carefully orchestrated masterpiece, its detailed patterns harmonizing with the spontaneous elegance of nature, as if each plant, each stone, each pathway had been designed by the hand of an artist.

Fortuitously, I had overheard a hushed conversation about this secluded haven among women in the lobby. Their shared admiration had stirred my curiosity, leading me on an exploratory adventure. Guided by the soft glow of the dim garden lights, I embarked on a journey along the meticulously laid out paths, winding through an arrangement that was both orderly and wildly free.

As I traversed the serpentine paths, the city below unveiled itself through the minimalist wire fence—a breathtaking spectacle of nocturnal beauty. It glittered in the darkness, a nebulous sea of twinkling lights, stars on Earth mirroring their celestial counterparts. Each light a story, each twinkle a life pulsating in the sprawling metropolis beneath me.

Such a luxurious hotel. I thought of all the opulence at the party, reflecting on the disparity of lives among us humans. Wealth that ordinary people strive for and accumulate over years is easily obtained by some. I glanced at my watch, my attire, and also thought about the LXX that would soon be mine. Perhaps I was also a very fortunate person.

(Despite not being a superhuman.)

I sighed, acknowledging the wisdom in gratitude for what I have, understanding that comparing myself to others would only lead to dissatisfaction. In truth, I had stopped dreaming of being a superhuman three years ago, accepting that I am not a superhuman, just an ordinary cafe waiter.

But recalling what had just transpired, it was quite painful to accept the fact that I was indeed not a superhuman. Maybe because, in one corner of my heart, I still harbored the wish to be one. On the other hand, I felt a weight lift from my chest.

I felt lighter.

For a long time, I have felt like a weed, desperately questioning why I wasn't growing as large as other trees. Naively, I believed that I, a mere weed, would grow tall. Dwelling on why I wasn't maturing like a tree wouldn't help me grow an inch taller. Instead, it would only depress me because, by nature, I am just a weed.

I should merely be a weed and grow strong to become the best weed I can be. For my life... I should simply strive to be the best bartender and one day own my own café. With the guidance of the Master as a legendary bartender, becoming the best bartender seems feasible. Even God has provided everything for me. It's up to me to be grateful, accept my lot, and do my best according to my capabilities. One day, in my own time, I will also blossom.

Gratitude is key.

I should be content with where I am right now. Seeing too much, wanting too much will only lead to my downfall.

(This is a good time to free my self from my past.)

I hear the sound of people talking as they head to the park and glance at my watch. There are still a few hours left until the party ends. It's best to find a hiding spot before I encounter friendly people who want to get acquainted and unveil my faux BtP identity.

My eyes dart around the park, searching for a suitable place to hide. A cold gust of wind blows through, rustling the leaves. I spot a large tree right in the center of the park, and I almost laugh. It reminds me of the past, how often I would climb trees and sometimes deliberately jump down just to surprise my friends.

With my black clothing, black mask, and the cover of darkness among the thick tree branches, it's the perfect place to hide. Just a few seconds after climbing the large tree and finding a suitable branch to lean on, I've closed my eyes. I'm fatigued from the lack of sleep yesterday after cleaning Michelle's house, and today has been an exhausting day.

Several times I've woken up to the sounds of gossiping voices beneath me, people wooing their lovers, and even the sound of someone vomiting. Despite the noises, I keep my eyes shut to rest, indifferent to the happenings around me. As long as my phone doesn't ring, I assume Michelle doesn't need me yet.

"My feet are blistered," a melodious voice informed her friends, "You go ahead, I'll catch up later."

A brief silence followed, punctuated by a soft hum. The chilly wind stirred, rustling all the branches and leaves of the trees. My eyes flickered open and closed in a drowsy haze. Just a stone's throw away, under the scattered glow of the moonlight, a young maiden had sought solitude on a garden bench. Her mask lay forgotten by her side, unveiling an angelic face touched by the tender innocence of youth. Dressed in an ethereal silvery white gown, she looked as though she'd been spun from moonbeams themselves, a celestial maiden descended from the starry heavens above. Her feet, bare and delicate, rested lightly on the cobblestones, as if wary of disturbing the tranquil serenity that enveloped the garden.

She sat there, under the watchful gaze of the moon, humming a lullaby only she knew, her voice an unscripted melody echoing amidst the quiet hush of the night. Her song was a delicate tapestry of notes, softly spun and gently woven in the loom of her lips. The melody, though not as grand as a renowned diva's, held an intoxicating allure that resonated more profoundly with me. Her voice, tender and vulnerable, was a private symphony composed under the moon's silent serenade, creating a siren song that sang of her untold dreams and unspoken thoughts.

The girl and her melody breathed life into the quiet night, transforming the scene into a living, breathing sonnet of silent eloquence. Each note painted a picture, telling a story, dancing gracefully in the tranquil air like a feather caught in the wind. Her presence, her song, her very being felt like a breath of fresh air, a captivating serenade of moonlight and melodies that was as intoxicating as a vintage wine, as refreshing as a crisp dawn.

My eyes lingered on her through my half-slumber. By God, she was enchanting. Her whole being seemed to glow, stirring something within me, making me feel as though I had ascended to heaven to hear its beautiful angels sing. She embodied all the beauty I had ever known and more.

"Hahaha... do you remember how scared they were...? Hahaha...," boomed a heavy voice from afar. "Yeah... especially when they saw my fire... their faces were so funny..." his friend replied. "Hahaha!!!"

The humming ceased instantly, and I jolted to full alertness. I recognized those voices.

The serene show was over, heaven interrupted by two giant, disruptive voices.

I watched the girl hurriedly slip into her high heels, ready to flee as the voices grew closer. After three years of working at Eve's Cafe and enduring their ceaseless boasting, I was certain those voices belonged to Daniel and Jess—two people who thrived on creating chaos, seeking attention, teasing girls, and especially bullying those weaker than them, like their juniors. Clearly intoxicated, their voices rumbled through the night air, which was starting to feel cold again, refreshing me after my rest.

I saw the girl grab her silver mask and put it on. I had to admit that I wasn't dreaming because, even fully awake, I was still captivated by her. Something about her made my heart pound, and my body tingled with a strange yet pleasant vibration. Time seemed to stop for a moment.

This was the first time I had ever felt such a sensation.

The girl began to move, almost sprinting away from the source of the voices. I figured that Daniel and Jess, heavily intoxicated as they were, wouldn't be able to pursue her.

"Miss, where are you going in such a hurry?" Daniel's voice echoed from the path ahead of the girl. She halted abruptly and spun around, running in the opposite direction.

Daniel?

"Yes, miss, don't rush, we just want to get to know you, hehehe..." another voice—Jess's—called from the opposite direction.

"I'm sorry, but I have to hurry," the girl replied, sounding anxious as she backed away. Her escape routes at the front and back were blocked by the two men who had spread their arms wide open.

"Come on, this way, Miss," Jess urged.

"No, Miss, come this way," Daniel countered. It seemed that Jess and Daniel had spotted the girl in the middle of the park and decided to approach from opposite directions to see which one of them could catch her attention.

They weren't bad per se, they just had a knack for turning everything into a competition. Unfortunately, the girl, being pretty and to their taste, had caught their attention. They also happened to be seniors.

From the girl's body language, it was evident that she was frightened. I hoped she had a way to escape—she had to be a Superhuman. Jess emerged from the left and Daniel from the right, their masks dangling from their disheveled hair. "Come on, Miss, we just want to get acquainted, or at least show us your face, and we'll let you pass," Jess proposed.

"We won't touch you," Daniel added. I shook my head at Daniel. He made it sound simple: just show her face. Yet, his lecherous, drunk face and extended fingers made it clear that he was eager to do more than just look. I wondered which girl would be willing to approach them after such a display.

"Better show it to me, I'll protect you from him," Jess added.

"It would be better if you just show me, I'll protect you from him," said Jess.

"Come on, he's a hot-tempered one, it would be better if you come to my place," persuaded Daniel. The girl seemed to want to run but couldn't decide in which direction. Her silver white skirt spun around until eventually, she could only step backward between the two of them and stop right under the tree where I was hiding.

(And me... Oh come on, I'm not a hero. They are superhumans and I am normal, a poor rabbit among hungry tigers. A fire manipulator and a steel-bodied man, clearly this would be a ridiculous joke if I tried to be a hero and let myself get crushed or burned.)

The girl is certainly a superhuman and a member of the BtP, as seen from her upper arm band, at least she is more useful than me. Even though I don't know what power the girl has, it's impossible she is also a fake BtP like me. The girl is now under my hiding tree and I can only hold my breath so that she doesn't hear my breathing. I hope she doesn't know where I am or tries to ask for my help because even though I'm a coward, I never refuse people who ask for help from those weaker than me.

I ought to feign ignorance, pretend I see nothing, and stay as still as possible, even stop breathing if necessary... Suddenly, "Triiiitt…Triit…." My phone rings. Startled, my body involuntarily jerks. It's Michelle calling.

Damn it..!!!!

All three of them are now looking in my direction.