CH 26: Denying

Lost within their own little fantasy, the star-crossed lovers stayed connected for a few seconds more, relishing in the taste of the other. The siren proved to be a lustful little thing, earning a muffled chuckle from her partner as she opened herself up for him. She was absolutely engulfed by her hedonism, becoming one with him in this moment. 

Suddenly, an intense shock of electricity snaps Esme out of her thoughts, pulling her back into her better judgment. The light from her eyes dims down, freeing her from her dopamine high. She stares and blinks at Alastor, jumping back, "Oh my!"

The splash of water seemed to cut the moment short, returning Alastor to his usual charming and stoic demeanor as well. With an amused laugh, he stands up and readjusts himself. He wasn't expecting to give him to such temptations, especially out in the open. This behavior was unusual from him, but he was certain it was understandable given the circumstances. 

There seems to be a drawn out silence as his little fish is taking an awfully long time to resurface.

"Oh, come now my dear, you can't drown yourself forever." 

Unfortunately, he had a point. The longer she stayed within the water was the longer she was prolonging her fate. As he walks off the dock, Alastor hears the tide rippling. He doesn't bother to seek it's source, he already knew she wasn't too far away from him. 

She followed him like a shameful creature with her tail between her legs. 

Eventually, she comes around to walk alongside one him on their way back to the hotel. Esme has her face in her hands, refusing to bring her head up from the ground. She's groaning under her breath, damning her lack of control. What had gotten into her? Had a parasite crawled in her fins and began to eat away at her braincells? This was inexcusable behavior for a woman of her stature. 

"I am so sorry...." She mumbles into her hands, "I'm so so sorry, that was very unacceptable.." She lightly claws at her cheeks, pulling her hands away.

He just laughs, keeping solid pace with her, "That's quite alright, dearest, I understand. Why, I am only but a man, I assume a woman has needs." Well, to some extent he was right. It was very bold of him to point out nonetheless, and didn't make her feel any less of a tramp, "Besides, your kind reacts to that crimson life source like bees to honey. It's essentially a drug for you, of course it would cloud your mind a bit. Consider me nothing more than a foolish sailor who, luckily, caught your attention." 

Luckily?

The two of them approach the hotel and he turns away, "I did enjoy the walk with you, but I must get started on my broadcast. I'm afraid this is where we part ways."

Esme refuses to meet his eyes, keeping them on the front door of the building, "Alright, thank you for walking me back."

He chuckles softly, placing a hand underneath her chin and lifting her face to look at him. Oh, just look at those doting little eyes of hers. They were so marvelous, he could swallow her whole,  "Anytime...Cher.." He says softly, using his thumb to softly swipe against her cheek. Esme's skin becomes warm to the touch and she pulls back.

What's that word?

That word sounded similar to one from an old book she once had memorized. It lit a match within her, beckoning her soul to inquire further. Alas, this was Alastor. This could be one of his tricks, but there was something about it that didn't feel like it was mockery. 

She 'ought to be going.

"Welllll, have fun~" She swings the front door open and walks inside, slamming it shut. She sighs and leans against the door. What in all of hell was going on with her? She looks up to see Angel standing over her, looking down at her with a large grin and narrowed eyes. For goodness sake she practically helped raise that boy and now he was acting like he was a irksome older brother.

"Soooo, where ya been??"

"Down by the water..."

"With who?"

"Well, if you must know..." She pushes past him, rolling her eyes, "I was by myself, but Alastor happened to pass by."

She walks to the fireplace and conjures a green ember, flicking it inside to light the wood. She sighs and sits in a chair next to it. She begins to fiddle with her curls, untangling some and re-curling others. The pier had always brought her great solace, but today it bestowed her nothing but frustration. It seemed that ever since she laid foot in his roach invested hotel, her afterlife continued to unravel by the second.

"Al was with ya?" Angel asks, leaning against her chair, "The two of you have grown...accustomed to one another, haven't ya?"

Esme's eyes dart up to him, retreating further away from him, "I've known him for years.."

"Pft, okay." Angel laughs, practically nudging her with enough force to send her clear off the cushion, "If that's what you're gonna keep telling 'yaself, baby." 

"What?!" Esme stands up, putting her hands on her hips, "What exactly are you implying?"

It was at this point that Charlie had come walking down the stairs. Their bickering had traveled up the floors and had caught her attention. This was just the moment she needed to connect once again with her guests, "Oh, hey guys! I'm so happy to see you enjoying the fireplace. This is a lovely little spot to bo-"

"What exactly are you implying?" Esme repeats to Angel, ignoring the presence of the girl.

"W-What's going on?" Charlie asks, fidgeting with her nails nervously.

"I was just pointing out that Esme here has been spending a lot of time with Mr. Fancy Talk Creepy Voice," Angel smirks, placing his arm on top of Esme's head and leaning against it.

Esme hisses lowly, "If you're worried about your status, bambino, this is a funny way of showing it."

Angel laughs at this, "Oh, no Es, I'm not worried at all. I've seen parts of you no one else has. You don't scare me at all, dollface." He glances down at her, "But the real question is, why are you becomin' so defensive?~"

Esme's eyes widen and she pushes Angel off of her, "I'm not defensive! I'm tired and I would like to relax and you are bothering me.." She huffs, sitting back down.

Charlie takes a moment, remembering her conversation with Alastor earlier that morning. She did promise him that she wouldn't say anything, but at the same time seeing Esme like this felt wrong. She knew how badly Esme just wanted to be reconnected to her life, and she was sitting on a throne of information that could give her just that. She considers for a moment breaking Alastor's trust, but she knows he has done extravagant things for the hotel and doesn't want him to feel used.

After all, he considered her a friend now. She had to keep her promises - what type of friend wouldn't?! She had always believed that relationships were built on trust, so she would do everything in her power to maintain her friendship with Alastor. 

Then again, she also wanted a friendship with all her guests. She didn't want to be biased. 

What to do...

She hums to herself in thought. If Esme was getting so upset by this, possibly she was hiding another secret she didn't want anyone to know. She smiles sweetly and approaches her, "It's always a good idea to be honest with how you're feeling, Esme."

"I am being honest." She lies once again, pulling her feet up on the cushion, and keeping her eyes on the fire. If she didn't pay them any mind, surely they would leave. Just a few moments longer, perhaps another minute or two...

"She wants to jump on Bambi up there, she just don't wanna say it." Angel laughs. Esme takes off her shoe and throws it at him, hitting him in the back of the head. He yelps and turns his head, glaring at her, "That hurt!"

"Good!" She shouts back. She turns away from him once more and looks back into the fire, "I don't have any feelings for him. I have a husband who is waiting for me..."

Charlie's heart sinks to her stomach, but she has an idea. If she can push her to him, perhaps all of this could be fixed!

"You know....it's been several years," She begins, "I'm sure you're allowed to see other people." She turns to Angel, "Are we even sure wedding vows transfer to hell?"

"The saying is until death do we part," Angel smirks.

"Even if I did..." Esme chimes in, "I've been down that road, and with the Radio Demon - I wouldn't dare!" She shouts. "Do you know what he's like? I mean, trust me I've had my share of fill, but he is manic - there's nothing holding him back, and I-"

Charlie's expression softens, "You're scared of getting hurt again..."

"I don't think anyone could blame me," Esme whispers, rubbing the back of her head gently. She sighs and turns to the fire, looking deep within the flames.

"If he wasn't the all-so-scary and powerful Radio Demon, would you do him?" Angel winks.

Esme blushes and looks away, "...I'm not blind.." She huffs embarassedly.

Charlie's smile stretches across her face and she claps excitedly, "Oooohhh my goodness~" She joins hands with Angel, jumping up and down. Angel laughs at her amusement.

"It's not going to happen, so save the party!" Esme growls. There's a quiet amongst the three, only to be cut by a sigh,



I Won't Say I'm in Love, Hercules 🎵

If there's a prize for rotten judgment,

I guess I've already won that,

She gets up and walks past them, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

No man is worth the aggravation,

That's ancient history, been there

Done that!

Angel

Who you think you're kiddin'?

Here's the earth and heaven to ya,

Try to keep it hidden..

He walks over to her and spins her around.

Hunny, I can see right through ya,

Girl, you can't conceal it,

We know how you're feeling

And who you're thinking of...

Esme

She glares at him and pushes him away, walking to the bar and slipping behind the counter.

Oh no,

No chance,

No way,

I won't say it..no no

She begins to pour herself a shot of vodka, picking it up and downing it.

Charlie

Charlie walks over to the counter, pressing her hands against the ledge and leaning to her.

You swoon, you sigh

Why deny it?

Esme

She scowls at her, narrowing her eyes. She flips the shot glass on its top and sighs.

It's too cliche,

I won't say I'm 'in love'

She pauses, slumped against the counter, looking to the side in thought.

I thought my heart had learned its lesson,

It feels so good when you start out...

Her eyes fall on the upside-down shot glass on the counter, her eyes glowing angrily.

My head is screaming 'Get a grip, girl'

She smacks it away, causing it to fly and hit the wall.

Unless you're dying to cry your heart out.

She walks out from behind the counter and walks to the stairs, desperate to get away from this conversation.

Angel and Charlie

The two follow her to the stairs, begging her to reconsider and continue the discussion.

You keep on denying

Who you are and how you're feeling,

Baby, we're not buying,

Hon, we saw ya hit the ceiling.

Angel steps forward in front of Charlie, with his arm stretched out and pointing at Esme authoritatively.

Angel

Face it like a grown-up!

When ya gonna own up,

That ya got it bad?!

Esme

She whips around with her eyes piercing into his,

You're way off base,

I won't say it,

She turns away from him, but still hears him mumbling and pivots around in a loud hiss.

Get off my case!

I won't say it!

She hurries up the stairs and heads down the hall.

(Girl, don't be proud. It's okay, you're in love).

She finally reaches her door but pauses when her eyes lay on his. She hesitates, being tempted to open his door and walk inside. She knows he's not in there, but she at least wants to be in his space.

She takes a deep saddened and tormented breath.

"At least out loud..." She whispers, "I won't say, I'm in love." She opens her door and walks inside, closing and locking it behind her. 

~  Author's Note ~

The next chapter is when things start to pick up for the two, so I hope you stay tuned. 

Also, I finally got a drawing stylus for my computer! I'm hoping to attempt to draw Esme in different scenarios. Maybe I can post them here. 

Anyway...talk soon 💖

🖤Words: 2157🖤

~ Artemis 💗🦌