101 Chapter 10 (1/2)

Evangeline raised her brow. Skepticism painted her face. But she still stared at what he wanted for her to look. And not even a second that she dinted her eye on the lens, her gasped bounced along the room.

Her view was full of strange colors intermixed together like a painting on a black canvas with no particular forms. Colors intense and out of proportions but harmonious and majestic that it was impossible not to lose in its splendor.

Glancing at the sky, she saw a different view of darkness and twinkling stars. She looked on the lens, and was transported in the universe –– fresh and raw.

”What is it?” she asked, her smile permanently plastered on her face, sweeter than sugar and honey.

”Orion Nebula. It's where the stars are born.” Eric smiled. His eyes were turning softer and softer, melting as he stared at her, who was so excited like a kid first time seeing the galaxy.

His hand stretched, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. But the beautiful girl was still staring at the stars, wouldn't spare him a glance. He chuckled and with a low voice, almost like a whisper, he continued.

”Orion, the hunter. There are a few versions of the Orion myth. But the one best known is that he is the son of the sea G.o.d Neptune and the skilled huntress, Queen Euryale of the Amazons. Inheriting his mother's talents, he became the greatest hunter in the world.”

Scooting closer to her, he leaned as if he wanted to share under one telescope. His breath hot on her cheek, eyes on the starry sky, staring at the stars like he saw what she was seeing.

”In the night sky, you can see him ready to attack Taurus the Bull. And see that blue color which stood out from the rest? That's Rigel, the brightest star in the constellation of Orion.”

She giggled, peering at him as she said, ”I didn't know you secretly wanted to become an Astronomer, Eric.”

He laughed. ”Nothing big like that. It's just a hobby of mine.”

He leaned forward, and she held her breath, her heart pounding in her ears.

They were too close!

If she leaned in a little more . . . she and he will be . . .

She lowered her head, warmth enveloping her body when she realized he only leaned to inspect the telescope. She back away to give him s.p.a.ce when he reverted to his serious self, tweaking the telescope once more.

Was she interested in what she saw? Was she interested in stars and planets and constellations? Definitely not.

But what she was interested in was him giving out a piece of himself to her. Hearing his soothing and low voice, the slow timbre of his tone. Knowing something personal about him, sharing what he liked to her.

Astronomy was her favorite subject as long as he was the one giving lectures.

Her eyes took the opportunity to study him––scratch that––she couldn't turn her eyes away from him.

Full dark lashes and thin lips that she was having a hard time pulling her gaze away. Slim and lean frame with an almost perfectly symmetrical face. On each side of his straight nose were two bright crystal clear silver irises. His pale skin was just so . . . right.

And he only got better the more she stared.

In appearance, he was nothing special, just another grey-eyed man with gla.s.ses and messy hair.

But she knew . . . she knew the devil lurking beneath his harmless disguise.

And she couldn't wait to unmask it.

He was handsome, alright, but inside, he was beautiful. And if she didn't touch him soon, all her nerves would rip her apart!

Oblivious to Evangeline's struggles, Eric adjusted the telescope.

A heavy silence descended in the room, thicker than any atmosphere he knew. He opened his lips, breaking the awkward silence.

”You know, there's an old legend, a myth I read long ago from an ancient-looking book.” He briefly paused, gathering his thoughts. ”The universe created beings. One are Cosmos, beings task with rebirth, and the other side are Chaos, creatures filled with nothing but destruction. These ent.i.ties roam across the universe, the galaxies in search of dying stars. It is said when a Cosmo landed on a dying planet, she would replace the planet's core with her own heart, revitalizing and rejuvenating everything. Whereas, if Chaos landed on a dying star, he would eat the planet's core, and the star explodes.”

He smiled, low touches of laughter danced in the room. ”Don't you think that myth is very fascinating––”

He stopped when he felt something was not right. He glanced at her only to be left stunned when something soft pressed his lips.

He was surprised, recoiling in shock!

In that instant, his mouth hung with his lips slightly apart, eyes wide as they could stretch.