"May I have a word with you, Jared?"

Cupid edged closer to Jared while the rest of the team were scattered around the field looking for the last piece of the puzzle.

It's been a few hours since they headed North and found out it was South, they got the second clue that led them to a beautiful fountain where they solved the riddle that led them to this field and now they were looking for a part of the field marked X.

Jared raised his head from the grass he'd been pulling aside, a small frown etched on his face.
"Yes?"

As if he's going to find the X by uprooting grasses, Cupid snorted in his mind.

"Why didn't you tell her?"

He didn't feel like beating around the bush today so the puzzled look Jared gave him irked him.

"Tell who what? I don't know what you mean man," he replied.

There was a flicker of panic on Jared's face but it was gone almost immediately you'd think you must have imagined it but Cupid knew it wasn't his imagination for he could hear the pounding of Jared's heart.

His aura was filled with fear, confusion, and a slight hint of anger.

"You know what I'm talking about," Cupid snapped.

"Fuck off, man I've got a task to finish!" Jared snapped shoving him and walking off.

Cupid glared daggers at him. No one ever dared to speak to him in such a manner let alone a mortal. He should head forward and go fess up to Ella as an act of revenge and warning to Jared.

But why wasn't he moving? Why did he stand rooted to the same spot the infernal mortal had shoved him to and walked away?

He knew the answer to these questions. It was plain as day. His gaze lingered on Ella and he frowned. He wouldn't want to be the one that gets to break her fragile heart.

If he had his way, he would make sure she never hears the news of the betrayal.

"Cupid! Come here, I found something, guys!!"

A smile flickered on his lips as he went towards the excited girl screaming at the top of her lungs and dancing.

Ella was a beautiful soul who didn't deserve to be hurt but he knew that nature was cruel and nothing was hidden under the sun. Surely, she will hear of this news and so help him, he didn't want to be around to see the look on her face.

"Why are you crying?"

Sacha's quiet voice startled him and he looked away from Ella to see her standing beside him.

When had she walked up to him? He wondered.

"When you were so busy staring at Ella," Sacha replied with a smirk.

Was he that obvious? He huffed turning away from her and touching his cheeks, sure enough, there was moisture on his face.

Tears.

Fucking tears!

Why was he crying? It wasn't like Ella was his sister. He hadn't even cried for his family members now he was crying for a mortal.

Damn it and blast it all to hell! He cursed.

"Don't tell me you now like Ella?" Sacha asked cocking her brow at him.

He frowned shaking his head slowly. He did like her but he realized he wasn't romantically attached to her, he liked her as his little sister.

This realization made him laugh. He kept laughing till tears ran down his cheeks while they all stared at him weirdly.

For the first time, Cupid the immortal god realized that he liked someone who wasn't related to him and he wasn't thinking about sex.

Well then, this could only mean that his salvation was nearer than he thought.

~~~~*

"Mummy, I had so much fun!"

Cupid chuckled at the sarcastic comment of Cassie the moment they stepped inside the house.

Linda was seating on the sofa, her reading glasses perched on the bridge of her nose as she peered at the book on her lap.

"Be happy for once, Cassie," Linda said.

Cassie rolled her eyes. "I am happy. Super happy that I spent a whole day building a blasted snowman that didn't win the competition and going on a treasure hunt only to recover an old piece of junk."

Yeah he was upset too but Cassie hadn't laid a finger in the snow she more like yelled at the snow, Cupid mused quietly as he took a seat near the fireplace.

The treasure hunt wasn't so bad, they found an ancient relic of the mer kingdom which was buried centuries ago and if his assessment was correct then the mer clan will be coming to Willow Creek tonight for that relic.

The treasure hunt had given them enough points for them to still be a part of the competition and show up tomorrow.

Jared and James had gone home with James giving Cassie a side-hug and Jared kissing Ella while glaring at him.

Cupid hadn't cared less he only wished the lad will hasten while the sun still shone brightly.

"Cassie, it wasn't so bad. You went on a field trip because the boys did all the work," Ella mumbled taking a seat beside her mom.

"The bottom line is this, Linda we made it to the semi-finals of the competition tomorrow," Sacha announced excitedly.

"No thanks to you," Cupid glared at her. The fact she had turned into Cassie's P. A was super annoying.

She chuckled. "Shut up, lover boy."

"Loverboy?" Cassie and Ella cocked their brow at him.

"Stop teasing Cupid, girls," Linda warned, "Go and prepare for tonight."

Teasing Cupid? What is this, it sounded like he was a teenage boy amid sisters.

But hold on, she said something about tonight.

"What is happening tonight, mom?" Ella asked.

Cassie made a face. "I swear if it's another contest, I'm going to murder someone."

Only Sacha kept quiet, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"Sacha?" He called.

"Don't worry, Cupid I'm certain we'll all have a fun-filled night."

Cupid rolled his eyes walking towards the stairs.

"Just a sec, Cupid."

He turned towards Linda arching his brow at her.

"This came for you, no postman. I just saw it in front of the door your name written boldly on it. I couldn't read the rest though, I think it's written in Greek."

Cupid took the letter she was extending towards him, a grim smile on his face.

Who would send a letter to him amid mortals? He couldn't think of anyone who would risk doing that rather than coming in person.

-------------------------------

A/N: Guys, double update today. I'm getting lots of vibes so hopefully you'll get more updates today 🤣🤣

I'm still wondering what Jared is hiding 🤔 and Cupid just found out he has a heart, hallelujah he's not beyond redemption 🤣🤣

What's happening tonight guys?

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Leave your comments and hit that lil star down there.

You guys are amazing 🥳🥳.

Much love ❤️
Goodness.