Aria's POV

Absentmindedly, I placed books back onto the library shelves. My mind was elsewhere, trapped in the puzzle that is my lost memories.

I can't stop thinking about my most recent memory.

I got close that time...so close. That specific memory that Alastor triggered seemed to chip away at the fog in my mind.

Clearing up one very important part of my life...that I did have someone that lived with me in that house.

Something else that I can't seem to get past...is the fact that every single memory I get...Alastor triggers it.

He's always there. It's always because of something he does.

I wasn't paying any attention as I placed these books back in their places, and nearly fell over after I bumped into someone.

"Shit!" I hissed softly, the remaining book in my hands falling and hitting the ground with a loud thud.

Looking up, I saw Angel. He stared at me with wide eyes, blinking slowly. I opened my mouth to say sorry, but then froze.

My gaze transferred to where his hand was, lingering on the spine of a history novel. His other set of arms was also full of educational books.

I tilted an eyebrow, slowly bending down and grabbing my book. Angel's eyes shifted to the book, and lit up.

"Oh, I was lookin for that!" He said excitedly. Once again I felt perplexed.

I'm currently holding a biography on the life of cleopatra.

Doesn't Angel read...porn?

I handed it to him, and he thanked me, but met my eyes after. He narrowed his gaze.

"Ya neva saw me here toots," he whispered lowly, "and if ya did I was ova in the porn section, got it?" He hissed, and I know he was trying to threaten me, but I couldn't help but cover my mouth to stifle a giggle.

"I won't tell, Angel, don't worry," I chuckled softly and his glare dropped as he flashed me a smile.

"Much appreciated, babe," he said, sauntering past me. Then he paused, turned to face me halfway.

"Oh...and Charlie was lookin for ya," he added, then disappeared around the shelf. I pursed my lips, just standing alone in the isle.

Then I sighed, turning to head up to her office.

Once I reached her door, I knocked.

"It's open!" She chirped from the other side, and I opened it, slipping into the office.

The brightly painted walls, rainbow accents, and beanbag chairs were......interesting.

The inside of this room was like...the opposite of the hotel's aesthetic.

But it perfectly represented Charlie, that's for sure.

"Oh, hey! I was looking for you earlier," she said, a big smile on her face. I nodded.

"So I heard...what'd you need me for?" I asked her, approaching her desk.

She motioned for me to sit, and I glanced at the beanbag next to me. Then, slowly, I sat.

Immediately I sunk down, and awkwardly looked up at her from my lowered height.

"Alrighty! So, this Friday I am arranging a bonding activity for everyone in the hotel," she started, and I nearly rolled my eyes. Her bonding activities are always so childish...

"Well..." she backtracked, "it's more of a vacation...from hotel stuff," she said and shrugged.

Now I'm intrigued. I sat up a bit, and tilted my head.

"I'm renting out a private room in one of the more upscale casinos...it'll be like our own private party, but you guys can leave the room and go play games whenever you feel like it...and free drinks will be provided on my tab," she said.

My eyes widened and my mouth fell open.

"Did Angel get to your head?" I chuckled and she did as well.

"No, I just figured everyone could use a day off...but that's not why I called you here," she said, her voice gaining a lower tone.

My ears flattened and I glanced to the side.

It feels strange being spoken to like that while surrounded by rainbows.

"Uh...Ok? Why'd you call me here?" I asked nervously, and she smiled wider.

"Because..." suddenly she perked up, clapping her hands together, "I'm making everyone bring a date!"

Huh?

I stared at her, and blinked slowly, "a date...?" I asked and she nodded.

"Yes! And as far as I'm concerned, everyone is set on that aspect...except for you and Alastor," she said, a mischievous smirk on her face.

My eyes widened at the implication.

"Oh, no...no no, Charlie, no," I said, pointing at her. She gave me a smug smirk, then her eyes turned red.

"As princess of hell, and heir to the throne, I hereby order you to go on a date with Alastor."

My eyelids lowered and I gave her an annoyed look.

"Charlie..." I whined, and she sighed and slumped forward on her desk.

"Aria...look, he's not going to ask anyone, I know him...but I have a strong feeling if you asked him...he'd say yes," she said softly, and I narrowed my eyes at her.

"And why would I want to do that? He's a murderer...an arrogant, egotistical madman..." I found myself beginning to blush, "...who's really sweet to me...compliments me...gives me flowers..."

When my eyes met Charlie's again, she was smirking with a half lidded gaze trained on me.

I growled and covered my face, "stop that!" I fussed, and she laughed.

Then she got up, walking around her desk and flopping onto the beanbag beside me. I noticed then that she's wearing pajamas.

"You like him, right?" She asked me, and I blushed harder. My heartbeat sped up, and I got that weird feeling in my chest.

That longing feeling.

I sighed heavily, shaking my head, "I don't know, I might...but he doesn't exactly strike me as the relationship type..." I mumbled.

She laughed, then, and I looked at her confusedly.

"Oh, he's not...but just give it a go..." she said, chuckling, then her smile softened and so did her eyes, "I've never seen him smile the way he does when he's around you..." she added gently.

My face was practically on fire at this point.

Maybe...she's right. Maybe getting to know him a bit more is what I need.

And maybe...just maybe he can help me clear up these broken memories. Whether he's aware of it, or not, he's helping me remember my past.

That's something I've been trying to do since I fell.

With a heavy eye roll and a sigh, I relented, "fine, fine...I'll ask him to come with me," I said begrudgingly.

I haven't been on a date with anyone since Josh...so it's been a hot minute.

Charlie jumped up, and clapped, "oh yes! I knew it, I knew you still liked him!" She said, and I froze.

Still?

"What do you mean by 'still'?" I asked her curiously, and she stopped bouncing, her expression falling into one of realization.

Then she smiled nervously, "oh did I say still? Silly me," she chuckled, and then she went behind her desk and started rummaging.

I watched her skeptically, and she pulled out a stack of files.

"I actually need to ask a favor of you, before you go!" She said, changing the subject. I stood up, making my way to her.

"Ok?" I asked, urging her to continue.

"Could you please drop these at Alastor's office? I'm busy right now, and it would help me out," she said, and gave me puppy eyes.

I sighed, taking the papers.

"Sure, Charlie, is that all?" I asked her, and she nodded.

"Yep! See ya, I'll be calling for a meeting in a bit to announce the party to everyone else," she said, waving me off.

I waved back, and left her office. Looking down at the files in my hands, I hummed. It looks like some hotel financing...boring.

Making my way down the hall towards Alastor's office, I felt nerves creep into my stomach.

I just agreed to ask him out...to ask Alastor out.

He's going to laugh in my face.

I sighed, and stopped in front of his door, knocking.

No answer.

I knocked again, and waited. Nothing.

My eyes shifted to the polished copper doorknob, and slowly I reached down to turn it. I was simply seeing if it would open, expecting it to be locked.

But it wasn't.

The door opened leisurely, revealing his darkened office to me. I blinked, debating going in...isn't that rude? I mean, all I'm doing in dropping these papers off...so it's not too bad.

He'll never even know I was here.

I slipped in, taking a second to look around. The door closed behind me, making me jump and spin around.

That was weird.

I let out a shaky breath, and walked over to his dark mahogany desk. This place is like the exact polar opposite of Charlie's office. The entire office was adorned in deep reds and blacks.

Near the back was a nook with a large window looking out over pentagram city. There were bookshelves, and what looked to be...demon heads...mounted on the walls.

I shivered, quickly sitting the papers onto his desk. My eyes shifted to the window.

Now that I'm getting a good look at it, I'm noticing this nook looks a lot like the one back at my house...

Slowly, I made my way towards it, nostalgia hitting me. I smiled softly and ran my fingers across the small seating area.

I remember I used to sit in my nook...and look out at the forest...watching the birds, and the wind tussle the leaves...

I used to sit here with...

My brows furrowed, my smile falling.

With...

Someone.

There was someone else there...I'm sure of it. I just wish I could remember who it was...I'm trying my hardest, but I just see nothing when I try to remember their face.

"Aria?"

I jumped, spinning around to face whoever just said my name.

Of course...

"Hey, Alastor..."