The Demon's Soul

Lilly never felt sorry for herself that she had been abandoned as a baby. Was it because they were poor and couldn’t afford to give her a life? Or was it because they didn’t want her at all? She wasn’t angry at them, probably a little sad but if they hadn’t she wouldn’t have got to know Julius and Ellen.

"Lilly, you’re home," her mother responded noticed her walk through the doors. Dismissing the maids after giving them instructions, "How was school sweetie?" she asked giving her full attention to her daughter.

"Good," she replied and saw her nod her head. Rose, her mother’s assistant came with a pad and a pen in her hand. She was her assistant for a long time. Her hair maroon in color and a fringe covering her wide forehead.

"Mrs. Griffin, I checked the list you asked for, everything is placed as you asked for," Rose informed.

"What about the appetizers?" her mother inquired.

"All done but we are yet to put the lights at the top floors," Rose informed.

"I will get Michael to do that. Lilly why don’t you go with Rose to get the cake," she said.

"Sure. What time does the party start?"

"Around seven. I picked out few things for you to wear, it’s in your room," and patted Lilly’s head like she was a twelve year old, "Now go, I have to call your dad too. I told him to be back home an hour ago and he’s not here yet," she huffed and left.

Giving her bag to one of the maids, she headed out with Rose to the baker’s store where they had placed an order for the cake. Reaching the store she exclaimed looking at the display pastries in front of her,

"Wow. Can we pack this, this, and that one separately?" she asked Rose pointing out the cakes.

"You know if you fill your stomach right now you won’t be able to eat later on. Aren’t you going to come in?" Rose asked to which she shook her head.

"I’ll wait here and look at these," Lilly said pointing her finger towards the pastries.

"Okay then, I’ll go talk to the manager and get the billing done."

When Rose disappeared inside the store, Lilly leaned on the glass that displayed the variety of cakes admiring each one of them. It was beautifully done with perfection.

Soon her mind drifted off to tonight’s plan wondering what she was going to write to him in the letter. While she was tangled deep in her thoughts someone knocked on the glass snapping her out of her daydream.

Turning to her side she found a male who looked around nineteen or twenty in age.

He was tall with pitch black eyes and tousled black hairs matching to match the color of his eyes. He wore a brown jacket with his biker boots.

It took her some time to realize that she was actually checking him and just a few seconds ago she had been wondering about her feelings for Gavin. Not only that but he had been talking to her with an amused look while she had been talking to herself.

"What?" she asked with a confused expression.

"I said move your hand away from the glass. You’re covering half the display standing there," he said and she felt embarrassed, quickly moving few steps back and she saw him check out the display.

No offense but it was a little weird to see a biker guy coming to a bakery and having a sweet tooth.

"I’ll have these," she overheard him speak to one of the workers.

Lilly stood there waiting for Rose to come out and a few minutes later, a piece of cake was presented right in front of her, the one which she been staring at not too long ago. The once frozen dark chocolate now dripped down slowly from the top.

She looked at the guy who held out the cake for her.

"Here," he said pushing it towards her.

"Ah that’s okay, I was planning to buy one myself," she said to him but he ignored her words and placed it on her hand.

"That’s fine," he replied, "I’m glad you didn’t gobble the glass as you stared at them," he said heating up her face at his words.

"Thank you?" She thanked him unsure and he gave a nod as he ate his cake.

Hesitantly taking a bite from it, she relished the softness of it and hoped tonight’s cake was as good as this.

The guy didn’t say anything after that. He finished eating it and threw the paper in the dustbin. As the guy left Rose came out carrying a big box in her hand and then handed her a small bag.

"I asked them to put four flavored cakes. Do you need anything else?" she asked and Lilly shook her head, "Alright then come on. We have two hours left," she said checking her watch on her wrist. On the way to the mansion, Lilly caught Rose looking at her intensely.

"You’re staring Rose and not blinking," Rose smiled sheepishly and asked.

"Who was the guy outside the bakery?"

"No idea, why?" Did she see him offer the piece of cake? She would definitely get an earful on the stranger danger topic.

"Ah, nothing. I just found him strange that he was staring at you. Thought he was hitting on you," she shrugged her shoulders.

"Haha, he didn’t. I mean, I am a plain Jane," Lilly replied looking outside the window.

"That’s good. Playboys wouldn’t go for the plain Jane, only the serious one would," she said making her laugh, "Lilly, tonight is not going to be just your fathers birthday but the King is also going to attend," Rose informed her.

King? Though she had heard a lot about him, she had never met the Demon King personally.

"Really?" and Rose nodded.

"Yes, now go get ready and don’t be late. It is your father’s birthday," she said as they reached home.

"Yes yes," said Lilly before heading towards her room.

Opening the door, she found two pairs of dress placed on the bed for the evening.

Wait! Before that, she had to write the letter. Taking a sheet of paper from her study table and picking up the pen she wrote what she felt would convey her feelings to Gavin. Folding the paper neatly, she put it inside an envelope and wrote her name on top of it.

Once she was dressed and ready to leave, she took the envelope to place it in her purse so that she could present it when an opportunity presented itself. Breathing in and out, to calm herself she took a quick look at herself at the mirror before leaving her room to be greeted by the music playing in the mansion.

Most of the guests had already arrived and when she stepped into the hall, her uncle Mathew greeted her,

"Lilly! You look lovely as ever. Whom are you trying to kill tonight?" he complimented her.

"No one," she replied with a smile before asking, "Where’s Aunt Kate?" Not able to see her around.

"She said something about meeting your mother. So how’s school coming?" he asked.

"As usual, more boring actually," hearing this the man chuckled, "I see. Ah, Gavin," her uncle said and the name itself made her heart skip a beat.

Turning around she saw Gavin with a smile on his face.

"Hello, Mathew. How have you been?" Gavin exchanged greetings with her uncle.

"Very good," he replied heartily, "If you guys would excuse me I have something to talk to your father about," he said taking his leave.

"You look beautiful," Gavin complimented her and she felt her stomach knot itself.

"You look handsome as well," she replied cheekily and saw him smile at her.

Lillian always tried mimicking like the demon women she had seen but the man only teased her like a little child. Was she supposed to give him the letter now? Later was good.

Soon the room was filled with people, who were from the demons race. After cutting the cake, she got to know that the King was caught up with work and couldn’t make it today. She tried finding Gavin later but didn’t find him anywhere in sight. Where was he? Seeing Rose who was in a hurry, she caught hold of her wrist.

"Did you see Gavin?"

"I saw him go up a few minutes ago," she replied before going to wherever she was heading.

Okay, this was good, she thought to herself. Walking up the stairs she heard a few voices. Curiosity getting the best of it she saw two people making out in the corner in the dark. Just when she was about to walk away she heard the women moan,

"Oh Gavin!" and she froze at it.

No, it wasn’t him, she told to herself. It was probably another person who shared the same name.

"You’ll get us caught if you keep moaning that loud," she heard him tease her and confirming who it was. He was with another woman.

Not wanting to stay a second longer there she walked to her room and closed it from inside. Flopping on her bed she pulled the pillow over her face and felt the tears seep into it.

He was one person she really liked but maybe deep down she knew it wouldn’t work. Crushes were only meant to be crushed. She had placed her expectations way too high and now it had tumbled down.

Pulling the letter she had written, she got up to put it in the burning fireplace before going to sleep.