The Devil Meets an Angel (Chapter 3)

The devil and Angela had been together for a week, and they were blissfully happy. They had moved in to a cozy apartment in the city, where they spent their nights cuddling on the couch and watching movies. They had also visited some of the places Angela had always wanted to see, like the zoo, the museum, and the park. They had even gone on a hot air balloon ride, where they kissed under the clouds.

Angela felt like she was living in a dream. She had never been so in love before. Dante was everything she had ever hoped for in a partner. He was attentive, affectionate, supportive, and generous. He made her laugh with his jokes and his stories. He made her feel beautiful with his compliments and his kisses. He made her feel alive with his touch and his passion.

She didn't care about his past or his secrets. She didn't care about what other people might think or say. She didn't care about anything but him.

She trusted him completely.

The devil felt like he was living in a nightmare. He had never been so conflicted before. He loved Angela more than anything in the world. She was the only thing that mattered to him. She was the only thing that made him happy.

But he also hated himself for lying to her. He hated himself for deceiving her. He hated himself for betraying her.

He knew he had to tell her the truth. He knew he had to face the consequences of his actions. He knew he had to end this charade.

He feared losing her forever.

He decided to tell her the truth that night. He waited until they were alone in their apartment, after they had eaten dinner and watched a romantic comedy. He turned off the TV and took her hand.

"Angela, there's something I need to tell you," he said, looking into her eyes.

She smiled and squeezed his hand.

"What is it, Dante?" she asked, expecting him to say something sweet or funny.

He took a deep breath and said, "I'm not who you think I am."

She frowned and tilted her head.

"What do you mean?" she asked, feeling a pang of anxiety.

He swallowed hard and said, "I'm not human."

She laughed and shook her head.

"Of course you are, silly," she said, thinking he was joking.

He shook his head and said, "No, I'm not. I'm something else."

She stopped laughing and stared at him.

"Something else? Like what?" she asked, feeling a surge of fear.

He looked away and said, "I'm... I'm the devil."

She gasped and dropped his hand.

"The devil?" she repeated, feeling a shock of disbelief.

He nodded and said, "Yes, the devil. The ruler of hell. The prince of darkness. The enemy of God."

She backed away from him and said, "No, no, no, that's impossible. That's not true. You're lying."

He shook his head and said, "I'm not lying. I'm telling you the truth."

She shook her head and said, "No, no, no, you can't be the devil. You can't be evil. You can't be my enemy."

He reached out to her and said, "I'm not your enemy. I'm your lover."

She slapped his hand away and said, "Don't touch me! Don't come near me! Stay away from me!"

He sighed and said, "Please, Angela, don't be afraid of me. Don't hate me. Don't leave me."

She cried and said, "How can I not be afraid of you? How can I not hate you? How can I not leave you? You lied to me! You tricked me! You used me!"

He shook his head and said, "I didn't lie to you. I didn't trick you. I didn't use you. I love you!"

She sobbed and said, "You don't love me! You don't know how to love! You don't have a heart!"

He clenched his chest and said, "I do have a heart! And it belongs to you! You're the only one who ever made me feel anything! You're the only one who ever made me happy!"

She wiped her tears and said, "You're lying! You're lying again! You're just trying to manipulate me! To corrupt me! To destroy me!"

He shook his head and said, "I'm not lying! I'm not manipulating you! I'm not corrupting you! I'm not destroying you! I'm saving you!"

She scoffed and said, "Saving me? From what?"

He looked at her with sincerity and said, "From a life without me."