"Genessa, please wake up, we don't have time".
I sat up on the couch, "I can't take this, Matthew. How can you wake me as early as 6AM after I slept so late? Who cares about the history of Korel Uranus?"
It was bad enough that morning had come by too fast, now Matthew had basically dragged me out of bed saying something about knowing Korel more.
"You're the one who asked me to call him here", He argued. "Do you know how hard it was for me? He considers me his friend but treats me like trash,how do you think he is to others?"
He took a deep breath, calming himself down, "Just learn a bit about him, it's the best thing you can do for yourself-
A knock came on the door suddenly, Matthew and I turning to the door in shock as my heart skipped a beat.
"How is he here already?", Matthew mumbled. "It should have taken him at least three hours or so, that's why I called him so early".
"Never mind, " he said, now looking at me. "Go take a shower quickly and do any other thing you need to, I'll stalk him".
"Shower?", I asked, raising a brow. "What's the use?, I'll still have the stench of this dress on me, I don't have anything else to wear".
He groaned, "Just go. I'll bring you clothes, Wait for me".
A knock came on the door again, much louder this time. "What the fuck is wrong with you, Michael? You called me here and you won't open up?!"
I hurried to my room, closing the door shut before Matthew could let him in. I was slightly scared for him, he did say Korel treated him like trash, and now I had delayed him from opening the door.
I walked into the bathroom, having kept all of my clothing to the side, letting the cold harsh water hit my skin.
I wanted to relax, even if just for a second, but there were too many things weighing me down. The emotion I felt here wasn't something I could name yet.
"Last destination", I thought. "I should have known I can't call somewhere home".
I laughed, not knowing why, but a smile was on my face, "At least I'm no longer cursed, It shouldn't be hard to convince Korel I'm mad and stop him from marrying me".
"Genessa", A voice said coming from outside my room. It was Matthew's voice but it was a bit calmer than normal.
"You can come in", I replied. "Keep the clothes wherever you want".
I could hear the door slowly open, followed by the sound of a chair, but it only lasted about a second then he left.
"Unusual", I said to myself, stepping out as I grabbed the clothes he had placed on the bed.
My expression changed immediately as I instinctively threw them back on the bed.
"Why would he even think I would...", I covered my mouth, "That man".
I picked up the dress I had already tossed on the floor, there was some dust on it from when I was by the river with those two.
Then sweat, too much of it. I always did have a sweat problem.
I tossed it back on the floor, my mind not able to bring itself to wear it as I grabbed Matthew's clothes once again.
An oversized black shirt and blue suspenders, both clothes that were definitely his though the suspenders probably didn't fit him anymore.
I put it on, it would hurt my dignity less than whatever that dress of mine would do.
I stepped out, walking down the stairs as I heard their voices, but I couldn't differentiate who had which yet.
As I got closer, the atmosphere immediately changed, my body became unnecessarily cold and everything around me began to look like a distant memory.
It felt like I was walking into my death, and a small voice kept whispering that I should go back.
But I knew what this was, so I couldn't. It was how the presence of a god is meant to feel to humans.
I gritted my teeth, hearing voices. "Is that the girl you're talking about?"
"It's her Korel so stop, you can't do something like this".
The atmosphere became normal, my tensed body relaxing as I almost fell to the floor, holding myself just in time.
A hand reached out to me, "You're weak, but not as weak as the humans I've met. In this pitiful world of mortals, one may even consider you strong".
I rolled my eyes, standing straight. I knew it was him, he resembled Uel except his long hair was blond and he had sharper features, but they had the same eyes.
"It's a pleasure to meet you", I smiled, shaking the hand he still had out. "Of course, I could not handle the real presence of the Son of a god".
"A god", He corrected. "I am not a shadow of my father".
"My apologies", I let go of his hand. "I greet you, Painter of Hearts".
The five sons of Uranus, I knew them all by their titles, I had heard it from many places I had been, from old men gathering to drink and gamble as they talked about the stories of how they attained such titles.
He turned around, walking down the stairs, only then did I realize Matthew was seated on the couch, staring at us all this time.
Korel sat by him, crossing his legs, "Matthew said you have something that requires my presence to say. The fact that he called me here for such a meager thing is already a disgrace to the man I am".
He tapped his watch impatiently, "So make it worth it".
"I'm a woman of few words", I said, coming down the stairs. "I promise not to waste your time with unnecessary things.
I pulled a stool closer, sitting before them, "This explanation is mainly for Matthew but I am sure you will find it interesting too, Painter of Hearts".
"Such confidence comes from people who end up failing, but I'll allow you proceed".
"Thank you", I replied, taking a deep breath as I looked at Matthew, "Remember when I told you I needed to go somewhere quickly while we were at the university. it's because I was called by Ue....The Restorer of the Sea".
Their expression changed immediately, Matthew's especially. "Restorer of the Sea? What are you talking about? That sounds like a god's title".
I pressed my palm to my face, "It is".
Matthew almost said something, but the action from the person next to him surprised him so much he stopped.
A laugh, not a wicked one, or a mocking one, an actual laugh from Korel.
I barely knew anything about him, but from what I had seen, he wasn't the type of man to actually laugh.
He got even louder, "This is interesting indeed Mortal, I should have trusted your ego".
He shook his head, "So you're the girl he was talking about. Genessa, that's your name, correct?"