The Rise of the White Lotus

"You want dessert?" She asked awkwardly, seeing him nodded his head in response.

After a beat, Morris suddenly leaned forward. However, before his lips could touch hers, she managed to cover his lips by her palm. "Wait, I mean…" She pursed her lips on a thin line, thinking of ways to divert the direction of where this was going.

"You said don't waste food." In a matter-of-fact tone, Morris said as he tilted his head to the side a little. "You haven't eaten yet… for a few days. You need nutrition, am I right?" He asked, blinking his eyes ever so slowly.

For everyone's information, Churu could eat human food. However, none of the food could make her have her fill. They were akin to junk food; she could eat them but wouldn't get any nutrition from it.

Her nutrition and food was him. The closer she was to him, the more she could replenish her energy fast. However, Churu drained him slowly whenever she was trying to replenish her energy. The reason Churu was feeding him 'correctly', as she needed him to be healthy for her to get enough nutrition.

Talked about fattening the sheep before eating it. This saying applied accurately with her setup with him.

Still pursing her lips on a thin lip, Churu nodded her head. Morris slowly removed the hand that was covering his lips. "Then, why are you holding back?" He asked, noticing her reluctance through these previous months that passed.

In their earlier days together, Churu would hold back and even initiate most of their physical contact. However, that resulted in Morris's poor health at first. That's why she decided to let him recover completely before bugging him.

When he recovered, Churu would always take care of him. She would prepare food for him and then start getting her meals when he was stuffed. However, as time passed by, Churu stopped initiating such action and would be fine purely sleeping with him with a pillow in the middle.

Morris didn't ask before, but now that he had the chance, he wanted to satisfy his curiosity. "Don't you need me anymore?" He queried again, his eyes sulking as he waited for her answer.

"It's not like that…" Churu replied, sighing heavily as she shook her head. "I just… I don't understand so I can't explain." Once her ardent eyes returned to him, another sigh slipped past her lips.

"..." He remained silent, studying her low-spirited visage.

"I just feel like I don't want to use you anymore to benefit myself." In a low tone, Churu murmured as she looked down. "I don't want that anymore.." She added through her muffled voice.

His eyes as he watched her open up to him softened; his heart melting each passing second. "Tell me what do you want?" He asked in a much gentle tone. Morris slowly let her wrist go, then dragged the chair to her side and perched on it. 

"I am hopeful…" Morris sighed, placing his hand atop hers which were on her lap. "I want to hear the reason… the real one. But, at the same time, I'm afraid that it might shatter the sliver of hope my heart hopes." A touch of bitterness laced his voice, squeezing her hand lightly as it sent her different signals.

One was hopeful to tell him and the other one was also to not tell him. It was a confusing touch which Churu could understand internally. In her understanding, Morris would rather her lies instead of hearing the brutal truth. It would break him… she knew, if what her emotions were not the one he hoped for.

However, that wasn't the case; Churu's feelings were the ones he wanted. The problem was, this shouldn't happen. There should be no string attached in this set up with him. Yet, before she knew it, she started caring. Before she could stop herself, she already fell from the seemingly bottomless pit.

Churu didn't have her wings to fly. She didn't have anything to return. All she could do was watch herself fall deeper and deeper to someone she shouldn't.

"Its nothin…" Just when she decided to deny everything, and divert the subject, Churu halted upon meeting his gaze. Her heart clenched, clogging her words in her throat as her lower lips trembled. 

"Hmm?" He hummed a tune, his gaze fixated with her pair of ardent eyes. 

Minutes had passed but Churu didn't make a sound. On the other hand, Morris didn't mind the time in silence as he let her gather herself patiently. 

Another minute had passed before Churu's lips parted and her eyes glinted with resolve. "I'm making a sin…" She paused, breathing heavily as her heart raced, fighting the pounding of her heart inside her chest.

"But, I'm a demon -- a sinner." She affirmed, making him blink his eyes as he was somewhat confused why she was saying the information he already knew.

"A demon is selfish, doing evil things, and happy with others misfortune and fear. So, why would I care if I add more sin, right? I'm already a living legend that even Lucifer praises by my achievements! I tortured millions of souls, enjoyed their melodious screams, especially the sweet sound of the whip while torturing them!" Churu listed down all her chores back in hell, giving her more courage while the latter was rendered puzzled.

"Hah! Who do they think I am?" She mocked, a courageous smirk plastered across her lips. The next second, she turned to Morris who was startled by her strange front that made him jolt back slightly.

"What did I do?" Baffled by the strange and maniac look plastered across her adorable face, Morris' previous heart-warming aura changed gradually. It changed into someone who was confused and vigilant as Churu's expression was different.

"Did you hear me? I am a demon, Lucifer's assistant. That one you read in books by those people whom I've tortured the longest!" In a matter-of-fact tone, Churu snickered.

In a fraction of second, Churu suddenly pulled him by the collar as she leaned closer. Yet, she stopped him when there was an inch gap between them. Morris bore the look of surprise while Churu carried the arrogant air she gathered earlier.

"That demon, the succubus that had been draining your energy wants more of you. Do you understand that you're in a dangerous situation now?" Her ardent eyes never left his confused eyes. "I don't just want your body, I want more than your presence…" The grip on his collar shivered as she could feel her resolve dwindle thinking how this would be unfair.

"I want you; your mind, your heart, and your soul. I want everything of it -- just mine. Do you understand? I'm trying to stop myself while I can because…" The rest of her sentence was pushed by as he suddenly pressed his lips against hers.

Caught off guard, Churu's eyes widened until he drew back an inch away. "You can have them." Staring straight into her eyes, his lips hooked into a smile. "My mind, my heart, and my soul. I'll be happy to serve you." Morris chanted, smiling as he slowly leaned closer again.

This time, Churu welcomed his lips as she closed her eyes. "Yes…"