99. Chloe meeting Marcelline
NEXT MORNING — LIGHT, PEACE, AND THE LOVESICK AIDEN
The Brooks Mansion had its first peaceful night in two weeks, and everyone knew exactly why:
Because somewhere in the supernatural realm, the entity was curled up in a corner whispering:
"I can't handle that boy's heart-eyes anymore… I'm out."
Maximilian had the best sleep of his life.
Aunt Liana woke up humming.
Uncle Adrian looked ten years younger.
At breakfast—
Aiden sat smiling stupidly into his toast, totally spaced out.
Chloe:
"You've officially become a vegetable."
Aiden (dreamily):
"…She said my name yesterday..."
Kyron:
"He'll start floating any second."
The whole table roasted him lovingly as he continued smiling like a man who saw heaven.
---
AT COLLEGE — CHLOE MEETS THE GODDESS
Chloe reached campus before Aiden because he left early to "walk slowly and enjoy the morning air" — a.k.a. replay his imaginary romantic scenes.
Chloe was walking toward her building when she saw a small crowd up ahead.
Girls whispering.
Boys staring.
Some seniors were pretending to film the sky but were very clearly filming someone.
Chloe followed their line of sight…
And froze.
There she was.
Walking down the corridor in soft sunlight.
Marcelline.
Her hair flowing like silk.
Her face glowing like she stepped out of a celestial dream.
Her aura calm, elegant… almost otherworldly.
Dressed in a simple outfit that somehow looked divine.
Chloe forgot to blink.
Forgot to move.
Forgot how Earth's gravity worked.
Chloe's brain:
Holy-freaking-stars… Aiden was talking about THIS??
Students around her whispered:
"Is she new?"
"She looks like a literal angel."
"Bro is she even real?"
"She's prettier than half the actresses."
Chloe's jaw dropped.
No wonder Aiden fell like a dying mango yesterday…
Not just beauty—
Marcelline had a quiet presence, like she didn't belong to the normal world.
Chloe finally snapped back to reality and started walking toward her because curiosity was killing her.
Just when she reached her…
Marcelline turned around—
And Chloe swore time slowed.
Chloe (soft gasp):
"You…"
Marcelline blinked politely.
Then she smiled — soft, delicate, angelic.
Marcelline:
"Hello."
Chloe's heart combusted.
She grabbed her own chest.
Chloe:
"Ah—ah—sorry. You're just… really… pretty."
Marcelline giggled softly.
Marcelline:
"That's sweet, thank you."
Chloe nearly dropped dead.
---
AIDEN ARRIVES — WITH MAXIMUM DRAMA
Aiden hurried into campus, practically skipping.
He saw the crowd.
Saw the bright aura.
Saw Marcelline and Chloe together.
And his soul left his body.
Aiden:
"Chloe—! What are you— how— wait— Marcelline??"
Chloe slowly turned to him…
And nodded with the gravest expression:
Chloe:
"Yes, brother… I have seen heaven."
Aiden covered his face in embarrassment.
Chloe grabbed his shoulders dramatically.
Chloe:
"Aiden… WHY didn't you TELL me she was THIS pretty? You fool! You idiot! You donkey! You tomato!"
Aiden:
"I TRIED but you called it PUPPY LOVE!"
Chloe:
"I TAKE IT BACK. THIS IS Angel -BLESSING LOVE."
Marcelline laughed again—soft, melodic.
Both siblings froze.
Aiden & Chloe:
"…She laughed…"
Aiden blushed like a tomato dipped in chili.
Chloe elbowed him:
Chloe:
"You're doomed. She's your destiny."
Aiden whispered:
Aiden:
"I hope so…"
---
THE CONVERSATION
Chloe, ever bold, asked sweetly:
Chloe:
"Are you and my brother… friends?"
Aiden internally died.
Marcelline looked at him.
Smiled again.
Marcelline:
"Mm. We just met yesterday. He's… very nice."
Aiden nearly fainted.
Chloe had to hold him like a sack of potatoes.
Chloe:
"Nice?? NICE?? This fool? This clown? This lovesick donkey?"
Aiden:
"CHLOE!! STOPPP—"
Marcelline found it adorable.
She looked between the two siblings with gentle eyes.
Something warm.
Something soft.
Something… attached.
Then Chloe said:
Chloe:
"You should join us for lunch today!"
Aiden's eyes widened.
Marcelline thought for a moment…
Then nodded.
Marcelline:
"I would like that."
Aiden nearly kissed the ground.
---