When he woke up the next morning, Angel noticed that his hands and feet were already unstrapped. He wriggled his arms and legs at the free sensation and smiled.
The plan was working already.
Resisting the temptation to go back to sleep, Angel instantly left his bed and opened his door.
Upon opening the door, Angel saw Doctor Red setting up a table, but it wasn't the plastic table where the two of them had been sharing their meals. It appeared to be a much more elegant table that he was connecting the pieces to. It was just then that he noticed Arackniss was helping him.
Neither of them had noticed him appear yet, so Angel smiled for a moment at his plan going into motion. Then he suppressed that smile and replaced it with his normal pathetic-looking expression.
"Doctor Red?" Angel asked.
Arackniss and Doctor Red looked up from their work.
Arackniss maintained his cold stare, but Doctor Red perked up and said, "Good morning, Anthony! Did you sleep well?"
Angel nodded and asked, "What are you and Arackniss doing?"
"What does it look like we're doin'?" Arackniss quipped sarcastically.
"Arackniss, please," Dr. Red chided before turning back to Angel. "We're setting up a new table for you to eat at, Angel."
"Why?" Angel asked innocently.
"We have something a little different planned for you today, Anthony," Dr. Red replied vaguely. "So, while we're taking care of this, you need to get ready in the bathroom. Feel free to take a hot shower and prepare yourself for however long you want. I have already laid out your clean clothes for you."
"Uh…okay," Angel said, playing along and pretending to be confused.
Angel made his way to the bathroom and slowly shut the door behind him to savor the sight of Arackniss having to help the good doctor put the table together and to take the moment to register the situation.
Doctor Red was completely on board. Don Henroin was at least open to the idea of Angel getting with Cherri if he was making Arackniss help. Arackniss was downright skeptical and borderline hostile. Angel would have to watch out for him.
With that in mind, after a quick bathroom break, Angel stepped into the hot shower and washed himself clean. The hot water felt fantastic on his furry form after a whole day of struggling to stay warm in the over air-conditioned basement. He was sure to relish every moment with that heat.
Angel finished his shower and took his time getting ready. He combed his hair. He put on the deodorant and cologne that Dr. Red so generously and subtly placed in the bathroom. He put on his clean, ugly gray uniform and matching loafers. He brushed his teeth.
While working on his teeth, Angel peaked out the door to see what Dr. Red and his brother were up to. They were putting the finishing touches on the table after finally getting it together and appeared to be discussing something else. Angel couldn't hear them, so he shut the bathroom and resumed brushing his teeth.
As soon as he finished brushing his teeth, Angel combed his hair a final time and put on his best shy face before he exited the bathroom.
Dr. Red stood at the head of the assembled table. Curiously, Arackniss was not with him.
"Hello, Anthony," Dr. Red said. "Are you ready for the day?"
Angel nodded timidly and asked, "Why did you guys set up a new table?"
"We thought that your basement needed to be spruced up a little," Dr. Red explained. "Now, take your seat and wait for your surprise."
"Okay," Angel said taking his seat at the lovely mahogany table.
No sooner had he sat down, than did the cellar door open.
Angel keenly watched the stairs and Cherri walking into the basement with Arackniss walking in behind her.
"Cherri?" Angel asked, standing up and pretending to be surprised. "What are you doing here? Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Cherri responded.
"We were going to sell her to Sir Pentious, but the good doctor decided you two should spend time together," Arackniss explained, pushing Cherri over to a chair sitting opposite of Angel. "So, get to it."
"Arackniss, not so rough," Dr. Red chided, pushing him out of the way so that he could pull Cherri's chair out for her.
"Thanks, doc," Cherri said, shooting Arackniss a nasty glare as she sat down.
"Now, tell me, Anthony. Do you know this young lady well?" Dr. Red asked.
"Of course," Anthony said shyly. "She's my best friend."
"And Angel is mine!" Cherri said, showing so much enthusiasm that Angel felt himself internally cringe.
"Interesting," Dr. Red noted, scribbling some notes onto his notepad while Arackniss watched on in annoyance.
"So, is what Arackniss said true?" Angel asked hopefully, mustering a sparkle in his eyes to properly convey his excitement. "Does Cherri get to stay with us for the remainder of my therapy?"
"Of course, Anthony," Dr. Red said, placing a supportive hand on Angel's shoulder.
"Really?" Angel said, widening his two open eyes as widely and happily as he could. "Oh, thank you, doc! Thank you so much!"
Catching on to his cue, Cherri said, "Yeah, thanks, doc!"
"Don't mention it, you two," Doctor Red said, leaning over and putting a stony hand on Doctor Red's shoulders as well. "I'm happy to do anything that will help Anthony."
Angel smiled warmly and happily. Cherri mirrored his joyful smile. Dr. Red also smiled. Arackniss watched on and simply rolled his eyes.
After an awkward pause, Doctor Red took his hands of the pair and said, "I'll leave you two to catch up while I get breakfast ready. I'll be over in the kitchen making omelets with your brother if you need us, Anthony."
"Okay," Angel replied. "Thanks!"
Arackniss stood close by and stared suspiciously until Dr. Red called him over to the kitchen to help him out.
As soon as Arackniss reluctantly walked over, Angel leaned over the table and whispered as quietly as he could, "Cherri, are you okay? I mean, really okay. Arackniss looked like he was being rough with ya."
"Nothing I couldn't handle, Angie," Cherri said, matching his quiet tone. "I think he's more jealous than anything. What about you? You look rough. That outfit is hideous."
"Tell me about it," Angel said with a quiet scoff. "I'm doing better now that I have a plan. Speakin' of, you're doin' okay so far, but to make this work, we have to pretend that we are slowly starting to like each other. We have to make subtle romantic gestures and things like that. We also need to keep our conversations quiet because we're being monitored with a hidden camera. You got that, baby girl?"
"I think so," Cherri replied. "I hope I can keep up with your acting. I must say you make a very convincing sub."
Angel chuckled quietly and said, "Thanks, babe. I've had years of practice."
"You two having fun over there?" Arackniss suddenly asked from across the room, staring directly at Angel.
Masterfully feigning innocence, Angel said, "Yep! Cherri was just telling me a funny joke. You want to hear it?"
Arackniss stared suspiciously for a moment, but when Angel didn't break his innocent look, he said, "I think I'll pass."
"Oh, that is just delightful!" Doctor Red cried out gleefully from the kitchen. "I'm glad to see you two are enjoying each other's company. Now, sit tight. Breakfast is almost ready!"
Angel smiled gently and held Cherri's hands. Cherri gave Angel's hands a tight squeeze and smiled softly in return.
Doctor Red smiled. Arackniss watched suspiciously from the corner. Angel and Cherri returned to talking to each other for the rest of the time required to make breakfast.
Several minutes later, Doctor Red announced, "Breakfast is ready!"
"Oh, how wonderful," Angel said enthusiastically.
"Yeah," Cherri said, mirroring his tone. "Just swell."
Dr. Red set down two plates with delicious-looking omelets on them. Arackniss set down two glasses of orange juice along with two sets of silverware.
Once the items were set down, Doctor Red gestured to Arackniss to follow him upstairs.
"Wait, Doctor Red," Angel said. "Aren't you and Arackniss gonna eat with us?"
"Oh, goodness, no," Doctor Red said as he and Arackniss made their way to the stone staircase.
Arackniss turned around in his tracks and explained, "We got to fix up some things in your gal pal's room. Don't do anything stupid while we're gone or there will be consequences."
Arackniss turned back around and continued walking up the stairs.
Doctor Red looked back at his two patients, chuckled nervously, and said, "Don't mind him. Enjoy your time together and we'll be back after breakfast to check on you. Okay?"
Angel smiled innocently and said, "You got it, Doctor. We'll be good."
"Yeah," Cherri added. "See you real soon."
Doctor Red smiled back and headed back up the stairs behind Arackniss without another word.
The two demons left the basement, slammed the door shut, and locked the door behind them.
When they were sure they were gone, Angel and Cherri busted up laughing. They laughed until tears were flowing down their faces.
"Oh, my God," Cherri whispered once they had calmed down enough to hear each other whispering. "That doctor is a complete sap."
"You have no idea," Angel whispered back.
"I've never seen any shrink that gullible," Cherri said, rubbing the tears from her eyes.
"Me neither," Angel said, suddenly changing his tone. "But we still gotta play this safe. My Dad and brother ain't stupid."
"I'll say," Cherri agreed, cutting up the first piece of her omelet. "Your older brother is more than a little skeptical."
"That is an understatement," Angel said, doing the same.
"What is his problem with you anyway?"
"My big brother hates me because my Dad does. One of the major reasons is because I'm gay and I refused to change."
"So, they have locked you in this basement to force you to change."
"Exactly."
"You'd think they'd have figured out by now that this crap is pseudoscience."
"It's the time we lived and died in. You need to keep in mind that they're as old school as it gets when it comes to this type of thing. Back in the 1940's, they thought that my orientation was a mental illness, and that gay conversion therapy and copious amounts of brainwashing were all that it took to change it. They're also traditional Cosa Nostra Sicilians who believe that the family circle is everything. Any son running away and rebelling is a disgrace, especially when that son is a mafia made man they loved to rely on, so this is their way of making me a perfect model son they can bring back into the fold."
"Damn, your life has been a major drag, Angie," Cherri said, reaching over to hold his hand.
"In this life and the first," Angel agreed. "But this is what we have to deal with for the time being. Now, we need to convince all of them that we're in love so we can get out of this mess."
"What do we do first, Angie? Should we start smooching on the table?" Cherri asked sticking a forkful of omelet into her mouth.
"No," Angel replied with a shake of his head. "We need to go slower, baby girl. Make it feel a bit more realistic. How do you feel about sitting on my lap?"
"Sure," Cherri said. "I'm all for it."
"Alright, finish your food and get over here," Angel said with a lewd smile for the cameras he knew were watching them.
"Will do!" Cherri chuckled under her breath as she returned to eating her food.
After a few minutes, Cherri had finished her orange juice and her omelet. Angel had done the same, so he scooted back his chair and beckoned for Cherri to sit on his lap.
Cherri flashed a smile, hopped to her feet, practically skipped her way over to Angel, and sat on his lap.
"Move your hands behind my neck," Angel whispered into Cherri's ear. "You need to hold me and lean on top of my chest. Okay?"
"Alright," Cherri said, awkwardly obeying Angel's orders.
"There, just like that," Angel said, wrapping both pairs of arms around Cherri's back and holding her gently against his chest.
Cherri relaxed onto Angel's soft body and said, "God, this feels weird. It's been forever since I've done this with anyone."
"I don't blame ya. That bastard ex did a number on you," Angel said, rubbing Cherri's back as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Yep," Cherri said stiffening her back in remembrance. "Never again."
"Damn, did you ever have any man in your life who was good to ya?" Angel asked, stroking Cherri's back to help her relax.
"There was one," Cherri sighed. "I think I told you about him before."
"Oh, yeah…" Angel remembered. "Jay, the high school sweetheart. He sounded nice from what you told me. I'm surprised you don't talk about him more often."
"It's painful, Angie," Cherri replied sadly. "He was one of the only men I ever met who was good to me. When he died, I knew I'd never know anyone as nice as he was ever again. When I died, that premonition came true, except for you, of course."
"Let me guess," Angel added. "Jay ended up on the other side of eternity. Didn't he?"
Cherri nodded her head, and Angel felt a teardrop fall onto his bare neck. Then another. Then another.
Cherri sat up and wiped the tears out of her eyes before any more could fall.
"Dammit, Angel," Cherri said with a chuckle. "Sorry about that. Don't know what's come over me."
"You know you ain't gotta apologize to me," Angel said, using his finger to wipe away some of the tears. "I have people I want to see on the other side of eternity, too. It's one of the reasons I decided to join the hotel."
"Yeah, you told everyone in the limo," Cherri said.
"Oh, yeah," Angel said with a chuckle. "I forgot about that."
Cherri smiled sadly and leaned on Angel's neck again.
"Do you really think it's possible to be redeemed, Angie?" asked Cherri. "You told me originally you just wanted to live somewhere rent-free. Do you believe in Princess Charlie's cause? It's okay. I won't laugh at ya."
Angel scoffed, paused for a moment, and then replied thoughtfully, "To be honest, I don't know if I do or not. No sinner has ever been redeemed from Hell as far as I know. I had no idea if I believed in Charlie's mission or not when I joined the hotel, but I wanted to try anyway. Just to see if I could be something more than the worthless piece of shit I had turned myself into. After some time with Charlie and Vaggie and their therapy, I oddly enough found myself wanting to be that better person a bit more, just a bit. At least, I thought it was only a bit. When I found out Vaggie was kidnapped, I acted on the impulse to save her with hardly a second thought. Despite our differences, I kept fighting and was there for her when she needed me, and even after all that has happened, I want to keep fighting for her. Not because I expect anything from her, but because I see her as being as much of my friend as you are and I don't want her to suffer, no matter what it costs me. I have grown stronger, strong enough to even stand up to Valentino. I want to stay with the hotel because I want to keep getting stronger. I want to believe I can be. I want to keep going and see if I can become the person my mother believed I could be so that I can reach her. And if nothing else, I want to keep going because I finally like the person I am."
Cherri sat up, looked into Angel's eyes, and smiled proudly as she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm proud of you, Angie," Cherri said, giving Angel a hug.
"Babe, when we get outta here, you should think about joining the hotel, too," Angel said. "You might have a chance to be redeemed and get to see your loved ones again, too."
Cherri visibly hesitated and said, "I don't know, Angie. That is a big leap for me to take…"
"You leap off buildings all the time," Angel said with a chuckle.
Cherri giggled under her breath and protested, "This is a bit different, Angel. I'd have to give up so much, like my territory and my kingpin status."
"I know," Angel said, rubbing her back again. "Just think about it. Okay?"
"Okay," Cherri agreed. "I will."
Angel gave Cherri another hug just as they both heard the cellar door unlock and open.
As the pair of footsteps descended the stairs, Angel held Cherri's chin, she wordlessly nodded to him, and they embraced.
Doctor Red appeared at the bottom of the stairs with Arackniss following behind him.
The good doctor noticed Cherri sitting in Angel's lap, crossed the basement, and said, "Well, you two seem to be enjoying each other's company."
"Yeah, you two need a room?" Arackniss asked dryly.
"Well, we were having a nice conversation, but you two interrupted it," Angel replied with an innocent smile.
"Hey!" Arackniss snapped. "You need to watch your tone or you're going back to that chair."
Angel trembled as obviously as he could and buried his face into Cherri's shoulder to look more scared.
Cherri caught onto Angel's cue and rubbed his back while saying, "There, there, honey. No one is sending you back to that nasty old chair. Right, doc?"
"Right," Doctor Red said before shooting Arackniss a reprimanding glare. "Arackniss, there's no need to be so rude. Anthony was simply enjoying his time alone with his friend. It's natural not to want to be interrupted. Now, apologize and cease this rudeness at once."
"Yeah, Arackniss," Cherri agreed. "Say you're sorry."
Angel looked up expectantly, and Arackniss reluctantly muttered, "Fine, I'm sorry."
"Your apology's accepted," Angel said as shyly as before.
Arackniss rolled his eyes, crossed his arms, and sulked.
"Anyways," Doctor Red continued. "How have you two been enjoying each other's company?"
"Very much, doctor," Angel said.
"Yeah, we're all good here," Cherri chimed in. "So, are you back to do some therapy?"
"That depends," Doctor Red replied.
"Uh, what do you mean, Dr. Red?" Angel asked nervously.
"How well do you know Miss Cherri Bomb?" Doctor Red asked.
Angel and Cherri glanced at each other before Angel answered, "Very well. Why?"
"Are you two close friends?" Doctor Red asked inquisitively writing in his notepad.
"I'd say so," Angel replied honestly.
"Interesting," Doctor Red replied without looking up from the notes he was writing in his notepad.
"So, what do we do now?" Cherri asked.
"You two will continue to enjoy each other's company," Doctor Red replied, putting his notepad back into his lab coat's pocket.
"O…kay," Angel replied.
"But I think a change of scenery is in order," Doctor Red announced. "Don't you? How would you two like to spend time in Cherri's room?"
"That sounds fine, I suppose," Angel replied.
"Oh, goody!" Doctor Red exclaimed cheerfully. "I already spoke to your father and got his approval. Now, would you two kindly follow me upstairs?"
"Sure!" Angel exclaimed just as enthusiastically. "I would love to!"
"Then follow me," Doctor Red said, turning and heading back to the stairs without another word.
Angel and Cherri quickly got to their feet and followed right behind him while Arackniss followed in the rear.
"I hope you don't mind cramming onto a small mattress," Cherri whispered to Angel with a sarcastic scoff.