Previously: After Lucifer has decided that he wants to try to be a father and stay with Chloe to help her through her pregnancy. He asked her a huge question, "Do you want to move in with me?" Chloe is unsure and has to decide. Meanwhile, Ella saw Lucifer's Devil face the other night and now Michael has manipulated her into doing something terrible.

Chapter 17

Chloe's Pov

Distraction. Distraction.

I kept telling myself that same word over and over, so my body wouldn't feel so anxious and my mind wouldn't focus back on Lucifer's life-changing question. Good thing that I was driving and I was focusing on the road ahead of me, so that was a short and good distraction. It was an easy and clear journey anyway, but I felt like I was rushing because Lucifer was travelling with me in my car. Lucifer was sitting next to me, so I tried to talk to him with conversations that didn't involve anything about 'moving in.'

"What was he thinking?" I said in my head.

I just can't believe it… I still can't believe it.

A while ago, Lucifer wasn't on board with the idea of being a father to his first baby, but then he decided that he wants to be around and help out while staying together as a couple. Now, Lucifer propounds that it's a great time for me to move in and live with him in the penthouse. Not like I don't like the idea, to be honest, I was thinking of asking Lucifer if he wanted us to live together when we were dating before he left for Hell. But this is a rather complicated time because it felt too rushed and I was worried that Lucifer would backfire if he felt too overwhelmed.

I couldn't risk it for me, for Lucifer and the baby.

"You're very quiet, detective, everything alright?" Lucifer asked.

"Yeah, just thinking about Ella. Wondered if she's alright" I lied, but my convincing voice made Lucifer believe me although I did see a bit of doubt in his eyes.

"I'm sure she's fine" Lucifer added.

Thankfully, we reached to a large building where the crime was and, apparently, where it was holding up a dog competition. After exiting the car and walking into the building, we find the crime scene where a dead body was lying on the floor facing downwards. What was surprising to me was there many dog footprints in blood spread around the victim's head.

A new, young forensic scientist guy, James, was there as well analysing the crime scene which saddens me and Lucifer as we already miss Ella and her open and enthusiastic personality. After taking close photos of the dead victim, James stands up and starts explaining, "Victim is Francis Hoffman. Time of death roughly 9:00 a.m. His husband's is in the other room."

"Thank you" I nodded as I walked a bit closer to the dead body.

"Remind me, where is Miss Lopez?" Lucifer asked me.

"She had to go back to Detroit for a family emergency" I answered.

"Right, my next question, what are those suspicious pawprints?" Lucifer indicated the pawprints on the floor in blood.

"The prints belong to Cornelia, the vic's prizewinning Mastiff. Currently, AWOL, though" I explained.

"Ah, a canine killer, this is interesting. Perhaps a sequel for Cojo, the thirst for blood and bone" Lucifer joked with a cheeky grin.

I rolled my eyes before continuing, "Nope. The dog is innocent. Cause of death was blunt force trauma, so the killer is certainly human."

"Now, we need to talk to the husband" I informed him as I exited the room while Lucifer followed behind me.

The victim's grieving husband, Frederick was sitting alone in the audition room where they would have held the dog completion. Lucifer and I greeted Frederick while he was still crying through his grief, "Francis loved the beach. We just celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary in Malibu. Two daddies and one fur baby. Has there been any sign of her? Cornelia's all I have left."

"Not yet, I'm afraid" I answered.

"You and Francis adopted the Mastiff?" Lucifer asked.

"Yes, we had her when we first moved in together" Frederick weeps with a sad smile.

"And become two happy couples. Couldn't think of anything better" Lucifer replied, and I felt his stare dart to face. I knew the hidden agenda behind his words, but I calmly ignored it.

I focused back on Frederick and asked, "Do you know of anyone who had a beef with Francis? Anyone who would want to hurt him?"

"What? No. I mean, everyone loved Francis, but…" Frederick paused as his pale face grew a concerned look.

"But, what?" I questioned.

"But he did get into an argument with someone in the parking lot of the training centre last week" he explained.

"Did you get a name?" I asked.

"No, I... I thought they were just arguing about a parking spot. But I did take down the license plate in case he came back to key the car... if that's helpful?" Frederick threw his hand into his coat pocket and pulled out his phone. Searching through his photos on his iPhone until he found the car's license plate and revealed it to me.

"That's great. Thank you" I grinned at the fact that we have a lead already in the case.

We were outside of the building with the fresh and open air, however I felt like I was trapped in a small and tight room finding it hard to breathe. I felt that Lucifer was shifting his gaze to the back of my head as though Lucifer was expecting me to give him my answer about his idea for me to move in.

"So, detective…" he started and I quickly cut in.

"Hey Lucifer, I'm going to meet up with Linda today. Would you like me to drop you off somewhere?" I asked.

"Something wrong?" he asked in a concerned tone.

"No, it's just she wants to ask me about Charlie, you know, toddler stuff so I'm gonna visit her. I'll see you later in about an hour" I answered, feeling my lies slinking through my teeth.

"Very well, need to check up on Lux anyway" thankfully, Lucifer agreed with my new terms and started driving again.

After dropping off Lucifer, I instantly felt bad about lying to Lucifer earlier; I asked Linda if we could meet up because she was the only available person to talk to. Dan was being a dick, Ella is gone, Maze is out bounty hunting, and Amenadiel was out shopping to buy more diapers and that sort of stuff. Linda was the only one who could give me a spare ear.

We arranged to meet in the local park where Linda could take Charlie out on the stroller, giving her baby some fresh air and a chance to spend some time in the warm sun. There was a free bench for us to sit on while Linda's right hand was holding onto the stroller with baby Charlie inside it gently rocking it forward and back. In front of us were other parents and their kids at different ages playing around on the grass. I explained to her what Lucifer asked me earlier today, and Linda was stunned, "He asked you to move in? Wow, that's… wow"

"I know. Like he just dropped the idea out of the blue. I had no idea how to respond" I replied.

"Well, that is one of his bad habits" Linda indicated as she was completely concurred since she has been his therapist for the last five years.

"I mean, am I overreacting?" I asked.

Since that morning, all I have been thinking about is whether Lucifer asked me at the wrong time. However, now rethinking the whole, I could see it from his point of view, since we are going to have a baby together, Lucifer might just think it would be better to live together for us and the baby. But, I still don't know.

"No, of course not" Linda shook her head.

"It's not like I don't want to move in with Lucifer, but him suggesting that idea now just feels like… it's all moving too fast" I started explaining and Linda didn't give me that look of a therapist, but of a caring friend, "Like Lucifer has already come to terms with the whole baby thing. And now, he wants me to move in. If that does happen and it becomes too much for him, he might retreat and leave again. You know he's not that steady with his emotions."

"You'll be surprised by how Lucifer has grown by confronting his emotions" Linda mentioned from her long-time of being Lucifer's therapist, "So, what are you to do?"

"I don't know. I can't leave Lucifer hanging forever" I sighed in a tired tone before facing Linda, "Can I ask, was it hard when Amenadiel moved in when you were having Charlie?"

"Yeah, it was. We had something between us and then dropped it for Maze. So, it was a bit awkward. And then Charlie arrived, and I found it that he was planning to take him to stay in Heaven" Linda explained and I could sense some bitterness in her voice, making me guilty for asking, she continued, "Now, we're just trying to keep things okay for Charlie, co-parenting is surprisingly better than for us to focus on then our history."

"But, what about before then, when you were pregnant?" I asked.

"Amenadiel was very supportive. I mean he thought proposing was a great idea but really, he has been there every step of the way. Didn't feel difficult or awkward. Just felt natural" Linda finished her answer with a proud smile.

"But you can't compare Lucifer to Amenadiel, they are both very different people" Linda added.

"Yeah, you're right about that" I nodded before realising a tiresome huff.

"Whatever happens Chloe, the only thing you need to remember is that you know what's best for you and the baby" Linda provided some helpful advice. As much as I love Lucifer, I knew Linda was right that I have to focus on what's good for me and what's good for the baby.

Later on, when I texted Lucifer that I was on my way back to the precinct, I travelled back to work where Dan helped me out a bit with some details for the case. We discovered that the man whom Francis was arguing with a week ago, was an apparently ex-con and turns out he had an alibi for the time of Francis's death and crazy enough, we discovered that the Mastiff was pregnant after mating with Vince's dog.

"Detective!" I was sitting on my desk and raised my head when I heard my name being called out by a sexy, British voice.

I watched Lucifer walk down the stairs and headed towards my desk as I stood up and neatly folded some paperwork aside. I start informing my partner, "Hey, I've thinking that Cornelia's vet, Dr. Valerie Hayne might know something about Cornelia's pups. So, we should pop down and ask her."

"Right" Lucifer replied as he sounded like he was ready to take off with me, however I caught an unconcern look imprinted on his face. The second I was about to lead the way, Lucifer stayed behind and compelled me to slowly stop and turned around when he asked, "Detective, are you trying to avoid me?"

"What? No. No, of course not" I turned around and shook my head with a fake grin, but Lucifer could easily look through my denial and read me like a book.

"Then, are you ignoring my question?" Lucifer pointed that out.

"I'm not avoiding it, per say, just…" I started off badly as I didn't know where I going from there. Looking at Lucifer's innocent face already boiled up my guilt as I knew that I couldn't keep delaying his question. After exhaling a deep breathe in, I continued, "Look, it just really took me by surprise, Lucifer, that's all."

"So, you don't want to" Lucifer asked as I felt a pinch of disappointment and downcast in his voice.

"No, I do. But… I don't know" I was completely lost for words as though the right words had vanished from my head.

"I'm confused, Detective" he replied, and I honestly don't blame him.

"Follow me" I kindly unstructured as I stood up and my hand reached out to grab Lucifer's hand and gently dragged him behind me as I was heading towards the interrogation room.

I opened the door for Lucifer to walk in first before I came in and closed the door so we could have some privacy. Lucifer seemed quite relieved that I might finally give him a proper answer, meanwhile I was starting to feel some butterflies swirling in my stomach.

"I'm sorry Lucifer for ignoring you, but this moving-in idea you suggested now, personally, I think that you are not exactly ready to take that big step yet" I started and already the guilt was drying up my throat, "Remember, the first time you learnt about the baby, how shocking it was. You took a reasonable amount of time to accept it. But now, you want me to move in and I think that eventually it might be too much for you and…"

My words gradually died out from my mouth, and Lucifer slightly pressured me into answering, "And what?"

"And, you might do that again. You could back away from this." I ended with a hapless frown.

"You think I'm gonna leave?" Lucifer asked as he was very taken aback by my answer, shocked even that I would ever think like that.

"No, not leave me but retreating from this situation and I'm scared it will be too overwhelming. I just think that you might need to reevaluate what this means, not just for the baby, but for Trixie and for us" I explained a bit clearer and tried to make Lucifer see from my point of view without trying to make him feel even more disdain.

I hoped that Lucifer would understand my reasons, but I could see the obvious look on his face that Lucifer felt disappointed and hurt by my answer. His lips were sealed together at first as I watched Lucifer holding up a fake-accepting grin but his speaking crippled in a sorrowful tone, "I see, well, now I have your answer."

"Oh Lucifer, I'm not trying to hurt you, but I don't want us to rush into this something while being blindfolded" I hated the way he sounded so upset as it sores my heart.

"It sounds like you don't have much faith in me detective" Lucifer argued in a resentful tone.

"I do have faith, Lucifer, I just think we need to talk about it before doing it" I raised my voice a bit because I didn't want Lucifer to make me a villain.

"What if I have thought about it?" Lucifer's voice shiftily changed to a more fierce tone acting like he was challenging my outlook on his idea.

"Have you?" I asked while giving Lucifer a half-death stare, "Have you thought about where Trixie and the baby will stay in the penthouse? Where the nursey could be for the baby?"

My questioning shuttered Lucifer's egotistic confidence and made my boyfriend speechless before Lucifer muttered, "Um… Not entirely."

"Exactly. I'm sorry, Lucifer, but I can't decide that we should straightaway without thinking about it properly" I stated firmly before I excused myself from his presence and returned to my desk where I could continue working.

A part of me thought it was the wrong move to leave Lucifer but then I figured it would be good for Lucifer to have time to adjust my harsh word and hope that Lucifer would see the bigger picture. I didn't want to sound bitter or to make Lucifer feel horrible for asking me to move in, but I didn't want us to walk blindfolded into something that would have a big effect on us.

I started working at my desk again while Lucifer was asked to leave work early, I accepted his request as I knew that he would probably want some time to himself after our intense discussion. I did appreciate the space and the quietness however it did get rather lonely when Lucifer left. Dan was still there to help me with my case as we further learnt that the assistant of Cornelia's vet, Dr. Valerie Hayne kept the dog and delivered Cornelia's pups.

Night time approached faster than I expected as I was still sitting at my desk checking the paperwork from Dr. Valerie Hayne about the dog, Cornelia and the animal's pregnancy. Eventually, I learnt that Frederick already knew about that his dog, Cornelia was pregnant with puppies and lied about it.

"Well, that's odd. Cornelia's prenatal examination was signed by Frederick, but he said he didn't know about the pregnancy" then my brain began wiring all the connections and then it hit me, "And the signature's a match. Which means he lied. Ergo... he's most likely the killer."

"Okay, so Luc-" I turned my head around and I saw an empty chair. My words quickly died out when I realised that Lucifer left ages ago and I was left with awkward silence.

Due to my pregnancy, I was instructed by my lieutenant to take the back seat away from field work so the baby and I wouldn't get hurt in the line of order. I asked Dan to arrest Frederick for the murder of his husband and I will complete the last bits of paperwork. I was almost done when I suddenly received an unexpected text. I raised my phone to read the message, it was from Lucifer saying;

Detective, please come to Lux as soon as possible. x

I was quite shocked to see his text, especially after our rattled conversation earlier, I figured that he needed a full day to rethink what I said about his idea of us moving in together. But, since he requested me to come, I replied;

Leaving the precinct now. See you soon. x

Eventually, I completed all the paperwork and neatly piled them on the side of my desk before I slowly lifted myself off from my chair. My eyes rolled down and gazed at my round belly realising that it was getting bigger, even after after four months of pregnancy, and that made my heart slightly racing faster than usual. My hand slowly rubbed the front side of my belly as I began thinking about my unborn baby growing inside of me.

"Hey, baby, I don't know about you, but out here is pretty messy" I started muttering down to my stomach, "Me and your daddy are on a rough patch. And, I hope things will be good again soon. Wish me luck."

I walked to the car park and drove away from the precinct through the half-empty roads of L.A. It didn't long for me to reach Lux as I parked by the corner in the street and the security guards easily allowed me to access through. I walked through the front entrance and entered the quiet club which was completely empty which surprised me as I assumed it would be packed with a myriad of people. But I know that sometimes Lucifer can close off some nights for himself or for something special.

My eyes quickly spotted Lucifer sitting on a bar stool by the bar counter in a similar position to the night Lucifer created a prom night for me as the beautiful memory instantly flooded my mind. Deep down in my gut, I have a funny feeling that Lucifer is about to do something similar, like the cheeky Devil has something else up his sleeve. Slowly strolled down the curvy staircase till I reached the lower ground and walked towards Lucifer with a concerned look, "Hey, got your text. Everything okay?"

"Yes. I've just thinking about what you said earlier today" Lucifer answered without twisting his body around, only turning his head to face the detective.

"Right" I quietly huffed, sounding half downcast and ashamed, "Lucifer, I know my answer was not what you wanted. I know it is hard for you to listen. But, I didn't want to complicate things when we were starting to finally get on a steady path. I didn't want to lose that, I guess."

"I understand, detective" he stood up from the bar stool and I felt the sound of matureness echo in his voice. I was expecting to see a gloomy look painted on Lucifer's face, instead he acted very calmly, "But, the reason why I asked for you was that I need to show you something."

"What is it?" I wondered.

"Before we go though" Lucifer scooped his hand into the right-side pocket of his suit and took out a black blindfold from his smart, jacket pocket, "I need you to wear this."

I raised a suspicious eyebrow and gave him a serious look, "This isn't one of your fantasies you want us to do again, right?"

He chuckled but shook his head, "No, not yet anyway. Just trust me on this one, detective."

Lucifer walked around to stand behind me as he started wrapping the black blindfold over my eyes and gently tied a small knot at the back of my head. My version fell into complete darkness and my full trust was poured into the hands of the devil. Gently placed his large hands on my shoulders and courteously pushed me forwards while shifting directions until I felt my shoes stepping onto a new floor. I realised that I was stepping into the elevator and that Lucifer twisted my body around so that I was probably facing the doors and Lucifer was still standing behind me. I heard him pressing one of the buttons and the doors closing before I felt the elevator beginning to shift and move upwards.

"Where are we going?" I asked after patiently waiting a minute in pure silence as we continued travelling up in the elevator. A large part of me was predicting that we were heading to the penthouse, but I already had the words in my mouth.

"Be patient, detective. You'll find out" he shortly answered but Lucifer's mysterious words only added more desperation to my curiosity. Even with the blindfolds blinding my version, I could sense that Lucifer was holding up a lopsided smile. Meaning that whatever he is about to show me, it's gonna be big.

Soon, the elevator stopped and I figured that Lucifer had taken us up to his penthouse, however when Lucifer led me out of the elevator I felt my feet step onto an unfamiliar floor. My heart was suddenly pounding faster than usual as it was filling up with nervousness.

"Here we are" Lucifer announced as his fingers started untying the ends of the blindfold and releasing them off my face and light flashed before my eyes.

I blinked a couple of times before my eyes could see the full picture as my version became clearer and all I could see was an empty and undecorated apartment. The floor and walls were made of reinforced concrete and square flat boards across the ceiling. There were only six, singular-bulb lights hanging down from the ceiling to brighten up the dark

"Where are we?" I asked while scanning around the place.

"We are just one floor below the penthouse" Lucifer answered, standing by my side.

"Okay, but why are we here?" I rephrased my question as I was still deeply baffled and darted my puzzled eyes up to his face.

"Well, imagine this, we stay in the penthouse for our personal use and space. And we can have this apartment for the baby and for the urchin to live in" Lucifer starts explaining as he starts strolling further towards the centre of the colossal apartment. My eyes scanned around the large empty room analysing that it would be so expensive for us to live in this great apartment.

Believing that this must be a little joke of Lucifer, I lightly chuckled, "Okay, Lucifer, I'm completely lost right now. How could we afford this…"

My words eventually died out from my wide mouth and my body froze like a statue as the confusion on my face quickly melted away with shock. Noticing a victorious and proud grin imprinted on Lucifer's face and at moment, I finally figured out what he did when talking about living here. He already paid for it.

"You didn't" I gasped and gawk at my brother.

"I did" he replied fast.

"You didn't."

"I did."

"Lucifer!" I yelled as that massive bombshell made my heart leap up to the centre of my throat and then drop to the bottom of my stomach.

"It wasn't that much" Lucifer responded as he sounded unbothered about the large price.

"No, Lucifer, this is way too much" I heaved in disbelief that Lucifer actually paid for another apartment.

"But, it isn't, detective" Lucifer stepped forward, "The owner and I had a little agreement."

"Oh, let me guess, they owed you a favour?" I questioned, knowing Lucifer's tricks and social skills from the back of my mind.

"Not anymore" Lucifer answered and I was still gasping at this huge bombshell.

"Detective, you said that I might not be fully prepared, and you were right. But, today I have thinking about it carefully and cautiously" Lucifer took a step forward and softly scooped my hand into his. I felt the warmth through his skin but also through his words as Lucifer pointed out my worries that I mentioned to him earlier in the precinct.

"And I thought about making rooms for the baby and for the urchin to grow up in. Big room and enough space for their beds and toys and clothes and a bit of furniture. Some stairs for us to travel from this floor to our penthouse" Lucifer directed us to the corner of the apartment and showed me another big, empty square space. I could imagine that this big space would be used for either Trixie's or the baby's bedroom and I must admit, it would look pretty amazing for its size. Lucifer continued explaining his idea, "And, Beatrice can paint her own room. With the right and appropriate colour, of course, I can't buy a floor and let her mess it with some unattractive taste in colour."

I happily chuckled at Lucifer's imaginative description of how he could picture our kids living here while I was still finding it hard to believe that Lucifer had bought an extra apartment for us to live in as a family. There was disbelief swirling in my eyes yet there was a glimpse of hope spreading across my face like a winter breeze. Gazing up at Lucifer and whispered through a tiny but a beatific smile, "So, this is really happening, isn't it?"

Lucifer nodded with a small smile as he locked his eyes with me, "Yes, if that's what you want, detective."

"It is. But, I think it's what I really need. And most of all, I need you" I gratefully smiled.

"You already have me" I was uplifted by Lucifer's amiable words and his faithful grin.

Lucifer wrapped his arms around my body as I was pulled into a warm hug with the side of my head pressed to the centre of his husky achest and Lucifer rested his chin on top of my head. I fell for his soft and warm touch while hearing the light music of his generous heart beating in his muscular chest.

"I feel a bit spoiled now" I quietly sighed.

"Well, I know a few other ways to make you feel extremely spoiled, detective" Lucifer seductively suggested and I lightly giggled. Especially when the tip of Lucifer's fingers slowly strokes down the middle of my back, giving me a shiver of lust down my spine.

"So, shall we talk about the arrangements?" I asked after pulling my head back and looking up at his handsome face.

"Absolutely. But perhaps a drink first" Lucifer concurred.

He gently pressed his hand behind my back as Lucifer directed us back towards the elevator, I reminded him, "I can't drink alcohol, Lucifer."

"I know. I meant for me" Lucifer replied which made me chuckle. We stepped inside the elevator, watched the doors closed and travelled up to the penthouse above.

Lucifer's Pov

After pouring myself a glass of whiskey and a glass of water for the detective, we sat down and relaxed down on the brown sofa. We talked about the furniture we will need for the baby's nursery; such as a crib, a changing table and lots of toys for the little baby to play with. I wasn't expecting that we might need so much, but I listened to Chloe's experience in creating a safe and fun environment for a baby while getting the right materials for its nursery.

"Gosh, how much stuff does a baby need?" I thought to myself.

After our intense argument at the precinct, I felt upset and disheartened that Chloe wasn't fully on board with my idea of us moving in together. However, after taking some time for myself, I eventually acknowledged that my enthusiastic question was a bit extreme for her. Hearing her concerns made me realise that I needed to put in some extra work so the detective could see how my idea could work.

"I'm going to the bathroom" Chloe said as she stands up and walks off to the elevator.

I watched her stroll away and caught the side view of her round belly, I still couldn't believe that there is a baby growing inside of her. Sometimes I see Chloe trying to cover herself, especially around her stomach area as though she felt embarrassed that she looked a bit bigger than usual. It motivates me to make sure that the woman I love and who is carrying my child is feeling happy and comfortable and that I must make sure that everything is already for them.

My ears caught the sound of the elevator bell alerting me that someone had arrived at my home. Raised to my feet and turned my head around as my eyes watched a small and female figure exiting the elevator, reorganising that the face of the stranger was none other than Ella Lopez herself.

"Oh, Miss Lopez, do what do I own the pleasure?" I welcomed her with a warm smile.

Ella stopped so suddenly and loathed me immediately when she noticed me coming over, I was a little bit perplexed when I noticed that Miss Lopez had developed a rather anxious look on her friendly face. The next second, she took out a gun from her deep, coat pocket and aimed it directly at my face.

"Oh, is this part of learning to be a method actor? I wouldn't know because you know, I'm the actual Devil" I joked, assuming that Miss Lopez had set up a comedy act that involved a murder weapon from a previous case. However, my amused smile gradually faded away when I noticed that Miss Lopez's face was stuck with an appalling look.

"I know what you are" Ella muttered as I observed her lips as well as her hands were trembling.

"Miss Lopez?" I gave her a bemused look as I realised that Ella wasn't messing around.

"I know you're a monster" she announced in a frightened tone.

My face fell hard when I heard a small but sharp word Miss Lopez used to describe me, a 'monster.' I noticed how her hands were slightly shaking and her frightened eyes were targeting at my face without distractions.

"Ella?" a new, gentle voice entered the scene as we both turned our heads to the side and spotted Chloe standing on the small staircase. The detective's pale face was painted in terror when she first saw Miss Lopez standing there with a gun aiming at me. She asked, "What are you doing?"

"Doing the right thing. To kill the Devil" Miss Lopez answered in confidence and fear as she shifted her gaze back to me like she was staring at a malignant beast.

"Ella, wait" Chloe took a few steps forward with her hands out, intending to speak to Ella calmly but it only made me feel apprehensive about her safety.

"Detective, get back" I waved my hand up and instructed her because I didn't want Chloe to be in harm's way, especially if there was a loaded gun involved.

"Ella, it's not what you think" Chloe calmly murmured and, thankfully, she followed my orders and stayed where she was and away from Miss Lopez's gun.

"It is. He's the Devil. He's evil!" Ella aggressively argued as her fear and rage started to boil up through the loud volume of her voice.

"How did you find out?" I asked.

"I saw you that night. When we were babysitting Charlie with Amenadiel. I was outside and I saw through the window. I saw…" Ella stuttered as her voice commenced to shake in terror while the horrific memory was recalled back to her mind, "That face. It was all red and burnt and…"

Miss Lopez lost her final words when she tried to describe my monstrous face because just the thought of it would just make any human speechless. A sympathetic look grew on Chloe's face as she tried to talk again to our stressful friend, "Okay, Ella. I know how scary and confusing it is. Trust me, I've been there. But, you need to know that even though Lucifer is the Devil. Lucifer is not evil and, deep down, you know that."

"Of course, you would say that. He said Lucifer has been manipulating you. That everything about him is a lie and he's making you say these things" Ella replied while her eyes were flooding up with tears.

"Wait, who said that?" I asked as I narrowed my curious eyes.

"Michael" Ella revealed the truth.

"Wait, Michael talked to you?" I felt a pinch of fear and puzzlement in Chloe's voice.

"Not that bastard again" I growled in anger when I heard my psycho brother's name.

"Ella, I know this is hard to hear, but Michael is a lair. He's the manipulator, not Lucifer" Chloe steps in and tries again to explain, in a friendly and eloquently, way, about Michael's true intentions.

"Michael is an angel. He said he could help me and helped you, Chloe. To save us from him" Ella sneered denying Chloe's words as I sensed her finger was squeezing tiger over around the gun's trigger.

My mind wondered why Miss Lopez would come here to my penthouse at this time and try to me, unknowingly that I am invisible. But then it hit me, if Michael had been talking to Miss Lopez then I assumed that my foul twin brother must have instructed her to kill me only when Chloe was around because the detective makes me vulnerable. My blood boiled in anger after realising that Michael had used my good friend to do his dirty work and manipular an innocent woman into getting blood on her hands.

"My brother said to kill me when the detective is near, didn't he?" I questioned.

"Yeah" Ella nodded nervously.

"Miss Lopez, I am truly sorry that you found out about me in that way" I started but even though I was speaking in a tranquil tone, Miss Lopez was still shivering in despair, I continued, "But I hope you know that I am still your friend. Maybe not a method actor in your eyes anymore however, I am still the same man. Who makes frivolous jokes. Who gets uncomfortable with your unexpected hugs. And, who admires your wits and kindness."

Her pale face was still painted in disbelief as Ella slightly shook her head, "But Michael said-"

"My brother is a lair, Miss Lopez. Angel or not, he is not a good man" I cut in because I couldn't let Miss Lopez be swallowed up by Michael's lies.

BANG!

The awful sound from a gunshot iced my body and the detectives' body like statues as the bullet the side of the bookshelve wall by my right side. That unforeseen reaction made me very wary of Miss Lopez's control of her menacingly gun and prayed that her aiming was far off from Chloe.

"Don't lie!" she screamed as Miss Lopez was adamant that my foul brother Michael was still right. It shocked me to hear how Miss Lopez's voice sounded some threatening and dangerous.

"How do I believe you? When you've been lying about who you are" Ella challenged me. A part of me wanted to remind Miss Lopez that I have always told the truth about being the Devil, but I knew this wasn't the right time.

"Because Michael tried to hurt me too" Chloe jumped into the conversation and, to my relief, she stayed where she was, "And, he threatened to hurt the baby."

"Miss Lopez, I know you are scared of me right and you have every right to be. I do very much want you to lower the gun down, but I also don't want you to feel unsafe when I'm around" I spread my empty hands wide aside my head in a surrender position.

"Lucifer?" Chloe whispered in concern.

"You are welcome to aim at me. But, not at the detective, she's your friend and she's innocent. That includes her baby" I desperately pleaded. I don't mind putting my life on the line, but I shall not allow the detective's and the baby's life to be in harm's way.

The temptation was quivering in the tip of her finger as Miss Lopez was only an inch away from pulling the trigger. However, Ella was overwhelmed with hesitation and confusion which granted me some more time to say more things to persuade her, "I never wanted to hurt you, Miss Lopez, and I never will. You must know during my immortal life, you are one of the closest friends that I am most lucky to have. That is the truth and you know I never lie, especially to you."

I could see how my words were affecting Miss Lopez and her hand was twitching in uncertainty. If I had super hearing then I could hear the detective's heart beating faster at the speed of light as I could imagine there were some drops of sweat forming on the side of her pale head.

Before we knew it, there was a cold silence and no more gun bangs, instead Ella started to burst into tears as she fell to her knees and the gun slipped out from her sly hands. Instantly, Chloe dashed over to kick the gun away and carefully kneed down so she could pull Ella in for a hug. The detective allowed Miss Lopez to lean her head forward and rest against her shoulder. I picked up the gun so it wouldn't be used again.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry" Miss Lopez weeps in anguish as her sobs echo within the penthouse.

"It's okay. Shh, it's alright now. You're fine" Chloe purred softly as her gentle voice was made of no hate or disgrace. The detective's left arm is wrapped around Miss Lopez's shivering back and her right hand gently strokes the top of Ella's head.

I didn't move from my spot as I wanted to give space for Miss Lopez to adapt to her new and gnarly reality and let all her guilt pour out, so it won't consume her from the inside. Since started working in the prescient, I don't think I have ever seen Miss Lopez look so tearful and frightened. It worries me deeply to think that I might have lost another good friend.