My destiny with CEO

breath and lifted her chin. "I'm not scared." The woman clapped her hands together in excitement. "It's you, you're finally here. I've waited so long for you." Naomi looked around for Chuy and Lalo, they had obviously paid this woman to come here and scam her. Though she had no idea how they got the money. "Who are you? How do you know me?" "We've known each other for a long, long time. My name is Rebecca." Naomi frowned. "I don't remember you." "You wouldn't, but someday I hope you will." She looked around as if waiting for someone.

"There's something I need to tell you." "Okay." "But I'm not sure if you'll believe me. You're still young, so maybe you will." "What is it?" She got down on her knees and looked into his eyes. "I'm an angel." Naomi looked at her skeptically. "You are?" She nodded. "I want to show you something, don't be afraid." Rebecca placed her hand on her forehead. "Hizahri." Naomi wondered what the strange word meant, it didn't sound like English or Spanish. There was a numb feeling in her temples, like she was about to get a headache. She saw a vision of a young woman with long dark hair and pale blue eyes. She gasped. It looked like she would be when she grew up. It was as if Rebecca was showing her the future. But it couldn't be. The young woman looked like she had stepped off the set of The Ten Commandments. That was the longest four hours she had ever watched a movie with Welita. The vision shifted to a young man who looked just like Rebecca. The man was extremely handsome and strong. As he approached the young woman, she smiled and called him Lahash. Rebecca removed her hand and the vision disappeared. "Hey, I want to see more." The man named Lahash looked familiar. Maybe she had seen him in one of those Christmas plays Welita liked to drag her to during the holidays. That was the only place she could remember seeing men dressed in robes and carrying large sticks. "I'm sorry. I can't show you more." "Why not?" "Well, let's just say I could get in trouble with my boss for what I showed you." - She stood up and walked toward the blanket. "Wait! When will I see you again?" Naomi brushed her bangs from her sweaty forehead. "Not for a while," Rebecca said, turning to face her. "And I'm afraid that when I do, you won't be able to see me." "Why not?" She rubbed her eyes as Rebecca's body began to fade. "Because when people grow up, they stop believing." "I won't. Please come back and show me more. I won't stop believing." Rebecca gave her a soft smile. "And that's why you're special, Naomi." Then she walked away. Naomi looked at Rebecca. A gentle smile remained on her face when she finished speaking. Everyone around the room-Jeremy, Lash, Uri, Rachel, Raphael, and even Gabrielle-looked at Rebecca with anticipation. When Rebecca began her story about how she met Raphael, Naomi didn't expect it to start with the time she played hide-and-seek with Chuy and Lalo. "I think..." Naomi said, breaking the silence. "I remember that happening, I just didn't think it was real, I thought it was a dream. Like the time I dreamed about the Sesame Street characters having a parade in my neighborhood." "You dreamed about Big Bird?" Lash smirked. "Who is this 'Big Bird'?" Uri whispered. "I'll show you later," Rachel replied quietly. "Oh, that sounds perverted." Naomi rolled her eyes at Uri's response. "You're missing the point," she said to Lash. "When I was a kid, my dreams seemed so real that I thought they were really happening. As I got older, I could tell the difference better. Like there was no way Big Bird and Mr. Sniffle Sniffle could be outside my house in the middle of the night. I always assumed they were dreams." "So you thought meeting Rebecca was a dream," Gabrielle said. "Yeah, thanks. I mean, I was just a kid and then... and then I grew up." She looked back at Rebecca, swallowing hard. "And I broke my promise, I stopped believing. When did that happen? Is that really what happens when you grow up?" Naomi thought. "Oh no." She turned to Lash. "What if I hadn't stopped believing? What if I had held on to it? Maybe I would have remembered you. I mean, there were moments right after I first met you when I felt like I knew you from somewhere. There were bits of memories that would pop into my head. It was so weird, I didn't know where they were coming from. I would get déjà vu every time I was with you and I would just ignore it all." "You didn't know," he said, taking her hand in his. "Hey, neither did I." "Naomi." Rebecca crossed the room. Lash moved to give her space and she sat between them. "I didn't share this moment to make you feel bad. I wanted you to understand that I've always been there, watching and waiting for you." "Why?" "It's part of our family history." "Our story isn't easy to tell," Raphael said. "We all"-he waved his hand around the room-"faced what happened long ago differently. If we all share what we remember, we can better understand what happened. Shall I start?" "Okay," Naomi said as the others nodded. "It all started when Raguel-sorry, I mean Rachel-and I were sent on a mission to the city of Ai." "Oh wow," Rachel said. "That was a long time ago. I haven't thought about that time in ages. It was when I changed my name after meeting Obadiah." "I thought you changed your name because Jeremy started calling you spaghetti sauce, Ragú," Lash said. "I didn't call you that," Jeremy said. "Oh wait. I did." "Classic." Uri grinned, bumping his fist with it. Rachel glanced at Uri, and he stifled a laugh, clearing his throat. "Sorry, my love. Just trying to lighten the mood. I don't like remembering how I was...how I treated you all those years ago." "I know. It's hard for me too, but we survived." She kissed his cheek softly before turning to Naomi. "Now, where was I?" "You were talking about a man named Obadiah," Naomi said. "Ah yes. Obadiah. I remember that day so clearly. It was the first time I'd ever touched a human. 2 1400 BC Are you sure, Raphael?" Raguel asked. "V The Archangel Raphael studied the cluster of tents at the base of the hill. Tears glistened in his eyes as he surveyed the people who had made their homes outside the city gates. They were outcasts, cast out by a disease they had no control over. Young or old, male or female, rich or poor, it didn't matter to the people of Ai. Once the sores appeared on the skin, the person was cast out of the protection of the city. In their eyes, God had turned His back on those afflicted with the disease, and so should they. He turned to his little companion. "Yes, I'm sure. We were sent to bring them comfort. How can they feel comfort without touch?" Her brown eyes widened at his words. "Michael would be angry if he found out." Raphael smiled. "Then let's not tell him, shall we? They've been cast out of their homes, shunned by their family. They've suffered enough." "They're scared. These people show all the signs of leprosy and have been declared unclean." Raphael frowned. "They're still His children, they deserve whatever comfort we can give them." He looked at her. "We may not be allowed to heal their bodies, but we can heal their souls. The simple touch of a loving hand can mend a broken heart." She looked down at her hands. "I've never touched a human before." What does it feel like? "Warm, alive. It's like no other feeling I've ever experienced. The Almighty created a magnificent creature." "I know how you feel." Her eyes wandered away, and by the expression on her face, Raphael knew her thoughts were on Uriel, Heaven's Archangel of Death. If it weren't for Gabrielle telling him about Raguel's growing

were sent to bring them comfort. How can they feel comfort without touch?" Her brown eyes widened at his words. "Michael would be angry if he found out." Raphael smiled. "Then let's not tell him, shall we? They've been cast out of their homes, shunned by their family. They've suffered enough." "They're scared. These people show all the signs of leprosy and have been declared unclean." Raphael frowned. "They're still His children, they deserve whatever comfort we can give them." He looked at her. "We may not be allowed to heal their bodies, but we can heal their souls.

The simple touch of a loving hand can mend a broken heart." She looked down at her hands. "I've never touched a human before." What does it feel like? "Warm, alive. It's like no other feeling I've ever experienced. The Almighty created a magnificent creature." "I know how you feel." Her eyes wandered away, and by the expression on her face, Raphael knew her thoughts were on Uriel, Heaven's Archangel of Death. If it weren't for Gabrielle telling him about Raguel's growing feelings for Uriel, he would never have known, he wasn't one to notice such small things. Fortunately, Gabrielle had sent Raguel on this earthly mission with him, in the hopes that she would distance herself from Uriel. While there was good intention in Uriel's heart, lately he had been walking the fine line between good and immoral, much like Lucifer. Lucifer was a dear friend to him and admired by everyone in Heaven. Though lately, Raphael had been uncomfortable with some of the outrageous suggestions Lucifer had been making to him. Over the years, Lucifer had accumulated several followers, or friends, as he preferred to call them. He spoke of how God loved humans more than his angels. He claimed that angels should rule over humans, rather than serve them. At one point, he even suggested that angels should breed with humans, taking humans as wives and creating a race superior to the one God had created. Raphael shuddered at the thought. It was when Lucifer showed his jealous side that Raphael saw the evil take root within his friend. He looked at Raguel and the soft expression on his face. His brow furrowed with worry, his love for Uriel would test her if he chose the path of immorality. Just like humans, all angels were given free will. He worried about her, his only salvation lying in the fact that Uriel was selfish and didn't seem to reciprocate his feelings - he was too in love with himself. "Do you know how to shapeshift?" He took her hand, ready to help if needed. It was rare for any of the angels to be sent to Earth. Most of his work was limited to keeping watch over the people of Heaven. When angels were sent, they rarely took human form. He himself had only done so once...with Archangel Michael's permission. "No. Is it difficult?" "Not at all. First, you must fold your wings onto your body." "Can we do that?" "There are many things we can do. You have no idea of ​​the gifts we have compared to humans." "Well, I've never interacted with them. This is my first assignment on Earth," she said as she rolled her shoulders back and forth, her face grimacing as she tried to figure out how to fold her wings. He sighed. "Unfortunately, it may be the first of many to come. I remember a time when angels were sent to Earth, perhaps once or twice a century. Now, the frequency has increased, and I fear we will be needed more in the future." For some strange reason, Lucifer came to mind as he said this, but he shook the thought away. Raguel stopped flapping his wings. "What's wrong?" "Nothing," she said. He walked around her and placed his hands on the backs of her shoulders. "It'll be easier if you stay still. Now, pull your shoulders back and roll your shoulder blades inward, like you're trying to make them touch." "Like this?" Her little chest heaved as she pulled her shoulders back. "Yes, very good. Tighten your back a little and your wings should-" With a loud whoosh, she stumbled forward, wings flapping against her body. "Ouch! Does it always hurt like this?" He laughed and reached out to help her. "You closed a little too quickly. You'll get used to it with practice." You sound like this won't be the last time I'll have to shift into human form. Maybe even more than you expect, he thought. "Now what?" "Focus on the core of your being. Right here." He placed two fingers in the center of her abdomen. "Now, push outward like you're trying to push my fingers away from your body." "Like this-whoa!" There's something soft beneath my feet." She lifted her foot and looked at the ground. "That's sand." "Does all of the earth feel like this?" she said, setting her foot back down and wiggling her toes. "No, just the sand," he said as he headed toward the tents. "Come, your first contact with humans is something you'll never forget." As they approached the group of tents, Raphael saw a young woman struggling to place a large pot over the fire. A small boy with thick dark hair clung to her leg, making the task difficult. She wore a long robe that was clean but had small tears that needed mending, her veil bunched around her throat and over her mouth, her bright brown eyes peeking out from the top. When she moved, the sleeves of her robe fell open, revealing wounds on her arms. "Here, allow me," Raphael said as he rushed to help her. "Thank you, sir." "You may call me Raphael," he said as he placed the pot on the fire. "I am Miriam. Please do not think me ungrateful for your help, but you must leave immediately." She looked at Raguel and then back at him. "Do you not know what this place is?" Raphael looked at the boy. "Yes, we do. We are here to help you and bring you comfort." "What comfort can you bring us? You will be shunned like the rest of us if the people of Ai see you here." "We bring you word, His word that you are loved and not abandoned." Miriam looked at him sadly. "It is hard to believe that when everyone else shuns us, no matter how innocent we are." She hugged the boy to her. Raphael reached out his hand to her and she gasped at his touch. A look of peace crossed his face. "They are all His children. Have faith." "Thank you," she sighed. "And who is this good boy clinging to you?" "Raphael smiled at the boy. Large brown eyes peered out from behind Miriam's gown. "This is my son, Ethan." Raphael crouched down to the boy's eye level. "Hello, Ethan." Ethan hid his head back in his mother's cloak. "Ethan," the woman said, exasperated. "Forgive my son. He is not usually like this. Ever since we were told to leave the city, he has become wary of strangers." Raphael nodded. Before he and Raguel left Heaven, Michael had shown them how the sick had been physically removed from their homes and driven from the city gates. "My mate and I heard about what happened. We will be here for a short while to bring you any help we can. Is there anything we can do for you?" His lips curved into a smile. "Yes, there is. I can grind the grain faster without Ethan in my way." "I think I can find a way to occupy your time," he said. He looked at the marks on the boy's arms and wondered where Ethan's father was. He didn't ask, he suspected the father had avoided his own wife and son. How could anyone avoid their own family? "Ethan, would you like to hear a story?" He held out his hand to the boy. "It's a story about a little boy who was healed by a kind and handsome stranger." Raphael had been instructed to only bring

then took Raphael's hand. "Thank you," Miriam said to Raphael as she hurried to the stones. "I won't be long." "Raphael," Raguel whispered as he watched the woman lean over the stones and move one of the stones over the other, rocking it back and forth, creating a powdery substance. "What is she doing?" "Grinding grain into flour." Raphael led Ethan to the front of a small tent. "Is this yours?" he asked the boy. Ethan nodded. Raphael sat down and pulled the boy onto his lap, then touched the boy's arm and winced at the sight of the chubby hands marked by the disease. Poor boy.

Someone as beautiful and innocent as this young man should not have to live with such inconvenience. The boy looked at him in awe, and Raphael's heart melted. He knew he could heal Ethan; he had recently been promoted to Archangel of Healing. Granted the gift of healing, he could easily heal the boy. He was sure he would be forgiven if he did. The boy was too young to suffer like this. "Be quiet, Ethan," he said as he ran his hand over Ethan's arm. "What are you doing?" Raguel asked in a surprised whisper. "I'm healing him." "That goes against Michael's orders!" Raphael paused and looked at Raguel. She was right. As much as he wanted to help Ethan, it wouldn't set a good example for Raguel's first mission. He sighed, dropping her hand. "Yes, we're here to comfort and bring words of faith to the people here." He patted Ethan's arm. "I don't know how." She had a worried look on her face. Raphael looked around at the people near the surrounding tents, and his eyes landed on an elderly man, his skin tanned by the constant sun. Beside him was a goatskin water bag. "Over there." He pointed to the elderly man. "Offer to bring him some water from the stream. His bag looks empty." Raphael watched Raguel with interest, remembering the first time he had come into contact with a human. They had so many emotions, passions that were often taken to extremes: happiness, sadness, anger, love. They were filled with a glow of energy that was deep within their souls. Angels were not much different from humans. However, he felt that angels kept their emotions in check. It was as if they were afraid to let their feelings run wild, lest they appear less than the perfection they were created to be. The first time he had touched a human, he had felt an instant connection. It was then that he realized that humans saw him as a divine creature. Interestingly, he felt that way about them too. He longed to tell others about his experience, but he was unsure if the other angels would understand. Even his close friend Lucifer thought it was foolish and discouraged him from telling the other angels. "Sir," Raphael heard Raguel say to the elderly man. "I will fetch you some water from the stream." The old man lifted his head. His lips trembled as his eyes fell on Raguel. "Rachel?" Raguel looked at Raphael, confused. He shrugged. "My name is Raguel," she said to the old man. "You look like Rachel." "Who is Rachel?" "That was my daughter's name. I thought you were her. I thought the Lord had answered my prayers and sent her back to me. She was too young to be taken." His hand shook as he reached out toward her. "You look just like her, so beautiful." He stopped before he could reach her cheek and pulled his hand away. "So much like her." Rachel knelt in front of him. "What happened to your daughter?" "They came after me when I contracted leprosy. The soldiers sent me away, and I was willing to leave. I lived my life. But Rachel, she wouldn't let me go. She begged the soldiers to spare me, and when they wouldn't, she grabbed one of the soldiers and he... he struck her with his sword." Raphael heard her sob softly. He watched as her hand reached for the old man, and she paused and looked up at Raphael. He nodded encouragingly. "Go ahead," he murmured softly. Swallowing, she rested her flawless hand in his wrinkled one. Raphael smiled at the expression on her face, and he knew what she felt-unconditional love for His most magnificent creation. How could he not? He knew that once the other angels came into contact with humans, they would be able to sense what he felt. Perhaps that was what Lucifer needed. Surely if he walked among them and got to know them, he would be able to love them too. Perhaps when he returned, he would speak to Michael about it. "You remind me of her," the old man said. "Ragu... What did you say your name was?" "You may call me Rachel. It would be an honor for me to be named after a woman as brave as your daughter." She glanced at Raphael. "From now on, I am Rachel." He gave her a nod. It didn't surprise him that Raguel... Rachel would do something like this. She loved him deeply. He was a young angel and in many ways innocent to the workings of Heaven and even Earth. She was the opposite of Uriel, who only thought of himself. If Uriel knew how much she cared for him, it would be a danger to her. Raphael hoped for Rachel's sake that Uriel would never discover her feelings for him. "Now, Ethan. How about I start this story?" He was about to begin when he heard a low rumble of angry voices in the distance. He looked toward Ai and saw a crowd of people near the city gate, marching toward them. Raphael stood up with Ethan in his arms. The crowd heading toward them seemed to be made up of men from the city. Most wore multi-colored coats over their robes-something only the wealthy could afford. Using his gift of enhanced vision, he could see the fear beneath the anger in their eyes. It was understandable that they would be afraid that the disease might spread through the city. It was this same fear that could turn even the most pious of men against their brother. Raphael looked at the people in the tent community. They had already been driven from their homes. Where else would they go? If their fears were eased, he was sure the people of Ai would welcome his brothers back. All he had to do was assure them. He was confident he could do that. He just needed to have a conversation with them. Then, in the middle of the crowd, he saw a glint-then another, and another. The crowd parted, making way for the soldiers-their swords gleaming in the sunlight. Raphael's heart sank, knowing the soldiers would not listen to reason. Setting Ethan down, he said, "Go to your tent, little one. Stay there. Your mother will join you soon." "Miriam, come quickly," he called as Ethan disappeared into the tent. "What is it?" Miriam wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her arm. "Stay with Ethan." Don't go out until I say it is safe. - Why? They are coming! The soldiers are coming! Raphael was about to go after her when dozens of people started running through the community of tents gathering their belongings. Underless, his voices begging. - We did not do anything. Miriam paved the way between the multitude, running to the elderly man. - Obadiah, come with me. Precise, it was not allowed to do anything but what was designated.They couldn't interfere. Rachel wanted to prevent the unthinkable. When he shook his head, her eyes darted to the tent where Ethan hid, then to Obadiah. Blood drained from his face. "No," she muttered. There was a loud grunt, and a weathered hand reached out, drawing Rachel's attention. "Rachel, give me my support," Obadiah said. "What are y