Tangled in His Obsession (Seraphina)

For her, the phrase “first snow” was distant and foreign.

Snow was nothing exceptional. It graced the streets of Summitville, painted Sunburst City white, and even cloaked Velvetwood in its silent embrace.

She had never harbored an abundance of love or anticipation for snow, except when she was 17. That year, having fallen for Leandro, she found herself eagerly awaiting each new day.

Yet he was invariably busy, often away from home for long stretches, which only made her yearn all the more.

Finally, on New Year’s Eve, she caught a fleeting glimpse of him, a hurried encounter before she scurried off to her room to shower.

After her shower, hair dried and clothes changed, she emerged only to see him, similarly freshened up, ready to step out.

He was wearing a coat. Seraphina’s heart sank, her eyes betraying a hint of disappointment. “You… you’re going out again?”

“Yep.” Leandro glanced at her, stepping closer, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Can’t stand to be without me?”

Turning her face away, Seraphina felt the sting of unshed tears.

She hadn’t seen him in days, and just when they had reconnected, he was leaving again.

The hurt welled up inside her, her eyes reddening with the effort to hold back tears.

She truly didn’t want him to go, the disappointment was genuine, but the words wouldn’t come.

Leandro chuckled at her pained expression, but his voice softened. “Had a prior commitment, I’ll be quick. Will you wait up for me?”

She looked away, murmuring after a pause, “You won’t come back…”

She knew his habits too well; a late-night departure meant he wouldn’t return.

At best, he’d be gone for the day. More often, he’d vanish for days on end.

She was accustomed to it, shouldn’t have expected any different.

Without another word, Seraphina retreated to her room.

She had hurried downstairs to see him, but with him leaving, there was no point anymore.

Back at her desk, she slumped forward, the sorrow deepening.

Then, a knock at her door. Her heart skipped, guessing who it might be, yet hardly daring to believe.

she looked up,

you’re accusing me of breaking promises, I’ll have to be a man of my word this time.” Leandro leaned against the doorframe, checking his watch.

into

busy life, he had come to make a

she happy? Ecstatic, in a way she had

Leandro sought her confirmation once

time, she managed

descend the stairs, get

lay in bed,

him. He said he’d be back by dawn, so she waited. From two to three, from four to five, from six to seven, Leandro did

her to get moving. They had planned to hit the amusement

broken his word,

weakness, knowing she’d

washed

Day was just breaking, the city

of the main building, unable to resist glancing towards the parking lot

lip, she strode

holding back fell freely. Her cheeks stung in the cold, crisp air as if they might crack. Gritting

Manor nestled deep in a quiet, old neighborhood. Everyone had cars, and

she didn’t, so she had to walk two blocks to the main road to

trudged along, until, at the corner, she collided

in a rush, Seraphina nearly toppled over but was caught in a firm

her heart raced until she found herself in a

overwhelmed her, and when she looked

he wiped away her tears did Leandro’s face come into

him,

were red, perhaps from lack of sleep, his nose slightly pink, as

his voice. “I’m

her, she

bright yet, tree-lined streets casting

no people, just the two of them

in and

were cold, but the kiss

spoke in a hushed voice, “You said you’d be back

I’d make it, but I didn’t expect the car would break down

The car broke down on the road, so he had… walked all the way