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, her gaze frozen on

man of my word this time.” Leandro leaned against the doorframe, checking his watch. Frowning slightly, he peered out the window, then said,

crept into Seraphina’s

to make a

happy? Ecstatic, in a

okay?” Leandro sought her confirmation

she managed a soft

her room, just perched by the window, watching Leandro descend the stairs, get into his car, and drive off, her heart surprisingly full of

night, Seraphina lay in bed, sleep eluding

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

get moving. They had planned

broken

weakness, knowing she’d soon be longing for

and powerless, Seraphina got up, washed her tear-stained face,

Day was just breaking, the city still quiet,

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

her lip,

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

nestled deep in a quiet, old neighborhood.

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

along, until,

Seraphina nearly toppled over but

raced until she found herself in a warm, familiar

looked up to see him, all

away her tears did

him,

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

voice.

failed her, she was unable to answer

bright yet, tree-lined

people, just the two

leaned in and

were cold, but the kiss sent warmth

while before she spoke in a hushed voice,

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

looked up at him. The car broke down on the road, so he had… walked