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,

against

crept into

he had come to make a promise, as if she were the

in a

okay?” Leandro sought

she managed a

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

night, Seraphina lay in bed,

the window, straining for any sign of him. He said he’d be back by dawn, so she waited. From

Sandra had already sent three messages, urging her to get moving. They had planned to hit the

broken

despised her own weakness, knowing she’d soon be longing for him once

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

the city

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

her lip, she

the gates, the tears she had been holding back fell freely. Her cheeks stung in the cold, crisp

neighborhood. Everyone had cars,

so she had to walk two blocks to the main road to catch

her vision as she trudged along, until, at the

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

raced until she found herself

emotions overwhelmed her, and when she looked up to see him, all she saw was

away her tears did

was him,

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

this?” Leandro smiled at her, a playful tease in his voice. “I’m a little late and you’re ready to run away from

failed her, she was unable to

yet, tree-lined

just the two of them in their own

Leandro leaned in

were cold, but the kiss sent warmth flooding through

in a hushed

Leandro exhaled softly, “I thought I’d make it, but I didn’t expect the car would break down on the

at him. The car