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.

inside, she looked up, her gaze frozen on

I’ll have to be a man of my word this time.” Leandro leaned against the doorframe, checking his watch. Frowning slightly, he peered out the window, then

into

had come to make a promise, as if

she happy? Ecstatic, in a way she

okay?” Leandro sought her

she managed a

the stairs, get into his car, and drive off, her

night, Seraphina lay in bed, sleep

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

moving. They had planned to hit the amusement park together, but Seraphina

had broken his

weakness, knowing she’d soon be longing for

powerless, Seraphina got up, washed her

was just breaking, the city still quiet, the Reynolds

of the main building, unable to resist glancing towards the parking lot – no sign

her lip,

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

old neighborhood. Everyone

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

along, until, at

rush, Seraphina nearly toppled over but was

raced until she found herself in a

she looked up to

wiped away her tears did Leandro’s face come

him,

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

his voice. “I’m a little

she was unable to

sky wasn’t fully bright yet, tree-lined streets casting deeper

cars, no people, just the two

Leandro leaned in and kissed

lips were cold, but the kiss sent

a long while before she spoke in a hushed

make it, but I didn’t

skipped a beat as she looked up at him. The car