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.

stepped inside, she looked up, her gaze frozen

of breaking promises, 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 said, “Before dawn. I’ll

crept into

busy life, he had come to make a promise, as

happy? Ecstatic, in a

Leandro sought her confirmation

she managed a

Leandro descend the stairs, get into his car, and drive off,

Seraphina lay in bed,

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

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

broken

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

up, washed her tear-stained face, and

breaking, the city still

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

her lip, she

in the cold, crisp

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

she had to walk two

her vision as she trudged along,

Seraphina nearly toppled over but was

heart raced until she found herself

she looked up to see him, all she saw was a

her tears did Leandro’s face come into

him, truly

eyes were red, perhaps from lack of sleep, his nose

smiled at her, a playful tease in his voice. “I’m a little late and you’re ready to run

she

fully bright yet, tree-lined streets casting deeper

no people, just the two of them

Leandro leaned in and kissed

lips were cold, but the kiss sent warmth flooding through

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

make it, but I didn’t expect

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