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

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

into

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

in a

leaving, okay?” Leandro sought

time, she managed a soft

the window, watching Leandro descend the stairs, get

Seraphina lay in bed, sleep

back by dawn, so she waited. From two to three, from four to five, from six to seven, Leandro did not

moving. They had planned to

broken

she’d soon be longing

powerless, Seraphina got up, washed her tear-stained

just breaking, the city

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

her lip,

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

neighborhood. Everyone had cars,

walk two blocks to the main

trudged along, until, at the corner, she collided with

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

raced until she found

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

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

him,

lack of sleep, his nose slightly

smiled at her, a playful tease in his voice.

she was

bright yet,

cars, no people, just the two of them

in

cold, but the kiss sent warmth flooding through

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

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

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