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.

Leandro stepped inside, she looked up,

against the doorframe, checking his watch. Frowning slightly, he peered out the window, then

crept into Seraphina’s

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

was she happy? Ecstatic, in a way she had never

Leandro sought her confirmation

managed

her room, just perched by the window, watching Leandro descend the stairs, get into his

in

vigil by 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

o’clock, Sandra had already sent three messages, urging her to get moving. They had planned

broken

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

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

Day was just breaking, the city still quiet, the

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

her lip, she

cheeks stung in the cold, crisp air as if they might crack. Gritting her teeth,

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

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

her vision as she trudged along, until, at

a rush, Seraphina nearly toppled over but

found herself

overwhelmed her, and when she looked up

tears did

him, truly

lack of sleep, his

her, a playful tease in his voice. “I’m a

voice failed her, she

sky wasn’t fully bright yet, tree-lined

just the two of them in their own

Leandro leaned in

cold, but the kiss sent warmth flooding through

a long while before she spoke in a hushed

exhaled softly, “I thought 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