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, her gaze

me 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

crept into Seraphina’s

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

Ecstatic, in a way she had never felt

sought

she managed a

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

Seraphina lay in bed, sleep eluding

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

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

broken his

she’d soon be longing for him once

up, washed her tear-stained

was just breaking, the city still

building, unable to resist glancing towards

lip, she strode

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

in a quiet, old neighborhood.

two blocks

vision as she trudged along, until, at

over

her heart raced until she found herself

when she looked up to see him, all she

her tears did Leandro’s face come

was him,

sleep, his

her, a playful tease in his voice. “I’m a little late and you’re

voice failed her, she was

bright yet, tree-lined streets

cars, no people, just the two of them in their

leaned in and

the kiss sent warmth

before she spoke in a hushed voice, “You

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

a beat as she looked up at him. The car broke down on the road, so he had… walked all the