Dazed by the smell, Leal closed her eyes and inhaled the fragrant scent. The aroma delivered her into the seven levels of heaven just by smelling it. It smelled like rosewood, but extra fragrant. How could one smell so heavenly in New York? She felt like she was in a cloud upon smelling the fragrance, so she couldn’t help but follow where the earthy scent came from. Opening her eyes, she was greeted by the tall tower of one of the top-ranking companies in the state.

Leal’s mouth hung open at the sight of the overwhelming structure.

The building looked to be at least fifty floors tall and was made up of glass and dark concrete. She looked so small in front of it! Continuing her mission, she walked over to the entrance of the company. She knew she wasn’t going to be able to get in but she’d wanted to try at least. The smell was driving her insane and she knew her conscience and curiosity wouldn’t leave her alone if she returned now.

Surprisingly, the sliding door was left ajar and she was able to take a peek inside, and perhaps look for suitable food maybe? One that looked like it possessed such a delectable scent. Leal slowly slid the entrance door open, hoping that a guard wouldn’t see her too early. She’s sure that a top-tier company like this won’t leave its entrances unguarded or ajar.

Leal slowly poked her head inside the base floor, and after looking around for a few moments, she straightened her pantsuit and her posture and walked casually to look like she was an employee. She doesn’t look like she’s sneaking in at all.

She discreetly threw a few glances around the floor as her nose continued inhaling the sweet scent. She didn’t know what it was, but she needed to know where it came from. And what it’s doing to her body, arousing her for no reason at all, is ridiculous!

Izzy would probably laugh at me if I told her I was turned on by a smell! She thought, imagining what her friend’s reaction would be.

Even after a few minutes of walking around the floor, no guard came to her nor questioned her. Was it because of her good acting? Or was it that they didn’t really care if outsiders were wandering inside their exclusive walls? The ignorance of the people started to worry Leal. Will it put her into more trouble?

Suddenly, Leal heard a faint ding from a distance. She looked at where it came from and saw the elevator door opening. Leal, who was unexplainably anticipating who was inside the metal contraption, stood at a distance and set her eyes on the elevator. Her cerulean orbs glinted as her nose inhaled the scent once more, this time stronger, and intoxicated Leal.

She shut her eyes and felt the stirring delight the fragrance sent to her hormones. It was doing unexplainable things to her, and she liked it.

Finally, fluttering her eyes open, she instantly gazes at a deep set of coal-black orbs. The dazzling pair was owned by a man in his two-piece suit, his angled jaw twitching as an enigmatic emotion flickered in his eyes. He licked his rosy lips, as his light stubble shone through the light.

Leal felt like all the air left her system, as her knees wobbled at the sight of such a divine God.

His intense gaze at her made her part her lips in surprise and desire. The aroma of rosewood strengthened and what added to her arousal was the coruscating glint in the dark eyes of oblivion of his. She didn’t know who he was, but by the moment they locked gazes, her stomach churned as she felt butterflies go wild inside her stomach. Leal, unconsciously, walked toward the reincarnation of Adonis, who ignored his interlocutor once they got out of the elevator.

She gulped at the mere sight of him. God, he was heavenly, she thought.

Once she neared him, she had to lift her chin to meet his gaze, as he was also very tall. He was everything. At this point, Leal’s mind wasn’t working. She’s driven by her emotions and doesn’t think about what she’s going to say, which is so unlike her. All she wanted was to see him more often, and that was what she was going to do.

Stuttering, she asks, “Do you need a secretary?”

Trigger warning: sexual harassment, mentions of trauma.

“Leal,” called her workmate. Leal, who was buried deep in the manuscript that she was editing, whipped her head in the direction of the voice and saw Ellie. “It’s lunchtime, let’s go.

Smiling at Ellie, Leal nodded and cleaned her desk before going out with Ellie and heading out for lunch. They went to their company’s food court on the lower floors and picked out a table near the window where a beautiful view of New York City could be seen.

“So, I know you’re not coming but I’m still gonna invite you,” Ellie started. Leal tore her eyes away from the scenery and looked at her. She felt like she knew what was coming.

“My friend rented a bar just downtown and it’s her birthday...”

And Leal was right.

Chuckling, Leal put down her fork and gently smiled at Ellie—appreciating her effort to continue convincing her to go out and party even though she denied it a million times.

“Ellie, thanks but you already know my answer.”

Ellie pouted, feeling miserable about another rejection. Leal never liked parties or bars. She was never the type of girl that’s outgoing and liked to have fun by dancing—that was her best friend, Izzy, and her close workmate, Ellie. She was more of a read ’til midnight type of girl and she was fine with it.

Besides, that was what her boyfriend, Dion, liked about her the most.

“But you’re turning 28 soon! You can’t waste your life by not having to party for once in your life!” She insisted.

“Ellie, not partying is not a waste of life. It’s actually a better way of living since I also avoid liquor and smoking, which is common in bars. Plus, you know I can’t go home late.”

Dion waits for me every night so we can cuddle and sleep together. I can’t afford to miss that just to dance in a bar and get drunk. She thought.

Ellie exasperatedly sighed.

“Leal, I’m sure Dion would let you go home late for once! As if he never gets home late! You already came to work with bags under your eyes from staying up because you were waiting for him. Why don’t you return the favor for once?”

Shocked by her remark, Leal maintained the plastered smile on her face—but the radiance was gone. She’s too outspoken today. Is she stressed?

“Ellie, listen—”

She cut her off by handing Leal her fork full of meat. Glancing at Ellie, Leal slowly bit the meat and chewed it, the rich mouthfeel and strong flavor savoring her taste buds.

The former sighed before picking up her own steak and started speaking while chewing it.

“I know, I’m ranting again. But I’m just telling the truth! Loosen up for once, Leal. You only live once, you know. And why would you even live in New York if you won’t party?!”

Leal didn’t speak again and just laughed the topic off. She was okay with not partying even if she was in New York. No matter how hard she tried, she really just couldn’t fit in with the New York girls, like she didn’t belong in New York at all! She’s too conservative, too composed, too soft-spoken, and too boring to fit in the busy state. But despite all that, she’s happy that Dion still lived with her for two years.

Though he doesn’t come home early every night, Leal understands that because of Dion’s line of work. Being one of the state’s most sought-after prosecutors isn’t really an easy job.

Nevertheless, she treasures every cuddle time she gets—may it be twice a week as most frequent or once in three months. For two years, Leal has been content. Everything in her life is well put up and she can only hope that it stays that well.

Well, she might’ve jinxed it.

Because later that day, Dion came home, holding a bottle of strong liquor, and sloppily entered their condo apartment. Leal, who had already showered and was only getting milk as it was already a few minutes after midnight, was jolted awake by her live-in partner’s aggressive actions.

He forcefully threw the ornaments on their kitchen island out of the way using his bottle and placed it on the island as he opened a cupboard and pulled out a glass, immediately shattering from the tightness of his grip. All the while, Leal was too stunned by Dion’s rash actions to clean the mess he was making.

“Babe?” she whispered.

He failed to acknowledge her presence as he frustratedly gulped the liquor from its bottle and downed the whole drink. Leal was confused and felt a foreign feeling settle inside her as she watched a different side of Dion. She knew him as the gentle, understanding, caring, and thoughtful Dion who would never throw things in their apartment nor come home drunk.

She wondered why he would be acting like this. What happened? Was it the court trial he attended today? Did he lose? Leal gasped audibly at the realization. The noise caught Dion’s attention, which made him turn in her direction—to the far side of the kitchen.

His grim and sunken eyes darted at her, which was way different from the calm and soothing brunette sienna orbs she liked to stare at. Leal was frightened by the look on Dion’s face.

“Babe..?” She called him again.

With long strides, Dion walked over to her. Leal was frightened of her partner’s actions which made her clutch the countertop tightly, leaning on it for support. She couldn’t comprehend what was happening. The apartment was a mess, and so were her emotions.

Dion gently snaked his arms around Leal’s tiny waist, which was opposite to his rough gaze and ticking jaw. With the tender touch, Leal’s tensed shoulders immediately relaxed and recognized the warmth of Dion’s soft caress. A small smile made its way to her lips as she was suddenly not intimidated by Dion’s dark stare and breath that smelled of cigars and liquor. She recognized him and knew that this was still the tender Dion she loves.

“Let’s go to sleep,” she whispered against him.

She placed her palm over his broad chest as he was in close proximity and slowly invading her personal place.

After a few moments, Dion’s intoxicated breath fanned over Leal’s lips as he heaved a sigh and silently nodded. As soon as they got to their bed, he scooped her up in his arms and nuzzled his nose in her neck—sniffing her scent.

Leal was momentarily afraid earlier, but now that Dion has come to his senses, she feels peaceful again. But she couldn’t ignore the tugging feeling—her gut screaming imminent danger. Restless, Leal tried cuddling more to Dion who was still wide awake and staring off at the horizon.

“Leal,” Dion’s baritone voice washed all the sleepiness slowly creeping from Leal. “When are you going to let me inside you?”

The question threw Leal off-guard.

She was shocked at his question but she knew he was going to ask that question sooner or later. In the two years that they’ve spent together, half of that was them living together; and they’ve never reached that level of intimacy. She never allowed it.

They were only full of cuddles and making out, probably until pleasuring each other but Leal would always stop it at that. For the sole reason of trauma.

When Leal was in college, she decided to let her first boyfriend, Axel, pop her cherry as they were both overflowing with emotions and both acted repulsively.

The intercourse was painful, at first, but after a few thrusts, the pain was replaced with blissful pleasure. It was a great one. But the day after that, Leal woke up alone in their hotel room with only a throbbing pain greeting her in the morning, no sign of Axel.

When she looked for him, Axel coldly spat out how bad she was in bed, and how everything was all a dare thus breaking up with her and taking her heart’s broken shards with him as he walked away. From her, and her life.

The experience scarred Leal for life.

At first, she was also afraid of men as they had consecutively broken her heart and made fun of her, from her father that disowned her to Axel that ridiculed her, until Dion came. But, still, Leal didn’t want another pre-marital intercourse to happen. It was bad enough that she was made fun of by everyone after that incident, this time, she knows Dion’s friends and her workmates will make fun of her.

Everywhere she goes, she’s never taken seriously.

“I love you,” Dion murmured as he kissed her, gently at first—until it turned more ferocious, hungry for more. His hands started wandering to her body, one of them even slipping under her nightgown. Leal was smiling, happy that Dion still loves her despite her fear of sex... until his hands wandered down there.

His hands gently caressed her inner thigh, making her open them in pleasure. Dion’s kisses traveled to her neck, leaving love bites and licking them. As his one hand massaged her mounds, the other was busy wandering all over her body. It was all pleasure and Leal was liking it, until Dion’s moves became more aggressive, as he mindlessly sucked and bit her nipples, while tugging her underwear.

“Babe, not yet. Please...”

Leal was whimpering in pleasure while saying these, so it didn’t turn out as strong as it should. But when Dion started unbuckling his belt and pants, that was when Leal started panicking.

“Dion, I can’t do this yet,” in a soft voice, she stopped him.

But Dion seemed as if deaf from all her pleas, because he continued pulling his manhood out, which was upright and in its hardest glory. He growled and slapped Leal’s hands protecting her opening.

“I said stop, Dion!”

In a clearer voice, she yelled at him. But once again, Dion seemed deaf and instead grabbed the liquor bottle that was on the bedside table. With shaking hands, Dion grabbed it and hammered the bottle to her head, his eyes misty.

“Shut up, b*tch!”

He growled and repeatedly slammed the now broken bottle into Leal’s fragile head, forcefully hitting her with the sharp shards of the glass.

Trigger warning: sexual harassment, mentions of anxiety.

Tears blurred Leal’s vision as she desperately tried to avoid the forceful slams of Dion’s liquor bottle on her throbbing head. She was feeling dizzy from the impact as she was slowly weakening from all the blood that was pooling on the bed.

Dion looked as if he had lost his mind and had gone completely crazy from all the frustration that built up; tears were also running down his cheeks as he never seemed to get tired from all the violence.

“Dion, stop! Please!” Begged Leal in a hoarse voice, she kept yelling at him to sto,p but he seemed as if oblivious to all her whims.

She only stopped when she felt a sticky substance spill down to the bed from her mouth. She started breathing deeply, suddenly losing touch with everything. Her mind had gone hazy, keeping her from thinking straight. Leal’s world was spinning as her hands dropped to her side, tired of restraining.

Her head was caught in a haywire as she struggled to keep her consciousness, until finally, her vision darkened and she felt like falling into a deep, endless void.

The only thing she heard was a low vibration coming from her throat, which produced an inhuman growl.

She knew she was unconscious, yet why does she feel strengthened? She has her eyes closed, yet why are her ears active and upright?

Hoping that everything was only a mere nightmare, Leal fluttered her eyes open, the morning sunlight greeting her from the nearby window. She squinted, adjusting her eyes to the brightness, and looked around. She saw the broken glass shards littered in their room, her torn clothes, and blood splattered all over. Leal’s shoulders fell.

So it wasn’t a nightmare...

But what she couldn’t see, is the perpetrator.

Where’s Dion? Did he leave? She doesn’t know.

Leal’s eyes dropped to her nakedness and gasped. She tried feeling if the thing between her thighs hurt but it doesn’t. Does that mean nothing happened?

Nothing happened yet Dion still left? Am I that bad? She thought.

What she could feel was the pain in her head, most likely from the impact of the liquor bottle last night. She still couldn’t believe her angel-like partner was capable of such violence and harassment. Her hands shook, memories of last night resurfacing in her mind.

Slowly, Leal rose from the bed, her skin grazed by the sharp shards. What’s shocking is that she couldn’t even feel as much pain from the glass shards as she should, she even feels as if strengthened—which was odd.

Slowly tiptoeing out of the room, avoiding the littered mess, she grabbed the doorframe, as there was no door to begin with. Their oak door was ripped from its frame and was lying on the floor, a complete wreck. Was Dion so desperate to leave me that he even broke the door? She wondered.

Leal couldn’t contain her curiosity as she continued out of the room, still completely naked, as she saw blood clots and drops on the floor. She followed it, wondering why Dion was bloody as he walked out. Perhaps his hand was also struck by the sharp shards?

Whatever the reason was, the bleeding was terrible. Leal followed the path of blood and even saw a few animal marks on some until the path ended at an open window.

She gasped as she clasped her hands over her mouth, realizing the scene that had taken place last night. Quickly, Leal looked out of the window, seeing the giant trash bin in the dark alleyway where one could land if jumping out of this window.

Her knuckles turned white while gripping the windowsill tightly. Anger burned in her heart at the thought of Dion’s desperation the previous night, bruised and bloody, to forever turn his back on her. Rage fueled her system as she gritted her teeth, tired of all the men leaving her in the freezing and scary dark. Looks like she never learns.

The only difference is that nothing ever happened to them, yet Dion still left. And that he forced himself on her... and slammed her with a bottle when she refused.

Aggressively wiping a stray tear, Leal turned away from the window and marched to their bedroom. She can’t stand wasting another minute living in this place where another nightmare of hers took place. She grabbed her suitcase, unlocked it, and loaded it with her belongings. She didn’t have much, anyway. She never had a chance to go shopping as she was too busy at work and too eager to get home, always in hopes of having to cuddle with Dion.

Leal will run away, as Dion did, and forget this ever happened. She couldn’t bear the embarrassment and the anger that would surge within her, reminding her of the bruises and scars she received when looking at every inch of this place and remembering the nightmare.

It was horrendous.

Once her suitcase was full, she picked out an oversized sweater and leggings to cover her raw wounds. She tied her chocolate locks in a bun and wore ray-bans to hide her swollen eyes. She didn’t care how she looks right now. All she wants is to get out of this hellhole and put this behind her.

She shakily grabbed her phone and dialed a number she memorizes by heart. As the call was still ringing, she pulled out her suitcase and started walking out the door.

[Hello?]

Greeted the familiar chirpy and gleeful voice on the other end. By the comfort of the familiar voice, Leal’s heart warmed as her eyes watered. Finally, someone true and sincere to her.

“Izzy,” she called in a hoarse, raspy voice. Her voice trembled, and so did her anxiety. She locked the door of their condo and never looked back as she entered the elevator.

[Leal! Why do you sound like that? Are you okay?]

Izzy’s her college friend, and the only one that stuck with her for almost a decade now. She’s a famous and talented fashion designer, which was the complete opposite of Leal as she doesn’t have the best fashion taste, but they’re still so compatible as best friends.

“Can I come to your place?”

[Girl, do you even have to ask? Come over right now!]

As a small smile tugged the side of Leal’s lips, she warned Izzy. “I have a suitcase with me.”

[What? Did you and Dion break up?]

A sigh escaped Leal’s lips as she took her car keys and located her car in the parking lot. “Yeah.”

[Why? Oh my gosh, I need the tea right now! Come faster!]

Leal did as she was told; she sped up and drove straight to Izzy’s building, which was a bit far from where Leal was staying. She was biting her lip really hard to fight the urge to spill the unshed tears glimmering in her eyes.

And as soon as she pulled up, she walked over to Izzy, who was waiting for her in the building’s entrance. Izzy was only wearing her oversized hoodie and cycling shorts, as she was rushing to get down to welcome her close friend. Greeting her with a smile, Leal enveloped the smiling Izzy in a bone-breaking bear hug and hid her face in the former’s neck, finally releasing her tears.

It felt so good to pour out all her despair disguised in tears, in the arms of the person she trusts the most in the world—with no judgments, and just pure comforting silence.

“Shh, it’s going to be alright, love. You can cry all day long, you can weep today. But promise me you’ll stop tomorrow. You can start another life on another day. Everything’s going to be alright, soon enough,” she consoled.

Leal listened to Izzy’s soothing advice, as she slowly unloaded her sadness, including them in the teardrops dampening Izzy’s hoodie, as they will dry later and disperse, never to be seen or felt again.

“Are you feeling better?” Izzy asked as Leal was cleaning her stained face with a tissue. She silently nodded, and Izzy took that as a sign to get her suitcase and help her bring it to her condo. She already knows that Leal’s going to be staying at hers for a while.

Leal has that tendency to hold deep grudges against people or places where her bad memories took place. It has always been like that.

“You can tell me what happened when you’re fine,” She muttered, giving Leal a gentle smile. The latter smiled in response and silently drank her water.

Izzy’s place is big enough for them to share. Her place is full of mannequins and paintings of clothes, which was not shocking as Izzy is a fashion designer. She knows it can be a bit messy if Izzy is working on an outfit, with scattered fabrics on the floor and threads. She can be a hindrance if Izzy’s working. That’s why she’ll only stay here for a week at most.

“Dion came home drunk last night,” Leal started with a shaky voice.

She knows she’s going to have to face all of these. May she be ridiculed and abused, or if it was only a misunderstanding, it still hurts for her—but she can’t keep it all in.

And so Leal, with the utmost strength, reiterated every detail of what happened, controlling her tears of anger as Izzy listened.

“He called me a bitch.” A bitter chuckle escaped Leal’s lips as she wrapped up storytelling time with that statement. Izzy’s lipstick-coated lips hung open, disbelief and judgment visible in her eyes.

“He did what?!” she shrieked. “How could he? Who does he think he is?!”

Leal shrugged and took a sip of her water. She’s too exhausted to even bother to spit insults at him. I’m sure his conscience is doing its job. She thought.

“And what’s even more bothersome is how violent he was towards you that night! What kind of sane boyfriend would do that?! How many times did he hit you?”

Once again, Leal shrugged. “I didn’t count them. All I know is that they hurt... a lot.”

Izzy aggressively combed her luscious blonde locks and stared at her with an unreadable expression. She was frowning and looked deep into her thoughts. Then, her eyes suddenly lit up as she thought of an idea.

“What if he was…” She leaned into her to whisper, “Gay...”

Leal’s brows rose at her incredulous hypothesis. Is she for real? “Why did you say that?”

“Well, think about it. Why would he so drunkenly force you to have sex, and then leave so hurriedly? Was it because he was in the middle of an identity crisis and regretted what he asked—” She cut herself off as she leaned back. “What if he was having an affair with a man and asked you for sex because he was in doubt? Then, he got frustrated and got violent towards you?”

Leal leaned back on Izzy’s couch and held the glass of water close to her chest, with the blanket draped on her lap. She stared at her, probably for too long, because Izzy gave her a weird look.

Leal replied, chuckling, and not taking her best friend’s hypotheses seriously. “Thanks for attempting to lighten up my mood.”

The gloomy day eventually passed as she handed in a sick day at work, spending it looking off at the blinding city lights from Izzy’s balcony, sipping tea, and feeling the humid air of the night sky. Once the sun had set, it was the moon’s time to shine. Ever since, Leal has always loved the moon. It stood tall despite the grim darkness surrounding it. She has always felt so close to it.

Raising her shivering hands, she imagined as if she were grabbing the crescent satellite, yearning for a touch. She fluttered her eyes close, somewhat feeling an unfamiliar texture. Like the texture of surface sand grazing her palm, the energy built up within her and immediately dispersed once she dropped her hands back into her lap.

Leal sighed. What is happening to me? She thought. She’s been feeling strange all day, and she knows she’s usually not like this. Is this a post-breakup stimulant?

“Leal, you passed a manuscript with so many errors! Did you edit them?” Leal’s boss placed a thick pile of paperwork on the table, startling her. She opened a folder of the manuscript she had passed and immediately saw that it had obvious errors. But I was sure I corrected those earlier!

“I’m sorry, Sir. I’ll make sure to fix them,” Leal apologetically replied and opened the other folders.

The following days were worse than she anticipated. Leal was dull and was all over the place, especially at work. She tended to skip so many errors, which was so unlike her, a perfectionist, and passed the wrong files every so often. She would also flinch every time one of her workmates touched her, remembering the night that Dion hammered her fragile head with his liquor bottle—then she’d flinch and move away.

“Leal,” she looked up to see Ellie’s frowning face. “Are you okay?” She asked, worry evident in her voice.

Leal smiled reassuringly. “Of course, what’s up?”

Ellie sighed and enveloped her in a hug, which startled her at first, but she quickly regained her composure and slightly hugged her back. I’ve only been like this for a week. Is it that obvious?

“Ellie?”

Leal panicked when she heard her sniffing. She was about to push her back to confirm if she was crying, but she tightened the hug. “No, don’t. I’m just too emotional, I guess. Probably because of this thing growing inside me.”

Her eyes widened at her close friend’s revelation. This time, she pulled out of the embrace to gape at her smiling face. “You’re pregnant?!” Leal whispered, trying not to disturb our workmates.

She grinned, wiping her tears and nodding. “I just found out earlier that my fiancé has been trying a few times. I guess it finally happened.”

She smiled sincerely, “I’m so happy for you! But why were you crying? Was that the reason?”

“Leal, our boss asked you to come to see him in his office.” The glint in Ellie’s eyes disappeared, her smile now erased. Worry crossed Leal’s system. What would he want?

Leal took a deep breath before knocking on the mahogany door. Their boss has always been strict, so maybe he’s going to talk to her about her recent performance. I hope I don’t get fired...

She clenched her fists and knocked. She heard a faint ‘Come in’ before twisting the doorknob and pushing the door open. Leal took a peek inside and saw her boss busily signing papers, but stopped when he saw her enter.

The door creaked open, disturbing the peace of his office. Closing the door, Leal silently occupied a seat in the chair in front of his table.

“You called for me?”

He nodded, and he had a pitiful expression as he clasped his hands together on top of his table.

“Ms. Horryn, you have been an outstanding employee during your work here. We were planning on giving you a promotion, but considering your performance this past week, I don’t think we’ll be doing that anymore. And I also think you already know where this is going.”

Leal’s gaze dropped to her lap as she anxiously fiddled with her fingers. It’s happening. I can’t believe my once-perfect life is now falling apart. She thought. Her lips quivered as she hoped to look for a new job soon.

“I’m sorry, Leal. But you’re going to have to get a box and take your belongings from your desk. It’s been a good three years,” he apologetically informed.

A miserable sigh escaped her lips as she stood up, the earlier excitement from Ellie’s pregnancy completely gone.

“I understand, I guess I should go now.”

He didn’t reply to anything and instead let her leave peacefully. Her shoulders dropped, and her eyes were full of sorrow. Slowly, Leal picked up a spare box from under her desk and started packing her belongings. Her workmates gave her pitiful eyes, which made her avoid eye contact. When she finished, she turned to Ellie.

“I want to come to her christening. You know how to contact me. See you,” Leal smiled and kissed her cheeks. She’s been the nicest to her, and she’ll treasure that forever. Ellie slowly nodded as her eyes shone with unshed tears.

Walking out of the company she served for three years, with her box full of belongings in her hand and her heart heavy with sadness, was never part of her life plan. This was her dream job, and she couldn’t believe she just lost it in a matter of a week due to poor performance. Just when this year started, Leal thought her life was perfect. She was happy. But she thinks this is what happens when you’re too joyous.

When your life is too well-put-together, don’t expect it to last long. Because it never does.

Nothing lasts forever; everything falls apart eventually.

As she stepped out of the building, she stopped to look back at the tall building that had kept her financially stable for the past three years. She’s thankful for the opportunity to temporarily live her dream life, but she’s afraid she’s going to have to exit the dream life now. It’s not meant for her. When is she ever fated for something good and permanent?

“Just a cut below the shoulder, please.” The hairdresser showed her a photo of an Instagram model with short hair. “Yes, like that.”

It was the following day, and she had just decided to go to a hair parlor to cut her hair. It might just be her being tired of her waist-long dark brown hair or because she was miserable, but either would still make her cut her hair.

Besides, her hair will go for donation to make wigs of cancer kids, so it didn’t make Leal feel bad since it was cut off for a good cause. Once the cut was over, her mouth was agape while looking at the unfamiliar person in her reflection. She softly touched her hair, its soft strands kissing her palm and falling back elegantly. Her head indeed felt light. It was a beautiful shoulder-length cut with soft curls.

“Thank you so much,” she smiled at the kind hairdresser and paid for the service.

As soon as she left the parlor, she stepped outside, looking at the far avenue where a two-story building captured her attention, where rays of colorful, blinding lights reached her eyes, the feeling of euphoria from inside the club reaching her.

She’s never been inside a club before, especially one in New York, where clubs are where it’s at. The club wasn’t at its highest peak yet because there was still daylight. From what Leal knows, clubs are like werewolves that feel more alive when there’s moonlight rather than sunlight. Giddily, she booked an Uber to take her back to Izzy’s condo. She knows Izzy has been to every bar in the state; she’s just that wild party-goer who has a decent job. No offense meant.

“Izzy!” She beamed at her, who was busy cutting clothes in her living room. Leal’s smile slightly faltered at the sight of the mess Izzy created, but she kept it plastered. She’ll need her help to fully enjoy a night at the bar.

“Hey, babe, looking good,” Izzy complimented as she saw Leal’s new cut. She quickly thanked her and sat in front of her on the floor.

Izzy, who was biting on a pin, frowned at her. “Yes?”

“Well, I saw a club earlier,” she started. Izzy’s eyes slowly widened. “And I thought I’d like to experience a night at the club. You know, to enjoy, have fun...”

Izzy aggressively held both her shoulders and repeatedly pushed and pulled her in excitement.

“You wanna party?! Sure!” She squealed and left her things on the floor as she ran to her wardrobe, already picking out an outfit for both of them.

Izzy knew Leal was finally loosening up. She’s looking for outlets where she can experience happiness to take a break from everything that’s been happening, and Izzy won’t let this chance to make her happy pass. Her girl’s been through a lot of things and she’ll be a shitty friend if she doesn’t help her cope.

She picked a strappy, backless coral mini-dress for Leal. It was perfect for her, classy yet sexy. Leal never wears dresses, only skirts and pants, so that fitted dress will be new for her, but if she’s escaping the environment lately, she’ll have to stop wearing clothes or things that remind her of it.

The best way to move on is to change your environment. That was a lesson Izzy learned the hard way.

Leal went to the bathroom to change, while Izzy changed into her wardrobe. She was wearing a black leather dress and the perfect black Louboutin pumps. She especially picked a pair of red suede pumps for Leal because it was perfect for her. They added a few more accessories before going, and a few minutes later, they were already in the car, on the way to an elite membership-only club.

“Let’s drink a few shots, then dance to loosen up, alright?” Leal nodded as she let Izzy lead her first clubbing experience. Inside the club, there were mixed people, all at different drunk stages.

It was dim inside, with a single disco bar with various lights the only lighting source on the whole first floor. Every beat of the deafening music from the DJ would vibrate to Leal’s heartbeat, pounding in her ears. It was chaotic, messy, and everyone inside was carefree. She knew the people here also had the same intentions of clubbing as her—to forget and loosen up.

They did exactly as Izzy planned, they drank and drank at a table exclusive for the two of them, and giggled when they were both tipsy. Izzy had a low alcohol tolerance, as she was already dizzy, and her actions started getting reckless, like others in the club. Leal chuckled and helped Izzy get up, as she already wanted to dance. She held Izzy by the shoulder when a tall man in a suit walked over to them. He smiled and took Izzy by the waist.

“I’ll help her, you do you,” he suggested. Frowning, she asked Izzy if she knew the guy had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

“Yeah, he’s that rude model...” she slurred.

Leal nodded, trusting her with the man as she ordered another bottle of black label. Surprisingly, she was only a bit tipsy even if they already had a few bottles of strong liquor. She didn’t know she had a high alcohol tolerance since this was her first time drinking. When she finally felt the alcohol kick in, she walked to the dance floor. If only Izzy were sober and here right now, she’d surely be proud of seeing the shy Leal swaying her hips in the middle of the dance floor, enjoying herself and feeling the beat.

The outgoing girls in her college block were right, clubs are liberating! That’s why New York is so famous for its high-end clubs. It was really enjoyable, and she felt the vibe of the club. A few minutes on from dancing alone, Leal felt a warm presence softly pressed behind her.

At first, she was ignoring the body since it might only be because the dance floor was crowded, but the body kept bumping into hers and so she decided it was best to confront the man. She turned around, her face greeted by a broad manly chest in a tux. She took a few steps backward, but the man gripped her waist, stopping her from stepping back. Despite how weird and creepy the man was, she was oddly intoxicated by his scent, and she didn’t know why. She knew at this point she should push the man away, but her arms turned jelly, as if losing control for a short amount of time.

“E-Excuse me?” She whispered.

The man’s dark complexion was illuminated by the disco’s lights as she saw a glimpse of his dark eyes and sharp jaw. When he inched closer, she instinctively stopped him by placing a hand on his chest, making the man freeze in his spot.

From Leal’s palm, she felt his erratic heartbeat. Why is it beating so fast? She thought. Her eyes drifted to his muscly arms, his veins protruding from his polo’s folded sleeves. She swallowed the lump in her throat as the sexual tension heightened between them. The club’s music suddenly turned romantic as couples were left on the dance floor.

“You smell so good,” he huskily whispered, inhaling the perfume on her neck. Instead of feeling uncomfortable and weirded out like usual, Leal felt aroused... of some sort.

She doesn’t know what she’s feeling, like there’s this nagging feeling inside her, waiting to come out. It became even more aggressive against his warm touch, and Leal liked it.

“I-I don’t know you...” Who are you, and what are you doing to me? Were the questions she preferred to leave unanswered. She wasn’t sure if the man knew the answer or if she was ready to hear it.

“Leal!”

Izzy’s voice broke her train of confused thoughts. The trance the two of them were in quickly shattered as she escaped from his grasp and found her friend. Izzy, now grumpy and looking sober, asked to come home, and so that was what they did. Leal left the mysterious man alone on the dance floor, not turning back once, and forgot about his features as she puked out all the consumed alcohol that night. All that remains of that night at the club will remain as a vague memory to her, all thanks to the liquor.

“Was he one of your models?” Leal wiggled her eyebrows as she sat in front of Izzy on the floor.

Izzy, who was busy cutting clothes on the floor, rolled her eyes.

“He’s just one of my hook-ups, you know very well how that goes,” she muttered.

“I didn’t know you hooked up with your models,” Leal teased. Since Izzy was a famous fashion designer, she has also showcased a few of her collections. Included in the showcases are models, both men and women. So the man from last night was one of her models.

“It was a one-time thing, Leal. Why? You like him?” She quizzed, a small smirk playing on her lips. Good thing Izzy forgot about the man she was intimately dancing with that night. She’s safe from the interrogation.

“Of course I like him...” Izzy’s eyes widened. “...for you.”

“Oh, come on.” She rolled her eyes and continued with her design. “I don’t do relationships. They never go well.”

Leal sighed, deciding not to push the conversation anymore. “Fine, fine. But I would just like to let you know that I will support you if ever you fancy a guy.”

“Never.” Izzy scoffed. “Dating is so overrated.”

Leal let out a chuckle, standing up from the floor. “I’ll go make a fruit shake. Want some?”

“Please!”

A few weeks after Leal lost her job, she became a homebody in Izzy’s unit and acted like a housewife. Cleaning, cooking, doing all sorts of chores to pass the time, and then waiting for Izzy to get home from her warehouse and cook dinner for both of them. Doing nothing bores her to death, and she has been behind walls for a few weeks, trying to find a job online—but to no avail. She’s made all kinds of profiles, posted her credentials, and inquired about some other similar companies, but they’re always full.

So today, Leal decides it’s time to wander outside to look for a vacant job position and apply personally. She’s grown tired of looking through a screen for hours and getting nothing, so she’ll go out, so even if she sees no job applications, it’s fine since her eyes are full of the beautiful aesthetic streets of New York.

She grabbed a beige trench coat and put it over a white long-sleeved shirt, loosely tucking it into the fitted black pants. Since it’s winter season, she also grabbed a stylish scarf with a similar color palette, and lastly, paired the black pants with a pair of black ankle boots.

It was a refreshing walk outside, and since the unit is near Times Square, she got a chance to take a snap of it. She roamed around mindlessly, stopping in a few ice cream shops, and getting back on the sidewalk. It was a fun little exploration until Leal walked along the array of New York’s top company buildings.

She threw the tissue of the ice cream in a nearby trash bin, as her nose flared with the faint, familiar scent. Her strides went faster, looking for the source of the smell that was making her delirious. She didn’t know what it smelled like, as it was unfathomable, at the same time rapturously delightful.

Dazed by the smell, Leal closed her eyes and inhaled the fragrant scent. The aroma delivered her into the seven levels of heaven just by smelling it. It smelled like rosewood, but extra fragrant. How could one smell so heavenly in New York? She felt like she was in a cloud upon smelling the fragrance, and so she couldn’t help but follow where the earthy scent came from. Opening her eyes, she was greeted by the tall tower of one of the top-ranking companies in the state.

Leal’s mouth hung open at the sight of the overwhelming structure. The building looked to be at least fifty floors tall and was made up of glass and dark concrete. She looked so small in front of it! Continuing her mission, she walked over to the entrance of the company.

She knew she wasn’t going to be able to get in, but she’d like to at least try. The smell is driving her insane, and she knew her conscience and curiosity wouldn’t leave her alone if she went back now.

Surprisingly, the sliding door was left ajar, and she was able to take a peek inside, and perhaps look for suitable food, maybe? One that looked like it’d possess such a delectable scent. Leal slowly slid the entrance door open, hoping that a guard wouldn’t see her too early. She’s sure that a top-tier company like this won’t leave its entrances unguarded, nor ajar.

Leal slowly poked her head inside the base floor, and after looking around for a few moments, she straightened her pantsuit, her posture, and walked casually to look like she was an employee. She doesn’t look like she’s sneaking in at all.

She discreetly threw a few glances around the floor as her nose continued inhaling the sweet scent. She didn’t know what it was, but she needed to know where it came from. And what it’s doing to her body, arousing her for no reason at all, is ridiculous!

Izzy would probably laugh at me if I told her I was turned on by a smell! She thought, imagining what her friend’s reaction would be.

Even after a few minutes of walking around the floor, no guard went to her or questioned her. Was it because of her good acting? Or was it that they didn’t really care if outsiders were wandering inside their exclusive walls? The ignorance of the people started to worry Leal. Will it put her in more trouble?

Suddenly, Leal heard a faint ding! from a distance. She looked at where it came from and saw the elevator door opening. Leal, who was unexplainably anticipating who was inside the metal contraption, stood at a distance and had her eyes set on the elevator. Her cerulean orbs glinted as her nose inhaled the scent once more, this time stronger, and intoxicated Leal.

She shut her eyes and felt the stirring delight the fragrance sent to her hormones. It was doing unexplainable things to her, and she’s liking it.

Finally fluttering her eyes open, she instantly locked gazes with a deep set of light hazel orbs. The dazzling pair was owned by a man in his two-piece suit, his angled jaw twitching as an enigmatic emotion flickered in his eyes. He licked his rosy lips, as his light stubble shone through the light. Leal felt like all the air left her system, as her knees wobbled at the sight of such a divine God.

His intense gaze on her made her part her lips in surprise and desire. The aroma of rosewood strengthened, and what added to her arousal was the coruscating glint in the dark eyes of oblivion of his. She didn’t know who he was, but by the moment they locked gazes, her stomach churned as she felt butterflies go wild inside her stomach. Leal, unconsciously, walked towards the reincarnation of Adonis, who ignored his interlocutor once they got out of the elevator. She gulped at the mere sight of him.

God, he was heavenly. She thought.

Once she neared him, she had to lift her chin to meet his gaze, as he was also very tall. He was everything, really. At this point, Leal’s mind wasn’t working. She’s driven by her emotions and didn’t think about what she was going to say, which is so unlike her. All she wanted was to see him more often, and that was what she was going to do.

Stuttering, she asked: “Do you need a secretary?”

His keen eyes flashed shock before it was masked by amusement, and a small smirk curved up in his rosy pink lips. He slowly licked it again and bit his lip, looking at the man he was with. He tapped his shoulder before walking near her. She froze.

He didn’t have to walk near me like that...

“What’s your name?”

His dark, manly yet soft voice made her shiver. She felt the hair on the back of her head rise and a tickle climb her spine.

With a weak, stuttering voice, she replied, “L-Leal...”

"Schatzi suits you better,” he whispered, looking straight into her eyes.

Leal didn’t know what he meant by that, as she also didn’t think much about it, because she was too occupied by his stare. She avoided his strong eyes, and just then did she realize the number of people looking at them. She totally forgot that they’re in the middle of the lobby! Oh, dear!

He might’ve noticed that to so he went back to the open elevator. Leal, who was still frozen in both shock and embarrassment, failed to notice how he stopped a few strides away from her and looked back.

His amused eyes met her shy ones which widened when she realized he was waiting for her. She immediately pulled her stuck feet from the ground and meekly followed him inside the elevator. Once inside, she picked the farthest corner from him and fiddled with her fingers.

W-Wait... Why is she following him? She doesn’t even know him! But she applied to be his secretary! Why did she even say that?! What if he were just a janitor here? Or a mere employee? But if he is, then why is he wearing such an expensive-looking suit and radiating a CEO vibe? And why are they inside the escalator when janitors should be on the basement floor?

“U-Uhm...”

She raised her head, instinctively raising her hand as she was about to ask a question. He looked at her slightly raised hand from the elevator wall’s reflection and bit his bottom lip. When she realized how childish she looked, she immediately pulled it back down and cleared her throat.

How embarrassing, Leal! What are you, a student? She mentally scolded.

“W-Where are we going?”

“We’re heading to my office.”

His office? That means he isn’t a janitor, then?

Well, he wouldn’t need a secretary if he were a janitor. But why did she even ask to be a secretary in the first place? What was she thinking? She doesn’t even know the basics! She’s an editor, not an assistant. She should’ve asked for a spot in the company’s literary department—if they have one—instead, but the only thing on her mind earlier was the thought of being near him, and she wonders why.

It was an awkward few minutes inside the elevator, both their skin being kissed by the coldness inside the lift. When they finally reached the designated floor, which appeared to be the top floor, Leal unconsciously released the breath she didn’t realize she was holding. Was she that nervous?

The man relaxedly strutted on the floor, with his hands in his pockets and his figure laid-back. Leal timidly followed, with her head bowed down, her gaze focused on the floor, and her body dripping with social anxiety. She could feel the other passersby’s eyes on her as she followed the charismatic man in a suit.

As seen with him, she looks like his maid.

The floor had a space with cubicles and busy people, and numerous other hallways, with more doors. Some looked to be offices or conference rooms. They entered a lone door at the end of the now-silent hallway, with the buzzing employees’ chatters fading on the walls.

Inside looked to be another office, but of a certainly higher position. It was a spacious, bright, yet simple office. There were bookshelves on either side, and even a sofa set on one side. On the far side, where the floor-to-ceiling walls are, lies a glass desk and swivel chair elevated on a small platform with small stairs. The one who sits there obviously has his position somewhere high in the company. Though the room is spacious and looks luxurious, the colors are monotonous. Thus, it makes it look bland for her eyes.

Leal seemed to be lost in her thoughts while her stare was set at the desk high up, while the man sighed as he sat in the swivel chair behind the desk on the platform, thus abruptly breaking her train of thought. Her eyes widened as he fixed his tie and plopped his hands on the desk.

“E-Excuse me, you shouldn’t be there—”

He frowned at her and tilted his head.

She stopped when she realized something.

“No w-way...”

When he seemed to have finally realized what she meant, his frown disappeared. He was, once again, amused by her.

“Is this your... o-office?”

He slowly nodded, smirking a little bit.

Her mouth went agape as her heart started hammering inside her. Her grip on her folders loosened as shock was etched on her face.

“I assume you don’t know me,” he concluded. Leal nodded, dazed. So he really isn’t a janitor.

He chuckled, his deep laugh echoing in the room. He motioned for her to come over, to which she slowly did. With careful steps along the stairs, she stopped in front of his desk.

“I’m Axel Elcort, the company’s CEO.”

His name rang in her ears, her mind repeating it several times. Flashes of her bitter memories from college resurfaced in her mind, most of them including Axel and what he did to her. Her giddiness with his scent from earlier vanished and was replaced by bitterness and fury. Her eyes went downcast before it fell on him, and his smirking face. Of course. How did she not recognize him earlier? With those near-godly features, and the company’s name?

She vividly remembers their sour past, and it disgusts her to this day. Her hands fell on her sides as she clenched her teeth. She needs to save her face. Coming into his office is a big slap to her dignity. But still, she wouldn’t want to make a scene. So, instead of rebuking him in his property, she kindly bowed and avoided his eyes.

With her voice cold and emotionless, she muttered, “I’ll be going now. Please forget that this ever happened.”

Confused by the sudden change in her emotions, Axel’s smile completely vanished, and his questioning eyes darted to her retreating figure.

What just happened?

One moment she was just in front of her, the emotions in her eyes mixed with astonishment and bewilderment, then the next it was void of any, with her shoulders turning cold towards him and leaving him suspended in the air.

When she closed his door, his senses came back to him. Though he was still a bit confused, he quickly pressed his intercom. Not a mere second later, his secretary immediately storms into his office.

“You called for me, Sir?”

He nodded. “Alert the guards to watch out for a girl in a beige trench coat, a scarf, and black boots. Take her back to me.”

“Isn’t that the girl you brought inside, Sir?” She asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.

“Yes, now tell them! She might’ve left the building already!”

His secretary rushed outside, as he exasperatedly sighed and leaned back on his chair. He can’t let her go. Not when he found her again. He didn’t think he’d see her again, after that night at the bar. She smelled so uniquely rapturing, and when he asked his COO, Tyrone, he said that meant that she was his mate.

A mate. He had almost given up looking for his mate, but she came at just the perfect time.

That morning, he regretted so much why he let her out of his sight. But fate really had plans. She voluntarily walked to him, in his own company, announcing her undeniably stunning presence.

She was even more beautiful with the sunlight hitting her features, was his first thought as soon as he found her.

Everything felt like a daydream from then on, but it shattered when her eyes fell on him as he introduced himself. An indescribable emotion flashed in her eyes, something foreign when matched with her angelic aura. She looked so timid then, but when her face changed, she looked... lethal, and somewhat broken. When her mood dramatically shifted, her cold demeanor chilled the room. He felt like he saw a totally different side of her. The shy and fidgety Leal was gone, and what replaced was a stone-cold one.

And he has a feeling his name had something to do with it.

Axel patiently waited, having immense trust in his guards. But minutes passed, and there was still no Leal entering his office. After half an hour of waiting, he impatiently stood up and left his office. He went to his secretary’s desk outside his office and saw that she was nowhere to be found.

He frowned and went to the elevator.

What greeted him on the base floor was mayhem.

He saw a few of his guards bruised with claw marks, getting treated on one side, while a few of his other employees were gathered up in a circle. When they noticed him getting near, they made way for him as he saw his secretary on the floor in a horrible state, and the floor was stained with blood.

“What happened, Riye?”

Riye, his secretary, looked up at him. He was greeted by one of her eyes, turning purple with a black eye.

"She happened, Sir! She pounced at us! We didn’t know that she was a shifter!”

Axel tilted his head in confusion.

She pounced at them? In broad daylight?

Well, she definitely didn’t look like she was the aggressive type.

“We couldn’t shift in broad daylight, Sir! We were also fearing that the humans outside to see us in our wolf form. I apologize for not catching her, Sir,” she apologized, while another employee started treating her bruises.

“Did she run out as a wolf?”

“No, Sir,” Riye shook her head. “She only had her claws out and her fangs. It was weird. She was also incredibly fast. We could barely keep up.”

That statement left Axel in deep confusion.

Only claws and fangs? That is impossible. Once a werewolf shifts, they hand over complete control to their wolves. It is impossible to only borrow half of your wolf’s power.

He looked over to the other side, where the guards were being treated. They had huge claw marks on their faces, their sleeves were also torn and a few other parts were exposed. There were approximately a dozen of wounded guards, not involving Riye who had the most bruises.

As the whole company is comprised of werewolves, who also are under the pack he leads, they aren’t shocked to see another wolf fight. What’s unique about this is that the assailant werewolf isn’t an employee nor a pack member, but a mere intruder. And my mate.

“I heard a rogue werewolf attacked earlier,” Tyrone remarked as the other members of their conference meeting left the room. What’s left is the three of them; Axel, Tyrone, and Ryker—the company’s President.

“Yeah, she’s my mate,” he casually mentioned.

The two’s eyes simultaneously widened as Tyrone almost fell off his chair while Ryker’s hands slid from the table.

“What?!”

“And you didn’t bother telling us?!”

“I’m telling you now.” He rolled his eyes.

“I heard she’s pretty,” Tyrone whispered to Ryker. The latter’s eyes gleamed as he looked at Tyrone.

He whispered back, “Really?! We should do a background check and not tell him.”

Axel glared at Ryker. “I heard that.”

Ryker sheepishly smiled as he scratched the back of his head. “Oops.”

“But,” Tyrone intervened, “Why is she running off? Shouldn’t the two of you be on a date by now and getting to know each other? She should’ve smelled you.”

“I think she did, but she didn’t know me,” he sighed, recalling her reaction. “But she didn’t like my name.”

The two frowned at him before Tyrone burst out laughing. When he finally calmed down, he snickered at Axel, “I know why. That’s probably because she always sees your name on the news affiliated with many other girls’ names!”

He sighed at his petty reason and leaned back.

Ryker, the idiot one in the group, agreed. “She probably got jealous and lashed out at the guards! Yeah!”

They high-fived and laughed at his face, scolding him for flirting with many famous and high-profile women.

“But you know what’s confusing,” he leaned into them, “Riye said she only had her claws and fangs out when she attacked them. In broad daylight.”

“That’s weird. Even our Alpha can’t do that,” Tyrone low-key teased.

Axel glared at him and threw him a pen. He effortlessly caught it and placed it back as he chuckled.

“It’s unbelievable, but I guess the bruised guards are living proof of that unbelievable thing,” muttered Ryker.

“Riye also said she was fighting and running at an incredible speed.”

“The supernatural type of speed?” Tyrone queried.

“Dumbass,” Ryker hit the back of Tyrone’s head. “Of course the supernatural type! Our guards and even Riye aren’t as slow as a normal human! To say Axel’s mate moves at incredible speed is such a statement.”

Axel sarcastically raised his brows at Ryker. Wow, he’s finally using his brain.

Werewolves in general are gifted with speed and inhuman strength. The abilities are much stronger when they’re in wolf form, but it’s still there in their human form. As Ryker said, to say Leal moves at incredible speed is such a statement from a werewolf. Axel sighed as he intently stared outside the window of his office, his arms folded on top of each other in his chest.

He’s sure his mate is a werewolf—he smelled her scent. But how is she displaying exceptional skills and mastery of her wolf? Why does Axel feel like Leal is above average? Is that a good or bad thing? He has never heard of special werewolves—there never were.

With the mystery behind her, Axel is even more intrigued about her, and he’s determined more than ever to have her in his arms. She’s making him want her, and it’s working.

He smirked as he folded the sleeves of his long-sleeved polo. He opened his desktop and started messaging his most trusted hackers.

She can’t run away from him like that.

—

With shaking hands, Leal closed the door of Izzy’s flat as she leaned onto the closed door. She’s shivering from both the cold of the night and the fear of yesterday once again haunting her.

She couldn’t believe what had happened today. So many things didn’t go her way, and ghosts of her past started knocking on her door.

When she blacked out after being blocked by numerous intimidating guards, she regained her senses again while running, with her bloody hands on her coat’s pockets and her limbs hurting from an unexplainable throbbing feeling.

She didn’t know what happened, but all she knew at that time was that she needed to get away from her moving nightmare that goes by the name of Axel Elcort.

She knew her frustration was boiling up that time, so she assumed that she was just so angry that she blacked out. She was hoping all she did was run away from that cursed building, but the blood on her hands was telling her otherwise. Despite that, she promises herself that she will never wander on that street in New York. Because she never wants to see him again.

She will forget this day and continue job-hunting tomorrow.

It’s all just a bad dream.

She will never see him again, because seeing him brings back her worst memories, and bringing back those memories brings back her pain and suffering. After years of desperately recuperating, she couldn’t afford to go through the same rough road again.

Axel Elcort is like a disease she needs to avoid. Just like how he pierced her pride and dignity before, then avoided her like there was never a flicker of fire between them.

Days quickly passed by and Leal remained true to her words.

She never again walked along the streets of that company, let alone wander anywhere near it. She luckily got a job at a famous fast-food restaurant. Though it was a big decrease in her expected salary, she accepted it. She couldn’t resist her conscience every time Izzy would pull out her credit card everywhere. She was another heavy baggage for her friend and she couldn’t handle not being able to contribute to the expenses.

So today, here she is. Wiping the floor, with an apron and a belt filled with spray bottles, cloth wipes, and other cleaning materials.

From her stable and perfect job, she rocketed down to being a restaurant janitor. She heaved a sigh after mopping the polished concrete floor and leaned her back on the wall. It was a big punch to her pride, but she could get over this. She values her conscience and self-worth more than her pride.

“Leal!” Her manager called out. She immediately stood up from her slacked posture and held her mop tighter.

“Yes, Sir?”

“Clean table four.”

She immediately nodded and placed the mop back on the drying rack in the janitor’s room before pulling out her cloth wipe and briskly walking to the dirty table. For weeks, all she had been doing was to come early at work, stay there until her shift ends, and probably catch another one for a sick colleague, then go home to Izzy’s flat and clean—since it was the only type of payment she could give for now. In just less than a week, she’ll be receiving her first income, and she couldn’t wait to give it to Izzy.

—

“Izzy, take this.”

Leal smiled as she handed a white envelope to Izzy. The latter, who still had a measuring tape around her neck, frowned at her and inspected the envelope.

“What’s this?”

“It’s for letting me stay here for months now,” she chuckled as Izzy hesitantly accepted it.

“This better not be cash, Leal—”

She stopped herself when she opened the envelope. Inside was a thick stash of bills. Izzy sighed and rolled her eyes.

“I told you, you don’t need to pay me for letting you live here. Just use this to buy groceries or your clothes, Leal.”

“But still—” she insisted but Izzy quickly slid the envelope into Leal’s pocket.

“No buts. I don’t need money, Leal. I just want you to feel better.”

Izzy winked at her. Leal’s heart once again warmed at her kind friend’s remark and chuckled. Though she knows Izzy’s never short of money, since she’s one of the freelance designers with the highest fees, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for the extra expenses Izzy needs to pay for with just her being here.

“Just take it, Izzy. Please, for the sake of my conscience,” she muttered. Izzy intently looked at her shaking her head and sighing, but nevertheless grabbing the envelope.

“Fine,” she conceded, “But I’ll use this to buy only the groceries and nothing else. The remaining money should be deposited to your bank, Leal. You need to save up.”

—

The following day, Leal was still dripping with sweat as she walked every other minute from table to table, serving customers and cleaning tables. She’s been catching the shifts of her other colleagues who seem to always report sick or get fired because of poor customer behavior.

Her work began to be obnoxiously suffocating, taking up all her time, and making her do overtime without the proper overtime pay. What started out as being a janitress, added the job of being the waitress, and then the cashier, even the bouncer.

Strands of hair drenched with sweat are blocking her face, giving her an even harder time serving all the customers. Her bun’s too messy to keep up with her busy tasks, as well. Her blouse has been crippled with evident sweat marks, and she doesn’t even have time to change into a new one ever since her 14-hour shift started. Holding three trays, two on either hand and one on the head, Leal felt like she could pass for a princess with her balance.

“Miss!” Her eyes flew to a group of gruff, big men on one table. “We’ve been waiting for our orders for twenty minutes now!”

“I-I’m sorry, Sir! I’ll have it served to your table in a minute!”

She barely even noticed the door of the restaurant opening, even when she was directly in front of it. When Leal resumed to dash to the table whose ordered trays were on her head, she bumped into a rock-solid wall, which she was sure there never was in there. She clashed with the breathing wall, thus making her three full trays fall on the ground.

The noise made an ear-shattering noise, making everyone’s eyes turn in their direction. She grunted in pain at bumping her forehead into the wall, but shockingly, the wall had limbs that snaked around her waist and stopped her from falling on the floor with her trays.

“O-Oww...”

She grunted as she slowly massaged her forehead. That probably won’t leave a mark but it still hurts.

“Are you okay?” The hoarse masculine voice whispered against her ears, making her open her eyes wide. The wall talks!

Frowning, Leal looked up, and when her eyes met familiar chestnut ones. Her nose flared at his familiar rosewood scent that once delivered butterflies in her stomach, but all it does now is make her puke.

“I’m sorry. Please let me go.”

She roughly escaped from his grasp and avoided his eyes. She crouched down on the floor, silently picking up the spilled meals and broken bowls. The customers started murmuring indistinctly, especially when he started helping her. The other men he was with, whom she didn’t notice earlier, started helping her as well. They were all wearing executive suits, which made them look more weird.

“Leal!”

Her manager called out to her, his eyes widening as he stood frozen in his spot while looking at the mess. She didn’t know what he was looking at; the wasted meals or the dashing men in suits picking them up; her boss has a keen eye for both men and mistakes.

“Goodness! What did you do?! A-And who are these men?!”

“I-I’m sorry, Sir. I-It won’t happen again,” she timidly apologized.

Leal bowed her head as she fidgeted with the shards of the broken pieces on the tray. One of Axel’s men took it from her and went to put it in the bin. She frowned at them but thanked them mentally.

“It was my fault,” his baritone voice filled her ears, silencing the whole restaurant. It seems like the customers know who this personality beside her is. She kept silent with her eyes downcast, refusing to meet her manager’s eyes.

“I’ll pay for the broken dishes and wasted meals.”

“A-Ah.. N-No worries, Sir A-Axel. I’ll just talk to L-Leal right here...”

Her manager stuttered as he forcefully grabbed her in the arm, making her twitch and reluctantly stand beside him. She wiped her sticky hands onto her dirty apron, feeling disgusted with both the soups and sauces that fell on her hands and the sticky gaze of the man in front of her.

“No need,” he coldly muttered, his intense gaze falling to her manager’s tight grip on her arms.

He glared at it, knowing the tightness of his grip would leave a mark. The manager, who was standing in front of him with slightly shaking knees, noticed his glare on her arms and he immediately released her from his grasp.

When the manager noticed the tension between the two, he cleared his throat and apologized to the customers.

“We’re sorry for this accident. Please, everyone may return to their meals. All the other wasted orders will be served again by the other waiters. Please wait patiently.”

He, softly now, dragged Leal to his office, smiling kindly to Axel and motioning him to follow.

Without sparing the manager another glance, Axel strutted towards the manager’s office, signaling his men to stay put outside the restaurant. They were originally planning to dine here to catch Leal’s attention but it looks like he doesn’t need to do that now.

They stopped in front of a door inside their kitchen. The three entered as Leal took a seat on one of his sofas, while Axel remained standing beside Leal. The manager clasped his hands on the table as he kindly smiled at Axel.

“Sir Axel, I’d like to request you to leave the room for a short while. I’ll need to talk to my employee,” he smiled, one dripping with fakeness. He was obviously p*ss*d at Leal, but he was keeping up that smile because Axel is both a customer and a hot guy in a suit.

Axle raised his brow at him.

“I’ll stay here.”

“B-But Sir—”

Leal abruptly stood up and bowed courteously in front of her manager.

“I’m sorry for my reckless behavior outside, Sir. I promise it won’t happen again. Please don’t fire me.”

She doesn’t care anymore if Axel sees her begging to keep her job. In her eyes, Axel isn’t a business tycoon, nor is he a very attractive man, but just a customer who risked her her job.

“Leal, I—”

The manager sighed when Leal took his hands adorned with gold rings and bracelets, tightly gripping them with her sticky and worn-out hands. 14 hours of restless work really has this effect on her thinking ability. She’s just so desperate to keep her job, that she’s willing to kneel in front of him. She should’ve done this with her previous boss back in the publishing company but back then, she wasn’t as desperate.

“Sir, please. I beg you. Please, I have no other job to run to if I get fired on this one. I’ll promise to catch more shifts! I can extend my 14-hour shift, Sir! I can go for 20 hours! Straight!”

Axel sharply inhaled at the sight. When he first saw Leal, she was still radiating with beauty and elegance. She still looked beautiful, but he knew Leal looked worse than they first met. There were deep bags under her eyes, and her eyes themselves looked more sullen. Her hair was messy, and her blouse is crippled. Her fingers looked so worn out but still delicate. Her lips were paler than ever but still looked kissable and plump.

She looked so messed up, but she could never look ugly in his eyes. She was sporting a tired yet incomparable beauty.

“Leal.”

He softly tried stopping her. It worked but not very long. She continued begging and offering more tiresome tasks just for her to keep her job.

Axel sighed. He bit his lip as he stared at Leal, in her lowest, desperately clinging to her manager—the only one who seemed significant to her at this time.

How did she end up like this? Why is life taking it so hard on her?

I’m sorry, Leal. He thought. I’m sorry I’m late.

Leal wiped her tears as soon as she left the office. She went ahead after getting the assurance she needed from her manager.

She’s keeping her job, thank God.

She leaned in the wall outside her manager’s office, as her knees weakened from pretending to be unaffected by his presence for too long. She tried so hard to not look at him in the eyes, not even in his direction.

While taking deep breathing exercises, she could hear the faint conversation between Axel and her manager inside. He’s probably complaining about the stain on his white dress shirt.

She went out of the restaurant and exited through its back exit for employees, where she was greeted by the dark alley. Beside the door was a tall mountain of garbage, so she immediately walked away from the stinking smell. What added was the familiar rosewood scent that made her itch her nose. The door opened and from the light inside, his figure shadowed on the dark concrete surface.

Leal sighed.

“How have you been?” He asked as he leaned a few meters away from her, leaning on the wall as well. She stuffed her freezing hands in the pockets of her uniform, feeling the awkwardness and tension in the air.

“Great, actually,” she sarcastically muttered, keeping her gaze straight.

“Really? I saw quite the opposite back there.”

“Today’s one of my bad days. It happens.” She shrugged.

“I’m sure bad days happen rarely. But looking at your figure and appearance now, it seems like those bad days have been happening more frequently,” he softly said, being careful of his choice of words. He didn’t want to seem rude when this was only the second time they were meeting. Or so he thought.

Leal’s left brow raised, feeling slightly offended. She pointedly looked at him, though dark, she could still see his features. “You’re saying I look hideous?”

He stood upright, looking flustered. “N-No! I meant—”

“Nevermind. Your opinion regarding my look doesn’t matter.” She sighed. “Why did you follow me out here anyway?”

Geez, she became tougher. He thought. Gone was the timid Leal he first met. But he’s not sure why he seems to like this version of her better.

“Can’t I visit my mate?”

Leal, utterly confused, frowned at him. “What?”

Axel, who was now equally confused by her reaction, frowned at her too. “What?”

They stared into each other’s eyes, the light from the distant lamp post gleaming with their eyes’ reflections. Leal sighed, knowing this will go nowhere. She doesn’t even know how she stomached talking to him for this long.

“Just go. You’re wasting your precious time here,” she said.

I’m never wasting my time when I’m with you, was what he was supposed to reply, but kept it to himself. It seems like she doesn’t know what they are, or what a mate is at all, when it’s obvious she’s a wolf. Why does she not know about mates? Or she does but doesn’t want to admit it?

“Leal...” Leal halted on her tracks back to the restaurant when he called her. With just one command from his voice, her system would automatically listen—and she hated it.

“What do you know about mates?” He carefully asked.

Once again furrowing her brows, Leal looked back at him.

“Mates? I didn’t know you were British. You surely don’t have the accent nor the features.”

Axel looks more Russian than British, but who is she to judge? He never even bothered to tell her his nationality back in college.

He discreetly stifled a chuckle, amused at her innocence in the world of werewolves. It seems like she’s really a rogue. She’s unaware of her race.

“How did you find me anyway?” She asked. The restaurant is at the border of New York, far from the busy streets of his company but still pretty busy.

“I followed...” he trailed off, whispering inaudibly, ”...my heart.”

Leal furrowed her brows. “What? I didn’t hear you.”

“Nevermind. Eat regularly and rest. Take care of yourself.”

Axel turned his back on her, stuffing his hands into his slacks’ pockets as he walked away from her. Leal, completely confused, watched his retreating back until he turned a corner and vanished. His voice in his last remark sounded so delicate, so fragile, and tender, it was so new to her ears.

And mates? What did he mean by what he knew about it? He’s becoming weirder and weirder, really.

—

He never came back.

Questioningly, Leal would always whip her head to the door when she heard it open, expecting his broad figure. She didn’t know why, though. She should be delighted to not see his shadow anymore!

When night came and her shift ended, Leal excitedly grabbed her casual clothes from their locker and changed out of her dirty uniform. She just finished a 12-hour shift, and luckily didn’t shoulder anyone else’s shift.

She’d been looking forward to this night because this was Izzy’s special night. Her fashion show.

It’ll be the third time she’s attending a fashion show where Izzy’s one of the designers. She loves supporting her best friend in doing what she loves most, and despite seeing Izzy work even after her work hours in the warehouse, when she sees her walking on the ramp at the end of the show with her models and outfits, the look on her face eases her worry knowing that all her struggles and hard work are all worth it.

What Izzy feels after a successful fashion show is the same Leal feels when she sees one of her edited manuscripts in a hard copy, being one of New York’s best sellers. It’s also the same feeling for everyone that accomplishes the passion that they turned into work.

She planned to stop by Izzy’s condo unit to grab her favorite beige trench coat but decided against it when she saw who was in front of the condo’s door.

Wearing his three-piece suit and designer briefcase, with his hair styled and slicked back, Dion looked dashing from afar.

Leal stopped in her tracks, feeling her heart beat twice its normal speed. How long has it been? A month or two? She can’t remember anymore. She has so many problems that arose after that, like a domino, forgetting when her mayhem started.

She pursed her lips and hesitated to come to the condo, but when Dion turned his head to her side of the hallway, she knew she had no other choice. She sighed and avoided his eyes as she slowly walked towards him, stuffing the keys back in her pockets. She has no intention of letting him inside.

Leal stopped a few steps away from him. A safe distance—as she’d like to say it.

“Leal,” his soft and fragile voice called out to her. He raised his hands, attempting to get a hold of her, but Leal flinched—flashes of him repeatedly slamming her head with the liquor bottle. Noticing her obvious flinch, Dion sighed and brought his hands down.

“W-What are you doing here?” She meekly asked, looking down at the hardwood floor like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

“I’m here to reconcile, love,” he sweetly muttered, using their endearment that only she frequently used before.

She wouldn’t deny it, her heart fluttered at the sweetness dripping in his voice. This side of Dion rarely comes out, and it only usually does when they’re in an argument. Back then, Leal would almost immediately soften and accept his hugs. But now, after that traumatic incident, she’s not sure if that can happen again.

She’s in love with him, sure, but she’s no martyr to put up with him despite his abusive behavior.

Though that was the first time he raised his hand on her, it was surely a situation that looked like a foreshadowing of their married life—if ever. Looking at it like that, Leal’s sure to never come back together with him. She’s smarter than that.

“Don’t call me that.”

He placed his briefcase on the floor, taking a few steps closer to her. Instinctively, Leal stepped back. She can never get too close to him again. Never again. After years of living together, he finally showed his true colors.

“Please, love, come back with me. I still have your things in our apartment. Don’t leave me, please,” he begged, desperately trying to catch her eyes.

“No, Dion. You hurt me! The shards of that bottle in my head served as the slap of reality. The idea of having s*x with me is the only thing that made you stay with me for years, I know that now! I have to thank you, actually,” she sarcastically chuckled, “Those sharp shards of liquor bottle that pierced my head were like the painful slaps of reality, letting me realize what you see in me, which isn’t my personality—but my body.”

He looked at her, mouth agape and stunned. When she finished, her breathing deep with emotions, Dion remained staring at her.

“Say something, you *ssh*l*!”

He looked down at her and raked her body. Without her trench coat, Leal didn’t have anything to cover her clothes that didn’t even look provocative or seducing. It was only a simple white turtleneck and jeans, but he was looking at it with such lust! She hated how he looked at it. She felt naked.

“Look at me, Dion.”

He did, but with a different glint in his eyes now, His orbs seemed to turn a shade darker as he smirked.

“So what if I only love you for your body? At least you have something I like in you! Just get back with me, and you’ll earn that spot again in that publishing house.”

Her eyes widened, feeling ridiculed all over again. First, he really did love her only for her body! Second, what did he just say?

“W-What...?”

“Yeah, that’s right.” He nodded, looking as if proud of himself. “I used my connections to get you in that and promote you gradually. The reason why you got fired was because we broke up, and I had nothing to do with you anymore so they saw no need to keep you. Just say we’re back together and move in with me again, and you’ll get back in your spot in no time.”

So, everything in her resume, every single one of her achievements, did none of them matter? Did he use his prosecutor’s position to get her that spot in the company? Her eyes watered with shock. Did they even look at her hard-earned qualifications?!

“Ridiculous,” she incredulously muttered, with her widened eyes directed at him.

“You have everything you had before because you were with me. Just accept it, love...”