A/N
This story is unedited so apologies for grammatical and spelling errors if any.
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Fiora's (POV)
Fury coursed through me like wildfire as I stewed in my own embarrassment. 'I'm mad and I'm never talking to this man again,' I seethed internally. There I was, seated across from my idol, and I had failed to recognize her. It wasn't entirely my fault; the scarcity of photos online, especially ones depicting her current appearance, left me at a disadvantage. Yet Zack and Mr. Black found endless amusement in my blunder, teasing me mercilessly. If not for Mrs Black's intervention, I would have drowned in the depths of my mortification. Oh, how I loathed him in that moment.
As we made our way to the library, I maintained a stony silence, refusing to even spare him a glance. Instead, I turned my attention to the world outside, the scenery passing by in a blur of colours and shapes, a stark contrast to the turmoil raging within me.
"You're mad?" Zack's voice cut through the tension, his tone almost playful, as if oblivious to my steadfast silence. "Miss Mary, I'm talking to you," he persisted.
"Just drive and keep it professional between us," I retorted dryly, my irritation palpable.
"Oh! You're extremely mad," he chirped, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. I offered no response as he continued to navigate the road. Eventually, he pulled the car over to the side, breaking the monotony of the drive.
"Why are we stopping here?" I inquired, puzzled by the sudden halt in our journey, especially in such a desolate spot.
"If you're mad, then say it out loud. Don't sit there all pouty and silent like a stone," Zack urged, his smile genuine despite my simmering mood. "I'm not mad. Why would I be mad? After all, making fun of their junior seems to be a birthright of seniors," I muttered, a mixture of anger, embarrassment, and sadness tainting my words.
"Oh! I won't apologize for that; because I adored your expressions when you were mad, all pouty and at a loss for words. It was a delightful mischief, a playful dance, reminiscent of childhood. It felt like being part of a family..."
Pausing to gather his thoughts, he continued, "Mr. and Mrs. Black, they're like my second parents. I've grown up with them, in the embrace of these snow-covered woods. For the first time, I truly felt alive, unburdened, and free. I never meant to hurt your feelings for my own amusement, though I understand if I did. If it helps, you can hit me, let out that anger..." His words trailed off, his eyes revealing a blend of sadness and tentative hope.
As he spoke, a sudden surge of emotion washed over me, compelling me to reach out and comfort him. "You didn't grow up with your parents?" I asked softly, my subconscious guiding my hand to grasp his. "They left me when I was young, not intentionally though," he replied, his voice carrying the weight of past sorrows.
"Their passing came tragically in an accident when I was just sixteen," he confessed, his voice quivering with the weight of memories. "Since then, Mr. and Mrs. Black have been my pillars, my family in every sense of the word." A tremor ran through him as he continued, "I'm not sure why I'm divulging this to you, but I felt compelled to share. Please, don't carry it too heavily in your heart. It's not about you; it's just a part of my journey.", his eyes changing to arctic blue, reminiscent of that striking white wolf. I was confused, inundated with a whirlwind of emotions and questions, yet all I could manage was to close my eyes and rest my head against his palms.
He gently patted my head, his touch a comforting gesture that stirred tears to escape, despite my efforts to suppress them. I lay there for a while, enveloped in a mixture of sorrow, empathy, and an unspoken connection, unable to find the words to express the tumultuous storm raging within me
His eyes shifted back to their mesmerizing golden-green hue as I cautiously broached the topic. "You mentioned I could ask anything from you, as long as it's within your reach," I murmured softly.
"Yes, I remember," he replied, his tone echoing mine, filled with understanding. "Well, can I trust you not to harm me, even if I come to know something I shouldn't?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear.
"As long as I draw breath, I won't ever cause you harm, even if you possess knowledge of my deepest, darkest secrets," he reassured me, his words brimming with love and compassion. It reminded me of the comforting tone my father used when urging me to confide in him during times of trouble.
"Do you recall our little venture to the cave?" I finally found the courage to voice the question that had been plaguing me since that day.
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"I do," he replied, leaving room for me to delve deeper with specific inquiries.
Though outwardly silent, my mind raced with realization. 'He was keenly aware that we dwelled not in a world of mere mortals, but one inhabited by supernatural beings. As I connected the dots, the truth dawned on me: Zachary was not human, nor were Arnica, Ethan, Ziwa or any others in my office. I found myself surrounded by entities beyond the realm of ordinary existence, each possibly belonging to different categories of the supernatural—or perhaps, they were all intertwined in some enigmatic manner'.
Fear gripped me as I grappled with the implications. 'If this world was indeed teeming with the supernatural, then perhaps Arna and Marcus from the photographs were not mere mortals either. Questions swirled within me, demanding answers: Who were they? And more pressingly, who was I amidst it all?' My mind continued to race, fear increasingly taking hold of me.
Unable to contain my fear any longer, it erupted from within me, manifesting in flames that danced ominously across my trembling hands. With a panicked resolve, I bolted out of the car, desperate to distance myself from Zack. I couldn't bear the thought of causing him harm—I'd already wrought enough damage upon my family; I couldn't bear to hurt anyone else.
Ignited with a fierce determination, I sprinted as fast and far as my legs could carry me, the fire licking at my heels, melting the snow in my wake. My frantic search for a body of water was a race against time, against the flames consuming me from within. But before I could find respite, a guttural growl pierced the air, freezing me in my tracks. I turned to behold the source—the same majestic white wolf with artic blue eyes, its eyes fixed upon me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.
"Stay away! I might hurt you!" I cried out, my voice a desperate plea, a warning.
And then, in a breathtaking metamorphosis, the wolf dissolved into Zack, his form shifting seamlessly before my disbelieving eyes. He approached me with a tenderness that defied logic, enveloping me in a protective embrace that quelled the raging inferno within me. His touch, warm and comforting, radiated an otherworldly heat that thawed the icy grip of fear that had seized me moments before.
Stunned into silence, I surrendered to his embrace, allowing myself to be engulfed by his warmth, finding solace in his arms as I gradually cooled from the searing trauma of my unleashed power. In that moment, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, I found an unexpected sanctuary in Zack's embrace—a sanctuary where fear gave way to astonishment, and where fire yielded to the gentle warmth of acceptance and understanding.
Zack didn't lead me to the library as destined; instead, he guided me to a sprawling, grey-white house. Despite his earlier appearance, I trailed behind him like a curious but confused puppy. His transformation from his birthday suit to casuals was stark, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of embarrassment when I remembered I hugged him in that state while he flashed me his cocky smirk, accompanied by the teasing question, "Like what you see?" My cheeks undoubtedly matched the hue of ripe tomatoes as I quickly averted my gaze, silently acknowledging his effortless charm and my own flustered state.
He motioned towards the entrance of the house with that infuriatingly smug smile still playing on his lips. Despite my irritation, I followed him inside, only to be met with a space that bore the unmistakable imprint of Crystal's artistic mastery. Every corner exuded my idol's signature style, yet it was infused with a masculinity that felt jarringly out of place to me. The palette, dominated by shades of black, white, and brown, exuded a rugged elegance that clashed with my preference for softer, more feminine aesthetics, but was perfect for males
The house exuded a chilly atmosphere, which made sense since there was snow outside, Zack's house warmers seemed to be taking their sweet time. In an effort to make me comfortable, Zack handed me a cup of warm lemon water with a gentle, yet surprisingly cautious demeanour. "Make yourself at home," he urged, his tone tinged with an unexpected sense of apprehension.
"Are you scared?" I couldn't help but mutter under my breath, my words laced with a hint of sarcasm. "Well, of course, you should be," I added, realizing the irony of my question even as it escaped my lips.
"I'm not scared," Zack responded defensively, his voice carrying a note of defiance. "I'm simply cautious, trying not to incite fear again."
"Hmm...? I wasn't afraid of you, Zack. It seems there's been a misunderstanding," I clarified, hoping to dispel any confusion. Zack's reaction was unexpectedly pleased as he closed the gap between us, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes.
"Does that mean I have the green light to pursue you?" he quipped, his tone playful yet tinged with a hint of devilry.
I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at his audacity. "Is this your standard approach with every woman, or is there something unique about this situation?" I inquired, genuinely curious about his intentions.
Zack's response was swift yet measured as he took a step back, increasing the distance between us. "Only with those I'm exceptionally comfortable with," he replied, leaving an air of mystery lingering between us.
Both Zack and I found ourselves skirting around the real questions we wanted to ask, perhaps both of us hesitant to delve into deeper truths or confront the potential consequences of our inquiries. It was as if we were both tiptoeing around unspoken confessions, unwilling to fully acknowledge or explore the uncertainties lurking beneath the surface. Maybe, deep down, we weren't quite ready to confront our fears or to unravel the mysteries that lay ahead.
Continued...
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A/N
Word count:- 1800
Hello, my lovely readers, I hope you all are doing well
Here, is the 14th chapter of my book
I hope you all liked it and have a great day ahead
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Thank you
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bye:)
Until next time
Happy reading 💐
Date:- 20/03/2024