Tabitha's POV
I did lose my memory, but I wasn't a fool. This hallway had been cleared in advance, so how could journalists just pop up out of nowhere?
And how could that woman with exquisite makeup and proper attire just trip and fall like that by accident?
Apparently, she had told them to wait here.
This scheme seemed simple, but it was very effective.
But I didn't get it. From what I'd heard, Derek, despite his decent family background, was nothing more than a higher-up office worker in the eyes of common people. Why would she play such a trick? Was it even necessary?
And how would he react to some woman throwing herself at him?
Surprisingly, I wasn't feeling as bad as I thought I would. I was actually pretty calm, just waiting to see how Derek would handle it.
When a beautiful lady fell, anyone, be it male or female, would instinctively rush to help. So I guessed he was no exception.
Derek was making a phone call when the girl approached, his tall figure stretching under the lights, his back straight as an arrow.
He kept his expression icy and composed the whole time. When the girl was about to fall into his arms, he didn't support her as I had thought. Instead, he took a step back.
For us werewolves, instinct could be controlled by strong willpower.
I figured Derek must possess that. Or how could he be so calm?
The look on his face was so cold that it felt like even if the girl killed herself right in front of him, he'd still step back, for he feared her blood would splatter on him and mess up his clothes.
I caught the last look on the girl's face before she fell: a mixture of shock, panic, and confusion.
Like couldn't believe he really backed away from her.
She had everything planned out perfectly, be it the timing or the location, and right at that moment, the camera clicked.
It captured her awkward tumble perfectly.
The hallway wasn't carpeted, so she fell straight to the ground.
Even from this distance, I could hear the thud and her muffled groan. It must hurt like hell.
The girl then looked up at Derek with an aggrieved expression, tears welling up in her eyes. "Derek..."
She was just calling his name, but her expression and tone were full of complaint.
Any other guy would feel sorry for her.
However, Derek didn't show a hint of pity at all. He just stared at her like she was some kind of monster with his brows furrowed, annoyance radiating from him.
"Derek, don't you remember me? I'm Kelsey. I think I hurt my knee. Could you please help me up?"
"No, men and women should maintain a proper distance," Derek shot back without missing a beat.
Kelsey's eyes widened in disbelief as if she thought she misheard him.
I couldn't help but feel amused. It was already the 21st century, and he still held that idea?
Kelsey's POV
"But we used to play together when we were little. During these years apart, I've been thinking about you, I—"
Just when I was about to keep talking, Derek's expression shifted from dissatisfaction to gentleness, like he had noticed something. And he was no longer as aggressive as before, his whole vibe softening.
I thought he was smiling at me, so my heart skipped a beat.
I knew it. No guy could resist my charm!
While Derek was walking towards me, I adjusted my expression. Then, I extended my hand coquettishly, ready for him to pull me up so I could leap into his arms.
Everything felt perfectly set up until Derek walked past me without even glancing back.
He even sped up without any intention of stopping like I were invisible!
I turned around in shock, only to see Derek reach a woman at the end of the hallway in just a few seconds.
"Tabitha," he called out.
I couldn't believe he actually ignored me like that!
My gaze locked onto this Tabitha chick standing beside Derek, jealousy and frustration bubbling inside me.
I needed to see what made her so special!
Just then, a hand reached out toward me.