Leah's POV
Sunshine poured into the car and plated everything in gold.
Finn stared at me like he was staring out at the horizon.
The morning sky was clear, with a dash of clouds. It was a tranquil backdrop to the chaos of the streets as well as the emotions inside the car.
As I sat on the edge of the seat, my kneel buckled. I couldn't help but feel torn.
I knew my feelings for this man. He was my second chance and there was no question about that. But the pull of everything else, including the difference in social status and the complexity of my marital status, were growing stronger by the minute. I had worked so hard all my life to meet the perfect man in my life, and now it was slipping through my fingers, just like that.
I glanced over at Finn. The soft glow of sunshine cast a halo around his features. He was everything that I had ever wanted as a mate and a lifetime partner. And the thought of leaving him behind was breaking my heart.
I had always been a dreamer of love, but I had never imagined that my dreams would come at such a cost.
My mind raced with thousands of possibilities, but none of them ended up with me being with him, living happily ever after.
A male stripper and the daughter of a Lycan King? Wake up, Leah, and face reality.
He was still holding my hand. He couldn't walk away just like that when he was holding my hand. Our fingers were interlacing and I was just about to warm his freezing cold hands with my body temperature.
I knew this man only for one night. But someone lives a whole life in one night.
I knew nothing about this man sitting in front of me, but it seems that I know everything about him.
I felt a knot in my stomach, a heavy weight on my chest.
I saw tears welling up in his eyes.
The clock was ticking and the traffic was starting to move forward.
It seemed that he knew he had to make a decision soon.
The cars behind us started to horn impatiently, but I could hear nothing but my own humble voice, which was barely above a whisper.
"Finn..."
My voice choked with emotion.
The resolve in his eyes began to crumble when I called his name. I knew if I finished the sentence and begged him to stay, he would.
But all the words just evaporated in the air when I tried to speak.
"I..." Finn opened his mouth and then closed it.
Then, he unbuckled the safety belt and pushed the car door open.
As the door slapped closed, my heart was shattered into a thousand pieces.
He left. He left without saying anything and he didn't even look back.
With a heavy heart, I pressed my foot on the pedal. The car started moving forward along with the traffic.
I drove past Finn without stopping and looked at him in the rearing mirror. He was walking alongside the road, surrounded by the rush-hour crowd. He looked so tall, so sad, and so lonely.
I didn't know if he could find his way back to the club. I should have left him with some money. I should have said no when he asked me to let go of him.
I should have...
As my sight became blurry because of my tears, I lost sight of him in my view.
In a flash, he was gone, as he had never come into my life.
The only thing left of him was his sweet scent inside the car and the coldness lingering on the tips of my finger.
I couldn't hold it anymore, so I parked my car on the side of the road and started to cry over the wheel.
I didn't know how long I had been crying when I heard a knock on the window.
When I looked up, I saw a familiar face wearing a motorbike helmet.
Piercing blue eyes. A hint of dazzling blonde hair.
Darren Swanson? The Ambassador's son whom I met at the Derby party. The chivalry samarian who saved me from Lucas' assault in the back alley of the restaurant. The daredevil who shared his innermost secret when he met me for the first time.
"Miss Lewyn, are you OK?" He removed the helmet and leaned forward from his Harley Davidson.
His voice sounded blurry outside the window.
I didn't answer him and kept weeping.
He rolled his hand in the air to suggest that I roll down the window.
I wiped my tears and shook my head.
Darren looked around and got off his bike, standing next to my car.
His lean and toned physique was highlighted by the snug fit of his black leather jacket and pants, which hugged every curve and muscle of his body. His chiseled jawline was accentuated by the black stubble that framed it, and his piercing blue eyes sparkled with intensity. The wind tousled his blonde hair, which was styled in a trendy look that somehow managed to be both rebellious and sophisticated.
I knew he wouldn't go away and left me alone crying on the side of the road, so I rolled down the window and said, "Go away. I'm fine."
Darren gave me a gentle smile and said, "Listen, Miss Lewyn, I understand you get frustrated by the morning traffic and you're probably late for work. But don't worry. If you want, I can give you a ride on my bike."
I took a look at the digital clock on the panel and saw it was already 9:30. If I kept driving at a snail's pace, it would take me at least another hour to be at work.
I couldn't afford to be late for my first day of work. It was the first time I met all the management in the company. I had to leave them a good impression.
"Come on. Where are you going? Just tell me." He said.
"The UniHeal Headquarters," I said.
"Wow. The largest company in the Kingdom. That's really a great start to getting a well-balanced life." Darren looked impressed and winked at me.
I wiped off my tears and looked at myself in the mirror. My makeup was completely ruined and I looked horrible. I couldn't show up in a company like this. People would think the new girl was a zombie or a vampire or something.
I quickly took out my makeup kit and said to Darren, "I need five minutes."
"Sure," Darren said chivalrously and leaned against his car. "Take your time. I've got all the time in the world for you."
"Do you always hit on a girl who's got a bad day?" I asked.
"No. I only hit on you when you have a bad day." He smirked and tapped the edge of his helmet.
I rolled up the window and quickly fixed my makeup.
When the window dropped, I was as fresh as new.
"Hop on, Miss Lewyn. Chop, chop." He patted the seat behind him. Then, he put on his helmet, flicked down the screen on his helmet, and handed me a spare helmet.
I hopped in the backseat of his bike and put on the helmet.
Thank Goddess that I didn't wear a skirt on that day.
He started the bike, but it didn't move forward.
He turned back and stared at me through the tinted helmet screen.
I couldn't see his eyes clearly, but I blushed anyway.
"What?" I looked at him with confusion.
"Nothing. I'm just curious what you look like with a helmet on," he said.
I could tell that he was smirking even though I couldn't see his face.
"So? How do I look?" I raised an eyebrow even though he couldn't see it.
"I like it." He replied briefly and turned to the front, pulling my hands and putting them around his waist.
"Hold me tightly, Miss Lewyn." His voice faded into the huge vrooming sound of the engine.