Sebastian
I looked at the sky through my office room. The clouds were dense but not enough to not let the sun not be seen at all. It was kind of weird, neither was it a sunny day nor was it a cloudy one—It was stuck in the middle of nowhere and that both looked and felt displeasing. It was a debate about what weather was truly my closest.
Preferably, a rainy day would be my best choice because amidst the sound of soft drizzles, rustling of tree leaves and breezes, I could....find her.
I wondered how the sky looked on her side, or if she actually looked at it as much as I did, even though I did not have even the nearest idea of where she could be. Neither my wolf made an effort to track her nor did I.
The reason?
Being constantly reminded of the last, pleading request she made before leaving me...forever.
Six months, five days and nine hours— I have burned for her every fucking second.
But I hadn't let my desire take a hold of me in any possible way, and I was not gonna let it happen. She deserved to live a beautiful life without me and my demons.
Within these past few months, she has actually become the reason for a lot of things I did. My taste for certain things, my preferences and my decisions. The new me was her creation— She had somehow moulded me back in shape before she actually left. My likes and dislikes. Joy and grief. Pleasure and pain— Everything came from her. The memories of her. The warmth of her has gradually vanished to nothing but a faint touch I could barely feel.
That's the irony— Despite not being here. She still ran deep, in every one of my bloody veins.
Shrugging my thoughts away, I returned my focus to work. That was the only thing that kept me somewhat moving and walking side by side with the time that tried to drag me backwards with each step I took.
"The sum of money you have told us to donate has already been donated, sir," Eddie, my accountant, handed me a thick blue file, "Here you can find the list of the charities and orphanages where the money has been donated to."
"It has all of the names listed?" I inquired, looking through the pages.
"Yes, Sir but except for the few you have personally made the donation— Around forty more charities that we couldn't list here since it's made from your personal account. However, I can get the statement from the bank if you need to confirm it again."
"No that won't be needed, buddy," I spoke up, grabbing my pen from the side of the desk before I signed the file.
"Okay, sir."
He waited whilst I signed the pages, confirming my approval.
"What about the new children's healthcare charity I told you about?"
"The hundred thousand dollars donation was made yesterday, Sir. You can find it at the end of the list— Page 63."
"Great," I finished signing the huge number of pages and finally handed Eddie the file back.
"Thanks for your time, Sir. I'll take your leave." He nodded.
"Sure, you can leave the file to the manager and go home now."
As expected confusion covered most of his face, and hesitated he uttered the next two words with hesitation, "Sorry sir?"
"You can go home, Eddie. You have got a day of leave," A chuckle left my mouth on its own.
Nowadays there was a strange sort of amusement I could find in the confused faces of my employees.
"But sir, I haven't applied for it. There must be some misunderstan—"
"Well..Well...Mister. Eddie, I not saying that this is what that exactly happened but," I began, "I might have gotten a call from your wife yesterday at around 9.00 in the morning, telling me that you are not at all willing to give her some of your valuable time on your fourth anniversary just because you care a little too much for your work and supposedly believe that a day of leave would certainly cost you a handsome amount of deduction from your salary."
His eyes widened and his face went all red, stress and embarrassment both draped his face.
"I'm so sorry, sir. I did not know she'd call you and cause you trouble. I apologise on behalf of my—"
"Calm down, Eddie. It's okay," I moved my hands in a lowering motion, "There's no need to apologise."
"No, Sir. I'm extremely sorry for the unprofessional behaviour from my wife's side, I hadn't thought she'd end up calling you over this small matter. I--"
"Eddie, I tell you it's totally okay, now would you shut up or not?" This was what got him to ultimately seal his mouth shut.
"I'm sorry sir."
"Listen, buddy, you have been working for me for the past four months and you have been doing great, you've left no spot for complaint in any of your tasks throughout these months. You are good at your job, and there's absolutely no need to feel hesitant to ask for leave or any other favour," I said, "She's your partner, and she deserves your time and attention. Besides what's wrong with her wanting some of your attention on this special day? I don't see anything wrong with her request."
"I understand, sir. I just did not want to lose this job, we have moved to this city very recently and I couldn't risk anything," He heaved out a sigh.
"Okay, so if that's the matter then you have my word— As long as you work with honesty, this job is yours."
His eyes lit up, "Really?"
"Yes, do I look as if I'm lying?" I chuckled, "Now go and spend the day with your partner. I think You wouldn't prefer your mate to stay mad at you, would you?"
"Absolutely not," He smiled, looking excited like a teenage boy getting the chance to meet his girlfriend passed in his hand, "Thank you so much, sir. I don't even know how to thank you enough."
"Making the list of the next few charities that require a donation, in your office time would serve the purpose well. Now I want you out of my cabin."
"Okay, sir. Thank you." He was about to turn around and walk away when something flicked in his orbs and he halted to a stop halfway.
"Sir, if you don't mind can I ask you something?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"I don't have any idea what I should give her for our anniversary. I'm kind of bad at understanding women, what they want and—"
"Love— All a woman wants is love. They are like flowers, if you give them love they flourish, brighten your life, double your happiness, and stick with you through seasons despite having their petals fall, strength perish but if you decide to crush her under your feet, she'll never grow in your garden again— So, if you wish to keep her happy, love her and treat her like she deserves," I couldn't help but get lost into the memories of my mate that resided beside every of my heartbeat, indeed I lost a gem, "Some people learn it the hard way, but those who get the chance to realise it before it gets too late are truly the luckiest ones."
Eddie fell silent. Perhaps confused by the sudden change in my expression even though I couldn't help, or perhaps it could be my words that were partly out of context.
"Sir, I—"
"Oh, you were asking about what gift you should give her, right?" I chuckled, shrugging it away, "A bouquet, a dress of her favourite colour. bunch of chocolates and a beautiful ring or necklace— Nothing can be more of a deadly combination to impress your mate."
"Thanks again, sir. I'd do that," He flashed me a smile, "You are truly a very kind person. Your mate and family must be so lucky to have you." With that nod, he walked out of the room.
My preferred silence fell into the room, however, my thoughts went louder—His last words replayed in my head in a loop.
No. My mate wasn't the lucky one. Goddess has done the most injustice to her by giving her a cruel monster like me as a mate.
My family.....I unknowingly shattered it before my child could even step into this world. I failed to protect our baby. I was the one to be held responsible for everything that has happened— My enemies snatched away the innocent soul and I as a father couldn't do anything— I was a fucking failure. I failed my mate, I failed us.
And if there was anyone who has been lucky amidst everything, that was me— A worthless person who got a chance to have a chance at the heaven that goddess has given me in the hell I'd once created. My beautiful Athena....my soulmate.
She came into my life like an angel— Gave me a chance to live the heaven, mended me back, fixed me in a way that left no cracks for the demons to ever creep back, and took away the deadly curse far away but in the end, I lost her....forever.
I have lost her.
Despite having everything, I still had nothing.