NEVER LET YOU GO

It has been a few weeks since I've made a full recovery. Few weeks since I've made it clear that I don't want Derek near me ever again. I've shed a couple of pounds of meat around my belly. I'm starting to look normal again.

Getting past the painful phase of my life is surprisingly easier than I thought. But there is another factor that is maintaining my stress: My mate who is refusing to back down from trying to meet me.

The intimidating text is sent by none other than Derek. He showed up at my workplace a couple of times, only to be kicked out by the security. The firm at which I work at gives me a good opportunity to rise to fame as I work as their fashion designer. They keep telling me they've yet to find a better employee, but I stay humble and modest. My workplace is aware of Derek. My boss is an alpha werewolf himself, an ally of Derek's pack.

But what Derek has been doing recently caught everyone off guard, including myself. Hasn't it made it extremely clear that Gwyneth is his top priority? Or have I failed to make it clear that we were done at the ceremony?

Once again, I ignore his message and am tempted to block his number. Yes, it could be childish of me to ignore his texts and refuse to meet him. But I have a heart that he is terribly failing at reading. It aches everyday. I hold the pictures of my little bean's USG everyday and cry myself to sleep.

The desperacy in his words in the message might have moved me. Heck! It would've moved mountains if they were as naive. But I am way past this nonsense. For the first time in my life, I'm thriving with my selfishness.

“Hey, Aria. Someone's here for you.” Said my coworker as I shot her a look. Abandoning the project, I curiously look outside the window and not so surprisingly, find Derek waiting in the scorching heat against his black Audi R8. I scoff, rolling my eyes and getting back to work.

Leaving the company for the day, I take the public transport back home. After the car crash and the toll it took, I'm left with deep trauma and was advised to not drive myself anywhere anymore. When I reach my little house in the heart of the city, I find a familiar car on the driveway. Panicking, I turn right back on my heel and start jogging away. I wait in the cafe for at least an hour. The nightfall was beautiful, I wish I could stay for longer to view the Christmas snow but I'm exhausted beyond my limits.

Waiting patiently for half an hour more, pressing the third tab of my espresso down on the table, I leave after paying. I walk like a zombie back to my place, only to discover another futile attempt made by Derek to reconcile. These past few weeks, I've been receiving food deliveries and extravagant gifts from him without a break. I honestly thought I was affecting his budget, but it's his mistake for sending me all those gifts because all of them were fed to my versatile trash can.

“So that's what you do with all of my gifts.” The voice makes me jump out of my skin! I swiftly turn around only to be caught in his arms tightly, “How dare you disregard me like that, Aria?”

“And how dare you disregard my feelings for the past few months? You're a loser, oh yes you are. That's why you held Gwyneth under the moonlight like she is your mate and left ME on the sidelines as if I was your—” I wasn't able to finish my rant. His soft lips took control of mine. As soon as I gathered enough energy, I pushed him away with all my might!

“You're forcing yourself onto me!” I said, my emotions getting the best of me! All these recovery meds I've been taking are the reason for my emotional vulnerability. I break down, sitting on the steps as he switches the light on.

“Baby, Aria. It was a misunderstanding. It was nothing but our friendly reunion after such a long time. She and I celebrate that special event every year when she is my mate. But you, you make it seem so special—” I cut him off.

“I heard enough. Leave me, or I'll be forced to involve special law for your species.” I warn him harshly. His eyes widen, and I know it made him rethink. At once, Derek stands up and is attempting to leave hesitantly. However, he looks at me over his shoulder and says,

“We will talk whenever you're in the right mind.” He says, pain laced in his voice as he walks away. For sure, his Audi wasn't parked anywhere close. Wiping my tears, heaving heavy breaths to recover from the turmoil, I step into my house. I had to change the locks around my house because Derek could enter anytime and ruin my peace and privacy.

“Right mind, tch!” I scoff bitterly. Just then, my phone rings and I check the ID to be ‘Darla’. Darla is a friend of Gwyneth and Derek, but she's been my friend as well. I clear my throat and answer her.

“Hey, Aria my babe!” Surely, her enthusiasm has always been contagious. Crashing on my worn out couch, I answer tiredly, “Hey babe. How are you?”

“Oh Jeez, forget about me. You sound bad. But hey! I always have remedy on me! I took the effort to book tickets for an amusement park date! There will be other people as well, but it's going to be fun! You are coming with me and that's it.” I chuckle at how demanding yet adoringly childish she sounds.

“Fine. I could use some amusement time. I'll take the day off and meet you at the venue. Thanks, babe.” I say to the sweet woman. Little did I know who was about to be there and what was about to go down the hill for me.