Gianna's POV:
It was a normal day when I woke up. I had plans to catch the bus so I could buy a new flower from the florist uptown. I had to hurry so Phillip wouldn't realize I'd left the house on my own.
It was when I stepped off the bus that my day changed. He was standing just steps away from the bus stop, staring at the florist shop I had planned to visit. His head was half-shaven, with the other side a cascade of long, luscious curls, and his eyes—sharp, stunning, and silver—were almost unreal. Only his middle fingernails were painted black, and he wore a bright red jacket, as if he wanted to stand out even more than he already did naturally.
"Are you going to the florist too?" I asked. At that moment, he glanced my way. His skin was flawless—aside from a mole under his right eye—and it made me envious.
"Yeah," he replied, then looked away and walked inside without another word. I followed. He should know I'm not stalking him, right?
Unlike me, who took time to look around, he went straight to Rira, the shop owner. He smiled when talking to her, and her face lit up so brightly that her wife would've been jealous if she saw it. After a short chat, Rira led him around the store, explaining the significance of each flower. He listened attentively.
"I'm amazed that you know so much," he said. She absent-mindedly played with her hair.
"I'm just glad to help."
They talked for about ten minutes before he finally left. I approached the counter with the potted plant I had chosen.
"Who was that? What did he want?"
"You're nosy today, Gianna," Rira said with a frown.
I scowled. "Well, he didn't buy anything, so I'm curious!"
She sighed and looked toward the door. "He did pay. He commissioned a big job from me—for a party. He was just giving me some extra information." She sighed again, a little sadly this time, like remembering something.
"That's it?" I prodded, trying to get more out of her.
"It's private," she said sternly. Then she rang up my plant. "That'll be $21.95."
I paid and left.
I spotted him through the crowded sidewalk almost immediately, waiting at a nearby crosswalk. I had to run to catch up.
"Hey!" I called out from his side. He didn't even turn to look at me—he only started walking when the light turned green.
"We met by the flower shop," I said as I walked beside him.
"Oh." It was something, at least.
"I know the area really well. I can help you get wherever you need to go! I can tell you're new around here." Because there's no way I wouldn't have noticed someone who looked like him before now.
"I don't need help," he said, keeping his steady pace down the sidewalk.
"My name is Gianna, by the way." He didn't reply, but he started taking longer strides. I struggled to keep up. "You must be lonely. I can keep you company." I was confident in my looks—no one had ever rejected me.
He suddenly stopped walking and turned to look at me properly for the first time. His face came inches from mine.
"Tell me..." His breath smelled like peppermint. His hair fell across his face, the light highlighting the dimples in his cheeks. "What do I need to do to make you leave me alone?"
His words—and how close he was—stunned me into silence. He groaned and walked away again.
I followed him in silence, trailing behind as he led us into a high-end shopping district. Most people couldn't even afford to eat here. Still, he moved like he knew exactly where he was going.
I wanted to ask if he was sure... but I stayed quiet and watched as he entered a bridal shop. He was only inside for thirty minutes before a man—who looked like the owner—escorted him out.
"We'll see you again in a week, Mr. Walker," the man said.
Walker smiled. "I look forward to what you come up with, William."
Then he turned to me and sneered. "Why are you still here?"
"I... lied. I mean, I'm willing to be your guide, but I really just think you're... interesting. I was hoping we could get drinks together?" I was being as straightforward as possible.
"No." His rejection was immediate and crushing.
"Why not?! Are you gay? Give me something!?"
"Do you have brain damage, or do you just lack common sense?" he snapped. Then he turned and walked away.
When I looked again, he was gone. Vanished—like he'd never been there. I looked left and right, but he was nowhere in sight.
It's not like I'm in love or anything... but he's exactly my type. And I'm not the type to give up easily.
"Gianna! We've been looking all over for you!" My agent, Phillip, shouted as he rushed up.
"How did you find me?!"
"I tracked your phone. That's not important—we have an appointment to get to now!" He grabbed my wrist and dragged me away before I could figure out where the mystery man had gone.
-END
CHAPTER 29 (Snowe's POV)
Zai locked the door to his room as soon as we stepped inside. He never locks it—no matter what we're doing.
"What's going on?" I asked, a bit anxious.
"You're too young to have memory loss," Zai replied, circling around until he stood in front of me.
"I know it's not our anniversary yet..." I said, confused.
He snickered—then vanished. A loud boom, a rush of wind—then I felt his arms wrap around me from behind.
"Do you want to keep guessing, or should I just tell you?" he whispered, his breath brushing my neck.
"...Tell me, please." Suddenly my arms were tied behind my back. Zai hoisted me over his shoulder and walked toward the bed.
"I held back because you had to work. So now it's time for payback."
I remembered! I flailed, but it was useless. My energy was fading, and I felt disconnected from water. This was the same rope he used during training! Do humans always feel this weak?
He tossed me onto the bed and pulled off his shirt. That alone killed my desire to escape. I had to pause and stare.
"Wait! I only tied you for five minutes, and Valin interrupted before I did anything!"
"I remember being tied up for two hours and seventeen minutes."
"You asked me to tie you up!"
He laughed, leaned down, and kissed me, melting my resistance further.
"Irrelevant. I asked for your help. I warned you." He brushed his hair back. With a touch of his fingers, it turned silver. His tattoos faded, and his skin began to glow. "So today, I'm not holding back."
"You... you... you, you..." I stammered. My face was hot. "You're beautiful," was all I managed, in a love-struck daze.
His hands framed my head. "So are you," he said teasingly.
He was still Zai—but even more dazzling. Even his eyes sparkled like stars. When our lips met, a jolt of pure pleasure ran through me. No pain, just overwhelming emotion—so strong that I began to tremble, tears spilling down my cheeks.
Zai pulled back, amused. "Why are you crying already? We just started."
I nearly passed out multiple times during those two hours. I thought he was bluffing—but no. When time was up, he untied me, but his hands stayed at my hips and lips at my neck.
"Transform. I want to see your eyes."
It was hard to focus. Every place our skin touched was on fire. "Snowe?" he asked, sitting up. The concern in his voice helped me center myself, and I transformed.
He sighed with relief and pressed his forehead to mine.
"You're a monster," I muttered.
Zai pouted. "Why would you say that?"
I knew he was faking the hurt, but I still felt a twinge of guilt. My energy began to recover quickly now that I was in my True Form.
"Did you learn your lesson?" he asked.
I gave him a defiant look. "...I'd do it again if given the chance."
His laughter filled the room.
"I love you so much," he said, kissing me deeply.
I finally threw my arms around him, holding him close.
The Next Morning
I woke up and checked my phone, surprised to see a text from Valin:
"Parallel lines have so much in common. It's a shame they'll never meet!"
Ugh, another math joke. The next message read:
"What's going on in there? Are you still alive?"
I felt my face flush. I sat up in bed. The comforter was green? Zai must've changed it while I slept. Wait—that's not important right now!
Oh no. Other people live here. Did RJ hear everything too?! How am I supposed to face them?
I shook Zai's shoulder. He grumbled, then sat up.
"What's going on?" he asked with a yawn.
"I... don't want to go downstairs alone." I wasn't going to tell him why. Too embarrassing.
He looked up at me affectionately. "Your eyes are my favorite color right now."
"What color is that?" I asked, distracted.
"Crimson red."
Again?! He reached under the bed, pulled his phone from his jeans, and aimed it at me.
"Are you taking my picture?!" I shrieked, covering my face.
"I want to remember how you looked at me before you power down. Consider it payment for waking up this early."
Reluctantly, I lowered my hands. He snapped the photo and showed it to me.
He wasn't exaggerating. This eye color was rare, triggered by feelings bordering on obsession. And I knew that was exactly what I felt every time I looked at him...
I've lost my mind.
Love this strong can be dangerous for my sanity.