Year 2002
Artemis made a mental note after her first marriage fell apart 'do not go after blonde men anymore'.
And yet here she was, sitting at the bench in front of the fountain at the center square of the Seven City, watching a blonde foreigner play with her son, Magnus.
She stared at Orlan, the person she met while looking for another job. He had blonde hair and a set of blue eyes that shine brighter when the sun rays hit them. He was a Westerner, a foreign man who went to this country for a vacation.
Artemis submitted her resignation for the NRA a year ago, Chaos tried to stop her but she refused to stay there anymore. She wanted to blame the NRA for her failed marriage but she can't help but feel rage at Jace. She knew that if he really loved her and Magnus, he wouldn't care of the means if the end point would be their family.
After a few days she was back on her feet, she needed to provide for Magnus and raise him on her own, that was until she met Orlan.
Orlan was lost while trying to search for his hotel in the nearby city. Artemis helped him on her way to her new work in a corporate industry. It had been months since then and Orlan continuously kept her in contact.
She couldn't lie she was attracted to him too. Even more so when she told him that she had just been from a divorce and that she was raising her son alone and his expression displayed fascination instead of pity.
"penny for your thoughts?"
Artemis flinched when Orlan sat beside her, she looked at Magnus and saw that Eos was there playing him.
"Uhh your sister said she came from the market and saw Magnus."
Artemis just nodded at Orlan. He was attractive, Artemis admitted that already, but she didn't know if she was supposed to be doing this.
She experienced her first love and first breakup thanks to Jace but she doesn't know if she could handle another heartbreak like that.
"Hey, Until when are you planning to stay here?"
Artemis knew that Orlan kept on delaying his flight because of her. She knew she was being assumptive but that was what she felt.
"Why? Do you want me to go already?"
Orlan who was sitting laid back looked at Artemis intently while the lass stared at Eos and Magnus.
"I don't like being uncertain Orlan, I want to know and hear from you directly, why are you still here?"
Orlan knew that Artemis wasn't an easy woman, he knew and yet he still can't help but be drawn to her.
"Because you're here"
Artemis felt a little leap of joy but that happiness was quickly washed over by the fear of being left behind again.
"You don't know me that well Orlan, you should stop it while it's still early"
"And why should I do that?"
"Because I can't reciprocate it, you'll only get hurt"
Orlan just smiled at Artemis. He wasn't a genius but Artemis was predictable for him. In just a month that he had been with her, he can't deny the fact that he could read her like an open book.
"Seeing that reaction just makes me want to stay longer Artie"
"Don't call me that"
Artie was what Jace had always called her and truthfully she hated that nickname now more than ever.
"The fact that you are concerned for my well-being is enough to prove that somehow you are attracted to me. I just need to keep pushing more"
He smiled and all Artemis could think was how it warms her heart that someone was smiling at her like this.
"There's no need to rush Artemis, I'll make you fall in love. Both you and Magnus"
"Why?"
Artemis couldn't understand how someone could still love her even though she had already given all her first to another man. She might have a different religion and worship different Gods, but she knew that no man wants someone, who in their terms, had already been damaged.
And she had long accepted that she wouldn't be able to get married again after Jace.
So she couldn't understand just how another person was willing to give her that chance again even to the point where he was willing to love Magnus too.
Was this how love is?
Is this the love that she needs now?
"Why me out of all people? I already have a child you know"
Artemis repeated her question when she didn't hear Orlan's answer. She stared at him, tears welling up in her eyes threatening to fall for another second.
"Why not you? And if you're thinking that Magnus is enough reason for me not to fall for you, you're wrong."
Artemis' tears finally fell. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She thought that everything fell apart the moment Jace decided to leave her.
She gave up the job she loves and the man she gave her heart to but right here and now, Orlan, another man was willing to give her the joyful life she wished so hard to have.
"It's a win-win situation for me if you ask. I get to have a son and a wife at the same time. So, Artemis, why not you?"