The cafe felt warm and cosy, with soft lighting and people scattered around. Raindrops fell against the windows, creating a soothing sound. Mac sat at a corner table, his eyes fixed on the rain outside. He couldn't help but feel a connection to his inner Lycan nature, heightened by the scent of wet earth in the air.
As he waited for Leyla, he tried to keep a serious expression, not wanting to let his guard down. The raindrops on the roof reminded him of his wild instincts, but he kept them in check. Despite the comfortable atmosphere of the cafe, he couldn't fully relax. He remained focused, repeatedly moving his gaze to the entrance.
Then suddenly his mind wandered back to the unexpected encounter with Beth at the airport. The encounter which changed his life entirely. He couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion and bewilderment. Her face remained a blurry image in his memory, and he couldn't recall where she had come from or what her intentions were.
"What do you want?" When Leyla stood before him, folding her arms defiantly, he was snapped out of his thoughts.
Mac's gaze shifted from the rain-drenched window to Leyla, her words slicing through the air like a knife. He felt her defiant energy, her unwavering determination. The question hung in the air, demanding an answer.
A momentary pause filled the space between them as Mac composed himself, his cold exterior not betraying the whirlwind of thoughts within. He knew he had to choose his words carefully, maintaining his guarded demeanour.
"What do I want?" he repeated, his voice tinged with a hint of detachment. He allowed a brief silence to linger, a calculated move to assert his control.
"I want closure," he finally replied, his words laced with a cool resolve. "I want to understand where things went wrong, to untangle the knots that have bound us for so long."
Leyla's arms remained folded, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. He could sense her resistance, her reluctance to open old wounds. But he couldn't let his guard down, not now.
"I'm not here to beg for forgiveness or make empty promises," he continued, his tone steady. "I want to find a resolution, a way to move forward or part ways amicably if that's what you desire."
There was a flicker of uncertainty in Leyla's eyes, a hint of vulnerability. Mac's cold facade masked any trace of empathy, though a part of him longed for a connection, for a glimmer of understanding.
"I won't force you to accept anything," he added, his voice devoid of emotion. "But I believe it's time for us to address the unfinished business between us, to confront the pain and find a way to coexist or separate without further agony."
Leyla remained silent, her eyes locked with his, searching for sincerity or perhaps a sign of weakness. But Mac held his ground, his resolve unyielding.
"I want resolution, Leyla," he reiterated, his voice firm. "And I hope you're willing to find it with me, even if it means braving the storm that lies ahead."
The rain outside continued to pour, a reflection of the tumultuous emotions that swirled within them. Mac remained stoic, waiting for Leyla's response, prepared to face whatever outcome their conversation would bring.
Her voice trembled with a hint of helplessness as she posed the question, "Did you ever truly love me?"
Mac, unimpressed by her vulnerability, let out a scornful scoff in response. "What kind of nonsense question is that?" he retorted dismissively, his icy demeanour unwavering. "Of course, if not, then why would I seek this negotiation even after six months?"
Leyla persisted, her voice trembling as she questioned, "Then why would you cheat on me?" She fought to maintain her composure, attempting to project strength.
"I've already told you countless times, I didn't cheat on you," he retorted, his tone strained as he struggled to keep his emotions in check.
She pressed her palm against the table, as she questioned in a quivering voice, "Then why were you hugging..."
Suddenly, Mac's anger surged, causing him to slam his hand on the table and rise to his feet. "I said I..." He abruptly halted his words, realising that the attention of all the humans in the vicinity had shifted towards him, their curious gazes prying into their private matters.
Dropping back to his seat, he huffed, wishing he could take their eyes away, but he knew he couldn't.
"I thought maybe you'd be willing to have a civilised conversation for once," he murmured, staring at the table. "I should have known better than to expect anything from you."
Leyla's resolve strengthened, and she crossed her arms even tighter. She had grown tired of his indifference and dismissive attitude. She had hoped for empathy, but it seemed beyond his abilities.
"Can you stop acting like you are the victim?" she muttered.
"Can you start trusting my words?"
"When you can provide concrete evidence that there was no cheating involved, then I will trust your words. Show me proof that the woman means nothing to you," she responded, her voice tinged with frustration.
"I…" he trailed off as his acute sense of smell picked up on a familiar scent, instantly putting him on high alert. His nostrils flared slightly, and he instinctively scanned his surroundings, trying to pinpoint the source.
When he couldn't locate it, he made a move to leave the cafe, but Leyla blocked his path and asked, "Where do you think you're going?"
"I've discovered a means to prove my innocence. Just give me a moment!" he exclaimed, and hurriedly made his way out, abruptly abandoning the ongoing conversation.
Looking for a while, he finally caught sight of Beth, the person he had been searching for relentlessly.
"Finally! It's you," his words of relief were followed by the flash of lighting making her squat on the ground.
A surge of unfamiliar emotions coursed through Mac as he witnessed Beth's fear and vulnerability. Without thinking, he instinctively reached out, his hand extending towards her trembling form. At that moment, the barriers he had built around his lycanthropic nature seemed to weaken, overridden by a deep-rooted instinct to provide comfort and protection.
His usual stoicism momentarily forgotten, he enveloped her in a firm embrace, his strong arms encircling her delicate frame. The rhythm of her heartbeat against his chest resonated within him, and he felt so drawn to it.
When the chaos of the moment subsided, they shared a silent connection, their gaze locked on the reflection of the bakery display. In that fleeting instant, time seemed to stand still, and the world around them faded away.
It was as if a doorway had opened to a realm where only they existed, their emotions intertwining in a dance of vulnerability and longing. The intensity of their connection was palpable, enveloping them in a profound sense of understanding and possibility.
For that moment, they transcended the confines of reality, lost in a realm where their souls could speak without words. But just as quickly as it began, the spell was broken, shattered by the honking of a car horn, snapping them back to the present. They reluctantly averted their gaze, and pulled away, their hearts heavy with unspoken words and unexplored depths of emotion.
"I... I…" she stammered, her voice trembling with nervousness. But she couldn't go any further as a loud slap landed on her face, shocking her into silence. Her hand instinctively flew to her cheek, the sting of the impact radiating through her entire being.