I walked toward the corner to grab the broom and start cleaning up the trash in the venue. As I did, I turned to Evelyn and the others and said, “Have fun. I really can’t make it today.”
“Alright, that’s a shame,” Evelyn sighed, pulling Judy away.
“Seraphina, I really think you should go and have some fun,” Rebecca chimed in. “Honestly, you don’t have to work. I’ll still pay you. Just go and enjoy yourself. Thank you for standing up for the Eagle Club today.”
“No, Rebecca. I’d rather do my job,” I replied, sweeping the floor.
“You’re the most stubborn girl I’ve ever met. No wonder Kael took a liking to you,” Rebecca said with a resigned laugh.
The cleaning continued. There were four of us, so the work went quickly. However, the other three seemed eager to join the party. Once they finished gathering the trash, they turned to me. “Seraphina, could you handle the final touches? We’d like to go to the party, have a drink, and relax.”
“Of course,” I smiled. “Have fun.”
After they left with the trash, the remaining tasks were simple-wiping down the boxing ring and such. Soon, I was the only one left in the venue. When it was crowded, the place felt cramped. Now, with so few people, it felt vast and empty.
As I was tidying up, I suddenly heard footsteps behind me. I thought the others had returned. But when I turned around, I saw Kael holding a bottle of champagne. As I faced him, he twisted the cap off, and the bubbles burst out, splashing onto me.
“Damn it, what are you doing?!” I exclaimed, covering my face and frantically wiping the foam off my cheeks.
Kael laughed. “Seraphina, I thought you should celebrate with me.”
In his other hand, he held a wine glass, pouring champagne and handing it to me. Under the light, his deep brown eyes sparkled like agate, mesmerizing as if they held an ocean ready to engulf me. My heart seemed to stop, and I instinctively took the glass.
Kael poured himself a drink, then clinked his glass against mine. The sound was crisp and clear. Before I could react, he downed his champagne in one go. Then he looked at me. “Seraphina, why aren’t you drinking?”
I took a sip, then asked, “Shouldn’t you be at the celebration party?”
“Celebration party? Sure, Seraphina. But if you’re not there, what’s the point? I’d rather stay here and celebrate with you.”
“You’re crazy. You’re the whole point of the party.”
“No, I don’t think so. Every fighter who participated in the match today deserves that party, including your ex-boyfriend,” Kael said with a grin.
He set his glass aside and walked up to me, pulling me into his arms. The strong scent of his cologne enveloped me, and his body heat wrapped around me like a warm blanket.
“Thank you, Seraphina. You stood up for me today, and honestly, it made me really happy.”
I knew Kael would bring this up! I regretted speaking out in the moment because I wanted to keep my distance from him. But by standing up for him, I’d already made it clear that I liked him. There was no denying it now.
“Because I know your true identity. You’d never take performance enhancers.”
He was a werewolf, after all. Why would he need enhancers? As soon as I finished speaking, I heard Kael chuckle softly. Pressed against his chest, I could feel the vibrations of his laughter, sending a shiver through my body.
“Thank you for trusting me, Seraphina. I love you.”
With that, he picked me up. “So, how about we go to my apartment and celebrate?”
His intentions were clear, and deep down, I didn’t want to refuse him. Tonight, at this pivotal moment, I’d already come to understand my feelings. But I also knew that love didn’t necessarily mean being together. It was enough to enjoy the present.
God, when that thought flashed through my mind, I was shocked. When had my attitude toward love changed so drastically? I’d come to believe that as long as I could enjoy the moment, the future didn’t matter.
Still, I felt I had to finish my work. “Wait, Kael. I still have work to do.”
“I’ll help. What needs to be done?” he asked.
“I need to wipe down the boxing ring, mop the floor, and put all the cleaning tools back in the storage room,” I said. “It’s not simple.”
But Kael had already tossed me a cloth and grabbed the mop. “Enough talking. You clean the ring. I’ll mop.”
His words were followed by immediate action. I watched him mop with such intensity that I was momentarily stunned. Who knew he’d be so thorough and strong? In no time, he’d already finished half the floor.
“If you’re just going to stand there, I’ll clean the ring too once I’m done.”
“No, I’ll do it,” I quickly refused, then jumped onto the boxing ring. As I wiped it down, I kept glancing at Kael. He wore a white T-shirt, his muscular frame subtly visible beneath it, exuding a wild charm.
Who would’ve thought I’d ever be close to a man like this? And a werewolf, no less. It felt like something out of a drama. Thinking about how far Kael and I had come since we first met, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion.
When we were done, I carried the cleaning supplies and stored them in the storage room. The club was empty now; everyone had gone to the party. But here I was, walking beside this mountain of a man who had given up being the star of the celebration just to be with me.
I wondered if the party would descend into chaos. Would the girls notice Kael’s absence and start searching for him? My emotions were in turmoil.
I had to admit it-I was in love with this man. But I wouldn’t pursue a relationship with him. We were different species, destined never to be together. So I wouldn’t overthink it. I’d just enjoy the moment.
In the next instant, Kael pulled me close. A strong wind enveloped me, and the surroundings shifted. Before I knew it, we were in Kael’s apartment.