I sat in the corner of Rafe's room, out of breath, trying to figure out how to get out of here. My gaze was fixed on the diary in my hand. "Where should I go?" the longer I pondered, the closer Rafe and Aline's footsteps became. This is hazardous! If Rafe discovered that I had entered his room to read his diary, my life would be over. The sound of footsteps could be heard outside the door. My heart was pounding. Rafe was there! What about Aline? I jumped under the mattress, hiding beneath the narrow, dark bed. I could see both of their feet from between the mattresses. This was a desperate act; I was still clutching the diary and hoping Rafe and Aline would leave soon. This is dreadful! When the two people entered, Aline was flirting with Rafe as usual. She was smitten with Rafe. She was so obsessed with him that she refused to let him go for anyone."How about we go to France for our second honeymoon, Rafe?" "I miss Paris," she said spoiledly. Rafe simply laughed. "All right, A
I stared at the page of Rafe's diary that suddenly opened, as if haunted by an inevitable fate.The words on the page felt alive, as if they were speaking directly to me.I read, absorbing every word Rafe wrote about his search for a Fated Mate, a concept that had been a myth in our lives.Rafe had delved into old books and manuscripts, seeking to learn more about the Fated Mate. He wrote down a dream he had, in which he felt a strange sensation in his chest, a sign believed to be characteristic when one meets his Fated Mate."I believe Aline is my Fated Mate," Rafedi wrote in his diary."I felt something strange when I said yes to Aline's love before. Isn't that a sign of a Fated Mate?" that was Rafedi's writing that I read and made me shake my head.I was still under the bed now, waiting for Rafe and Aline who were still chatting. My heart was beating fast, between curiosity about the contents of the diary and fear of being found out by Rafe and Aline."Rafe, let's go", I eavesdropp
Something unusual happened when my fingertips stroked the ancient pages of the grimoire.A slight bulge was hidden on the inside of the lid.I carefully pulled it away, revealing an antique penny below.In my palm, the coin seemed weighty, like if it housed decades of secrets. The name of a location was etched on its surface: "Willowmere."To be honest, I had no idea what inscriptions were etched on this coin. Despite this, I was able to decipher the lettering as if there was some undiscovered supernatural help."How is that possible?""And what is Wilowmare?"I stroked the coin that was possibly several times my age now, I scrutinized its surface."Willowmare, is this a place name?"I unlocked my phone and searched for the name, hoping to find any record of the place.It turned out to be the name of a historic settlement that had been replaced by a lush protected forest."Willowmare Village, the village lost to the God's curse," one of the article titles I discovered read. There was
I hastily knotted my shoelaces while searching my rucksack for a walkie-talkie, flashlight, and a tiny knife."I don't want something like what happened in Borneo to happen again"My heart is racing, knowing that this isn't just another meeting.Faghri, my business partner and mentor, had requested me to meet in a dark nook near an ice cream shop.It's early in the morning, but it's the time I said I'd be there. Maybe not, given that I arrived to the party a few minutes late.Faghri was already waiting for me when I arrived, standing in the shadows, his eyes nervously scanning the surroundings."You're five minutes late," he pointed out."Sorry, I had some business to attend to," I said, catching my breath.Yes, I had difficulty getting out of Rafe's house without the guards noticing. I even pretended to go for a quick jog and then change my clothing not far from home."Then let's get going," Faghri continued.We were soon on our way, making our way down the desolate road into the pro
I had been prepared for the worst, anticipating that the animal might be another snake."Calm down, Luna, it's not a snake," Faghri whispered, his eyes fixed on the swaying shrub in front of me.My terror of the enigmatic animals in this woodland nearly incapacitated me at the time.However, it appeared that my fate had been luckier than I had imagined; what emerged was a rabbit, and I glanced at Faghri with relief."Good thing," I remarked, and Faghri agreed with a nod.Faghri and I agreed to continue our adventure, becoming increasingly careful as we went.We continued into the deep woodland, the light rising higher above us.I followed Faghri, who appeared to be an expert in wilderness navigation."Sometimes I forget Faghri even dares to venture into the jungles of Borneo alone," I said to myself.I had encountered Faghri by chance in the dark forest on a prior event in Borneo. He appeared accustomed to living and exploring in such environment."Luna, stop," Faghri replied abruptly
Faghri and I decided to take a break on the riverbank. We'd been strolling for a while; it was probably lunchtime by then.My entire body was exhausted. The river ran quietly, creating a peaceful atmosphere.I sat on a rock on the riverbank and sank my feet into the water."This is really fresh," I thought, as if the stream could temporarily wash away my exhaustion.Faghri sat down, his gaze fixed on the stream. "You know," he softly added, this river is like life." Always changing, never the same, brimming with possibilities and secrets.""Where else did you get such beautiful words?""This comes from a philosopher. He said that immersing yourself in a river would change your life forever. Because everything changes and everything flows.""The river we see now, the flow of water, is different from what we saw a second ago," Faghri said.This statement took me by surprise. How could someone's nature change as swiftly as Faghri's?"You studied too, right?" I inquired.Faghri nodded, hi
I got the impression that our objective was getting closer as we walked down the river for about two hours."What's that?" When I noticed a pole the size of a coconut tree ahead, I softly muttered. It appeared to be an ancient stone monument.As I approached the old stone structure that stood majestically beside the river, I hastened my pace.The midday breeze swirled through my hair, creating a lovely mess. The monolith, which appeared to be centuries old, looked at me strangely."Is this part of Willowmare village?"The monument appeared to be one-of-a-kind and to have a long history. If it could tell a story, it may describe the rush and bustle of Willowmare village in the past.Faghri came up behind me and followed in my footsteps."Luna, this monument is kind of weird.""Yeah, I think we can find a clue here," I said Faghri.The monument was overgrown with moss, which likely obscured many of its inscriptions.We both swiftly swept away the moss that had clung to the stone, reveal
Faghri snatched several packs of instant noodles from his bag. They are, indeed, the best item to eat while camping in the wilderness."Do you like instant noodles, Luna?""Of course," I said.Yes, as a poor woman, even quick noodles may be considered a savior back then.They are inexpensive and filling, but they are not healthful. But what else can you do with a limited budget?Faghri was serious as he cooked the boiled noodles near the river. Between me, the campfire danced, putting a warm glow on his face.He stirred the noodles quickly, and the unmistakable aroma of boiling noodles quickly filled the air.This was a side of Faghri that I had never expected to see in this blond man."Here, try this," he offered, handing him a dish of boiling boiled noodles.The aroma was enticing and seductive, and it seemed to seduce my nose tonight.I took my first mouthful while sitting next him. It was excellent and just right.It was absolutely tasty, even on a cold night in the forest beside
"You know, Miss Luna has made significant contributions to the rural communities of Borneo by establishing numerous educational institutions," is a statement that captures the essence of local discussions. Luna's charitable efforts, known throughout the region, have had a significant impact on this large Asian island.In her own words during an interview, Luna expressed her desire to give back to the community that has supported her, saying, "My life has been greatly enriched by the people here, and I feel compelled to return their kindness. Luna's motivations go beyond this singular sentiment, however.Known for orchestrating various charitable activities, Luna has a reputation for building not only schools but also hospitals and actively participating in various humanitarian endeavors.A recent event illustrates her prominence: a throng of journalists gathered around her, each eager to ask their pressing questions. In the midst of the crowd, one reporter took the opportunity to ask
The long awaited day has finally arrived. Today is the wedding of the son of the richest man, a prominent business tycoon. The atmosphere is one of joy and celebration, enhanced by a clear, sunny sky that seems to bless the couple's union.As they stand before their loved ones, Rafe looks lovingly into Luna's eyes and vows, "I accept your love and promise to love you for the rest of my life. Their love, pure and strong, resonates with everyone in the room.The crowd erupts in cheers as they witness this sacred bond being formed. But amidst the jubilant atmosphere, a lone figure stands in a corner of the party room, tears streaming down his face.Recognizing him, Luna calls out, "Faghri," but quickly corrects herself with a respectful tone, "Ah, I mean Mr. President. Her smile is bright and inviting.Faghri, overwhelmed with emotion, returns Luna's smile sincerely, his tears a testament to the depth of his feelings on this momentous occasion.It was obvious that Faghri still harbored s
We visited my grandmother's grave and found the place unkempt. As Rafe had mentioned, her grave had remained intact, contradicting my belief that it had been torn down due to the surrounding new construction."Luna, come on," Rafe urged, leading me to the cemetery.I grabbed some tools and started clearing the overgrown grass."Why hasn't this cemetery been torn down?" I asked, aware of the ruthless business tactics often employed these days, where even homes are not spared for the sake of profit."The company that owns the adjacent property is having financial difficulties," Rafe informed me.Then he added, "I plan to buy all that land," leaving me stunned."Thank you," I said, realizing that expressing gratitude had become a habit for me. I truly appreciated all that he had done.After tending to the grave, Rafe and I decided to dine at a nearby restaurant. Its simple charm was refreshing, a reminder of how much I missed such unpretentious places.Having spent the past month indulgi
I never thought it would end. The last few months have been really exhausting for me and I'm glad they're finally over."Luna, what are you going to wear?" Rafe asked as he approached me with a group of people behind him. They seemed to be famous fashion designers."What do you think would look good on me?" I replied, bringing out Rafe's playful side."Anything looks good on you, Luna," he flirted, earning nothing more than a playful flick of my tongue in return. Rafe laughed heartily, his demeanor so different from before.He seemed much more alive and approachable now, almost like a new person."Did you hear about Faghri? He's going to run for president," Rafe announced, taking me completely by surprise. Faghri, once notorious for his ruthless ways, had transformed himself into a respectable figure, and now he was eyeing the presidency."Rafe, you're serious, aren't you?" I asked, looking for confirmation in his expression. He nodded solemnly, confirming the surprising news."I'm se
That morning, the shocking news reverberated across all media platforms, sending waves of disbelief around the world. Television programs, newspapers, and online outlets all carried the same headline: "Assassination at the President's Office: President Etas fatally shot by trusted aide". The uniformity of the reports, which all followed the same chronology, was striking, with not a single source challenging the narrative of President Etas' untimely demise.In stark contrast to this grim news, a more personal story was unfolding in an old but grand home. Here, Rafe and Aline were seen in a tender embrace, their affection evident in front of Rafe's parents. The atmosphere was one of familial warmth and impending change."Rafe, have you decided who you are going to marry?" inquired Rafe's father, a hint of expectation in his voice. Rafe's answer was a nod, followed by a frank admission, "Legally, I am married to Luna. But in matters of the heart, not yet." His words revealed a complicate
The presidential palace was eerily quiet that day, a stark contrast to the tightly secured perimeter outside. Inside, however, the atmosphere in the President's private chamber was anything but calm.Aline's father, the President, was visibly seething with rage. His face was contorted with rage, the veins on his neck were pronounced, and his body tensed as if ready to spring into action. The anger inside him had reached a boiling point."Bastards! I'll kill them all," he roared, the words thick with raw emotion.The tragic death of his daughter Aline had devastated him. Ironically, he had denied her Secret Service protection out of respect for her wishes to engage in something illegal, a decision he now bitterly regretted."I swear, everyone involved will pay," he bellowed, his tone dripping with vehemence.In a fit of desperation, he threw a paper across his desk, his demeanor mirroring that of someone lost in a terrifying episode of unbridled madness.At that moment, there was a ten
On the other side of the picturesque park where love once blossomed, next to a quiet street, Faghri sat alone, lost in thought."It seems I took too long to realize it," he murmured to himself, reflecting on his past mistakes.It was a moment of deep regret for Poria. He lamented that he had not met Luna earlier and thought about a different fate."If I had met Luna earlier, would I have been the one she loved?" Faghri wondered aloud.He sat brooding in solitude, struggling with a fate that seemed inexplicable and unfair."Never mind," he finally sighed, trying to accept what he couldn't change.As tears trickled down his cheeks, Faghri quickly wiped them away, trying to regain his composure.Looking back, he noticed that Luna and Rafe had returned. They seemed to have reconciled and returned to normal. Faghri watched them, a mixture of relief and sadness in his heart."How was it? Was the curse finally lifted?" asked Faghri, trying to maintain a calm and undisturbed demeanor regardin
Luna chased Rafe to the edge of the highway, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination. Rafe stood dangerously close to the edge, his eyes a lifeless gray that reflected his apparent resignation to ending his life."Rafe!" Luna's voice broke through the tense air, a mixture of fear and relief coloring her tone.Rafe turned, his expression one of disbelief. "Why are you here?" he asked, his words laced with disbelief.Without a word, Luna delivered a powerful punch to Rafe's cheek, leaving him momentarily stunned. Her voice, trembling with a cocktail of emotions, scolded him, "What's the point of us surviving all this time if you're just going to throw your life away?"As Rafe looked at her, his eyes changed, darkening with a resurgence of hatred. "Luna...go away. I don't want to kill you," he said softly, his voice strained with the effort of suppressing his darker impulses.It was all because of the Alpha Oath that Rafe harbored a deep-seated desire for revenge agai
I opened the letter Faghri had just given me. It was a letter written directly from Rafe, who was nowhere to be found.**To Luna,I know I've caused you a lot of trouble. I selfishly planned to save us both from this terrible fate, but now I realize that may not be possible. It seems that one of us must make a sacrifice, and I have chosen to be the one to do so.Luna, perhaps we will meet again in our next reincarnation, hopefully free of this curse. Before I met you, I lived a lonely life, but your presence brought color to my world.For you, Luna, I cannot break the Alpha Oath. After Aline's death, my desire for revenge has grown. I am torn between wanting to hurt you and loving you.You no longer need to look for me. If my father asks, please give him this letter. I do not want to bring suffering to anyone, so I have decided to end my life.I believe the waves will take me to the next life.Thank you, Luna.**The message ended with my heart racing wildly. This message was a clear