CHAPTER 4 – Turquoise

DAVID

I didn’t leave her out of my eyes, and when she reached her seabed, she wrapped herself up in a towel. I returned to my own and started drinking my beer, watching her.

My heart sank when a little girl climbed on her lap and hugged her tightly. She resembled her a lot, from what I could make out from the distance. After a while, two older boys sat on either side of her, and she started offering them fruit from a plastic container she held.

‘So, our mate is married with children.’ Zeus said, obviously disappointed.

‘And a human as well. She was oblivious to our bond.’ I continued.

‘Hmmm.’ He responded, still upset.

I ordered another beer and continued observing Ariadne and her family. Their kids were playing around, and she was talking with a man. I believe it was her husband.

Lucky fucker!

Good thing they stayed only for half an hour, and my torture didn’t last longer. My heart was in pain at the abhorrent truth that she had a family, contrary to the fact that I was utterly elated that I had finally found her.

My search was over.

I discreetly followed their car. I wanted to know where their house was. We ended up in a small neighborhood with similarly built houses. It was close to the place I first scented her on Friday night. Their home was the middle one among a triplet. I was sitting in my vehicle, monitoring their car park, then unloading the kids and stuff. When they were all in the house, I left for the hotel.

~~~

I reached the hotel room exactly at two p.m. I ordered food and headed to the shower.

After an hour, I was lying down on my bed with my hands under my head, contemplating my next move.

“Ariadne...” I tested her name on my lips. I really liked it. Wonderful name. It suited her. Distinctive and lovely. Just like her. I was smiling to myself; thinking of her pretty face, her gorgeous body, and without even comprehending it I fell into a peaceful slumber.

Lost... I was lost...

Drowning...

Light hues of blue mix perfectly with green glittering beads, creating a special shade of blue-green.

Turquoise...

That was the color of her eyes.

Turquoise.

Unique and divine.

I found myself staring into her mesmerizing eyes again... Zooming out; I caught a glimpse of her face. And she smiled at me again. That perfect smile. Straight, bright white teeth sparkling, blinding me. “David,” she said giggling... her angelic voice tingled my ears. She was calling me. My heart constricted in my chest.

I was left breathless...

I abruptly sat up in bed, panting. That was a dream. A wonderful dream. She was a miracle and beyond. I looked at the time. It was seven in the afternoon. Strange! I fell asleep in the middle of the ... day. Who? Me? I never remember myself sleeping through the day. It must be the stress after so many years of tension and anxiety, looking for her.

I needed to see her again. I wore shorts and a T-shirt, fastened my sneakers, and ran down the stairs from my room. I intended to go for a long run to clear my head because I had plans to do tonight.

A little later, I was running without knowing where I was heading. I found myself near her neighborhood. I was running in circles, hoping that I could catch a glimpse of her. And it seemed like my luck was smiling at me.

I saw her from afar, walking rapidly, clutching a large plastic shopping bag in each hand. I neared her from behind. That sexy ass she had caught my eye... Her scent intoxicated me. Hell, I wanted her so badly.

When I was just a couple of meters away, I noticed that she was panting, and her knuckles were white from the pressure. Her bags must be heavy for her. I overpassed her jogging, pretending I didn’t see her at first, but after a few meters, I stopped and turned to her.

“Ariadne?” I smiled, showing that I was surprised to see her.

“Hi, Mr. David.” She said panting.

“Need some help?” I offered.

“No, thank you. I’m all right.” She spoke. She was red and sweaty from the struggle. She stopped and placed her bags down. Apparently, she needed a break.

“What a gentleman would I be if I wouldn’t offer my help to a damsel in distress?” I countered, smirking smugly.

“I’m neither a damsel, nor am I in distress. I’m a stupid, fully grown-up lady who carried away shopping, totally forgetting that I went on foot today and not by car.” She blamed herself.

“I’ll help you,” I demanded, bending down and taking her groceries. To me, it was like a feather, but for her, it might be really heavy.

“There’s no need. Really. I live nearby.” She tried, but I didn’t back down. I started walking, slowly. She followed.

“Thanks.” She said it shyly. I just nodded and smiled.

We were walking in a cozy silence, and I realized that it was a chance for me to find out more about her.

“So, how old are you, Ariadne?” I asked casually. I liked saying her name.

She stopped in her tracks, tilting her head towards me and glaring at me with doe eyes.

“That was rude!” She said, shocked.

“My bad... But why?” I asked, confused.

“Well, it’s not polite to ask a woman either her age or her weight.” She stated, shaking her head in disapproval.

“OK, sorry. I wasn’t aware of that.” From where I come from, we don’t have such inhibitions.

“Thirty.” She breathed.

Thirty? Were we only a couple of years apart? Where have you been all my life? That means twelve wasted years. Twelve fucking years that we could be together. From the moment she turned eighteen, I could recognize her as my mate. So much time was thrown away. We could be happy together. We could even have our own pups by now. A wave of sadness came over me. My facial features mirrored my sorrow.

“And you?... How old are you, Mr. David?” She inquired, seeing that I wasn’t in the mood for another question.

“Thirty-two... So, there’s no need for that Mr. in front of my name. Our age difference is only two years.” I pleaded.

“Hmmm really? You look younger!” She stated. Of course, I looked younger for my age. Wolf genes! We age slower than normal people.

“Am I supposed to say thanks to that?” I teased her, but the disappointment on my face was still obvious.

She shrugged her shoulders. We continued for a bit when she stopped me.

“We’re here...” She motioned me to her house on the opposite side of the street. I placed her bags down, and she immediately grabbed them.

“Thank you again, David.” She said gently.

Yes! She called me David at last.

“Maybe you can return the favor with a coffee or a drink.” I proposed. I was sure that she would deny it, but I decided to push my luck. She was surely taken aback by my proposal, and she took her time thinking about what to answer.

“I’ll ... think of that. Goodnight.” She just said and left.

“Goodnight.” Her indecision was better than a straight negative answer.

I watched her crossing the street, taking her keys out of her purse, and opening the door, she vanished inside the house. I heard a small girl’s voice shouting. “Mamá...”

Miserable, I couldn’t take my eyes off her door.

Desperation, sorrow, disappointment. All the emotions I was feeling right now were all negative. Twelve years. Was it a little too late for us?

Maybe I was too late. Could we ever be together? I had a dreading instinct that the answer would be a huge “NO.”  

I started running. Sprinting always helps clear my mind. But endorphins couldn’t help my situation either. My mind was a mess of emotions and thoughts. I kept running at full pace, giving it my all. But I felt that no matter how hard I tried, literally and figuratively, in the race to her heart, I would always finish last, all sweaty and out of breath.