Chapter 14

I left the airport quickly and hailed a cab. "Where to?" the driver asked politely. I smiled and handed him my phone with the exact address of my new apartment. "Okay, I know this. It's farther from here, maybe 25 to 30 minutes," he said. "That's okay," I replied. "Good, seatbelt please," he said. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot," I said to myself. This is it, I reminded myself. This is my new beginning, and I should affirm my decision to do this. I'm not sure how my life will go from here, but I am full of hope that it will be far better than my previous life.

"American?" the driver asked, to which I nodded. I reminded myself not to talk much with strangers. After a quiet trip, we arrived in front of a building on the outskirts of the capital. I prefer this location because it will help me hide.

"Thank you," I said as I handed my tip to the driver, who finally took off from his cab.

"Take care," I heard him say, but I didn't look back. I focused on finding the reception for my reservation. I paid my reservation fee online, so I have to pay my deposit for a year here. "Good evening," I smiled at the receptionist. She looked up at me and said, "Did you make a reservation?"

I nodded and handed her my passport.

"Graciela Browler?" she repeated, while staring at me. "Yes," I smiled. I changed my identity upon coming here, so yes, my name is a lie.

"Okay, you reserved it for a year?"

"Yes. I am paying my entire year's rent in advance."

In a few more minutes, I was walking to the elevator with a crew. I sighed, processing in my mind that this is it!

For a second, my mom came to mind. It saddened me so much. I know that she’s worried about me as well as my father, but I needed to do this. I didn’t want them to be involved in my situation anymore. I am sure that one day I will contact them, but not now.

I can imagine Janine's face. She must be thrilled now that I am gone. This is her chance to replace me. It still hurts; the wounds are still fresh, and every time Giovan comes to mind, it cripples me.

"Your room," the male crew showed me the unit. After looking around and making sure that everything was complete, he excused himself.

I locked the door and laid straight on the bed. I felt relieved somehow. I am so tired, and recently I have been feeling unusual in my body.

Unnoticing, my tears fell. I cannot hold it; maybe it is because I am all alone here that it gave me the momentum.

Giovan burst into his office. He had just been informed about the death of his wife. "That’s so sad," Janine remarked. She was right there, standing in front of Giovan as his men were delivering their report.

"Shut up! Are you happy now?" Giovan turned his frustration towards Janine, which surprised her. She held her face out of embarrassment and shock.

"Get out! I don’t want to see your face!" Giovan added.

Like a wind, Janine walked straight to the door and left. Her heart was pounding fast. She didn’t expect the treatment she just received.

"Inform my father about this. I don’t want to talk to anyone for the time being," Giovan said. He gestured for his men to leave him.

It was only when he was left alone that he let out his tears.

It was his first time crying for someone. He controlled his expression to express his feelings towards his wife because it was the best way to finish his mission and gain freedom from the obligation. He didn’t know that it was the reason he lost her. The mate he was so attached to, attracted to, and loved so dearly is gone now!

No matter how deep his regrets may be, there is no turning back. Crema is dead. She’s totally gone for good!

"Aaaaah!" He exclaimed. He cannot hold his thoughts back from pointing the blame at his father, the King. If he could have only entrusted their revenge matter to him, then this couldn't have happened. If his father was after the revenge of his mother, then he wouldn't have insisted on the marriage first. That way, he could have avoided hurting Crema that much.

He cannot accept that Crema is already gone. He was still clinging to the hope that she might be alive somewhere.

In his long hours of mourning inside their bedroom, there was a knock outside. He had already said that he didn't want to be disturbed. However, upon hearing the knocks, he knew it was his father’s.

"I am not in the mood to talk," his voice was loud for Dior this year. He had no plans to open the door for anyone else.

"Open up. We need to speak."

"Not now, father."

"This is very important, Giovan."

Giovan was determined not to open the door, so he just kept quiet. After several knocks that he didn't open up to, King Dior surrendered. I heard his footsteps fading out.

The next day, I woke up peacefully. The night passed, giving me the perfect rest that I needed. Physically and emotionally, I felt so recharged. I left the nighttime process for tomorrow. I had to cry out all the pain and accept that this is it and there's no turning back.

I don't know life here in Paris, but I am determined to learn. I will live like a human and forget about my wolf. Here is where I can begin a new life. That is what I believe, and that is what I would get!