More than a memory

Chapter 7

Hide and seek

Jeremy

It's been a little more than a week since Rico and Clarissa visited me. What I told them, I believed. It was better for Roxanne to live her life without remembering about me... Us. Obviously my job made it complicated to keep my distance and I really had to sort the pictures I sent to Sid. I've stopped paparazzis countless times from leaking about Roxanne's personal life. It became sort of a hobby for me to hunt them down.

That day was no different from the others. Roxanne had a day off according to her calendar, which I managed to get from a college of hers. That b***h seemed to hate my tiny dancer and did everything possible to hurt her. Luckily I paid the most for the information and protected Roxanne. Since she was probably at home, I've decided to spend the day doing nothing. I binge watched a Netflix serie, I can't recall its title since my mind was totally elsewhere during the entire time. I got up to have some lunch and only then realized that my fridge was completely empty.

- Oh shit... - I cursed out loud and stomped like a child since I had no will to get dressed but my grumbling stomach forced me to act like an adult.

I jumped into my dark jeans, a white t-shirt and black leather jacket. After getting on my black boots, I grabbed my wallet and went to the nearest store. I was browsing around the store and I put everything in my basket that I wanted. Benefits of adulthood I guess. That was when I noticed the ice-creams. It was still a little chilly but who cares? I noticed from far the unmistakable packaging. I walked to the fridge and grabbed the box just when someone did as well. Like a shock a shiver sent across my body. It was a familiar feeling that I hated at first, loved so much and now missed it. I didn't dare to look up. I tried to pay attention to the music they played in the store and when heard the lyrics I had to chuckle.

"

If someone said three years from now

You'd be long gone

I'd stand up and punch them out

'Cause they're all wrong

I know better 'cause you said forever, and ever

Who knew?" - I almost didn't notice that Roxanne was talking to me until this point.

- Excuse me, but I saw it first. - I hoped that she didn't notice that it was me. But soon she realized and we made an agreement on sharing the last two Netflix and Chill ice-creams. I also recommended her another flavor I knew she'll love. Roxanne tried to look into my eyes the entire time like a curious child and my heart was almost jumping out of my chest. I was about to throw everything I've been through. Just when I was ready to look into her eyes and risk to be discovered I noticed the flash of a camera.

- f**k it. Come with me. - I groaned and turned Roxanne to my side to cover her with my body from the curious stalking eyes. Luckily I came to this store many times so I didn't get lost in its crazy shelf maze. Unlike the paparazzis who tried to follow us to catch a glimpse of Roxanne. Suddenly I pulled her into the decor section and hid behind a group of plastic flowers. I covered Roxanne's mouth and she got pressed against my chest. Despite my wolf senses were gone, I was still somekind of hybrid so I heard the paparazzis' confused chatter. I smelled Roxanne's sweet scent and I needed a deep breath to calm my heart which wanted to jump out of my chest and Roxanne definitely felt it. I uncovered her mouth and Roxanne asked in a really low voice.

-What is going on? - I realized that she was still in my arms and I quickly let her go. Just in time before I lost my mind. - I'm sorry for dragging you around the store. But I had to get rid of them. - I mumbled with embarrassment. Roxanne's eyebrows ran up in surprise. How couldn't she noticed them?

- Get rid of who? - she asked and I had to smile at how sweet and innocent she was. I nodded with my head in front of us. The fake flowers provided us a great cover but now Roxanne could see three men with cameras searching for someone. She sighed.

- Can't they leave me alone just for one day? - she groaned softly and she was so adorable. I would've done everything to make sure she was safe and living her best life. I left her alone when I noticed a store worker. The store's policy against taking pictures was really strick so Roxanne's chasers found themselves out of the store and escorted by the police shortly after I called the staff attention at them. I walked back to Roxanne and felt her eyes on me. I took my basket, which I put in before our hide and seek, out of her cart.

- Everything is clear now. - I assured Roxanne and she followed me out of the hiding place. I might be greedy but I whished it took more time for them to get out. Just a little more time with Roxanne in my arms.

- Thanks! But do you have a sixth sense or something? This is the second time you spotted them out and saved me. - I wanted to tell her so much that I couldn't count the times anymore but it didn't matter how mamy times I helped her out. At the end, she was the one who saved me and melt my frozen heart... I just smiled at her.

- We are in similar industries actually. I'm a journalist.

- Oh... Is it a coincidence thay we keep bumping into each other? - Roxanne asked and with a sigh I shook my head.

- Today it was a coincidence. The first time as well, but the second wasn't.

- Are you trying to take a picture of me as well? - I didn't want her to know but I couldn't lie.

- I should. My boss assigned me to this task now. Don't worry, I'll never cross the line. - she took a step away from me with disappointment in her eyes. For the first time since we met she didn't try to look into mine. I took my phone put and showed her all the pictures.

- These are the photos my boss got from me. Check them out.

- It is not necessary! - she tried to stop me. But I needed her to trust me.

- Wow... You are a professional. - Roxanne gasped while she looked over my pictures of her. This reminded me when I opened a champagne bottle with one of my claws to impress her. She had the same expression.

- I'm trying, but as you can see I suck as a paparazzi.

- Thanks for everything. Can I invite you for a coffee finally? - she asked. Why not? What the worse that could happen? I thought and a flash of memory popped up in my mind. Roxanne falling into her death... The cold ice-cream hit my leg and helped to snap out of the memories.

- I'm afraid I have to excuse myself out again.

- Why?! - Roxanne almost squeaked this time. I was definitely getting on her nerves but someone mist say No to her.

- I don't want my treasures to totally melt. - the seriousness disappeared from her face and was swapped by her gorgeous laughter. I laughed with her and enjoyed this little moment in paradise. I could die here and now if her laughter would be the last thing I hear and her smile the last thing I see before I close my eyes.

- This is the last time I let you out of the hook! - Roxanne warned me playfully.

- I'll keep in mind. - I said. We both paid for our groceries and left to two different directions. On my way back home I felt a solitary tear escape from the corner of my eye. I missed her so damn much. More than I thought I would. I rushed back home and threw my groceries on the table. I ran to my cupboard and almost ripped out the drawer from its place. I took out the album and searched for a specific picture. I acted like a maniac or at least an addict who needs his next dose. After finding the picture I slid doen the the floor and hugged the picture to my chest. We took it in Roxanne's old apartment at the beginning of our relationship. She was cuddled up on her couch and scolded me for bringing ice-cream instead of something hot as a snack. I cuddled to her and whispered into her ears.

-" I'll heat you up with the power of my love. - Roxanne chuckled and gently pulled my face further.

- This was the most cheesy thing I've ever heard. - I shrugged and handed her a spoon.

- I thought it sounded better than," Hey babe I'm a werewolf with self heating. Come jump in daddy's lap!" - Roxanne giggled and climbed into my lap.

- Never, ever call yourself daddy again if you want me to sleep with you.

- Understood! - she took a spoon of the ice-cream and moaned.

- This is delicious! Try it Jeremy! - she said and before I could use my spoon she tucked a spoonful of ice-cream into my mouth. It almost freeze my brain but after the first seconds of shock I realized that she was right.

- Oh My Goddess! - Roxanne grabbed my tiny camera from the table and licked her spoon off. I didn't know why she took a picture of us until I saw it. I had my whole mouth covered with melted ice-cream while she looked smoking hot. I tried to get up and clean my mouth but Roxanne nozzled more into my lap.

- I need a napkin. - I said. She held my face in her hand and turned in her direction. Roxanne kissed me passionately and licked the ice-cream off of my lips.

- Now way to waste a single drop of this. - she said. I grinned at her and poured some of the now pretty melted ice-cream on her neck and shoulder.

- That would be a huge mistake I agree. - I said before I licked the ice-cream off of her. Roxanne moaned and we decided to leave the ice-cream melt... That was one of our best days. It was before Dee and her baby misery, before Nicolas found her, before Sadie kidnapped Roxanne and before Keith lost his life. I wished he was still alive. Maybe things wouldn't be the way they are if he advised otherwise. He knew Roxanne maybe even better than I or Clarissa did. I was genuinely happy that his soul finally could rest with the one he loved the most... But I missed that useful Dybukk. I put the picture back it's place and put my groceries away. My appetite was completely gone so I just grabbed the ice-cream I fought for and continued doing nothing like a middle-aged white lady in any Hollywood drama...

- I only need a cat to get this mission completed.- I thought.