More than a memory

Chapter 1

Reborn

Jeremy

It took me at least half a year, to finally get used to being a human. I missed Ulric from time to time and I won't lie, the first few weeks were hell. Slowly I realized that I didn't even know myself. I started to try out new things and meet the man I became. I went to cooking classes, also tried the cliché yoga in the Central Park and without realizing these silly looking things became my daily routine. I started to look for a job. Even if I got money from the Pack company, I wanted to support myself. No one understood my decision apart from my Uncle. Atlas also gave up everything for my Aunt Noelle and for the lifestyle she had after walking through hell. I found out that I had a really good eye for taking pictures and I also got interest again in what I used to learn in the University. So I applied for a journalist job. Thanks to this opportunity I got sent to different parts of the country and later all over the world. My articles and pictures appeared in newspapers like New York Times. I've spent two years wandering around the world and taking pictures of wars, ordinary people, strikes, nature, basically everything I got asked for. Soon I got recognized in the job. My life was pretty amazing, but I still felt Roxanne's absence and at the lonely nights, I always thought about what would it be if...? The day fate played a dirty trick with me came after two years of my" rehabilitation". I was sitting in the office when a colleague of mine knocked on my table. I took my earphones out and smiled at her.

- Jeremy, the boss is looking for you. - she said with a blush while she fixes her short hair.

- Oh, thanks Vanessa. It would be better not to keep him waiting! - she giggled a little and looked up at me with a mesmerized expression. Vanessa was around Roxanne's age. She was a little chubbier, but with a pretty face and a cute personality. She reminded me of Betsy and I wondered how she was doing. I walked into the boss's office and closed the door behind me. He turned with his chair and smiled at me widely.

- My dear Jeremy! Please take a seat! Would you like a cigarette? - I took a seat in front if him and shook my head for the offer.

- Healthy as always! - I grinned at him.

- Cut the sugarcoating Sid! Where do you want me to go now? Did another war broke out? Or you want an exclusive from the Mafia? - Sid laughed.

- You always have such a great ideas! But this time I've decided to keep you close. Other companies tried to get your number and I don't want to lose one of my best employees.

- You are flattering me Sid. I got curious about what you have for me this time. - Sid reached into his cupboard but I wasn't prepared for what he threw on the table. It was a poor quality picture, but I would recognize that face out of millions.

- Ms Martin seems to be a rising star of the Broadway. No one managed to take a good photo of her outside of the theater, neither we know anything about her life. She would be ypur next project.

- Sid, this is a job for a paparazzi not for me. - I tried to escape from my duty. My heart was aching for her and keeping my distance seemed to be the best option for survival.

- Think about her like a rare bird Jeremy. She is gorgeous and mysterious. Roxanne Martin! Every newspaper wants her on their cover but she never accepts the offers. Imagine how our prestige would change after an exclusive interview with her! You are the perfect person for the job.

- Why? I've never did something similar...

- Don't underestimate yourself Jeremy. You are handsome, young and intelligent! If someone can capture her on a picture, that is you! - I gave up. Sid already decoded that this would be my next project and if I would've kept rejecting it, he would have kept insisting even more. That is how I started to follow the love of my life. I didn't know what to do. What if seeing me her memories come back? I didn't give up on everything to mess it up. I took a few pictures of her from far and slowly I fell for her even more. I always kept the best pictures of Roxanne for myself and made am album of them. After a few months it already felt like I was part of her life. I felt happy to keep an eye on her, while I respected her life. I always took pictures of her which showed her genuine and beautiful side, also managed to sabotage other paparazzi ruining their shots whenever they tried to take a humiliating picture of my angel. Sid was over the clouds with happiness. He kept insisting on an interview with Roxanne, but that I managed to keep under control.

On an other ordinary day, Roxanne left her favorite coffee shop with a hot cup of tea. K discreetly followed her when a man bumped into her and grabbed her bag. Roxanne groaned and poured her tea over his head. The thief screamed in pain and lifted his hand to hit Roxanne. Even without my wolf I still was fit and agile. Just like a few years ago I did woth Caleb, I caught his wrist in the air and twisted it. Roxanne looked at me and it felt like time stopped. I released the guy and he ran away with an injured wrist and destroyed pride. Roxanne pulled a piece of her hair behind her ear and smiled at me. I starved her touch and wanted to get lost in those hazel eyes but I decided to avoid her glance... What if her memories come back if she looks into my eyes?

- Thanks for the quick reflexes! - Only there I realized how much I missed her smile and the sound of her voice.

- It was my pleasure to be the knight in shining armor! - I said and felt how my cheek heated up. Damn this woman was the only one who could made me blush! Roxanne giggled and tilted her head in an adorable way.

- If you are a knight, where is your horse? - she was back to her old self. Sassy, classy and insanely beautiful. I noticed now that I looked her from closer that she lost weight.

- I forgot where I parked it. Would you like to help me find it? - I asked and she laughed.

- I'd love to, but I gotta go now. I can't be late!

- In that case, I should search for my horse alone.

- May I invite you for a coffee? Not now, but on an other day. Accept it instead of my shawl oh great knight ! - I chuckled at the way she bowed and lifted her imaginary skirt. I bowed in front of her as well and said.

- If the great Goddess whishes, our ways may cross again. Let's give our fate in her hands dear princess!- I loved in this city that there were so many people, no one blinked an eye at us. We were in our little world right now.

- At least tell me your name! - Roxanne insisted and I was afraid that my name and my appearance might change her life.

- My name is Jerry, weren't you running late by the way? - I asked and Roxanne gasped.

- Oh f**k! That's true! I'm running! - she turned around and hurried away but shouted from the end of the street before she disappeared behind the corner.

- I hope to see you soon! Good luck with your horse! - after that line she was gone and my heart beat with the speed of a racing car. I was an ordinary guy now, I rejected her, but somehow a tiny part of that old sacred bond lingered in the air between us.

- Dear Goddess, what did I get myself into?