Her Christmas Redemption

2: Never Looking back

Chapter two

Zeraphine pov

I stood there wondering if the woman would understand my decision to run away. Was she going to judge me for running away from my problems? Was she going to tell me to go back? Was she going to say I'm making the wrong decision?

I saw her glance at me from the mirror, her eyes full of quiet pity which made me feel a ray of hope. She stepped closer, her voice low but urgent. “So where are you planning on going now?”

Her question hung in the air, thick with concern, as if she could sense the storm brewing inside me, even in the small, sterile restroom.

I was frozen in place, my mind racing but my mouth was frozen, unable to respond to her question. The silence felt suffocating, until she broke it with another, her voice sharp now, edged with disbelief.

"You don't have a plan? For the baby?" She took a step closer, her gaze piercing. “ Do you want to bring the child into a life of suffering? Are you just planning to run away without a plan? That's very stupid.” Her words hit like a slap, and for a moment, all I could do was stare at her, speechless. Ata kept telling me not to just stand there speechless and answer her questions.

I swallowed hard as I looked down at my hands, tracing the worn edge of my purse.

"I’ve got some savings.” I managed to say, my voice quiet but steady.

"I’d been saving for after the wedding... you know, for a honeymoon. I had planned a surprise trip to New Zealand for us."

She raised an eyebrow, not sure where this was going. I sighed, feeling the weight of everything. "But…since that’s not happening anymore. The wedding, the trip… none of it.

I decided to go Somewhere no one knows me. I just want to start all over again for myself and my baby. I have to take care of both of us. I can't let my baby suffer for my mistakes.” I replied, my voice shaky. Deep down, I was trying to convince myself that everything was going to work out well but I really doubted myself.

“This isn't your fault Zera. I keep telling you this. If someone is to be blamed, it should be that bastard.” My wolf Ata said in my head. I knew she was right but I wasn't brave enough to accept it.

"Funny, isn’t it?" she finally said, still maintaining her soft voice. "I'm also going to New Zealand, I came to Los Angeles here for a vacation.

I was confused as to why she was telling me this and I was sure my face was showing my confusion and I expected more from her but instead, she simply handed me a card.

I stared down at the card she handed me, my fingers trembling as I turned it over. The embossed silver letters seemed to glow against the dark background. But as I read the name, Crystal Crest Pack, a cold, grave growl suddenly echoed from the shadows behind me, making my heart race. I felt my wolf -Ata spring loudly in my head.

"You’re... you’re the Luna," I whispered, still too shocked to look up. "You are Raukura Awanui."

A soft, almost funny laugh escaped her lips.

"I suppose I am." She replied but not with the amount of pride I was expecting.

My breath caught in my throat as I glanced up. There she stood, Raukura Awanui. The woman the whole world knew but here she stood before a nobody like myself in these four walls of the restroom. She seemed like a simple being, not the powerful, unshakable figure the media painted.

"You don't seem like the woman they talk about on the news. You seem very different. It's hard to believe.” I said before I could stop myself.

Raukura's eyes flickered for a moment. There was something there, something vulnerable, but it disappeared as quickly as it came. She stepped closer, her every movement radiating a quiet command. “The news is only half the story. They never tell you what it costs.” Her voice dropped, softer now.

Her voice was smooth, but there was a certain weight to her words.

“ I so happen to be looking for someone to manage my fashion houses in New Zealand at the moment.” she stated out of the blue, earning my confusion again. It stuck to me that she seemed to like talking in puzzles.

“Manage your fashion houses?” I was puzzled. Why was she telling me this? It wasn't going to help my situation now.

She tilted her head slightly, her gaze still locked on mine.

“Are you up for the offer? Would you like to be the manager of my fashion stores?” she asked, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

I stared at her, I was lost of words. I kept asking myself if I was dreaming but Ata kept telling me I wasn't. I never imagined myself in this situation. I never imagined meeting the woman who owned the most powerful fashion empire in the world, the Luna of the Crystal Crest Pack, let alone becoming her fashion store manager. I didn't even know anything about fashion, I was just a local school teacher.

I felt a sudden rush of heat to my face, unsure how to process what was happening. “But…You don’t know anything about me. Why would you offer me a job as huge as being a manager at your fashion house. I don't even have any experience with fashion or management.”

She gave me a look, sharp, assessing, “I don’t need to know everything about you. What matters is what you can do now and I think you can do a lot. You can easily learn about fashion and management. It shouldn't be difficult.”

I shifted on my feet, still not sure if I should laugh or walk away. “But you’re offering me a job, just like that? No background check, no references? I could as well be a spy or from an enemy pack.”

She suddenly laughed loudly. Her voice vibrated around the walls of the restroom. My eyes quickly danced around the room wondering what people would think but to my surprise the whole place was empty. "I’m not concerned with your past or what you’ve done and I'm definitely sure you aren't a spy. " she replied after a while.

"I’m offering you this job because of what you will do, especially for your unborn child. Think about it. This opportunity is for both of you. You kind of remind me of myself when I was your age. I also made stupid mistakes and didn't have anyone to help me. I would really love to help you.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with an unspoken expectation. I hesitated, my mind racing.

"And... What exactly are you offering?" I asked, the question slipping out before I could stop it, as though the answer could change everything. I felt Ata roll her eyes, judging me so much.

“The salary will be generous,” she said smoothly, as though it were nothing. “And housing. All the accommodation you’ll need. I’ll take care of everything.”

It sounded too good to be true. And I wasn’t stupid, I knew better than to trust offers that felt like they came out of nowhere. But I wasn’t also naive enough to turn down the offer, especially with accommodation included. It was practically going to be a life saver.

“I think it would be the best option to take the job. I really appreciate what you want to do for me. It's rare to meet people willing to help a total stranger.” I said after a while of debating with Ata on the pros and cons of taking it.

The woman's lips curled up in a smile. “You have made the best choice and I'm sure your baby will be grateful you made this decision.”

Just then, the loudspeaker blared overhead, announcing our flights in a sterile, impersonal voice.

“That's my Cue! Call my number when you land in New Zealand. I will be waiting for you at the airport Miss…..” she said almost immediately.

“ Zeraphine ma. Zeraphine Thornefell. I will do just that. Have a wonderful flight.” I replied.

“You too Zeraphine. See you soon.” She gave a reassuring smile once again before walking out of the restroom.

I immediately also ran out of the restroom and grabbed my luggage from the carousel, my fingers trembling slightly as if the weight of the moment had followed me."

As I wheeled my bag toward the exit, the weight of my decision pressed down on me. I whispered to myself, barely audible over the hum of the airport.

"No matter what happens, no matter how tempting, no matter how things unfold…. I will never set foot in Los Angeles again. Not even if it’s the last thing I ever do.”