The Mysterious World

Chapter 9: The Kiss Part 1

Gabriel's POV

Selene awoke something deep inside of me. Something I thought I killed a long time ago, something I'd left behind in the depths of my past. The emotions that she stirred within me are ones I thought I'd long buried. I'd convinced myself that I'd extinguished the flames of feeling, that I'd become numb. But Selene's presence has brought it all flooding back. It awakened a spark, a flame that flickers with every interaction, every shared moment. The emotions I've been trying to suppress have resurfaced, and I'm not sure how to process them. It's both exhilarating and terrifying to have those kinds of feelings again. I'm not sure what the future holds, but I know that I can no longer ignore the emotions that she has awakened within me.

My experiences have led me to believe that love is an illusion, something that doesn't truly exist or isn't meant for me. The pain and hardship I've faced have shaped my perspective, making me skeptical of romantic feelings. I've built walls around myself, convinced that I'm better off without attachment or emotional vulnerability. Love, to me, seems like a luxury I can't afford, a risk I'm not willing to take anymore.

But Selene made me question my long-held convictions. I'm not sure if I'm ready to confront the emotions she's awakened, or if I'm prepared to take a chance on love. My past has left scars, and I'm cautious about opening myself up to potential hurt. It was marked by abandonment and heartache.

My mother's decision to leave my father for someone else left a deep scar, especially since she was once a kind and caring person. I struggled to understand her actions and the pain they caused our family. My father was left heartbroken, and it was very hard. His subsequent breakdown and hospitalization were devastating. Seeing him reduced to a shell of his former self, staring blankly at the wall, is a painful reminder of the trauma we endured.

But the betrayal didn't stop there. My aunt, who had become a mother figure to me after my mom left, shocked me by cheating on my uncle. Witnessing her infidelity firsthand was a harsh reality check, especially given her previous kindness and care towards me.

These experiences have shaped my cynicism towards love and relationships. I've seen the destructive power of selfish desires and the devastating consequences of broken trust. No wonder I've built walls around myself, hesitant to let others in.

Seeing my friends go through similar struggles didn't help. It seemed like everyone around me was getting hurt, and I couldn't help but wonder if love was even worth the risk. My experiences have made me cautious, and I've largely given up on finding meaningful love. But even with all the negativity that love showed me, believe it or not, I took a chance on romance.

Those were the days when I was on top of the world. I excelled in everything I did, and my confidence was sky-high. I met Grace in my senior year of college, and it was a highlight of my life. We clicked, and our relationship seemed perfect. We shared dreams, aspirations, and a vision for our lives. I was convinced that our love would last a lifetime. We planned our future together, from graduation to growing old hand in hand. She was the one for me. My very first love, the first in everything.

We had built a life together, Grace and I, as successful architects in New York. Our six years together were filled with love, laughter, and adventure. I have always cherished her kind heart and gentle spirit.

But one fateful afternoon, she asked me if she could go out with her friends. Of course, I said yes, thinking it would be a great opportunity for her to have some fun while I prepared a surprise proposal. I had envisioned a romantic evening, getting down on one knee, and popping the question.

But fate had other plans. On her way home, she got into an accident. It shook me to my core. When I received the news that Grace was gone, my world crumbled. The pain of losing her was overwhelming, and the guilt of having given her permission to go out that day weighed heavily on me.

The words she would often whisper to me, "I will never leave you and hurt you, my love," now seemed like a cruel irony.

The pain of losing Grace still feels like an open wound. I'm consumed by anger and frustration, wondering why fate would be so cruel. Our plans, our dreams, everything was taken away in an instant. I feel like I'm drowning in grief, unable to find my footing in a world without her. I'm left wondering what went wrong and if I'll ever find that kind of connection again.

The memories of our life together haunt me everywhere I go. Every place, every person, every smell reminds me of her. I tried to escape, but it was no use. The pain is suffocating. In desperation, I made a drastic decision - I resigned from my job and enlisted in the army, hoping to lose myself in the chaos of war.

I don't have any memories of why I was trapped in this world. The only thing I remember was that I was a sniper in the army and my rank, First Lieutenant. The rest is a blur. But I'm left with the agonizing memories of Grace, and the ache of her absence. How I wish they could have taken that painful memory, too. But here I am.

Selene's presence in my life makes me want to forget all the pain and surrender myself to falling in love once again. That day from two months ago is etched vividly in my mind. I was on the brink of being overwhelmed, surrounded by the monstrous creatures. I managed to get away, but one of them followed me and landed a vicious blow, striking me with its tail on the left side of my neck. I felt my strength waning, my vision blurring.

Just as all hope seemed lost, Selene appeared like a guardian angel. With fierce determination, she took down the monster that had attacked me. Her actions were swift and deadly, a testament to her skill and bravery. But what struck me most was her reaction after she killed the monster. She ran towards me, her eyes brimming with tears. She cried with an almost childlike desperation, as if she were about to lose something precious. The sight of her so vulnerable, so emotionally raw, touched something deep within me. At that moment, I felt seen, cared for, and valued.

FLASHBACK

"You'll be fine, Selene," I said calmly to reassure her that she'd be fine. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was slipping away. My hands were glitching, and I knew I was on the verge of vanishing.

"No, I won't let you. You can't! You can't leave me! Please, Gabe, fight for your life!" Selene's response was a mix of anger and desperation. She begged me not to leave her, to fight for my life. Her words cut deep, and I wanted to give her something to hold onto before I was gone.

"Listen to me, you can do anything even if you are alone. You're officially a sharpshooter now. So don't worry, cause even though people vanish, we will always be with you. Never forget that." I tried to comfort her, telling her that she was strong and capable, and that she could do anything, even if she was alone.

But Selene's words struck a chord. "I just can't lose you, too." She wiped away her tears and kissed me, her lips touching mine in a sudden, desperate gesture.

My heart skipped a beat as I felt a rush of emotions. My lips responded to hers, despite my mind's protests. I was torn between the fear of losing her and the realization that I had developed feelings for her. I have liked her ever since I arrived in this clan. Admitting those feelings would mean risking another loss, another heartbreak. But at that moment, I couldn't help but feel drawn to her.

END OF FLASHBACK

That was the last thing I remember. I passed out, and to my surprise, I woke up in my space with my neck full of bandages. I didn't vanish. But why? I already saw myself glitching at that moment. What happened? Was it the kiss?

I don't think I can face Selene after everything that happened. I felt awkward with her. My mind keeps telling me to avoid her, even if my heart wants to be with her. And sadly, my mind keeps winning. I knew that she noticed my avoidance of her and respected it right away.

But days and weeks pass by. I can't do this anymore. I feel like torturing my own heart.

"Have you seen Selene?" I asked Bill. His space was next to hers. Same floor as me, but we barely see each other because we choose to avoid each other.

"She's on the rooftop. Will you go fetch her, please? I need her to help me with something for the party later."

"Okay, I will," I tapped his shoulder, and I was on my way to the elevator.

I finally decided to confess my feelings to her.