THE WEREWOLF DETECTIVE

MY FAULT

Zeke’s POV

I looked at myself in the mirror and applied makeup on my face, which I hadn’t done in ages. I tried my best to cover the dark circles under my eyes, but stress was still evident on my face. I heaved a sigh before forcing a smile. It works every time, and people tend to ask fewer questions when I do it.

The smile disappeared in a snap. What is there to be happy about again? Right, today should be a happy day. This is our third anniversary, and I should be happy.

I should…

But the reflection in the mirror clearly says that I’m not. I was desperate to keep this relationship going but unsure if August thinks the same. We haven’t talked since last week as we fought several times already. It was my fault. I was too busy to meet him, but he was also busy with his business, and our schedules rarely met. The last time we fought was because I couldn’t visit him because I was busy with work and trying to find another investigator to tackle my brother’s case. August hadn’t talked to me since then, but I made sure that we met today. After all, it was our anniversary.

He used to pick me up every time we met, but he said that we should meet at the restaurant instead. I didn’t mind if I could make it up to him.

I smiled again, convincing myself this was a good day, before leaving the house.

“It’s a good day, I guess.” The cab driver was kind enough to start a conversation. I guess smiling can really do wonders. Fake it till I make it.

My smile widened, “Yeah.” I messaged August that I was already on my way, and he replied that he was also on his way. I’ll do everything to save my relationship, thinking that what was happening to us was merely a challenge.

My excitement returned with the hope that August was also trying to fix our relationship. We were very close in the past. He used to make little surprises for me and would comfort me whenever I felt down. I did the same for him. August was also very supportive of my writing career... until my brother went missing. We became distant. I became distant from everyone because I didn’t want people to see me at my weakest. I tried hard to keep myself together and my life as normal as possible despite losing my only family. It wasn’t easy.

I entered the restaurant, and I was quickly entertained

by the host. I gave him the reservation, and I was expecting that he was already here when I came, but I patiently waited. After five minutes of waiting, the waiter approached me, asking me if I wanted to start with a drink, but I opted to wait for him.

Ten minutes had passed when he finally came. He quietly sat after kissing my cheek and didn’t even apologize for being late.

I smiled and greeted, “Hi.”

August smiled back, but I know him enough that he doesn’t really mean it. The waiter approached them again and finally got their orders.

“Don’t you have anything to say?” I asked, trying to start a conversation to remove the awkwardness. The food was already served, but we hadn’t had any conversation yet. It was killing me and the remaining confidence I had in my body.

August lifted his head and answered, after swallowing what he was eating, “What do you mean?” he asked with a small smile. He was faking his smile too.

Did we really fall out of love? Are we simply keeping this relationship because no one was brave enough to end it?

I heaved a sigh and spoke, “Are you still sulking? I’m sorry. I was wrong.” I lowered my pride once again. It was my fault. It always has been my fault.

“I wouldn’t be here if I was sulking, right?” He reached out his hand and wiped the side of my lips. It startled me. He always does this because I tend to eat messily.

It always makes my heart skip a beat. It always does, but now it was nothing but a nostalgic feeling.

“You never changed. Three years, and you’re still a messy eater.” So he actually remembered what today was. I pulled a small box from my purse and handed it to him.

“Happy third anniversary.” He looked surprised that I gave him a gift when I always do. I smiled, quietly reminiscing about the past when everything was going how I wished.

August used to be the sweetest man I had ever known. We used to be happy in our relationship, and we rarely fought because our personalities aligned. He was also my first boyfriend, and I used to think he was the only man I would love... But with the current situation, I couldn’t help but doubt myself. I’m trying everything, but keeping our relationship afloat is getting harder and harder.

“Sorry, I don’t have any gifts for you. I was busy with a new business venture...” He sounded reluctant, but I kept my smile. He forgot it...

I shook my head, “It’s totally fine. What’s important is that you’re here, and we’re celebrating this day together.” I was telling the truth. I didn’t care about material things and preferred our relationship to return to normal instead.

He didn’t answer and was suddenly busy on his phone. I know that he was busy with work, but I felt hurt seeing that he looked more focused on whom he was chatting with. Was this how he felt when I was all busy finding my brother? Was I really that selfish for feeling like this?

“I’m sorry, that was a client. This is a potential big catch, so we’re working hard to please the guy.” He lifted his head momentarily and didn’t even wait for my answer.

I cleared my throat and continued eating in silence. The dead air only made me gloomy, so I just tried to eat, but even eating didn’t spark any joy either. I awkwardly looked around. There were other couples at the other tables, and they all looked like they were in their own worlds. I felt a tinge in her chest. Doing this today was probably a bad idea, wasn’t it?

“How was your business lately?” I tried to start another conversation and did my very best to sound like everything was okay.

I was expecting a good reaction from him. He was very passionate about his business and used to share with me all the ideas he had, but he didn’t even lift his head before he answered me.

“The usual. We’re still busy because of the plan I discussed with you last time.” A smile unconsciously bloomed on his lips while he was still on his phone. Was it because I asked? Or was it because of the person he was chatting with over the phone?

“So you’re already expanding?” I led the conversation, but he was still busy with his phone. He nodded at my question shortly after.

I forced myself to smile, “That’s great to hear! “There was another dead air again after my words, and it was killing me inside.

“Y-you know, I already hired another investigator, and he sounded determined to find my brother. I’m keeping my hopes up this time. I’ll definitely see my brother again. “I tried to sound like I wasn’t affected by his cold treatment. I sounded so optimistic about Caleb, but that was because I saw how determined he was to solve Liam’s case, and I would hold on to that.