Chapter 2: The Curse
523 Words
Adam Smith had always been a man of power. At 25, he had built a business empire, making him one of the youngest billionaires in the world. With sharp features, piercing green eyes, and an aura of authority, he was used to commanding a room the moment he walked in.
But success came with enemies.
It happened the night before. Adam had been vacationing in Cebu, taking a break from his stressful life. He had chosen not to bring bodyguards, believing himself safe.
That night, as he walked down a quiet alley after dinner, a group of men suddenly surrounded him.
At the center of them stood Ryan, a ruthless businessman he had once exposed for fraud.
"You should’ve stayed out of my business, Adam," Ryan sneered. "Because of you, I lost everything. Now… I’m going to make sure you lose something too, your life."
Adam smirked coldly. "I didn’t ruin your business. You did that yourself with your stupid decisions."
Ryan’s face twisted in rage. "Kill him!"
The gangsters lunged.
Adam was trained in self-defense, and for a while, he held his ground. He dodged punches, landed sharp blows, and even managed to disarm one of the attackers.
But there were too many.
A sharp pain bloomed in his back as a knife sank into his flesh.
He gasped, his vision darkening.
Ryan cackled. "Looks like this is your end, Smith!"
But Adam wasn’t done yet.
With his remaining strength, he yanked the knife from his back and hurled it.
The blade found its mark, burying itself in Ryan’s stomach.
As Ryan collapsed, screaming in pain, Adam turned and ran.
Blood poured from his wound as he stumbled through the streets, searching for help.
Then, just as he thought he had escaped, a hand shot out from the shadows, grabbing his arm.
He turned.
Standing before him was an old woman in ragged clothes, her eyes twinkling with something unreadable.
"You are hurt," she murmured.
Adam pulled his arm away in disgust. "Mind your own business, old lady."
The woman’s expression darkened. "Such rudeness."
Adam scoffed. "I don’t have time for this."
The old woman smiled a chilling, knowing smile.
"Then allow me to give you a gift."
Before Adam could react, she raised a small wooden staff adorned with a blue gemstone and whispered a strange incantation.
A wave of dizziness crashed over him. His limbs felt heavy, his body shrinking, his vision blurring
Blue smoke engulfed him.
When it cleared, Adam opened his eyes.
Something was wrong.
The world looked… bigger.
His clothes were gone. His hands—no, paws—were trembling.
"What the hell?!" he shouted.
But the words that left his mouth were
"Meow."
His heart pounded in terror.
The old woman grinned. "A lesson in humility, young man. You will return to your true form only if you fall in love."
And with that, she disappeared into the night.
Adam stood there, stunned.
A cat. He had become a freaking cat.
Now, lying in Rina’s home, hearing her call him "Ivory," he let out a low sigh.
This was his new life.
At least… for now.
- Writer
