Episode 14

I wake up to the sound of the alarm clock.

Another day...

I sit up in bed, rubbing my sleepy eyes, until I look at the alarm clock.

It's nine in the morning!

Damn, I'm so late!

I run to the bathroom, take a quick shower, and run to the closet.

I see that I only have one clean shirt and pants from my work clothes.

Without wasting time, I grab the clothes and get dressed as quickly as possible.

I look in the mirror, just running my fingers through my hair, and then I leave the house without even having coffee.

As I walk down the street and pass people, I notice some curious looks on me, but I decide to ignore them.

I hear quick footsteps approaching from behind.

"Hey, Adrian! I like the look," Zade says with a sly smile.

I look at him confused.

"Thanks, I guess..." I murmur.

"Those pants of yours are very... cheerful today, you look good in flowers," he says laughing.

I'm confused and I look at the pants that appear to be normal in the front, but when I look at the back, my eye widens.

The pockets are embroidered with flowers and rhinestones.

"What the hell-"

"But I think this only goes with the shirt," Zade says.

I feel my back, feeling something embossed, like pebbles.

"What's back here?!"

"Well... it says 'big bad wolf' with rhinestones," Zade says, chuckling slightly.

Dark starts laughing nonstop.

"Ha ha," Dark says, making Zade and Orion laugh.

I'm in shock trying to process what was going on.

"That.... Devil!" I growl furiously. "Zade, I need your help. I need to change clothes immediately."

Zade looks at me with a sly smile still on his lips.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Adrian, I'd love to help you, but I'm very busy right now. I have to go. Good luck with... that." He says, patting my shoulder, walking away right after.

"It only gets worse," I mutter as I watch Zade walk away, leaving me there, alone and embarrassed. Dark laughed, mocking my misery.

I better buy at least another shirt.

With no alternatives, I walk the streets to downtown, feeling the curious looks and whispers of people as I pass.

I try to keep my expression neutral and my head held high, but inside I wanted to strangle that woman....

Dark: "Look at you....Who would have thought that the great Adrian would become the main attraction in an impromptu fashion show?"

I roll my eyes.

Adrian:"Shut up !"

Finally, I enter a nearby clothing store, ignoring the other customers' prying eyes. I start browsing the racks in search of a new outfit, trying to keep my mind focused despite the lingering shame that accompanied me.

I manage to find some clothes and quickly go to the fitting room, coming out wearing them right after.

After paying I go to the office, but I can hardly concentrate on my work.

Adrian:"Should we leave the house to her?"

Dark :"What's wrong, are you scared? Just apologize."

Adrian:"No way..."

...****************...

Another day goes by and I was getting more and more tired...

Every day was a different anger that that creature made me go through...

I could barely sleep. Any noise she made I woke up startled, thinking it was another one of her pranks....

I go into the bathroom, still sleepy, and start my morning routine.

I get in the shower and take my daily shower.

I squeeze the bottle of soap and wash my face, and right after I take some more and as soon as I start rubbing my skin, horror takes over me.

I cry out in surprise when I realize that the soap has stained my skin.

I get out of the shower and look in the mirror...

My face....

I wrap myself in a towel and storm into Ayla's room, making her jump in fright.

My face was a mixture of outrage and panic

"What did you do to me?!", I demand to know, my voice echoing through the room.

Ayla is sitting on the bed, looking strangely calm in the face of the situation. She looks at me with a mocking smile, as if she's having a lot of fun.

"This color suits your skin," she replies casually.

I have an important meeting today, and this sudden change in my appearance couldn't have come at a worse time.

"You're crazy! I have an important meeting today and you do this to me?", I yell, my voice filled with anger and frustration.

Ayla just shrugs, like it's no big deal.

"Relax, Adrian. You're still the big bad wolf, even with slightly more... colorful skin," she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I roll my eyes, annoyed at his nonchalant attitude.

Dark:"Well, at least now you match your personality, Adrian. Colorful on the outside and bitter on the inside," he scoffs.

I feel a mixture of anger and frustration. Ayla really went overboard this time....

I take a deep breath, realizing I don't have many options. I give her one last angry look before leaving the room.

With a frustrated sigh, I go to the bedroom.

Adrian:"Go, transform" I order.

Dark:"You know what? I don't feel like it...."

Adrian:"Dark I don't have much time and I can't go out on the street like this!"

Dark :"You'll figure it out." He scoffs.

Great....

Everyone turning their backs on me!

I get dressed and go downstairs, leaving through the back door.

Instead of going the normal way, I walk through alleys and alleys, trying to avoid people on the street as much as possible.

When I get to the council building I go around.

I can't just walk in the front door with my dyed skin. I decide that the best option is to go through my office window.

Careful not to draw too much attention, I climb up to my office window and slide inside. The familiar surroundings calm me down a bit, but the memory of the important meeting that awaits me makes me feel even more tense.

I run to the door and lock it...

That way no one will get in.

I sit down at the table and start reading the reports, but before I can concentrate on any task, I hear a knock on the door and the voice of one of my colleagues informing me that the meeting is about to begin.

The tension mounts when I realize that I can't just hide here all day.

Adrian:"Please....Go in my place....I can't go to this meeting like this...."

Dark:"You have two options. I turn myself in and go home for you to apologize to her, or you go to this meeting like that."

I think for a moment, almost giving in...

Adrian:"Go to hell!"

I swallow hard and get to my feet, ready to face the meeting even if it means facing curious looks and comments from others.

I walk down the hall making heads turn, but not in a good way.

With a forced smile on my face, I enter the meeting room and am met with curious and surprised looks.

The awkwardness is palpable, but I try to maintain my composure as I settle into my chair.

"Is everything okay, Adrian?" One of the alphas asks.

I take a deep breath and decide to face the situation lightly, even though I'm boiling inside with embarrassment.

"Oh, everything's fine," I reply in a casual tone. "Just testing out some new soaps. Apparently this one is a little more... long-lasting than expected," I joke, trying to pretend it doesn't affect me.

A few smiles appear around the room, but I can still feel the looks of amazement and curiosity on me....

She'll pay me....

After an extremely exhausting day I go home...

As soon as I arrive in the room my eyes are drawn to a small pot on top of the dresser, accompanied by a note. With a mixture of curiosity and irritation, I approach and take the note, reading the words written there.

"Get the ink out with this. - Ayla."

My fists clench involuntarily as I realize that Ayla had the solution to my problem all along and still let me out like this.....

With a tired sigh I take a shower, washing all the paint off my body...

As soon as I get out of the shower I throw myself on the bed...

Finished...

The anger and frustration caused by the incident with Ayla still simmer inside me...

Dark:"Her determination to drive you crazy is admirable... I knew I made the right choice."

His sarcastic and provocative words only seem to intensify my indignity.

Adrian : "That woman... She simply has no limits! Did you see that disaster!", I exclaim, my voice echoing only in my thoughts.

Dark : "Oh, sure I did, Adrian. It was hilarious!"

Adrian: "I swear, Dark, she's unbearable!" I say my words heavy with frustration.

Dark laughs as if he finds it all amusing.

Dark: "It's funny how you complain about her all the time, but you still seem to care, Adrian. Admit it, these taunts are starting to get to your heart somehow....."

I roll my eyes.

Adrian: "It's like she knows exactly what to say to piss me off... she's so...annoying....and....determined...and brave....."

Dark lets out a sarcastic laugh.

Dark : "Looks like someone is finally admitting their feelings, Adrian. It's so obvious."

Adrian "Don't make me laugh, Dark. She's just... complicated. And annoying. And stubborn. And... well, yeah, maybe there's something about her that... oh, damn, I don't know."

Dark laughs again, his voice echoing in my mind.

Dark:"Ah, the truth comes out..."

I feel a lump forming in my throat as I try to process my conflicting emotions.

Adrian: "Don't start, Dark", I reply, feeling uncomfortable with the conversation. "I just don't know how to deal with her. Sometimes, I think it's better to keep my distance."

Dark : "If you say so..." he replies between laughs.

This flea...

The next morning I go downstairs still sleepy.

Thank heavens, today was the weekend and I didn't have to go to work....

When I get to the kitchen I see Ayla making breakfast.

She seems distant, so absorbed in her own thoughts that she doesn't even seem to notice my presence...

Her silence is deafening, and I feel uncomfortable with the charged atmosphere between us.

As she stirs the pots and pans, her distraction is evident.

Then, suddenly, I see that she's about to hurt herself....

Instinctively, I reach out and grab her hand before she touches the hot pot, but I end up burning myself in her place.

Ayla looks surprised, and her eyes meet mine in a moment of tense silence....

"Are you okay?" I ask.

She blinks a few times and then pulls away, pulling away from my touch...

But then her eyes drop to my hand and she notices the redness there.

She takes my arm, pulling me to the sink.

She turns on the faucet and puts my hand there, leaving the kitchen.

A short time later she returns holding the first aid kit.

She opens the cabinets, takes some spices and takes them to the table.

When she's done, she turns off the faucet and takes my arm, lifting me up to the table.

I watch in silence as Ayla tends to the burn on my hand. Her movements are precise, but her expression remains impassive.

She makes a kind of mixture with the seasonings and puts it on my burn, making a refreshing sensation take over the place...

She finishes applying and bandages my hand.

She picks up everything and then leaves the kitchen without a word.

I stay there, looking at the bandage on my arm, trying to process what just happened.

Adrian: "Why the hell did I do that?"

Dark: "Don't come, it wasn't my idea."

Adrian: "Of course it was! It was the wolf instinct, the protective instinct or whatever."

Dark: "It wasn't my instinct, Adrian. It was yours. You know that."

Adrian: "Big deal... It could have been anyone...." I murmur.

Dark :"That's where you're wrong... If it was Melany I'd let her catch fire. It was a choice you made, not just an impulse."

Adrian: "Well, maybe I made the choice because... because she needed help, that's it."

Dark: "Oh, I see. So if it was Taylor, would you help?"

Adrian: "Of course not! This is different."

Dark: "Is it? Why is it different?"

Adrian: "Because... because..."

Dark: "Because you care about her, right? You don't want to admit it, but it's true."

No....

This can't be happening.....

Dark:"Is your pride worth that much?"

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