1 Chapter 1-London

The half-moon hung flat on a wintry night in the Cold Mountains. giving no hint of the bloodshed to come.

But in this icy barren territory, I felt it wash over my skin, the brisk wintry blast, simply to be greeted by the rhythm of my heart, repeatedly and again. Am I forever alone?

Everything froze as he drew his sword. Its sharpness would injure the air apart. Pressing down with his power and superior strength, he dragged the blade backward towards her face. When she least expects it, he knocks the blade from her grasp until it lands just unreachable. He steered his elbow into her face, almost knocking her unconscious. He gets to his feet, standing over her. The tilt of the sword is pointed towards her heart in both hands-on grips. He plunges the sword into her rib cage.

She gasped for air. The sound of a sword being drawn from a scabbard signalled her end. Something about his eyes captured my attention. His eyes informed me of a story no voice had ever dared to tell.

His blade found a sanctuary in my rib cage, urging its way into my precious heart. I didn't utter nor attempt to scream, for my sorrow is beyond me. The agony was unbearable, raising, and shattered me.

In silence, Catherine bolted upward. Her thoughts were uncertain and disturbed, and she realized that she was inside the bus. She had that winter dream again? How cliché. She thought while hurriedly stepping off the bus.

Some say the British love of flowers was on passionate display throughout London in its alluring flower shops and their animated displays, which spilled out onto the pavements and street corners. Rainbow shades of beautiful cut flowers in buckets, bouquets tied in bright ribbons and miniature house plants entice passersby to stop for a closer look and, of course, a photograph. But here she was strolling, or rather running like a crazy person, in the coldest air she'd ever experienced.

At the same time last year, Catherine went to work for the first time, excited and naive. Now every morning was spent accomplishing the necessary preparations on autopilot while her brain prepares for every plausible scenario it can find solutions to problems that don't yet exist, just in case.

Catherine couldn't think of a time when any of it had paid off. It was more of a method of her worries than anything else. At least she knew that much. By the time she was on the bus, she "knew" how she was going to deal with her boss; and by the time she got off the bus, it was drizzling on her face and there was absolutely no point in trying to pretend an umbrella would do her any good.

She understands that this was the perfect day for her to enjoy one of London's many free museums, galleries, and have some serious soul inspiration for someone's winter days, or was it not? Despite the short days and miserable weather, Londoners have plenty of reasons to go outdoors this time of year. One of the coolest wintertime activities was to don some skates and hit one of the outdoor ice rinks around town.

But No! To her, that was impossible for someone like her who needs to work to pay the bills. She doesn't have the luxury of enjoying London winter as a tourist, and as the wind blows in her face, thinking about her boss's angry face, she guesses that this time he will fire her! Anytime soon, or maybe not today but sooner.

She was Catherine Ruiz. Her close friends called her Cath. She had silky long blond hair and eyes so green and brown they sparkled like jewels. That's her mom's opinion though. Standing five feet and five inches, yes, she was just the typical looking girl in London, sentimental and vulnerable. When hurt, she withdraws into a cloud of silence, dull and empty, but eventually emerges from her shyness with tricks and giggles that cover up her true feelings.

She can become moody and gloomy when depressed. If ever there was a single moment of total change that gave meaning to her life, it was the moment of her birth. At that moment, she stepped through a door in time into a new reality-the reality of human life. Yes, that was her mom's idea of giving her confidence, especially when she needed it most.

Founded in 2001, her company was a custom software development company, spanning its presence across various global locations like the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and India. Luckily, she landed a job as a PA for the Application Manager, Mr. Jonas Nasir. It was not the best as per se, but who was she to disagree with? It pays the bills, and that was all that mattered.

This early in the morning, the sky had an extraordinary dash of a little orange cast onto the otherwise pale grey cloud. The day promised to be like every other day, but now it was a different story. It was raining, reasonably cold and chilling, but, oh boy! She was wrong; it seems like the morning has yet to begin.

As she walked, pressing the folders and a little brown purse to her chest, she turned the corner to walk down the hall. She was wandering rather quickly and lost deep in thought. She didn't even seem to notice the people around her. She then looked up to see a man, at least one step in front of her, obscuring her path. Her eyes broadened as her feet stumbled over his and her staff fell on the floor in a mess.

Their eyes met for a moment, and then she forced herself to look away as she flushed bright red. "Woah, sorry I-" the man rushed into an apology as his hand wrapped around her waist and held her there, safe from falling. Their eyes met for a moment, and then she forced herself to look away as she flushed bright red. "Woah, sorry I-" the man rushed into an apology as his hand wrapped around "I didn't see you miss."

"My papers. Dammit!" Catherine screamed in embarrassment, as she smelled the expensive cologne the man used.

"What on earth are you doing here at this corner?" She asked, thinking that this man smelled like fresh flowers.

"You mean, why this corner and not another corner?" He asked. He felt amused by this sudden turn of his morning.

"Yes! She sarcastically replied.

"I mean you just ran into me, not paying attention, and now you are mad at me for being in the corner." He asked.

"I think one could do it anywhere. It could have been at a crosswalk, in the middle of the street, but you could have been paying attention, "Catherine answered back, feeling embarrassed by the sudden outburst.

"But I chose this corner." He sighed.

"I was running, because I was so late, and as I ran around this corner—"

"Stormed."

"Excuse me?"

"As you stormed around the corner. You hit me, "he said, then a clear frown followed.

"I'm aware of what happened, and I'm sorry, but my papers are wet and this was your fault. Do you think maybe you're to blame? A single apology will do, you know!" She added in contempt.

"Me? Because of what? Because of the rain, blinding me? Does that make it my responsibility? "

"Sir, what I mean is you were swirling in circles right here in this corner. You were close to this building. There's no way I could have seen you when coming around. "If you were further from the building, closer to the road, maybe--" Catherine said while picking up the remaining clutter.

"Maybe you'd have just pushed me into the road?" He mumbled. This woman has a nerve.

"Yes! No, Maybe so. " She replied and sighed, remembering that she was almost late. She didn't have a choice but to run away from this guy.

"Got to have to go again." She grumbled while passing away from the guy.

"Don't you storm off like that, you felonious little! Dammit. Get back here! I am not done with you yet, "she heard his shout from a distance.