Tanya’s POVThe afternoon sun casts its waning rays of light through my shop window, declaring it the typical time for Mr. Barlow to waltz into my store in clear dire need of some company. And in my store, he is. Despite his elderly appearance and stumpy stature, one could tell he was quite the looker when he’d been in his prime.He has a smooth bald head, and broad shoulders, although his age means the loss in some strength, it’s apparent he has once been very muscular. If it is not for his terrible drinking habits, maybe he’d still look the same, and smell less of age-old whiskey which tends to put people off. If not for that, Mr. Barlow would’ve had more people to talk to other than just me.For he is rather charming, in a childish, temperamental, playful sort of way, always cracking a joke or two, before going off on long rambles about stories he deems ever so interesting. Course I never mind, I enjoy the company, and a

Tanya’s POVSome part of me is hoping for a different reaction from my past love, maybe some form of acknowledgment that would change everything. But hope is often a feeble thing, that can be harshly shattered by the realities of life. This cruel reality crushes my expectations and longing, as Marco completely blanks me. His glares daggers into my heart as he turns away and moves into the next door house.Not wanting my daughter to see my misplaced feelings, I take Claire’s hand and head into our home. I prep dinner, and we eat whilst she tells me all about her day. I always love listening to her stories of what she got up to. And despite the lingering desire to speak to the man next door, I remain enthusiastic and present in our conversations.Later however, as I’m washing the dishes, I hear a loud sound coming from Marco’s house. Recalling Lisa’s request, my eyes widen with realization. With Claire, we rush out the door a

Tanya’s POVI’m extremely flustered and embarrassed by my daughter’s words, as I glance between her and Marco also appears slightly taken back. Finally, I kneel to my daughter so I’m at her eye level. “Honey, why do you keep calling Marco daddy?”Almost as if convinced by her conviction, she responds with little hesitation, looking at me with pure childish innocence. “Because he has the same blue eyes as me!” she squeaks, playing with her fingers as if she’s suddenly nervous from all attention paid towards her by the both of us.Nevertheless, she continues to explain. “And I like Marco, I want him to be my daddy. I feel it in my heart,” she places a hand on her chest, before turning round to face Marco, and running into his arms without question, looking up into his eyes. “And I’m very cute, and Marco is very handsome, so you must be my daddy.”She is utterly ador

Marco’s POVIt warms my heart to see the relief in Claire’s eyes as she realizes it is me. She eagerly takes my hand as I take her away from her bullies and safeguard her from them. However, I can’t help but stiffen as the child for the third time this week encompasses me in a hug. Her dainty arms doing their best to wrap around my understandably larger body.I always have a particular softness towards children. To adults, I have no desire to showcase any form of remorse or whittle down my brashness. But with children… there is something about their innocence that captures my attention.My negative outlook on people’s intentions never befalls on children. Even with their temper tantrums, they have a level of purity with regards to the world around them. You could never blame them simply because they don’t understand enough about life. They are always good intentioned, or at least oblivious to the consequences of thei

Tanya’s POVThe midday autumn sun rests high in the sky, soothed by a breeze that remains calm and gentle towards all the outdoor stalls and laid out food for the family day event. It begins with various activities for all the families to participate in. Claire skips along in front of us, and I’m comforted by the high spirits that my daughter finds herself in. And I’m ever grateful to Marco for making that happen.He walks calmly beside me. And whilst I wouldn’t blame him for feeling out of place surrounded by all the parents and children. He blends in perfectly. Conversations with other parents seem like a breeze for him, as he plays the role of a wonderful dad, fully in love with his daughter. I can’t help but admire him quietly whilst he speaks or smiles at my daughter’s playful antics. If only this was real life…Nevertheless, I savor the moment and enjoy the day. We get up to loads of things. First, we sto

Tanya’s POVI race towards the two, my hands pressing firmly against Raphael’s chest, shoving him away from Mr. Barlow. Of course, my hand meets with the bully’s rippled chest, and I can barely push him. He chuckles at my feeble attempt, only stepping back with a malicious grin.Raphael isn’t as tall as Marco, but he is still a decent height for a male. And he didn’t get classed as a bully for no reason. Although muscular, there is no smooth elegance or refinement to his physic. Raphael is a rough piece of work, as if he has been carved with a blunt knife. Curated with jagged edges, a shaggy unkempt beard and buzz cut. He is like a rusty machete, worn, weathered, and ragged, but still dangerous enough to cut you and give you a nasty infection.“Stop! Stop this nonsense!” I yell, decently fearful, as I feel a close friendship with Mr. Barlow. Even with his annoying old man tendencies. I don’t want to see hi

Tanya’s POVThere is no time to waste on the hows and what-ifs. If I am going to get Mr. Barlow, his badge back and keep Marco’s arm attached to the rest of his body, then I couldn’t waste any more time worrying. I have to put my plan into action and just hope for the best.“Does anyone have a pen and paper?” I say with clear urgency in my voice.“I do!” Mr. Barlow shouts, handing them over to me without question. I quickly jot down a list of perfume-making equipment, ingredients, and raw materials that I know I’d need. With pen in hand, my fingers rush over the page in a scribbly mess as I’m aware of time. When I’m done, I turn to the one person who knows every item listed on the page, because he has been the one to set up my entire perfumery room… back when…Oh no…I stammer, frozen in confliction as I’m about to hand Marco the paper. I try to hide my

Tanya’s POVIt’s a known verified fact, that a mama bear will do anything for her cubs. And in that very moment, I’d never felt so much emotion in my life. Every instinctual motherly fiber within me is scorching with fierce intensity. My heart hammers against my chest as my weak senses heighten to their extremity and adrenalin kicks in.“Claire! Claire!” I scream, darting from one side of the pathway to the other, the crowd parting for me as I desperately look for my child.No one would ever understand how much my daughter meant to me. After I chose to leave Marco, I was nothing. Caspian found me washed up by lake on the brink of death, and even after he saved me, I was a hopeless empty shell of my former self.The loss of my love was so destructive to my brain and heart, every day after that felt like a chore. The weeks blurred as I aimlessly slept my worries away. And the only thing that kept me from ending it was

Tanya’s POVCaspian is quick in his greetings to Marco, with something clearly on his mind that he’s eager to spill.“So, Tanya, have you ever been to a banquet?” he probes with a toothy smile.“Um,” I have to stop myself from glancing in Marco’s direction upon recalling our night at the auction. With Marco’s memory loss, did the Autumn Equinox even count? “No,” my tone does not meet the energy of his anticipation, but Caspian doesn’t seem to notice it.“Well, my dear, you’re invited to the banquet at the Blue Moon Pack!” I feel bad for not appearing more excited, I do try to usher on a pleased smile, but today’s events have really worn me out.“The theme will be masquerade, and it will be taking place later this week! Almost everyone from the pack will be there,” he adds.Upon hearing this however, a discomfort settles in my stomac

Marco’s POVI generally detested banquets of this nature. It obviously didn’t help that I was a part of the royal family that used every God damn excuse to host events like this. My experience with royal banquets made me assume they were just all so fake.None of the noblemen liked each other anyways, whether due to politics, or rivalry for power. Their greasy hair slicked back against their balding scalps. Whilst their royal wives rotted with jealousy over this girl and the next, as they were caked to the heavens with an unnecessary amount of powder that was somehow overshadowed by their massive air balloon shaped dresses.However, I soon realize that my negative assumption of the Blue Moon Pack’s banquet is oddly wrong.As Tanya, Claire and I step into the main ballroom, the atmosphere feels light, and weightless. Despite the evening darkness that shimmers through the grand windows, the room emanates brightness. With sheer sky