His Innocent Sera

A smile instantly lit up her face as she gently gathered the fluffy ball and settled it on her lap. The kitten nestled in trustingly, eliciting a soft chuckle from her. She ran her fingers through the kitten's snow white fur and cooed, "Where did you come from, little one?"

Nate, lingering at the doorway, felt a sharp prick of jealousy, but he ignored it. He didn't wish to ruin the moment. He wanted to see more of that smile.

The kitten mewed in answer and burrowed deeper, basking in her affection.

His features twisted into a scowl. Unable to stand it any longer, he marched over in quick strides and yanked the kitten off her lap. Before she could spot his scowl, he quickly masked it with an easy grin. The last thing he wanted was for her to think he was jealous of a kitten.

"I brought her for you," he disclosed, causing her jaw to drop in surprise. Amusement filled his expression upon seeing her reaction.

"Surprised?" he asked, arching a brow as he settled down beside her. He let the kitten go, who immediately tried to climb back onto her lap, but Nate was smarter; he quickly blocked her path with pillows and smirked after successfully defending

HIS spot.

He then shifted his attention back to her and explained, "You said you get lonely after I leave... So, I figured she could keep you company." Her eyes softened as they drifted back to the kitten, who was still stubbornly trying to climb the pillow.

She reached out to stroke her head and asked, "And where did you find her?" Nate shrugged and replied, "There is a pet shop next to my workplace." She took in the information quietly. His thoughtfulness had caught her off guard.

He leaned in, purposefully shrinking the distance between them, and asked, "So, what are we going to name her?"

"Snow White," she answered, grinning at the furball.

"How creative," Nate responded, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Sera let out a soft laugh as the kitten nibbled at her fingers with tiny, eager bites. Nate watched her, mesmerised by her carefree laugh. Her laughter, to him, was as alluring as soft chimes of silver bells-pure, delicate, sacred. A sound that brought peace to the chaos within him.

"She is hungry," Sera deduced and moved to get something for her to eat.

After she left, Nate picked up the kitten by the scruff.

"Sweet, isn't she?" he sneered, then narrowed his eyes and added, "She is a delicacy indeed, but not for you to eat. She is mine, and you better get that through your head." Their stare down dragged on for a long moment until Kitten opened her mouth and let out a wide yawn, totally unimpressed. Nate released her, feeling a bit well..insulted. The kitten sprawled across the pillow and stretched, dismissing him in his own house.

Just then, Sera returned, carrying a bowl of milk and caught Nate frowning at the kitten with his arms crossed. She glanced between Nate and the kitten, sensing some tension.

"Is everything okay?" she questioned, placing the bowl on the floor. Snow White's ears perked up in attention, and the moment her eyes clapped onto the bowl, the kitten bounced off the bed and landed straight in front of the brimming bowl.

"She has an............. attitude problem," Nate accused sourly, bringing an amused smile to Sera's face. She was already feeling proud of Snow White.

"She can have one. She is cute," Sera defended her little companion while fondly stroking her head. Snow White purred, having already found her favorite.

"She is cute, " Nate agreed, his eyes stuck on Sera as he continued, "...but only one person gets away with driving me crazy." His words made her eyes snap to his. His gaze caught hers instantly, warm and too full of meaning. There was something in his eyes that unsettled her. It wasn't something dark or devious but something warm and gentle. Something that promised comfort and care. She looked away immediately.

He returned later than usual, as today he had stayed back to train other fighters. After seeing his fighting skills, the owner had offered Nate to train his fighters for extra cash. Nate had agreed and started from today only. He unlocked the door and walked in, only to freeze at the sight of Sera sobbing inconsolably on the couch. A cold wave of dread slammed into him. Without thinking, he dropped his bag and rushed over to her.

"What happened?" he asked, crouching down to her level. His heart ached just seeing her like this.

Sera glanced up, her eyes full of panic as she grasped his shoulders and said, "something..something has happened to Snowy. She isn't responding."

Nate followed her line of gaze and found Snow White lying unconscious on the table. He walked closer and examined the feline. Her chest was moving, but her body lay still.

He immediately picked her up and started towards the door. Sera rose from the couch and asked, "Where are you going?"

"We have to get her checked," he replied, yanking open the door and stepping out. Sera anxiously followed him out. They were walking down the corridor when they ran into Mr. Jang.

"What happened?" he asked, glancing briefly at the kitten.

"Something has happened to Snowy. She isn't moving," Sera explained, her eyes brimming with fresh tears. Mr. Jang's gaze drifted back to the kitten, and he studied her with furrowed brows.

"I am a vet. Let me take a look," he said. Sera was quick to take Snow White from

Nate's hold and gave her to Mr. Jang.

Mr. Jang examined the feline and

concluded she had caught a fever. If

they had delayed any longer, the

kitten might not have made lief

it. The

revelation filled Sera with both felief and rage. Mr.Jang administered the necessary medicines and left.

As soon as he left, Nate walked up and hugged her from behind.

"She'll be fine," he murmured, kissing the crook of her neck.

Sera extricated herself from his embrace and spun on her heels to meet his gaze. There was a fire blazing in his eyes, leaving Nate puzzled.

"What's wrong?" he questioned.

"Did you hear, Mr. Jang?" she started softly, pain flashed in her eyes as she continued, "Snowy would have died if there had been more delay. She'd been unconscious since noon, and I could do nothing but stare at her.

Rage and grief trembled in her voice as she added, "I couldn't get her help because I am locked in here like a prisoner. I couldn't call for help because I don't have a phone. She would have died today if we hadn't run into Mr. Jang."

Nate frowned. She walked closer, eye to eye.

"By bringing Snowy, you didn't bring me a company, you brought me a prison mate..." she accused, Nate listened to her, his face seemed to have been carved

in stone.

Frustration and vulnerability etched through her features. "Today it was Snowy. Tomorrow it could be me. What if slip in the bathroom or fall sick? There'll be no one I can reach for help. I'll have to wait until you come back, or maybe I'll die while waiting."

Her last line sent a flicker of emotion through his tensed features.noveldrama

Her countenance softened into pleading as she fisted the fabric of his shirt and implored, "I promise le won't escape. I'll stay right here and wait for you every day..just..just don't lock me in. You've no idea how miserable I felt today. I wanted to help her but I couldn't."

"Please," tears streamed down her cheeks, weakening his resolve, and then she placed her head on his chest. Her vulnerability sought his strength. Her shaken soul cried out for his strong arms. Today, she had been so scared, so miserable.

Nate cocooned her in his embrace, bringing her closer to him. Every ounce of warmth in his body was for her to take. Her quiet sobs felt like thousands of jabs to his chest. An aching urge to relieve her of her worries gnawed at him.

He dipped his head and kissed the crown of her head.