Chapter 1. Karina's Decision

The beautiful brown eyes kept moving from right to left, tracing every sentence in a fantasy book that she was reading. As if not satisfied with the reading speed she was trying, her brown beautiful eyes moved even faster, as if her brain was getting more interested in the book she was digesting. Word by word, sentence by sentence, she continued to trace the direction of the story being told in the novel titled "Werewolf Kingdom".

A novel written by a world-renowned author and beloved by fantasy enthusiasts, its popularity has never waned until this day, even though 13 years have passed since its release to the public. The woman who is currently reading it is a fan of fantasy stories who already has a collection of more than 100 books in the bookshelf in her room. Not content with just books, the woman also has a collection of several movies, most of which tell stories about werewolves.

Well, for the 29 year old woman, the world of Werewolves that is considered as a myth and only existed in ancient times always makes her feel interested. Moreover, the author of the Werewolf Kingdom novel made her even more interested in the world of werewolves, as if she was invited to fantasize and immerse herself in the story described in the book.

"Karina!" shouted a woman from outside her room.

From her facial expression, it seems that the woman named Karina is not very interested in the call directed towards her.

Until the woman who had been calling her name several times finally entered her room and stood with hands on her hips at the doorway.

"Another Werewolf book? Oh my god! Until when will you read that stupid fake story?" asked the woman who seemed to dislike it when the woman named Karina continues to read fantasy novels about Werewolves, which have always been her favorite.

Hearing the words of the woman standing at the doorway with her hands on her hips, Karina felt disturbed and set aside the novel she was reading before getting up from her comfortable position on the bed. She left the cozy spot she had been reluctant to leave earlier.

"What's the matter? It's not harming you in any way. Besides, I bought this novel with my own money. Not yours!" Karina replied curtly, pointing at the woman in the doorway with the novel she had just read.

Karina's stubbornness always made the woman at the door reluctant to deal with her, let alone argue with her like they were doing now.

Everyone has different needs in their life. For Karina, reading fantasy stories is one way to fill her free time and relax her mind from daily routines. As is known, reading can improve creativity and critical thinking skills, so for Karina, reading fantasy books is also a beneficial activity. In addition, reading hobbies can also help develop insights and knowledge in various fields, depending on the type of book being read.

"Alright. I won't comment anymore. But next time, if I call you, at least please respond and don't leave me talking to myself like a crazy person!" she protested.

Karina rolled her eyes lazily, then sighed and put down her new book "Werewolf Kingdom", making sure to mark the last page she had read. Then she looked back at Selena who was still standing at the doorway of her room.

"What else do you want, Selena?" asked Karina as she neatly placed the novel she had just read back into the bookshelf in her room.

The woman named Selena walked towards Karina and sat on the edge of Karina's bed.

"I'm going out tonight with Zayn. It looks like I'll be staying at his house tonight," said Selena.

Karina looked at Selena's face and tried to read her expression, but she got nothing. Karina didn't have the ability to read someone's facial expression.

"Usually you don't ask for my permission. Why suddenly telling me something that's not important? Just go with Zayn." Karina replied.

Karina's face showed her displeasure, sometimes making Selena confused.

"Are you angry with me because I always leave you?" Selena asked as she stood up and approached Karina.

Karina crossed her arms in front of her chest while looking at Selena, "Of course not. Why should I be angry? I will enjoy this night without you."

Selena laughed, "Maybe you should have a boyfriend so you don't have to spend your boring nights alone with your books in this stuffy room."

At the age of 29, Karina hasn't even had a boyfriend. She is reluctant even to think about having one. For Karina, her current career is too good to give up. She works as an assistant manager in a big company, which is more than enough for her rather than thinking about a love life that only brings heartache and broken heart.

Especially in reality, one of the reasons Karina doesn't have a relationship with anyone is because of Zayn. Yes, Zayn.

Karina - Zayn - Selena. They used to be three close friends since high school. Karina had a crush on Zayn, but it seemed that Zayn was more interested in Selena.

Karina also couldn't read a man's feelings. Although sometimes Zayn seemed worried and showed his attention to her, Karina didn't want her friendship with Selena to be ruined just because of one man. It's better for her to give up than to lose everything.

"I'm not interested in having a boyfriend." Karina replied.

Selena narrowed her eyes while looking at Karina sharply, "You're straight… right?"

"Of course, I'm straight!" shouted Karina, as she was fed up with Selena's accusation that always assumed Karina to be a lesbian.

"Then, go find a date! Find a handsome and established man!" Selena replied with a shrill tone, not losing to Karina's previous shout.

Karina covered her ears and rubbed them a few times, as if trying to get rid of Selena's words that bothered her and didn't want to hear the woman's nonsense.

"Or do you want me to introduce you to someone? In my office, there is an employee from the next division. He is in his mid-30s and still single. Maybe you are interested in him," said Selena while raising her eyebrows a few times to persuade Karina to try her offer.

Karina was initially interested, but seeing Selena's expression, she eventually refused, "No!" Karina rejected firmly.

"Oh come on! You should have a boyfriend! Don't make me feel guilty for always leaving you alone when I'm with Zayn." Selena complained.

In Karina's mind, she was trying to find a way and a reason to reject Selena's offer. Until finally, a wicked idea came up in her mind.

"Oh, I almost forgot! Tonight I also have a date with a man," said Karina suddenly, which successfully made Selena slightly surprised.

Selena narrowed her eyes, "You? Meeting a man? It's not for work, right, Karina?"

"Of course not! I'm going to meet a man that I've known for a long time. We've hung out a few times before and we're close. Maybe we'll spend the night together tonight," Karina lied, as she didn't like being forced and preferred her own crazy idea.

Selena tried to find the lie in Karina's brown-eyed gaze. But Karina's facial expression looked convincing.

"Are you sure? Can you do it? You haven't even get laid since high school. You even ran away when your ex-boyfriend wanted to get laid with you."

The memories that Selena just mentioned successfully stabbed Karina's mind. Memories that she didn't really want to remember and made her feel disgusted and embarrassed.

No wonder, she rejected an offer from a male student who was famous during her school days just because Karina was afraid of the size of his manhood and eventually left in the middle of the game.

When she remembered it, there was a sense of embarrassment in Karina's mind. Because in reality, at the age of 29, she is still a virgin. Karina has never tried having sex with any man she meets.

It's even more so now that Karina and Selena are both adults. Of course, the term "dating" is not far from sexual relationships and spending the night together in a closed room.

“Just wait and see. I am already mature, you know!” Karina said arrogantly.

“Not only mature. You're already old!” Selena replied.

Karina sighed, “Never mind. Just go with Zayn. I will take care of my own business.”

Selena looked at Karina's face and asked, "Are you sure? You won't go meet just any man to satisfy your curiosity, will you?"

Selena's words always managed to hit the truth in Karina's mind and made her repeatedly have to control her facial expressions.

"Yes, Selena. Just go! I'll get ready soon." Karina shooed Selena away and pushed her out of the room.

Selena stood at the door and looked at Karina. She still couldn't believe what Karina had just said.

"If you're not interested in men, there's no need to force yourself. Remember, I asked you to have a boyfriend because I don't want you to be lonely. Leave the man you meet if you feel incompatible, okay!?"

Karina nodded, "I didn't say boyfriend. I just said I'm meeting a man and have a date with him. So don't expect too much and stop talking nonsense!"

Seeing Karina so convincing, Selena finally left Karina's room and the door was closed again. Karina leaned on her bedroom door while contemplating her crazy idea.

"Shit! What should I do? Meet a man? Tonight? Seriously! But if I don't do it, Selena will mock me for being an old virgin and introduce me to any random man," thought Karina as she ruffled her own hair in frustration with her thoughts.