You worked at a craft store near your college. You were studying in finances and it was your final year. Your main reason for actually applying for that job was because you fell in love with the owner Reiner Stints. A love, at first sight, you called it. You didn't believe such things would happen but they did. The reason you fell was that he helped get rid of some unwanted attention.

You happened to learn by accident where he worked because you were buying supplies since you enjoyed doing small crafts. You were excited and feeling like it was fate when you learned he owned the store. You would come in every day to browse and buy supplies. When you heard there was a job opening you immediately applied. You were extremely happy knowing you got the job.

Three years passed and you never were able to confess your feelings. For one he was always obsessed with work and never spoke of anything that wasn't work-related. Even during breaks, he would be looking up ways to improve the store and clientele. Another was you had seen him reject multiple women over the years. You were scared of being rejected, but you decided to tell him when you thought the moment was right.

Reiner didn't like the idea of getting into a relationship again. The very first woman he ever loved cheated on him. He cared for her so much. Why did she have to do that to him? He had received multiple confessions from women, but he always turned them down. He never did anything to lead anyone on and was okay with that. He wasn't ready for relationships.

Weeks had passed you were figuring out how to confess to him. You were going to be graduating in two months, and you wanted to confess. It didn't matter to you whether or not you were rejected. You didn't want to be feeling like this anymore. You were waiting outside for Reiner to close up shop. When he exits, he is surprised to see you standing there.

"F/n. Why are you here? It is dangerous for girls to be out so late." he tells you with concern.

"Well... You see..." you trail off. Saying what you wanted to say was getting more and more difficult until finally... "I really really like you!" You say louder than intended. You leave Reiner and yourself stunned until he regains composure.

"Look F/n, I am sorry. I don't want to be in a relationship right now." You look at him and smile.

"It is okay, I understand. Well, I will see you tomorrow at work then. Bye," you say swiftly turning on your heels and walking away before your tears begin to fall. It hurts. But then again what were you expecting? You knew you were going to get turned down. You stop in your tracks before wiping away your tears. It wasn't the end of the world. You weren't dead. It would take time no doubt, but you could make it through. And maybe one day you will end up with someone even better.

The next day you went to work as you always did and continued doing everything normally. You greeted Reiner when he came in.

"Morning boss," you say with a smile. When Reiner sees you smiling, he begins fumbling around to find words to say. "It is okay." Reiner looks up at you. "I'm fine. I didn't tell you my feelings so we would hit this awkward stage. I am fine. You should be too."

"So everything can be the way it normally is." You nod. You see him let out a sigh of relief before heading to the back. When you are on break you go to check on him and see him scribbling numbers and looking at a calculator.

"Something wrong with the numbers?" You ask him looking at the papers. He turns to you.

"Shipment issues. I am trying to figure out the cheapest way to get everything in on time."

"I can help."

"You can?"

"Of course. My major is financing, so I am pretty good with numbers," you say proudly. You sit down next to him and look at the papers. "I can help you during my breaks and after closing time. As long as it doesn't mess up my own homework schedule."

"Whatever works for you." You smile at him and start working on it together. The issue gets resolved rather quickly, and you begin to help Reiner with money issues. You can tell you were becoming friends. As happy as you were, it still hurt. You still liked him. Regardless, you were happy 'you were happy' to be friends with him.

Reiner was actually surprised to see you become his friend; he was a reserved man, so he had a few friends. You had a friendly demeanor and was always wanting to try new things and was very creative. You never brought him rejecting you and respected his personal space. He still had his reserve though. He didn't have your contact info and didn't know where you lived. He was so shocked to learn you were still in college.

It was just a few days after you graduated. You decided to go back home and had prepared a resignation letter along with it was a letter. You were happy to be friends with Reiner, but now it was getting painful. Your feelings were getting stronger, but you knew he wouldn't accept. So instead, you asked one of the other workers to hand it to him.

Reiner, on the other hand, did fall for you. He wanted to tell you when you came in for work but you never did. He had gotten the letters but didn't have time to read it yet. When he did get around, he noticed the letter that said resignation on it and the other that was addressed to him. He read your letter to him

Hey Reiner,
By now I am probably back home.
I apologize for not telling it face to face,
but I decided to quit since I am going back home
and starting new. I still like you though. But it is okay,
I understand your feelings and I decided to not push
them on you anymore. Thank you for the awesome
time. We probably won't see each other but it is okay.
I hope you find someone special.

F/n.

Reiner clutches the letter tight. You still loved him. How he wished he was smart enough to ask for your number. He pulls out his phone and begins trying to find ways to contact you but to no avail. For over a year, he searched but he couldn't find you until your name showed up as a financial adviser.

You had started your own small business after a year and was doing rather well much to your surprise. You gave advice on how to manage money and was doing pretty well. You had gotten over Reiner and was happy. While you were organizing documents a familiar face pops in. Reiner.

"Reiner!" You smile at him. "Good to see you." You shake his hand.

"I've found you," he says quietly.

"Hmm?"

"Nothing. If you don't mind do you think we can go out for a bit?" You didn't have much work to do so you agreed. You both sit at a coffee shop. While drinking coffee, you ask.

"Do you need financial advice?" You ask him. He looks at you surprised. "I mean I never gave you my contact info so..." you trail off.

"Yeah, yeah," he says nodding. "I get mixed up with numbers sometimes so it would help if you were there to you know help."

"Okay, when we get to the office we can discuss what to do." You and Reiner discuss money, and he makes weekly visits to you. Soon, he begins waiting for you and you guys begin hanging out after work. You found it sweet, but you needed to tell him to stop because you had finally gotten a lover.

He was walking you home when you turn to him. "Reiner."

"Yes."

"I am thankful you have been kind enough to bring me home every day, but I need you to stop."

"Why?"

"You see, I have someone special in my life and they wouldn't like it knowing a man is walking me home all the time. They can do it so it is fine."

"...I see. Well, I hope you are happy," he says with a smile before walking away. When he is far away from you, he goes into an alley and is about to punch a wall before he stops short. You no longer loved him and yet he still loved you. He wasn't going to let it end this way. He lost his first girlfriend to another man. Like hell, he was going to lose you the same way.

He took up stalking; always checking on you and your significant other. It angered him how happy you were with them. He should have been the one with you. He has to be the one next to you. Days have passed when you get a call from the police stating your significant other died. Their body was found mutilated. It made you so sad.

You were in your apartment when you heard a doorbell ring. You open the door and see Reiner.

"I heard what happened. I am sorry for your loss." You begin crying and hug him. Reiner returns the hug. "It is alright F/n. I am here this time. I won't let you go." I won't let you go away from me he whispers to himself.

Edited by WrappedInABlanket