one in our FOREVERMORE

Chapter Two Leya

I love taking my Doberman for a walk, especially on a day as stressful as this one. The morning was filled with back-to-back meetings, each one more draining than the last. The breaking point came during the final meeting, where some men in the art trade tried to sell me an obvious fake. So, I decided to step out with Max to relax a bit. He's my favorite company. As we reach the park, I unclip his leash, and he eagerly darts off.

"Max," I call out, pulling a toy stick from my bag.

Instantly, his focus shifts to me, and I toss the stick in a different direction. With a bark, he's on it, the toy in his mouth in a matter of seconds. He loves to play, and I love the sight of him having fun.

I saw Max two years ago in Seoul, and thankfully, he still had his tail. It's disheartening what some people do to these magnificent animals just to make them appear 'scarier'. Max doesn't need that. His sense of protection is evident in his eyes and his actions. He becomes especially vigilant whenever a man approaches me. He doesn't like them at all. However, the little dog place where I found him, said he came from a foreign country, and they already cropped his ears. He was only like 8 weeks old. How can people do such a crucial thing? The first time I saw him, he was the only dog who didn't rush to me. He stayed in a corner with fear in his eyes and I vowed that nobody would touch him again.

As we stroll through the park, he brings his toy a couple of times, for me to throw it as far as possible.

After an hour, I leash him, and we make our way back to my museum.

I adore the sight of it, of my museum; its presence is visible from miles away. The property is expansive, featuring a sprawling white stone front yard. While the building itself isn't towering, standing at only four floors, it radiates elegance and spaciousness. Its contemporary architecture – modern, beautiful, and entirely mine. All my life's work stands right in front of me, a blessing I received just a year ago.

I completed my bachelor's degree here in Germany and pursued my master's in the history of art in Seoul. Initially planned to settle in Korea, it's by far, the most beautiful country I've ever visited, but when the offer came to work here as a manager, my dedication kicked in, and I committed myself to it. Now, as the proud owner of the museum, I couldn't be happier. Despite this, I still maintain an apartment in Seoul. I try to fly over as often as possible – whether to visit my old college friends or simply sit somewhere peacefully. Admittedly, I haven't reached out to them in a while; because my schedule keeps me occupied.

As soon as I step inside, the security guard nods, and I glide through the wide corridor, passing by some customers before turning left towards the employee's elevator. Upon reaching the fourth floor, I release Max's leash, and with a single step out of it-

"Vaffanculo, you can't do that,'' my calm Italian secretary exclaims. I roll my eyes as I make my way towards his desk, and he ends the call after noticing me.

"Boyfriend problems again?'' I raise my eyebrows.

"Leya, I don't know what to do. Tell me what to do.'' He looks desperately into my eyes. Jesus. I sigh inwardly.

"Break up," I respond bluntly.

"I can't. I love him."

"Marcel, you wouldn't be in this mess if you were single. I'm just saying."

I walk into my office and as soon as I settle behind my desk, he enters and takes a seat across from me.

"If I were single... I'd be afraid to turn out like-'' he cuts himself off, avoiding my eyes.

"Oh, thank you. You want to get fired?"

"I just meant, your coochie is a desert, I don't want that to happen to my dick."