Marthy stared longingly at the array of books piled up on the shelf. She ran her fingers gently on the books, reading the titles one by one. They were some of the bestselling books of her favorite author, Madrigal Dior. She wanted so badly to grab and buy a copy of each. 

If only her wallet could afford that kind of luxury.

She picked up one of the books and peeked at the price tag on its back. She grimaced outwardly. She could already pay this month’s electricity bill with that. With a heavy sigh, she placed the book back on the shelf. 

Maybe it was because of her ability, but Marthy always had a keen sense of awareness. Her skin felt tingly, as if someone was staring at her. She subconsciously turned her gaze to her right and she came eye to eye with the most beautiful green eyes she had ever come across with in her whole life.

The man who owned those wonderful pair of green eyes, who got caught staring, immediately turned his gaze away, pretending to appear nonchalant as he focused his eyes on the books in front of him. His ears told her a different story though. They were slowly turning into a bright shade of pink.

Cute.

Marthy took her sweet time looking the guy over from head to toe. She was sure that he was checking her too before he got caught so she was simply returning the favor. She had to admit that he was quite the looker. His stance could pass for a model but his shyness was a huge giveaway that he probably belonged to a different work path. Aside from that, he was also squirming slightly, obviously feeling embarrassed that she was ogling him so vulgarly. 

Marthy bit her lip, suppressing a giggle. His behavior made her want to tease him even more but she couldn’t. Just like her favorite author’s books, it was a luxury she couldn’t afford. 

She made a promise to herself. Everything was ending with her. And for that to happen, she can’t allow herself to be involved with anyone.

Marthy let out another sigh before heading to the cashier. She placed a pen and notepad on the counter. 

“Would this be all, Ma’am?” the cashier asked.

“Yes.” She was trying to save money but she always felt guilty going inside a bookstore and leaving without buying anything. So she picked out the cheapest items she could find. 

“Excuse me-”

Both the cashier and Marthy turn towards the voice. The man from earlier suddenly placed a couple of books on the counter.  “Can you include this please?”

Marthy frowned and gave him a confused look. “I’m sorry, what?”

“I’m buying this for you.”

She looked at him in utter surprise. It would have been such a daring and forward move but it was ruined by the blush that was coloring his face at the moment. 

The hell, why is this guy so cute?

She shook her head, trying her best not to be swayed. “I’m sorry, aside from the fact that these books are really costly, I don’t accept random stuff from strangers.”

The man frowned a little, like he was thinking some stuff through. “That’s okay, I won’t buy the books for you then.”

Your eyes widen again. Well, that was quick. “Okay…”

“I’m going to buy them for myself so how about I invite you to coffee and we could read them together?”

This time, she could no longer stop herself. She let out a chuckle. Man, the guy was so full of surprises. “That was smooth.”

His blush intensified but he tried his best to keep a straight face. Marthy smiled again and gestured towards the books, signaling him to go ahead and pay them.

“Wait, is that a yes?” he asked in surprise.

“Yes.”

Marthy watched as he silently did a fist pump and proceeded into paying the books. After the cashier finished wrapping up the order, he turned to her.

“I’m sorry, I should have introduced myself first. My name’s Cale Alenton. You can call me Cale.”

“I’m Maria Theresa Fabrigar but you can call me Marthy.”

“I know it was so random but thank you so much for agreeing to coffee, Marthy.”

Cale extended his hand and Marthy stared at it for a while. The cute and fluffy emotions she was feeling earlier disappeared in an instant. Cale frowned at her curiously and then took his hand back.

“If you’re not comfortable, it’s fine-”

“It’s fine.” 

Might as well get it over and done with. The earlier she knew, the better. It was easier to cut things if you pruned them early. She extended her hand and inhaled deeply as she waited for Cale’s skin to touch hers.

Cale’s hand met hers and she felt the familiar tingly feeling on her fingertips.

And without fail, her vision slowly turned hazy as her surroundings shifted. Everything was a bit hazy but she could make out the noise that had replaced the quiet bookstore. It was a buzzling street. Several people and vehicles were going on and about. She turned around, trying her best to look for him. 

A loud horn followed by several screams catches her attention. She immediately ran towards the scene and stopped at the sight before her. A woman cried in pain as she clutched his lifeless body. Marthy closed her eyes and waited for it all to disappear.

“Marthy?”

Marthy’s eyes started to refocus again on the present and she looked at Cale with painful eyes. 

“Is everything alright?”

“I’m fine. I’m sorry but I’ll have to take a raincheck on the coffee.”

Cale looked surprised but he was quick to recover. “Oh, okay, is it not a good time? Maybe we can set it for another date?”

She smiled but she knew it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

She quickly turned to leave, ignoring Cale calling after her. Her steps grew steadily faster, until she was almost running. She wished she could just run away from it all.

From the pain. From her life. From their curse.

But she couldn’t.

Their family was plagued with a curse. A curse that had been passed down from generation to generation. A child from each generation was gifted with Death’s eyes. One touch and that child could see how a person would die in the future.

Just now, Marthy had seen Cale’s death. He was going to die after being hit by a car in a busy and crowded street somewhere. She had seen multiple deaths and they always made her heart die too. There was no vision that wasn’t painful for her but there were visions that gripped her heart badly. And Cale’s future death was one of those.

Because he had looked the same way he had looked just now. The Cale she had seen in the future, bloody and lifeless on the street, was not an old but a young Cale.

He only had a few years left to live.