Page 70 of Whispers of Obsession

“Well, he was persistent and annoying,” I grumble, making Steph chuckle.

“Aww, he just wanted to take you out on a little date,” Steph teases, and I stick my tongue out at her.

“Whatever. I don't have time to date right now.” That’s not entirely true, but I’m not giving Steph any ideas about setting me up. She’s like a dog with a bone when she gets an idea in her head.

After grabbing coffee and parting ways with Steph until tomorrow, I head to my college class feeling a bit unsettled. The encounter with Derek has left me with a strange feeling, like I’m being watched again.

I glance around nervously as I take my seat, but there’s no sign of him anywhere.Oh yeah, he said he was in my psych class, not this one.

There’s no sign of Slater either - not that he’d be in my class - but I can’t shake the feeling of being watched, and if not one of those two guys, who would be keeping an eye on me?

My thoughts briefly flit to the masked man again - as they too often do - but I dismiss the notion. I need to get over him.It. I’m not hung up on him, just what he did to me. It’s time to move on. He’s not coming back and even if he did, I should probably kill him for what he did to me anyway. I need to stop…pining for a glimpse of him.

Throughout the lecture, I can’t shake off the feeling of being observed, but I try to focus on the material. Yet, every time I steal a glance around the room, I come up empty-handed. Maybe it’s just my nerves acting up again.

As the class ends, I gather my things and make my way out of the lecture hall, relieved to be free from the sense of scrutiny. But as I step into the bustling campus courtyard, the feeling returns, stronger this time. I quicken my pace, trying to shake off the unease.

I had planned to go to the library to study, but the ants on my skin feeling has me all out of sorts, so instead I head back to my dorm room, grateful for once that I don’t have to share with anyone, and I study there until it’s time for work.

I love working at the bar already. I may have only had a handful of shifts so far, but I like seeing Slater at work, making my own money, and how being busy distracts my mind from all the things I don’t want to think about.

I’m just getting through the early rush for food - everyone coming in and wanting to order right before the game is due to begin on the big screen - when I catch sight of someone familiar in the corner of my eye.

My heart skips a beat as I realize it’s the guy from earlier, leaning against the bar with a smug grin on his face. My stomach twists into knots as I remember our last encounter. What does he want now?

I try to ignore him, focusing on my tables and hoping he’ll leave me alone, or just leave altogether. But it’s no use. Beforelong, he’s sauntering over, his presence looming over me like a dark cloud.

“Well, well, well, look who it is,” he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Fancy seeing you here, Cora.”

I swallow hard, trying to keep my composure. “What do you want…David, was it?”

I kind of hope deliberately getting his name wrong will get the message across that I’m not interested, but it backfires when his eyes flash with rage momentarily before he pastes a slick grin on his face.

He leans in closer, his breath reeking of alcohol. “Just wanted to see how my favorite little server is doing. You know, after our little chat this morning.”

I tense up, memories of our last encounter flooding back. “I told you I’m working, so it’s best you leave me alone,” I say, my voice trembling slightly.

He chuckles darkly. “Come on, Cora. You know you can’t resist me.”

I grit my teeth, trying to muster up the courage to stand my ground.

As Derek continues to hassle me, I feel my frustration growing. I can’t understand why he’s so persistent, especially after I made it clear that I’m not interested. But before I can respond, a familiar voice cuts through the tension.

“Hey, buddy, I think the lady said she's not interested,” Slater’s voice booms from behind Derek.

I turn to see Slater approaching, his presence commanding attention. Derek’s smug expression falters for a moment, but he quickly regains his composure.

“Back off, man. I’m just having a friendly chat with my girl here. We know each other,” Derek retorts, trying to sound confident.

Slater steps closer, his gaze intense. “Doesn’t look like she’s interested in your company. So why don’t you take the hint and leave her alone?”

Derek glances between me and Slater, weighing his options. Finally, he grumbles something under his breath and backs away, disappearing into the crowd.

I let out a shaky breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. Slater may not be the knight in shining armor I always imagined, but in that moment, he was my hero.

“Thanks,” I say, offering him a grateful smile.

Slater nods, his expression softening slightly, even though his jaw is still clenched in anger. “No problem. Just doing my job.”

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