Page 30 of King of Obsession

Where I’d been fobbed off at the office.

Worse still, I’d comeback with no answers.

Bereft, I’d hunkered down on the farm.

‘I took a much-needed trip,’ I admitted, my tone clipped.

It had to be freakin’ enough to shut her down.

It wasn’t.

‘Oh, that’s lovely,’ she replied, her smile widening. ‘Any sightseeing?’

Damn, would this agony ever end?

‘No.’

When I lapsed into silence, Angie gave an awkward, tremulous beam.

I widened my eyes and tilted my head, shutting down, not wishing to discuss it further.

She didn’t get the memo.

Instead, she leaned in, eyes narrowed, lips pouting in conspiratorial curiosity. ‘Go on, Cleo, what were you up to? Please, I won’t share it with a soul.’

There was a rationale for why I’d ghosted Angie over the last few months.

She gossiped too much, and I’d become fodder for her stories.

At that moment, the store’s aisles closed in, and the weariness from a restless night and my nagging worry about Alessio all hit at once. ‘Let it fuckin’ go, Ang.’

A gasp sounded to our right, and I glanced up, only to lock eyes with a woman who stood by clutching her pearls.

‘How dare you, Cleo? Cursing? Is this how low you’ve sunk?’

I was beset with immediate regret as Angie’s mother caught me red-handed in my tantrum. ‘Mrs Davis, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. I’m just -.’

Her face softened at my obvious discomfort. ‘How are you?’

Yet another person extending their pity toward me.

I pushed back my shoulders, met her gaze, and jerked my chin. ‘I’m well.’

‘I see I need to drop by with some cooking and maybe a cake or two -‘ she rambled on, her eyes flicking over my form. ‘You’re too thin.’

I’d had enough. ‘Nice to see you both,’ I mumbled. ‘I’ve got to go.’

The pair waved at me, their faces incredulous, as I turned away, palms sweaty as I procured the supplies I needed from the shelf.

The daughter-mum duo sidled away as I let out a huff of relief.

Working fast, I filled my shopping basket.

Antibiotic ointment, sterile bandages, disinfectant, and pain relievers.

Next, I strode to the local butcher to purchase more meat.

Followed by the grocer for additional staples and sundries—enough to stock my pantry for two weeks—with extra provisions for my unexpected guest.

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