Page 22 of The Dark Obsession

And with that he’s gone, leaving me to mull over his words in silence.

The bedroom on the first floor which now belongs to me is surprisingly spacious, with its only downside being that I’m sharing a balcony with Tyson who’s sleeping right next door. The shared upstairs bathroom not making things much better either.

Now that I think of it, this is the only space where I can have any semblance of privacy.

Keeping my distance will probably be for the best given how jumbled my feelings towards this man are. And I’ve only known him for only a few short hours.

Most of which I haven’t even been conscious for.

He’s the kind of person whose presence dominates you, takes away your breath and your sanity straight with it.

And I’m entirely too susceptible to it.

Emotionally exhausted, I fall onto the soft bed, already wearing the same pair of pajamas as my heavy eyes flutter closed, giving way to the sweet relief of sleep.

I don’t cry.

During this whole ordeal I haven’t shed a tear like any sane person would.

My whole life, I felt desperate for something more, felt trapped as I was forced to be someone my parents deemed acceptable in high society.

There’s a small part of me that’s relieved I’ve gotten away from their constant supervision, the pressure of being the perfect daughter. That’s all I’ve ever known, that’s what always came first.

Never my interests or wishes, but those of others.

On paper, I had everything I could wish for, and yet what I longed for the most was freedom. No matter how small.

And now, I’m trapped once more in a different kind of prison,unsure of which one is worse.

Blinking my eyes open, I pull the comforter over my head, shielding myself from the rays of sunshine filtering in through the white curtains.

Since when is it so bright in here? With the sun already high in the sky, I must have slept well past noon.

What the hell did I do last night?

Last night.

I freeze as it all starts coming back to me.

The black eyes hovering above me, the heat of his strong arms around me, of his rough hands on my skin.

Releasing a shuddering breath, I throw myself back into the pillows.It wasn’t just a dream after all.

On the flip side, it’s finally bright enough outside that I’m able to take a better look around the unfamiliar room.

It’s simple yet gorgeous, with a beautifully carved wooden dresser and bedframe complementing the cream-colored bedding.

Untangling myself from between the sheets, my bare feet sink into the woven carpet as I pad towards the French doors to let it some fresh air.

My breath leaves my lungs as I’m struck by the most beautiful view.

Over the treetops, a deep valley stretches out as far as one can see, covered in an endless sea of greenery blending into the clear blue sky.

I’m left absolutely speechless. How on earth does a place like this even exist and how come that someone like Tyson just happened to stumble upon it.

As much as I hate to admit it, this involuntary stay has gotten a tiny bit more enjoyable and it’s definitely not because of the man who brought me here.

Not in the slightest.

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