Page 24 of Unruly Obsession
I let out a shaky breath.
“Sorry to call you so late,” I finally say. I’d be lying if I put all of this down to only recent events, and although Lorenzo’s influence might exacerbate the situation I was trying to run away from, it's only forcing me to face it.
I can’t be angry at him for that, although there’s plenty more I can be irritated by—his personality to start with.
“Don’t apologize, Lily. Do you want me to come to you right now?” she asks.
“No, it’s fine. I just need to walk for a bit and think. But we’re still on for breakfast, right?” Because I refuse to lose my friendship over this.
Ara’s quiet for a moment. I’ve known from our first meeting that she isn’t forthcoming with her emotions. I can see how she’s opened up little by little through our friendship, but it’s like I’m learning about her all over again. I don’t want this to come between us, so I need to show her at the very least that I can handle myself in this situation.
“I’ll be there. Are you sure, Lily?”
I bite down on a bitter smile. I need to be brave. I need to figure my shit out and sort out these mixed emotions I’ve suppressed for so long, the ones that have nothing to do with her and this circumstance. “I’m sure. Thank you, Ara, for being my friend.”
I hang up the phone and look to the sky, exhaling, feeling something within me shift. I let the sound of the busy street take over. It’s why I’ve always loved this city. It’s chaotic, forever moving, and when it all feels like too much, I allow its noises to drown out all the bad.
And it was working, until Lorenzo speaks. “If I could make a suggestion… Perhaps we should retrieve the car and?—”
“No,” I say, turning on him and placing a hand on my hip.
His gaze narrows on me, as if I’m no more than an insignificant bug. “No?”
“No. You can go get the car, but I’m going to walk.” I finger one of the curls framing my face, the action always making me feel more put together, and then I continue walking.
“Are you simply saying no to be defiant?” Lorenzo asks, coming up beside me. I hate how my long strides don’t affect him whatsoever or create the space I clearly need.
“No. I’m living my life as I usually would. You might have orders to follow, but I don't.” I have no idea where I’m going, but I don’t care. I just need to walk. Do something I wouldn’t normally do. Be free, no matter how small the action.
His exasperated sigh brings me comfort enough to know he’s as inconvenienced by this as I am, which I can’t help but feel smug about.
We walk past multiple shops before he steps in front of me. “How about a little retail therapy? Doesn’t that usually make women feel better?”
I scoff. “You think I’m just a pretty little thing that likes to buy stuff?”
His eyebrows furrow. He's obviously confused by my response.Oh my God, he actually thinks that’s what being a woman entails.I step around him, shaking my head.
“What planet did you come from, Lorenzo? Did you not have women in your life to show you that they are complicated creatures with thoughts of their own, not simply something pretty to look at?” I feel like a hypocrite saying it, considering that’s exactly how I was raised. I don’t agree with it, and it pisses me off to know thathe,of all people, has this same belief.
“You seem to project a lot,” he says, like he’s simply making an observation.
I snap, spinning toward him. “Are youfuckingkidding me?” The curse hits me tenfold, having more of an effect on me than him. But it also feltgood. His expression shifts.
It’s menacing.
Dangerous.
All too provocative.
“Did you just curse at me, Lily Taylor? The elegant, sheltered dove knows how to cuss after all,” he drawls sensually, eliciting goose bumps to raise on my skin because it not only entices me but feels like a threat all the same. I don’t know how to react or be around Lorenzo. He throws me off entirely.
One thing holds true: He undeniably infuriates me simply by his existence. Us being in the same room together turns into a disaster the moment he speaks, and it’s becoming more difficult for me to refrain from vocalizing my scathing thoughts.
“Okay, Mr. I-Think-I’m-Better-Than-Everyone-Else. What is it about the wealthy you don’t like? Are you jealous? Have some weird notion that rich people are bad? Whatever preconceptions you have, stop applying them to me. Maybe you’re mad because your boss won’t give you a pay rise, but don’t project that onto me.” I stand my ground because I don’t often take jabs at people, but if it’s the only way he might leave me alone, if only for asecond, so I can breathe and think, then I’ll pave the way to damaging whatever part of his armor I can.
His face reverts back to his usual broody, I’m-miserable-with-the-world expression. “The ins and outs of my business have nothing to do with you, Sunshine. The people at that event, who you’ve been circulating with your entire life, are like a pack of wolves. They will tear you to pieces the moment you show a weakness. They’re predatory. All of them. And that’s coming from a man who seeks opportunities and exploits them. It’s not the wealthy I hate. It’s the high society you circulate in that I loathe. At least I admit to being a monster, instead of parading around like a prestigious show dog.”
I’m taken aback. Is that how he views me? As some show dog? He thinks he knows me. Thinks because of my upbringing that I should be lumped in with them. If I'd known this man's personality when we first met, I would’ve never once thought him beautiful.
