Page 51 of The Dark Obsession

My mood shifts when Rafael moves around again, ready to throw questions at me—questions that tear at my already broken heart. My heart throbs painfully every time I think of Dale. A simple sweet smell causes a tsunami of emotions to overwhelm my body to a point that it aches.

Rafael smiles cautiously when he brings in a stool and sits opposite me. “Tell me.”

“The night we found out my mother was missing, you know, I was outside, and I saw the shadow. Then you called to tell us you found her, and you took me home. I fell down the stairs, and Dale let himself into the house. He found me lying on the floor and told me Ben called him and asked him to check on me.” I can feel the confusion on my face as I try to remember through the haze.

Rafael leans forward, his elbows on his knees. “Then?”

“Then he stayed with me through the morning. I went upstairs to get dressed. He was with me when you called and asked me to come in.” My eyes brim with tears again, and I peek at the bloody scabs on my collarbone.

Rafael leans forward, his fingers stretching towards my collarbone. He stops just before he makes contact. He retracts his hand and focuses on his knees.

“That’s when he got physical. He pulled open my shirt and bit me. He touched me,” I whisper, unable to say it out loud. “I told him we need to be apart for a while, and I left. You know the rest.”

“So, he told you he was sorting his father’s funeral?” Rafael asks, after a moment of stunned silence.

“Yes. Actually, he messaged me yesterday and said the funeral was yesterday morning. He asked me to go. I ignored him.”

“Rosalie, his father died about three years ago. My firm dealt with his will.” Rafael scribbles something on his notepad.

“W-what? When he came in yesterday, he wore a suit, as if he had been.”

Rafael stares at me. For a moment, he looks as if he might just crack, until his lips turn into a stone-carved smile. “Then maybe he’s lying about more than just his father,” Rafael whispers to me and places his hand on my back pulling me a bit closer. He allows himself a small reassuring smile and whispers, “It’ll all be okay.” He rubs my back in circular motions. I move into his shoulder, resting my head and wrapping my trembling arms around him. His body is close, closer than I had ever felt it before. His muscles contract teasingly as he loosens his grip. “I won’t ever let anything happen to you like that again, Rosalie.” He lets me go, but I take his hands in mine, not ready to let go.

Our hands are still entwined when a man enters the room.

His dark brown curls are what I notice first as he stands still just inside the doorway, his gaze on me. He pans wearily between Rafael and me before deciding it’s okay to come in farther. He has bright blue vivid eyes that stand out against his dark olive-coloured skin. He smiles greatly as he stands in front of us.

Rafael drops my hand like it’s a time bomb and jumps up, “Brother,” Rafael says, his hands on his brother’s shoulders.

“Rafael,” his brother replies, his voice smart, dignified, and a bit higher than Rafael’s.

They stare at each other for a second, as if they are having a silent conversation, then the brother raises his eyebrows at me, waiting for an introduction.

“Rosalie, this is Adriel, my older brother,” Rafael says, still staring ahead at Adriel.

Adriel takes my hand and kisses it delicately. His cool lips linger on my hand for a moment before he moves back, smiling. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Rosalie.”

I stand awkwardly at Rafael’s side, staring open-mouthed at Adriel.

Adriel grins at Rafael, his smile contagious.

“Yes, and you,” I say and look to the floor.

“Come drink with us, brother.” Rafael points towards the sofa.

I go to the sofa first and sit near the end.

Adriel follows Rafael to the little bar. His thin hand wraps around Rafael’s wrist and raises it, staring at the faint tattoo on Rafael’s exposed arm. Their chatter looks heated as Rafael shakes his brother off his arm and turns to walk back, holding another bottle and glass.

Adriel smiles as he comes to sit next to me. He leans back comfortably, his legs wide open so his knee touches mine.

Rafael pulls the stool in front of us and sits.

I stare at Rafael, wishing he at least sat by me. I swallow hard when I accept that Rafael must sit opposite to make good conversation.

“So, Rosalie. How did you meet my darling little brother?” Adriel asks.

I shift awkwardly. “I work with him.”

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