Page 16 of The Dark Obsession

“I … I forgot.”

His green eyes pierce into mine.

My cheeks rise in heat and fill with colour as I follow his directions out the police station. We drive in absolute silence except for his directions every now and again. Twenty minutes pass, and I turn onto a country road. With each passing house, they get bigger. Soon enough, fountains and statues decorate the huge front gardens. I glance at him, realising he is watching me. I’m suddenly fixated out the window as the dark clouds compound.

“Here, turn left here,” he mutters, now studying me.

I obey, and two large gates, decorated with silver snakes at least three meters tall, creak open slowly. I follow the road leading to what I would describe as a mansion.

He clears his throat. “You don’t say much do you?”

“I guess not, not unless I have something to say. And I’m pretty sure we don’t have much in common.” I snicker as I stop at the front of his home and stare at the patterned glass windows.

“Don’t judge me like that.” He faces away from me. “Where I live is not who I am.”

I sit still, leaving the engine on, and give him an ‘I’m waiting’ smile.

He frowns as he walks around to my door and opens it “Please, come in. I have to find the documents first.” He laughs, waiting expectedly for me to get out of the car.

I attempt to leave my seat without removing my seatbelt. It pulls on my shoulder, slinging me backwards so I hit my head off the doorframe. I hastily undo my belt and climb out the car, not looking at Rafael. His laughter bursts through me, like a balloon popping. I turn on my heels to see him bent forward with laughter.

“Whatever.” I stomp to his front door.

“Wait.” He stopped laughing at once. “Did you just say, ‘Whatever,’ to me?”

“Yes. You are laughing at me like I’m an idiot.”

He chuckled. “I’m laughing at you, because you hit your head, not because you’re an idiot.” He retrieves his keys to unlock the door.

Chapter 8

Abeautiful long tapestry hangs on the landing of a double staircase that winds up the white stone walls. A chandelier reflects lights across the high ceiling leaving glitter spots across the walls in the entrance. I step through the door, my muscles in my legs hold me back, stopping me from moving any further when I notice how many hallways and doors are contained in this vestibule. I gulp as I make an effort to unstick my legs.

A young lady appears from the door at the end of a hallway to the left. A beautiful black dress with white trimmings fits her thin body. I feel a surge of jealousy at her curves and tight figure. She hurries towards Rafael, her hand outstretched. “Good morning, sir. Your jacket?” Her voice is high and full of admiration.

“Sure.” He shrugs off his jacket and hands it to her. “This is my new partner, Rosalie.”

The young lady smiles at me. “Your jacket, miss?”

I slide off my jacket, hand it to her, and smile.

She’s already facing Rafael, her eyes lock on him again.

“Lucy, please stop staring and fetch me and Rosalie a coffee.” He retorts with shocking distaste.

My mouth hangs open, and I stare at Rafael, shocked he speaks to his help in such a bad way.

Lucy’s face turns a violent shade of red. Her eyes divert to the floor, and she spins to walk down the hallway, clenching our jackets.

Rafael watches her leave the room, his eyebrows furrowed, seemingly in deep thought.

I can’t help but survey his face, trying to understand why he’d react that way. In silence, we stand in the massive entranceway.

He grins as he peers into my eyes, and to my complete confusion, my body jolts with fear. For what reason am I feeling fear, I don’t know; nothing about this situation screams wrong or worrisome.

“Sorry, Lucy is … well, she’s a bit obsessive. A long time ago, I was drunk. Shit happened. I have tried to let her leave. I have offered her money and other jobs. But she just won’t go.” He laughs.

“Oh … so she’s, like, in love with you?”

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