Dark Romance: A Cruel Obsession

Alajos wrapped his arms around her waist, unmistakably leading her upstairs without room for refusal.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

The chatter from downstairs was crystal clear. Vivian tried to pull away from Alajos’s grasp, but he wouldn’t allow it, taking her deeper into the building until the voices below faded away, ensuring no one would come to disturb them.

Today, Alajos was dressed in a black suit with a red bow tie, and his brown hair appeared meticulously styled into a handsome look.

He seemed in high spirits, and even the scar on his temple no longer looked menacing. His gaze, lowered from Vivian’s angle, carried a tender desire.

“This is a gift I prepared for you, I hope you will like it,” Alajos said, pulling a square black velvet box from his suit pocket. Vivian didn’t need to guess its contents.

A wave of fear surged within her, and she thought of escape.

Alajos wouldn’t let her flee. He grabbed her hand firmly, opened the small box, and revealed the diamond ring inside.

The ring was custom-made, exuding elegance with a diamond the size of a pigeon’s egg that glittered expensively, compelling Vivian to look away.

It was the most lavish and seductive prison in the world. If Vivian reached out her hand, she’d be ensnared, belonging to another man and no longer to herself.

“No, no,” Vivian recoiled, attempting to withdraw her hand, “It’s too expensive, it doesn’t suit me.”

“No, it suits you perfectly,” Alajos insisted, presenting the ring to her, “Its value matches your beauty.”

“It’s too costly,” Vivian tried pulling her hand back as Alajos’s strength overwhelmed her, and she felt an urge to cry.

“You deserve the best,” Alajos said as he slid the ring onto her finger, “You are my fiancee, a good girl.”

“No, I am not, you shouldn’t be so kind to me,” Vivian, looking at the ring on her hand, tears fell onto the back of Alajos’s hand.

Alajos gently wiped away her tears.

He was so gentle that Vivian almost believed they were in love.

But looking into Alajos’s eyes, she saw tenderness, joy, and desire, but no love.

Alajos did not love her.

Indeed, they were not well-acquainted, let alone in love.

“Don’t be so kind and merciful to me if you don’t love me, let me see that you are not a good man.”

“Yes, I am not a good man,” Alajos admitted without any burden, acknowledging his impure intentions, “You are my fiancee, Vivian, your father has agreed to give you to me, he has affirmed my status to everyone.”

“And this ring, with its expense and rarity, proves my power to people. I am wealthy and I have rights. I am the new Capo of Houston, and I must show my value to my followers, no one can shake my position.”

Alajos should have given Vivian a kiss, but he did not. He sensed her fear. However, he was willing to be patient with Vivian, because, unwittingly, she had secured many advantages for him, allowing Houston to gain a brief upper hand in cooperation with Los Angeles, providing them with a chance to breathe.

“My beautiful fiancee, are you ready to go downstairs with me and announce our new status?” Alajos extended his hand, palm up, and asked solemnly, “Are you prepared, Vivian?”

Vivian looked down at his broad, rough hand, a scar from a knife crossing his palm, the tough calluses like engravings in his flesh, beyond eradication. It was the hand of a killer.

This was not the hand she dreamed of.

This was not her beloved man.

Nor was she the woman Alajos loved.

This was a loveless union, an alliance without affection, and she would not be happy.

But what could she do? Vivian couldn’t escape; all she could do was place her hand in Alajos’s, allowing him to shackle her with heavy chains.

“I…” Vivian tried to calm her emotions, “I hope I am ready.”

Alajos said nothing more, satisfied with Vivian’s compliance, which indicated a smooth engagement.

Alajos took Vivian’s hand and escorted her to meet the eyes of the crowd below, filled with awe, shock, and blessings. Standing side by side, they announced their engagement to everyone.

“Thank you all for coming, I am deeply honored by your presence. My father, Kamden Hargrave, was a great man, a powerful Capo of Houston, but unfortunately, we have lost him forever. As a result, I must take his place and lead Houston to a stronger future, unshakeable by anyone.”

“Here, Iparticularly want to thank Los Angeles for their assistance. Houston and Los Angeles will be the firmest of allies, unshakable by anyone. At the same time, I want to announce some good news.” Alajos raised my hand in the crowd’s gaze, revealing our engagement ring, “I will marry Vivian Jones, and our wedding will be held next month.”

“I know it’s short notice, and the announcement is sudden, but I still look forward to everyone attending our wedding. Invitations will be distributed to you all by tomorrow.”

After Alajos finished speaking, a thunderous applause erupted from the crowd; they all seemed happier than Vivian.

“Is your wedding dress ready?” Alajos asked amidst the applause.

Vivian shook her head, devoid of enthusiasm.

“I’ll have my cousin Luzia come over; she’s well-acquainted with Houston and will know some excellent places.” Alajos said, “She will surely help you find the most satisfying wedding dress.”

Vivian wanted to refuse, “I don’t want to…”

“From now on, he will be your bodyguard.” Alajos didn’t want to hear Vivian’s refusal and took her aside to introduce her new bodyguard, “Mare is one of the most formidable and capable soldiers in Houston, I trust him, and he will protect you well, don’t be afraid, Vivian.”

Vivian looked at Mare, uncertain of what to say, as Alajos had no idea what she was truly afraid of. Mare couldn’t protect her from that.

“We are engaged now, Vivian, I hope you are prepared.”

“For what?”

“For our wedding night,” Alajos said, “I believe your mother must have told you about these matters, Vivian, it’s time for you to grow up.”

“I…” Vivian blushed, feeling embarrassed, “I’m not ready yet.”

“You will be,” Alajos dismissed her embarrassment; it was a necessary process, Vivian needed to bear him an heir, a guarantee to solidify their alliance.

Alajos’s indifference and dominance left Vivian in despair, echoing her mother’s fate, her freedom slipping away.

“I will end up like my mother, a husband’s accessory, a slave to power, unable to attend university, to continue my musical theater, my life filled with pain and fear,” Vivian wept on Vilem’s shoulder.

Capos are without love; they do not fall in love with anyone. Wives, sons, daughters, they are merely tools in their hands, for bearing children, fighting, forming alliances; such is their worth.