Once, my paranoid love

Paul’s phone pierced the air with its abrupt ring, demanding attention. Without hesitation, Paul took a step forward and answered the call with a stern.

“Yes.”

As the connection solidified, Ron’s enraged voice erupted from the other end, “Bastard, what did you do to my father?”

“Relax!”

Paul retorted, his tone firm, a touch of indifference in his voice. He casually touched his ear as if brushing off the accusations.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“I didn’t kill your father. Your father, on the other hand, killed my mother.”

Paul said in casual way. It seemed he did not even care of what happened to his mother.

“Put a stop to it. I am quite familiar with my father. You were the one who put him in jail,” Ron shot back, his words laced with a mix of anger and accusation.

Paul grinned, a sarcastic enjoyment lurking behind his laughter at Ron’s charges.

“Do you really think you know your father? I don’t think so,” he shot back, adding a suspicious undertone to the exchange.

“Paul, let me warn you.”

With a serious warning, Ron said, “I won’t spare you if something happens to my dad.”

“Cheer up, dude. Your father is a liar. After having an affair with my mother, he married a widow so as to inherit her wealth. And you claim to know your dad better. He also misled your mother,” Paul said, laying out the disturbing facts.

“Right now, I don’t have time to talk with you.”

Paul dismissed, a sense of urgency in his tone as he abruptly hung up the phone.

One month had passed, marked by Paul’s relentless stalking of Elena. Meanwhile, the gears of justice had turned, sealing William’s fate with a life sentence for Anne’s murder. The evidence amassed against him created a net of conspiracy.

The inheritance of Paul’s mother’s company had become a canvas for his formidable talents. From childhood, he had displayed a prowess that set him apart, and now, as the architect of his mother’s legacy, he began to reshape the business landscape. Old, influential businessmen found themselves under the weight of Paul’s calculated maneuvers.

In Derek’s room, the air was charged with an unspoken tension as Obin entered and addressed him, “Boss.”

“Say,” Derek responded, fingers tapping on the keyboard.

“Boss, Mr. William has been condemned to life in jail,” Obin delivered the news, the weight of the verdict palpable.

Derek’s gaze remained fixed on the screen as he expressed a sentiment that carried a complex mix of emotions, “Obin, you know what. Sometimes I truly want to thank Paul.”

“You know how much I wanted to kill both Anne and William. However, Paul entrapped William. I have to admit, Paul is a crafty wolf. He is a cold-blooded person. And now his company is about to reach my company’s position. He is trying to take my world from me.”

Derek’s voice carried a blend of sternness and calmness.

Boss, I think he’s seeking a chance.”

Obin remarked, a subtle note of concern in his tone.

“And he’s also doing a fantastic job with business,” he added, acknowledging Paul’s strategic acumen.

“Yep, However, I am no longer able to take Elena out. He is a threat to her. We must wait for Mr. Robert’s recovery,” Derek remarked, his words carrying a weight of responsibility.

“Why don’t we do something, boss?”

Obin suggested, offering a potential course of action.

“I promised Elena that I would not hurt him. I’m aware she has a warm spot for him. That is why I am unable to do anything,” Derek said, revealing a layer of personal conflict.

“But now I have to go to the police station to see my stepfather,” Derek said, a smile playing on his lips, hinting at a calculated restraint despite the tumultuous dynamics at play.

Paul’s office staff nervously knocked on his door, anticipation mingling with a touch of anxiety. A girl, new to Paul’s company, hesitated as she gathered her thoughts.

“Sir, may I come in?” she asked, her nerves evident.

“Yes,” came the deep voice from within, granting her entry. As she stepped into the room, her eyes widened in surprise. Several pictures of a girl adorned the wall.

“What do you want?” Paul inquired, his attention focused on a file.

“Sir, here is the file,” she stammered, attempting to compose herself.

Paul, without looking up, abruptly questioned, “Are you done?”

“I’m really sorry, sir,” she apologized.

“Why are you staring at my wife?” Paul’s words, laced with a hint of displeasure.

‘Wife?’

The revelation left the girl in shock, her initial nerves now compounded by unexpected information. “Oh, she is really gorgeous, sir,” she managed, attempting a smile.

Paul reciprocated with a genuine smile and added, “She is, indeed. In person, she looks even better.”

“Wow. I’ve never seen such a stunning woman as her,” the girl replied, a powerful smile on her face, her admiration palpable.

‘I’ve heard he’s a lunatic. But I didn’t believe them at first, but based on what I’m seeing now, they didn’t lie,’ the girl thought, her mind processing the unexpected glimpse into Paul’s personal life.

“Hey,” Paul’s unexpected interruption disrupted the girl’s thoughts.

“Yes, sir.”

“May I ask you a question?” Paul inquired.

The girl, now nervous, stuttered, “Yes, sir.”

“I’d like to give you a task. Will you go through with it?” Paul proposed.

“Task?”

“Yes, and I’m sure you’ll succeed. Because I know you’re good at saying nice things to other people,” Paul added, a smile playing on his face.

Fearfully, she stammered, “Wh-what are you saying, sir?”

“Don’t be scared. I’m sure you were praising her to get my attention,” Paul reassured. “As a result, you must do a small task as a punishment.”

The girl nodded in fear and said, “Yes, sir!”

“And listen, I don’t want you to fail this task, okay?” With a spooky smile, Paul spoke.

“Yes, yes, sir, I would do it at any cost.”

She let out a gasp and spoke in a trembling tone.

Over the past two months, changes unfolded within the walls of Derek’s residence. I traced my growing reflection in the mirror, my fingers gently grazing my abdomen. Derek always wanted the best for me, and his efforts could be seen in the safety measures he took. Yet, in the midst of this security, moments of confinement lingered. A phalanx of guards stood watch outside, permitting only brief intervals of privacy with Derek-usually during the dark hours.

In the dimly lit room, I couldn’t help but release a sigh, contemplating the paradox of safety and confinement.

As my thoughts lingered, Derek abruptly entered the room, breaking the silence.

“What’s the matter, Elena?” he inquired, a subtle tension in his voice.

“Nothing,” I responded, attempting to deflect the undercurrent of thoughts that had occupied my mind.

“Are you on your way somewhere?”

I redirected the conversation, seeking to understand his sudden entrance.

“Yes,” he acknowledged, “I am going to see someone special.”

“Special?”

My surprise echoed in the question, curiosity sparking within me.

Aware of the void in our intimacy, I couldn’t help but wonder about his intentions. A suspenseful heartbeat accompanied my inquiry, “Who is it, Derek?”

“Don’t worry, he’s not more important than you,” Derek’s sudden reassurance brought his cupped hand to my face, a moment of intimacy in the dimly lit room.

“Is this a man?” I inquired, a playful smile gracing my lips.

Derek swiftly responded, “What did you think, girl?”

“Nothing,” I replied, nodding with a smile, “come back home as soon as possible. I felt lonely and bored when you weren’t with me.”

“What?” Derek’s eyes widened, surprised by my candid admission.

“Yes,” I confirmed, looking down. The vulnerability of my words lingered in the air as I expressed a longing for his presence. It marked my first time openly conveying such sentiments.

“Certainly. When you’re not with me, I’m nervous.”

“Elena,” Derek said, gently brushing my hair back.

He stated, “I want a kiss.”

I kissed him twice before once during our reception day and a second time in the library. Yet, in those moments, I wasn’t truly myself.

Derek, sensing my inner turmoil, hugged me from behind, his voice breaking through the silent contemplation, “Elena.”

I inhaled deeply and let go of my breath gently, realizing how complicated my feelings were. I could kiss him, no doubt about it. Maybe, eventually, I would start to feel something for him, a slow process of letting go of Paul’s shadow.

Turning to face Derek, I locked eyes with him. His hands found my waist, and I reciprocated by placing mine on his shoulders. A rapid rhythm echoed in my chest, the anticipation of the moment palpable. I inclined my head towards him, a silent invitation hanging between us.

With closed eyes, I initiated the kiss. However, in an unexpected twist, my lips found his oral commissure. I could not kiss him again.

Lowering my sights, I felt the delicate stillness that surrounded the unexpected moment. But Derek, ever smart, caught me off surprise. He planted a soft yet firm kiss on my lips and cupped my face in his palms.

His eyelashes, which I found to be too long, gave his appearance more delicacy. He looked better with his eyes closed at the time. I let go and let myself get carried away by the unanticipated symphony of feelings.

Cautiously, I reached up and gently grasped his hair, an unconscious gesture that mirrored the reciprocation of his kiss.

Derek, drawing my waist closer to his, tightened his grip on me, deepening the connection forged in the unanticipated union of our lips.