Once, my paranoid love

“What? You don’t have a boyfriend, do you? So, are you into girls?” Lucy asked, her eyes twinkling. She seemed genuinely curious about me.

“No, “I said, putting an end to her smile.

“Then?” She had a pitying expression on her face as she gazed at me.

I came to a complete stop when I heard her. ‘Then? So, what’s next? Does love exist?’

Paul’s vision pops out of nowhere in my mind. My heart, though, ached unpredictably.

“I don’t believe in love. That’s why I’m single.” After a long breath, I said.

Lucy gave me a long look before saying, with a friendly smile, “You don’t seem to fall in love often. But you’ll know how it feels when you fall. ”

I smiled and shifted my focus to my breakfast. ‘I’m not interested in knowing how it feels. Because I know how it feels, there is only pain. No, I’d rather put him out of my mind.’ I squeezed my eyes as I bit into my food. I needed to go home.

“Lucy, I have to go home now,” I remarked quickly after finishing my breakfast.

“Yes, of course. Maybe they’re worried about you,” Lucy explained.

‘Worry! Hmm.’

I smiled. Perhaps two people were concerned about my safety. The first is Pom, and the second is Paul. “Maybe or maybe not,” I said, putting my lips together.

“What’s the matter, dear?” Lucy was startled and perplexed.

“My father doesn’t have time for me, and my mother died in a car accident when I was ten years old,” I clarified.

Lucy sighed and said, “Oh.”

“Did your father remarry?” She asked.

“Yes,” I said with a nod. She gave me a sweet smile and said, “You remind me of Derek. Derek’s mother died when he was 15 years old. He became depressed after his mother died. He slowly changed himself.”

“Doesn’t he have a father?” I asked.

“Yeah, he has a stepfather. I’ve heard he has a stepbrother as well,” Lucy added with a gloomy face. “But for some reason, he had no contact with them.”

I slightly nodded. I thought I should not have asked more because it was their personal matter. Then why would they tell me?

“Do you have another brother or sister?” After a while, she asked.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“No, but my stepmother has a son,” I said.

“I see. So she, too, had a family, “Lucy said.

I responded, “I heard that. But for some reason, she divorced her husband.”

“So, how about that guy? Is he considering you to be his sister?” Lucy had posed the question to me.

I paused for a moment after hearing her. ‘Sister!’

I tightened my grip around the edge of my dress.

‘We never wanted to be sisters and brothers. And he will never accept me as his sister, and neither will I. He simply knows how to embarrass and humiliate me in front of others. He told me that he adored me. Is it considered his love? I hate your love sense, Paul.’

“Hey,” Lucy said with a gentle shrug.

I said, “Lucy,” looking at her, “To me, he’s nobody. I hate him.”

Lucy giggled as she listened to what I said, “What’s the reason behind this? Is it truly the case that he beat you?”

I bit my lips as I heard her. ‘Beat me? He loves to cut my heart.’

All of a sudden, tears welled up in my eyes. Her eyes did not fill up in response to what she said. I would have maintained a healthy relationship with Paul if he had beaten me, but he didn’t beat me; rather, he disrespected me.

“Why are you crying, Elena? I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to offend you,” Lucy said.

‘I have no idea what’s going on there… That’s my home, but I’m afraid to go there. I do not feel safe there. Every time I feel like he will come to me with a lot of complaints and start insulting me.’

[D’Souza’s mansion]

Robert was seated on the couch, and it seemed he was under a lot of pressure.

“Please, love, relax. It was just for us, so I went ahead and did it,” Anne said.

“Anne, how could you say something like that? She is my daughter. I’m sorry, but I’m not going to be able to do it with her.” Robert let out a loud sigh.

Anne rolled her eyes; she became irritated because of Robert and his daughter’s drama.

“Please, Robert,” Anne urged, “she’ll be fine there.”

“How could you even say that she would be fine? I haven’t seen him yet, either. Elena hadn’t seen him either. Elena also has the right to choose her life partner,” Robert said.

“Robert, listen-,” Anne was about to speak, but Paul entered the room and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Anne became a bit shocked when she spotted her son there. She thought, ‘How much has he heard of us? I’m not going to tell him anything about Elena.’

“Nothing at all, son. We’re talking about you,” Anne tried to smile while saying.

Paul’s eyes widened as he asked, “Me?”

“Yes, you and Elena,” Anne said. When Paul heard that, he was astounded.

“Elena and I?” He repeated.

‘Elena and I… I’m not sure what she’s trying to say. It’s strange that my mother realizes my feelings for Elena. However, I have my doubts about Elena’s father’s willingness to do so. Anyway, it doesn’t matter to me because my mother has agreed, so there are no obstacles in my path.’ Paul thought. But he somehow still had doubts, so he asked, “About what?”

“Ah! It is a surprise, honey.” Anne said. Paul narrowed his eyes as he heard his mother. He did not like his mother’s so-called surprise game because it always went wrong. But he knew his mother would do anything that made him pissed off.

Then Paul looked around while thinking, ‘But, where has she disappeared? I haven’t seen her yet.’

“Where is Elena, Mom?” Paul asked further. Anne smiled as she replied, “We have no idea. I haven’t seen her since I woke up. Maybe she’s already on her way to college.”

Pom was behind them. Pom knew where Elena had gone last night. She thought while looking at them, ‘Should I tell them that Ms. is with Ms. Eva? However, I think Elena, ma’am, is OK, so it is best not to inform them. I’m not sure how Paul sir, will react if he finds out.’

Paul cast a chilly gaze at Pom. Pom lowered her gaze quickly when she felt his cold gaze on her.

“Pom,” Paul called her name.

“Where is Elena?” He asked.

“Sir, the lady has already left for college,” she explained.

‘What? She’s gone! I didn’t get to see her last night.’ Paul asked while arching, “Did she eat her breakfast?”

“Y-yes sir,” Pom stammered.

‘It’s a good thing she ate breakfast. Elena dislikes my mother. If all goes well, I’ll take Elena so far away from them. Then Elena and I will live happily ever after. No one would be able to interrupt us,’ Paul thought.

Then he gave his mother a sidelong glance and said, “I’m leaving, Mom. Uncle, I know you’re worried, but don’t be. Everything will be OK.”

Robert offered him a warm smile.

Anne said, “All right, son.” She put a phony smile on her face.

‘Oh, God, what is happening to my boy? He appeared to be at ease and happy,’ Anne thought, while looking at Paul’s path. After a few minutes, Paul went away.

“Honey,” Anne said.

“Anne, we made a mistake. We should’ve talked to Elena at least,” Robert said.

[Last night]

Obin was the one who picked them up and drove them to the office.

“Get to the point, Mr. D’Souza.” Robert gave him a terrified expression after hearing him.

“M… Mr. Obin, I need more time,” Robert said.

“We’re sorry, but we won’t be able to give you that much time. So, from now on, all of your business is ours,” Obin said.

“No, Mr. Obin, It’s not possible,” Anne abruptly said.

“Mrs. D’Souza, if you say no, my boss won’t like it,” Obin stated flatly. “Don’t you people love your lives?” He added.

“Mr. Obin, may I speak with your boss?” Anne asked. Anne’s heart was beating fast. ‘I have to do it. I’m not going to allow Robert to just hand over our property to them. I took a lot of risks just to get this property.’ As Anne thought, she stood up.

“Please, Mr. Obin,” Anne said.

Mr. Obin couldn’t stop himself from chuckling. “All right, let me try,” he said. Obin left the room and called Derek.

Derek was in the car coming back from Italy; he answered the call, “Yes.”

“Boss, Mrs. D’Souza wants to speak with you,” Obin stated.

“Obin, don’t you know how to deal with these types of people?” Derek stated, his tone stern.

“Sorry, sir, I-I know, but she…” Derek cut off Obin in the middle of his sentence. “Kill their entire family. It’s as easy as taking a sip of water,” Derek expressed his thoughts.

“Yes, boss, but I think they are having problems with their property. Boss, just once, hear them,” Obin explained.

“Give her the phone,” Derek replied.