Just an obsession
“Would you please find out if Mr. Roosevelt would be attending tomorrow's party?” I said to Mr. Franklin who was at the other end of the phone.
It was a three-day party, at the same venue and at the same time. Today's party was a flop. I needed to know there'd be a chance to redeem my acquaintanceship with Mr. Roosevelt and get him to invest in our company.
“Why? You didn't talk to him today?” Mr. Franklin asked in concern.
“I did. But it was short.” I swiped a hand over my face, feeling the exhaustion weighing me down. “Would you please find out and get back to me?”
“Of course, Ma'am.”
The call ended. I threw the phone on the bed while I caught my breath. There was like, uh…a weight in my chest, and it wasn't letting me breathe properly.
I rubbed at my knotting chest while struggling to take deeper breaths. All this emotional chaos because of him.
I might have spent weeks bawling my eyes over him and missing him, but after today, I can't help but hate him.
He's so fucking selfish. I should hate him. I do…God, why does that sound like a lie?
“Are you okay?” The voice behind me asked, making me turn.
Seeing Miguel ignited a massive anger inside me. “What do you want?
He bit his lower lip and bowed his head.
“I'm really sorry, Ma'am. I didn't mean to hide it from you.”
“But you did. I recall asking you about it, and you denied it.”
“I'm sorry…”
“I don't care for your stupid apologies. So why don't you get out of my room and stay out of my sight?!”
He stayed motionless for seconds. Then he eventually bowed and left.
I plumped on the bed, hitting my chest softly. Why the heck was I so upset?
Maybe it was my crushed ego. The fact that Miguel saw me crashing out over Vince and must have told him. Yet he didn't do shit about it.
The fact that Miguel saw me in my most vulnerable state and probably sent him pictures. So Vince knew I was having a hard time, and maybe that thought comforted him and probably inflated his ego. He knew and still didn't reach out… he probably enjoyed watching me suffer for him.
I can't help but feel ashamed and deceived. And then a part of me was hurting over the fact that he never reached out. Especially on my birthday.
He always made me think he can't hold back when it has to do with me. So it makes no sense that he managed to hold back the urge to reach out to me. Or maybe he never got such an urge.
God, this was so frustrating.
I yanked my hair, pulling the strands. But I had to let go when my phone began buzzing.
“Yes, Mr. Franklin?” I said into the phone.
“He'll be there.”
“Thank you.”
The news elevated my mood a bit. But when my head hit my pillow, and my mind did a run back of my argument with Vince today, I ended up sobbing myself to sleep.
Morning came by quickly and I stopped by the company first. Tracy’s mother visited the hospital again. I didn't wanna see her so I chose not to go there.
I headed home instead, feeling drained. Aunt Vanessa was on the front porch. Ignoring her has always been the drill. Except today, she stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
Her eyes held a terrifying rage. I had to straighten up my spine for whatever was coming.
“You're the reason, ain't you?” She began.
“Reason…for what?”
“Vince and his decision not to give me anything during our divorce.”
I gulped, trying hard not to let any emotion slip. If I hadn't met up with Vince yesterday, I would have bluntly told her that I had nothing to do with it.
But I can't say that. So I'm painfully quiet.
“I'm right. It's indeed because of you.” She scoffed bitterly. “What are you trying to do to me, Elena? First, you got involved with my mate and now you're keeping him from giving me any shares. Are you really that mean? What did I ever do to you to deserve this?”
“It's not me, Aunt Vanessa. I didn't ask him not to give you anything. We never spoke about that.” I explained with a resigned sigh.
“That's an awful lie. It's you. It has to be because of you. Who else is he hoarding his shares for? Definitely not for Trent. He already swore not to give him anything.”
I sighed. “Again, I have nothing to do with this. So please, leave me out of it.”
I stepped past her, eager to get to my room.
“He's just obsessed with you, Elena.” She said, making me halt. “You're just an intense obsession. Soon, he's gonna get over it and he'll kick you out of his life like he's doing to me.”
I didn't wanna banter words. Neither did I wanna stand here and argue about Vince's feelings. So I ignored her and turned to head inside but she wasn't done.
“He can't love any woman. You wanna know why? Because he already gave all that love to his fated mate. The one that died years ago.”
Now this had me hooked.
“He still loves her. He's always gonna love her. You and I, Elena, we’re just passing phases. Don't ever feel too special. He's gonna ditch you like he ditched me.”
My teeth clattered but I gritted them and resumed walking. I shut the door of my room, sinking into the bed.
Aunt Vanessa’s words echoed in my head, trying to drive me nuts. I tried to shut them out but they wouldn't leave.
Every nerve in my body was reacting badly to her statement that Vince didn't love me. That I’m just a phase.
That can't be true…still, why does it hurt so much?
Stepping out of the car, I wrapped my nervous fingers tightly around my gold clutch.
My assistant helped hold the tail of my dress as I made it up the little steps. Then, the ushers at the door opened it, and I walked inside.
Like yesterday, the hall was crowded. But unlike yesterday, it was easier for me to spot Mr. Roosevelt. He was already staring in my direction before I even noticed him.
I smiled as our eyes met, heading to him. He held out a hand and I slipped mine inside.
“Mr. Roosevelt, it's so good to see you again.” I beamed.
“Likewise.” He kissed the back of my hand.
“I'm really sorry about yesterday.”
“Oh, it's all good.” He waved it off with a smile. “But then, I have a feeling it might happen again.”
“What do you mean?”
“He's looking at us right now.” Mr. Roosevelt grinned. Then he tilted his head in a direction.
I followed with my gaze. Vince was indeed present. Standing with some grey-haired business gurus. They seemed deep in conversation but his furious eyes were on me. Igniting a burning sensation deep in my lower back and between my thighs.
I should have looked away but my eyes were fixed on him. And for the umpteenth time, I was shamelessly drooling over him.
He might be over 40 but he's still hot as sin. And he might not love me. He might just be obsessed but I'm head over heels. More than I let on.
I can't help but feel pity for myself. What's gonna become of me when his obsession wears off and he finally thrashes me aside?