My Two Deadly Obsessions

CHAPTER TWO: THE NEW BEGINNING

Three years had passed, but the pain and emptiness lingered. Life matched on without my parents, as if they’d never been part of it. Each passing day dragged their memory back to me. I forced myself to keep going–for their sake.

After their death, everything my parents’ owned and worked for were hijacked from me by family and greedy business partners.

Lily and I worked as bartenders at Royals Palace Bar. It was the biggest bar in New York City with an attractive pay and generous tips from customers. On the surface everything seemed fine, but deep down I craved peace and belonging–but peace was the luxury the broken could not afford.

“I need two shots of whiskey," a customer barked, snapping me out of my drowning thoughts.

“Okay," I murmured . Turning to the counter, I discovered all the glasses were used up.

I caught sight of Lily flirting with the DJ.

“Lily! Stop harassing the poor guy,” I scolded. “And get me some glasses."

" On my way, ma'am,” she replied sarcastically while she grinned at the poor guy.

Lily had been my childhood best friend– dramatic to a fault. She was charismatic– always the center of attraction.

Her red hair did nothing to hide her beauty–her beauty was considered out of the world. Men flocked around her and she thrived on the attention.

“Here's the glass ma'am. Do you need anything else ma'am?” She teased, hands jammed together, faking a prostrate.

“Go away Lily! You're so dramatic!" I said laughing as I pushed her shoulders lightly.

“Okay ma'am." she said as she held her stomach laughing uncontrollably.

I checked the clock hanging above the entrance door. The short hands were pointed 10.

The bar buzzed with noise and bodies. My head spun and my legs throbbed. Saturdays were one of our busiest days. I wished the hand of the clock could magically point at 11.

“Three bottles of beer," a customer shouted from a table at the corner of the bar.

I sneered at the old man manners. I took three bottles from the fridge and placed them inside a small basket.

“Mr Marco is ruthless. He's the prime suspect in the murder case" one of the men stated bitterly as I set the beers on the table. The pain and hatred in each word told the story explicitly.

“I thought he's doing it for his son? I heard he is next in line for the title.” Another man interposed.

I hurriedly opened the bottles, overwhelmed by the murder discussion. I turned to leave, then I heard the eldest man cut in.

“The murder was three years ago. There's nothing we can do than to keep quiet. Moreover I heard he gave up his title as a prize to whoever could outshine his son.”

I froze in my tracks. Three years ago was also the year I lost everything. The urge to find out more came like a mighty wave, but I knew those men weren't ordinary men. They were trouble.

After my parents’ death, the police officers handling my parents’ case said they suspected it was murder. Their car brakes were disconnected and there was a sign of a leaking tank. The work was so clean, no fingerprint could be detected by the police.

I looked back at the men and walked away. I needed to maintain the little peace I had managed to gather. My parents died keeping me safe ( a guilt I forever carried) and I couldn't let their sacrifice be in vain.

I hurried to my post. I sighted Lily flirting with another guy. I sighed and shook my head.

I sat over the counter and stared at the exit door lost in my thought. I loved how I was able to hide in the darkness here. How I could vanish in the dim light. The loud music drowned my sorrow, and the chatter distracted me from my struggles and endless thoughts. This work was indeed a blessing.

“Laura. He has come!" Lily exclaimed as she drooled at the young man approaching our counter.

" Who was he? Lily, we were employed here to work not to drool over every bachelor that came around,” I said, irritated.

"This wasn't any bachelor, Laura. This is the son of the most influential man in the city.”

I stared at Lily like she had gone mad–because obviously she was about to because of a man she knew nothing about.

" Lily, I've tasted influence and wealth, there's nothing to it. Trust me” I said slowly, already worn-out.

“I will serve him tonight.” Lily said clearly not concerned about my opinion.

" Sure.”I scoffed.

The air shifted as the young walked in–a silence fell. Heavy. Intense. His aura was unmatched. The pathetic argument from the men at the corner of the bar ceased immediately. I watched every girl present drool over him as he walked past them. But all I could see was pride and arrogance.

He walked slowly to the counter, each step heavy with authority and dominance.

“Good evening." Lily greeted flirtatiously, twisting her hair with her thumb.

" One bottle of red wine.” He demanded, his bass voice filled with authority as he completely ignored Lily.

Lily stood shocked and dumbfounded. This was definitely the first guy who ignored Lily without sparing a glance.

Lily scoffed,her expression turned stern–her eyes flashed with anger. I choked back my laughter as the feeling of satisfaction filled my inside. Arrogant as predicted.

“Here's your order sir. Do you want to create a tab or pay–”

The words stuck in my throat as I coughed hard. This man was surely an attention seeker, his cologne burned through the air; harsh and suffocating, I could barely breathe. My eyes watered from the excessive cough and sneeze. He sure knew how to make an entrance every single damn time.

He raised his head from his phone. His cold,dark grey eyes pierced through me. I stopped coughing immediately. My legs froze at eye contact but I was determined not to be intimidated by him. Our eyes locked, daring each other silently to break it. The tension was so thick.

“Pay off.” His deep bass voice resounded as he held my gaze. His words carried so much authority.

My eyes trailed down to his nose, his pointed nose stood erect on his face. His lips, those were the most perfect lips I had seen. His bow shaped lips popped out like they badly wanted to be kissed. I saw a faint smirk trace the bow of his lips. Immediately, I came back to my senses–but it was too late. He had caught me. Damn! Did I check him out? Oh no. I sucked my breath as I raised my eyes to meet his gaze. His eyebrows were slightly raised, the smirk on his face had disappeared.

“Okay sir." I shrank. I wished the ground could open and swallow me.

Heat rushed to my cheeks, I fumbled with my shirt like it could change what had happened.

Lily sat on the arms chair with her hands folded tightly across her chest. Humiliation etched across her face. The laughter I planned to use against her ceased in my throat. I was now a victim.

“He was so rude.” She snapped. “No manners." She was still hurt. We both knew this was more about her wounded ego than his manners.

“Men like him believe the world belongs to them. Don't let it get to you,” I said calmly.

I left her and went over the counter to start packing up. It was already 11:45 p.m. The bar closed at midnight.

I moved swiftly, trying to get to everything in place.

I looked up when the music went off,and I realized it was just the four of us left in the bar.

His eyes roamed over my body, heat rushed down my spine as I let myself drown with emotions.

His eyes, the way he looked at my body was breath–taking. I was supposed to be offended but heart crushed when he took his eyes off me to his phone.

My heart slammed violently. Leaving me breathless. I rushed to clear the glasses–I needed to get away from this man–something wasn't right with him.

“Hey,Laura. Would you care for a ride?" Mike, our DJ offered.

I looked at him and couldn't miss the flirty, and suspicious grin in his eyes. I knew what he really meant.

" No Mike. Thanks.” I said as I walked back to the counter. " I have a lot of work to get done.”

He walked over to the counter and slipped his hands over mine “ I can always help you.”

I felt his groin press against my backside as I bent to keep the drinks.

" Mike. Stop it! I'm good.” I protested as I shrugged his hands off me.

“Laura, I'm out. Don't expect me home tonight" I heard Lily,as she walked away without sparing the young man a glance.

I stood upright and looked around. I saw the young arrogant man sitting comfortably, unconcerned with everything going on.

“Mike, we are not a couple. You don't have to wait for me.” I said out of the blues, having a strange urge to clarify things between Mike and I.

I struggled to get his hands off me.

“I think you heard her right." A raspy bass voice echoed in the almost empty bar.

I froze in the spot and I felt Mike's body stiffen.

Seems like he had a general effect on everybody.

Mike took his hands off me and backed away. I stood upright and lifted my head.

Our eyes made another connection, more torrid, more ardent. My stomach clutched tightly. I felt my blood flow faster.

“You should know how to be more rigid," the cold words flowed from his flawless lips.

“I can defend myself." I replied aggressively, determined not to allow my inner emotions to surface on my outside.

He was still an arrogant bastard, blessed with a good face.

He grabbed his suit from the chair and placed it on his hands. He slipped his hair with his hands as he strode away.

He was too perfect to be called human.

I scoffed at my thoughts and continued my cleaning. Lily had abandoned me and I knew she was not in a good mood to be forced to work.

She was assisting me. Her parents had enough money to cater for all her needs.

It was 12a.m. I hurriedly arranged the chairs and tables.

I scanned around to see if there was anything odd.

Everything was perfect.

I went into the inner room to lock the window and doors. About leaving I found Lily's favourite black jacket, it seemed like she was really pissed to have forgotten her precious jacket.

I remembered pleading with her to allow me to borrow the jacket for a job interview I had last month, but she was so adamant and I later wore another jacket.

I chuckled at the memory, Lily was the sweetest human being to be with. My cheeks burned as my mind flashed back to the young man. I couldn't wrap my fingers around it but trouble clung to him

like his scent.

I locked the bar and walked away.

“Time moves slower in your world,” a cold voice whispered.

My legs locked. That voice.

It can't be.