The Billionaire's Obsession

Noah realized by the third glass of vodka that he'd be drunk before the bidding event even started. With a sigh, he downed the drink in one go and glanced toward the entrance once again. His patience was wearing thin. He had been watching every guest walk in—most of them women vying for his attention. Their hourglass figures and sultry gazes did nothing for him. Tonight, he had no interest in fleeting pleasures. He craved something—something that would actually hold his interest. And Mike, one of his few trusted friends, had placed a bet on delivering just that. In exchange, of course, for the brand-new car Noah had just purchased. As if on cue, Noah's brows furrowed at the sight of Mike approaching, a playful smirk plastered across his face. He carried two more glasses of vodka, sliding one toward him. "If looks could kill, I'd be dead on the floor right now," Mike chuckled. Noah didn't bother replying. Mike was used to his temper by now. In fact, he seemed to enjoy testing his patience. "Make sure you're not wasting my time tonight, Mike," Noah warned, already feeling the alcohol's warmth seep into his system. "Relax, man. I know what I'm doing. Just a few more minutes, and the bidding starts." Right. The night was still young. Noah had almost forgotten—probably because boredom was gnawing at him. Or maybe because the alcohol was making his body heat up in all the wrong ways. One thing was certain—he had no intention of f*****g someone just because of it. "Remind me again," he asked, swirling the liquor in his glass. "What exactly are they putting up for auction tonight?" "A gilded pocket watch,” Mike answered. His gaze drifting to a brunette passing by. He downed his drink like a man starved for more than alcohol. “But not any ordinary one. It’s a piece crafted with perfection—old, rare. You have to see the craftsmanship to believe it.” “I have a feeling I’ll be doing the bidding alone later,” Noah muttered, tilting his head. If there was one thing he remembered about Mike, it was his stamina when it came to chasing women. Mike never left a party without claiming someone for the night. That was part of why Noah kept him around. They shared the same craving... only Noah’s went far deeper. His was an obsession. He collected beautiful things—perfect things. And not just for admiration, but for possession. Few people knew the extent of it. Those who did called it dangerous. Some called it an incurable illness. “Relax,” Mike said, setting his empty glass on the stand with a wink. “I’ll see you in the front row before the bidding starts. Who knows—you might find something interesting while waiting.” And with that, he vanished into the crowd. Noah sighed, dragging his feet toward the bar for another shot. The vodka was already heating his blood, but one more couldn’t hurt. The day’s demands had drained him, and he needed that final push. He could’ve ignored Mike’s invitation and gone home, but it had been a month since he last added to his private gallery. He was running out of time. One year left before he turned thirty—and he planned to gather as many flawless pieces as he could before then. Just as he reached for another glass, his steps halted. Time seemed to stop. Across the room, someone had entered. A woman in a red dress, gliding through the entrance like she owned the air around her. She wasn’t just beautiful, she was perfect. Her face, her walk, the way the fabric clung to her body, it was everything he desired wrapped in human form. His hunger flared. To Noah, she was a prize he must get. And whether she wanted it or not, liked it or not... he would have her. One way or another. Eda Beckman had only one purpose tonight, to persuade Mr. Harrington. But navigating the venue proved harder than expected. The lavish space felt like a maze, too grand and too daunting for someone on a mission. She’d attended countless parties before and was no stranger to attention. Compliments about her beauty were nothing new. But tonight was different. The moment she stepped inside, Eda felt the unmistakable sensation of being watched. Not the usual glances or casual admiration. This was different. Intentional and unsettling. It wrapped around her like a shadow, sending a chill down her spine that no warmth could shake. She shook off the unease, trying to focus. Clearing her throat, she scanned the crowd. Her gaze settled on Mr. Harrington, who was conversing with a group of businessmen. The timing was impeccable. Good. He’s here. Eda’s fingers curled around the edge of her clutch, grounding herself. She’d done this before—spoken to men about business, walked into rooms like this one with her head high. But persuading someone like Harrington was a different kind of game. One she couldn’t afford to lose. With every step, she rehearsed her opening lines silently, adjusting her breath to calm her nerves. She was nearly there, already imagining how she’d ease into the conversation. But then, a firm hand suddenly gripped her wrist and yanked her back. Her brow furrowed in confusion, but the voice that followed sent a spike of fear straight through her chest. “Eda… I’m so glad to see you here tonight.” Like clockwork, the fear crept in. Her pulse quickened. “J-Jake, what are you doing here?” She barely managed to croak out as her heart hammered in her chest. Her body stiffened before she could stop it. In an instant, Eda’s focus shifted. She didn’t even notice her surroundings. Her mind was consumed with how to free herself from her ex-boyfriend’s unrelenting presence. Goosebumps pricked her skin as she looked up at him. His smile twisted into something unsettling. “I’d say it’s fate,” he replied, eyes scanning her face hungrily. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you since we broke up. Come, let’s talk. Just us,” Jake’s voice was soft but laced with an unsettling edge. Before she could protest, Jake latched onto her wrist again, tugging her through the crowd like she was nothing more than a memory he refused to forget. Her mouth opened, but no words came. Every muscle in her body screamed to break free. But fear rooted her to the spot with her limbs trembling with terror. The garden’s silence hit her like ice. No one else was in sight. It was just them, making her breath hitched and pulse quickened. She stumbled slightly when he stopped, heart pounding so violently she was sure he could hear it. Jake turned to face her. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Still mad about before? I said I was sorry, didn’t I?” His voice dropped, now desperate. “We can still fix this.” His words slithered into her mind, twisting everything she had feared. “Please… stop.” It came out barely louder than a whisper. At that, something shifted in his expression. The softness fell away. His voice, suddenly low and venomous, made her blood run cold. “Eda… you’re not seriously telling me to stop, are you?” His jaw tightened. “You know how much I hate it when you say that.” Her breathing quickened. “I told you, we’re done. Stop this, Jake. You're not yourself.” “I am myself,” he murmured, his gaze darkening. “I’m just being considerate.” Eda stepped back. Her heels clicked softly against the stone pathway as she distanced herself, inch by inch. But he mirrored her, step for step. A crooked grin pulled at his lips just before he lunged, grabbing her arm again, tighter this time. “And you should consider the fact that there’s no one here to hear you.” Her breath hitched. Panic surged her as she glanced frantically around, but there was no one in sight. She was completely alone with him. Helpless. Without thinking, she drove her knee into his groin. Jake howled, stumbling back in pain. It was only her chance. Without a second thought, Eda turned and bolted. Her lungs burning, her vision blurred by tears. Her heart screamed with panic, but her feet carried her blindly into the night. She didn’t know where she was headed. She didn’t care. Just get away. However, Eda’s escape came to a jarring stop as she collided into something—no, someone. A strong chest caught her, and a pair of arms steadied her trembling form before she could collapse completely. She gasped. Her eyes wide with terror, body shaking uncontrollably until she looked up. It wasn’t Jake. An unfamiliar calm settled over her when she realized who it was. Noah Williams. The very man every woman in the room whispered about. A man as untouchable as he was ruthless. Yet in this moment, his hold was careful, gentle… protective. And for the first time that night, Eda’s fear faltered—if only for a heartbeat.