Obsession

Chapter 5

★Mia★

His hands wrapped around my waist, and our tongues twisted. It was everything I wanted. Throughout the night, I couldn't get my head off it—his palms fondling mine, or his fingers trailing circles down my thighs.

I stood there, my palms placed on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his breath. I was dizzy in my own dream world, completely submitting to him, when Dar interrupted.

He broke out in a loud, obnoxious cough that rang through the whole room.

"I'm still here," he laughed.

We drifted apart. I wiped my lips with the back of my hand while Dylan licked his, looking thoroughly annoyed. He offered me a seat, and then excused us to the corner of the room.

Dylan was still murmuring to him when he asked Dar to grab us coffee and cheese.

"Beni will do that," Dar responded sharply, his mood switching instantly.

Beni, the secretary who had just brought me in, came by afterward to drop off the tray. We ate and played chess at the same time.

"Your move," I said, tapping the board.

Dylan studied the pieces, his brow furrowing. He moved his knight, confident. I countered immediately, sliding my bishop across the board to trap his queen.

He paused, looking from the board to me, then back to the board.

"How'd you do that?" he chuckled, leaning back in his chair.

"Let me teach you. I'm very good at this," I bragged, chunking a piece of cheese into my mouth.

The game went on for a long time. Every time he thought he had me cornered, I found a way out. His eyes scaled me with every move I made, a mix of surprise and fascination playing on his face. He asked me on a proper date tonight and booked a full restaurant just for the two of us. I had never felt this special before in my life. Each moment I spent with him meant everything—no home drama, no cocaine pass-outs, just us.

Then my phone buzzed. A text from my mom. It was time to go.

Dylan offered to drive me home. The drive was cozy and smooth, just the sounds of distant birds and the hum of a train passing near his company. His left hand rested on my thigh while my head leaned against the window, letting the cool evening air flicker my blonde hair around my face.

I couldn't wait to tell Nina all about him. I pulled out my phone and texted her to come over, letting her know I was on my way home.

When we pulled up to my house, Dylan walked me to the door. He kissed me softly, his hands lingering on my waist.

"Tonight," he whispered against my lips. "Just you and me."

"I'll be counting the hours," I smiled.

I waited until his car disappeared down the street before unlocking the door and stepping inside.

The house was quiet. Too quiet. The usual hum of my mom's favourite show on the tv or the sound of her moving around in the kitchen was completely absent.

"Mom?" I called out, dropping my keys on the table with a loud clatter.

Maya appeared at the top of the stairs. Her face was pale, her eyes darting around the hallway like she expected someone to jump out of the shadows. She was clutching her robe so tight her knuckles were white.

"Mom? What's wrong?" I asked, my smile fading instantly.

"Someone was in here, Mia," she whispered, her voice trembling.

My stomach dropped. "What? Are you sure? Did you call the police?"

"No, I—just listen to me," she rushed down the stairs, grabbing my arms. "I know how this sounds, but someone was in the house. My room... my vibrator. It was moved from my drawer. It's not where I left it. It's out on the bed like someone used it".

For a second, I just stared at her. The tension in the room was thick enough to choke on, but a nervous, loud laugh bubbled up in my throat.

"Mom," I sighed, pulling away to drop my bag on the sofa. "You're stressed".

"You probably just misplaced it. You know you've been scatterbrained lately".

"I am not overthinking!" she snapped, her voice cracking with genuine fear. "I know my own house, Mia!"

Before I could argue, a sharp knock at the door made both of us jump.

My heart sank into my stomach , but then I saw a familiar silhouette dress through the keyhole. I breathed out a heavy sigh and opened the door.

Nina stood on the three step stairs, a wide smile on her face.

"Hey, girl!" she chirped, stepping inside without waiting for an invite.

"I saw your text. I was literally just in the neighborhood, so I figured I'd walk over. You sounded excited."

Usually, Nina's energy was infectious. But right now, looking at her standing in our living room, a strange, cold feeling washed over me.

She was in the neighborhood? We lived in a quiet, residential area. Nina didn't know anyone who lived around here except me.

I glanced at Maya, who was staring at Nina with an unreadable expression. The fear in my mom's eyes hadn't faded. If anything, it looked like it had multiplied.

"Hey, Nina," I said slowly, closing the door behind her.

Nina's smile didn't waver like she can't read the room. "So? Tell me everything! Who is he?"

I forced a smile, but the joy from the date was gone, replaced by a creeping sense of fear, I looked back at my mom, then at my best friend.

"Well," I started, feeling like I was walking on broken glass. "His name is Dylan