Sebastian's Obsession

Chapter 9

"Sebastian!"

I have been calling him to get his attention, but he was too preoccupied with the police. As if they were discussing a very important matter. It was a bit aggravating already as I had called him multiple times, yet he didn't seem to mind. Like a total deaf. I couldn't get any closer to his place either, since there were so many people around him, all wondering about what was going on. The great Karen of Canais.

Everyone flinched after Cana shouted too loudly, and since the music was gone her voice echoed inside the club.

"Make way, motherfucker; Winter is the one being harassed; she should be the one to address this, not you gossip-licker bitches."

I gasped, shocked at the curses she uttered. Cana was often quiet, poised, and unobtrusive and now she looks like a tiger ready to devour because of annoyance.

Suddenly, the crowd parted, allowing us to make our way toward the police and Sebastian, who was now staring at me.

When we approached them, only then did I clearly see the man who had touched me earlier, with handcuffs on his hand and a bloody face.

He looked pitiful and it seemed like Sebastian had done too much beating because he had sustained large cuts on his cheek. The blood dripping on his face bothered me. Fearing that he might die if not taken to the hospital that instant. What was Sebastian thinking when he hit the man this hard?

"Are you the one being harassed by this man, Miss Winter Liondale?" the detectives inquired.

I looked first at Cana, then at Sebastian, then at the man who now seemed to be having a hard time. His eyes were closed but the pain was etched in his face.

"Yes, officer," I responded.

"Can you tell us what you want us to do with him?"

Suddenly, the man's eyelids opened and he looked me straight in the eyes. His face was flushed with guilt and regret, and his lips parted slightly.

"I'm sorry," he said nearly in hushed tones, barely loud enough for me to hear. The man looks really remorseful, so I'm not going to make things any worse. I slapped him, and Sebastian even beat him. Maybe he had already learned what the consequences would be if he did it again.

"We need to take him to the hospital, officer," I said, "or else the worst may happen to his wound and it may get infected if it is not treated promptly."

"Are you insane, Winter? That man just harassed you, and you want him cured? He deserves it, let him die," Sebastian roared furiously.

"Shut up, Montenegro. It's not like you're clean though. Tell me you're sinless, and I'll push the case onward," I challenged.

Sebastian fell silent. He knew exactly that he was a sinner. No one is sinless, as everyone makes mistakes.

"I don't want to press the case, officer; instead, please take that man to the hospital; he seems to be in a lot of pain," I said again.

I'm exhausted and all I want to do is sleep. I'm still irritated with Sebastian and how controlling he was. I really hate him. This was the first time I despised someone to the depth of my being. As though this hatred would stay with me till the day I die.

"Let's go, Cana."

I grabbed Cana's arm and pulled her away from the chaotic place. We hadn't gone very far when a hand grabbed my wrist, causing me to halt walking.

"Perhaps you enjoy being touched and harassed, which is why you didn't press the case. Am I right?" Sebastian said, his cold gaze fixed on mine. His statements make me laugh in disgust. He seems to have followed me just to insult me. And he wins. I'm offended. Nobody loves being harassed. May it be a man or woman. Everyone wants to be respected and I don't know where Sebastian's logic went in that matter. Out of irritation, my fist landed straight on his abdomen. But it doesn't look like he is being affected by it. Was my punch that weak? So annoying.

"You know nothing about me, Sebastian, so shut up; you're so obnoxious."

"You're going to regret this, Winter," he said coldly as he walked away.

"What are you and Sebastian up to now? You seem like a couple...bickering," Cana observed unexpectedly.

"Couple? Oh my goodness, Cana. No way. And no, nothing, there is definitely nothing going on with us. He is just so bothersome. What else does he want anyway? He wins the case and already has the company. All he needs to do is piss off," I mumbled as we stepped into the car.

"He's interested in you, Winter. I'm not even joking, as if he's barely enamored by you," she said, and I simply rolled my eyes.

"If he really liked me, he wouldn't have made everything so tough for me; that's not how it works."

Oh right, he likes making me suffer.

It was nearly 1 a.m. when I drove and sent Cana to her place again. And, as a result of what happened earlier in the club, we appear to have lost our drunkenness. After we bid goodbye, I resumed driving.

I feel much better now compared to earlier, and my vision is no longer foggy, but the pain in my head resurfaced in an instant. And since my house is still a bit far from where I am, I decided to pull over to an open café. Maybe I'll just drink some coffee and rest for a while before driving again.

I get out of the car, walk directly to the cafe, and place my order. I even massaged my temples to try to alleviate the headache. My head has been hurting a lot these last few days. My laboratory results, however, were completely normal during my doctor's appointment. I'm not sick at all, just anemic. And I believe it was perfectly natural. Everyone is prone to being anemic.

"Here's your order, Ma'am," said the barista as he handed over my order.

I gave him a small smile before leaving the cafe. I took a sip of my coffee, my head occupied when I suddenly bumped into someone. Luckily, I held tightly on to my dear coffee so it didn't fly away from the impact.

"Watch your steps," someone demanded.

He saw me first, didn't he? He should have adjusted so we wouldn't collide. Stupid. I annoyingly looked to see who I bumped into and was surprised to see who it was. Is he stalking me? Of all the cafes in Canais, why would we bump into each other here? Then suddenly Cana's words from earlier flashed on my mind. I tried to shake it off. It can't be. There's no way Sebastian likes me. I am just being delusional.

"Coffee is not a good drink; you won't sleep if you drink that," he said. As if his opinion was relevant. Instead of going inside the cafe, he just stood in front of me and watched me do my things. Weird.

So, I rolled my eyes and walked away, utterly dismissing his statements. What did he do here, buy or scold me? Besides, I am old enough to do what I want and not that I'm dumb not to know the consequences.

What's more puzzling is the fact that this cafe is a long way from his residence, so why is he still here to buy something? Why is he here when there is a café near his bar? And why should I worry about him for whatever reason he has? It's his life, and he pays for his gas.

I waited a few minutes for Sebastian to leave and return home. But it seems that he still wants to stay in the cafe for a little longer. Because I was bored and feeling okay, I turned on the engine and started driving again as I decided to go home. He said I would not be sleepy if I drank coffee. But he was wrong. Because I feel sleepy right now.

—

I don’t know what time I got home this morning. I just woke up because of the noise...and someone kept knocking on my door. Drowsily I stood up, wearing pajamas, hair disheveled, and opened up to whoever was knocking on the door.

"En, what happened? People keep coming in saying that the new owner will be here today. Did you sell the house?" Monica said panickedly. My drowsy spirit awoke in an instant.

"What are you talking about? Why would I sell the house?"

Then it dawned on me. It can't be.

I dashed down the stairwell. People in uniform entered the residence bringing different equipment, modifying the house design, causing a ruckus among the maids.

"Wait! What are you guys doing? This is trespassing!" I yelled, but the men in uniform did not stop as they proceeded with their business. I had approached someone in uniform, who I believe was the leader of these individuals.

"Who is your boss?" I asked. I already have a hint, but I want to be certain.

"Mister Sebastian Ephraim Montenegro, Ma'am," said the man.

I knew it. I really knew it. I was already on the verge of a breakdown, but I was doing my best to appear brave as I approached my maids.

"Monica, Aunt sold the house," I whispered, my heart breaking further.

I haven't confirmed it yet, but who else would? She'd sold the company without having a second thought, it would also be easy for her to sell the house. She had just deprived me of my rights to the company by selling it without my knowledge and now she had deprived me of a home. How cruel! And yet she never admitted it to me. What will happen to me now?