Obsession

CHAPTER 1 The Man from Her Nightmare The loud music inside the club pounded against Pamela Alarcon’s ears as colorful lights flashed across the crowded dance floor. The scent of alcohol, expensive perfume, and cigarette smoke mixed heavily in the air, making the entire place feel suffocating. Pamela tightened her grip around the glass of champagne in her hand while forcing herself to smile at the people surrounding her. “Pamela, you’ve been staring at your drink for the last ten minutes,” her best friend laughed before nudging her shoulder. “Don’t tell me you’re already bored.” Pamela glanced at Ciah Fernandez and gave her a weak smile. “I’m not bored. Just tired.” “That’s impossible. You’re with us tonight, remember? No work. No stress. No overthinking.” If only it were that easy. Pamela looked away and stared at the dance floor. Men and women moved carelessly beneath the flashing neon lights while laughter echoed around the luxurious bar in Makati. Everyone looked happy. Everyone looked free. Except her. Six years had already passed, but some nights still felt exactly the same. Some memories never truly disappeared. “Pam?” She blinked when Ciah waved a hand in front of her face. “You’re spacing out again.” “I said I’m fine,” Pamela softly replied. Ciah narrowed her eyes suspiciously but decided not to push further. “Fine. But if you’re still acting depressed after your third drink, I’m dragging you to the dance floor myself.” Pamela chuckled softly before taking another sip from her champagne. The truth was, she hated crowded places now. Too many strangers. Too many eyes. Too many reminders. Her phone suddenly vibrated on top of the table. Pamela frowned upon seeing an unregistered number. Unknown Number: Are you enjoying yourself tonight, Pamela? Her heartbeat instantly stopped. The glass nearly slipped from her hand. A cold chill crawled down her spine. “Pam?” Ciah asked again. “What happened?” Pamela quickly locked her phone. “Nothing.” But her trembling fingers betrayed her. No one called her Pamela anymore except her family. Most people preferred calling her Pam. Only one person used her full name like that. Only one person made her feel this terrified. No. It couldn’t be him. Not after all these years. Pamela swallowed hard before standing from her seat. “I’ll go to the restroom.” Without waiting for a response, she quickly walked away from the VIP section. Her breathing became uneven as she entered the restroom and locked herself inside one of the stalls. Another vibration. Unknown Number: You still look beautiful when you’re nervous. Pamela covered her mouth as panic slowly consumed her chest. Her fingers trembled while typing. Pamela: Who is this? The reply came almost immediately. Unknown Number: You already know who I am. Her knees weakened. “No…” she whispered. Memories she had spent years trying to bury suddenly flooded her mind all at once. The resort. The swimming pool. That voice. Those eyes. Him. Damien Villafuerte. Pamela quickly exited the restroom and rushed back toward their table. “I want to go home,” she told Ciah. “What? Why?” “I suddenly don’t feel well.” Ciah immediately touched her forehead. “You look pale.” “I just need to rest.” Before Ciah could speak again, another voice interrupted them. “Then let me take you home.” Pamela froze. The familiar deep voice made her heart skip violently inside her chest. Slowly, she turned around. And there he was. Adrian Villafuerte stood behind her wearing a black tailored suit with the sleeves slightly folded near his wrist. His dark eyes locked onto hers with calm intensity. Even inside the loud club, Adrian carried an intimidating presence. Powerful. Controlled. Dangerously attractive. “Adrian,” Ciah immediately greeted with a grin. “Perfect timing. Your girlfriend suddenly wants to leave.” Pamela forced herself to smile. Boyfriend. The word still felt unfamiliar sometimes. Not because she didn’t love Adrian. But because loving someone again after what happened years ago still terrified her. Adrian stepped closer before placing a hand gently on her waist. “Are you alright?” Pamela nodded too quickly. “Yeah.” His eyes narrowed slightly. He knew she was lying. Adrian always noticed everything. “Let’s go,” he calmly said. Ciah waved dramatically behind them. “Text me when you get home!” Pamela managed a small smile before following Adrian outside the club. The cold night air immediately hit her skin the moment they stepped outside. Luxury cars lined the street while city lights illuminated the dark Manila skyline. Adrian opened the passenger seat of his black Mercedes for her. Pamela entered quietly. The moment the doors closed, silence immediately filled the car. Adrian started the engine before glancing at her. “What happened inside?” Pamela looked out the window. “Nothing.” “You’re shaking.” She didn’t respond. Adrian sighed softly before loosening his tie. “Pamela.” The way he said her name made her chest tighten. Gentle. Patient. Careful. So different from him. Pamela closed her eyes briefly. “I received strange messages.” Adrian’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly. “What kind of messages?” “I don’t know.” That was a lie. She knew exactly who it was. But saying his name out loud felt like reopening a wound she spent years stitching together. Adrian remained silent for a moment before speaking again. “Was it related to your past?” Pamela slowly looked at him. Adrian was the only person who knew almost everything about what happened six years ago. Almost. Not everything. Never everything. Pamela nodded weakly. Adrian’s jaw tightened. “Did he contact you again?” Her heartbeat stopped. “You know who I’m talking about,” Adrian quietly added. Pamela looked away. “Yes.” Silence filled the car again. But this silence felt heavier. Darker. Adrian suddenly parked near the side of the road. Before Pamela could react, he gently cupped her face. “Listen to me carefully,” he said firmly. “No one is going to hurt you again.” Pamela stared at him. There was something dangerous behind Adrian’s calm expression. Something cold. Something almost violent. “You don’t understand,” she whispered. “Then help me understand.” Pamela’s eyes slowly filled with tears she had spent years suppressing. “He said he’s back.” Adrian cursed softly under his breath before leaning back against his seat. For the first time that night, she saw genuine anger flash across his face. And somehow— That terrified her even more. Because Adrian Villafuerte almost never lost control. Pamela arrived home past midnight. The massive Alarcon mansion stood silently beneath the dark sky, surrounded by high gates and security guards. Her parents were currently in Europe on business, leaving her alone inside the enormous house except for the household staff. Pamela quietly entered her bedroom before locking the door behind her. The room instantly felt too quiet. Too empty. She removed her heels before sitting on the edge of her bed. Another vibration. Her breathing immediately stopped. Unknown Number: Did you miss me, Pamela? Pamela immediately threw the phone away as if it burned her skin. “No…” Her chest tightened painfully. Six years ago, she thought she had escaped him. She thought it was finally over. But deep inside, Pamela always feared this day would come. Because some monsters never truly disappeared. Slowly, she stood and walked toward the large glass windows overlooking the city. Rain had started pouring outside. Thunder echoed across the dark sky. Pamela wrapped her arms around herself tightly. Then suddenly— Her bedroom lights went out. Pamela gasped. The entire room fell into darkness. “Hello?” she whispered shakily. No answer. Her heartbeat pounded violently. She quickly reached for her phone flashlight. The moment the light illuminated the room— she froze. A single black rose rested on top of her bed. Pamela’s blood ran cold. She slowly approached it. Attached to the flower was a small note. Her trembling fingers opened it carefully. You were prettier when you cried beneath me. Pamela immediately dropped the note as fear consumed her completely. “No…” Tears finally escaped her eyes. He was here. He found her. And somehow— He had entered her house. Suddenly, her phone started ringing. Unknown Number. Pamela stared at it in horror. It continued ringing. Again. And again. Finally, with trembling fingers, she answered. “H-Hello?” A deep chuckle echoed from the other line. Pamela’s entire body froze. “I missed your voice,” the man softly whispered. Damien. She instantly recognized him. Even after six years. Even after trying so hard to forget. “You psycho,” Pamela whispered through tears. Damien laughed softly. God. That laugh. It sounded exactly the same. “You still remember me.” “What do you want?” “You.” Pamela immediately ended the call before backing away from the bed. Her breathing became uneven. Panic completely consumed her. Then her phone vibrated again. Damien: Don’t ignore me, baby. Pamela immediately blocked the number. A second later— Another unknown number called. Her knees weakened. He wouldn’t stop. “Please…” she whispered desperately. Another message appeared. Damien: You belong to me. Pamela covered her mouth as tears continuously fell down her face. No. No. No. A loud knock suddenly echoed from outside her room. Pamela nearly screamed. “Miss Pamela?” one of the maids called outside. “Are you alright?” Pamela quickly wiped her tears before opening the door slightly. “Yes.” “You looked frightened, miss.” “I’m fine.” The maid glanced inside the dark room before frowning slightly. “The electricity suddenly went out in this area, but the generator should work now.” Moments later, the lights returned. Pamela forced a smile. “Thank you.” After the maid left, Pamela immediately locked the door again. She looked at the black rose still lying on the floor. Then slowly— she grabbed it. Her fingers tightened around the stem. Fear slowly turned into anger. For years, she allowed herself to live terrified of him. For years, she kept silent. For years, she blamed herself. But not anymore. Pamela immediately grabbed her bag and car keys. If Damien wanted war— Then he picked the wrong woman to destroy. Meanwhile, inside a luxurious penthouse somewhere in Manila— Damien Villafuerte stood in front of the glass windows overlooking the city. Rain poured heavily outside while soft jazz music played quietly in the background. His dark eyes stared at the photo in his hand. Pamela. Still beautiful. Still perfect. Still his. A slow smile appeared on his lips. “She’s scared,” he softly murmured. A man standing nearby looked nervous. “Sir Damien… maybe this is going too far.” Damien glanced at him lazily. The dangerous calmness in his eyes instantly made the other man lower his gaze. “She forgot something important,” Damien said quietly. “And what is that, sir?” Damien smiled darkly. “She was mine first.” He slowly sat down on the couch before pouring himself whiskey. Then his phone suddenly vibrated. The moment he saw the caller ID— His expression instantly darkened. Adrian Villafuerte. Damien answered with amusement. “Brother.” “If you go near her again,” Adrian said coldly from the other line, “I swear to God, I’ll kill you myself.” Damien chuckled softly before leaning back comfortably. “You sound jealous.” “She’s not yours.” Damien’s smile slowly disappeared. “She never stopped being mine.” Adrian’s voice turned dangerously calm. “You touch her again, and I’ll bury you.” Damien laughed again, darker this time. “Too late.” Silence followed. Then Damien softly whispered the words that completely changed everything. “She still remembers how I made her scream.” The line immediately disconnected. Damien smirked before taking another sip of whiskey. Outside, thunder echoed across the city. And somewhere in Manila— Pamela had no idea that the nightmare she thought ended six years ago… It was only the beginning.