His Obsession

Golden Retriever

Owning a make up and fashion company in Manhattan was not an easy job. It was even harder because her aunt tried her best to made her fall. But having Jeremy for the past few years made her shoulder lighter. Ariana knew how people addressed Jeremy. They said he was her Golden Retriever but for her, he was more a mad dog than a golden retriever. He was loyal and cheerful but he knew the underwold better than those badass guys. He was fierce and protective like a guard dog.

She remembered the first time she met Jeremy was when she was in a hospital without anyone visiting her. She was full of bruises. It was the the first time someone visit her on her weakest time.

"I will be your guardian to return the favour you gave." That night Jeremy said something that she needed the most. It was very tempting but her heart and head was alarmed. She couldn't trust him or anyone. Specially because she just betrayed by her most trusted person.

But, apparently Jeremy was hard to gave up. One day when she finally revived her parents company and in need for a secretary, he came to her as a candidate.

"My name is Jeremy Reynold. I worked for a law firm for almost three years. Now I worked independently under one boss."

"Then why are you interested to apply here?" asked Ariana.

"My boss said, you might need me more than him."

Ariana's mouth dropped open. She lost her words upon hearing his answer. "And why did he think like that?"

"Because he always found you full of bruises and anger. And I am the most valuable belonging he owns."

"You are not a thing."

Jeremy chuckled because she was indeed so similar to his boss. "You are interesting, Ms. Spruce. I would love to serve you as my master."

Ariana gasped. She went through his paper one more time. Jeremy was indeed the best candidate she had. He came from a reputable university and had an experience in law that she needed the most. He seemed to know about politics too. Since he was good looking, people would find him easy so he was a good strategy to made people off guard.

"I will notify you by phone for further information," said Ariana as she closed Jeremy's paper.

"Thank you, Ms. Spruce," he offered her his hand to shake. "I hope it will be a good news."

Ariana shook his hand and smiled.

***

Later that day, when the night fell upon Manhattan, Ariana walked home by herself. She already used to be alone beside, she already felt many kind of accident so she wasn't scared or lonely anymore. It was raining a little before sunset so the path was a little dark and wet. She could hear footsteps following her, so she walked a little faster.

She was about to take a turn towards a more crowded place when a rough hand pulled her hand and pinned her unto the wall in a dark alleyway. It was a guy who followed her all the way there. She was breathless but her eyes didn't waver. When she opened her mouth about to scream, the guy placed his palm to shut her mouth.

"It will be a little messy if you try to fight me." She could smell alcohol from the guy's breath.

"F*ck!" He cursed when Ariana bit her opponent. A slap the landed on her cheek. "I told you to not messed it up."

"What do you want?"

"I was planning on scaring the soul out of you but it seems it wouldn't be easy." The guy pulled out a knife from his pocket and traced her cheek, smearing the blood that dripped from her cutted lip after a slap.

She glared.

"I don't know why that old woman asked me to hurt a fine young lady like you so badly though. I just need the money." He slurred.

Ariana about to kick the guy's soul out of his body when suddenly he was forced to kneel by a stranger behind him.

"F*ck off or I'm gonna break your hand this instant," said the stranger. His voice was deep it made the guy shuddered.

Ariana who had been eyeing the kneeling guy, looked up. He found a rather a big built and tall guy stood behind that guy. His eyes lit even in a dark alley. It was the jade eyes guy she met before. She opened her mouth about to say something before the guy who had been threatening her stormed off.

Ariana sighed then took a step, about to leave the dark alleyway but the jade eyes guy gripped her hand.

Ariana hissed then turned to him. "What?"

"I gave you my dog but you choose to walk alone instead?" She shuddered upon hearing his voice closer.

"He is not a dog."

"You just don't know him yet. He really is a dog." He signalled with his chin for her to look behind her. Under the lamp post, a rather handsome guy sat on a bench. "He followed you home."

Her mouth gaped. She just couldn't believe her ears.

"Then why were you here?"

"I was nearby. He called me because he couldn't bite recklessly."

She sighed when the 'dog' grinned from ear to ear upon feeling her gaze on him.

'I guess that part of him really resembles a dog.' Ariana rolled her eyes.