The Devil's Favourite Obsession

Control Not Freedom

(Melissa pov)

“You need to move.”

“I’m not moving,” I said flatly, tightening my grip on my bag as I stared at the guard blocking the door.

“The boss said you’re not to leave,” he replied, his tone respectful but firm, like he had already decided this conversation was over.

“I don’t care what he said,” I snapped. “Get out of my way, i need to go to class.”

“I can’t do that.”

I took a step closer. “You’re testing my patience.”

“And you’re testing his orders,” he said calmly.

“Listen to me carefully,” I said, my voice dropping, sharp and controlled. “If you don’t move right now, I will make you move.”

He didn’t flinch.

“That would be a mistake.”

“Oh, I’m counting on it being one,” I shot back. “Move.”

“No.”

I exhaled slowly, anger rising fast and hot in my chest. “You’re really going to make me do this?”

Before he could answer, I shoved him hard but he barely moved.

“Right,” I muttered. “That was embarrassing.”

“Miss, please—”

“Don’t ‘miss’ me,” I snapped. “You think because he brought me here I’m some kind of prisoner?”

He hesitated, that was all I needed.

“I am leaving,” I said firmly. “With or without your permission.”

“I’ll call him,” he said quickly.

“Good,” I replied. “Do that.”

He pulled out his phone, dialing immediately.

“Boss… she’s insisting on going to class.”

A pause, then he held the phone out to me.

“He wants to speak to you.”

I snatched it.

“What?” I snapped.

“Good morning, pajarito.”

My grip tightened.

“Don’t call me that.”

“You sound angry,” Adriano said calmly.

“I am angry,” I shot back. “Tell your guard to move or I swear I’ll break something.”

“Like what?” he asked lightly.

“Start with his face, then work my way up to yours.”

A pause, then a faint chuckle.

“I love that fire, it makes me wish I was there with you but you’re not in a position to threaten me.”

“Watch me,” I said coldly. “I’m leaving.”

“You can leave,” he replied.

I blinked slightly. “Excuse me?”

“But not alone,” he added smoothly. “You go with some of my men for security.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“I don’t need your men.”

“You do.”

“I’ve been fine without you for two months,” I snapped.

“And yet,” he said quietly, “you’re not fine now, some people who are after me will hurt you just to get to me”

“That’s because of you.”

“Then let me fix it.”

“You are the problem!”

Silence, then his voice dropped slightly.

“You leave with them, or you don’t leave at all.”

My jaw clenched.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“And you’re stubborn,” he replied. “We’re not negotiating this.”

I looked at the guard, then back at nothing.

“Fine,” I said sharply. “But this isn’t over.”

“It never is,” he said calmly.

I hung up without another word, shoving the phone back at the guard.

“You’re all insane,” I muttered.

“The car is ready,” he said.

“I hate this,” I added, walking past him.

“Understood.”

The car ride was silent, but within me I was thinking of ways to strangle Adraino when I get my hands on him.

“I don’t need an escort,” I said, staring out the window.

“i’m sorry but It’s not optional” one of the men replied.

When we arrived at campus, the car stopped just outside the main gate.

“We’ll be here,” the driver said.

“I don’t need babysitters.”

“We’re not babysitters.”

“Then stop acting like it.”

I stepped out before they could respond, slamming the door harder than necessary.

“Melissa!”

I froze and turned slowly.

“Daniel.”

He rushed toward me, breath uneven, eyes filled with something between guilt and desperation.

“Please, just listen to me—”

“I don’t want to talk to you,” I said immediately.

“Just five minutes,” he pleaded. “That’s all I’m asking.”

“No.”

“Melissa, I’m sorry—”

Before he could finish, one of the guards stepped in.

“Back off.”

Daniel frowned. “Who are you?”

“I said back off.”

“I’m talking to her,” Daniel snapped.

“And I said step away.”

“Don’t tell me what to—”

The hit came fast, a sharp sound, Daniel stumbled back, grabbing his face.

“Hey!” I shouted, stepping forward instantly. “What is wrong with you?!”

“He was getting too close,” the guard said.

“He’s not a threat!”

“He raised his voice.”

“So you hit him?!” I snapped.

Daniel looked stunned, one hand still on his cheek. “What the hell…”

I turned to him quickly. “I’m so sorry, I’m so, so sorry—”

“What is going on?” he asked, confused. “Who are these people?”

“That doesn’t matter,” I said quickly. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” he muttered, though he clearly wasn’t. “Melissa, please, just let me explain—”

“I can’t,” I said, shaking my head. “Not now.”

“Melissa you have changed”

“Because I refused to be trampled on?,” I replied, my voice harsh, he looked at me with surprise, like he was seeing me for the first time, he opened his mouth to argue but didn’t.

“Fine,” he said quietly. “But this isn’t over.”

And he walked away slowly, I turned back to the guard.

“If you ever touch someone I know again, I won’t apologize next time.”

He nodded once. “Understood.”

“You stay out here,” I added sharply.

“I’ll be right outside your classes.”

“I didn’t ask.”

“Boss order”

I stared at him for a second, then shook my head and walked away.

The classroom felt normal.

“Melissa, you’re late,” Dr. Carter said as I entered.

“Sorry, sir.”

“Take your seat.”

I nodded and sat down, pulling out my notebook, though I wasn’t really seeing anything in front of me, because as I sat there pretending to listen the only clear thought in my mind was that I needed to get away from Adraino, my fingers tightened around my pen and the only way to stop someone like Adriano is to destroy him.