The DeLuca’s Obsession

The Cookie Jar

Eliana's POV

Fine…’’ she goes to the wardrobe and throws a blue dress on the bed.

I quickly got dressed, and I was putting on some makeup when Zuri yelled.

‘ Eliana,’ she called my full name now.

I turned to her with a smile.

‘’When I call, you'd better answer. When I text, even if it is a stupid i********: reel, you reply, just to show proof of life, okay, if not, I will think the worst, and no one wants that.

‘ Yes, mother… I will,’’ I said, turning to finish my makeup, then I hugged her before leaving.

Work went by in a blur,

Honestly, I didn’t know half of what was happening. I moved through everything like a ghost, and of course, my mind just refuses to leave that alleyway, with the blood, the body, with Dominic Deluca.

So by 4 pm, I couldn't take it anymore, I faked a headache and left early.

The sun was already setting in the sky when I got to my apartment. Everything felt like they were not my own: my limbs, my breath, my thoughts.

I knew Zuri had warned me not to go back to my apartment until Dominic Deluca was behind bars, but I just needed something that felt like me. I wanted to sleep or even cry in my own bed, and I trusted that the police were handling it.

At the door, I paused, my hand hovering over the keyhole. Then I unlocked it and entered, dropping my bag by the door, too drained to even care.

All I wanted to do was to lie down and sleep for a while. I reached for the light switch.

Flipped it on, then turned and froze where I was because He was here in my house, sitting in my chair as if he belonged there. Like he had been waiting for me all day, Leg crossed, even eating my cookies, I knew I had in the fridge.

Dominic Deluca…

Was in my apartment… God, what have I done to deserve this?

Then he said, with so much familiarity, as we go way back.

Welcome Home Eliana.’’

Heaven knows that it felt like the ground should open up and swallow me.

(*)

I couldn’t breathe. What the hell was happening right now? How in the heavens was he in my house?

What…’’ I forced my words out, but to God, I felt like a teenager in front of her bully

He smiled, as if he were enjoying this. Of course, he was.

‘ I need you to use your words… Eliana,’’ He let out, and the way he said my name, shiver ran down my spine, it felt like sin and tension all rolled up in one.

‘ How did… " You get in,” I managed to get the words out.

He tilted his head, as the question had amused him, maybe it ought to, because if this guy can kill a man, then why wouldn’t he know how to break into my tiny apartment?

Eliana, He said my name like that again. “You should really change your locks; these downtown apartments are not safe.

I swallowed hard, and he didn’t move; he just kept eating the cookies and staring me down. My legs refused to move, and my heart felt like I was about to have a heart attack.

I wanted to run, want to scream for help…

Yes, I should scream for help, but he didn't even let me do that when he said.

‘’I wouldn’t do that if I were you.’’

Simple words, you might think, but it felt like it killed something within me.

‘ How did you find me? What do you want from me? ’ I asked, trying to act like his presence did not affect me.

Dominic leaned forward with a smile.’’ Isn’t it obvious, I

want you, Eliana.’’

I froze; it felt like my blood ran cold.

Even the man with him was looking at Dominic with surprise.

I laughed, but my stomach was in a knot as I tried to form a fake steadiness, with my chin up and my shoulders squared.

‘You know what?’ I am done with all of this. I need you to go.’’

Dominic’s brows lifted slightly, a smile crept onto his face as he stood up, stepping closer to me.’’ Are you dismissing me?”

‘’God, yes, I snapped, I need you out of my house, before I call the police.

Dominic still had that nerve-racking smile on his face, then he said.

'' Call them,'' like he was daring me to do my worst.