MINE TO CLAIM

TITLE: A GLIMPSE OF OBSESSION

Dario Santos, a Notorious Mafia Don in all of Northshore City who commanded respect and inspired fear at the mere mention of his name. His ruthless reputation preceded him, striking dread into the hearts of those who dared cross him.

A cunning and calculating man who built his business empire through sheer force of will and willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed. With a force and unyielding approach, Dario navigated the dark underworld, his move calculated and merciless, brutal in his business dealings and those who crossed him lived to regret it.

Seated in a dimly lit study, surrounded by shadows, Dario’s eyes burned with an intense obsession, his mind was consumed by Ava, her every feature etched into his memory like a burning band. He couldn’t bear the thought of another man touching her, holding her or breathing close to her and whispering sweet nothings to her ears. The very idea sent a wave of possessiveness crashing over him.

When he saw her a few days ago with her fiancé Leandro, holding her close, it made his blood boil, he wanted to tear him apart.

Dario’s jaw clenched, his fingers drumming simultaneously on the armrest as he’s struggling to contain the raging storm within. He wants Ava, body and soul, he want to ruin her innocence and bend her to his will, he wants his name to be etched in her soul, the only one that makes her heart racing, the only refuge to her plight, with a deep breath, Dario rose from his chair, his eyes blazing with determination, he would stop at nothing to claim Ava as his own.

“Boss, this is the file you asked for.” Rohan said from behind, handing the files to him.

“His name is Leandro McCarthy, age: Twenty six years, CEO of NOVASPIRE TECH and the fiancé of Ava Moreles, they have been dating for two years. He single-handedly built NOVASPIRE TECH from scratch and had his breakthrough about a year ago when he closed the X-city deal, making him one in the top 100 billionaire bachelors in Northshore city. His relationship life was never made public and…………

Dario’s mind was elsewhere, he paid little to no attention to what Rohan was saying. “Leandro McCarthy.” He muttered, this man dared to get engaged to his woman, the need to crush him under his fingers lingered on him like a second skin.

“Why didn’t he make his relationship with Ava public?.” Dario asked, without realizing he voiced his thoughts.

“What?”

“Never mind, you can go.” Dario dismissed him, if he was the one who had Ava, he would proudly show her off to the world, that she was—HIS. The bane of his existence, the oxygen that gave him breath. He will worship the ground she walks on, just a word from her and he’s ready to bring the earth to its knees— that was the extent of his obsession for her.

His eyes lit up with mischief as a crazy ideas popped into his head.

~~~~~~~

Ava was done with her shift for the day, she was arranging the tools used for a heart surgery which she assisted the director to perform. Totally exhausted and will need a hot bath once she gets home.

“Ava, the director wants to see you now.” Nurse Lily said from the door and walked away before Ava could ask any questions. Finally done arranging, she stepped out of the storage room towards the director’s office, when she met him in the hallway talking with someone.

The moment their eyes met, all the air left her lungs, her heart drumming uncontrollably, it was him—her nightmare— Dario Santos.

He carries himself with a frightening assurance and a blinding ego. He’s frustratingly confident, antagonistic to the point of bagging enemies everywhere he goes and has an arrogance that could bring Narcissus to tears.

His face is logically gorgeous, model-like in its symmetry, has a high straight nose, defined cheekbones, a jaw so sharp, it could cut through stone.

“ Ava meet Mr Santos, a huge investor in our hospital, he donated 100million dollars for our research project.” Director Cedric Fraser said beaming with smiles.

Ava was shocked, she never knew he had a good heart somewhere beneath his soulless body.

“Ava.” He called out, his voice low and husky.

“Do you know each other?.” Director Cedric asked, perplexed.

Ava’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t think so.” She said, her attention turned to the director with a lazy smile.

“Director Cedric, I will like Nurse Ava to accompany me for the rest of the week, do you have a problem with that?”. Dario asked in an eerie voice, his gaze locked in Ava’s.

“No, no, no….. she can go with you.” Director Cedric stuttered, his forehead sweating, his hands trembling. He knew not to offend a big shot like Dario who won’t bat an eye to bring the Hospital to the ground, burning in ashes.

Ava stood there dumbfounded, Dario’s eyes glinting with amusement.

“You are coming with me.”

“No, I am not.” Ava said, standing her ground. Dario loved how feisty she was, a queen who knows her worth, but unfortunately, he is no knight in shining armor, he will bend her to his will. He reached out and took her arm, his grip like a vice.

“Let go of me.” Ava said, struggling to pull away, Dario wasn’t a man of patience, so he swooped her up and placed her on his shoulder, she screamed, hitting him on his back but he didn’t flinch. He carried her through the hospital corridors, ignoring the curious glares of the staff and patients.

“Who is this gorgeous man that carried Nurse Ava out?.” Nurse Lelia asked curiously.

“No idea.” Nurse Emily replied.

“Ava always has the most handsome men chasing after her, oh I’m jealous.” Nurse Evelyn said, clutching her chest.

Before they could discuss further, Mrs Thompson came out and they scurried away to their duty post.

Outside the hospital, they reached the parking lot, where Dario’s SUV was waiting, he opened the door and pushed Ava inside, following closely behind.

As they drove through the city, Ava’s anger and frustration grew . “Where are you taking me?”. She demanded.

Dario smiled, his eyes glinting with mischief, “you will see.” He said.

Ava turned her eyes to the window, her mind racing with different thoughts.

Finally, they arrived at Dario’s mansion, a sprawling estate on the outskirts of the city. Dario pulled Ava out of the SUV and dragged her inside, ignoring her struggles and protests.

He lifted her up and placed her down on the table inside his private study, caging her between his legs.

Ava struggled to get away from him but he pinned her down, her back laid on the cold table and her hands over her head, he hovered over her, his face an inch apart from hers, he caught a whiff of her scent—vanilla and jasmine, it was so intoxicating, he buried his head on her neck and she stiffened, he wants to eat her up, her body was calling him to ravish her.

“Please..let.. me .. go.” Her voice cracking, Dario lifted his head, he could see the resentment in her eyes, it stirred up something in him — Guilt.

No… she was his and will always be his, he pulled her up and dragged her to the center of the room, pulling out a wall that was concealed behind a sliding panel.

Ava gasped, her eyes widened in shock as she saw the wall covered in pictures of her, taken at various points throughout her life, from her birth till date.

She felt a wave of anger and fear wash over her, “how .. did.. you get these.” She asked in shock.

“I have my ways.” Dario replied, his eyes glinting with obsession and a need to possess.

Ava’s anger boiled over, without a second thought, she slapped him hard across the face. “You’re a psycho.” She spat out in anger and fear.

Dario’s pupils dilated, his jaw clenched in annoyance. “I’m a man who knows what he wants.” He said, his voice low end menacing . “And what I want is you.”

“You can’t have me Dario, I’m not a commodity.” Ava shook her head, her eyes flashing with defiance. “I’m already engaged and getting married, so keep your stupid obsession to yourself.”

Dario’s face darkened, “call off the wedding.” He growled, taking long strides towards her until her back hit the wall, trapping her between his arms.

“No.” She said, her chest rising and falling in a perfect rhythm.

Dario leaned in closer, his hot breath fanning her ears, “if I can’t have you no one else, and if you go against me to marry Leandro, I will make sure to drag and f**k you on his corpse, his blood smearing your immaculate gown.” He threatened and let her go.

Ava didn’t waste a second with him, she dashed out quickly before he changed his mind and kept her hostage. Dario’s eyes blazed with anger and obsession as he watched her go. He knew he would stop at nothing to make Ava his.