His Obsession

Chapter Fifteen

Damian

I woke up, stroking Charlotte's hair as she slept. I stayed as quiet as I could, not wanting to disrupt her beauty rest. I felt her stir awake, her eyes fluttering open.

“Morning beautiful,” I said, as she buried her face in my chest, feeling her smile against my skin.

“Morning handsome,” she said, lifting her head. “Thank you,” she added softly.

“Don’t mention cupcake. I’ll always be there for you,” I said, watching her nod.

We got out of bed, preparing to head out for work. We took a shower together, trying hard not to take her there and then. I grabbed her, pressing myself to her body.

“Gosh, you’re so tempting without trying,” I said as we got out of the bathroom, getting dressed. She giggled, swaying her hips as she got dressed.

“Teasing you would have been so fun this morning, but I don’t want us to be late for work.”

I groaned, pulling her flush against me.

“Don’t,” I said, inhaling her hair. She laughed.

“What shouldn’t i do? I shouldn’t stop, or I shouldn’t tease you?”

“Both.” We chuckled.

We got down, finding Fred and May already seated at the dining table. We had breakfast as usual, with May and Charlotte teasing each other.

We left, heading to the office. We have a lot to do, and the gala will be held tonight at the city event center. Fred sat on my chair as I faced the floor-length windows, staring blankly.

“You don’t have to worry about anything,” Fred said, noticing how tensed I was.

“I can’t help it.” I ran my hands through my hair.

“We’ve got everything ready. If they harm a single hair in her head, they’re dead,” he said.

I took in deep breaths, trying to release the tension. The day was going to drag out with a series of meetings. Charlotte and May were in charge of the organization of the gala, and we took care of the security part. Hopefully, nothing happens that would make me lose control.

My phone rang, Bob’s name popping up on my screen.

“Talk to me,” I said as I answered the phone.

“Information reaching me is that Maurice is planning to attend the gala with some men from the other mafia and elite organizations. Since their so-called mafia isn’t strong and organized, they’re hiding behind their so-called masters and trying to pull in some favors. They’re trying to kidnap Charlotte at the gala.”

“Okay. Double the security; if Maurice or any of his men do as much as breathe wrong, take them out. No one gets near her.” I ordered.

“Yes, boss,” Bob said before hanging up. I placed my phone down, my fingers curling into a fist. Fred patted me on the shoulder.

“I’ve got your back,” he said, his face grim. “We’ll make sure nothing happens.”

I nodded, knowing what Fred is capable of. Charlotte sent me my schedule for the day. She made sure all my meetings ended at 3pm; that’s about four to five hours to tonight’s event. Hopefully, I can relax and get calm.

Charlotte

“The decorations are so beautiful,” May said, showing me the pictures of the set-up venue for the gala after having a conversation with the interior designer.

“Food and drinks sorted; the menu is chef’s kiss,” I said, making sure there was a variety of dishes for everyone’s taste.

We did a little victory dance, happy everything is coming out well.

“Looking at the activities, there isn’t a fun activity,” she stated, going over the activities.

I looked over the agenda; as if on cue, we both turned to face each other.

“Are you thinking of what I’m thinking?” May’s eyes twinkled.

“Tell me we’re going to add a fun activity,” May said, excited.

“Yes, we are.”

“Yes,” May said, doing a little happy dance. “What activity are we adding?”

“I was thinking of a scavenger hunt and a paintball game.”

May looked shocked. “Do you think the elite will like that?”

“Only one way to find out.”

“Let’s do this.” May said, her eyes shining with excitement.

We got our theme down: “Breaking Barriers: Building a Stronger Tomorrow.”

We got our items and riddles down, excited and hoping it will go as planned. May left for her office after we were done planning and crosschecking everything. I sent Damian his schedule for the day. I packed my stuff, picking up my iPad and phone, as I waited for Damian. We had a lot of meetings to get through the day; then we’ll close earlier than usual. I had this lingering feeling, like something is going to happen. I shook off the feeling; I only need to think about positive things. Nothing is going to happen.

Damian walked out of his office, Frederick following behind.

“Are you ready?” Damian asked, placing a kiss on my cheek.

“Yes sir, I am ready.” I answered, grabbing my tablet for taking notes………….

“Finally,” I said after a series of meetings.

“I can finally get to spend some time with my cupcake before heading out,” Damian said as we left the conference room. I smiled as we headed back to the office. I packed since we had closed for the day. May and Fred left for Fred’s place, Fred promising to bring May back.

……………………………………………

We sat in silence, enjoying the time in each other’s arms until Damian left to attend a meeting with the security before arriving at the gala. I was fidgeting with my fingers, my gaze shifting to the clock. I felt Damian cup my face, tilting my head up to meet his gaze.

“You don’t need to worry about anything,” he said.

“I'm sorry I can't help it.” I played with the hem of his shirt.

“I know you and May have put in your all in making sure the gala turns out great; even if it doesn’t, we’ll still be happy at the end,” he said, placing a soft kiss on my forehead. ‘‘And I’ve ensured the security is top-notch for you and May. I’ll not survive if something happens to you,” he added.

I cupped his face, feeling the vulnerability in his voice.

"I’ll be safe, I promise.”

He nodded, nuzzling his face in my hands. He then placed a kiss in my palm, his eyes holding mine. My heart fluttered, a blush creeping up on my cheeks.

“That’s more like it,” he said, his smirk widening.

“Stop it.” I covered my face, laughing as the anxiety and nervousness melted away.

“Are you sure you don’t need a stylist or a make-up artist?” he asked as he picked up his phone.

“No, we’re good.”

“I’ll ask May then,” he said, holding out his hand for me. May and Fred have just arrived, meaning it’s time for Damian to leave.

“Charlotte,” Fred said as we met them. “Are you sure you don’t need a stylist or make-up artist? May said, You don’t need one,” he said.

“I was going to ask May the same thing.” Damian said, making us chuckle.

“We’re sure. We got it,” May and I responded.

“Okay, then,” Fred said. “Your dresses and items are in. We’ll see you later.”

Fred placed a kiss on May’s cheek, while Damian placed one on my forehead. We waved goodbye, as we were left with Patrick, Lynn, Maxwell, and Sylvester.

“Time to get ready,” we screamed, jumping happily.

“We can’t wait to see the outfit,” Pat said, the others nodding in agreement.

Maurice

The dimly lit room felt colder than usual, the faint hum of the air conditioning doing little to ease the knot tightening in my chest. I leaned over the blueprint of the gala venue, my hands gripping the edge of the table as if bracing myself for an unseen blow.

“She won’t slip through my fingers this time,” I muttered, though the words lacked their usual confidence.

The photograph of Charlotte lay on the table, her soft smile mocking me. Her escape had been the beginning of our downfall—a calculated move that shattered Walter’s plans to use her as a bargaining chip. She was supposed to be our ace, the key to forging alliances and reclaiming our dwindling influence in the underworld. Instead, she had slipped through our grasp, leaving chaos in her wake.

I clenched my fists, the memory of Walter’s fury still fresh in my mind. “You let her get away,” Walter had spat, his voice laced with venom. “Do you know what we lost because of her? The alliances, the leverage—gone!”

The weight of that failure pressed down on me now, suffocating me. Taking her back wasn’t just about power anymore; it was about redemption. Proving to Walter—and to myself—that I wasn’t the weak link.

But the closer we got to the gala, the more my resolve wavered. Damian’s name lingered in my thoughts like a shadow I couldn’t shake. Damian was no ordinary man—his reputation as a calculated, ruthless leader in the underworld was enough to make even the boldest men think twice.

“What if he finds out?” I muttered under my breath.

The knock at the door startled me. I straightened my posture as one of my men entered, his head slightly bowed. “Everything is in place, sir. The men are ready, and the distraction is set.”

I nodded but didn’t respond immediately. My eyes flicked back to the blueprint, tracing the exits and security blind spots for the hundredth time. “And Damian? Any word on his movements?”

The man hesitated, his voice cautious. “He’ll be at the gala, sir. But his security will be tighter than usual.”

My jaw tightened. “Of course, it will be.”

The man shifted uncomfortably. “If I may, sir…are you sure about this? Damian doesn’t take kindly to threats, especially when it comes to her.”

My glare was sharp enough to cut steel. “Do you think I don’t know that?” I snapped, though my voice cracked slightly at the end. I turned away, rubbing the back of my neck. “This has to work. If it doesn’t…Walter will have my head, and Damian…”

I didn’t finish the sentence. I didn’t need to.

The man nodded and left without another word, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I stared out the window, the city lights below flickering like distant stars. The whiskey bottle on the table tempted me, but I resisted. I needed a clear head for what was to come.

“Damian won’t risk an all-out war over one woman,” I told myself, though the words felt hollow.

But deep down, I knew the truth. Damian would burn the world to the ground for Charlotte, and I was playing a dangerous game.