His Obsession

Chapter Fourteen

Damian

I woke up, watching Charlotte as she slept. I got out of bed quietly, trying not to wake up. I came down to the kitchen to find Frederick there, prepping the ingredients for breakfast. We had our usual chitchat as we cooked.

“Since when did you learn how to cook?” I asked, lending a hand as we prepared breakfast.

“Well, you got to do what you have to do.” He replied, my chuckle filling the room.

“I would have to ask May what she did to you to make you start cooking.” I said, dodging a balled paper towel Fred hurled at me. “Speaking of May, when do you plan on telling her?” I asked, watching Fred place the knife down, letting out a sigh.

“I don’t know; I’m somehow scared,” he said. “What was Charlotte’s reaction?” he asked.

“Well, she was okay. She said she’s fine with it since I won’t hurt her.” I replied.

“I don’t think May is aware, looking at how oblivious she is.” Fred said.

“Don’t worry; when you tell her, I’ll be there to support you.” I patted his back.

We resume cooking, with Fred burning the omelette he was making. We went upstairs to take a shower and prepare for the day. We don’t really have plans, since it’s the weekend, and Charlotte is drained for any activity. I got to our room and noticed she was up. I brushed my teeth as I waited for her to finish her shower. We got dressed after our shower, with me distracted. Yeah, I know; I can’t help it sometimes if you happen to have a goddess with you, taking your every breath. We came down for breakfast just as Fred and May settled down at the dining table. We ate in silence, with Fred and May stealing glances as if they were sitting together. They excused themselves after, saying they have a date.

“Well, I’ll say it’s left with the old man and the pretty young lady at home.”

“I’ll consider myself to be an old woman since I’m staying at home with you.” She said, making me chuckle. Her sweet laughter filling the room.

We decided on reading some books and spending some time with each other in the library. Her legs were on my lap, book in hand, as she got lost in her world. I didn’t touch my book; my mind was elsewhere as I mindlessly rubbed her feet. My phone rang, disrupting the quiet moment.

“Yes,” I said into the phone.

“Sorry for disturbing you, sir,” Bob said. “There has been a new development in relation to Charlotte, sir.” He continued.

“Proceed,” I said, squeezing her feet.

“Maurice seems to gather a few men to attend the gala, despite her father being against it. He’s trying to attend to even persuading her or kidnapping Charlotte, sir.” He said.

“Good, anything else?” I asked.

“Yes, sir. For now, he’s trying to get low and make his intentions obvious. I’ll give you more updates.” He said.

“Thank you, Bob.”

“you’re welcome, sir.” He said, before hanging up.

“I was thinking,” Charlotte said, lifting her head from her book. “I think I should train and work out. The female lead is here helping her, the male lead, in a battle.” She said. “I need to be strong for the future,” she added, making me smile.

“you’re already strong, cupcake, in more ways than your physical strength.”

Just then, her phone rang. She answered, putting it on speaker. “you’re making it too difficult to get close to you.” Maurice’s voice filling the room.

She gave the phone to me, picking up her book again.

“Is there anything else you’d like to say?” I asked.

“Mr. Johnson, I—I didn’t know you were on the line,” he said.

I could hear the panic in his voice. He pleaded, wanting to have a word with Charlotte. I hung up, tossing the phone somewhere. She snuggled closer, her head resting on my chest.

“I’ll get you a new phone and a new number.”

“Yes, don,” she said, making me smirk, a warm feeling spreading in me.

I love it when my title falls out of her lips. Charlotte dozed off a few minutes later. My phone rang again. I silenced it before answering; I didn’t want to wake Charlotte up from her peaceful slumber.

“I heard Maurice is gathering a few men; do you want me to take care of them?” Fred asked as I answered.

“No, I want them to watch how powerful she’ll get.” I said, smiling at the thought.

“Okay, we’ll be home soon,” he said before hanging up.

I picked Charlotte up and headed for the bedroom. I met Fred and May. May stayed with Charlotte as Fred and I headed to my office for our scheduled meeting.

Charlotte

I woke up later to find May lying in bed with me.

“Someone’s glowing; it’s blinding me.” I said, making May laugh.

“We went on a date,” May said. “I can’t believe he’s in the mafia. Girl, you didn’t tell me.” She added, hitting me playfully.

“Why do you think we had bodyguards and he was gone for long hours?”

“I don’t know; the mafia didn’t cross my mind.” I chuckled.

“I’m both happy and a little terrified,” she said, looking at me.

“Aww May, “I said, holding her hands. “What are you terrified of?”

“The violence, the multiple women, the dangers.” She whispered.

“What part makes you happy?” I asked, watching her smile.

“The way he treats me, like a princess, he listens to me; he pays attention to me. He makes me feel so honoured and cherished,” she said. “I’ve never felt that way with any other man before.” She added, a teardrop sliding down her face.

“May,” I said, wiping away the single tear. “Trust me when I say this. The way Fred looks at you, I doubt there would be any woman he’ll give that attention to. And from the way things are going, he’s going to stand by you and protect you with all his life. Just like Damian would do for me,” I said, making her nod her head.

“Do you think Fred looks at me like the way Damian looks at you?” she asked, smiling.

“He does that, May. Just like how Damian treats me.” I smiled back.

There was a knock on the door, and Mrs. Jones entered the room.

“I found your phone in the library, Charlotte, and it has been ringing non-stop,” she said, handing me the phone.

“Thank you, Mrs. Jones.”

She nodded, leaving the room. I checked the phone, noticing the threats and several missed calls. My face paled as I realized they were from my father and Maurice. I masked my horror, smiling as May turned her attention back on me.

“I’m off to my room. I’m going to process everything. Let me know if you need anything.” May said, getting up. She looked a lot happier than before. I nodded, smiling.

As soon as the door closed behind her, I dropped the mask, staring at the phone. The phone rang again. I hesitated before I answered the call.

“I was beginning to think you forgot about me.” My father’s voice filled my ears.

“What do you want?” I asked, mustering the courage I didn’t have when I was under his control.

He chuckled, his voice dropping low. “you’re making it difficult to bring you back home.” He spat. “It's either you leave him and come back home, and we’ll pretend all this never happened, or I’ll make sure I hide you forever; you’ll never see the sun ever again. And you’ll watch how fast he’ll forget you.” He said, the call dropping.

I couldn’t breathe; it felt as if everything was coming down on me. I sank in the corner, pulling my knees to my chest as I rocked myself. I flinched as I felt a hand on me. I covered my head with my hands, crying. I heard Damian’s voice far away before it got clearer and clearer. I lifted my head. Seeing Damian with his hands in the air. I lunged at him, holding him tight.

“Do I have your permission to touch you?” I heard him ask.

I nodded, feeling him wrap his arms around me in a warm embrace. Tears continued to stream down my face, soaking his shirt as he held me tight. He didn’t say anything; he just held me tight till I finally got calm. We sat there like that, in comfortable silence; it’s like Damian knew what I needed.

Damian’s phone rang, breaking the silence. He answered, listening to the person on the other end. “You can have it done and send it to Fred.” He stayed quiet as the caller spoke. ‘Well, I’m busy, so it’s either Fred or you reschedule to another day.” He listened, then replied with Good, before hanging up.

“You didn’t need to reschedule your…” I started, but I didn’t get to finish as he crashed his lips to mine.

“you’re my priority now, cupcake.” I opened my mouth to protest, but he placed his thumb on my lips and his fingers under my chin as he lifted my head up. His thumb traced the outline of my lips as he spoke.

“Do I need to put that pretty little mouth to good use, or will you let me pamper you?” he asked, his eyes on my lips.

“I’ll be quiet.” I whispered, playing with the hem of his shirt.

“Good,” he said, carrying me off the floor to the bed.

“He called,” I whispered softly as Damian tucked me in bed. He nodded, picking up my phone. He went through the messages, reading every threat they sent me. He put off my phone, placing it in the drawer of the bedside table.

“Don’t worry about them. They won’t be able to get to you; I’ll make sure of that.” He said.

“I trust you,” I said, resting my head on his chest, enjoying the silence.