HATE OR LOVE: Devils In Obsession

What A Pity

Flavian.

9am.

I stood in front of the mirror, behind me was Eve. Even after I helped her clean her wounds and refresh her gauze, the poor girl still lay helplessly on the bed, eyes wide open, glued to me. I know the reason she couldn't sleep, I was the reason.

I was wrong about one thing, she didn't wake up into a new flesh, she was awake, experiencing the entire process, seeing her body transformed. Now she has my branding, my full attention, the one she's strived for.

She didn't have the strength, but she mustered some, dragged her feet to me, stood in front of me, back against the mirror, eyes on mine, then proceeded to push her hair off her back, checking out the initials on her nape... not her nape, her spine. She narrowed her eyes to the side, catching just a glimpse of my initials, written in bold capital letters: "PROPERTY OF THE BLOODY DEVIL." I did well to beautify some of the letters with red thorned rose flowers.

"Do you like it?" A brow hung up. It's one thing to mark her permanently in ink, it's another thing to know if she's aware of the severity of the situation. She was mine... for life now.

She grabbed my tie and smoothly wrapped it around her palm until she yanked it, reeling me in to meet her face. "I love it. We should have done this sooner," she whispered against my lips.

"You silly..." I slammed my lips hard against hers. The joy her words caused me was uncontainable. When I finally let her go, she gasped for the air i had sucked out of her lungs, while I practiced some easy inhales and exhales.

"You're mine, Flavian. I want to ink you. Tonight," her voice came out raspy.

"Of course. I'll prepare everything for you. Unfortunately tonight isn't the perfect night, princess"

I wanted her to do it right now, but it's unfortunate that I had plans for the day already. Hannah just got a hospital discharge for the first time in a while, and Layla suggested we have a family outing. As a dutiful family man, I couldn't decline outright.

"I want you, Flavian. Don't go."

"I never skip a day of work. I must go."

"Lies... You're out with Layla... Going off to have fun I see?"

"Long live Eve, the jealous queen."

"I'm not jealous. If I was," she smirked, "I would have had her assassinated regardless of that useless EC security. Do you think I can't disobey you?"

When did she ever made good use of her God-given ears... Her ears are as good as useless as far as I know.

"Don't touch my wife." I narrowed my eyes condescendingly as she stepped in close, toe to toe.

"Don't touch my wife," she mimicked, rolling her eyes.

"Awww, you love her," she purred as she began to reknot my tie and straighten my collar. She was jealous... envious, maybe... of something that wasn't a thing?

Believe me I have tried loving my wife, I don't think I'll ever love someone the way I love myself. I don't think I'll ever obsess over another the way I obsess over Eve. There's just something about this situation that makes it... tragic.

"You want me too?" I tilted my head, staring in askance. Maybe if she requested that of me... I'll give my relationship with Layla another chance. Only for the sake of Eve.

Her face stiffened, but her eyes wavered then she swept past me, breaking eye contact.

"No... don't love, Flavian. It doesn't— it wouldn't suit you." Her shaky voice faded out as she escaped into the bathroom, slamming the door shut.

I wish I loved my wife, so I could feel even the slightest guilt for having this affair. I wasn't wrong when I said I didn't love any of my ex wives. Not even the rumors that said I loved Penelope were true. When I killed my father, I swore to never continue his bloodline, but then the EC intervened, my brother interfered and I was stripped of the chance at getting a vasectomy, mostly because of the threat, if I bore no children then I would be permanent in the lower ranks, reduced to a street thug. Keaton made sure I understand this threat clearly when he reduced me to nothing after taking over from our father.

Then the EC forced a wife on me, Pamela. The marriage didn't last, the wife was too desperate for a child. I hadn't even touched her, I avoided her for a long while until I couldn't anymore. It wasn't my fault she was miserable in the three-year marriage, so I set her free from her suffering, permanently.

At the end of the day, I was left with her assets to claim, and I did. She was the late daughter of the prime minister.

I was still young and desperate to proof to the EC they couldn't control me, they couldn't... But the younger me would likely still disagree.

I married Penelope, my friend, to spite the family, to ruin the alliance and create havoc for the mafia, but along the way we had children and it was not any mistake. Let's just say the relationship I had with Penelope wasn't just transactional or agreement on papers, that was until we had our second child and divorced. No drama and no EC intervention.

People like to believe the EC is high and mighty that even I can succumb to their pressure, how... amusing.

Layla was drawn my way by my own brother the second the divorce was finalized.

It's true, I want to marry Eve. Every way possible, I want to tie her to me, to have her. Because if I didn't, she would easily stray, she's not the type to wait. But waiting is a foolish thing to expect of someone, yet I expected it of her for these seven years. I was in Tokyo when I received news of her marriage to the late mayor of Manchester. The news came with wedding photos and a letter, directly from her, telling me how much she wished her uncle was there to witness the best day of her life.

Even after the marriage ended, her suitors didn't reduce in numbers. I had to reduce the numbers myself. I got rid of the obstacles, now she wants to marry Percy. Under my watch?

I'll do well to send my dear condolences to my cousin after her child is no more.

Whatever was taking her so long in the bathroom made it easier for me to leave the room in one piece. Every time I looked at her face, there's this yearning I sense that makes me want to never leave her, never abandon her.

When she comes out of the bathroom, the note I left on the bed will serve as the goodbye I didn't get to say.

A while later, I pulled up in the garage of my residence, got out of the car, and entered through the door adjoining the garage and the storage room. After the room came the stairs that would lead to the drawing room and other rooms, I arrived at the dining room after my butler informed me they were already having breakfast.

"I'm not late!" I remarked, chuckling as I took my seat at the four-seater table.

"Father, you're ten minutes late!!!"

"Ohh, Shame on me."

Hannah and I giggled heartily, whereas Layla wasn't having it... any of it. Her face, was unusually cold, detached, almost like she had checked out of reality. When my fingers grazed hers on the table, she startled, rushing to her feet.

"Something... is burning... oh, the chicken in the oven!!"

Layla dashed into the kitchen while Hannah and I watched her quietly through the glass wall.

"Father, what's wrong with mother? Why has she fired the entire staff? The chef, the housekeeper... the butler is still here, but that's because you employed him."

Even I was curious. What's going on with my darling wife? Is this the final stage of depression, maybe? What a pity. If only I could be the husband she wanted.