Two Sides Obsession

A day that was supposed to be a joyful and celebrating day for Laura ends up to be another among her worst and saddest moments. It was the day of her graduation, and there she was alone with her bags—not even a friend, nor family had come to celebrate with her. The entire varsity was filled with different people. Cheers and cakes could be seen rolling around, and when Laura thought she had no spot in this part of happiness, she suddenly heard her name being called behind her. “Laura!” The voice was eerily familiar, deep and calm, making her instantly recognize whose voice it belongs to before she fully turned to see that it was her stepbrother, Casper. Casper was the only person who had cared about her at school and even at home. He had prevented her from being bullied by other women and a lot of other people, but within all those, she felt a connection between her and Casper. But she still couldn't tell if it was genuine or something else entirely; even if it was in the way round, shouldn't that be forbidden? Laura took some steps toward her stepbrother Casper, and when she gazed around, she noticed everyone was staring at them. Of course everyone should; the person standing in front of her is a legend, more like a celebrity. He is the crush of every woman—they typically adore him like a god, and because of this, he became a playboy more than a lover to most of them. Feeling nervous and at the same time uncomfortable with the way all eyes were on her, Laura lifted her gaze to Casper before suggesting, “Please, can we talk somewhere else?” Casper knew better than to argue; he only nodded with a smile, and they both walked out of the celebration ground to a more quiet place in the university vicinity—more like a garden Adore with different colourful flowers and trees. And while staring straight into Laura's eyes, Casper brought out a necklace that was worth more than ten thousand dollars before he handed it to her. “Have it…” he said gently, and Laura's face went pale, which forced her to ask out of curiosity, “But why?” “It's a gift from me, your stepbrother, since no one came for your graduation—though it's not that I had expected anyone to come, knowing fully well you don't have friends, that's why I had chosen to present you with a first that is expensive and special just like you,” Casper replied, his voice calm and a smile still playing on his lips. And what Casper had said was the truth. Not only was Laura looked down on, but she also didn't have any friends—not that she chose not to, but because she was an introvert. She had gone through trauma in her life, and that alone had also deterred her from associating with people. She grew up in a broken family: a drunk, tatted father that didn't have direction in life, and a mother that only cared about herself. Her mother couldn't endure the behavior of her father getting drunk and making things harder for them, so she divorced him and married Thomas, the father of Casper. And because Linda, Laura's mother, couldn't just leave Laura on her own, she had offered her to come live with her, even though it was a choice that was hard to make at that time. Laura wasn't just looked down on by her stepfather, but was also looked down on by common servants in the mansion, though Thomas, her stepfather, is a CEO and very wealthy. And that wasn't the only annoying thing to Laura; she watched her mother act nonchalant toward everything, and instead turned to please her so-called husband rather than caring for her own daughter. Laura was still holding the necklace in her palms while looking straight into Casper's eyes. “This necklace is worth thousands?” she said gently. “Yes, it's worth thousands. In approximation, it should be worth 11 thousand dollars,” Casper proudly called out the digits like a pervert. And for Laura, Casper is the only person that had made her happy. His jokes, his playful nature, and a lot of other things she can't even tell. She feels very much more secure around him than anyone else. “Why are you surprised?” Casper chuckled with a laugh. “Buying a gift for you that is worth such an amount is nothing to me. You are my stepsister and I value you a lot.” The gift Casper had given to Laura was everything she could ever ask for or perhaps had wished to get someday but wasn't financially fit for it. She had only seen such a necklace in a display glass and had never touched it with her hands, but here she was holding it—and not just that, it now belonged to her. Laura's eyes were already welling up with tears when she lifted her gaze, and before she could speak, Casper placed his finger on her lips. “Shhhhhh!” He then continued, “There's no need to say anything. If you do, you will end up crying and I wouldn't want that. You don't have to speak before I know what you want to say. Just remember that I will do anything to make you happy.” Casper spread his arms and urged Laura to come hug him. She came close and hugged him, but she couldn't help the tears as they kept dropping down from her eyes. “i cherish you deeply as my stepsister and I have promised to dedicate myself in making you happy, you wouldn't have to be bored and a cry baby like the way you use to be befor.” Casper whispered this into her ear, and a calm warmth of relief kept flushing down her spine. And if she could ask for anything that could be her forever, then Casper would be the man she would wish for. But she knew better that it wouldn't be possible—he isn't just her stepbrother, but a playboy. She sees him around with different girls, and she knows better again that he could just be a good brother to her who just wants her to be happy rather than sharing the same feelings she has for him. He had seen her crying countless times—alone, bored, and lonely—and Casper, who has a soft heart, couldn't just watch her pass through such hard moments alone. That's how he had wished to step into her life; maybe his presence alone and his kind gesture could brighten her smile. “And also…” Casper took in a deep breath before continuing, “our family—your mother in specific and my dad—has planned a celebration party for you.” Laura was stunned when she heard that. Her mother, of all people, would never do such a thing. What had come into her mind? What could trigger such a decision? Laura didn't say a word after hearing the shocking or perhaps overwhelming news. She only gulped down her uneasiness before finally forming a smile across her lips. “After you are done with what you are doing, give me a call. I will drive you home. Trust me, the party celebration Mom and Dad had prepared for you is on a different level.” After saying this, Casper gave Laura a wink before walking away.