Bound By Obsession

Chapter 2

The night had taken such a surreal turn, one I hadn’t expected or wanted. As soon as I realised who I’d spotted at the bar, I turned back to my friends. I felt like I was being thrown backward in time to memories I’d tried to bury.

Evie and Salma looked at me, clearly intrigued. “What happened?” Evie asked.

I hesitated as I rubbed my temples, searching for the right words. “You won’t believe who I just saw,” I said with my voice barely above a whisper.

They exchanged a glance, leaning in closer. “Who?” Salma asked with her brows raised.

I swallowed hard. “It’s Michael. My ex from college.”

“Wait—who? You never mentioned an ex named Michael.” Salma asked.

I forced a weak smile, waving my hand dismissively. “That’s because there’s really nothing to tell. He’s ancient history. All I know is, I’m definitely not going through with that “dare” now.”

Before I could explain more, Evie started turning green, looking like she’d downed one to too many drinks. She clamped a hand over her mouth and rushed for the bathroom, with Salma and me running after her. In the bathroom, we walked quickly to help her, rinsing her face and steadying her as she took deep breaths. I was just trying to shake off the memory of Michael when the door opened, and he walked in.

My heart sank with sadness and how hurtful everything was when he left me, and I immediately turned my head down, hoping he wouldn’t notice me.

“Sorry to intrude,” he said. “I just wanted to talk to the girl in the red dress. I believe we know each other.”

Salma looked between us, sensing the tension. “Do you want us to go?” she asked, glancing my way.

I hesitated but finally nodded. Evie and Salma slipped out of the room, leaving me alone with him. I finally raised my head and met his eyes, feeling anger and something else that I didn’t want to feel.

“Michael,” I said coldly, crossing my arms. “What made you think I’d want to talk to you?”

He chuckled with that infuriating smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth. “Why’d you turn back?”

I scoffed. “Habit, I guess. But I want nothing to do with your selfish, egotistical, megalomaniac ass.”

I tried to push past him, but he reached out, grabbing my arm to pull me closer. His eyes softened a bit, and he murmured, “I’m not going to lose you again, Angy.”

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Wrong girl, Michael. I’m not your property.”

He looked at me with his grip tightening just a bit. “You have no idea how long I’ve been looking for you.”

“Oh, please,” I shot back. “You’ll say anything, won’t you?”

He let out a frustrated sigh. “Angela, you wanted me to leave my father’s billion-dollar company and move to San Francisco just to be with you. Do you know what that would’ve meant for me?”

I shook my head, rolling my eyes. “It was more than that, and you know it. But you could never understand. Everything was always about you.”

His face softened, and he whispered, “I missed you, Angela.” He took a step closer, so close that I could feel his breath. “I’m not the same Michael al you knew. Come with me tonight. Just let’s talk. No funny business.”

I shook my head, biting back a laugh. “There’s no universe where I’d go to your place, Michael. You can’t change. You never can’t.”

He watched me in a way that almost had me fooled. But I tried to pull away, disgusted and angry. He moved in, pinning me against the wall. “One night, Angela. Just give me one night, and I’ll show you I’m not the same man.” He whispered seductively.

My mind screamed at me to walk away, to tell him off. But part of me froze. It was a mix of anger and curiosity, making it harder for me to stay in control. Michael pressed closer, whispering again, “This isn’t a suggestion. It’s an order. Text your friends and tell them you’re going home early.”

I wanted to refuse. But something about his persistence—the way he looked at me as if he hadn’t moved on after all—made me reach into my purse. I typed out a message to Salma as I explained I’d had to leave unexpectedly.

Just as I sent the message, two massive men stepped into the restroom, bodyguards that made Michael look smaller than I remembered. Michael shot me a smug look. “Angy, let’s go. My driver is waiting.”

"Oh, so now you want to kidnap me? There’s no way in hell I’m following you out of here.” I retorted.

He didn’t even respond. Instead, he snapped his fingers, and the two men closed in, each one taking hold of my arms. I struggled, but they lifted me effortlessly, practically carrying me out like I was a piece of paper in their hands.

“Michael!” I hissed, twisting as much as I could in their iron grip. “This is insane! Let me go!”

He followed behind us, looking far too calm for someone who’d just orchestrated my a*******n. As we exited the club and approached his sleek black car waiting by the curb, I continued to wriggle and struggle. My stomach was in knots, fury and panic tangling together.

The bodyguards dropped me down just as the car door swung open. I glanced around, hoping someone would see that or someone would care. But the night continued around us as if this were normal. I had no choice but to step inside, if only to avoid causing an even bigger scene. Once inside Michael's car, he sat beside me, shutting the door behind him.

“Is this really your idea of love, Michael? Forcing me into your car?”

He met my eyes. His looked strangely calm. “I wanted to talk, Angela. I didn’t want you slipping away again.” He said sternly.

“Talking doesn’t require bodyguards, Michael. This isn’t a business deal.”

He leaned back, running a hand through his hair as he sighed. “Angela, I know you hate me. I know you think I’m the same arrogant jerk from college, but I’ve changed.”

I let out a bitter laugh, leaning against the door and crossing my arms. “You’ll have to do better than this if you want me to believe that.”

“Fine,” he said. “I told you to give me tonight, Angela. Just tonight. If you still want nothing to do with me by morning, I’ll let you go.”

I looked away, not trusting myself to meet his gaze. Part of me wanted to believe him—to believe that the man sitting beside me could be different. But another part of me knew better. I wasn’t the girl who had fallen for his charms years ago. I was stronger, smarter, and I wasn’t about to be pulled back into his orbit without a fight.

“I’ll give you tonight,” I said finally. “But only tonight.”

The guy who I fell for so stupidly that it cost me a lot. The guy who I thought I’d never see again after all these years.