Sadistic Obsession

Chapter 6

I lost track of how long I cried in my friend’s arms. All I knew was that I grew weary and before I knew it, I drifted off to sleep.

The moment I woke up, Faustina entered the shop with a bag in her hand and a backpack behind her. She flashed a smile and served the food she just bought on the small table before setting the backpack near the small couch.

“Dinner first, bestie,” she said, handing me a fork and spoon.

We ate in silence as if both of us were still processing what happened that day. I cannot help but gaze at Faustina. She had been my shoulder to lean on ever since I returned from Valtemort. No words can describe how grateful I was for her support.

“How about coming to my house and spending a few weeks there until we finish fixing that temporary house?” she suddenly offered after eating our dinner.

I shook my head.

“I saved up enough to buy a new house. I saw a good house for sale not far from here so I will visit it tomorrow. Thanks for the offer, Faustina, but I will stay here at the shop until I settle on my new home.”

Faustina did not insist on her offer. She probably felt that I needed some time alone to clear my mind. After some time, she pointed at the backpack she brought a while back and told me that he dropped by the temporary house and packed some of my clothes and other necessities.

“So… Do you have plans to file for a divorce?” she asked.

“Yes, once I am done figuring things out.”

She let out a heavy sigh before giving me another hug. I felt robbed of what they did, threatening to jail me if I did not agree to leave my parents’ house. Maybe if I include that in the divorce, I’d get the money back that my parents worked hard for. It may not work, but it would be worth the shot.

Kade may be even more convinced that I was after his money, but who cared? As long as I got that compensation, it would be more than enough.

The very next morning, I contacted the office where I saw the house for sale. It was a good thing I called early since the house owner offered to accompany me in seeing the house myself. I drove for about 20 minutes from my shop before finally reaching the house.

The moment I stepped out of the car, a familiar face came into sight. I squinted due to the rays of the sun and to make sure my eyes weren't playing with me.

Dark brown hair that seemed to glow under the sun as if he just descended from the heavens... I only knew one person with that angelic appearance.

Our gazes met and that charming smile was something hard to forget.

“Valiant?” I called as I strutted towards him.

“Reyna,” he said, meeting me halfway.

When he was an arm's length away, my body tensed when Valiant suddenly wrapped me in a tight embrace. It was so unexpected that I could only lightly tap his back.

“Wow... You have grown so much taller...” He took a step back and I immediately noticed how he bulked up. Not in a negative way since unlike when we were in high school, he got leaned muscles now and it was obvious how he was more confident than before.

“I guess I did because if not, then I’d believe that you're the one who got smaller,” he responded with a chuckle, his blue eyes still reflecting his playfulness just like before.

I lightly hit him on the arm.

“Must you really mention that, you bully?”

A smile tugged at his lips before he turned towards the house I was about to see in person.

"So... You're my tour guide for today. When did you acquire this house?" I asked as I followed his lead towards the house's small patio.

"My mother actually bought it a few years ago, but she rarely comes home due to her busy schedule. So she finally decided to sell it." He opened the door and led me to the living room. "I was actually about to reach out to you since my mother agreed that you can stay here until you figure things out, but you beat me to it."

I couldn't help but feel happy that someone else was out there looking out for me.

"Thank you. I really appreciate it," I said before looking around.

The place was actually pretty clean for a house that was rarely occupied. It even had three rooms upstairs, plus one extra room on the first floor aside from the kitchen and laundry area.

"How long have you been here since you returned from Valtemort?" Valiant asked as he showed me the kitchen.

"It's been three years now. And within those three years, the only thing I heard about you was your continued success as an attorney." I smiled without meeting his gaze, recalling that time in high school when he told me he wanted to work as a person bringing justice to people.

"Well... I got a lot of help from great people so it isn't actually a one-man success."

"Still the humble boy like before, huh..." I teased before I received a light flick on the forehead.

"What do you think of this place?" he asked.

"I really like it. I will pay half the price today and the rest in installment..." I looked at him with a hopeful smile. "If that will be okay to your mother."

"Don't worry about it. Since it's still early and I have nothing else scheduled for today, I'll help you move in."

I immediately stood in his way when he was about to head towards the door.

"Valiant, you don't have to. Letting me secure this place is enough help for me..."

"How about this? I help you move, then you treat me for dinner?"

"Well... That's a better idea, I guess."

Hence, for the rest of the day, Valiant helped me move to the new house along with Faustina. It was so tiring that the moment I finished my shower, I lied down at the couch in my still closed shop for a quick rest.

I told myself it would be quick... Just a few minutes of closing my eyes to let the fatigue leave my body. However, before I knew it, I drifted off to sleep.

***

I had no idea how long I slept, but the moment I opened my eyes, my body jolted up. My gaze immediately landed on the large square clock across from me and saw that it was already nine...

The sun was already out.

It only meant I had been asleep for about 14 long hours. The first thing I did was to grab my phone to call for Valiant and apologize for not taking him to dinner as I had promised the other day.

However, I received a message from him.

“I'm sorry, Reyna, but I have to move our dinner next week. Something urgent had come up at work and I have to head back to the city tonight. Rest well.”

Relief showered over me. I thought I made him wait...

After paying half of the amount for the house, I spent my days redecorating my new home so I also had to close my painting shop for a while.

I thought this week would end uneventful, but it seemed like I jinxed it the moment I felt too assured of it.

A call came in.

It was from the shop owner next to mine, Gia.

"Someone is looking for you. They came to see your paintings and it seems like they're eager to see you," she said. "You should come."