Obsession (18+) (FINISHED)

21

Riley

I woke slowly, feeling half-drowsy, half awake.

I honestly didn't know the feeling was possible.

I opened my eyes a slit, looking at the bed I rested on lazily before pushing my hand to the mattress to sit up.

I knew my hair was a mess and that I probably had drool stained on my cheek, but I didn't really care.

I was more curious as to where I was.

My brows pinched together when I took in the unfamiliar room.

The walls were white, but bare, and the floors were stone and slightly glossy. I sat fully then, taking in the entire area.

HThe curtains were drawn, letting sunlight beam onto the bed like I was under a spotlight, and the sheets someone had drawn over me were white and silky.

Where was I ...?

"Ah, finally awake," Paris said from the doorway, almost making me jump. When I looked at him, he smiled. "Good morning, Sleeping Beauty."

My gaze shot around the room before settling back on him. "Where am I?"

He stepped up to me and stopped at the foot of the bed, settling gently on the side as he eyed me curiously. "You're in a safe place now, Riley," he promised, then smiled. "My place."

I gave him a concerned look before wrapping my arms around myself as an attempt to warm my cold body. "Who are you?" I asked him for the hundredth time.

"Paris," he responded, "I'm Paris Lucan."

I gave him a sharp look. "Who are you?"

His lashes lowered at my tone. "I just said—"

I shook my head, cutting him off; I knew he was dodging the question, and wasn't in the mood to argue. "I want to go home."

"You can't go home," Paris told me, clearly keeping his distance and I didn't really know why. "It's burned down, Riley."

My heart stopped for a moment, and his expression seemed grim at my reaction.

"No..." I whispered, "no, that isn't possible."

"Riley...."

"It was a dream," I told him. "It was a dream."

"Riley," he said, "you know it's the truth."

But I ignored his words, immediately snapping into action. "Where's my mom? Where is Claire?"

"Riley...."

"Where is CLAIRE?" I yelled.

"Fix the tone," he said, annoyed, "and calm the fuck down, okay? She's in her room, Riley."

"What about Julie?" I said, something hot washing through me at his choice of words. "My niece?"

I was supposed to be watching over the child. Julie practically lived with me and Violet because her parents died.