Obsession (18+) (FINISHED) (2024)

50

Paris

I could see her eyes glistening more, and her chest was rising and falling rapidly when she gazed up at me.

She was going to cry, I could tell.

"This is sudden," I told her, "I understand. But I love you so much. I also understand that you feel as if you can't be loved because so many people have hurt you," I glanced at Ryan and then moved my gaze back to her, "but I also want you to know that it's possible. You don't have to hate yourself. Everything you've been going through is not your fault, and I don't blame you. I love you even though you're broken, I'm broken, too, you know. And I know we've only known each other for such a small amount of time, but you are the love of my life." I smiled when I saw tears flood her eyes. "So, Riley... will you marry me?"

She nodded slightly, and I felt my smile tilt.

"Say it aloud like a good girl, Riley."

She glanced at Ryan.

I shook my head and moved her head so she looked back at me. "No, Honey. Me. Look at me. Say yes or no."

I glanced at him to find him seething.

He doesn't control you, I thought. You make your own decisions.

"Yes," she whispered.

I smiled. "Louder."

"Yes," she choked, but everyone in the lobby still heard it.

And cheering scattered through the room, and screaming and laughing.

I smiled as I slid the ring on her finger.

She threw her arms around me, burying her face in my neck as she started crying softly.

I rubbed her back in long, soothing gestures and kissed the top of her head.

"I'll treat you good," I promised her. "For the rest of our lives."

"Yaaaaaay!" a childish voice said, and I smiled as I let Riley go.

Her eyes widened when she took in Julie's form along with Claire who was still in a wheelchair.

Veo was standing next to them, smiling, as well.

Claire wheeled over to us. "Congratulations, Riley and Paris."

Ryan still remained in his position.

"Yeah!" a bunch of teen men said, stepping over to me and wrapped their arm around my shoulders. "Congrats, bro!"

They were my pseudo friends. I just got them to look normal, but it still felt good to be congratulated.

Claire, Riley, and Julie all exchanged hugs, and I also gave them hugs, as well.

Everyone was so happy.

"So, Riley," I told her, making her glance up at me.

"Yeah?"

"I talked with the school board," I stated, making her brows draw together. "They made a deal with good 'ol me and said that since you have all straight A's for your whole high school carrier and that you have over ninety percent on all your tests in each class, they're going to graduate you without finals. It's the end of the school year, anyway."

She looked concerned. "Is that even legal? Are they allowed to do that?"

I smiled wickedly. "They are now."

She looked down to her niece. "I'm not going to ask who convinced them or how you did it, but thanks, I guess."

"Eh," I said, "you were going to graduate anyway if you got a zero on all your finals, so... You're good."