obsessively mine

CH#6 HER

As I pushed Vince out of the factory and slammed the door in his face, I leaned against the door, letting out a deep sigh while running my hand over my face. I heard Vince's car engine start up and then the sound of him driving away. I returned to the spot where HE was tied up and sat in the same chair. My mind drifted back to when I overheard Serena talking with her father. 

FLASHBACK

It was a routine day, and I was heading back to the base when my phone buzzed with a call. As I answered, I learned that Serena was at her father's house, and something in the informant's tone made me take notice. I decided to take a detour to check it out. I found them in the middle of a heated conversation when I arrived. Serena's father had a reputation for being ruthless, and the intensity on their faces sent a shiver down my spine. I tried to ignore the unease and turn away, but curiosity got the better of me. I found myself lingering by the corner of the hallway, listening in on their hushed voices.

"But Dad, what if he dodges the bullet?" Serena's voice carried a hint of desperation, laced with a fear that I had never heard before. She sounded unsure, almost vulnerable.

Her father scoffed, his tone dripping with arrogance. "No one dodges a sniper shot, Serena," he said with cold assurance. "And even if by some miracle he does, there are other ways. We can poison him. A slow, painful death if need be. I want him dead, Serena. At any cost."

A chill ran down my spine. The cold-blooded intent in his voice was unmistakable. But who were they talking about? Vince? Or someone else? The implications were terrifying, and doubt clouded my mind. Could Serena be capable of such malice? Should I investigate this further or pretend I hadn't heard anything? I felt a knot forming in my stomach, my mind whirling with possibilities.

As I stood there, lost in thought, my foot caught the edge of a loose floorboard. The creak of wood was deafening in the otherwise silent corridor. Serena and her father abruptly stopped talking. I froze, heart pounding, as Serena stepped out of the room, her eyes scanning the hallway. I held my breath, pressing myself into the shadows, praying she wouldn't see me.

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the empty hall. I could see the suspicion on her face, the way her fingers twitched as if ready to reach for a weapon. After what felt like an eternity, she turned and went back inside, her voice trailing off into muffled concern. Once the door clicked shut, I slipped out of the mansion as quietly as I could, my heart still racing.

Rage surged through me as I made my way back to the base. The conversation I overheard played over and over in my mind. I had never trusted Serena around him, but now I had proof that she was a threat. I clenched my fists, determination filling my chest. Maybe fate had finally given me the opening I needed. This sham of a marriage didn't matter, but my love did. My love was everything, and I wouldn't let anyone stand in my way. Not Serena, not her father, not anyone.

END OF FLASHBACK

I shook off the memory and thought, Why am I forcing my love on him? Even I know he'll never accept it. What am I doing? I sighed, got up from the chair, left the abandoned factory, and drove home. It was past midnight. As I reached the front door and was about to insert my key, the door swung open from the inside. I looked up to see Alfred standing there. With a weary expression, I brushed past him to enter the house, but his voice stopped me."Wait up, Miss Owner."

"What is it, Alfred?" I asked, sighing."Where were you this late? You've never stayed out so long without informing anyone," he said, his face full of concern. He was right; I never stayed out this late without letting someone know. But I was too exhausted to listen to a lecture. I snapped at him before I realized it, my voice harsh."Listen, Alfred, I'm not in the mood to listen to you for the next hour. Why are you so concerned? Huh? I'm not a five-year-old who's going to get lost. I'm a grown adult, so stop worrying, okay? I'm sorry."Without waiting for a response, I climbed the stairs, entered my room, and locked the door behind me. I was too tired to think about anything else. I changed into something cozy, climbed into bed, and soon drifted off to sleep.