His sinful Obsession

Days in Oslo

"Rafellooooooooo!"
Daisy's excited voice practically shook the house.
"Daisy, don't shout! He's not deaf," Lisa scolded, shaking her head.
"But Moooom," Daisy whined dramatically, placing her little hands on her hips.
Before Lisa could retort, Rafael raised an eyebrow and asked,
"Encyclopedia?"
"No, no, just you," Daisy grinned sheepishly, her big eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Why are you so sharp at this age? Shouldn't you be, I don't know, playing with dolls or something?" Rafael asked to Daisy. 

Lisa sighed, watching the scene unfold.

"Well, my daughter, my genes," James declared proudly, puffing out his chest.
"Shut. Up," Lisa deadpanned, narrowing her eyes at her husband.
"Okay, okay! No offense, but let's be real—she's got the best father and the best uncle. What do you say, best friend?" James grinned, nudging Rafael.
Rafael, ever the man of few words, gave a single curt nod.
Daisy, unimpressed, rolled her eyes at her dad. Dramatic parents.
James clutched his chest. "Lisa, did you see that? She just rolled her eyes at me. My own daughter. Betrayal!"
Lisa sighed.
"Yeah, yeah, your drama gene is strong."
Meanwhile, Rafael just watched, sipping his coffee, already regretting every life choice that led him to this moment.

.

.

Later in the evening, Rafael sat in his dimly lit study, the shadows from the chandelier above casting sharp angles on his face. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the mahogany desk as James paced the room, his voice laced with frustration.

"Rafael, I don't think you're seeing the bigger picture here. Grey Corporation is a leech. That bastard Albas Grey is bleeding you dry. Cut them off. End them."
Rafael remained still, his face unreadable.
James ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.
"Twenty billion dollars. He thought we wouldn't notice. Transferred straight to a Swiss Bank. This isn't just business anymore, Rafael, it's an insult."

But Rafael wasn't listening. His gaze was fixed, locked onto something distant—something James couldn't see. A rare moment of distraction.
"Rafael!"
James barked.
His eyes flickered back, as cold and calculating as ever.
James frowned. "What the hell is going on with you?"
Rafael leaned back in his chair, exhaling through his nose.
"I will destroy him. Don't waste your breath." His tone was final, edged with quiet fury.
"Increase security here. No loopholes."
James narrowed his eyes. "You're dodging me. What happened?"

For a brief second, Rafael's jaw clenched. He didn't like being questioned, even by his closest friend. But James had known him since they were twelve. Their bond was forged in fire—a meeting written in blood and fate.

What the world saw was James—the COO of Warren Industries, Lisa's husband. But in the underworld, he was Rafael's eyes, ears, and dagger in the dark. A secret even Nicolas didn't know. And Rafael intended to keep it that way. He never gambled with his family's safety. Not now. Not ever.
"I'm fine."
His voice was composed, but James wasn't fooled.
A long silence stretched between them before James sighed.
"Fine. Let's eat. You're flying to Italy soon. The Italians favor your deal—
it's a huge shift in power."
A slow, dangerous smirk tugged at Rafael's lips.
"They didn't have a choice. No one denies me. There isn't a person in this world who can."

Fate heard. And fate laughed.
 Soon, he will meet that person.
Soon she will turn his world upside down.

James chuckled, unaware of the irony.
"Yeah, yeah, Mr. Invincible. Anyway, the weapon shipments will start entering Russia next month. Everything's set."
"You handle it," Rafael said, standing up.
"Nicolas has enough on his plate."
James mock-saluted. "Yes, Boss."
Rafael shot him a dry look.
"How the hell did my sister fall for a joker like you?" he muttered under his breath.
James grinned. "You said something?"
"No. Let's go. Lisa's waiting."
"Finally!" James clapped his hands. "I'm starving."
And just like that, the storm passed, leaving behind the familiar rhythm of brotherhood, banter, and an impending fate neither of them could yet foresee.

.

.

Frida sat cross-legged on the floor, a small bowl of food in her hands. Her soft fingers gently brushed through Casper's thick fur as he turned his head away with a small, dramatic huff.
"Casper, you have to eat, my love." Her voice was gentle, coaxing.
"You'll get sick again, and then I'll have to carry you to the hospital, and you know how much you hate that."
Casper let out a tiny "woof" before turning his nose up and trotting away like a spoiled child refusing dinner.
Frida sighed, shaking her head as she watched him settle near the corner, his big eyes peeking at her.
"Casper. Come here, baby. Don't be stubborn."
Ella, who had been kneading dough at the counter, looked over with an arched brow.
"You know, for a moment, I always think you have a human child."
Frida burst into laughter. "But I do!" she declared proudly, crossing her arms.
Ella scoffed.
"Right, right. At least don't treat him like he's an actual human. He's a dog, Frida."
"He's better than a human," Frida replied smoothly, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Ella rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. She had long given up trying to reason with Frida when it came to Casper.
A beat of silence passed before Ella asked, "Did you go to the hospital?"
Frida's smile faltered for a second, but she nodded.
"Yeah. I took Casper to the vet. He's fine now, but you know... the other day, something strange happened."
She exhaled, her brows knitting together.
"Casper almost got hit by a car. He ran into the street—he never does that. But he wasn't feeling well, and I think he was too weak to realize what he was doing. I grabbed him just in time, and the car stopped right before us."
Ella's hands froze mid-motion.
"Wait, what? You didn't tell me this!"
Frida waved her off.
"It was nothing. The driver didn't hit us. He even tried to help, actually. But Casper... he looked so scared. I don't know, Ella, it was odd. He's never acted that way before."
Ella let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.
"I'm just glad he's safe. You, too."
Frida smiled faintly, scratching the back of her head.
"Me too."

Another pause settled between them before Frida spoke again, her voice quieter this time.
"My granny asked about you."
Ella's face softened.
"Really? When will I get to meet her?"
"Holiday?" Frida suggested.
Ella tilted her head.
"Vacation comes next winter. You really can't wait to see her, can you?"
Frida sighed wistfully.
"No, I can't. I miss her so much."
Ella's heart ached at the raw longing in Frida's voice. She knew how much her grandmother meant to her—how she was the only person left from Frida's past that still felt like home.
"Me too," Ella murmured.
Frida hesitated for a moment, then suddenly asked,
"Ella?"
"Hmm?"
"Should we move to Italy? With Granny?"
Ella turned fully toward her, surprise flickering in her eyes.
"Why? You don't love it here?"
Frida chewed on her lip, looking away.
"You know why I'm staying here, Ella. I had a reason. But... sometimes, I just want to leave. I miss her."
Ella wiped her hands on a cloth before stepping closer.
"Come here," she whispered, pulling Frida into a tight hug.
Frida let herself sink into the warmth, burying her face in Ella's shoulder.
"You're the strongest person I know, Frida," Ella whispered, rubbing small circles on her back.
Frida let out a snort against her shoulder. "I can at least tell when people are lying."
She pulled back, smirking playfully. "But thanks for flattering me. I love you anyway."
Ella burst into laughter, shaking her head.

And as Frida leaned back, stretching with a yawn, Ella couldn't help but watch her closely, the worry never quite fading from her mind for this finest woman.
Because no matter how strong Frida acted, Ella knew.

She knew that beneath the laughter, beneath the teasing, Frida was still carrying something heavy.

And she feared the day she wouldn't be able to carry it alone.

Then again, she knew Frida can be vulnerable but she never compromises when it came to her dignity.

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I hope you won't get bored, I just want to take it slowly. My characters have individual lives before they interact with each other. I just want to have a brief introduction of those parts.

Edited. 

Happy Reading!