DARK LOVE {The Obsessed Stalker}

CHAPTER 39 REALIZATION

{IN THE MARTINEZ COMPANY, MONTHS LATER, MORNING TIME, CATERINA}.
  Kingsley's phone buzzed with an incoming text from an unknown number: "Coffee tastes better with a dash of sweetness". He raised an eyebrow, wondering who could be such sending him such a cryptic messages because it has been months that someone has been sent cryptic messages to him.

  Just then, he heard a gentle voice behind him, "Need help figuring it out?" Turning around, he saw Lotus Rose holding a cup of coffee with a hint of a smile. "You're the one who's been sending me these mysterious messages, aren't you?" Kingsley asked, his curiosity piqued.

Lotus Rose nodded, her eyes sparkling, "Maybe I just wanted to add a little sweetness to your day." As their fingers touched while exchanging coffee cups, Kingsley felt a jolt of electricity, finally noticing the lotus Rose

  Little Rose had been trying to get his attention with. "You know, I think I'm starting to like this sweetness," he said, his voice low and flirtatious, making Lotus Rose's cheeks flush with delight.

{FLASHBACKS, MONTHS AGO}
As Lotus Rose scrolled through her social media feed, an idea struck her through targeted advertisements. She would send Kingsley cryptic messages, hiding in plain sight. She couldn't resist the thrill of it, and soon, Kingsley's feed was filled with subtle hints of her affection. "Lost without you" flashed on his screen during a coffee ad, and "You're the missing piece" appeared in a puzzle game commercial. Little Rose giggled to herself, knowing she was getting his attention.
{FLASHBACKS ENDS}

On top of the caterina, Aeon seethed with jealousy as she watched Kingsley's eyes light up while reading the mysterious messages. He couldn't believe he was falling for Lotus Rose's charms, and it made his blood boil.

"She's just a game to him," Aeon told himself, but deep down, he knew it was more. Kingsley's gaze lingered on the ads and the entrance of lotus Rose with the coffee, a soft smile on Kingsley face, and Aeon's hatred grew.

He glared at Lotus Rose, his eyes burning with resentment. "You think you can just waltz in and get away with it?" Aeon's mind raced with schemes to destroy Lotus Rose's chances with Kingsley, his best friend, and the one person he couldn't bear to lose her to.

Lotus Rose turned to Kingsley, her curiosity piqued. "Kingsley, can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Lotus," Kingsley replied, his eyes locking onto hers.

"How did you and Aeon become friends?" Lotus asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "You two seem like an unlikely pair."

Kingsley's gaze drifted off, lost in thought. "It's a long story, but I'll try to keep it short," he said, a hint of a smile on his lips.

"It was a few years ago, when Aeon was still... unpredictable. He'd just joined our group, and I was immediately drawn to his intensity. But he was also reckless, impulsive... and hurtful."

Lotus's eyes widened, intrigued. "What happened?"

Kingsley leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "We were on a mission together, and things went sideways. Aeon's actions put us all at risk, and I called him out on it. We had a... heated argument, to say the least."

Lotus's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "And then?"

Kingsley's expression softened. "And then something unexpected happened. Aeon broke down, right there in front of me. He shared his story, his pain... and I saw a glimmer of the person he truly was, beneath all the anger and hurt."

Lotus's heart swelled with empathy. "You saw the real Aeon."

Kingsley nodded. "I did. And in that moment, I knew I wanted to help him, to support him. We started working together, pushing each other to be better... and slowly, our friendship grew."

Lotus smiled, touched by the story. "You're an amazing friend, Kingsley."

Kingsley's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled back. "I just saw the good in him, Lotus. And I think that's what friendship is all about – seeing the best in each other, even when no one else does."

{OUTSIDE THE CATERINA}
As Lotus Rose walked out of the cafeteria, she couldn't shake off the feeling that Kingsley's story had left her with. She was lost in thought when her phone buzzed with an incoming text from an unknown number: "Meet me outside. We need to talk."

Curious, Lotus made her way to the designated spot, and that's when she saw him - Aeon, leaning against a pillar, his eyes fixed intently on her. "What's this about, Mr Aeon?" Lotus asked, her voice firm but wary.

"You and Kingsley," Aeon said, his voice low and even. "I don't think it's a good idea."

Lotus raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb, Lotus," Aeon snapped, his eyes flashing with a hint of jealousy.

"I know you're interested in him. But trust me, he's not worth it."

Lotus's eyes narrowed, looking at him  wondering why the sweet Kingsley befriend him, an annoying brat.
"And why should I trust you?"

Aeon's gaze softened, his voice taking on a pleading tone. "Because I know him, Lotus. I know his secrets. And I don't want to see you get hurt."

Lotus's phone buzzed again, this time with a text from Kingsley: "Hey, want to grab dinner tonight?".

Aeon's eyes flicked to her phone, his expression darkening. "See? He's already making moves. Don't fall for it, Lotus."

Lotus Rose shrugged, unfazed by Aeon's warning. "I can take care of myself, Mr Aeon. Besides, I think Kingsley is different."

Aeon's eyes flashed with anger, but Lotus stood her ground. "I mean it, Aeon. I'm not going to let your actions dictate who I can and can't talk to." Aeon's face twisted in a scowl, but Lotus just turned and walked away, leaving him standing there.

She quickened her pace, her phone buzzing again with another text from Kingsley: "Hey, you okay? are you having a hard time?" Lotus smiled to herself, feeling a thrill of excitement.

She couldn't wait to see Kingsley again, to get to know him better. She texted back: "I'm fine. And yeah, let's grab dinner tonight. I'd love to."

As she walked, she felt Aeon's eyes on her, burning with intensity. But she didn't look back. She knew she was taking a risk, but she was ready to see where things would go with Kingsley.