God of Strength (Light of Obsession #1)

Chapter 10

Alicia

From a very early age I learned something about myself, when it comes to human needs, I have one more than the regular.

Praise. It's something I've always craved. It's why i always work so hard, why I perfect everything I do. It's why I became an actress.

The people close to you will always praise you, saying you did a good job? But strangers? Strangers are ruthless. So, when random people I don't know say I acted wonderfully or played a role well, it's like my heart fills.

It's an unhealthy desire that's driven my life forever, and I believe that it always will.

Sneaking around with Vaughn for the past couple of weeks has been quite exhausting but it's a necessity. My brothers, my father, they'll go insane if they find out the truth. And I know, one day they'll have to find out but that day is definitely not today.

I'm playing video games with Bran in the Elites mansion, where my cousins and brothers reside. I am also absolutely beating his ass.

         "For someone who gags when they see blood, you are surprisingly good at violent video games." Creigh comments from the couch next to us.

            "She's been beating me at it since we were kids." Bran deadpans, setting the remote down after yet another loss.

            I nudge his side with a soft smile, "Sorry," Bran chuckles at the apology and ruffles my hair; a habit literally everyone does to me. I swear I'm like a baby to these people.

My phone rings and I look down, Vaughns calling. I hurriedly say an excuse to leave the room and rush to the bathroom, locking it then answering.

           "Hi," I say, my voice barely above a whisper, cautious of anyone overhearing me.

"Hello, Kukolka," Vaughn's deep voice reverberated through the receiver, sending a shiver down my spine. The way he says my name always makes me feel like it was just the two of us in the world. "What are you up to?"

"Just hanging out at the mansion with Bran and Creigh. You know how it is," I reply, glancing at the bathroom door, my heart fluttering nervously. "What about you?"

"I'm just thinking about you," he said, his tone casual yet dripping with an intensity that made my pulse quicken. "Are you alone?"

A lump formed in my throat. The possessiveness in his voice was something I both adored and feared. "Yeah, I am."

"Good. I miss you," Vaughn's voice softened, and I like the way that sounded like this. It made the wait worth it, the secretive nature of our relationship.

"I miss you too," I reply, biting my lip as I lean against the cool bathroom wall. "When can I see you again?"

"I was hoping tonight." There was a pause on his end before he continued, "We could go to my apartment, somewhere quiet. No one would see us."

"Tonight..." I muse, my mind racing. "I'll have to sneak out. All the girls would be at the dorm tonight."

"They won't suspect a thing, will they?" Vaughn's voice was like velvet, smooth and soothing as he promised me that everything would be okay.

"No, they trust me," I assure, but the knot in my stomach could not be ignored. It was hard to shake off the nagging feeling of deception. To the world, I was just Alicia, the sweet, kind girl who might be too innocent for her own good. But with Vaughn... I felt different. I felt safe and warm with him.

"Good. I'll text you when I'm outside," he said, his voice turning serious. "Be careful, okay?"

"Of course, I will," I respond, feeling a rush of excitement alongside fear. The guilt of secrecy tightened my stomach, but it was mixed with an exhilarating yearning.

"Great. I'll see you soon, Kukolka," he said, his voice sending warmth through me, making me feel special and desired.

After ending the call, I spend a moment regaining my composure, splashing cold water on my face before stepping out of the bathroom. The laughter and chatter from the living room surrounded her like a comforting blanket.

"Everything okay?" Bran asked, looking up from the couch as I walk back in.

"Yeah, just needed a minute," I reply, forcing a smile. I wandered over to join them, tossing the controller back in my hands and focusing on the screen.

But as the minutes turned into hours, building up to their secret meeting, I realized that this thrill was becoming more than just a passing feeling. It was intoxicating, and with each beat of my heart, it was drawing me deeper into Vaughn's world, a world where rules were bent, boundaries were tested, and love - or whatever this was - enveloped me in a profound sense of both danger and inevitability.

Silently, I glance at Bran and Creigh, who were bickering over a score. The excitement of the night ahead was an unnamed monster that stirred within me, challenging the old narrative of who I usually am. This is so unlike me, and I don't know how Vaughn managed to draw this part out of me.

"Hey, Little Angel ," Creigh called out, snapping me back to reality. "You in the game or thinking about some secret mission?"

"Oh, just thinking," I said, shrugging. But in truth, I was preparing for my own mission, a mission cloaked in shadows where Vaughn awaited, and for better or worse, I was ready to dive headfirst into the unknown.
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A/N:
Heyy!! Sorry it took a while to get out but I really liked this chapter!! Thank you for all the support!
Don't forget to comment and vote!