YOU ARE WHAT I NEED [COMPLETED]

24

The past few days had been nothing short of magical for Selene. Since reconciling with Claire, they had been inseparable, their bond growing stronger with each passing moment. Every touch, every glance, every shared laugh seemed to weave them closer together, creating a tapestry of love and intimacy that Selene hadn't known she was capable of experiencing. They had been spending almost all their time together, and Selene couldn't remember the last time she felt so content.

They were supposed to have gone grocery shopping hours ago, but Claire had insisted on staying in bed, stealing kisses and curling up against Selene's side. Of course, Selene, being the hopeless romantic she was around Claire, didn't protest. How could she when the woman she adored was in her arms, looking at her with those big, expressive eyes that could make Selene do anything?

Now, though, Claire was finally out of bed, albeit pouting dramatically as she emerged from their bedroom. "Does it make you feel better to rush my beauty?" Claire teased, playfully tossing her hair over her shoulder as she adjusted her clothes.

Selene chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "You'd look good even in a garbage bag," she quipped, earning a shy blush from Claire, who quickly tried to cover her face with her hands.

Selene's heart swelled at the sight of Claire's endearing shyness. Without a second thought, she reached out, taking Claire's hand in hers and gently leading them both out of the house. The warmth of Claire's skin against her own was soothing, grounding Selene in the moment as they headed toward the car.

As they drove, the music playing softly in the background, Selene couldn't help but steal glances at Claire. She was radiant, her eyes sparkling with happiness as she sang along to the songs, her voice light and carefree. Selene smiled, feeling like the luckiest person in the world. How had she managed to score someone as wonderful as Claire? Not only was she beautiful on the outside, but her kindness, her strength, her resilience—it all sent Selene over the moon.

But as they continued to drive, a nagging thought crept into Selene's mind, casting a shadow over her happiness. What would happen when Mark inevitably returned? Selene knew he was still out there, somewhere, and the thought of him coming back into Claire's life made her stomach twist with anxiety. Would Claire take him back? Would she leave Selene behind, forgetting the love they had built together?

The questions gnawed at Selene, making her heart race with unease. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice when they arrived at the grocery store until Claire gently nudged her, bringing her back to reality. "Hey, we're here," Claire said, smiling up at her as she unbuckled her seatbelt.

Selene blinked, shaking her head slightly to clear her thoughts. "Right, sorry. Let's go," she replied, forcing a smile as she followed Claire out of the car.

As they walked into the store, Claire grabbed a shopping cart and began browsing the aisles, her focus on selecting the best ingredients for the lasagna she had promised to make. Selene trailed behind her, trying to shake off the lingering worry that clung to her like a dark cloud. She couldn't let these thoughts ruin their time together—not now, not after everything they'd been through.

But as they moved through the store, Selene couldn't shake the eerie feeling that something was off. It started as a faint prickling at the back of her neck, growing stronger with each step she took. She felt as though someone was watching her, their gaze boring into her back, sending a chill down her spine.

Her senses on high alert, Selene quickened her pace to catch up with Claire. She didn't want to alarm her, especially if it was nothing, but the feeling was too strong to ignore. "Do you have everything you need?" Selene asked, trying to keep her voice casual as she leaned in close to Claire.

Claire glanced at her, a hint of concern in her eyes as she nodded. "Yeah, I think that's everything. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just... in a bit of a rush," Selene replied, forcing a reassuring smile. "Let's check out."

As they headed toward the checkout, Selene discreetly scanned the area, her eyes darting from one person to the next, searching for anything—or anyone—out of place. Just as they reached the front of the line, a large man suddenly bumped into her, nearly knocking her off balance. Selene caught herself, instinctively reaching out to steady Claire, who had been startled by the abrupt encounter.

"Excuse me," Selene muttered, her voice laced with irritation as she glanced at the man. But he didn't respond. Instead, he sped up, his broad shoulders hunched as he quickly made his way toward the exit.

Selene's dead heart skipped a beat as she caught a glimpse of his face. There was something familiar about him, something that set off alarm bells in her mind, but she couldn't quite place it. The sense of unease deepened, but with Claire so close, she didn't want to cause a scene. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had seen that man before, and it gnawed at her as they finished up and headed back to the car.

Once they were back in the vehicle, Claire started chatting animatedly about the groceries they had just bought, lamenting the quality of the tomatoes with an exaggerated pout. Selene listened with half an ear, her mind still on the strange encounter in the store. Who was that man? And why did he feel so familiar?

"Selene?" Claire's voice broke through her thoughts, drawing her attention back to the present.

"Hmm?" Selene blinked, realizing she had been staring out the window, lost in her own world.

"I said, do you think these tomatoes are really that bad? Or am I just being picky?" Claire asked, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

Selene chuckled, reaching out to gently squeeze Claire's hand. "You're definitely being picky, but I wouldn't expect anything less from you."

Claire rolled her eyes playfully but returned the squeeze. "Well, we'll just have to make do. It's not like we had a lot of options."

As Claire continued talking, Selene forced herself to push the unsettling thoughts aside. The man in the store, the nagging familiarity—it would have to wait. Right now, she needed to focus on Claire

Still, as they drove back home, Selene couldn't help but glance over her shoulder one last time, the memory of the man's face lingering in her mind like a dark shadow.

Author's Note 

Would you guys believe me if I say I forgot all about Mark lol. I hope you guys enjoyed the 2 new chapter. Please make sure to vote and comment. See you all next week!