Obsession - Erotic love story

Chapter 5

Jasmine

Jasmine woke up to the sharp trill of her alarm, the sound cutting through the stillness of her tiny apartment. She groaned, blinking against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. The warmth of her bed tugged at her, begging her to stay wrapped in its comfort for just a few more minutes. But she knew better. There was work to do, and her day was already planned out in the routine she followed almost religiously.

With a sigh, Jasmine pushed back the covers and sat up, running a hand through her tangled curls. Her small kitchen, just a few steps from the bed, beckoned her with the promise of something quick and easy to eat. She wasn't much of a cook—never had been—and so breakfast was always a bowl of cereal. She poured herself a serving of cornflakes, adding a splash of milk, and ate while leaning against the counter, staring absentmindedly at the blank wall in front of her.

Her mind wandered as she ate, thoughts drifting to the day ahead. And then, almost unexpectedly, he appeared in her thoughts—Reece. Jasmine's spoon hovered over her bowl as she thought about their recent encounter at the coffee shop. He was handsome, almost impossibly so. Dark hair, intense eyes, the kind of face that felt like it belonged on magazine covers. She had been flustered just speaking to him, especially after knocking over her coffee.

She set the spoon down with a soft clink and sighed. There's no way someone like him would be interested in someone like me. She glanced at her reflection in the window, her oversized T-shirt and messy hair a stark contrast to the polished women she imagined a man like Reece would typically be drawn to. He was charming, poised, and obviously successful. She was just... plain. A girl who worked at a bookstore and barely managed to cook for herself.

It was just a nice conversation, she told herself, brushing the thought away. There was no sense in thinking too much about it. Guys like Reece didn't go for girls like her. She finished her cereal quickly, rinsed the bowl, and returned to her bedroom to get dressed.

Pulling a floral blouse from her closet, she paired it with her usual worn jeans and shoes. The blouse, with its soft colors and delicate print, was one of her favorites. It made her feel a little more confident, like she had a touch of elegance in her otherwise simple wardrobe. She glanced in the mirror one last time before heading out the door. Today was just another day, like any other. She didn't expect anything out of the ordinary.

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The walk to the coffee shop was as routine as ever. The familiar sounds of the city surrounded her—the hum of traffic, the distant chatter of passersby. As she pushed open the door to the café, the comforting aroma of coffee beans and baked goods washed over her. She ordered her usual drink, smiling at the barista as they exchanged their daily pleasantries.

Sitting down by the window, she sipped her coffee and let her mind wander again. It was hard not to think about Reece. He had been so polite, so charming. She replayed the way he had insisted on buying her a new coffee after accidentally spilling hers, and the way his deep voice had a calming, confident edge. A part of her wished they might run into each other again, even though she tried to convince herself it was silly.

Handsome men like that have no reason to linger in places like this, she thought with a small smile. Still, a girl could dream.

Jasmine finished her coffee and glanced at the time. It was almost time to head to work. She stood, threw away the empty cup, and made her way to the bookstore down the street, her mind still playing with small fantasies of Reece—fantasies she knew wouldn't ever come true.

❛ ━━━━━━･❪ 🎕 ❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜

The bookstore was quiet, as it usually was in the mornings. Jasmine loved this part of the day, when she had a chance to organize the new arrivals and get lost in the world of books before the steady trickle of customers began. As she pulled a cart filled with new releases toward the romance section, she smiled softly to herself. Romance novels were her secret indulgence, the one genre that always seemed to pull her in with the promise of love and happy endings.

She scanned the spines of the new books, running her fingers over the glossy covers. A particular one caught her eye—its bright cover adorned with pastel flowers and an elegant couple embracing. Jasmine picked it up, reading the back cover, a soft sigh escaping her lips. The story sounded perfect: a chance meeting, a whirlwind romance, a love that changed both of their lives forever. Exactly the kind of love she had always dreamed of but never quite found.

As she placed the books on the shelves, Jasmine let her thoughts drift, imagining herself as the heroine in one of these novels—finding love in some unexpected, magical way. Maybe even with someone like Reece. Her daydreams spun lightly in her mind, making the mundane task of shelving books feel a little more hopeful.

But eventually, the reality of the workday set in, and she busied herself with the rest of her tasks, though the lingering thoughts of romance stayed with her.

❛ ━━━━━━･❪ 🎕 ❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜

As dusk fell, Jasmine headed home, the air cooling with the fading sunlight. She walked briskly through the now quieter streets, her mind wandering back to the book she'd thumbed through earlier. Wouldn't it be nice to meet someone who sees you the way those heroes do? she thought wistfully.

But as she continued, a strange feeling started to creep over her—like someone was watching her. She felt the hair on the back of her neck prickle, and her pace quickened. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw nothing unusual, just the empty street behind her. But the feeling persisted, a gnawing sense that someone, somewhere, was following her.

Her heart raced slightly as she turned another corner, trying to shake the sensation. She forced herself to breathe, convincing herself it was just her imagination. *You're fine. There's no one there.* Still, she couldn't shake the unease as she reached the steps to her apartment building.

Jasmine paused one last time at her door, casting another glance over her shoulder into the dim street. Nothing. She was alone. She swallowed her nerves and unlocked the door, slipping inside and locking it firmly behind her. She leaned back against it for a moment, closing her eyes, the unsettling feeling finally fading.

But deep down, she couldn't help but wonder if someone really had been watching her.

And if so, who?