Obsession - Erotic love story

Chapter 22

After leaving the boutique with Reece's gift carefully wrapped and tucked in her bag, Jasmine found herself wandering aimlessly through the city streets. It had been Reece's suggestion for her to explore, to take some time to rediscover herself, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she had nothing to do and nowhere specific to be.

The busy streets and towering buildings seemed foreign to her now. She had become so used to the quiet, controlled luxury of Reece's world that she had almost forgotten the simple comfort of her own life before it all. With no particular destination in mind, she walked through the city, letting her feet guide her to familiar places.

As she rounded a corner, a small coffee shop caught her eye. It was the same one she used to visit before and after work, where she'd sip on a latte and read a book for an hour or two. The place hadn't changed—its chalkboard sign still advertised homemade pastries, and the soft glow of its interior looked as welcoming as ever.

Jasmine paused outside the door, watching as people inside chatted over coffee, the smell of freshly brewed espresso wafting through the open door. For a moment, she was tempted to step inside, to order her usual drink and lose herself in a good book. But instead, she lingered for a while, remembering how simple and routine her life used to be.

She missed that simplicity, the feeling of having a purpose. She missed the quiet joy of working at the bookstore, the sense of accomplishment that came from finishing a task, no matter how small. Her life had been uncomplicated, but it had been hers. Now, everything felt like it belonged to Reece—the penthouse, the lavish meals, the chauffeured rides. It was all beautiful, but none of it felt like her.

With a sigh, Jasmine turned away from the shop and continued walking, her thoughts heavy. She passed by the old bookstore where she had worked, now closed and empty. The sign had been taken down, and the windows were covered in dust. Seeing it like this felt like the final goodbye to her old life, a door that had closed behind her without her realizing it.

Eventually, she made her way to a small park she used to visit on weekends. The benches were still in the same place, and the trees swayed gently in the breeze. She sat down, watching as children played nearby, their laughter filling the air. It reminded her of how peaceful her life had been before everything changed. Now, her days were filled with uncertainty, with questions about what came next.

As she sat there, she realized that while she had fallen into Reece's world so easily, she had never really taken the time to ask herself if this was what she wanted. She cared about him—there was no doubt about that—but was she ready to give up her independence completely?

The thought lingered in her mind as the day wore on, and by the time she returned to the penthouse, the weight of it hadn't left her.

❛ ━━━━━━･❪ 🎕 ❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜

That evening, Jasmine found herself sitting across from Reece at the dining table, the soft glow of candles casting a warm light over the room. The dinner was quiet, intimate, just the two of them sharing a simple meal. But the silence wasn't uncomfortable. It felt... peaceful.

Reece glanced up from his plate, his eyes meeting hers. "How was your day?" He asked, his tone gentle.

Jasmine smiled, though there was a hint of wistfulness in her expression. "It was nice. I went for a walk, visited some old spots from my past. It made me think about how much things have changed."

Reece set down his fork, leaning back slightly. "Change isn't always a bad thing," he said, his voice thoughtful. "You're entering a new chapter, Jasmine. And I want to be part of that."

Jasmine's heart fluttered at his words, but she couldn't ignore the uncertainty she had been feeling all day. "I know," she said softly. "But sometimes it feels like I'm losing myself in all of this. I'm not used to... not having something of my own."

Reece watched her carefully, his gaze steady. "You don't have to rush into anything. But you don't need to work if you don't want to. You could spend your time exploring new things, maybe even pick up a hobby. And, of course, you could spend more time with me." His lips curled into a playful smile. "I wouldn't mind that."

Jasmine chuckled softly, though his words stirred something deeper within her. The idea of not working felt strange, foreign. She had always been independent, always valued having her own life. But here was Reece, offering her a life of comfort, a life where she wouldn't have to worry about anything. It was tempting—dangerously so.

As the conversation shifted, Jasmine suddenly remembered the upcoming date. Her mood lifted, and she leaned forward, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Speaking of spending time together... you mentioned a date on Saturday. What are we doing?"

Reece's smile widened, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "It's a surprise."

Jasmine pouted playfully, leaning back in her chair. "A surprise? You can't give me any hints?"

Reece laughed, the sound deep and rich. "No hints. You'll just have to trust me."

Jasmine narrowed her eyes at him but couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. "Fine," she said, shaking her head. "But you're making it very hard to be patient."

"I'll make it worth the wait," Reece said, his tone teasing.

They continued their meal, the conversation light and easy, but as the evening wore on, Reece's demeanor shifted slightly. He glanced at his watch, then back at Jasmine. "I have some work to catch up on," he said, standing from the table. "I'll be in my room if you need me."

Before Jasmine could say anything, Reece leaned down and kissed her gently on the forehead, his lips lingering for just a moment. "And thank you for the gift," he added softly, referring to the fountain pen and journal she had given him earlier.

Jasmine felt warmth flood through her at his touch, her heart fluttering as he pulled away. "You're welcome," she said quietly, watching as he disappeared down the hallway.

Once again, she found herself alone in the penthouse, the silence wrapping around her like a blanket. But this time, the emptiness felt different. There was a growing sense of anticipation in her chest, a feeling that something was shifting between them.

As much as she cherished her old life, she couldn't deny the pull of the new one she was building with Reece. But with every step deeper into his world, she knew she had to be careful not to lose herself along the way.