Obsession - Erotic love story

Chapter 26

Jasmine had spent most of the day curled up on the couch, a novel in her lap. The hours passed slowly, and though the story was captivating, she found it hard to concentrate. The penthouse, though luxurious, felt emptier with each passing hour. She had spent so much time within these walls, waiting for Reece, and the loneliness was beginning to gnaw at her. Her life had started to feel like a series of pauses, always waiting for him to return, always waiting for her day to begin when he walked through the door.

With a sigh, she set her book aside and reached for her phone. She scrolled through social media for a while but found little to distract her. An idea struck her—she missed the routine of working, the sense of purpose it gave her. Maybe it was time to find something for herself again.

Jasmine opened a job search app and began scrolling through listings. She wasn't looking for anything high-pressure, just something that would get her out of the house for a few hours, something she enjoyed. She smiled as she spotted a job opening at the local library. It was perfect—quiet, surrounded by books, a space she could lose herself in. Without hesitation, she filled out the application and submitted it, her heart lifting at the thought of having something to look forward to.

She couldn't wait to tell Reece. He would understand, wouldn't he? He had encouraged her to find something to do with her time, after all.

❛ ━━━━━━･❪ 🎕 ❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜

As evening approached, Jasmine found herself in the kitchen, watching the cook prepare dinner. She observed the way the woman skillfully moved through the kitchen, making note of how she chopped vegetables, how she seasoned the dishes, and the perfect timing of each step. Jasmine had never been much of a cook herself, but watching the meal come together made her want to learn. She wanted to surprise Reece one day, to show him she could contribute to their life together in her own way.

The soft click of the front door made her heart race, and within moments, Reece entered the kitchen, a smile on his lips as he approached her. He kissed her gently, his touch as familiar and comforting as ever. Jasmine leaned into him, feeling a warmth spread through her chest as the day's loneliness faded.

"Missed you," Reece murmured, his eyes filled with that usual intensity as they met hers.

"Missed you too," she replied, her voice soft.

The cook finished plating the food and, with a polite nod, excused herself from the kitchen, leaving them alone. Reece and Jasmine sat down at the table, the soft glow of candlelight casting a warm ambiance over the room. Dinner was elegant, and for a while, their conversation was light and easy. They talked about Reece's day at work, about Jasmine's reading, about the small things that filled their hours.

But eventually, Jasmine couldn't hold it in any longer. Her excitement bubbled up, and she smiled brightly as she spoke. "I applied for a job today," she said, waiting for his reaction.

For a brief moment, everything went still. Reece's hand, which had been in the middle of lifting his glass to his lips, froze. The room seemed to grow eerily quiet. He slowly set the glass down and reached for his napkin, wiping his mouth with deliberate calm.

"No," he said, his tone firm but unsettlingly gentle.

Jasmine blinked, taken aback. "No?"

Reece didn't look at her immediately. He folded the napkin neatly, placed it beside his plate, and then met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "You don't need to work, Jasmine. I can take care of you."

Confusion and a bit of unease crept into her chest. "I know you can, but... I want to work. I don't want to stay at home all day. I need something for myself."

Reece's eyes hardened, just for a moment, before he gave her a tight smile. "I understand what you're saying, but there's no need for you to get a job. You have everything you need here."

The warmth in the room began to dissipate, replaced by a tension that made Jasmine's skin prickle. "But I miss working," she insisted, her voice soft but firm. "I miss having a routine, feeling productive."

Reece's jaw clenched subtly, and for the first time, Jasmine felt a flicker of fear. He didn't raise his voice, but his tone left no room for negotiation. "I don't want you working, Jasmine. I prefer knowing you're safe here, that I can take care of everything."

Her heart raced, the joy she had felt moments ago now replaced by a creeping sense of unease. "But Reece, I—"

"We're done with this conversation," Reece interrupted, his voice now edged with finality. He stood up, his movements controlled, as if he were deliberately keeping his composure in check. He leaned down, kissed the top of her head, and spoke quietly. "I'm going to take a shower."

And with that, he left the room, leaving Jasmine sitting alone at the table, the soft clinking of his footsteps echoing through the empty space.

She sat there in stunned silence, her mind spinning. She didn't know what had just happened. The warmth, the affection between them—it had vanished so quickly, replaced by something cold and controlling. Reece had never spoken to her like that before, and it left her feeling small, confused, and slightly afraid.

The dinner remained untouched in front of her as she tried to process the conversation. The way he had dismissed her so easily, as though her desire to work didn't matter, as though her independence was a threat to the life he had created for her.

Jasmine stared at the plate in front of her, feeling a chill run down her spine. She had always known that Reece liked to be in control, but until now, she had never seen this side of him.

What did this mean for them? For her?

As she sat there, lost in her thoughts, the soft sound of the shower running in the background, she couldn't help but wonder if she was truly free in this relationship—or if she was slowly becoming another part of the world Reece had built for himself.