Obsession - Erotic love story

Chapter 31

The soft hum of Reece's phone vibrating on the nightstand pierced the stillness of the early morning. Jasmine stirred slightly in her sleep, the warm cocoon of blankets holding her in a peaceful slumber, but Reece reacted quickly, grabbing the phone before it could fully wake her. He answered it in a hushed tone, his voice low and controlled.

"Yes?" He whispered.

On the other end, Vincent's voice came through, urgent but steady. "There's been an issue at work. I need you to come down to the office. It's important."

Reece's jaw tightened, his mind already shifting into business mode. "I'll be there soon."

He hung up the phone quietly and carefully slipped out of bed, not wanting to disturb Jasmine. As he stood, he took a moment to look at her, her face soft and peaceful in the morning light. A small smile tugged at his lips. Leaning down, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.

"Sleep well," he whispered before heading toward the bathroom to get dressed. Within minutes, he was ready, slipping into a tailored suit with his usual precision. Reece took one last glance at the bed before he left, the sound of the door closing softly behind him.

Later, Jasmine woke slowly, the soreness in her body a gentle reminder of the night before. She stretched, rolling over in bed, and immediately noticed that Reece was gone. Assuming he had gone to work, she didn't think much of it. After taking a few moments to wake up fully, she padded across the room to his bathroom and decided to indulge in a hot bath.

The warm water did wonders to ease the slight ache in her muscles, the steam swirling around her as she soaked, allowing her thoughts to drift. Last night had been... perfect. Intimate in a way that made her feel closer to Reece than ever before. But beneath that closeness, the memories of the key she had discovered and the family photo on his nightstand lingered in her mind.

After the bath, Jasmine got dressed and made her way to the kitchen, where breakfast had been laid out, a simple yet thoughtful spread. She smiled softly at the gesture, eating slowly while sipping on a fresh cup of coffee.

The day outside looked gray and overcast, the kind of day that called for a warm drink and a good book. Deciding to spend some time outside before the rain that threatened in the clouds arrived, Jasmine grabbed a light jacket and headed out, book in hand.

The park was peaceful, the usual hustle and bustle of the city feeling distant in this quiet sanctuary. She found a familiar bench near the fountain and settled down, balancing her cup of coffee on her knee as she opened her book. The cool air kissed her skin, and for a while, she let herself get lost in the pages of the novel.

The sound of footsteps approaching broke her focus, and when she looked up, Jasmine saw a familiar face walking by.

"Jasmine?" her old boss, Angelia, called out, smiling brightly as she approached.

Jasmine blinked in surprise, having never seen Angelia so happy. The woman always had a grumpy air about her when they worked together at the bookstore, but now there was a lightness to her, an undeniable shift.

"Angelia!" Jasmine said, standing up to greet her. "It's been a while. You look... happy."

Angelia chuckled, her eyes sparkling. "I suppose I am. Money changes things, doesn't it?"

Jasmine gestured to the bench, and they both sat down, catching up as the wind picked up slightly, carrying the scent of impending rain.

Angelia told Jasmine about her plans to move to a new city, about how selling the bookstore had given her the opportunity to start fresh. She was taking one last walk through the park before leaving the city behind for good.

"You look different, too," Angelia remarked, her eyes studying Jasmine with interest. "You must be in love."

Jasmine's face warmed at the comment, a soft smile spreading across her lips. "I think I am," she admitted, the weight of her feelings for Reece sinking in with each word.

"Who's the lucky man?" Angelia asked, a playful curiosity in her tone.

Jasmine hesitated for a moment, then answered. "His name is Reece. Reece Scott."

At the mention of his name, Angelia's smile faltered, her eyes widening slightly. "Reece Scott?" she repeated, her tone shifting. "That's the same man who bought my bookstore."

Jasmine felt the world tilt for a second, her breath catching in her throat. "Wait... what?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," Angelia continued, oblivious to Jasmine's growing shock. "He bought it months ago. Paid me more than I ever thought it was worth. Why, didn't he tell you?"

The words hit Jasmine like a wave, the realization sinking in. Reece had never mentioned buying the bookstore—her bookstore, the place where she had spent so many days, where she had built her life before meeting him. And he hadn't said a word about it.

Before Jasmine could ask more, the sky opened up, raindrops falling steadily as the clouds finally gave way to the storm that had been looming all day.

Angelia stood, pulling her coat tighter around her. "Looks like the rain's here," she said lightly, oblivious to the turmoil brewing in Jasmine's mind. "I should get going. Good luck with everything, Jasmine. You take care now."

Jasmine barely managed a goodbye as Angelia hurried off, leaving her alone on the bench, the rain soaking through her clothes as she stood there, still stunned by what she had just heard.

Reece bought the bookstore? Why didn't he tell me?

Her mind raced with questions, confusion and hurt swirling together as the rain poured down harder. She couldn't understand why he would keep something like that from her. Was it another act of control? Another piece of his world he had decided to manipulate without telling her?

Shivering from the cold and from the shock of the news, Jasmine turned and began walking home, her mind clouded with doubt. The storm that had started outside was nothing compared to the one now brewing inside her.

As she walked through the rain, one thought echoed louder than the others:

What else has he kept from me?