Whispers in Secret

17- Obsession

Lucien sat in his dimly lit study, the weight of the world resting on his shoulders. The walls were lined with books, each tome a reminder of the life he had chosen—a life filled with danger, power, and loyalty. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the polished wood of his desk as he considered his next move, thoughts drifting to Ella. Just as he was lost in contemplation, his phone buzzed, breaking the silence.

It was Emilio.

“Lucien,” Emilio’s voice came through the line, steady but edged with concern. “We need to talk. It’s about James.”

Lucien straightened, instinctively sensing the seriousness in Emilio's tone. “What about him?” he asked, his voice low and controlled.

“James has been making a scene. He approached Ella again today, trying to get her to go out with him. It’s not just casual interest anymore; it’s becoming an obsession. He was watching her from his SUV after she turned him down,” Emilio explained, his words quick and deliberate. “This isn’t just a crush; it’s unhealthy.”

A cold fury bubbled within Lucien. “How far did he go?” he pressed, his fingers curling into fists as he leaned forward, every instinct in him screaming to protect Ella.

“Nothing physical happened, but he’s persistent. I don’t think he’ll back off easily. I’ve got men watching him, but he’s clever. He knows how to keep a low profile,” Emilio replied. “But it’s only a matter of time before he gets desperate.”

Lucien’s jaw clenched. “He thinks he can just waltz into her life like that? She’s not some prize to be won, Emilio. She’s under my protection.”

“Exactly. That’s why I’m calling you. We need to act. If we don’t deal with this now, it could escalate,” Emilio said, his tone firm.

Lucien inhaled sharply, his mind racing with possibilities. “What do you suggest?”

“I can have a few of our guys confront him, give him a warning. Make it clear that Ella is off-limits and that there will be consequences if he doesn’t back off. It’s better than letting it drag on,” Emilio suggested.

Lucien weighed the options, the thoughts of Ella’s safety paramount in his mind. “No. I want him to know it’s not just a warning. I want him to feel the weight of his actions. If he’s obsessed with her, he needs to understand that this isn’t a game,” he said, his voice steady with resolve.

“Understood. I’ll handle it personally,” Emilio replied, sensing the intensity in Lucien’s voice. “We’ll make sure he knows the stakes. We can’t let this get out of hand.”

“Good,” Lucien said, his tone final. “Keep me updated. I don’t want Ella to feel threatened by him.”

“Of course. I’ll be in touch,” Emilio said before ending the call.

Lucien sat back in his chair, a fierce determination surging through him. He would not allow anyone to threaten what he had with Ella, not even a deluded admirer. She deserved protection and respect, and he would ensure that James understood the true meaning of fear.

With that thought, Lucien stood and walked to the window, looking out into the night. The city lights twinkled like stars, but all he could see was the image of Ella's face, her smile lighting up the darkest corners of his world. He would do whatever it took to keep her safe, even if it meant getting his hands dirty again.

After James’s second attempt to approach her, Ella felt a wave of unease wash over her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, and the persistent attention from James only added to her discomfort. Without saying much, she quickly made up her mind to leave the campus atmosphere that had begun to feel suffocating.