Lines Blurred, Traces Found (Published Under Ukiyoto Publishing)

Chapter 8: The Inspector's Obsession

The Inspector's Obsession

Eros's lips drew a strange, unsettling smile, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Perhaps," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But I'm the only one who can keep you safe, darling." The air seemed to thicken, heavy with unspoken threats and promises. Hyunjie's heart pounded, her senses on high alert. She knew she had to tread carefully, or risk being trapped forever.

"Don't call me darling; you're creeping me out," Hyunjie said, her voice firm but laced with unease. She tried to maintain a steady tone, but Eros's gaze made her skin crawl.

Eros chuckled, his confidence unwavering. "Well, to tell you frankly, I like you," he said, his eyes burning with intensity. "I don't know why, but... every time I look at your pictures, I was mesmerized. I couldn't think of anything else but to meet you in person, see you every day, and... touch you at least."

He raised his hand again to caress her cheek, but Hyunjie swiftly pulled it away, her reflexes sharp. "Don't touch me," she warned, her voice cold.

Eros's smile never wavered. "Look, I'm not a monster; I can be gentle for you," he said, his tone dripping with condescension.

Hyunjie's revulsion grew. "Just stop!" she exclaimed, her voice rising. "I don't want to hear anything from you, and I'm not interested. Get out!" Eros didn't speak, but his grin only widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. He seemed to savor her discomfort. "I said get out now!" Hyunjie's voice was firm, her anger boiling over.

Eros finally moved, his smile never faltering. "Have a good night, darling," he said, opening the door and stepping out into the hallway. The sound of his footsteps echoed, leaving Hyunjie shaken.

As the door closed behind him, Hyunjie exhaled, her breath trembling. She knew that she would never be able to escape easily, trapped in this isolated room with no clear exit strategy. Defeated, she sat down on the corner of the bed again, her eyes drifting toward the tray containing the food that lay on the table.

The aroma wafting from the dishes was enticing, but Hyunjie's appetite was suppressed by her growing unease. She still had no idea what Eros's true intentions were for her, but the way he talked and acted sent shivers down her spine. His obsessive behavior was unmistakable.

Hyunjie's mind filled with a barrage of questions. What did Eros want from her? Why was he so fixated on her? Was she a prisoner, a pawn, or something more sinister? The unknowns swirled, fueling her anxiety.

She thought back to their conversations, analyzing every word, every gesture. Eros's confidence and charm were unnerving, but beneath the surface, Hyunjie sensed a darker motive. As she pondered, Hyunjie's gaze fell on the food again. Was it safe to eat? Was it drugged or tampered with? Her paranoia spiked, and she pushed the tray away, unsure if she could trust anything Eros provided.

The silence in the room seemed oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of her own ragged breathing. Hyunjie knew she had to think clearly, devise a plan to escape or uncover Eros's true intentions. But for now, she was trapped, at the mercy of a man whose obsession was growing more unsettling by the minute.

***

"Inspector Hadrian, where are you?" Eros heard Brenth's voice on the phone line, laced with concern, when he finally reached him when the morning came. "We were still looking for you last night when we retreated from the operation. Are you okay?" Brenth's tone was urgent, reflecting the team's worry.

"Yeah, I'm okay," Eros responded, his voice calm and reassuring. "Don't worry about me; just tell the general that I won't be able to come in today... or anytime soon. I have something to attend to."