The Heartthrob's Dark Obsession Part 2

Chapter 19

Author's Note: Hello my lovelies. Today is my birthday! Happy Birthday to me! If you'd like to help me celebrate I'd be super appreciative if you guys can help me out. 

I've been nominated in The Fiction Awards 2019 in the category of Mystery/Thriller. Please, please, please continue to nominate my story The Heartthrob's Dark Obsession. Every nomination goes towards securing a spot in the actual contest as only the 15 most nominated stories in each category moves onto judging.

To nominate me just go to the second chapter for thefictionawards 2019. On that 2nd chapter look for the inline comment for Mystery/Thriller. There just put The Heartthrob's Dark Obsession by @bboops23. I truly put my heart and soul into this story and these characters and I hope you guys can help.

Again, every nomination helps. Now, on with the show! I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 19:

Nori followed Theo into the living room, Amy trailing behind. The room had been transformed into a winter wonderland. In front of the barred bay window stood the largest tree she'd ever seen indoors covered in decorations and topped with a star. There were so many presents under the tree. Even when Nori's parents were alive she never got this many gifts.

The boarded up fireplace had the TV from the rec room sitting in front of it, playing the yule log. The soft Christmas music was somewhat soothing.

She didn't feel scared or skittish or anything. If every day with Theo could be like this maybe her life wouldn't be miserable. She pushed those thoughts into the dark recesses of her mind. She refused to think like that. It was Nori's choice to stay here without fighting, but she didn't have to enjoy it. Then again, if she tried hard enough she could probably find joy in any part of life.

Nori was torn from her thoughts as Theo guided her to a chair in the center of the room. She sat down. He pointed at the couch and Amy sat there. Theo sat on the floor and started eyeing up all the presents in the room.

"Let's see which one should I hand out first," he said. He selected a large box at the front. "It says to Nori from Theo."

He pushed it towards Nori. The box was surprisingly heavy. She started tearing the paper from the box. On the outside was a picture of a mountain bike.

"You got me a bike?" She didn't even go outside when she was with him. What was she going to do with a bike.

"Yeah, during the summer maybe we can finally get outside." He quickly kissed her on the cheek, "If you're good of course."

Be good and maybe she could go outside. Wouldn't that be nice. Probably somewhere remote.

He sat back on the floor to grab the next gift, a flat package that his passed off to Amy. She opened it and inside was another unflattering brightly colored shirt.

"This one is for me, from Amy."

Nori looked over at Amy who was rolling her eyes, a wry smirk on her face. She was amused at this whole thing. It was too ridiculous not to be.

Theo tore off the paper. "A toaster, how considerate. I mean, I picked it up, but I knew that's what you'd get me if you could."

Gift after gift Nori, Amy, and Theo went through the charade. Theo acted like he hadn't bought himself every gift. Nori got a wide variety of gifts. Mostly stuffed animals, movies, clothing, and video games.

He seemed to be replicating everything in his old mansion. He wanted life back to the way it was before Nori got free. But he was happy and he was acting nice.

Meanwhile, Amy acted surprised at every gift she'd gotten which she wrapped herself. So far all of her gifts were clothes.

"The next gift is from Amy, from Nori."

Amy took the package, which was wrapped a lot neater than the other gifts. She was almost surprised at its existence. At least Nori thought so.

"Hmm, I wonder what this is," she said, a bit of apprehension in her voice.

She tore the paper off, revealing a box with bright pink coloring.

"A rock tumbler?" asked Amy.

Nori and Amy had a conversation the previous day about the best Christmas gifts they ever got and the ones that they never got. Amy's eyes started welling up.

"Thank you," she said with genuine joy. Nori remembered Amy saying that this was the toy she always wanted.

Amy looked at the bright pink toy, so different from the goth aesthetic she talked about.

"You're welcome," breathed Nori. Amy may have been happy, but Nori knew that this was Theo's way of saying that he was always listening. There was no privacy here.

"This one is to me from Nori," said Theo. He opened the box. "A new laptop, exactly what I needed. How did you know, darling."

Theo sat waiting for a kiss. Nori was enjoying the drama free day, so she gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

He passed her a small box, tied with a ribbon.

"I had this made especially for you," he breathed.

"To Nori, from Theo." She pulled open the ribbon and took off the lid. Inside was a simple Bracelet. "September 29, 2018."

"That's..." She trailed off. That's the day he kidnapped her the first time.

"The day we came together," he murmured.

Suddenly, Nori stood up, she threw the bracelet at him.

"Nori?" he said, concerned.

She picked up the nearest stuffed animal and pelted him.

"I hate you!"

She was fuming with anger. She wanted to break everything. She started pulling her own hair, ready to destroy it along with everything else.

"Nori! Stop!" said Theo. He didn't shout. He just spoke firmly.

But she couldn't stop. She couldn't deal with the fact that she was a prisoner, trying to pretend like nothing was wrong, like he hadn't taken everything away from her.

"I hate everything! I hate this place! I hate this life! I fucking hate it!"

Her eyes darted around looking for somewhere to run or something to break. But there was nothing.

She was certain that Theo was saying something to her. But she couldn't focus. Her brain was in overdrive. The slap for cursing should have long since come, but it didn't. She dropped to her knees, unwilling or unable to comprehend the world around her.

Suddenly, Nori felt arms wrap around her. It wasn't Theo's hard body, but Amy's soft, gentle figure, trying to pull her back to reality.

"Please, stop, Nori," she whispered tearfully. "Please."

She broke down crying and she couldn't stop.

"Amy, back away," he commanded.

Amy's body left her side and Theo scooped her up.

"Come on, let's take a break," he stated, emotionlessly.

Nori cried into his shirt, not sure what would happen. Theo carried her up the stairs, leaving Amy behind to clean up.