The Heartthrob's Dark Obsession Part 2

Chapter 23

Chapter 23:

Nori slowly made her way downstairs with Amy's help. She couldn't believe the audacity of Theo to just pretend nothing happened.

Then again, that was his default to fly into a rage then forget about it. She feared that his mood swings would be the death of her. Who was she kidding, they probably would be.

She sat back in her chair and they went through the motions of opening up the remaining gifts. Cooking supplies, clothes, movies, and books. A new camera. Things to stave off boredom. She just sat there and pretended to be happy. What else could she do?

When no more presents remained under the tree and all the wrapping paper was collected, Nori made an effort to get up.

"Where do you think you're going?" asked Theo.

Nori quickly sat back down. "No where. I...I just thought that we were done. I wanted to rest." She tried so hard to maintain eye contact with Theo. She didn't want him to go off on her because she forgot to look at him.

"I have one last gift for you," he said. He seemed nervous. It was so unlike him.

Theo reached into his pocket and got down on one knee. She knew what he was up to and she wasn't prepared for it. Did he really think this was the best course of action? Of course he did because he was convinced she could fall in love with him. She bit her lip hoping she wouldn't burst into tears or run away.

She glanced at Amy, who's wide eyes were begging her to just go along with it. She looked back at Theo as he was opening the small velvet box with a jewelry store logo on the top.

"Nori, would you make me the happiest man and become my wife." Inside was the largest ring she'd ever seen. "I know things have been difficult and you are trying to remember a time when we were in love, but I believe that we can be happy. I want to make you happy because you are the one."

She felt like she was going to throw up. But she couldn't do that. She had to be strong. He took hold of her left hand and slid the ring on. She remembered how happy she was when Derek put a ring on her finger and tried to channel that moment. But she couldn't. She was so far removed from that girl who existed only a few months ago.

She didn't trust herself to speak. She just sat there, wide eyed and terrified.

"Your speechless. I knew that you'd love it, darling!"

Love what? The forced marriage? Pretending to be happy? The massive ring that wasn't her style?

She didn't know what to say. She felt a lump in her throat as she tried to hold back tears. She nodded, hoping that would be enough.

"I doubt we'll be able to get legally married, at least right away. But it will be a marriage just the same. But maybe someday we can prove our love in front of the whole world."

"Uh-huh," whispered Nori.

Theo looked so happy. He had a huge toothy grin on his stupid, beautiful smug face. He wrapped his arms around her in an overenthusiastic hug.

Amy picked up the camera she had just received and snapped a picture of Nori and Theo. She pointed at her face and made an exaggerated smile. Nori tried to follow suit and even though Amy gave a thumbs up she knew it was not going to look like a happy moment. How could it?

****

Derek sat in front of the Christmas tree, looking down at the ring that once adorned Nori's tiny hand.

A small black ball of fluff worked its way onto his lap. The dog let out a whimper and Derek sighed.

"I miss her, too, Celeste. But we'll get her back. I know we will."

Derek's parents came into the room. "Sweetie, do you want to come have dinner?" asked his mother.

"I might just head back to the city." His parents lived in North Jersey, only a little over a hour from his Manhattan apartment.

"Derek, look, your mother and I were discussing it and maybe you need to find a new apartment. Your fiance was abducted, four people were killed, and there was no surveillance footage. It's not safe. Maybe you should find a new place. Why not move to Jersey City and if Nori comes home you guys can get a fresh start."

Derek stood up, picking up Nori's little black Pomeranian under his arm. "It's not a question of if. It's a question of when. And when she comes back she's going to want something familiar."

"But, honey, what if she never comes back. The police have no leads on where she was taken. They found that suitcase with her hair down in Oldbridge, but that's it. Are you just going to search every house down there?"

His mother was so skeptical, already giving up hope. But he couldn't do that. Nori wouldn't do that. Why else would she name a dog after Celestia Ludenberg? She would never give into despair.

"No. I'm not going to search random houses. But I'm not going to stop looking for her. She's been gone for what, twenty days, and you're ready to have me give up."

His mother sighed, "You've really got it bad for this girl."

"Nori is not just some girl," he snapped. "She's my fiance. We have been together for years. And if this is how you guys want to act, then I think I'll just head home. And don't expect me to visit any time soon."

Derek put Celeste down. He crouched onto the floor and started putting all his gifts into an empty box.

"James, will you talk some sense in your son?" his mother cried in exasperation.

"Helen, just stop. He's absolutely right. He can't give up this early." His mother ran out of the room in a huff. "Derek, what can I do to help?"

He slumped his shoulders forward. "I don't know. I really don't. I thought the police would have some evidence. But there isn't anything. And I don't know what's going to happen."

"What about a private investigator?"

"Dad, those are really expensive. And the fund I set up to help in the investigation just isn't pulling in enough money for that."

"I mean, I could probably afford it. Then the fund to find her can just go to raising awareness."

"Are you sure you're okay with that?"

"Sure am." His father wasn't an overly affectionate man. But he had his ways of showing he cared. This was one of them.

"I mean, I have a few names Detective Rice gave me."

"Then we'll call them. If you seriously think this will help then I'm on board."

"Thanks, dad."

"Now, please, stay for dinner or your mother will have an aneurysm. And I don't think that's how either of us want to spend Christmas."