The Obsession

You think what I'm thinking?

Lissie

Through the frame of the window comes the vibrant glow of a new day and it stroke my face, but it wasn't the reason why I had to wake up, it's because of that nightmare again.

"Damn." I mumble as I sat up while catching my own breath and wipe the sweat in my forehead.

I used to wake up like this every morning, having the same nightmare over and over again has just become normal for me, I can't seem to get that thing out of my mind so I just let it happen every f*****g single time that I had the chance to sleep.

I stretch my arms above my head with a loud yawn, wearing only a sports bra and a boxer short, I lazily drag my feet out of the bed and into the bathroom.

My room was just tidy enough to show that I cared about the space and just messy enough to show that I was able to let my creativity roam free. It was my goldilocks zone, perfect for how I was. There are one big shelf on the left corner for my collection of different cameras, starting with my first ever film camera up to my newest added collection, a Leica Q (typ 116), which is really expensive but it is really worth the price.

The white curtains in the glass window are linen, the kind of white that is untouched by hands and devoid of dust. There is no television, no bookshelf for books, no dining table, only my king size bed and the small bedside table for my lamp. The photographs are black and white, not casual family snaps, but arranged to look like such by a professional. The floor is a high polished wood, dark and free of either dust or clutter.

There are three doors inside my bedroom, one will lead to the bathroom, one for my walk-in closet and there's another glass door that will lead to the balcony and outside the balcony, there's two hammock and one round table that made in a tree trunk.

My room is the only place that I never allowed anyone to go in, even my parents. I don't know why, but having someone inside my room is really uncomfortable for me. It feels like I am naked into that person's eyes. For example, the only person that has ever entered my room without my permission was Dahlia.

She barge inside my room when she found out that I have fever, she took care of me which is I never ask, but she still did and I didn't had the chance to get mad as I needed her that time. But when I got better, I scold her for entering my room and she apologized, but after that, she never did try to enter my room, no one dared.

But Jeane! That woman with cat-like eyes, I let her in last night without having a second thought. I don't know to myself either as to why I let her invade the most sacred place for me. There's really something behind those cat-like eyes and I'm afraid that she could put me under her control and that's really dangerous for a powerful person like me.

I shouldn't get attach too much. I don't want to ruin my father's reputation just because the one he entrust his power, failed to continue his legacy after meeting a woman with cat-like eyes.

___

After preparing everything for my flight to East coast, I exited my room with my suitcase. As I shut the door behind me, my eyes went to the door in front, battling if I should knock and bid my goodbye or just leave.

"Good morning, I prepared your breakfast." I got startled when I heard someone spoke on my right and clutch my chest.

"Jesus." I exhaled.

"Sorry, did I scare you?" She asked, suppressing her smile by biting her lower lip.

"Yeah." I replied and smiled at her. "You're early and.." I scan her from head to toe and flicked my tongue. "You're ready for school?"

"Uh-huh." She hums as she pad inside her room. When she shut her door, I sigh and was about to go down but her door opens again and she stepped out, her bag clung in her right shoulder, clutching a book in her chest. "Suvi is already outside, so see you in a week?"

"Yeah."

"I'm not going to say take care, because you're still a criminal through my eyes but at least think about your cats, they need their mom." She said with cute giggles and waved her hand cutely before she went down and left me alone.

I twitch my lips to suppress the smile to break out but I failed miserably and I scrunched up my nose, sighing audibly before running downstairs.

"Suvi!" I called after Jeane hopped in and Suvi shut the door. "Take care of her for a week!"

"Yes boss!" Suvi salute before she run to the other side of the car and waved her hand. "Please take care, Lis."

"I will. You too." I said and shifted my gaze to the woman inside the car, she's not looking at me, but I still smiled and waved my hand at her, until the car disappear from my sight.

"Aw.. You're gonna miss her?" I heard the hint of teasing tone in Dahlia's voice but I ignored her and turn my heels as I walked to the diner.

"I can't believe that it will only take 13 hours for you to fall in love." She continued.

"Shut up." I hissed but she didn't stop from laughing and then Brian joined her. I sat in front of the table where a well served pancakes in front of me and a cup of warm chocolate drink are placed. She really knows how to cook, huh? And even if she keeps saying that I'm a criminal through her eyes, she still continue doing these kind of stuff.

"Where are the others?" I asked, chewing the mouthwatering pancake that Jeane made for me.

"Nashly said that she needs to take care of something and Jazmin will be with her, and so as Skyler, so you're going with me, Brian and the twin." Dahlia said as she took the seat across me.

"It's fine, but I was planning to leave the twin, so Suvi will have company to guard Jeane."

Dahlia paused from shoving the spoonful of rice in her mouth and she chuckled. "Lis, no one knows that she's in your possession, and why do you care so much for her? Do you like her?"

"What if I do? What will you do?" I asked challengingly, but instead of receiving a gasp from her which is I was expecting, I'd received a soft laugh from her.

"I'm not surprised at all, neither of us, right Brian?" She asked the guy who's busy devouring the pancakes, his mouth was full of it.

"Uhum." Brian hums, he couldn't speak as his mouth is full.

"But are you sure about that? Maybe you just feel sorry for her so you thought you like her." Dahlia continues but I shook my head in disagreement. "So you mean, you really like her, like LIKE romantically?" She emphasized the word Like and I nodded my head eagerly.

"Damn, she's in love." Brian said, tapping hard the table, which cause the silver wears to clutter. "Don't worry, I will ask the twin to stay here and be your girlfriend's bodyguards."

"She's not my girlfriend."

"Yet. But you're going there sooner or later." Dahlia teased.

"You think so?"

"I know so!" She exclaimed and wipe her mouth with the napkin from her lap. "Eat that food she made for you because we need to get going."

"I'll get the car ready." Brian drank his water before he stood and tapped my shoulder as he passes by behind me. "You better dispose all of your girlfriends if you really like her." He said before leaving the diner.

"He's right, want me to make a move?" Dahlia asked, she's already holding her phone and ready to make a call.

"You're not going to kill anyone, I'll talk to them when we get back here." I chuckled and continue to eat my pancakes. She laughed and shove back her phone in her pocket before she leaves.

After finishing the pancakes, I noticed a piece of paper under the glass of warm chocolate drink. I lifted it up to see the note and I snort a laugh upon reading what's written on it.

"Don't be too overwhelmed, I was just doing what I need to do because I'm in debt."

"Dumbass." I mumbled as I folded the note and slid it in my pocket before I stood up. I walked out of the diner and look for my babies. I saw them busy eating at the corner, each of them have their own bowl of cat food. I guess, Jeane feed them after she made those delecious pancakes.

"Are you ready?" Dahlia asked from the main door.

"Yeah, did you get my suitcase upstairs?"

"Brian did, now bid your goodbye to your babies and we have to go now."

I nodded at her and pad to where my babies at, I bend over to pick up Leo and he whines for disturbing him from eating. I kissed the top of his head and put him down, I did the same to other four cats before I exited my house.

Brian started the engine after Dahlia closed the door on my side and she sat in the front seat. As we are hitting the road while talking about business, I suddenly remember that I didn't have Jeane's number. I immediately dialed Suvi's number and with just one ring, she picked it up.

"Yes?"

"Suvi, can you ask for Jeane's number?"

"She's already in school, but don't worry. I'll ask her later and will send it to you."

"Thanks, by the way, Tim and Tom will stay here and they will be Jeane's bodyguards for the meantime."

"And I guess, I'll be her driver?"

"Unless you don't want to, I'll ask someone to do that and I will ask Jazmin to kill you because you're a useless prick." I threatens but I earn a loud chuckles from the other line.

"I wasn't even complaining, moron." She snarled before she hanged up and I was left astounded.

"She hang up on me." I said in disbelief while staring at my phone screen.

"You deserve it from threatening her life." Dahlia laugh, along with Brian.

"She'll receive a good beating when I come back." I grumbled.

"Poor Suvi." Brian shook his head but still laughing.

___

We arrived at the airport at exactly 8 AM. My personal pilot bow his head upon seeing me and he asked his co-pilot to bring our stuff inside my private plane. My family has two private jet, one is for my business and the other one is for family outing.

The one that I'm using is a Gulfstream G650ER, it isn't the most expensive jet plane but it has a range of more than 7,500 miles, meaning it can complete flights across the Pacific Ocean. Inside are packed with rich leather, fine wood veneers, and stylish stonework. And the entire custom cabin can be controlled using a smartphone app.

There's no doubt that I am really a billionaire, I can buy whatever I want, I can do what I want, I can go whenever I want. But everything feels so unfulfilling. I don't need money, I don't want anything but my cats, I don't want power over anything, I just want to stay inside my house and play with my cats all day.

But since I don't have any choice but to continue my father's business, I only have time playing with them after a long day of my exhausting job as the boss of these bunch of men, killing and doing evil things for the sake of our names.

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"How many hours left till we land?"

"2 hours." Dahlia replied without giving me a single glance and her eyes are fixed at the laptop in front of her, Brian eating something in his chair, minding his own business.

"Can you please tell the pilot to go faster?"

Dahlia pursed her lips and sit straight before she tear her gaze away from the laptop to look at me. "Lis, just take a nap and you won't notice the time."

"But I'm not sleepy."

"Can't you see? I'm busy doing the job that supposedly yours! I've been answering your question for the past three hours! Give me some break!" She snapped.

She stood up abruptly and went to the cabin, Brian look at me but when he met my eyes, he immediately turned around and pretend asleep. "Asshole." I grumble and throw him the pen on the table, I hit him right in his nape but he didn't react to that and continued his act. He was just eating awhile ago!

I released a lungful sigh as I sank further into my chair and looked outside the window. "I hate this feeling." I mumble to myself.

"Stop it, Lis. You're creeping out Brian, he's not used to see you like that." Dahlia said as she sat back next to me, she put down one glass of vodka in front of me.

"Am I?"

"Yes. You know that they are used to see you a self-centered person, you lack of empathy, though you are not raised in that way, but you are desensitized to violence because of your past. Then Brian will see you like that—."

"Like what?" I pressed.

"Like that." She motioned her finger around my face.

I twitches my lips and lean my head on the window, releasing a lungful sigh for the umpteenth times. I know that in the short period of time, I already showed the other side of me, which is being so damn worried to the girl that I got to know yesterday.

"Is it wrong?" I asked silently but enough for Dahlia to hear.

"No, don't get me wrong Lis." She said calmly and put her arm around my shoulder and pull me closer to her. "I like your childish side, but I'm worried on how you get attached to Jeane in just a day."

"Are you jealous?" I asked playfully, earning a loud smack in my head but instead of getting mad, I laughed loudly.

"If you flirt detective Parry, then I'm the one who will beat the hell out of you." She threatens.

She shook her head before facing the laptop and continued what she was doing earlier before I nauseated her and she had to scold me to shut me up. I decided to take a nap so I won't have to be impatient in our slow flight and just wait until we get arrive.

_____

A shrug on my shoulder awakened me and when I shot my eyes open, I saw Dahlia looking at me worriedly, Brian who's also standing in front of me, holding a glass of water, staring at me as if he had seen the worst in me for the first time.

"Here, drink this." Brian handed me the glass and I immediately emptied it, I have never find the water taste so good until now.

It wasn't just the same nightmare, this time, Jeane was there and as much as possible, I want to rebuke that because I know to myself that it will never gonna happen, but it feels real.

"You ok?" Dahlia asked.

"Y-Yeah." I stutter and clutch my chest.

"Sorry if I forced you to take a nap."

"Nah.. don't worry, I am used to it." I lied and show my smile in return. "Did we arrived?" I asked to divert our topic.

"We're about to land, buckle your seatbelt." Dahlia said while putting everything inside her bag and Brian sat down across me, still staring at me worriedly.

The plane landed safely to the airport and there are more than 50 men waiting for me to come out, 10 black SUV and 1 limousine came to pick me up. It's normal for me to see something like this since the day Daddy Lucio decided to bring me in his business trip. Until I am the one who's being fetch and have this kind of security.

As soon as I came out of the plane, my men bend their body to greet me, but I wasn't even looking at them as my eyes fixed on my phone, waiting for Suvi to call me.

"Just wait for her call inside the car." Dahlia said to get my attention and she stopped in front of a guy whose body bend over in 90 degrees. "How's the business here?"

"I'll discuss it later, but for now, let's get inside the car. It's not safe for Boss to stay outside." Harvey, the one who control my business here in East coast, said.

He's the son of my dad's friend, one of his trusted friend, he's smart when it comes to business. Too smart to take over what's in my possession but he never did. He never tried to climb the ladder of the mob ranks. He was contented in his position, and that is one of many of his traits I like about him.

"Sorry if I had to call you here." Harvey said after all of us went inside the limo.

"No worries, the boss wants to check the business here anyway." Dahlia said and I looked at her in —when did I said that— look, but she just shoot me warning look to shut me up.

"So here's the situation, there's a new casino built around the corner from where the Dragon D located, and they are trying to take all of our players, with of course, dirty tactics, such as defamation, creating trouble inside our casino and a lot more."

"Have you ever tried talking their boss about this?" Brian asked while removing the cork of the champagne using the corkscrew.

"Yes, but they deny that it was their doings, but one of the troublemaker we got caught said that he's working for a mafia boss that named Ms. T."

"Do you have any idea who is this ms. T?" Dahlia asked curiously, but her eyes at me, as if she's telling me silently to talk because I am the boss. But I am waiting for Suvi's call! I don't want to speak until I didn't get Jeane's number and know that she's fine.

"Based on my private source, she's the new boss of that Mob." Harvey said and this time, he really caught my attention. I slowly turn my head on my side and I met Harvey's eyes. "You think what I'm thinking?"

"Are you waiting for Suvi's call as well?" I asked which make his eyebrows furrowed. Brian got choked in his champagne and Dahlia slapped my lap for that question.

"Lissie!"

"What? He asked if we have the same thought." I whines while rubbing the part where Dahlia hit me.

"Why are you waiting for Suvi's call anyway?" Harvey asked.

"I just want to know if they're fine." I lied but only to earn ludicrous look from him.

"That is so not you, Lis." He made an annoying snort laugh and shook his head. I was about to banter back but my phone rings and I have never answer the call so quick with just one ring in my entire life until now.

"Hello, Suv?" I said as I held my index finger in the air to tell them that I want silence.

"Boss we got a problem here."

"If it's about my business, let Nashly take care of it, but if it's about Jeane, just make sure that you are ready to die because I'm going to put 20 bullets inside your head." I warns and I heard how she gasped exaggeratedly on the other line.

"Good news! There are no problems at all! Have a great day boss!"

"If you hang up this call once again, you are dead." I threatens again, Dahlia shook her head but smiling at my silly antics.

"C'mon, Lis! I'm your friend! Why do you have to be so cruel to me?!"

"Just tell me what happen?" I asked impatiently.

"So here's the problem, I asked Tim and Tom to wait for Jeane until her class ended, but they never saw her came out. I asked her blockmate and they said she's already left for her part time job and we don't have any idea where the f**k is she."

I took a deep breath and exhales, trying to calm myself not to snap at her. Brian handed me a glass of champagne and I took a big gulped before sighing again. "Ask mr. Keeve." I said after.

"We did, but he said he didn't know, I even asked for his daughter's number but he don't have it."

"Just kill that useless old guy!" I snapped and the three people with me inside the limo got startled, even the driver who panicked and the limo swayed. "Go ask the men to look for her! I need an update after an hour!"

"Yes boss!"

"Oh wait, don't kill mr. Keeve. I was just kidding about that." I said and ended the call. I saw how Dahlia and Brian looked at me dumbfounded while Harvey was laughing out loud.

"You've got to be f*****g kidding me, Lissie Daemon!" Dahlia exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air.

"So where are we?" I ignored her and pretend that I'm interested on what is happening with the business that my dad left for me to handle.

"So our rival mob are making a scene to ruin us, and I called you here because that woman was not taking me seriously and I need you to deal with her." Harvey explained.

"Who's woman?" I asked.

"Ms. T."

"T— what?"

"I don't know, she never showed herself and just let her men to deal with us."

"Ok then, ask the driver to send me there and I'll deal with her on my own." I said and Brian looked behind him to talk to the driver. The car took a U turn along with the 10 SUV behind.

Harvey pulled out a bag underneath him and when he zipped it open, I blow a whistle. "We're not going to kill anyone, we don't need those guns."

"Just in case and for protection only." Harvey insists as he slid one gun behind his back and he gave a gun to Brian and Dahlia each, which they immediately put behind them. "You need this."

"I don't." I said and pushed away the gun that he's handing to me.

"Ok fine, but if something bad happen, I want you to run behind us."

"Relax, I just want to ask her why she's making a mess in my territory, that's all." I assured him, but he's not convinced enough to put the gun back in the bag.

"Who is this Jeane anyway?" He asked, adverting the topic into someone else.

"Oh well, some woman who became the compensation—."

"My girlfriend." I said to cut off Dahlia and they looked at me simultaneously, though they are not that surprised, but it's still uncommon for me to claim a girl, especially if that girl is no way near in my status in life.

"Wow." Harvey said almost a whisper.

"Yeah, wow." Dahlia agreed to him while laughing dryly.

The car stopped in front of a tall building, and my men formed in line outside the door. Harvey was first one who climbed out, followed with Dahlia and Brian, then me.

"She's here?" I asked while studying the building and when my gaze landed into the big sign that attached at the top of the building, says 'Saavedra Corps.'

I can't be wrong, this is the Mob that I was trying to avoid since Daddy Lucio passed the business to me. The family name of the kid that made me suffer so much. And then a realization hit me hard.

"Fuck." I mumbled when my gaze dropped down and I saw the woman standing at the entrance of the building, her men standing around her.

The face of the demon who made my life miserable.