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CHAPTER THIRTY
Last Updated:
2025-02-12 21:59:57
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Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
MEL POVThe gasp of shock from Mama Agness scares me more than Dante’s words.“Me?” I look up from Nick’s shivering body to Dante’s smiling face. “It’s meant for me?”“So, it says.” Dante answers. “Let me just say this, welcome to the Mafia life.” He winks at me.“Don’t be ridiculous.” Rio snatches the paper from him, a frown creasing his forehead as he reads through its contents. “Well, I’ll be damned.” He murmurs.“Rio…” I whisper, but he doesn’t look at me.“Is someone going to read what it says out?” Reign asks.Rio hands him the open letter and slumps on a nearby sofa.“‘It wasn’t meant to be like this.’” Reign reads aloud. “‘You should have stayed away.’” He looks up from the paper. “This does not necessary mean it’s for her. It could be for anyone.”“You really should consider getting those glasses, Dad.” Dante baits him, taking a seat next to Rio.“Is this the time for jokes, Dante?” Mama Agness scolds him.“He clearly can’t see without it.” He returns.“Read the bottom left,
Last Updated : 2025-02-20Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
RIO POVI watch as Mel runs to the elevator as if being chased by something or someone, and I can’t help but feel like she knows a lot more than she is letting off.“My precious.” Dante mimics the endearment on the letter. “Sounds so cliche and just… wrong.”I turn my attention to him. “Why?”“I would have assumed this was the work was one of your many jilted and heartbroken ladies, but that my precious is throwing me off that idea.”“Heartbroken ladies?” I repeat.“Cmon. We all saw the way that pretty doctor behaved when she noticed Mel was your wife. Bitch wanted to pluck her eyes out.”“Ignore him.” Father says, with his expression bleak. “What are we going to do about this, Rio?”“Nothing.” The word echoes in the room as they both stay still, staring at me.“No-nothing! You are going to do nothing!” Father yells. “Your wife was just threatened and you are going to do nothing?”“I’m going with Dante on this, Father.” I respond calmly. “I’m sure this was just a silly prank meant to
Last Updated : 2025-03-04Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
MEL POV“I didn’t realize how much I would miss Nonna’s nagging in the morning.” Dante whines. “I have gotten so used to her voice that this feels different, doesn’t it, Mel?”“Huh?” I murmur, startled by the fact that he called my name, instead of something annoying.“It’s weird not having Nonna for breakfast, right?”“Yes, it is.” I say shyly and shift in my seat.He was right, but Nonna being away isn’t the only weird thing about this morning.Mr. Reign has been sending me little sorrow filled glances since I joined them for breakfast, and Dante has been acting… nice.As for Rio, he is missing in action as usual. I haven’t seen him since I woke up. At least one thing was normal.“The hospital called earlier.” Reign announces, not looking up from his plate. “Nick is doing fine. He is even wanting to come home today. But Agness insists he stays a day more.”“He must be pissed.” I grin, imagining how frustrated Nick must be feeling now. “Maybe I could drop by and see them. I even pic
Last Updated : 2025-03-04Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
MEL POV“Nia.” Nick calls out happily. “You came to see me.”“Nicky boy.” Nia walks to the bed, but turns the opposite side, facing me.I haven’t seen her since the first time we met in the garden, that I even began to think she had been a fidget of my imagination.“Heard you got your first gunshot wound.” She said and Nick nodded like a child, lifting his shirt to show her his wound. “Told you were a little pussy. That little thing landed you in the hospital? Couldn’t you just walk it off?”“It was Nonna’s idea.” Nick’s face drops into a sulk. “I am actually fine.”“Well, you wouldn’t be injured, if not for little Mrs. Rafe over here?” She glares at me.I feel irritated at her tone, but she was right. Nick is in here because of me.“She didn’t do anything.” Nick speaks up in my defense when I remain silent.“Yes, expect show up where she isn’t wanted.” Nia accuses me. “And now you are nursing a bullet wound meant for her. Or am I wrong about the death threat hanging on your head, M
Last Updated : 2025-03-06Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER THIRTY- FIVE
MEL POV“Mel!” Mama Agness walks into the room. Nick and I stand up to greet her. “And you, young man, back in your bed.” She turns to me and immediately envelops me in a warm hug. “Oh, my darling. You look so tired. I was thinking of you all night.”“Nonna.” I hug her tight, holding onto the comfort she gives me, as I feel the tension leaving my body. “I missed you, Nonna.” I breathe in her scent.“Have you eaten? Those monsters didn’t feed you right?” She pulls back, turns me around to check my body.“I’m fine Nonna.” I laugh. “How are you? How did you sleep?”“Good enough for a hospital. Drop that phone, young man.” She scolds Nick. “You spend too much time on your screen and it has affected your eye. That’s why you couldn’t see the bullet coming your way.”“Nonna! That’s not fair.” Nick pouts. “Besides, you know I don’t like looking at the TV. If I was back in the estate, at least I will busy in the garden or working in the stables.”“Oh, don’t you even think about it.” She pulls
Last Updated : 2025-03-07Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
RIO POVI pull into the company’s parking lot, and I am greeted by my father’s secretary who immediately appeared at my door.“Good morning Mr. Rio. I am sorry to disturb you, this early.” She says. “I called your father but he said he wasn’t coming in today.”“That’s all right, Andrea. I was already on my way here.” We walk through the entrance together. “So, the French police are here already?”“Yes, sir.” She answers. “Mr. Temple is here too. He refused to speak to any of the board members, so I cajoled him into agreeing to meet with you instead of your father. I should warn you that he is now insisting on the arrest of Mr. Jim.”“Is he?” I ask, smiling. I had earlier informed Signor Temple to come to the company very early this morning and cause a huge scene over his goods. Sensing the tension in Andrea, he might have taken the order a little too serious.“Where is Mr. Temples now?” We get in the elevator.“In your office.” She winces as if she expected me to complain.“That’s fi
Last Updated : 2025-03-09Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
RIO POVSecurity footage?There isn’t supposed to be a security footage. I had made certain of that.After concluding my meeting with Signor Temples, I had met up with some associates who would handle the planting of the drugs, and altering of the cameras to avoid any evidence or anyway of linking this back to me or anyone at all.“We all know that the security cameras in the loading docks were going to be altered,” Signor Andre says. “But our culprit forgot a little detail. The light house just across the dock. I was able to get this footage from them.”Shit. The damn light house. How could I have missed that?“Nice work, Mr. Andre.” I say, trying to conceal my annoyance. “I work hard for my money.” He answers. “It’s only natural I protect where it goes.” He presses play on the remote and the screen goes dark. In the next second, a man walks into the frame and heads to the already locked container, carrying a small bag with him. He unlocks the container, breaks the seal on the boxe
Last Updated : 2025-03-09Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER THIRTY- EIGHT
RIO POV.“The order came from the Anteri Cartel.” Antonio finally says.“What?” Andre shots to his feet instantly.“Anteri, you say? The same Anteri drug lords from France?” Blanc asks.“Yes, sir. It’s the same ones.” Antonio nods in response.The Anteri Cartel is a mafia group from France known mainly for being notorious hard drug pushers. Recently their Don was acquainted for a drug deal gone wrong and I have never had personal deals with them.So, why did Antonio pin this on them? What game is he playing here?“That is a lie.” Andre angrily points at Antonio. “You! You are a freaking liar. Liar!”“I’m not lying, sir.” Antonio insists and brings out a white envelope from his pocket. He hands it over to Detective Blanc. “This was left in my mail at home, after I agreed to do the job. It had the upfront payment of ten thousand Euros and a letter warning me to do a good job.”“This is the French group’s seal.” Leroy says, while examining the letter. “I have seen it enough times to kno
Last Updated : 2025-03-14
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Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER SIXTY- FIVE
RIO POVI walk Signor Leo to the elevator. “Have a good day sir.” I say when the doors open.“Thank you.” He answers, but holds my hands before I can turn away. “I know it is hard to believe, but I am serious. If you can just let me talk to her, I am even willingly to take a DNA test to prove.”I am still having a hard time believing what he had told me earlier in the office so I just nod. “Don’t worry, Signor. I will reach out to you.”“Thank you.” He finally let’s go of my hands and walks into the elevator. I remain rooted to the ground even after the doors close.‘I believe your wife is my daughter.’Those were the words that Leo Draco had said that had left me dumbfounded. His reason for thinking so were equally absurd. A striking resemblance to his lost lover. “The man’s old age must be getting to him.” I conclude.But he seemed so certain.I glance to the clock on the hall way. Its 2pm. Almost closing hours, I still haven’t the chance to reach Mel. She should be home by now tho
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR
MEL POV“So, my mother was cheating on her husband?”“I am not trying to justify her actions.” Sister Mary murmurs. “But she was young and naïve. First getting married for money and then falling for the first man who showed some kindness after years of abuse from her marriage. The world dealt her a hard blow.”“Still, she made her choice.” I recall Mrs. Park remarks. If this dumb Ava was my mother, then I am nothing like her. Not really.“Yes, she did.” Sister nods, solemnly. “Anyways after that day, she moved into one of the spare rooms in the church, waiting for the love of her life.”“He didn’t come back, did he? My real father?”“No. I had feared that was going to happen. That he had completely fooled her and taken advantage of her innocence. She would write letters to the address that he gave her but no response. Days turned into weeks turned into months but poor Ava still held faith that he will come for her. She held that faith even after she gave birth to you.” Sister Mary smi
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER SIXTY- THREE
SISTER MARY POVFLASH BACK.“Oh, my dear Sister Mary.” Ava runs to me after the end of service and hugs me. “I have missed you so much.”“I have missed you, dear Ava.” I hug her tight. “It’s been so long. You just vanished. I thought I would never see this pretty smile again.”“I am so sorry, sister. I have been… living.” She laughs.“I can see that. You are have grown but you look so vibrant just like the old Ava I know. It seems being married suits you well. Are you alone?” I look around for the usual pair of watchful eyes, but there was none. “You didn’t come with your husband today?”“No. He is away on a business trip. That is the reason I was able to come here today.”“I heard he wants you to focus on being a good house wife.”“No, sister.” Ava pulls me into my office and locks the door. “He is evil and wicked. He beats me for no reason at all and locks me up in my room for days. I can’t stand it anymore. Look,” She lifts up her sleeves to show scars on her arms, and all over her
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
MEL POV“What could they be talking about in there?” Angie murmurs, while putting her ear on the door’s peephole, so she could listen to the whispering happening outside the door.“Will you just relax?” I pull her away from the door. “At this rate, you will get us kicked out of here. You should be grateful that Sister Mary told us to wait for her in this office.”“It is called being polite. Nuns are trained to be that way.” She frowns. “But I don’t think Sister Martha attended those lessons. You see the way she just turned on us like we were evil spirit she was trying to cast away. She was all smiling faces and kisses and within a twinkle of the eye, she was so eager to make us leave.”“I noticed it too.” I nod. “And it was after she saw my name and Mrs. Park’s name on the computer.”“Exactly.” Angie yelps. “For a second, I thought she had seen the devil or something. I tell you, something fishy is going on in this place.”“Shh.” I reach over to cover her mouth. “I think they are comi
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
RIO POVAfter a round of drinks with some of the board members to celebrate my election into the CEO position, I am in great need of some peace and quiet. Drinking during the day is not really my strong suit.So, coming back to find Mr. Jim lurking around my office door is not a pleasing sight. I tiptoe to his back and whisper softly. “Are you looking for someone?”He jumps up like a scared cat. “Oh, Mr. Rio. You startled me.”“What are you doing?”“I wanted to have a word with you, but your secretary is not on seat. So, I was contemplating knocking to know if you were in.”“I am now.” I open the door and step back from him. “Please come in, and take a seat.”“Thank you.” He steps in and I follow him, closing the door behind me. “So which office are you going to occupy? Your father’s office or your mother’s old one?” He says, looking around my office.“I haven’t decided. Drink?” I ask, taking out a bottle of whiskey and a glass.“Sure. Your father’s office will be the better choice
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER SIXTY
MEL POV“You are awfully quiet.” Angie says, the car glides through the light traffic on the way back home.“I have nothing to say.”“I don’t blame you. After a kiss like that, gurl, I will be speechless too.”“It wasn’t like that.” My cheeks turn red as I remember how Rio had taken over the kiss.“Like what?” Angie asks“I was feeling emotional, okay. Mrs. Park was being…” I hesitate, not sure how to describe the things she had said.“I don’t get why you put up with that old witch. She has always been a nut case.” Angie frowns. “I’m sorry he is dead and all, but she and her son are the same. Always blaming others for their misfortunes.”“You can’t blame her though. She is a mother.”“Hmm, if that is what motherhood is. I don’t want it.” Angie snorts. “Thank God, she isn’t your real mother. Imagine having to grow to be just like her. That would have been a crime on its own.”The wretched woman who…” Mr. Park hadn’t finished the statement, but I know what she wanted to say. The wretch
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
RIO POVMel’s soft lips on mine is not something I would have ever imagined would happen today, but I am definitely not complaining.I know she is grieving and this wasn’t exactly the appropriate place, but as her tongue slips into my mouth, it didn’t really matter.I mold her body closer to mine and take the one thing I have been craving for, rolling my tongue with hers and swallowing her soft moans, wishing with all my might that we could somehow teleport to my room so I can take this a lot further.“Excuse me.”I have never wanted to kill someone so much, when Mel quickly pulls away due to the interruption. I turn around, ready to rain hell on the intruder.“What the … Oh, Angie.”“Sorry.” She is trying hard to hold in her laughter. “I didn’t know you guys were still here. I heard about your altercation with Mrs. Park and came to check on Mel. Are you alright, baby?” She rubs her hand on Mel’s back. “You shouldn’t have come. I wish I was there to give her a piece of my mind.” She s
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
MEL POVThe choir were already singing their lungs out, when I and Rio walked into the cramped chapel that has served this tiny community for years. A coffin was placed in front of the congregation with Jack’s picture in front.“Just stay quiet and try to blend in.” I whisper to Rio as we were led to sit in the back by an usher.“I don’t think that is possible.” Rio whispers back, pointing out the few eyes that were focused on us. “I can’t remember the last time I have been in a church.”“I do.” I answer absently, straining my eyes to see if I pick out the Parks in the front. “The day we got married.”“So, you still remember the day we got married?’”“Shut it.” I scold him as the priest walks onto the pulpit. “The service is starting.”“Dearly beloved,” The Priest starts. “We are gathered today on this Monday morning to support one of our very own. A pinnacle of strength in our chapel, Mrs. Park as she mourns the death of her child, Jack Park. A young promising life that was cut short
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER FIFTY- SEVEN
MEL POVRio drops Angie off at the café since she refused to stay at home by herself, and by the time we got home, it was almost dark. Immediately we walk through the door, Nonna wraps me in her warm embrace, while everyone else were seated in living room, watching.“I am so sorry for your loss, Senorita.” Nicks says, breaking the silence.I manage a faint smile. “I am going to lay down a little. My head hurts.” I murmur, pulling away from Nonna.“Of course.” She responds and holds me tighter. “I will take you up and get a soothing bath running for you.” “I think she can handle it by herself.” Rio pulls Nonna away from me.“I can.” I smile again, glad that he noticed. “Good night, everyone.”“Call, if you need anything.” Nonna yells after me.What I need is for hands of the clock to turn back to yesterday, but even Nonna can’t give me that.*******The next morning, Nonna walks into my room dressed in a long black dress, with a full tray in hand and another black dress in the other.
