Deadly Obsession - Chapter 15 (Patreon)

Charlie 

There are moments in my life, that I'm confused. I never understood why Romelo hates me so much. I didn't lie to him because I wanted to, I did it because I had to. I know why he dislikes women, but sometimes I feel as though he sees me differently. But he never ceases to prove me wrong. Yet in this moment, I almost feel as if he is

"Are you stuck?”

Romelo's voice comes from behind me. I immediately shake my head. Today was a rare day. A day that he isn't on edge. He’s calm, and in a good mood. He came home and asked me to read to him. So now, we’re in the library, me sitting at his feet while he brushes my hair out.

If someone were to come and see us in this moment, they would see a content couple, very much in love. But we are not in love. I continue reading the book, only pausing when I have trouble on a word. And when that moment comes, Romelo helps me.

It’s taking everything in me to stay awake. The way Romelo brushes my hair is so comforting and soothing, I never want it to end. It’s my little slice of heaven, moments like this. But I know it’s going to come to an end soon.

“Charlie.”

Romelo’s voice comes out harder this time. I involuntarily flinch from his tone. He lets out an irritated sigh, and gets up, walking across the room.

"I'm sorry," I murmur looking away. I just ruined the mood because I couldn't calm my thoughts.

"What's going on with you? You're distracted.” I look up and Romelo is leaning against the mantle, staring at me with narrowed eyes. I debate on actually telling him the truth. Sometimes it's a good thing to do because he would give me some kind of compromise. But other times it’s a horrible idea.

"I just.. I've been here for years, I just want to be able to experience life outside this house," I say.

Romelo’s made it very clear that I’m not allowed to see my father unless he is with me. He doesn’t want my father taking me somewhere public seeing as I’ve never seen the outside world with my own eyes.

"You don't need to experience life outside the house, Charlie. This is your life. And it always will be. You’d do well to get used to it." He turns to walk out of the room.

"But-" I start but immediately cut myself off.

What the hell am I thinking talking back to him?

Romelo hears me though, and he’s not happy. He makes his way to where I am seated and fear is pumping through my veins with each step he takes.

"But what?" he asks. But I know he doesn't really want to know the answer. He's challenging me.

"Nothing," I whisper, looking at the ground. I feel his fingers around my jaw squeezing hard as he brings my gaze back to his.

"Are you forgetting your place, Charlie?" he growls.

His eyes are burning a hole through my soul. He is not happy.

"Do I need to remind you, who you are?" he hisses. I vigorously try and shake my head no.

"No? But it seems like you have miraculously forgotten. Do you think that because you met your father, things are different? Do you think that because we are getting married, things are different? Things are the same today as they were three months ago Charlie. Nothing has changed." His hand travels down to the back of my neck and through my thick curls. He roughly squeezes, causing me to cry out in pain.

"Everything that is happening now, has absolutely nothing to do with any emotional attachment to you. This is business. Not personal. So you'd do well to remember your place." He squeezes even rougher, tilting my neck and leaning in so that he is inches from my ear.

"Don't fucking make me have to show you again." I shudder violently as a wave of fear grips my spine. My stomach coils and my blood runs cold. The last time Romelo showed me my place, it was not pretty. He broke my bones. And he let me suffer. I will never forget that pain, and that torture I suffered.

Tears I hadn't even realized were forming fall over, and I squeeze my eyes shut.

"I'm sorry, I won't forget again,” I whisper. Romelo doesn't move, doesn't make a sound. He lets go of my hair and pats me gently before walking out of the library, leaving me a shivering heap on the floor.

I spend the rest of the day avoiding him. I hear him walking throughout the house, so I know he's still here. I make my way to the sitting room, and plop down in my seat. I say my seat because it really is mine. Romelo came home one day, excited about something. I found out what when he came through the front door seconds later with a brand new chair. It was a purple cushioned chair, that was extremely comfortable. He told me it was for me to read in.

That's why I don’t understand him fully. Sometimes he acts as though he hates my very existence, but sometimes he does things that make me question his sanity. Why give someone a gift that you hate? And not just any gift, a gift that was thoroughly thought about and catered to the person on a personal level?

I hear a car in the driveway, and immediately perk up. Romelo told me nothing about having visitors. I stand from my seat, making my way to the front door to peek out the window. No sooner am I in the hallway does a pair of arms snag me roughly, and smash me into the wall.

I'm met with Romelo's cruel gaze.

"What are you doing?" he hisses. I shake my head vigorously, terror building up within me.

"Nothing,” I whisper hastily. He narrows his eyes at me.

"So we're back to lying now?" he growls.

"No…" I murmur, looking away unable to hold his gaze.

A knock sounds at the door, but I don't dare move. I don't dare speak. Romelo stands over me for a second longer, before walking away from me to the front door. He pulls it open, to reveal a woman. A woman who is blonde, with large breasts, and curves. Romelo's usual type.

She smiles widely at him as she steps into the house, and he greets her with a curt hello. I immediately turn away, heading for the stairs, to lock myself in my room. I know the rules. I know what happens if I don't follow them. I keep my feelings on lockdown and get out of sight as soon as possible.

* * * * *

I sit on my bed, looking out at the night sky. The large open window in my bedroom gives me the perfect view of the night sky. There were so many nights I was locked in that basement that I wished to be able to see the stars. Just once more. And now I have the pleasure of seeing it every night.

I can't help but wonder, what my purpose is here. Why am I here, with Romelo. Why does he keep me around? I know he hasn't been planning our marriage all these years. And yet, he keeps me around and finds small ways to make me happy.

Dread settles in the pit of my stomach as I hear that woman's loud moans echo throughout the house.

"Oh, Yes, Right there!" she screams.

I know Romelo. He was in a bad mood earlier. This is always how it starts out. Her screams of pleasure will eventually morph into screams of terror. And if she fought back, she would be just another distant memory. I stand, getting out of bed and heading into my closet. I know what's coming. Before I can even reach the closet, I hear it.

"Oh God, Help me! Someone, please!" She screams. I shiver as a chill sweeps its way through my body. I've been on the other end of that scream more times than I can count. But the difference between me and them was that he didn't kill me. So I have to live with the nightmares. I close the door behind me, hoping to block out the screams, and praying that she leave this property alive.

* * * * *

"Charlie." I jolt awake, looking over my shoulder, and swallow a scream. Romelo is standing in the doorway of my closet. He kneels down so that he is closer to my level. He tilts his head at me, a smirk playing onto his face.

"Sleeping on the floor when you have a perfectly good bed?" he asks. I can hear the playful tone in his voice, and it scares me. I don't dare tell him why I’m even in the closet in the first place. As he helps me off the floor, I look at his arms and face to see if there are any scratches left from that woman.

"Looking for something?" he asks. I immediately shake my head. I hear his chuckle as he takes my hand in his, leading me out of my bedroom. We make our way down the stairs, and I take note that the woman's car is gone as we pass the open window. I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders. She's alive. My victory is short-lived because Romelo leads me into the open ballroom. There's already music playing upon our arrival. I look at Romelo in confusion.

"What's this?" I ask. He looks down at me, smiling. Romelo has a beautiful smile. But since it’s so rare to see, it’s shocking and intimidating upon his face.

"I want you to dance with me," he says. He pulls me in close to his body, and we begin moving along the floor. In all the years, I have never once danced with Romelo. Yet, my body is moving on its own, following his lead.

I feel his arm lower, resting on the small of my back.

"Do you know why you're so good at this?" he asks.

"No." He looks down at me.

"You took ballroom as a child. Your parents were prepping you from a young age to be the daughter of a successful man."

"Hm." Romelo's body is flush against mine, and I can feel the heavy thump of his heart vibrating his chest. I almost laugh to myself. So he has a heart.

"Do you love me, Charlie?" I look up at him in confusion, but he's not looking at me. I look back down.

"No," I say. He lets out a scoff. Romelo's mood is strange. But he doesn't seem threatening in the moment. So I throw his question back at him.

"Do you love me, Romelo?" No sooner are the words out of my mouth, do we stop. We stop dancing. The music is still playing, but we're not moving. And even though I don't want to, I look up once again to see what expression could possibly be on his face.

But what I see there is confusion. Not blatant, but a slight tilt of his brow, as if he's thinking. His eyes shift to mine and he studies me, very intensely. He reaches out, and it takes everything in me not to flinch. He pushes my hair over my shoulder, and lightly touches my cheek. A small smile appears. It's just the slightest tilt of the corner of his cheek. He blinks. Then his face goes back to the emotionless, cold man that I'm used to.

His fingers drift to my collar, and he lightly traces it.

"No."

He turns away without another second, leaving the room.

* * * * *

"After years of searching, and wondering, never knowing, my daughter has finally been found." Loud applause echoes throughout the room, as flashes on cameras, go off. It’s overwhelming, but I try my best to keep a content smile on my face.

People from all walks of life showed up to this event. People of different age, color, height, and weight. It’s an amazing thing to see how different we all look. I’ve only ever been accustomed to Romelo. But now, I’m being exposed to more and more people and it’s fascinating to me.

"How is your daughter adjusting to her new life with her father?" Someone from the crowd shouts.

"Why don't we ask her that ourselves." My father smiles at me. I feel my heart rate rise immediately as fear coils in my stomach. I look for Romelo in the crowd, and he's standing at the forefront watching me with his level gaze. He gives me a slight nod of his head and I close my eyes making my way slowly to the podium that my father is standing at.

I take a deep breath before standing in front of all the people. It's silent except for the sound of flashing cameras and the occasional cough. I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. I look at Romelo, frightened. He motions with his hand deep breaths. I nod my head, licking my suddenly dry lips.

"It's... been surreal, meeting my father again after all this time," I say.

"Like a fairy tale,” I add. Some people in the crowd smile at me, while others stare at me in pity.

"How long have you known the senator was your father?"

"How did you feel when you found out the news about your mother?"

"What were your years of captivity like?"

"How did you escape?"

All the questions come at me at once, and I don't know what to do. So I look to my father for help. He immediately comes to the podium, saving me.

"At this time, Charlie cannot take any personal questions, as she is still adjusting to her new role in life. We thank you all for coming to this wonderful event, and hope that you enjoy the evening," he says hastily. And just like that, the crowd applauds and slowly disperses as people move to different corners of the room.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't know they were going to put you on the spot like that," he smiles at me apologetically.

"It's ok," I say. I feel Romelo the instant he's at my side. My father visibly grows uncomfortable. He clears his throat.

"I will leave you two to mingle, have a nice night," he smiles and heads into the crowd. I look at Romelo and he's looking at me with genuine concern.

"Are you ok?" he asks. I nod my head.

"Yeah, that was just a little more than I could handle," I mumble. He rubs my back soothingly, and surprisingly it feels nice. He takes my hand in his, bringing my knuckles to his lips.

"I'll be by your side all night," he says giving me a smooth smile. I nod my head, and he leans in my ear, whispering to me.

"Remember what we practiced Charlie. Don't make me regret my decision," he whispers. His tone sends a chill down my spine. I stare at him wide-eyed as he watches me, a light snicker leaving his lips.

"You look scared Charlie. Fix it," he says before grabbing my hand leading me into the crowd.

The night drags on. It's a terrifying experience. There are so many new people that want to tell me how happy they are that I’ve been found. If only they knew the man standing next to me still holds me captive.

Romelo stays glued to my side the whole night, and he's the perfect gentleman. And I do mean, perfect. He's kind and gentle, and even makes a few jokes every once in a while.

He constantly asks me how I'm doing giving me kisses on my cheek, or my hand. He keeps an arm around my waist or rubs my back in comforting circles, and sometimes I catch him staring at me as if he actually feels something for me. It’s a side of Romelo I have never seen. And quite honestly I had no idea it even existed. Now that I've seen it, I wish it did exist. I wish it would stay around forever.

It’s baffling to me that he pretends to be this way and that he’s so good at it. He even smiles at me. We're standing by the dessert table when Romelo spots Luca and Elise’s arrival. We make our way over to them, Romelo immediately greeting his Capo.

"Good to see you. I was beginning to think you wouldn't show." Romelo says. Luca rolls his eyes.

"We had to put Luciano down. He didn't want to sleep, and Elise feels bad about leaving him with Matteo when he's awake and crying," he explains. As he speaks I study him and Elise closely. Even though they’re only speaking to us, Luca keeps Elise to his side, rubbing his thumb over her exposed shoulder while his arm is around her. Even when she jokes and laughs, Luca makes sure to gaze in her direction just so he can catch her smile.

It’s beautiful, just watching them interact with each other. Luca didn’t just love her, he’s in love with her. I want that with Romelo. But I know it’s impossible.

"How have you been, Charlie?" I look up and Elise is smiling at me. Even now, Luca is still gazing at her.

"I'm good, thank you for asking," I respond. Her smile drops a little, and she steps out from under Luca, grabbing my hand.

"Come on, I saw some desserts over there that looked delicious and I would love to try them!" she says pulling me away from Romelo. My eyes widen in fear, but she keeps pulling me. I don't even look in Romelo's direction.

As soon as we reach the dessert table Elise grabs a cupcake and hands it to me.

"How are you really, Charlie?" she asks. Her bright brown eyes are glaring at me extracting the truth from me.

"I... I'm fine…, " I murmur looking away. An involuntary sniffle escapes my lips, and I realize I'm tearing up.

"Oh Charlie… Is it the party? Is it too much? Is it Romelo? Has he hurt you?" she asks. I shake my head.

"All of this and I don't even get to really go home. I'm still stuck with him. For the rest of my life. He doesn't love me, Elise. He's doing this for immunity, for the family." I look up and Elise is staring at me in confusion.

"Doing what?" she asks.

Fear surges through me as I realize my mistake. She doesn’t know about the marriage.

"Oh God, please Elise-"

"No, Charlie what are you talking about?" she asks.

"Romelo and I are engaged," I say not daring to drag this out any more than it needs to be.

"What?" she hisses.

"Since when?"

"Since my birthday," I whisper.

Elise looks across the room, and Luca immediately takes notice of the troubled look on her face. He and Romelo make their way over to us.

"Please, Elise. Don't say anything. Nothing can be done, nothing is going to change. It's what Romelo wants and I must do. So please… don't make my life any harder," I manage to whisper out right before Luca reaches us.

"What's wrong?" he asks, placing his arms around Elise in worry. She looks at him with wide eyes.

"Nothing, I just thought this icing was vanilla and it was cream cheese, it just caught me off guard is all," she laughs.

Luca looks at her for a moment longer, his gaze twisting into one of confusion, but Elise places a hand on his cheek.

"I'm fine Luca, stop worrying so much," she laughs. Before he can say anything else, my father’s voice comes over the microphone.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please?" The crowd grows silent, and all eyes turn to my father.

"As you all know of course my daughter has been safely found. I wish I could say that she was returning home to me, but she is actually already with someone else. Her fiancée, and soon-to-be husband, Romelo Vitello." Loud applause erupts across the room, filling the air.

Romelo takes my hand, pulling me in close to him.

"I would love to give them the honor of having their first dance, as an engaged couple in front of all of you," he says with a large smile. Fear clenches in my chest, but before I can protest, he clasps my hand tightly.

"I'm right here, Charlie." I gaze up at him, but I don't see a threatening gaze. I see comfort. He leads me out onto the dancefloor, and the music begins playing.

At this moment, it feels like it’s just Romelo and me. He stands over me with a smile on his lips and he actually looks happy.

"You look beautiful, tonight," he says. I feel myself blush. Romelo constantly tells me I’m beautiful, but I’m usually naked or in his bed. Now, we’re in public and he’s expressing his thoughts.

"Thank you," I say. Romelo spins me, keeping me close through the dance and I forget about everything. I forget my nerves, my mixed emotions, and I just focus on here and now.

Once the music ends, Romelo's gaze sweeps down to my lips, and before I know it, he leans in giving me a kiss. A soft and gentle kiss. I hear the crowd around us applauding, but I don't think about any of that. I think about the night. The perfect night, that Romelo pretended to be the perfect fiancée. Because I know once the night is over, Romelo will go back to who he really is.

* * * * *

I haven't cried about Romelo's treatment of me in a long long time. But as I lay on my side, naked and in pain, tears are leaking out of my eyes. Romelo's arms are wrapped around my body, keeping me close to him.

Once we arrived home, he reminded just of who he is. I feel fingers on my cheeks, rubbing my tears, and realize it's Romelo.

"You're crying," he says. I don't know if he's asking me or telling me. But his voice comes out cold and detached.

"I'm sorry,” I whisper. Romelo rolls me over so that I'm lying on my back and he's straddling me. The light from the moon is shining in the window, illuminating him perfectly.

"For what?"

I'm sure he expects me to apologize for crying, but I can't. And for once, for the first time in a long time, I break. I break all over again. I break like I did the day his dad forced himself on me, and I had no one to cry to about it. I break like I did the moment his mother snatched me out of my life and threw me into his. I break like I did the moment I realized Romelo hated me for lying about being a boy. I fucking break, underneath him, in his bed, while I'm naked and vulnerable.

I break.

"I'm sorry... for lying to you. I was trying to protect my family," I sniffle.

"I'm sorry that you hate me so much, I just… don't know what I did to deserve all of this anger and torture," I say. Romelo seems to be listening seeing as he hasn't slapped me yet, so I continue.

"I'm sorry that you can't kill me, but have to look at me every day with hate. I'm sorry! I'm sorry that I'm alive, I'm sorry that your mother kidnapped me, I'm sorry Romelo I'm sorry! I don't know what I have to do for you to… care about me. I'm so tired of being scared all the time, Romelo. I'm tired of being hurt constantly, I'm tired of having a collar around my th-"

I'm cut off as Romelo places a hand over my mouth. He gazes at me, for a long time. Then he leans in close to me, kissing the side of my jaw. Then he kisses my throat. He lets go of my mouth and presses light kisses on each corner of my mouth.

He places his hands on my stomach and travels down between my legs.

"If I genuinely hated you, Charlie. Do you think you'd still be alive?" He places a light kiss against my cheek, all the while rubbing me between my legs.

"I'm going to let you in on a little secret, Charlie." He lays his body flat atop mine, placing a leg between mine, and grabbing ahold of my jaw.

"I do love you." His hand travels from my jaw to my throat, where he gives a light squeeze.

"I don't touch any other woman the way I do you. I don't let any other woman sleep in my bed. I don't provide for any other woman. I don't clothe any other woman, I don't give any other woman my attention outside of a good fuck." He lightly sucks on my throat, earning a gasp from me.

"And I sure as hell have never made love to another woman. I may fuck them, but make love? Never. You're the only one that gets that treatment, Charlie."

He moves over, kissing me on the lips. Soft and gentle.

"Don't get it twisted. I do love you. I have only ever loved you. But my feelings for you go beyond love. You’re an obsession." He's over me so that I can see the cold depths of his eyes.

"So let's get this straight now." Suddenly, his hand tightens around my throat. I immediately reach up, trying to pry his hand, but it's no use. We both know it isn't.

"Tell me that bullshit again, and I will break your leg." He leans in, licking my cheek, and whispering in my ear. I can feel the smile on his face as if it's a part of me.

"Right after I crush your throat."