Once, my paranoid love

Downstairs, everyone reveled in the party’s lively atmosphere. Laughter filled the air, and the room was abuzz with chatter, clinking glasses, and the rhythm of music.

Anne spotted Mr. Obin amid the crowd and decided to approach him. He had always appeared enigmatic, and she harbored a curiosity about the situation that compelled her to seek answers.

“Where is Mr. Houston, Mr. Obin?” She inquired when she reached his side, her voice laced with eagerness. The absence of Mr. Houston had not escaped her notice, and she considered this an opportune moment to meet him.

Mr. Obin maintained his composed demeanor as he replied, “He’s currently occupied. Can I assist you with something?” His voice was polite yet tinged with a hint of caution, suggesting that there might be more to the situation than met the eye.

Anne shook her head, offering a phony smile. “No, I simply wish to meet him,” she responded, her tone cordial. “After all, we’re all related now,” she added, her smile taking on a diplomatic edge.

Mr. Obin seemed to weigh her request briefly before agreeing, “Alright, let me contact him,” as he reached for his phone. His response bore an air of formality, as if he were orchestrating something behind the scenes.

Anne returned his warm smile, her mind racing with anticipation. This meeting offered her a chance to finally encounter Mr. Houston, the enigmatic figure at the center of the intrigue surrounding her.

She couldn’t help but wonder what secrets he held. With a sense of anticipation and a warm smile still on her lips, Anne thought to herself, ‘Let’s find out who this Mr. Houston is.’© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

A hushed murmur rippled through the crowd as Anne’s unexpected presence caught everyone’s attention. “Who is she?” whispered voices wondered aloud, their curiosity palpable. Speculation and conjecture filled the room. Could she possibly be Mr. Houston’s wife?

As Anne murmured the name “Elena,” she turned to catch a glimpse of the woman who had everyone’s attention. What she saw left her momentarily speechless. Elena’s appearance was nothing short of stunning, and she radiated an effortless elegance that captured the gaze of everyone in the room.

Obin and Derek, engaged in their own conversation, were suddenly interrupted by Obin’s announcement. “Boss, madam is here,” he informed Derek. Both men turned to see the entrance, curiosity piqued by the mention of “madam.”

When Derek’s eyes first fell upon Elena, he found himself unable to tear his gaze away. Her presence seemed to envelop him, and he was captivated by the sheer magnetism of her appearance. Time seemed to slow as he took in her beauty, a moment frozen in the passage of seconds.

Elena, fixing her gaze on Derek, felt a familiar warmth stir within her. She had a way of drawing his attention like no one else, and as he looked at her, his heart began to race. There was an undeniable chemistry between them, an unspoken connection that defied explanation.

The room buzzed with intrigue and speculation, but in that moment, all that mattered was the undeniable pull between Derek and Elena. Their eyes locked, and it was as if the world around them faded into the background.

**

My gaze remained fixed on Derek as I descended the grand staircase, the memory of our intense eye contact lingering in my mind. His eyes were still locked onto mine, and the connection felt almost suffocating, making me uncomfortable.

I couldn’t quite comprehend why he was staring at me in such a way. The intensity in his gaze held a mystery that eluded me, and I found myself unable to maintain the prolonged eye contact. Slowly, I shifted my gaze away from Derek, seeking respite from the intensity of his stare.

Lucy guided me downstairs as the party continued in full swing. The music, laughter, and conversations enveloped us, creating a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere.

Just as I was beginning to regain my composure and put some distance between myself and Derek’s intense gaze, he approached a little closer. My heart quickened, and my nerves jangled with uncertainty as he extended his hand towards me.

I was taken aback by the unexpected gesture, and for a moment, shock rendered me speechless. The room seemed to fade away, leaving only Derek and his outstretched hand in my field of vision.

Caught in the midst of this sudden and surprising moment, I realized that I had little choice but to reach out and hold his hand. The touch was electric, sending a jolt of anticipation through me. It was a connection, however fleeting, that left me both intrigued and apprehensive.

As our hands met, the room slowly began to return to focus, the sounds of the party creeping back into my awareness. Derek’s hand felt warm and firm in mine, and his eyes, though still intense, now held a glimmer of something more. It was as if he were trying to convey a message through the simple act of touching my hand.

**

As Derek stood before Elena, his heart raced with a mixture of longing and concern. He couldn’t bear the distance any longer; the yearning to connect with her overwhelmed his senses.

“I’m sorry, Elena, but I just can’t wait any longer to hold your hand,” Derek thought, his gaze unwavering as he looked at her with a depth of emotion he had never expressed before.

Elena, sensing the intensity of Derek’s desire, reached out and extended her hand. Her fingers quivered, betraying the anxiety that had taken hold of her. Her hand felt frigid in his warm grasp, and it trembled as if burdened by unspoken fears.

Derek, holding her hand firmly, looked into her eyes with a reassuring gaze. He felt the tremors coursing through her, and a quiet understanding passed between them. “Elena, don’t be afraid,” his inner self spoke out, his voice filled with sincerity and a promise of support. “I’m here to support you.”