Once, my paranoid love

Derek’s response was quick and stern. “Elena, you can continue your study from home. You do not need to go there; now, hurry up and come. I’m starving.”

He said no to me.

With those words, he left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. As I pressed my lips lightly, I couldn’t help but contemplate the mixed emotions that had stirred within me.

‘Ron is also a student at the same university. He failed the previous time, but if he tries to harm Elena again, then what?’ Derek thought as he walked downstairs.

**

Ron sat at the breakfast table, leisurely eating his morning meal when his father, William, suddenly made his presence known in the room. Startled, Ron looked up from his plate, a mouthful of food causing him to speak through his bite, “Dad.”

With a warm smile, his father returned the greeting, “Good morning, son.”

But Ron’s focus was quickly diverted as he noticed someone standing behind his father. A sense of surprise and curiosity washed over him as he recognized the woman in question. It was Mrs. D’Souza who stood there with an air of tension about her.Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

Ron couldn’t contain his confusion any longer, and he addressed Mrs. D’Souza directly, “What’s going on, Dad?”

As they sat around the breakfast table, William and Anne exchanged knowing glances.

“Ron, sit down and relax. I will tell you everything,” William began, his tone carrying a sense of gravity.

Anne seemed eager to engage in conversation as well. She inquired about Ron’s well-being with a hint of concern in her voice, “How are you doing, Ron?”

Ron, though caught off guard by the sudden presence of these adults, offered a polite reply, “I’m okay.”

Anne seemed to have heard something about a recent altercation between Ron and Paul, and she didn’t shy away from addressing it, “I heard you and Paul got into a fight.”

Ron, displaying a hint of cynicism, assumed that Paul had sent his mother to investigate. He turned to William, raising an eyebrow, “So Paul sent you here to figure things out?”

William’s patience waned as he reprimanded his son, “What is this, Ron? She is the mother of one of your friends.”

But Ron was unwavering. With resolve, he stated, “Dad, he used to be my friend, but not anymore.”

As the tension hung in the air, Ron’s curiosity got the best of him, and he couldn’t resist asking, “How do you guys know each other anyway?”

**

I quickly changed into a more suitable outfit, determined to join Derek for breakfast. As I descended the stairs, I noticed a man approaching Derek, their conversation hushed and discreet. I strained to hear, catching only the word “shift” from Derek’s lips.

Shift whom? What exactly are they talking about? I pondered as I observed Derek’s discreet conversation with the man. The word “shift” kept ringing in my mind, leaving me with an unsettling sense of curiosity and worry. However, when I turned my gaze back to Derek, he appeared perfectly composed, calmly continuing his breakfast. I longed to inquire about Paul, to unravel the mysteries of the previous night, but apprehension held me back.

Derek’s sudden comment snapped me out of my thoughts. “You’re not eating, Elena,” he observed, his voice cutting through the mental haze that had clouded my focus.

I blinked, realizing I had been absentmindedly pushing the food around my plate without actually consuming any of it. The apprehension, uncertainty, and lingering questions had all conspired to steal my appetite. My eyes met Derek’s, and I felt a wave of unease. He had observed my distraction, and I couldn’t hide it any longer.

I forced a faint smile and picked up my fork, intending to take a bite. “I’m sorry, Mr. Derek,” I mumbled, my voice wavering slightly. The words felt stuck in my throat as my anxiety loomed.

Derek thought to himself, ‘You can’t be free with me, I know. Paul is still bothering you.’

“Come here. I’ll feed you,” Derek proposed with warmth in his voice. He was always there, trying to care for me, to show his affection in ways big and small.

My immediate response was to decline his offer, not wanting to feel overly dependent on him. “No,” I replied, “I can eat, Derek.” I didn’t want to let my struggles define me, but it was hard to turn down his kind gestures.

A playful smile graced Derek’s lips as he teasingly remarked, “You talk too much, Elena.” His genuine, playful demeanor was a welcome sight, and it was easy to find comfort in his presence.

I couldn’t help but smile back, genuinely curious about his perspective. “Am I really talkative?” I inquired.

Derek’s chuckle filled the room, and his eyes sparkled with a warmth that was hard to resist. “Yes, you are really talkative,” he confirmed, emphasizing the endearment in his own way.

As we shared this light-hearted exchange, my thoughts were divided. While I was sitting at this dining table, a feeling nagged at me that someone else might be in need of my assistance.

“Your hand is injured, yet you still want to feed me,” I observed, his eyes never leaving mine. I had begun slicing the steak for him, determined to reciprocate the care and kindness he had shown me.

In response to his comment, I looked into his eyes and offered a quiet but meaningful response, “Elena, I wish to look after you at all times. To me, this hurt is nothing.”

As Derek’s fingers gently grazed my cheek, a warm smile lit up his face. Our connection deepened as I met his eyes, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink to just the two of us. But as I glanced at the food before us, a sudden thought of Paul’s well-being crossed my mind. Had he eaten anything? My heart was divided between the conflicting emotions tied to my past and my present.

Unexpectedly, Derek spoke, interrupting my thoughts. “Let’s go with me, Elena,” he suggested, his eyes carrying a sense of purpose and determination.

A wave of surprise washed over me, and I questioned, “What would I do there? It would be better if I stayed at home.” I couldn’t fathom the idea of being at his office, unsure of how I would fit into his professional world.