Once, my paranoid love

In that moment, I couldn’t help but think of Paul, the man who had once held a special place in my heart. His memory lingered like a shadow, a constant reminder of a love that had once been. I couldn’t easily let go of the past, and I couldn’t let anyone take Paul’s place, not even Mr. Derek, who had become an unexpected presence in my life.

Derek’s touch on my hair, however, surprised me. He didn’t withdraw or react with frustration, as I had expected. Instead, his fingers caressed my hair gently, as if he were trying to soothe away the tension that had filled the room.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as his touch sent a confusing mix of emotions through me. His actions were at odds with the rejection I had initially shown, leaving me both bewildered and conflicted.

“I… I’m sorry,” I repeated, my voice trembling as I tried to make sense of the situation. “I didn’t mean to…”

Before I could finish my sentence, Mr. Derek spoke, his voice calm and measured, “Do you know where I saw you first?”

His unexpected question caught me off guard, and I blinked in surprise. It was a diversion from the tension that had filled the room just moments ago, and I welcomed the respite it offered.

“No,” I replied with a hesitant shake of my head. I had no idea where he might have first laid eyes on me, and his question piqued my curiosity.

He continued to caress my hair gently, the touch oddly comforting despite the turmoil of emotions swirling within me. “With your friends,” he said his tone soft and reflective.

The revelation about where Derek had first seen me left me baffled. “Friends? Where?” I asked, trying to piece together the fragments of our initial encounter.

“In a car,” he replied with a smile, his eyes reflecting the distant memory. I furrowed my brows in confusion, struggling to recall any such moment involving a car.

He continued, his smile growing wider. “And then that night when you asked me to help you, and now you’re my wife.” His words carried a mixture of warmth and amusement, as if he were reminiscing about a cherished story.

“Elena, do you recognize me now? Are you able to recall what we did that night?” He asked, his gaze fixed on me, searching for some sign of recognition.

I raised my brows, feeling a pang of frustration at my inability to connect the dots. “No…” I admitted, my voice tinged with disappointment. “Actually, that night I was drugged, so I can’t remember anything.”

The revelation hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the shadows that had concealed my past. I had been grappling with the mysterious circumstances surrounding that night for years, and it had left me with a sense of unease that I couldn’t shake.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

“Lucy told me you are Derek,” I began hesitantly, my voice wavering as I continued. “But, when I first saw you, I had the feeling that I had seen you somewhere but couldn’t remember where.”

“Mr. Derek, what did we do that night?” I asked, my eyes fixed on him with an intensity that betrayed my eagerness for answers. I needed to clear my mind about that night and lay to rest the haunting doubts that had plagued me.

He met my gaze, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he chuckled softly. “I’ll let you know later,” he replied, his tone playful. “I don’t want my princess to be bashful.”

His response left me both relieved and intrigued. Relief because it meant that my worst fears had not come true; I hadn’t shared a bed with him that night.

“So, did I do anything wrong?” I asked with a hint of worry, fearing that I might have behaved inappropriately during a night I couldn’t even remember.

He chuckled again, his laughter warm and reassuring. “No, you didn’t do anything wrong,” he reassured me, his eyes conveying a genuine fondness. “You were just… a bit daring.”

I couldn’t help but blush at his words, the uncertainty of that night mingling with a sense of curiosity. What had prompted me to be daring? What had driven me to seek his help?

“But I’m curious as to how a girl can marry an unknown guy,” he mused, his expression thoughtful. It was a question that had undoubtedly crossed my mind as well, and one that I had grappled with since the moment we had entered into this unconventional marriage.

I sighed, the weight of our unique situation pressing down on me. “It wasn’t by choice,” I confessed, my voice tinged with resignation. “I didn’t have much say in the matter.”

Mr. Derek’s brow furrowed as he considered my words. “I see,” he said, his tone filled with empathy. “It must have been difficult for you.”

As the weight of our unconventional marriage settled between us, I couldn’t help but voice my frustration. “So, what should I do? You didn’t give me an option, and I wanted to get out of there,” I expressed, my displeasure evident in my tone.

Mr. Derek, seemingly unfazed by my frustration, calmly replied, “Didn’t you see my name?”

I furrowed my brows, puzzled by his response. “No,” I admitted with a shake of my head. His name hadn’t registered with me on that fateful night, and I had been too overwhelmed by the circumstances to notice.

He offered me a light smile, as if he understood my confusion. “It’s Derek,” he said, his tone gentle. “Derek Huston.”

The name hung in the air between us, a piece of the puzzle that had been missing. It was a small revelation, but it offered a sense of clarity amidst the uncertainty that had surrounded our marriage.

“Tell me about your family,” I asked, seeking to divert the conversation away from the uncomfortable subject of our unconventional marriage.

Mr. Derek’s demeanor shifted, his expression growing more guarded. “How come your father and brother aren’t here?” I inquired-a question that had been lingering in the back of my mind since our marriage had been arranged.