Twisted love, His deadly obsession

"The headline flashed on the screen like a scream in bold letters, no one will walked passed without taking a look at it.“Young Woman Found Dead, Boyfriend Suspected. investigation still ongoing.”

The article blinked with the photo of a smiling girl, gone too soon, Daniella’s finger paused over the screen before she sighed and scrolled past.

She’d had enough pain and bad news. Enough of stories that sounded too close to her own life, betrayal, heartbreak, endings that left scars no one could see.

From the window of her flat, Cape Town was a thriving metropolis. A local bar music floated up, mingled with the sound of cars and laughter. Daniella wanted, for once, to forget the friendly and inviting Friday night.

Her phone rang as she picked it up, slowly placing it around her ears.

Alex: Ready? I'm downstairs.

A tiny smile tugged at her lips. Alex was a man he found Three weeks ago, a man who entered her life after she had been living in silence. He was different from the others, calm, grounded, the kind of man who looked at her like he already knew her story and wasn’t afraid of it.

She picked up her purse, checked her mirror once more, and went downstairs.

She bent against his black SUV without hesitation, a vehicle way too obvious for a "former cop." His silver watch caught the light, and he was dressed in a well-fitting black shirt.

As she came closer, she heard a calm voice, deep and smooth "You look beautiful,"

With a low laugh, she brushed her flyaway hair behind her ear. "You always say that."

"Because it is always true."

They drove to the party together. The city lights shone across the car's windshield, painting his face in gold and shadow. Daniella found herself watching him as he drove on the highway, the way his fingers tapped the steering wheel, she could see the faint smile at the corner of his lips.

He observed her and decided to joke with her in a playful tone "You're staring," he replied without averting his gaze from the road.

She blushed with a deep smile on her face. "I wasn't."

"You were."

His voice had a softness that disarmed her. she moved to the window, smiling at herself as the car moved effortlessly.

The event had a lively vibe. As the music beat through the crowd, Daniella forgot about the outside world, the news, her loneliness, and her long-held fears, her unlucky chance when it comes to love.

Alex stayed by her side, one hand around her waist, protective but not possessive. People turned to stare when he laughed, and she couldn't blame them. His presence permeated the room without his conscious effort.

A dance was performed by them. As they sipped together, He kissed her in between their soft laughter and glasses of drinks in their hands. It had been years since Daniella had felt acknowledged, wanted, and protected.

By the time they left, it was quiet and dark outside. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and they walked quietly to the car. Unspoken but not uncomfortable. He slotted in a C-D plate with Elton John's song playing along, as they embark on their softer trip back.

Reaching the home, He stopped by her door. “Are you okay with me coming in”?

She nodded with her unstable heart.

“Yes, sure.”

The interior lights were dim. He followed her silently to the living room, as they moved slowly side by side to her bedroom. It seemed as if their meeting had been predetermined; it was natural and effortless.

Their laughter gave way to breathless murmurs and kisses. Daniella totally forgot about the outside world, the agony, the fear. There was nothing but his warmth, his hands stroking her skin as though he knew her by heart. He let out a whisper and kissed her neck, melting her completely.

He grabbed her stunning shirt off, to stop every distraction. Her skin was much soft and light for him as he pulled her close to himself, she couldn't resist it as she felt the warmth of his skin already. She could only close her eyes, biting her lips as it became too corny for her, as she groaned softly.

She opened her thigh wide making her fully accessible, his weight pressed on her as she felt relieved. She had missed this moment all her life.

Both of them were wrapped up in the covers, her head resting on his chest. His pulse was steady and powerful.

"“That was…” she began, smiling into his skin.

He looked at her, with her soft eyes . “Real.”

She nodded. “Yeah. Real.”

He smiled, brushing her hair aside. “I’ve missed this,” he said quietly.

“What? The s*x?” she teased.

He laughed, shaking his head. “No. The peace. The silence after.”

Daniella traced a finger over his chest. “You talk like someone who’s been through a lot.”

He paused and looked up at the ceiling. I might have. Maybe that's why I've discovered what I want.

She cocked her head. "And what is that?"

"You."

Her breath caught because she could not see the depth of danger and truth in his gaze, despite her heart pounding. Prior to her asking, his phone vibrated on the nightstand.

Fast, too fast, he grabbed it. a name flashed, Captain Hale, and she saw his face briefly lighted by the screen.

“Is that a call for Work?" she asked.

With a nod, Alex began to move from his bed. "Just a client. I will call him later.

She watched as he pulled his shirt on. There was something faint in the weak light on his wrist, a tiny scar that curved upward like a faded cut. It seemed ancient but deep.

Softly, she asked, "Where did you get that?"

He became quite for a very brief moment, then smiled as if nothing had occurred. An extended story. Afterward, I will let you know.

"Sleep," he whispered, bending to plant a kiss beneath her forehead. Let me lock myself up before I go.

Her eyes followed him as he turned away, yet she smiled back at him. His orderly, steady motions had a way of making her chest shake.

His voice echoed into the living room, low and clear, and she heard it. His tone of voice was the same as previously, but this time it was cold.

“No. No, not tonight. Don't call me again, I told you.”

Then, a little more softly, he spoke again. "When it's clean, you'll get your money back."

Her stomach felt a little twist. She sat up slowly and paid attention. The conversation was finished as fast as it had begun. The last thing she heard was the bang of the door.

For a long time, Daniella sat in the dark, staring at the shadows on her wall. The silence was too loud for her heartbeat, and the air now seemed heavy.

On the nightstand, she reached for her phone, but the headline from earlier was still open. She caught sight of the same girl's happy face.

“Boyfriend Suspected.”

Daniella locked her phone and lay back down, but sleep didn’t come easy.

As her eyes lost focus from her phone, she noticed something faint on the sheets near where Alex had rested his arm, an almost invisible stain, dark and small, soaking into the cloth.