Dark Romance: A Cruel Obsession

“It’s rare that he would contact you proactively.” The two stood not far from each other. Even in the dim light around them, Simpson could still clearly see Joseph’s name.

Alajos’s eyes darkened. Receiving a proactive call from Joseph meant that something in Los Angeles required Houston’s cooperation. It was an announcement, not a negotiation.

Whether it was Bryson or Joseph, in the current situation where Houston needed help from Los Angeles and was clearly at a disadvantage, both of them treated Houston as a vassal to Los Angeles, which made Alajos very unhappy.

But as a Capo, he needed to rely on the strength of Los Angeles to protect his followers and his territory. He couldn’t recklessly fall out with Bryson and his son.

“Joseph.” Alajos answered the phone in a low voice, carrying a hint of authority. “It’s rare to see you calling me proactively.”

“I didn’t mean to disturb, I just wanted to ask if my sister is doing well?” Joseph’s voice came through the phone, not bothering to hide his malicious intent, like a venomous snake hissing and spitting venom, his triangular eyes staring sharply at Alajos, attempting to pry out his weaknesses with words.

“What kind of answer do you need?” Alajos said, “I can satisfy you. But I believe your purpose isn’t really about caring whether your sister is doing well.”

“Of course not.” Joseph laughed, mentioning Vivian as casually as a street cat or dog, “She is already your woman. How to train her to be loyal to you, that’s your skill.”

Alajos’s expression soured. “Loyal? She is my wife!”

“Okay! Okay!” Joseph’s teasing tone was so annoying, “I’m here to tell you that I will arrive in Houston in two days to hold the engagement ceremony with your cousin Luzia.”

This day would come sooner or later, especially now that Los Angeles was sending more and more reinforcements to Houston. Bryson needed Joseph and Luzia’s engagement to recoup some losses.

“I understand. I will tell Luzia to get ready.”

“Very good, Alajos.” Joseph praised Alajos as if he was praising his subordinate, which was nothing short of an insult to Alajos.

Alajos felt a surge of anger rising within him. He slammed the phone down, and Joseph hadn’t even hung up yet.

“Damn it!”

Simpson frowned at the shattered phone. “Los Angeles’s recent actions are becoming more and more bold. Even marrying off Luzia won’t stop Bryson and his son’s ambitions.”

“We have no way out.” Alajos said, “Only Los Angeles can help Houston out of this predicament.”

“Maybe.” Simpson couldn’t think of a better solution. “But people from Los Angeles can move freely in Houston, and Bryson’s control here will only deepen. What if…”

“Stabilize Houston before Bryson crosses my bottom line. As long as our forces can develop, Los Angeles’ people will have to withdraw from Houston. Then we can cause trouble for Los Angeles…” Alajos took a deep breath. He felt a nerve on his forehead throbbing violently, causing him a headache.

Alajos took a gulp of brandy. Alcohol alleviated his headache. “You should go find your dance partner.”

Alajos patted Simpson on the shoulder. The lady with whom Simpson had just danced was waiting at the bar, holding a glass of tequila.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“Her lips look very skillful.” Simpson raised an eyebrow playfully. “I can imagine them wrapped around me.”

“Enjoy your night.” Alajos took his coat. “I’m going back.”

“You’re leaving? Now?” Simpson couldn’t believe it.

“Is that not allowed?”

“Will Vivian wait for you?” Seeing Alajos’s expression darken, Simpson quickly explained, “I mean, she might be asleep by now. She might not be able to help you with your needs. You should stay, Alajos.”

“Don’t tell me what I ‘should’ do, Simpson.” Alajos said angrily. Even if they were brothers, Simpson had no right to order him around.

“Of course, I know, I’m not trying to force you. You just seem very tense.” Simpson was a bit worried about his state. “You’re the Capo, if you’re too tense, your followers will be anxious too. How long has it been since you’ve satisfied your desires?”

“I will take care of my mood. Please, don’t mind me anymore.” Alajos growled. “Now, you should go and dance with your partner in the dance floor or go to bed in the room.”

Alajos left the club. The night wind raged through the empty streets, diluting the smell of alcohol on Alajos. Diego came to pick him up at the apartment.

As Alajos passed throughthe living room, he glanced at the clock. It was five in the morning.

At this time, Vivian would certainly be immersed in her dreams. Alajos didn’t want to wake her, avoiding having to face Vivian’s tear-filled eyes and foolish questions.

Alajos moved silently. His footsteps made almost no sound. But as he approached the edge of the bed, Vivian was awakened.

He noticed the dark circles under Vivian’s eyes and leaned in, concerned. “Are you having trouble sleeping?”

Vivian hadn’t been having trouble sleeping. On the contrary, she had been feeling constantly fatigued lately, dozing off inexplicably on the sofa. She would sleep until eleven in the morning and then need an hour’s nap in the afternoon.

But she was also easily startled, just like now.

“I haven’t… uh!” The pungent smell of alcohol wafted from Alajos, making Vivian retch, although nothing came out.

Alajos was puzzled. “What’s wrong with you?”

Vivian felt an unbearable surge of acid rising from her stomach. The intense nausea made her push Alajos away and rush into the bathroom, where her loud retching echoed quickly.

Alajos’s face darkened. He sniffed himself but didn’t smell strongly of alcohol.

Vivian’s reaction was too extreme, especially when Alajos tried to approach her with a glass of water, and she only retched more violently. He had to keep his distance from her.

“What’s wrong with you?” Alajos said, his face grim. “I don’t think the smell on me is so repulsive.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s happening.” Vivian’s intense retching didn’t make her feel any better. She slumped weakly against the cold tiles of the bathroom, not wanting to move. But Alajos was angry, and she had to give an explanation. “I think I might have eaten something bad.”

“Then you need to see a doctor,” Alajos said.

“No, let me just rest quietly for a while. It’s early in the morning.” Vivian declined. “Can you go and take a shower? You carry the scent of other women.”

Vivian paused, then added by way of explanation, “I mean the perfume of those women in the club doesn’t smell as good as yours. I should go to sleep now.”

Alajos looked at her in silence, his eyes dark. Vivian couldn’t discern his mood.

As long as Alajos didn’t move, Vivian didn’t dare to move either.

The two stood and sat like this, facing each other from opposite sides of the bathroom door.

In the end, it was Alajos who made the first move. He turned and fetched a change of clothes from the wardrobe, then left their bedroom.

The bedroom door opened and closed in the next second. The room suddenly felt less suffocating, and Vivian felt like she could breathe freely.

She breathed a heavy sigh of relief, exhausted, and crawled into bed, burying herself under the soft covers.