Dark Romance: A Cruel Obsession

“Is it really that delicious?” Although Shelley admitted that the chef’s spaghetti was delicious, it didn’t seem to be that delicious. “You have quite the appetite.”

Entering her fourth month of pregnancy, Vivian’s morning sickness had improved, and her appetite had increased. Combined with her favorite spaghetti Bolognese, Vivian couldn’t help herself. After finishing, she realized she had eaten too much.

Vivian awkwardly put down her fork. She couldn’t tell Shelley about her pregnancy, so she could only say, “I’ve always had a big appetite.”

Shelley was shocked. “You look so thin.”

Vivian felt a bit guilty. “Maybe I just can’t gain weight.”

Shelley stared at her. “Are you showing off?”

“Not at all.” Vivian pinched her belly and said, “The weight’s all here.”

Shelley couldn’t help but laugh. She didn’t dwell on the pregnancy. “You should lose weight.”

Vivian, feeling a sting, looked at her in silence.

The two looked at each other and couldn’t help but laugh.

Shelley said, “Rest after eating, I’ll introduce you to your coach. I assure you, he is the best teacher at the club.”

Yawning, Vivian nodded.

Seeing her looking drowsy, Shelley couldn’t help but ask, “Is Alajos aggressive in bed?”

Vivian startled, her face turning slightly red. “I didn’t… last night…”

“No need to hide, I know,” Shelley said knowingly. “Seeing the dark circles under your eyes, you didn’t sleep all night.”

“Really didn’t,” Vivian said, rubbing her eyes, her face flushing, unable to meet Shelley’s eyes. But soon she realized that Shelley was fond of Alajos and nearly became his bride.

Did they…?

Vivian bit her lip, looking down, stirring her coffee with a small spoon, stealing glances at Shelley.

Vivian thought her actions were discreet, but Shelley had long seen her hesitation. She raised her iced coffee, taking a sip, meeting Vivian’s gaze boldly.

“If you have a question, ask,” Shelley said. “Is it about Alajos?”

Vivian, feeling frustrated, put down her coffee. “How did you know?”

“Just the way you’re fidgeting, anyone can tell,” Shelley rolled her eyes. “Yes, I used to like Alajos a lot. My biggest dream was to marry him and become his bride.”

“And now?”

“Now?” Shelley shrugged. “He’s already married, and I’m engaged to Festus. My father and the Roscente family have already set the wedding date. It might take a month, maybe two, who knows.”

“But I still like him,” Shelley admitted candidly, seeing Vivian’s widened eyes, looking very surprised. “Jealous?” Shelley couldn’t help but smile.

Vivian did feel uncomfortable, but she couldn’t control others’ feelings. What did it matter who liked Alajos? The important thing was who Alajos liked.

Stirring her coffee, “You two…” This question wasn’t appropriate, and Vivian knew she shouldn’t ask, but she still cared. “Have you two…?”

“Slept together?” Shelley asked bluntly.

Vivian’s face reddened deeper, feeling uneasy, she nodded, unable to express if it was embarrassment or regret.

“No,” Shelley answered firmly, meeting Vivian’s questioning gaze without any guilt. She emphasized, “No.”

Even though her father adored her, he wouldn’t allow her to sleep with Alajos without his formal approval. It’s a pity, Shelley thought. If only she had seduced him before Alajos got married. After all those years of waiting, she didn’t even get a taste of him.

“Oh…” Shelley’s frankness surprised Vivian, and she didn’t want to appear so indifferent, as if it didn’t matter to her whether Shelley and Alajos had slept together.

But aside from an “Oh,” nothing she said felt right. So Vivian chose to keep quiet.

Shelley didn’t mind at all. After finishing her coffee, while their break time still remained, she took Vivian for a tour around the club.

The shooting club in the city area, although spacious, was mostly indoors, with relatively simple equipment. However, for beginners like Vivian, it was more than enough.

Shelley carefully introduced Vivian to the various facilities. As they passed the training room, Vivian couldn’t help but sneak a few more glances.

“They are all Alajos’ followers. Once they pass the shooting assessment, they can become soldiers for the Mafia,” Shelley explained in a hushed tone, “They’ll be assigned to various warehouses or docks in Houston, serving the business lines under Alajos’ control.”

These students had been here for some time, and their progressin learning was uneven. However, when facing fixed targets, not a single person scored less than eight rings. Vivian felt both admiration and excitement.

After she finished her shooting course, could she become this skilled too?

Shelley, with a proud expression, explained that the shooting club’s robust talent development was fundamental to the Benoist family’s establishment in Houston.

“Let’s go this way. Your coach should be here by now,” Shelley said, leading Vivian down a corridor and opening a separate practice room.

A man stood inside, dressed in the club’s standard-issue black vest, wearing earmuffs and standing with a proper shooting stance, holding a gun.NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!…” Several shots in quick succession, each hitting the bullseye.

All tens!

Vivian was stunned by the man’s perfect marksmanship. Mare clearly recognized him, pausing for a moment.

Shelley, however, reacted as usual, applauding. “Every time I watch you shoot, it’s a visual feast, Emmert. Would you reconsider my father’s invitation to join the club officially? I can offer you double the salary.”

“You’re openly poaching Capo’s talent, little sister,” Emmert said as he took off his earmuffs and goggles, revealing his handsome and sunny smile.

Vivian suddenly realized he was the man who had guided her at the hospital. After returning from the hospital, Mare had introduced her to this person.

Emmert Roscente, the next heir of the Roscente family, and Shelley’s fiance Festus’s brother. He was one of Alajos’s most trusted soldiers, skilled in ambush tactics.

Vivian hadn’t expected him to be her shooting instructor.

Looking baffled, Vivian turned to Shelley. Wasn’t he responsible for protecting Alajos’s safety?

In response to Vivian’s confusion, Shelley shrugged, giving her the reason. “No one has better shooting skills than him, and it was Alajos’s request for him to be your shooting instructor.”

Emmert, very formally, bowed to Vivian and said, “It’s a pleasure to serve you, madam.”

Emmert’s overly formal attitude made Vivian feel a bit awkward. She waved her hand and gave a ladylike bow in return, “You don’t have to call me madam. I’d be happier if you called me Vivian.”

Emmert quickly agreed, “Of course, Vivian.”

Mare stood behind, crossing his arms, raising an eyebrow as he watched the overly serious Emmert.

If they hadn’t grown up together, he might have actually believed it.