Forbidden Seduction [ Forbidden Obsession]

“When are you departing?” he asked, jolting her from her thoughts.

Serena looked up at him, slightly puzzled. “Immediately after dinner,” she replied, contemplating if she had unknowingly done something that prompted his question.

“Alright, I will drive you back to your apartment,” he informed her.

Just as his phone rang, Alex’s face mirrored the same anger he had displayed when he threw his phone. Ignoring the call, he continued eating. After what felt like an eternity, with the caller persistently dialing over and over, he finally picked it up.

“Why have you been avoiding my calls?” a high-pitched female voice screeched through the phone, capturing Serena’s attention.

Upon hearing the woman on the phone continuously hurling offensive insults at Alex, Serena winced, wondering why he never responded to her messages in the first place.

In an attempt to not frighten Serena, Alex closed his eyes, struggling to control his anger. “Pearl, what do you want? What is it that you truly desire from me?” he asked, frustrated that he had to speak softly to her.

“I miss you, Alex. I miss our intimate moments,” Pearl began to sob.

Alex glanced at Serena, noticing her lack of interest in the conversation happening on the other end of the phone. Before answering Pearl’s call, he had intentionally lowered the volume, ensuring Serena wouldn’t overhear.

“This will be the final time you contact me regarding this matter. I will not tolerate such nonsense from you in the future,” he firmly stated, concluding the call. Blocking Pearl’s number, Alex controlled his urge to say more than necessary. He didn’t want to give Serena any hints about his complicated relationship with his stepmother.

Alex didn’t even have the courage to confide in his best friend once more about the recent events that took place during his visit back home, and what he could do to end it. It was a mistake he wished he could have avoided at all costs. Now, as he observed Serena’s expression, he could tell she was eager to uncover the truth.

Determined to keep this secret to himself, he vowed never to involve her in his issues with Pearl. He would find a way to permanently remove her from his life.

“Do you have a job?” he asked, taking a sip of his juice. Alex couldn’t understand why he suddenly inquired, but he couldn’t contain his curiosity about Serena’s professional endeavors.

“Not yet. I plan on actively job searching soon since I recently relocated to this part of the city,” Serena responded, finishing the remaining bite of her salad.

“You don’t need to seek employment,” he told her, scooping up another spoonful of salad. Pushing the plate away, Alex wiped his mouth with a napkin, stood up, and made his way to the living room. Retrieving his car keys, he entered the garage.

Confused by his behavior, Serena questioned why he believed she didn’t need to work. If she didn’t have a job, how would she provide for herself, buy clothes, and pay her bills? She stood up, entered the room, and packed her clothes into a designer bag she found in his closet. Though tempted to take his clothes as well, she decided against it.

Sitting patiently in his car, Alex contemplated the situation. Pearl had genuinely irritated him, and he now believed it was time to bring a wife home. He no longer felt the need to search any further when the perfect candidate was right in front of him.

Upon Serena’s entrance into the passenger seat of his car, he directed his gaze towards her, noting the presence of concern etched across her countenance. “Alex, have I committed some wrongdoing?” she inquired, avoiding direct eye contact.

Alex exhaled audibly and delicately lifted her face with his finger. “Serena, you have done absolutely nothing wrong. I apologize for causing you distress. Before we go, may I make a request of you?”

“What might that be?” she responded, relieved to finally have an opportunity to reciprocate his kindness during her stay in his apartment.

“I implore you to accompany me to my parents’ residence for dinner next week, as my fiancée”

Serena scrutinized Alex, suspecting another one of his attempts to taunt her. “Your fiancée? That notion seems highly improbable, Alex. We have not acquainted ourselves for a substantial enough duration to warrant embarking on dates and meeting your family. I cannot fathom partaking in a dinner with your parents.”

“A genuine romantic engagement is not what I am proposing. It is merely an act, whereby you pretend to be my girlfriend.”

“And why should I undertake such a charade?”

“The reasons behind it are inconsequential. Just agree to it, if you will.”

Shaking her head in an attempt to disengage from the situation, she began making her way out of the car. “I refuse to comply unless you elucidate your motives for having me partake in this farce of being your girlfriend at your parents’ dinner.”

Alex followed suit, leaving the vehicle behind. “Very well, my family harbors the opinion that I should cease my frivolous endeavors and seek a committed relationship with a respectable woman. In order to placate their demands, I require your cooperation in this endeavor.”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

Serena shook her head once more, adamantly refusing to acquiesce. “I will not entertain this proposal unless you disclose your reasons. However, I assure you, I will not partake in this pretense of being your girlfriend at a family dinner.”

“I am prepared to compensate you according to your fiscal desires once the charade has concluded. Is this arrangement satisfactory to you?”

After a heavy exhalation, Serena deliberated for a few moments before finally nodding. “Very well, I agree to your proposition. Now, kindly take me to my apartment”

Wearing a smile, Alex planted a quick kiss on her cheek before she entered the car. Once she settled, he assumed the driver’s seat. Upon their arrival at Serena’s apartment, she wasted no time in bidding farewell, hastily exiting the vehicle. Alex promptly joined her and escorted her to her front door. “Goodnight,” he uttered.

Drawing her close, he bestowed upon her a tender, passionate kiss that lingered for an extended duration. “Rest well. I shall contact you later,” he whispered as she closed the door behind her. Leaning against the door, she traced her lips where his had briefly made contact. There was an undeniable distinction to the manner in which he had kissed her – it possessed a sweet, fervent quality, devoid of mere carnal desire.