Once, my paranoid love

Obin couldn’t help but smirk at Paul’s response, the tension in the room momentarily broken by the unexpected exchange. However, the situation was far from resolved, and Anne knew that she needed to intervene before more information was divulged.

Obin started to say, “Come tonight if you can. It’s yo…” but Anne swiftly interrupted him, her urgency evident in her voice.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“We will definitely go, Mr. Obin,” she replied hastily, her words carrying a note of finality.

Anne’s quick response was an attempt to deflect any further questions and maintain control over the situation. She couldn’t afford for Paul to reveal any more than he already had, especially in his current state of inebriation.

Anne’s heart raced as she realized the potential consequences of Paul overhearing their conversation. She knew that her son’s unpredictable behavior, particularly when he was inebriated, could lead to chaos.

‘If Paul hears that, he’ll make a mess here,’ Anne thought, taking a deep breath in an attempt to steady her nerves.

Obin’s response, however, came as a surprise. “Okay, please bring him as well. If Boss sees him, he will be happy. His sister, especially,” he said with a note of unexpected warmth.

“What? Mom?” Paul asked, his brows furrowing in confusion.

“What is he saying?”

Anne’s mind raced to comprehend the turn of events. It seemed that Obin did it intentionally.

Before she could react, Obin abruptly announced his departure. “OK, I have to leave now,” he said, his words leaving Anne feeling somewhat bewildered.

‘Damn this, Obin!’ Anne thought, and her brows arched in frustration. ‘He is now leaving after ruining everything.’

As Paul’s curiosity grew, he couldn’t help but inquire about the mysterious event that seemed to be unfolding. He stretched out his hand, requesting to see the invitation card, his expression a mix of confusion and curiosity.

“Mom, what’s tonight? Show me the card,” Paul urged, reaching for the card as he spoke.

Anne, however, hesitated. She knew that the contents of the card held secrets and information that were best kept hidden from Paul, especially in his current state of inebriation. She pulled the card out of his reach, her touch gentle yet firm.

“It’s nothing, sweetheart,” Anne replied, her voice soft and reassuring. She hoped to downplay the situation, not wanting to alarm Paul or reveal more than necessary.

But Paul’s persistence was unwavering.

“What exactly did he say? My sister? Was he talking about Elena?” Paul’s voice rose as he questioned Anne.

“No, no, honey,” Anne responded quickly, her voice calm but resolute. “He wasn’t talking about Elena. It was his sister.”

Anne’s words were a deliberate attempt to divert Paul’s attention away from the truth.

“First, come with me,” she said, a gentle smile on her face as she extended her hand toward him. “Take a shower and get ready for the night ahead.”

Anne’s words were a mixture of motherly concern and practicality.

“I’ll tell the maid to give you good lemon juice,” she continued, her voice warm and reassuring. She hoped that the citrusy refreshment would help Paul sober up more quickly.

Paul, however, was clearly irritated by his mother’s behavior.

His frustration showed on his face as he tried to form a response, but his words seemed to escape him.

“But…” Paul began to say something, but Anne immediately cut him off, gently pushing him towards the stairs.

She insisted, “Go, honey, don’t waste your time.”

“Don’t go without me,” Paul urged, turning back to face her.

“Sure, sure,” Anne replied, nodding.

Paul retreated to his room and shut the door behind him. Anne let out a sigh, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her. She had to manage her son’s condition while navigating the complexities of the evening that lay ahead.

However, as she stood there, Anne couldn’t shake the realization that it might be best for Paul not to attend the event. His current state, inebriated and disoriented, could lead to unpredictable consequences.

She murmured to herself, “Paul, you’re not coming with me,” her voice filled with a mix of resignation and concern.

Anne exhaled deeply, her mind heavy with the weight of the choices she had to make. She placed the invitation card on the table.

Summoning a maid, Anne knew that she had to prepare herself for the night ahead.

**

Lucy made her way into Derek’s room, curious about the task that had brought her there. Derek had something in his possession, a dress intended for Elena, and he had enlisted Lucy’s help to deliver it.

As she entered the room, Lucy couldn’t help but roll her eyes in amusement. Derek, the man known for his meticulous and composed demeanor, appeared unusually nervous. His hands trembled slightly as he held the dress, and his expression betrayed a hint of apprehension.

Lucy couldn’t help but chuckle to herself as she observed Derek’s anxiety. “I had no idea this guy was nervous about giving his wife a tiny present,” she thought, her amusement evident in her eyes.

Derek had always been the epitome of confidence and control, but it seemed that this simple act of presenting a gift to his wife had momentarily shaken his composure. Lucy couldn’t resist teasing him in her mind, finding the sight of his nervousness endearing.

Taking the dress from Derek, Lucy made a mental note to playfully tease him later about his unexpected bout of anxiety. She knew that their friendship allowed for such light-hearted banter; even in the midst of the complex and mysterious world, they often found themselves navigating.

With the dress in hand, Lucy left Derek’s room and ventured toward Elena’s. She gently knocked on the door before opening it, expecting to find Elena engrossed in her book.

To her surprise, when Lucy entered the room, she discovered Elena reading a book, just as she had anticipated. The scene was a familiar one, with Elena’s focus entirely on her reading material.