Once, my paranoid love

I stood at the top of the stairs, hidden from view, as I watched the scene unfold before me. The handsome stranger who had just entered was undoubtedly Mr. Houston. My heart quickened at the sight of him, a mix of curiosity and uncertainty swirling within me.

“Sir,” the maid stammered, her nervousness palpable as she acknowledged Mr. Houston’s presence.

Mr. Houston’s voice, deep and commanding, sent a shiver down my spine as he inquired about my whereabouts. “Where is she?” he asked, his tone brooking no hesitation.

“She is in her room,” the maid replied, her voice trembling as she spoke.

I had indeed moved my belongings to another room, seeking a space that felt more like my own in this vast mansion. My decision had been driven by a desire for autonomy and control over my surroundings, a small act of defiance against the mysterious circumstances of our marriage.

Mr. Houston, however, seemed to be well aware of the change. “I heard she moved her belongings to another room,” he remarked, his words carrying a sense of authority.

The maid confirmed his observation; her response was tentative. “Yes, sir.”

Without missing a beat, Mr. Houston issued a directive that left me both intrigued and apprehensive. “Move her stuff to my room and make her ready for tonight,” he commanded, his words leaving no room for argument.

As I listened to his orders, a wave of emotions washed over me. My tension had always been palpable, and it seemed that Mr. Houston had decided to take matters into his own hands, asserting his dominance in a way that left me with no choice but to comply.

I clenched my fists, my resolve strengthening. The mysteries surrounding our marriage were deepening, and Mr. Houston’s sudden arrival and demands only added to the enigma.

“As you say, sir,” the maid acquiesced with a nod.

Mr. Huston shifted his gaze towards Pom.

“Sir, she came with ma’am,” she informed him, perhaps sensing the need to clarify her presence in the house.

With a casual acknowledgment, he replied, “All right,” his tone betraying nothing of his thoughts. His voice was calm, measured, and controlled.

I remained hidden behind the curtain, listening intently to their conversation. A storm of emotions swirled within me, and my mind was in turmoil. My expectations of marrying an older man had been abruptly shattered by this unexpected turn of events.

Mr. Huston shifted his gaze towards me, and my heart raced in response to the intense scrutiny. It was as if he could see through the very walls that concealed me.

**

‘Elena, I’m looking forward to seeing you. I don’t know if you remember me or not.’ Derek’s inner monologue echoed with a sense of longing and nostalgia. It was clear that he carried a hope, a memory, or perhaps a connection to me from the past, one that remained buried in the recesses of his mind.

Derek’s eyes, though unable to discern Elena’s concealed figure, seemed to search the space where she hid. His yearning was evident, a testament to whatever bond or shared experiences they may have once had.

**

Paul stood at Eva’s doorstep, uncertainty gnawing at him as he waited for her to appear. The door swung open after a brief pause, revealing a maid who seemed puzzled by his presence.

“Is Eva here?” Paul inquired, his tone tinged with urgency.

The maid nodded and replied, “Ma’am is here. Please come in.”

Paul stepped into the elegant foyer of Eva’s residence, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a mix of curiosity and anxiety. The maid departed, heading upstairs to relay his arrival to Eva.

Moments later, Eva descended the staircase, her presence commanding attention. Her expression was cool and composed as she approached him, but her eyes betrayed a hint of surprise at his unexpected visit.

“What are you doing here?” Eva inquired, her tone carrying a note of suspicion.

Paul wasted no time with pleasantries. His primary concern was the whereabouts of Elena, and he needed answers.

“Is Elena here?” he asked, his voice laced with urgency.

Eva’s response was swift and unyielding. “No, she’s not here,” she stated firmly, her eyes locking onto his.

Paul couldn’t suppress the feeling of disappointment that washed over him. He had hoped that Eva might hold the key to finding Elena, yet her denial left him with more questions than answers.

“Why isn’t she here?” Paul pressed further, unable to hide the frustration in his voice.

Eva maintained her composed demeanor, unwilling to divulge more information than necessary. “Elena is not in my custody,” she replied cryptically.

Paul’s mind raced as he considered the implications of Eva’s words. If Elena wasn’t with Eva, then where could she possibly be? The mystery surrounding Elena’s whereabouts deepened, leaving him with a growing sense of unease.

“Tell me where she is,” Paul demanded, his patience wearing thin.

“Don’t try to fool me. I know she’s here, so call her. I’ve come to pick her up,” Paul insisted, his voice laced with urgency.

Eva sighed audibly, her dissatisfaction with the escalating situation evident. She responded with a hint of frustration, “She isn’t here, Paul. I’ve tried calling her, but she hasn’t received my calls. It’s just as we discussed last time, and after that, I haven’t heard from her.”

Paul ran a hand through his hair, exasperated by the turn of events. His own actions and choices had contributed to the current predicament, and he couldn’t deny the guilt that weighed on him.

Eva’s probing question cut through the tension, hitting a nerve. “Did you hurt her again?” she inquired, her gaze steady and searching.

Paul’s initial reaction was to dismiss the accusation, but he couldn’t ignore the truth of his actions. He had hurt Elena in the past, and the consequences of those actions were still unfolding in their tangled lives.

The memories of their shared past, filled with both joy and pain, haunted him. He knew he had wronged her, but he had hoped that time and distance could heal the wounds he had inflicted.

‘I’m sorry, Elena,’ he thought, his voice a mere whisper in the solitude of the room. ‘If I had listened to you even once, I wouldn’t have hurt you so badly.’ The gravity of his actions had left scars on both their lives, and Paul couldn’t escape the guilt that consumed him.

With a deep sigh, he took a step back and lowered his eyes, unable to bear the crushing weight of his remorse. The pressure of his past mistakes bore down on him, and he longed for a chance to make amends.

‘Where have you gone, Elena?’ Paul’s thoughts turned to the girl who had once meant the world to him. The emptiness of her absence echoed in his heart. ‘Please come back to me as soon as possible.’ His plea was filled with desperation and a profound yearning to right his wrongs.

‘I swear I’ll never hurt you again,’ he vowed silently, the words a solemn promise to himself. The resolve to change and to be the person Elena deserved burned within him. ‘Whatever you say to me, I will listen.’

As he contemplated his next steps, Paul’s thoughts shifted to Elena’s whereabouts. He knew he had to find her, reach out, and make amends. The uncertainty of her location added to his anxiety.

“If she comes here,” Paul said aloud, addressing Eva, “tell her that her dad is in the hospital.”

“Uncle? What’s the matter? Is there anything serious in this?” Eva asked, but when Paul was about to walk away from there, he ignored her questions.

“Don’t ignore my questions, Paul.” Eva shouted. But Paul disregarded.

Eva’s resolve didn’t waver, and she held his gaze firmly. “You’ve caused her enough pain,” she declared, her words cutting through the tension like a blade. “If you truly care about her, and if she runs away, then she’s doing the right thing.”

But as Paul turned back to face her, a chilling silence descended. His eyes bore into Eva’s with a stern and deadly intensity. In that moment, he seemed like a force of nature, capable of destroying everything in his path without a hint of hesitation.

But Paul’s response was unexpected-a haunting promise that sent shivers down Eva’s spine. His voice, low and filled with possessiveness, sent a chill through the room.

“She can’t leave me because she belongs to me.”

In those words, Paul revealed a side of himself that Eva hadn’t fully comprehended. It was a declaration that carried an unsettling weight, one that hinted at a possessive and controlling nature. Eva couldn’t ignore the red flags that had appeared in that moment.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

As Paul walked away, Eva was left to grapple with the complexity of the situation. She narrowed her eyes and murmured in anger, “Crazy! Psycho!”

But her tone became soft as she murmured, “But Elena… Where is she? Elena, did you really run away? I need to try her number again.”