Dark Romance: A Cruel Obsession

“What do you want to talk about?” Alajos sat on the edge of the bed, patting her shoulder soothingly.

Vivian, head bowed, wiped away her tears, her voice choked, “Talk about what I did today, what you did, talk about what I need, what you need, talk about the movie I watched today, what the movie was about, if your work went well today, if you encountered any difficulties.”

“There are many things we could talk about. If you don’t want to discuss work, you can tell me where you went today, and if you saw any beautiful scenery along the way. Every time you come and go in haste, ignoring me, neglecting me, as if I don’t exist. I’ve had enough.”

“I haven’t ignored you or neglected you,” Alajos, bothered by Vivian’s tears, said, “I know what you do every day- it’s not about monitoring you, I need to know you’re safe. I know you ordered a new laptop, enrolled in an online art performance course, right? I know you’ve been enjoying 70s movies and reading Shakespeare. The fridge is filled with ice cream, only three left now. The cookies and popcorn in the cupboard are all gone, Haylee just bought new ones this afternoon.”

“You’ve had a good appetite lately, eating a plate of spaghetti Bolognese, a bowl of cheesy tomato fusilli, two hot dogs, and two bowls of corn chowder for lunch. After finishing pizza in the evening, you even had a late-night snack…”

“Stop…” Vivian’s eyes widened in shock. Was she a pig, eating so much?

“You see, I know everything about you. I haven’t ignored you, nor have I intended to treat you as if you were invisible in this apartment.”

“You never told me these things.” Vivian looked at him, her eyes filled with a sense of injustice. “Your indifference is driving me crazy.”

“I’m sorry,” Alajos said, “Because I am a Capo, everything I love will attract extra attention from others. It could be from Bratva, from other competitors, or even from people who seek benefits from me. Their actions could jeopardize the things I love, do you understand?”

“Their eyes will always be on you, and you never know who’s listening,” Vivian said.

“Yes.” Alajos nodded. “Poison in your favorite food, an ambush along your regular route, enemies will do anything to destroy your fortress, danger will be everywhere.”

Alajos knew very well, “We’ve done such things before.”

“You?”

“Yes, us.”

“For whom?”

“Irina Peleri Elf,” Alajos said. He still remembered that it was a full moon night, moonlight falling on the balcony, seeping through the curtains into the living room. They stealthily entered, killed the guard on duty, and sneaked into that woman’s room.

A scream of terror echoed through the long night. As the knife fell, blood splattered on the ground. In the struggle of despair, the dying woman reluctantly released the tightly gripped curtain. A bloodstain was left on the white lace curtain, eerie and sinister.

“Who is she?” Vivian didn’t recognize the person Alajos mentioned, but connecting Alajos’ previous words, Vivian could easily imagine her fate.

Vivian was somewhat afraid to know the truth, yet couldn’t help but listen.

“Andre Vyazemsky, have you heard this name?” Alajos didn’t immediately answer her, instead asked.

Vivian nodded, “When I was in Los Angeles, I heard Joseph mention him. He’s the leader of the Bratva.”

“Yes, he holds a position in Bratva similar to mine in the Mafia; Irina Peleri Elf is his woman. Not a mistress, but his woman,” Alajos emphasized, “We once had an excellent undercover agent, his name was Hanson Benoist. He infiltrated Bratva, gained absolute trust from Andre Vyazemsky. In a conversation between Andre Vyazemsky and his close friend, he learned about Irina Peleri Elf’s existence. Andre Vyazemsky deeply loved her, and was planning to propose to her. Hanson relayed this information back to Houston.”

“Then, we killed her, and arranged her limbs in a humiliating position.” Alajos exhaled softly. “Andre Vyazemsky became insane and paranoid as a result. His attacks became frequent but no longer meticulous; he started having flaws.”

Vivian didn’t know what expression to wear in front of Alajos. They always said that women couldn’t get involved in the Mafia business, yet both organizations coincidentally aimed their guns at innocent women.

Vivian couldn’t blame Alajos’ brutal methods, as she knew the Bratva’s methods towards the Mafia were equally brutal. She was constantly in danger due to such brutality.

Would one day, when she was alone in this apartment, some member of the Bratva break in and torture her?

“Vivian, I hope you are safe. Everything I do is to protect you to the best of my ability,” Alajos said, placing a kiss on her forehead. “It’s late, you should go to sleep.”

Vivian lay down on the bed with his help, feeling empty inside. She didn’t know if she felt lost or uncertain.

It seemed like she had found answers with Alajos, yet she felt like she was back where she started.

Vivian could only close her eyes and let the darkness envelop her.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Vivian.”

…

After that night’s conversation, Alajos continued with his busy schedule, coming and going as usual. Vivian’s online course was about to begin, and she was nervous, wanting to buy some books to bolster her confidence.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Vivian rarely took the initiative to go out, but Luzia was excited, singing and hopping around. Mare, on the other hand, seemed a bit distant, showing some contempt. Vivian was envious, both she and Luzia were in similar predicaments, but Luzia could always maintain a passionate and sunny disposition.

“After we buy the books, let’s go for a massage,” Vivian suggested. Luzia was familiar with the place they were going to, it was near the spa they had visited last time. “It’s on the way and will help us relax.”

“Do we need to make a reservation for the massage?”

“Yes, but you’re different. You are a Hargrave.”

In fact, just mentioning the surname Hargrave in Houston would grant them unconditional access to any high-end establishment. No terms could bind their actions, and even the masseurs who came to serve them would be the best in the shop.

That’s the advantage of power.

Vivian understood why so many people were obsessed with power. After looking down on the ants from high above for so long, no one would want to strain their necks to look up.

In the Mafia, lacking power meant facing death at any moment.

Mare usually followed Vivian. As she and Luzia walked ahead chatting, Mare followed silently behind, keeping a distance, quietly observing their surroundings.

Who was he watching?

Vivian couldn’t help but wonder.

In the past, she was sure Mare’s gaze was fixed on her-out of her trust in Alajos-Mare was Alajos’s most skilled and loyal bodyguard. But now, Vivian wasn’t so sure.

Did Mare like Luzia?

When walking behind her and Luzia, did his gaze secretly linger on Luzia? Such speculation was indeed an insult to Mare’s professional integrity, and every time Vivian speculated, she felt a twinge of guilt.

But she couldn’t forget the chaotic morning, Luzia’s ambiguous moans and Mare’s rough panting…

“Ah!” Perhaps Vivian was lost in thought, because she didn’t notice the man coming from the side and collided with him, falling to the ground.

In her panic, as she looked up, she met the deep, intense eyes of the stranger.

“Be careful where you’re going.”