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CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
Last Updated:
2025-02-02 22:58:21
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Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER ONE
FIFTEEN YEARS AGOMEL.I want to go back.It had rained earlier and the ground was muddy. The trees were too wet to touch and the bugs were bigger than I thought.“Hurry up Mel.” Stephen called out while walking fast. I tried to move faster, but there were so little my six-year-old legs could handle. “I’m tired and hungry.” I cry to him. “And cold too. Can’t we go back home?”.“It’s not our home, Mel.” He stopped and turned towards me. I could see the quick flash of anger in his eyes. Stephen hates when I call our orphanage ‘home’ and insists the two of us were the only home we could ever need. He was always angry and sad but he is very nice to me. So, when he woke me up in the middle of the night and said we’re going on a road trip with the promise of snacks, I didn’t question him.“I meant the orphanage.’ I say quickly. “Sister Mary would be looking for us, we should go back.” I added.Sister Mary could be harsh but she gave the warmest hugs and was the closest thing I had to a mu
Last Updated : 2024-11-20Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER TWO
Chapter 2PRESENT DAYMELIt was one of those shitty shifts again. I had at least hoped today will be different, being my 21st birthday and all.“Look alive Melissia, you are scaring the customers away.” Scott shouts, jolting me from my thoughts. He is my manager and a pain in my ass.‘Girl, don’t worry, no sort of look on your face could scare Mr. Hottie away.” My best friend, Angie teases me. I smile at her. “He’s back?” I say, resisting the urge to look in his direction. “Yes, and alone, but staring at you as usual.” Mr. Hottie, as nicknamed by Angie, never comes alone. He sort of has a routine; comes in around 5:30 pm, with a guy accompanying him, always different guys and takes a seat in my booth section. I go to take their order, the companion makes their request and Hottie never says a word. Then at exactly 6:20pm, 10 minutes before my shift ends, I look up and they are gone, but always leaving a huge tip behind.Today, he came in at 6:25 pm and he was alone. “Why are you
Last Updated : 2024-11-20Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER 3MEL“Please, please, please.” The girl screamed as she was being dragged by her hair, off the big stage. I couldn’t make out her face because she was blindfolded. They were all screaming and blindfolded.Except me.I was placed on a small stage away from the main crowd, my knees bent to the ground and my hands bound together. I didn’t make a sound because I was frightened at the sight before me. A long line of blindfolded girls were being dragged or carried into a truck.“Capo said to keep her away from the others and to not rough her up.” I heard a woman’s voice. “Guess, he has found his play toy.” another voice said.“No, no, no, let me go.” I cried, screaming as if I just realized what they were doing.“You are home, my precious.” His voiced boomed above others. The monster walked to me, sat on the chair placed before me, his eyes dead and said “WELCOME HOME.”A gunshot fired. “NO!!” I screamed, waking up from the floor, sweating, even though I could feel the cold air c
Last Updated : 2024-11-20Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER FOUR
Chapter 4MelIn flesh and blood, Mr. Hottie held me in his arms and even though I was agitated, I could feel the warmth of his hands on my body."It's you" I say with shock.“Yes, darling it's me. Just relax. You are safe.” He said reassuringly. I stared at him in utter shock but I did feel safe.“She ran out.” One of the men chasing me said. I suddenly remembered what was going on and started panicking In Hottie’s arms."Help me. Please, they kidnapped me.” I held unto him tightly."Kidnapped?" He looked at the men."She was resisting sir, so we did what we thought necessary.” The bald man said still holding his hands where the cut was." So, you drugged her?" Hottie asked them again. " To avoid drawing attention to ourselves boss." Bald man responded. Did my captors just refer to Hottie as Boss and Sir, I thought to myself, what is going on? "She even sliced me boss." Baldie complained." What is going on?" I asked confused." You’ve got balls, my pretty.” Hottie raised his eye
Last Updated : 2024-11-20Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER FIVE
RioI have finally lost it.Marriage, really, marriage. That was definitely not what I had in mind when I geared myself up to see her today. Apparently, I’m not the only one thinking I have lost it.“Are you kidding me?” Mel was staring at me in shock. “Marry you?”Since I have gotten myself here, I thought, might as well play with it.“It’s for a set period of time. Six months like I said and you will get paid.”“I get money, right?” She asked, walking towards the open window in the room.“Yes, five hundred thousand dollars, wired to any account of your choosing” I answered. Mel turned towards me, staring at me quite intensely. “What do you gain from our arrangement?” Silence hangs in the air as we stare at each other. I remember the first time I saw her two years ago. Not a memory I’m really fond, but still I had searched until I saw her again, six months ago in that tiny little bar. I have basically stalked her since then. So, when that dumbass Jack mentioned she was his sister
Last Updated : 2024-11-27Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER SIX
RIO The drive to the estate was a quiet one except for the constant tapping of Mel’s feet on the floor of the car.“If you’ve got something to say, spit it out.” I scold her. Mel turned towards me, opened her mouth as if to say something, but then shut it again and turned to face the front of the car, obviously frustrated.“Is this what they call, ‘Wife tantrum’?” I turn to face her. “You see, I told you we would be a good fit, you are already behaving like a wife.”“Do I have to move in with you?”I lean towards her, staring only at her lips. “Scared you won’t be able resist me, huh?”I blow lightly on her lips and she lets out a little gasp in response.God, I love the way she responds to me. Guess this little challenge won’t last long.Mel pulls back and shifts away from me. “You sure have a lot of confidence in yourself.”I laugh in response and turn away from her. I still have a lot of time to enjoy my darling Mel.The car makes a turn from the highway and journeys down a fami
Last Updated : 2024-12-21Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER SEVEN
RIO POV“Dante.” Mama Agness exclaimed with joy. “The Rafe Boys are back with me again.”“Ciao, Mama Agness. It’s good to be home.” Dante said, beaming at her. He turns, acknowledges me with a slight nod and then his eyes darken when they land on Mel. I could feel her shiver in response.Dante sure knows how to make an entrance.“Mel, meet my elder brother and heir to Rafe dynasty. Dante Rafe.” I grin when Dante snorts at me for calling him the heir. “And Dante, meet Mel. Your future sister in-law.”“Sister in-law? I thought I heard wrongly before.” Dante turns his eyes back to me. “Are you feeling alright, brother?” “Yes, I am. Brother.” I respond sarcastically.“What dirt does she have on you?” He questioned.“Nothing.” I said flatly. Dante seemed puzzled. I was enjoying this.“Then she has to be pregnant.” He decides.“Oh, are you?” Mama Agness gasped.“I am not.” Mel blurted.“The fiancée can speak?” Dante mocked.I chuckled at Mel’s disgusted look. I was really enjoying this.“
Last Updated : 2024-12-21Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER EIGHT
MEL POVThe walls of the mansion seemed to go on forever and our footsteps echoed as Mama Agness led me down the passage. She was going on about the history of the estate but my mind was stuck on thoughts of the man I had just met.Dante. The mysterious Capo of the Rafe Familia. I had thought Rio was beautiful, I mean, he is, but there is something dangerously wonderful about his brother. I have never met a man on the first day and instinctively thought of what his hands can do to a woman’s body.F***, I couldn’t possibly be attracted to Dante. Am I? I wondered. No, I’m not, I can’t be. This is all Rio’s fault, I decided. Since our little car adventure, my hormones have been off the charts. Yes, I blame him. I turn my attention to the walls as we walk. Beautiful artworks and family portraits line them. A picture of a younger looking Rio draped in a full army uniform catch my eye. “Rio was in the army?”“What?” Mama Agness asked, stunned. She turned to the direction I was pointing. “O
Last Updated : 2024-12-21
Latest chapter
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
MEL POV“Morning Nonna, Mel. Please join me.” Dante gestures to the empty seats as I and Nonna walk back into the dining room. “So, Mel how was your wedding night with your husband? Anything you didn’t like? I can get Rio to improve.”I take the seat that Rio had just left, across from Dante. “What just happened?” I ask, ignoring his annoying remarks. “Why were they fighting?”“I believe when I walked in, I only saw Rio and I don’t think he could be fighting with himself.” Dante says, shaking his head at me.“Don’t be rude, Dante.” Mama Agness warns, pointing her butter knife at him. “Mel, we don’t know what happened, so just leave it.”“But they were talking about someone taking over the position in the company that Rio is vying for.” I argue.“Listen to Nonna, dear sister in-law and mind your business.” Dante says, blandly.“I know I trained you better than that, boy.” Mama Agness scolds him.“Yeah, but sometimes boys grow up into stubborn men.” He gets up. “Thanks for the breakfast
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
RIO POVI lay on the bed staring at the ceiling, after a restless night of tossing around, listening to the morning hymn of Amazing Grace coming from the Chapel. Mel’s warm body was beside me, so close all I had to do was reach over and touch.But my mind was troubled.Did father really promise the position to Andre? Also, who the hell does Andre think he is? Threatening me? I have had enough of his bullshit, always countering me in every way and my father always taking his side.“Not this time, Mister.” I say aloud. “Not this time.” Mel makes a muffled noise as if disturbed and I stay still to avoid waking her up. She obviously needs her rest, especially after what she said last night. If I hadn’t been so worked up because of Andre, I would have been amused.She turns to me while making the noise even louder. I shift to the edge of the bed to give her more space.Then the strangest thing happens.“Let’s go back. Please, let’s go.” She murmurs with distress in her voice.The room w
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
MEL POV.“It’s pretty from up here.” I was sitting at the window in my room, watching the sparkling lights and listening to the beautiful music coming from the party below.“It sure is.” Angie says from the bathroom. “A pretty gathering of murderers, drug dealers and stuck-up rich investors. You know… the usual Italian party.”I turn to make a face at her when she walks back into the room. She had changed out her dress, but not into pajamas. “Oh, Angie. Please stay the night. Please.” I beg.“No, my darling. I love a good sleepover but even I am not crazy enough to stay here. Seriously, I admire your strength.” She walks around my room, picking up her things. “Can I take this?” She waves a bottle of unopened perfume at me.“You can take anything you want, if you agree to stay.”“Yeah, no that won’t work. You can keep your stuff then.” She throws it at me.“I’m just joking.” I throw it back.“Thank you.” She puts it in her bag. “Besides, I don’t want to interrupt the wedding night.”“A
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
RIO POV After my father had steered Leo away from Mel with the excuse of discussing business, I had Angie escort Mel inside the house. I still don’t understand what that little show Leo made was about.But I was feeling very unsettled and the reason was standing not too far away from me.“I didn’t think he will show up.” I walk to the corner where Dante lounged, quietly watching the crowd.“Which particular he?” He asks. “Because there are a lot of hes I don’t wish to be looking at right now.”The music was very loud here. I could barely hear him. No wonder he picked this spot. “Kade.” I say, taking a seat next to him.“Oh, the masked Draco. Very bold of him to show his face or should I say mask around here.” He laughs and sits up. “But Leo came, so he had to be here.”“Do you think he doesn’t know that we are on to him?”“He knows alright. Kade is not that stupid.”“So, when are we going to tell Father that Kade is the one sabotaging the Russian deal?”“Simple. When I find concrete
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER TWENTY
MEL POV The day has come.I was sitting in a McLaren, all dolled up in my expensive wedding dress and beautiful jewelries, on my way to the chapel to become Rio Rafe’s wife.No going back now. Everyone else had left for the church, except for Dante who had been ordered by Mama Agness to escort me to the church. He wasn’t really pleased. I steal a quick glance at him, while he was glued to his phone.He is really handsome. Chiseled jaw, green eyes, that I will kill everything you love aura. He was hot.But he just wasn’t my Rio.My Rio. God, am I claiming him now?I quickly look away when Dante catches me staring at him, and fix my eyes to the road ahead of us.“Prettier than the guy waiting at the alter for you, right?” He jests.I roll my eyes, deciding to ignore him.“Still don’t want me to share with Rio?” He mocks me.I shoot him a look, cold enough to kill men. For the past few days, after the barn incident, we have had sort of a bickering relationship going on. He was annoyi
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER NINETEEN
MEL POV “The family of The Rafe empire would like to announce the marriage of their son, Rio Rafe to his girlfriend Mel Park. Miss Park is a brilliant lady with suitable characteristics that appeal to the family. The couple would like to thank the public for their enthusiasm concerning the engagement, but ask that the privacy of the couple be respected.” Angie read loudly from a newspaper. “Girllllll.” She slams her hand on her thigh. “When I saw the tabloids and heard the rumors, I didn’t believe it. But when the family released this statement in the papers with a cute picture of you two, I screamed.”We were seated at a table in a coffee shop. I had to beg Mama Agness for a chance to go out. With the wedding only two days away, the woman was swamping me with wedding preparations, that I couldn’t breathe. Also, I needed my friend.“So, Mr. Hottie is The Rio Rafe. Like,” She lowers her tone. “The Rafe cartel that runs Tuscany.”“The very one.”“Okay, so I feel this is all my fault.
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
RIO POVI had gone to the bakery with the intention of picking up Mel, but when I walked in and saw her strutting into the bathroom, I just had to follow.Almost a month without touching her was hell. “What do you mean play the part?” Mel asks as I hand her into the passenger seat of the car. “Aren’t I already playing it? By myself by the way.”I get into the car. “What are you talking about?”“I had to introduce myself to your father when you didn’t even tell him about me.”“Yeah, that. I forgot. Dante told me you really played it up well. Maybe a little too well.”“Also, you didn’t say you told Dante about us, making me look stupid when I tried to convince him that you loved me and you won’t be sharing me with him.”“Share you?” I turn to her. “What are you yapping about?”“I heard a rumor that…”. She doesn’t finish her statement but I already know what it was.“You heard that already?” I ask and she looks down at her hands, as if shy. “Would you like to do that, Darling Mel?” The
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
MEL POV The news of Rio Rafe’s engagement was huge in Tuscany. My name was splattered on different tabloids and gossip blogs. The magazine I was reading now had a headline saying; ‘Billionaire playboy ties the knot with mystery woman’. “Just great.” I say as I glance through the article. “They didn’t even write anything good about me. Just my name, but they go on and on about Rio.” I didn’t really care. The less people know about me, the better. But I have to keep up this show for Mama Agness. I mean, no bride will be happy if her fiancé outshines her on their wedding news, right?“You should be glad they aren’t saying anything bad either. Also, the Rafes are yet to put out an official statement.” Mama Agness takes the magazine from me. “Don’t let that bother you. We have a lot to check out today.”We were sitting in a fancy bakery that Mama Agness swears makes the best cakes, so we can pick out a wedding cake.This whole thing might be fake, but I am going to get the most fun from
Hidden Obsessions CHAPTER SIXTEEN
MEL POV“Shut your mouth.” Dante hushes me. “You are going to get us killed, and that would just piss me off.”“What is going on?”“I said shut it.” He repeats. “I should be asking you what you’re doing here. I have a situation on my hands and I sure wasn’t expecting you to be here. This was supposed to be a quick hit.”If I wasn’t scared of Dante before, I was now. “Hit?”“Yeah.” He answers. “Stay there and don’t say a word. Unless you want to die.” I swallow in fear and nod.“Answer me. I can’t see you, remember?”“Well, you said to not say a word.”“Just forget it. Stay there.” He gets up and walks to the end of the stall area’s wall. He peeps into the corridor, looking both ways, and then runs back to our stall. “Okay, this is the deal. I don’t think they saw you. So, I will leave you here and I want you to stay quiet. Cover yourself with hay, if you have to. Don’t come out until you hear my voice.”“You can’t leave me please.” I was going to piss myself from the fear.“I can’t st
