The Ruthless Man's Obsession

"You had been stalking me for years, but you don't know that I can use a gun?" I asked, trying to sound sarcastic.

"Wife. Please, give me that f*cking gun. Now," he commanded, his voice deep and sharp, carrying that dangerous authority he always had.

"I'm sorry, Accius. But you can't just order me like that. I'm not one of your f*cking dogs!" I snapped, my voice cracking slightly at the end.

I may look brave right now, but inside, my chest was already trembling. I wanted to shout at him. I wanted to ask him so many questions-questions that had been haunting me for a long time. But I couldn't. Because if I dared to ask him, I might suddenly break down, and all the tears I had been holding back would come pouring out.

He nodded slowly and let out a heavy sigh. "Okay. You can have that gun. You can even point it at me if you want. Whatever you want, Doll. Just please, don't leave me."

"Please, just don't leave me. I love you," he pleaded. His eyes were now gentle-exactly how I had always known them to be. So different from the cold, dark look I saw earlier.

My mouth parted, my head shaking. "You don't love me, Accius. You're just obsessed! That obsession of yours will never take us anywhere."

He shook his head in disbelief, like he couldn't comprehend the words coming out of my mouth. But he needed to hear this from me. If I didn't tell him now, he would never stop.

"Don't f*cking underestimate my love for you, Dollina." His voice carried both pain and anger, each word sharp and heavy.

"If you really loved me, you wouldn't be doing all of this, Accius! This is madness! Absolute insanity! You just murdered someone! What the hell did you do?!" I shouted with every bit of strength left in me. My chest felt like it was about to explode from the storm of emotions inside.

His jaw tightened. He still didn't say a word.

"You can't even explain yourself! Because it's true-"

"Doll. Please. If I did, it was for you-"

"No! Don't you dare tell me it was because of me! My God, Accius! For me?" I snapped back. My hand trembled violently as I gripped the gun tighter.

I was exhausted, and that was the final push that made my tears spill over completely. My vision turned blurry, my eyes drowning in the tears I had been fighting to hold back. I looked down at my pumps, only to see a dark stain of blood on them.

"Doll, please. We will talk, but not like this, and not here. We'll talk when you're calm," he said softly, his voice almost pleading.

This place was drenched in blood-guns scattered on the floor, knives glinting in the dim light, whips hanging on the wall, and so many other things that made my stomach churn. I felt dizzy. The air itself was suffocating.

My eyes landed on the two men lying on the ground, both covered in blood. I felt the bile rising in my throat at the sight of them. One was barely breathing, gasping for life, while the other was already dead.

He took a step closer to me.

"Don't you dare come near me!" I warned, pointing the gun directly at him.

"He's still alive. If you still have a heart, please take him somewhere he can be treated."

He didn't answer right away.

"Did you hear me, Accius?" I demanded.

He exhaled heavily and nodded. "I will... I'll do that, just don't leave-"

"Stop! Just stop..." I sobbed, my voice breaking. My hands were so weak that I could barely hold the gun anymore.

"I don't even understand what you're doing anymore, Accius... What the hell is all this?! You're making me lose my mind!"

I didn't know what to do anymore. My thoughts were all over the place, tangled and messy. I kept imagining a hundred different scenarios of what could happen to him. But I couldn't call the police-not to him. I couldn't do it. I didn't even know the truth behind all of this. I couldn't process what had just happened-to him, to me, to us.

I thought we were fine. I thought we were going to be like those married couples who lived a normal, peaceful life. Not toxic. Just healthy. But his love for me... it was something that would never let us be together. His way of loving me was wrong.

It was terrifying. It was suffocating.

I couldn't face all of this anymore. I was tired-physically, mentally, and emotionally drained. All I could think about was running away. Running away from him. From everyone.

Running away from the darkness.

I draw and anchor the bow. I let out a sigh as I released the arrow. I smirked as I looked at my score of 10. I heard Reed clapping his hands.

"Nice shot, Sadie," he said, smirking at me.

I shook my head as I watched him aiming the target. He scored 9. I smiled playfully and gave him a thumbs up.

"Too bad, bro. When Sadie hits a perfect score, you'll lose," Kyle said.

I fixed my grip on the handle and aimed the bow. Then I released it.

"How's that?" I chuckled at Reed who was just smirking at me.

"Good job, Sadie. You're getting better and better. Maybe soon I'll always lose against you, huh."

"You're flattering me. But yeah, thanks to my great teacher," aniko at mahinang natawa. Reed is an archer so he's really good at this.

"You're welcome?" he said, smiling playfully.

Kyle, Reed and I did a high five as we finished. I took off my finger tab, arm guard and chest guard.

"You should go home. It's nearly late. You'll be scolded again," sabi ni Levi habang nililigpit ang gamit.

"You have class tomorrow?" Reed asked. I nodded and sighed. "Yeah."

***

"Sadie! Are you done with your class? Do you wanna grab some food with us?" Monica said.

I nodded. It's still early. We headed to the Starbucks near our University. They're just chatting and I remained silent, listening to them. I know that sometimes they find me awkward because of my behaviour.

"Leo is in a coma right now," Annie whispered, it's like she's telling a secret.

They gasped. "What? What happened? Why is he in a coma? He's a basketball player pa naman."

Annie nodded. "I know right. Mom and I visited him last night. Two weeks na siyang naroon. Kung nakita niyo lang ang lagay niya. Pilay at bali na ang braso niya. Even his face is full of bruises. He was tortured. Grabe ang lagay niya."

"W-Why would someone do that to him? He's such a kind and gentleman."

"Right. Hindi mahanap-hanap ang gumawa sa kaniya niyon. Maybe he's a powerful man, more powerful than Leo's family."

Monica turned to me. "Do you already know about this? Leo likes you. Did you already let him court you?"

I didn't answer. I just stared at my drink.

But honestly, I'm a little bit surprised. Leo likes me. He wants to court me but I rejected him. Because he's an assh*le. I remembered that night when I got traumatised because of him.

That night when he forced me to let him court me. I got bruises on my body because he's being aggressive towards me. I didn't tell my parents because his parents are my parents' business partners.

***

I let out a heavy sigh as I looked at Gina who's helping me to put my Corset on me. I groaned as she tightened it more. Gina is my personal helper. She's like my stylist, my makeup artist and everything.

"Kaunti na lang, Madame."

"Can I not wear this today? Just don't tell Mom," I convinced her. Ngumiwi siya at umiling.

"Just don't tell her," I said desperately.

"Sorry, Madame Sadie. Alam niyo naman na laging sinisigurado ng Mother niyo."

I nodded. "You're right. It's just tiring to wear this everyday."

I irritatedly looked at the door because of the knock. "Madame, pinapatawag po kayo ng Mom ninyo, sa office niya raw po."

Sinigurado ko na maayos ang buhok at mukha ko. I pouted as I looked at my pale skin. Lumabas na ako at tumungo sa office ni Mom.

"Mom, Dad," I said as I both looked at them. Bahagya pa akong nagulat nang makita rin si Daddy.

Taas-noong tumayo si Mommy at naglakad papalapit sa akin. I stood straight and looked at her cold eyes. I suddenly received a slap from her.

"You didn't meet my high expectations for you, Sadie. I'm very disappointed," she said.

"Bumaba ang grades mo, and guess what? You're not the top in your school. What's the problem with you?" she hissed.

"B-But I'm still on–" I stopped when she cut me off from talking.

"May mas mataas sa'yo. Are you proud of that? Gusto ko 'yong mas mataas ka sa kanilang lahat! Can't you see? Nalalamangan ka! Because you're not focusing on your studies." She took a deep breath like she's losing her cool.

But I did everything to get good grades. I studied hard for that. I tried my best so they will be proud of me. Pero mukhang hindi pa sapat.

"Don't worry, hon. She will do better next time," Dad said. "Right, princess?" he smiled.

I nodded and looked down. "Y-Yes. I'm sorry. For disappointing you. I will do better next time."

"As you should, Sadie. Everyone is looking up at you. You're Alvarez . Don't disappoint people. And us."

I cried and cried silently the whole day in my room after I heard my parent's words on my grades.

***

Years passed until I graduated. Graduation is a happy event to everyone but for me it's not. I didn't even feel the sincerity of my parents' congratulations to me. We had a family gathering with our other relatives to celebrate my graduation and also my other cousins.

Years passed again, until I turned 22. I'm now a model. That's what my Mom wanted me to be, since I have no interest in business. That's why I pursue being a model since that's what I think I wanted to be too. Minahal ko na lang din ang pagiging modelo ko.

My Mom was known as a famous model. But she's no longer a model now since she had me.

Until the day that made my mind go blank. I was so speechless. I feel like my whole life was destroyed. All of that because of what I've heard.

"You're going to marry someone. A billionaire."

"What?! Mom! Are you serious?" Hindi ko maiwasang sumigaw. And that's the first time I raise my voice at them.

"Don't raise your voice at your Mother, young lady! How dare you!" Dad shouted.

I let out a breath and closed my eyes. I feel like the world is spinning.

"Sadie! Hindi kita tinuruan ng ganiyan! Don't you dare disobey us! We're your parents!"

I looked down. Then I felt my tears pour.

"And you're now crying? Pathetic! Did you forget what I've taught you? This is unbelievable!" she shouted.

"Stop crying! For goodness sake, Sadie. You'll cry just because of this? We are doing this for you! Don't cry in front of me and stop being emotional!"

I calm myself even though I'm still panicking and my crumpled brain. Pinilit kong itago ang aking emosyon.

I heard Mommy sighed in relief when she saw my expression, and that satisfied her. She would rather see me without emotion than to cry and laugh.

"Listen. This company is one of the well-known companies in the world, not just in the Philippines. And now that their heiress is leading, their company has become even more powerful."

"I want a better man for you. And he's perfect for my standard. Hindi siya basta-basta pumapayag sa mga ganito. So we can say that you're lucky," she continued.

I looked down at my unfinished food. As if I'm interested in that man. I'm not even ready to settle down. I didn't even think about marrying someone. Not in my wildest dream that I'm marrying someone that I don't love and doesn't love me.

Just imagining it is like hell.

"Where are you?" Mom asked over the phone.

"I'm at a bar, with my co-models, Mom. We're done with our shoot, so we're just grabbing some drinks," I replied.

"You need to go home. Now. You're going to meet this important man. You need to be here in a minute." And then she hung up.

It had been a month since Mom told me about marrying someone. And now, she's telling me I'm going to meet someone, and the thought makes me want to cry.

I thought that chapter of my life was over. I thought they wouldn't bring it up again, thinking I didn't want it. I hoped that would be the case, even though I knew it was impossible.

As I entered our mansion, I was shocked when someone grabbed my arm aggressively.

"Where have you f*cking been?" My eyes widened as my heart started racing. I felt as if I heard the voice of a devil.

His voice was deep, husky, commanding, and terrifying. It sent chills down my spine.

I looked up at the tall man in front of me. He's 6'4", extremely handsome, masculine, and intimidating. His dark aura is almost dangerous-like he could consume someone alive. His perfect jawline, sharp nose, and serious gaze made him even more terrifying. I heard he's 29 years old.

I've never seen someone this handsome. I could only imagine how many girls he has wrapped around his finger. His eyes were intense, focused, and unyielding.

I groaned when I realized his large hand was still gripping my arm. It didn't really hurt, but the force of it made me wince.

His eyes softened immediately as he noticed my reaction. He let go of my arm and checked it gently.

"D*mn it. I'm sorry, Doll." I looked up at him, startled. He called me "Doll." No one ever calls me that. It sounded strange, almost intimate, and very weird coming from him.

"Sadie, you're here. Come here and have dinner with us. We've been waiting for you," Mom called from behind.

I turned my gaze to her, then back to him. His eyes were still on me, following every small movement I made. I turned away and walked toward the dining room.

He kept looking at me intently, as if Mom and Dad weren't even there. I cleared my throat and looked away.

Dinner was painfully uncomfortable for me. It became worse when Mom mentioned that he's the man I'm supposed to marry. The man himself nodded, waiting to see my reaction. I just looked down, silent.

"Well, Sadie is a nice girl. I'm glad that you'll be the man she'll marry," Mom said formally to him.

"I'm glad too. And now that you've met, we hope you'll get along," Dad added, glancing at me. I sighed, keeping my eyes down.

"Don't look down, Sadie. Do what I taught you. Smile," Mom whispered. She smiled and signaled me to follow her instructions.

So I did. Every movement was careful and deliberate, especially knowing that an important man was in front of me. Any mistake would surely bring Mom's wrath down on me.

"I am, too," the tall, intimidating man said calmly.

"Oh, we forgot to introduce you to each other, my bad," Mom continued, turning to me with a smile.

"Sadie, he's Accius Niccolo Vasquez-the man you'll marry. Niccolo, this is Sadie Dollina, my only daughter."

The man named Niccolo nodded once. "I know," he said simply, his gaze still fixed on me.

After dinner, I immediately went upstairs. Mom called out to me, but I didn't look back. I didn't even glance at that man again. I knew Mom would be furious when she caught up to me later.

A few minutes later, Mom entered my room. I saw the irritation in her eyes immediately.

"You're very disrespectful, Sadie. You didn't even say goodbye. That's a terrible impression!"

I sighed. "Mom, I'm tired-"

She cut me off. "You just walked out, Sadie! That was rude! He's your soon-to-be husband. You should treat him like one! How many times do I have to tell you to behave! You're acting indecently."

"I am, Mom! I always do! I'm always trying. I'm just very exhausted right now," I said.

I am always trying. Trying so hard that I'm tired of it. I'm tired of pretending. It's exhausting to constantly act perfect.

"And I don't want to get married-" Before I could finish, I felt a hard slap across my face.

"You will! You will marry him. And that's final, Sadie. You have no choice," she said firmly.

"Why, Mom? Why do I need to marry that man? He doesn't seem like a good person. He's scary. I don't think he'll treat me well. Why do we even need him?" I snapped.

Her forehead furrowed. I stopped talking, sensing her temper rising.

"You don't know anything! You don't understand what's happening in our company because you don't care! How dare you say that? You know nothing, Sadie! You have no right to speak on these matters!" she shouted, pointing at me.

"You've never been useful to the company because you have no interest in it. Now that you are going to be useful, you complain?"

"Our company is struggling, Sadie. Last month, we could manage, but now? We can't. We need help-and Niccolo is the only one who can bring the company back to where it should be." I turned to Dad, who had just entered the room.

"We suspect someone is behind this. A company doesn't just fall apart like this without a reason. Someone is orchestrating it."

"And just having him as your husband, with his surname and influence, is already a huge advantage. And all of this will happen only if you marry him." I looked at Dad, helpless.

"We need you right now, Sadie. So please, cooperate."

I nodded, out of options. What choice did I have? I don't own my life. I don't have the right to make decisions about it.