Amelia's POV
As I stood at the reception, exchanging forced smiles and polite conversation, Anna's voice cut through the din. "Congratulations, Amelia!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of joy and concern. I pasted on a bright smile, trying to match her enthusiasm.
Today was my wedding day, after all. The day I would commit to spending the rest of my life with a man my parents, Reginald and Catherine Gerard, had chosen for me. They were wealthy and influential, with a legacy that spanned generations. At 85 and 82, respectively, they were determined to see me settled with a man of their approval. A man I couldn't imagine ever truly loving.
As I glanced around the crowded room, my gaze collided with an intense stare. Ricardo Gonzales, my cousin's son, stood across the room, his eyes burning with an unnerving intensity. I felt a shiver run down my spine as our gazes held, the air thick with unspoken tension. I broke eye contact, and a stream of congratulations from my parents' friends followed. After they dispersed, I discreetly scanned the reception, searching for him. But he was nowhere to be found. I turned my attention back to my husband, forcing a smile as we continued with the festivities.
As the wedding celebration came to a close, my parents pulled me into a warm hug. "Be good to your husband," my mom whispered. I nodded, smiling, and hugged them both tightly. I bid farewell to my friend Anna, who whispered a mischievous comment in my ear: "Make sure you lose your v-card tonight, old lady!" I burst out laughing.
After hugging Ethan's parents, we slipped into our car. As we drove away, I couldn't shake off the image of Ricardo's intense gaze. It had left me with an unsettling, yet unexplainable connection – one I'd never felt before.
Ethan turned to me, concern etched on his face. "Are you good?" he asked. I forced a smile, nodding. "Yes." But deep down, I wasn't so sure.
Guilty thoughts swirled in my mind like a vortex, threatening to consume me. I was married now, bound to Ethan Thompson, a man I didn't love. The weight of my decision settled heavily on my conscience.
Ethan, in his late forties, was one of the richest men in the country, with a business empire that spanned the globe. His gentle demeanor had initially put me at ease, but there was something about him that didn't quite add up. A nagging feeling I couldn't shake, but tried to brush it off, convincing myself he was nice, and that was all that mattered.
He was a man of few words, his silence often leaving me wondering what lay beneath his reserved exterior.
But despite my efforts to focus on my new husband, my thoughts kept drifting back to Ricardo – a man who was not only a distant family member, but also seemed younger than me. The memory of his piercing gaze lingered, making my heart skip a beat.
The fact that my parents had chosen Ethan for me, controlling every aspect of my life, only added to my resentment. And now, I found myself torn between the obligations of my arranged marriage and the forbidden allure of Ricardo. The turmoil brewing inside me threatened to spill over, and I didn't know how much longer I could keep up the charade.
*****
Ricardo's POV
Amelia looked breathtakingly beautiful in her wedding gown, her porcelain skin glowing in the soft light. I couldn't tear my eyes away, my gaze drinking in every detail. I'd known her for ten years, but at this moment, she seemed like a stranger – a stranger who stirred something deep within me.
My jaw clenched as I watched her exchange vows with a man who didn't deserve her. She was meant to be mine, and the realization ignited a fire within me that I couldn't ignore.
As I drove away from the reception, I couldn't shake off the feeling of frustration. Why did I always react this way whenever I saw her? I was angry at myself for still harboring these emotions.
I remembered the first time I laid eyes on her, at a family dinner. I had fallen deeply in love with her that very day. But she never noticed me, treating me like a distant family acquaintance. And that's exactly what I was – a distant family friend, invisible to her.
Years had passed, but my feelings remained, hidden beneath the surface. Tonight, seeing her exchange vows with another man, had awakened those dormant emotions, leaving me feeling restless and unsatisfied.
I stepped into my apartment, my mind still reeling with thoughts of Amelia. Sleepless nights had become my norm, with visions of her haunting my dreams.
As I walked in, I knew I had to take drastic measures. I need to get an apartment very close to her husband's house, so I can keep seeing her. I don't think I can live for a day if I can't see her for a day. The thought alone was suffocating.
I pulled out my phone and called one of my men, Jeff. "Get me an apartment close to Amelia's," I instructed him. "I don't care about the cost or the logistics. Just make it happen."
Jeff's affirmative response was all I needed to hear. I ended the call, feeling a sense of determination wash over me.
I headed to the bathroom to freshen up. As I stood in front of the mirror, my imagination took over. I pictured Amelia standing beside me, her presence so vivid I could almost feel her.
My body reacted instinctively, and I found myself stroking my desire. The tension built up, and I couldn't help but whisper her name as I reached my climax.
The release was fleeting, but the ache in my heart lingered. I was trapped in this vicious cycle of longing, and I didn't know how to escape.
As I gazed at my reflection, I realized the truth: I've never felt this way about any woman before. Amelia is my everything – my world, my soul, my reason for being. I crave her presence, yearn to hold her close, and claim her as mine for all eternity. The thought of anyone else touching her, loving her, is unbearable.
She is my unhealthy obsession.
"Amelia," I whispered, my voice ba
rely audible, "you will be mine soon. Very soon."