THE OBSESSION PARADOX || BOYXBOY DARK ROMANCE

22. Ryan

I woke up to an unsettling emptiness, my arms instinctively reaching for Alex's warm body. But instead of his soft skin, I grasped only air. Disoriented, I scanned the room, my gaze falling on the rumpled sheets and vacant space beside me. My chest felt hollow, missing the gentle rise and fall of his breathing.

I tossed off the covers, my boxers and T-shirt a stark reminder of Alex's absence. A nagging sense of unease propelled me to the bathroom, where I splashed water on my face, trying to shake off the feeling of abandonment.

Downstairs, I searched every room, my footsteps echoing through the silence. No response. No sign of Alex. A flicker of concern ignited within me. He never left without a word. Was he fleeing from me?

As I stood at the kitchen window, my eyes wandered into the backyard, and that's when I saw him. Alex, kneeling in the grass, his face alight with joy, a tiny puppy wriggling in his arms. Sunlight danced across his features, illuminating a radiant smile I hadn't seen in what felt like an eternity.

My breath caught in my throat. I had grown accustomed to seeing sorrow etched on his face, tears welling up in his eyes whenever I touched him. Fear would flicker in his gaze, making my heart ache. But in this moment, Alex was unrecognizably happy.

The puppy's tiny paws waved in the air as Alex laughed, his eyes sparkling with a carefree delight that tugged at my heartstrings. I felt a pang of realization: I had been so consumed by our tumultuous relationship that I'd forgotten what happiness looked like on him.

As I watched, transfixed, Alex's smile faltered for an instant, and our eyes met through the window. For a fleeting moment, I saw a glimmer of the man I loved, the one I wanted to hold and protect.

As our eyes clashed, Alex's radiant smile faltered, and he swiftly rose to his feet, his movements eerily silent. He retreated into the house, leaving me to grapple with the turbulent emotions swirling within. I shook off the weakness, reminding myself of the anguish he'd unleashed upon me. His betrayal still seared my soul, and I hardened my heart, encasing it in a shield of contempt.

I paced towards him, my footsteps echoing through the hallway like a death knell. "Who dared grant you permission to frolic with that...dog while I slumbered?" I spat, my voice dripping with venomous malice.

Alex's silence was deafening, a palpable weight that hung in the air like a challenge. His eyes darted towards the floor, his lashes trembling as he struggled to contain his fear.

"Answer me," I snarled, my voice low and menacing, "or should I rip out your tongue and spare you the trouble of speaking for the rest of your pitiful life?" My words hung in the air, poisonous and deadly.

Alex's voice barely registered above a whisper. "I'm...sorry."

I settled into the sofa, my eyes glinting with malevolence as I issued my next command. "Prepare mac and cheese. I crave it. Twenty minutes, or that...animal's life is forfeit." My gaze lingered on Alex, feeding off his terror.

Alex's eyes welled up, brimming with unshed tears. "Can you, for once, shed the monster act? What has Charles ever done to you? He's innocent, just a lovely puppy." His voice trembled, cracking under the weight of his emotions.

I laughed, the sound cold and mirthless. "Charles?" I repeated, incredulous. "You've named it?" My lip curled into a sneer.

Alex's voice trembled. "Don't call him 'it.' I'll cook your food." He fled to the kitchen, leaving me to ponder the depth of my own depravity.

As I sat, surrounded by the oppressive silence, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The reflection revealed a stranger, twisted by hatred and control, with eyes that burned like embers from the underworld. For an instant, I wondered if I'd lost myself entirely, consumed by the darkness that had taken residence within.

As I scrolled through my phone, Alex approached me with a hesitant smile, bearing a steaming plate of mac and cheese. "I'm heading home now," he announced, his voice laced with a mix of relief and longing.

I set my phone aside, my gaze locking onto his. "Eat with me," I commanded, my tone low and expectant.

Alex's eyes darted towards the door, his shoulders sagging. "I can't, Ryan. Mom's waiting, and Dad has a hospital appointment." His words dripped with a quiet desperation.

I could have coerced him into staying, but my mood wasn't inclined towards leniency. "Sunday, 7 p.m., my house. You're accompanying me to a party." My voice brooked no argument.

Alex's face contorted in a mixture of fear and resolve. "Sunday's my off day, Ryan. I won't go." His words hung in the air like a challenge.

My spoon clattered onto the table, the sound echoing through the room like a warning shot. My jaw clenched, anger simmering beneath the surface. "You dare defy me?" I snarled, my voice venomous. "When I command you to be somewhere, you'll be there, Alexander."

Alex's eyes pleaded, his voice trembling. "Charlotte has a music show...please, Ryan."

My gaze narrowed. "Do you have feelings for her?" I demanded, my grip on his arm tightening.

Alex's silence was palpable, until he spat out the words: "Yes, I like her. What? Will you dictate who I can care for now?" His eyes blazed with defiance.

Rage ignited within me, and I hurled the mac and cheese plate to the floor, shattering the ceramic. I yanked Alex's hair, slamming him onto the sofa. Pinning his wrists, I loomed over him, my breath hot against his skin.

"You're a filthy whore, and I'll treat you as such," I snarled, biting into his neck. Alex's screams pierced the air - "RYAN, YOU'RE HURTING ME! PLEASE, SLOW DOWN!" - but I was beyond reason.

Just as I ripped open his shirt, the door swung open, and Ava walked into the chaos.

Ava's eyes sparkled with amusement as she surveyed the chaotic scene. "Oh, wow, what do we have here?" she chuckled, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I released Alex's wrists, and he sprang up, hastily adjusting his rumpled shirt. Tears streamed down his face, his eyes red and puffy. A livid teeth mark marred his neck, and he instinctively covered it with his hand.

Ava's gaze lingered on Alex's tear-stained face before shifting to me, her brow raised. "Are you into men, Ryan?" she asked, her tone laced with intrigue.

I forced a laugh, attempting to deflect her suspicion. "No, he was trying to get into my pants, and I was about to push him away."

But Alex's expression told a different story. His eyes blazed with anger and hurt, and before I could react, he slapped me with a resounding crack. The force of the blow left my cheek stinging.

Alex spun on his heel and sprinted out the door, leaving me reeling.

Ava's voice dripped with venom. "That whore slapped you, Ryan. Do you want me to handle this?"

I shook my head, still reeling from the slap. "No, he works for me. I'll handle it."

Ava's expression shifted, her smile returning. "I was wondering if you're attending the Sunday party?"

"I'll be there," I replied, my mind still reeling from Alex's sudden departure.

Ava's eyes sparkled. "Great, I'll go with you."

But I knew I couldn't risk Alex's presence alongside Ava's. "I'm afraid I'll have my personal assistant with me, Miss Brooks. Can't accommodate you this time."

Ava's smile faltered, her eyes narrowing.