Dark Romance: A Cruel Obsession

The rose garden of Lady Yazmin always reminded Vivian of the rose garden in front of the villa in Los Angeles. When the breeze brushed her face, the familiar scent of roses made her feel as if she were back in her mother’s embrace.

In fact, Vivian hadn’t heard from her mother, Tasneem, for a long time. Even the family in Los Angeles no longer contacted her individually. But that didn’t mean she was eager to see Joseph.

In the spacious living room of the villa, only three people sat: Alajos, Simpson, and Joseph. They were all smiling, looking pleased, with a light and cheerful tone, showing no sign of hostility.

However, the relationship between Los Angeles and Houston was not very good. Vivian was well aware of the blood and flesh behind their alliance.

When Joseph heard a sound, he turned around, his gaze wandering over Vivian. “I thought it was my fiancee.”

“Sorry to disappoint you,” Vivian snorted. She knew why Joseph had come to Houston.

“Yes, I am disappointed.” But Joseph’s expression showed no disappointment; instead, it held a hint of disgust that made Vivian nauseous. “So, where is my dear fiancee now? Can you help me find her?”

Vivian wanted to say she couldn’t, but Alajos spoke first, “Of course she can.”

He looked at Vivian, “She should be in the strawberry field. Please bring her back.”

Alajos’ tone was firm, leaving no room for Vivian to refuse.

Joseph seemed very satisfied with Alajos’ cooperation.

But Vivian didn’t understand. Her eyes slightly reddened as she glared at Alajos. “She should have her freedom.”

Privately, as a husband, Alajos could overlook Vivian’s foolishness without reprimand. But in front of Joseph, he could only be Houston’s Capo; everyone should respect his wishes and work for him. He had to maintain the dignity of a Capo.

“Stop your foolishness, Vivian,” Alajos’ expression was unyielding as he commanded, “Go and bring Luzia back.”

Alajos’ expression was too harsh, and Vivian was somewhat afraid of him. Reluctantly, she walked out of the villa and, guided by a servant, made her way to the strawberry field.

Lady Yazmin was not there; perhaps she was in the kitchen preparing tea and snacks for the guests.

Would there be cookies that Luzia liked?

Vivian pushed open the door of the greenhouse. Her clean white casual shoes stepped onto the deep brown soil, making a faint creaking sound. She walked through the shelves and looked around the yard, but she didn’t see Luzia’s figure.

Alajos said Luzia was here. Did he lie?

Vivian tentatively called out, “Luzia?”

The rustling of the grass made a faint sound, and Vivian saw a head cautiously poking out from the dense strawberry bushes in the corner to the right.

It was Luzia.

“Oh my goodness,” Vivian walked around the wooden frame, heading into the field. “How did you manage to get yourself into this state?”

Luzia, confirming that it was Vivian, let out a heavy sigh. “I thought it was your brother.”

Vivian paused. “You know he’s here?”

“Alajos told me. He’s here to discuss the engagement ceremony with my parents.” Luzia pulled herself out of the strawberry field in frustration.

Vivian’s arrival had been too sudden, and Luzia had hidden too hastily, ending up covered in mud.

Vivian handed her a wet tissue. “I’m sorry. Joseph is stubborn and self-centered. He has learned a hundred percent of his father’s autocratic rule, and no one can change his mind. Even though I am now Alajos’ wife, a Capo’s wife with certain rights, I cannot shake Joseph’s determination.”

She couldn’t help her friend.

“You don’t need to apologize, Vivian. You are my best friend.” Luzia wiped her face with the wet tissue. “Truth be told, I’m very afraid.”

“Engagement means the wedding will come soon. After the wedding, I must go to live with him in Los Angeles, away from Houston, away from you, away from Alajos… I can’t imagine such a life.” Tears fell, and Luzia sobbed softly. “In fact, I have been avoiding it. I thought that as long as I didn’t think about Joseph, didn’t think about Los Angeles, that day would never come.”

“I really wish this was just a nightmare,” Luzia said.

Nightmares always have a time to wake up, but misfortune doesn’t.

Vivian didn’t know how to comfort her friend. She was trapped in an unhappy marriage herself, unable to see the direction ofthe future. What’s more, she was now going to watch Luzia fall into a marriage even more unbearable than her own. She was tormented by her own helplessness.

Apart from “I’m sorry”, Vivian didn’t know what else to say to Luzia. Should she tell her that Joseph was a cruel and narrow-minded man? Or should she lie and say that the real Joseph wasn’t as ruthless and cruel as the rumors suggested, that he would cherish and care for his wife?

Lies are always exposed, and when the brutal truth comes to light, the strong collision of reality and ideals could lead a person into an even greater tragedy. Vivian wished that Luzia had seen Joseph’s true nature from the beginning.

“May God bless you, dear girl,” Vivian embraced Luzia, earnestly praying.

Luzia cried in her arms, too distressed. Vivian’s embrace was the only refuge from the storm for her at that moment, and she couldn’t stop crying.

Vivian’s heart twisted. Neither of them had noticed time slipping away.

Washing her face with the clean water outside the strawberry field, the cold water eased Luzia’s emotions a bit, but her eyes were still red.

Vivian stood by, handing her a clean tissue. She caught a glimpse of someone walking from the direction of the villa, realizing that she and Luzia had lingered for quite some time.

“Vivian, did you make my bride cry?” Joseph frowned, questioning Vivian in a displeased tone.

Alajos also wore a grim expression, not only because Joseph had scolded his wife, but also because Vivian had once again defied his will.

“No, she…” Luzia explained, “I’m just not feeling well…”

Joseph looked coldly at Luzia, his icy gaze not befitting that of a fiance, but rather that of someone looking at a toy without self-will.

Vivian feared that gaze. She had seen it too many times, from her father.

A shiver ran down Vivian’s spine.

“Is that so?” Joseph sneered, “My fiancee is feeling unwell because of my arrival…”

“No…” Luzia instinctively countered, sensing the threat in Joseph’s words. She nervously swallowed, “It’s just too sudden. I’m not ready for the wedding yet.”Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

Luzia’s timely display of fear satisfied Joseph. He no longer pursued the previous question and even softened his facial expression a bit.

Ignoring Luzia’s resistance, he forcibly grasped her hand and led her back toward the villa. “Now you should go change into something new, and I will visit your parents to discuss the engagement ceremony three days from now.”

Luzia stumbled at his grip.

Simpson stood in Joseph’s way. “Don’t be so rude, Joseph. She is your fiancee.”

Simpson’s warning angered Joseph, and he poked Simpson’s chest with his finger, over and over, “Don’t order me!”

“You!”

“Simpson!” Alajos growled, stopping Simpson. Then he looked at Joseph, “Luzia is also a cherished member of our family. Her union with you represents a renewed alliance between the Houston and Los Angeles mobs. I hope you can show sincerity in how you treat an ally, Joseph.”