...   Mel Francisco||•...

Age: 29

Height: 6'2

Nationality: Italian - Russian

Birthday: March 14

..."I don't chase, I claim what's mine."...

...Niomi Sterling||•...

Age: 23

Height: 5'5

Nationality: American

Birthday: October 27

"I built my empire so I could never be owned, then she came along..."

...............

...Niomi's POV~...

I stood alone in the hallway outside my office. The staff had just clocked out, leaving behind an almost painful silence.

Earlier, I called my fiancée and told her I'd be working late tonight. She sounded tired, so I let her end the call.

Little did she know...

I had a surprise planned.

Today was our anniversary.

On my way home, I stopped to buy her a new pair of sneakers from her favorite brand, a few T-shirts for our next date, and every snack she loved.

"Boss, where to?" my driver, Brad, asked.

"Home, Brad. Home," I replied, grinning like a complete idiot.

When we pulled into the driveway, I frowned.

The entire house was lit up...

Except for mine and Cynthia's bedroom.

"That's... weird," I muttered.

I carefully set the gifts on the kitchen counter before quietly making my way upstairs.

Then I heard it.

Muffled sounds.

A woman's voice.

"...Cynthia..."

"...Fvck..."

Moaning.

My blood ran cold.

No...

She wouldn't.

She couldn't.

My chest tightened as tears burned my eyes. Every step toward the bedroom felt heavier than the last.

I slowly peeked through the slightly open door.

My world shattered.

Cynthia...

And my best friend, Stella.

My knees nearly gave out.

It felt like someone had punched me in the stomach before driving a knife straight through my heart.

For a moment, I couldn't breathe.

Then anger replaced the heartbreak.

With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and recorded everything.

Nobody humiliates me and walks away smiling.

They wanted to destroy my heart...

Fine.

I'd destroy their perfect little lives.

Without making a sound, I turned around, walked out of the house, got into my car, and drove straight to my girls, the same friends who had warned me about Cynthia and Stella months ago.

Ha, I should've listened.

I told them all what happened and as usual they took me to the club. The club had dim lights. Half blue and half red. It was like a taste of both worlds. Dominant but sweet and Submissive but harsh. Ironic isn't it?

I chuckled to myself at the thought.

While going to get a drink I bumped into someone. "Omg I'm so sorry" I blurted out embarrassed.

I looked up to find the most attractive female I've seen in my life. Dark chocolate hair, chestnut brown eyes, ouuu and her lips??? Plump with the right shade.

No, I shouldn't be thinking like this tonight. At least not right now. I need a drink.

"It's okay, Tesoro" she said with a sly smerk.

I do not know what she said at the end but she sounds damn good. Her voice thick of an accent that I know of too well. Russian.

Dare I say it's sexy?

I then snapped out of it and without saying another word headed for the bartender.

.......

5 shots in I can feel my emotions heightening.

The club didn’t feel the same anymore.

I could feel it, eyes.

Not one. Not two. Multiple.

Every time I turned my head, conversations seemed to shift. Laughter dropped for half a second too long. Someone was always looking away too quickly.

I swallowed hard and told myself I was imagining it.

That’s when he approached me.

Confident. Too confident.

“Hey, you looked like you needed company.”

“I’m fine,” I said immediately, turning my drink slightly away.

He didn’t leave.

I exhaled slowly. “I said I’m fine.”

Still there.

My grip tightened.

“Are you deaf, or just stupid?” I snapped, voice sharper than I intended.

That did it. He finally backed off.

But the feeling didn’t leave.

It followed me.

I stood up, pushing through the crowd. Too loud. Too hot. Too much.

I needed air.

The hallway outside the restroom was quieter. Dimmer. The music became a dull heartbeat behind the walls.

I leaned against the sink, breathing out slowly.

Something’s wrong.

I looked up.

A shadow moved behind me.

Before I could turn fully, a cloth covered my face.

My body jerked.

“What…”

A sharp scent hit me. My head spun instantly.

No.

No, no.

I struggled, but my limbs felt heavy. My vision blurred at the edges.

Through the fading light, I heard shouting.

A crash.

Then punches.

Grunts.

Someone was fighting.

And then a figure stepped into view.

Dark hair. Calm movement. Familiar.

The girl from earlier.

She moved like she wasn’t afraid of anything.

The men dropped one by one before I could even understand what was happening.

My knees buckled.

She caught me before I hit the floor.

Warm arms. Steady grip.

“Don’t…” I tried to speak, my voice breaking. “Don’t leave me…”

Her face came into focus.

And then everything went dark.

The first thing I noticed wasn't the room.

It was the scent.

Fresh lavender mixed with cedarwood, with a hint of vanilla lingering in the air. It was calming... strangely comforting.

My eyes slowly fluttered open.

"This isn't my room..."

I shot upright, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. Dark wooden furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, and a bedroom far too luxurious to belong to anyone ordinary.

"...Where the hell am I?"

Then I looked down.

I wasn't wearing yesterday's clothes.

Instead, I had on an oversized black T-shirt that smelled exactly like the room.

Heat rushed to my face.

"What the..."

I quickly checked underneath the shirt.

Still dressed.

"...Thank God."

On the nightstand sat a neatly folded outfit with a handwritten note resting on top.

Good morning.

The bathroom is to your left.

Take a shower and put those on.

Breakfast is downstairs.

—M

"...Bossy."

I couldn't stop the small smile that tugged at my lips.

After showering and changing, I followed the smell of fresh coffee and pancakes downstairs.

The kitchen was gorgeous.

Standing at the stove was the woman from last night.

She hadn't noticed me yet.

Her dark hair was tied back loosely, sleeves rolled to her elbows as she effortlessly flipped pancakes.

I cleared my throat.

She glanced over her shoulder.

Those chestnut eyes met mine again.

"So..." I folded my arms with a teasing smirk. "Is this your idea of a one-night stand?"

She rolled her eyes before letting out a quiet chuckle.

"If this were a one-night stand," she replied, "you wouldn't have gotten breakfast."

"Oh?"

"I would've ordered you a taxi."

I laughed despite myself.

Cocky.

Very cocky.

Why was that... attractive?

For a second, I forgot everything.

Her eyes.

Her voice.

That scent.

God...

Get a grip, Niomi.

My phone suddenly vibrated across the counter.

Cynthia ❤️

My smile disappeared.

I answered.

"Baby!" she chirped. "Did you come home last night? I waited for you."

The audacity.

"I had someone collect the gifts," I lied flatly.

"Oh... I missed you."

"Mhm."

"...You don't sound okay."

"I'm fine."

"Love you."

"...Okay."

I ended the call before she could say another word.

The silence lingered.

"The person who called..." the woman asked gently.

"My fiancée."

A pause.

"...Ex-fiancée."

She frowned.

"She cheated."

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

"I'm sorry."

"It's whatever."

I looked up.

"I'm Niomi."

A small smile crossed her lips.

"Mel."

Just...

Mel.

...Mel's POV~...

The front door clicked shut behind Niomi.

I stood there longer than I should have.

"What is wrong with me?"

My phone buzzed.

Valeria Calling.

I answered.

"So?" Valeria said immediately. "Who kept you busy all night?"

I leaned against the kitchen counter.

"I met someone."

"...You?"

"At the club."

Valeria laughed.

"This I have to hear."

I found myself telling her everything.

The woman I bumped into.

The way she apologized.

How I found her barely conscious.

How I couldn't just leave her there.

And the strange feeling that settled in my chest the moment I caught her.

When I finally finished, the line went quiet.

"...Mel."

"What?"

"You sound smitten."

"I do not."

"You do."

I sighed.

"I don't know what it is."

I looked toward the staircase she'd walked down earlier.

"But I feel..."

"...connected to her."

I closed my eyes.

"And her scent..."

Valeria snorted.

"Here we go."

"It smells like lavender in spring."

Silence.

"I can still smell it."

Valeria's teasing tone disappeared.

"...Mel."

"What?"

"You've never said that about anyone before."

I knew.

That was the problem.

30 years..... Could it possibly be her..?

Welcome to HER Deadly Obsession.

This story is filled with unexpected twists, secrets, betrayal, danger, and a love that refuses to stay within the lines. Every chapter uncovers another piece of the puzzle, and not everyone is who they seem to be. Thank you for giving my story a chance. I hope you enjoy the journey, connect with the characters, and stay until the very last page. Happy reading, and don't forget to share your thoughts after each chapter. Your support and feedback mean more than you know.