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Chapter 5 - Flames of Obsession

The night fell gently over the city, its quiet descent almost unnoticed as the city lights flickered on, creating a tapestry of neon and shadows. Lucian Castell watched it all from his perch atop a glass and steel skyscraper, where his private office resided. His eyes were always fixed on the vast expanse below, but his mind, as it often did, was somewhere far away.

He held a glass of whiskey in one hand, the amber liquid barely touched. It reflected the city lights as though it contained the very essence of his dark spirit. Lucian wasn’t thinking of work, of transactions, or the meetings he'd had that day. What consumed him, what really gnawed at him and excited him in equal measure, was the thought of her: Seraphina Blake.

She had become an obsession, an unrelenting fire he couldn’t extinguish, no matter how many other deals or people he tried to dominate. Her name haunted him constantly, her face with that defiant expression, her voice, her energy… everything about her stirred something deep within him.

“I never lose control,” Lucian muttered to himself, more as a statement than a question. But even he knew that wasn’t true.

He walked to the window again, looking out at the sprawling city below. But the images in his mind weren’t of the city— they were of Seraphina.

The office was silent, save for the soft sound of footsteps as Alaric, his loyal assistant, entered the room. He could tell Lucian was agitated—not just by business, but by something far more personal. Something that couldn’t be discussed on paper or in any boardroom.

“She’s reacting as you expected?” Alaric asked cautiously.

Lucian didn’t answer right away. His eyes lingered on the desk, papers and documents neatly arranged, but his mind was elsewhere. It was hard to think clearly when the desire for Seraphina burned so hot within him.

“She’s more resistant than I thought,” Lucian replied finally, his words growing quieter as if he were mulling over them. “She challenges me… That only makes her more interesting.”

Alaric frowned, a hint of concern in his eyes. “Don’t you think it’s risky, getting involved with her like this? Her loyalty might not be something you can control.”

Lucian turned to face his assistant with a cold smile. “I never spoke of loyalty, Alaric. I want more than that. And I will have what I want.”

Alaric knew better than to argue when Lucian was this consumed. “Understood, sir. Just… be mindful of the risks.”

Lucian didn’t respond. He didn’t believe in risks. Everything was a matter of control. And he was about to take control of Seraphina, no matter how difficult it might be.

Later that night, Lucian found himself at one of his exclusive clubs, one of his personal refuges. Few knew about this place. It was a club for the powerful and dangerous, a venue where laws didn’t apply, where secrets were kept, and where deals were made in ways that couldn’t be seen in the light of day.

The entrance was discreet, hidden between two alleys. The bouncer nodded to Lucian as he approached, and without a word, Lucian walked in. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the sound of soft music mingling with hushed conversations. He crossed the room and headed toward a door at the back, where a small group of men waited for him. They rose immediately as he entered, his presence demanding respect.

“Lucian,” said Viktor, one of the most influential men in the room, with a calculated smile. “We thought you wouldn’t be joining us tonight.”

Lucian gave him a glance, the same cold look he always wore. “I never fail to meet my commitments, Viktor. And if you want my attention, you’d better know I’ve been here all along.”

They began discussing financial matters—large sums and deals that couldn’t be made in the open world. Lucian manipulated the men with ease, his presence imposing, his words carefully chosen. He knew how to play the game, how to be the leader, the mastermind behind the business. But even while he was in charge, his mind wasn’t there. His mind was with her.

“We’ve got everything under control, Lucian. Anything else you’d like to add?” Viktor asked, noticing Lucian’s distraction.

Lucian glanced at him for a moment, as if pulled out of a trance. “Nothing, Viktor. Continue with your work. I’ll handle other… matters.”

He stood abruptly, cutting the meeting short. He wasn’t interested in that world for the moment. The thought of Seraphina—the fire he couldn’t put out—was consuming him again.

Later, back in his private home office, Lucian secluded himself. He reached for a photo from a hidden shelf, a picture he kept far from anyone’s gaze.

It was from years ago, when his life had been different—or perhaps simpler. He was on a remote island, standing beside Isabelle, a woman he had once believed was the only one who truly understood him. She smiled at the camera, with a look of adoration, and even Lucian, despite all his control, had looked back at her with affection. But by then, he knew that love was a weakness.

The relationship with Isabelle had ended in tragedy. She had become a bitter reminder of what happened when he allowed someone to get too close. He could no longer afford to be emotionally involved with anyone.

But with Seraphina, it was different.

He couldn’t pinpoint what made her so fascinating. Maybe it was her resistance, the way she defied him and made him feel alive in a way he’d never felt before. Maybe it was her strength, something he didn’t want to destroy but to dominate. She was breaking his rules, but he was willing to be broken by her.

“You won’t be like Isabelle,” he whispered to himself, putting the photo back into its hidden place. “I won’t lose you.”

---

Lucian’s phone vibrated on the desk, pulling him from his thoughts. He looked at the screen, and the name that appeared made his heart beat faster with a mixture of fear and desire.

Seraphina

He hesitated for a moment before opening the message.

“What do you want from me, Lucian?”

The simple question, cold and direct, made his pulse race. What did he want? He wanted everything from her. He wanted everything she could give him: her passion, her fears, her desires. He wanted to see how far she would go, how much he could push her. He wanted to explore every part of her soul, to see if she would surrender to him or resist to the end.

He typed his response slowly, each word deliberate and heavy with intent.

“Everything.”

It was simple, but it was everything he wanted. He wanted to possess her in every way, leaving no space for anything or anyone else. He knew this obsession wasn’t healthy, but in his mind, that didn’t matter. He always got what he wanted.

As he typed the message, a sense of pleasure spread through him. He knew that sooner or later, she would become part of his world, just like everyone else who had dared to challenge his will.

But with Seraphina, he knew it would be different. She was the one person who could burn him, and he was ready to be consumed by the flames if it meant having her for himself.

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