C25 His girlfriend

SYDNEY

I gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, heart hammering in my chest. There he was, Alaric Blackthorne, casually driving his sleek black car through the city streets, completely unaware that I was tailing him. I told myself it was “investigative,” noble even, but the truth was… curiosity, obsession, whatever you called it, had me hooked.

I followed him carefully, keeping a safe distance, not wanting to draw attention. He turned down a quiet street lined with towering oaks, and I followed, clutching the steering wheel so hard my knuckles were white. Finally, he pulled into a gated property. A house that looked more like a private estate than a home.

I parked my car a few blocks away, letting my heart rate slow for a fraction of a second before trekking closer on foot. Every step felt surreal, the evening air sharp against my skin. My mind raced: Who does he live with? What’s his life like outside the office?

---

I crept behind the hedge, peeking at the front of the house. Alaric’s car glided into the driveway, and he stepped out. That’s when I saw her—a woman standing at the doorstep, her long dark hair catching the fading sunlight, her expression brightening the moment she spotted him. She was… beautiful, yes, but it was the warmth in her smile, the ease in her posture, that made my chest tighten.

Before I could take it all in, the woman’s eyes swept over the garden hedge where I was hiding. And then they widened.

“Oh my god,” she said, a little squeak in her voice. “It’s really you!”

I blinked. Her? She recognizes me?

Alaric’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Maya, calm down. Who—”

She laughed softly, ignoring his warning. “I can’t believe it! Sydney Stallone! You’re here! Wow… it’s such an honor!”

I froze, caught in the act. Alaric spun toward me, eyes darkening instantly.

“What are you doing here?” His voice was a low growl, sharp, dangerous, like a whip cracking in the air.

I tried to form words, but my lips faltered.

“You can’t just—” Alaric began, his gaze piercing through me.

Maya stepped between us, hands raised, calm and authoritative. “Alaric, stop. Let her explain herself. She’s not here to cause trouble.”

I barely had time to register what was happening before Maya’s eyes locked onto me fully, a look of sheer delight washing over her face.

“Is she the one you’ve been telling me about all this while?” she asked, excitement bubbling in her voice.

I nearly choked on my own breath. She’s a fan? She knows about me?

Alaric’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he gestured to the side, silent, almost protective. “Sydney,” he said, voice still harsh. “This is private. Why are you here?”

I blinked, gathering my courage. “I… I was curious,” I admitted, voice trembling slightly. “I wanted to see… your home life.”

Alaric’s eyes narrowed. “Curious? That’s an understatement. You’re stalking me.”

I laughed nervously, trying to defuse the tension. “Okay, maybe I’m a little obsessed. But who wouldn’t be?”

Maya, still glowing with admiration, looked at me as if I were a goddess. “You’re amazing! And you’re actually standing here in my Alaric’s life. This is incredible!”

I could feel my envy prickling under my skin. She was so… at ease with him. Smiling at him, talking to him, laughing. Everything I had imagined being mine, she already had.

Alaric, clearly fed up, crossed his arms. “Sydney, leave. Now.”

I swallowed, my pride stung, my heart aching with jealousy. I nodded, backing away slowly. “Fine,” I muttered. “I’ll leave.”

As I retreated, Maya called after me, still thrilled. “Thank you for visiting! I’ve been your fan for ages! Seriously, this is a dream come true!”

I nearly rolled my eyes, muttering under my breath, but I couldn’t deny the tiny thrill of being admired—even if it was overshadowed by my envy of her.

---

Back in my apartment, I collapsed dramatically onto my bed, tossing my heels across the floor. The adrenaline that had propelled me to follow him evaporated, leaving a mix of frustration, longing, and jealousy in its wake.

I couldn’t stop thinking about him—Alaric Blackthorne. How he lived, the way he was with Maya, the danger and control and raw magnetic energy he carried. My entire body felt like it had been set on fire, a mix of envy and desire that I couldn’t control.

Paige knocked lightly and entered, carrying her tablet. “Sydney, what’s wrong? You look like you’ve run into a ghost.”

I groaned, flopping back onto the bed. “I saw him… at home. He lives with a woman, Paige. She’s his… she’s perfect. She’s confident. She knows him. She… she’s everything I’m not.”

Paige blinked. “Wow. And this… ruined your day?”

I sat up, glaring. “Yes! And no. I mean, yes, because it crushed my ego, my heart, and my dignity. But also no… because it made me realize I need a distraction. Someone else. A way to get over him. And that someone… is Andy.”

Paige’s eyebrows rose. “Andy? You mean the guy your Father wants you to marry?”

I nodded. “Exactly. Fix it. Now. I’ve been procrastinating for too long. I need to finally go on the date. To get over Alaric, not the other way around!”

Paige smirked knowingly. “You’re lucky I like you, otherwise I’d just laugh at your disaster.”

“I don’t care,” I said, flopping back dramatically. “Just make it happen. I need… closure. A little normalcy. A little control over something in my life for once.”

Paige laughed softly, tapping away at her tablet. “Consider it done.”

I leaned back, staring at the ceiling, feeling a flicker of relief. At least I had a plan. At least I could redirect my obsessive thoughts toward someone more manageable, less dangerous. At least… I could try to breathe.

But deep down, I knew. Alaric wasn’t going anywhere. He was a storm waiting to break through my perfectly constructed plans, and I was hopelessly addicted to the chaos he brought.

And the lady who was with him … well, she was just another complication I hadn’t counted on.

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