06. FELIX YEATS (POV)

I watch intently as the woman who immediately caught my eye at the ball turns out to be the same one mentioned by my brother, Mrs. Winstorn, before he left to manage business affairs for her.

He was right when he said she has a mesmerizing appearance, oblivious to the effects she has on a man. But I am not oblivious to her effects. Touching her that day became inevitable, and learning that Simon, her friend until then, harbored feelings for her, filled me with an absurd need to have her for myself, to mark her in a way she would never forget the impact I made.

I have been observing her for the past few days, but it becomes difficult when she barely leaves the college dormitory. Until I had the idea to use my influence to secure a position at the biggest jewelry store in Chicago, ensuring she would be called for an interview. Actually, the job will be hers.

I notice she turns, aware of my presence. I lower my gaze a bit, letting the raindrops flood my face even more.

"Are you alone here, lost in the rain?" My voice resonates through the rain, knowing she will not recognize me immediately.

I lift my gaze, fixing it on her sweet face. She seems to squint to see me better.

"I'm just visiting someone special. And you?" she responds cautiously, holding her umbrella tightly.

I sketch an enigmatic smile, clenching my fists in the pockets of my trousers. Little does she know what I'm really doing here. It might be interesting to take advantage of this further.

"I miss someone..." I murmur, turning around. I feel her gaze still on me as I move away as much as I can, until she can no longer see me. However, she is still in my field of vision, moving away from the grave and heading towards the exit.

Every move she makes is meticulously registered by my eager eyes. Her delicate profile contrasts with the brutality of the surrounding weather, creating a striking and intriguing image. There’s something about her that ignites a burning desire within me, an uncontrollable urge to possess her, to have her completely under my control.

As the rain continues to fall, I walk silently behind her, sinking deeper into my own dark thoughts. What will she do when she discovers my true intentions? How will she react upon realizing that all this is just a carefully planned manipulation by me?

These questions echo in my mind as I continue to follow her, determined to discover how far I can take her, how much I can control her destiny. After all, in this game of power and seduction, only the most cunning and ruthless emerge victorious. And I am determined to be one of them, until she is completely under my control.

As we approach the bus stop, I notice it's crowded due to the intense rain. I watch her seeking a place to shelter from the storm, her expression showing some discomfort in front of the crowd.

Deciding to blend into the crowd, I look for an opportunity to get closer to her. Then, as if by chance, I pretend to bump into her. When our eyes meet, a jolt of electricity runs through my body. Her surprised gaze captivates me; she has eyes as beautiful as the sea.

She is momentarily speechless under the intensity of my gaze, her face blushing slightly at my presence. Seizing the moment, I decide to use this to my advantage.

"I'm sorry," I murmur, with a subtle smile on my lips, but my eyes remain fixed on hers, conveying an intensity I can't ignore.

She seems taken aback by my approach, but her expression soon softens. Then, she seems to recognize me, a shy smile spreading across her face.

"You were at the cemetery," she says, a note of surprise in her voice.

"Yes, I was there," I reply, trying to control the growing excitement I feel at being so close to her. Her eyes probe me with curiosity as she notices my damp clothes.

"It seems like the person was very special to you," she comments sweetly, nodding toward my wet attire.

"Yes," I agree, still keeping my gaze locked on hers, struggling not to reveal my desperate need to be near her. "Very special. You can't imagine how much they are missed." My words are laden with meaning, each syllable an expression of my attraction to her.

If only she knew that the absence I feel now is for possessing her, for having her again in my arms, even though she might have thought it was another man. But that is a detail she need never know.

As I maintain my gaze on hers, I can see a spark of recognition in her eyes. She seems to sense something beyond the words coming from my mouth, something deeper, darker.

Drawing closer, she slightly furrows her brow, as if trying to decipher a puzzle.

"You... you seem familiar," she murmurs, her voice laden with uncertainty.

A thrill of excitement runs through me at her words. Is she beginning to suspect something? Is she starting to see the real me behind the mask I wore?

I decide to play along, feeding her curiosity while keeping my true intentions hidden.

"Perhaps we've seen each other before," I reply enigmatically, leaving her even more intrigued.

Internally, I'm seething; each interaction with her only fuels my obsession further, making me more determined than ever to have her for myself. Now, with her so close, so vulnerable, I feel closer than ever to fulfilling my deepest desire.

I watch attentively as she glances away, her eyes fixing on the bus approaching in the distance. A slight smile plays on my lips as I notice her hesitation, her indecision between leaving or staying.

Seizing the moment, I take a step closer to her, reducing the space between us even more. I can feel the warmth of her body, the scent of her perfume, all of it just fueling my insatiable thirst for her.

"Is that yours?" I ask softly, my voice carrying a restrained intensity. Inside, I'm pulsing with desire, longing to have her completely.

She turns her gaze back to me, her eyes meeting mine once again. For a brief moment, there's a silent exchange of understanding between us, as if both of us know what is about to happen.

If she knew what was to come, if she knew how deeply I'm willing to go to have her, perhaps she'd think twice before boarding that bus. But for now, she is still under my spell, still caught in the web I've skillfully woven around her.

"It's just a matter of time before she completely falls into my hands, before she becomes mine once and for all. And when that moment arrives, there will be nothing that can separate us."

"I need to go," she says goodbye, looking back at me again.

I watch as she waves to the bus that stops just ahead, feeling a mix of conflicting emotions inside me. Part of me wants her to go, to get away before it's too late, before I lose myself completely in my own obsession with her.

But another part of me, the darker and more selfish part, longs for her to stay, to have her closer and more involved in the plans I orchestrate in my mind.

"I understand," I respond with a nod, my voice sounding calm and controlled on the outside, but inside I'm boiling with frustration and desire.

As she walks toward the bus, I watch her with hungry eyes, my mind spinning with dark thoughts.

No matter where she goes, no matter what happens, I know that the inevitability of our destiny is sealed. Sooner or later, she will be mine, totally and irreversibly mine.

As soon as she boards the bus, I head back near the cemetery and with a discreet wave, I call John who is with an umbrella waiting for me, close to the car as I watch the bus slowly drive away. As he approaches, I open the door and get in, feeling the warmth of the car's interior envelop me.

"John," I call him as he takes his place in the driver's seat. "I need you to buy a rabbit."

"A rabbit, sir?" John asks, surprised, while keeping his eyes on the road ahead. His voice reveals a hint of curiosity and confusion at my unusual request.

"Yes, a rabbit," I reply, keeping my expression serene as we drive away from the cemetery and the city lights approach. "A rabbit as a pet. I need you to buy it as soon as possible."

John nods silently, but I can tell he's intrigued. His eyes meet mine briefly in the rearview mirror, a questioning look crossing his face.

"Understand, John," I continue, determined to dispel any doubts he might have. "This rabbit has a specific purpose. Something I need to have control over."

John doesn't respond immediately, but I can feel his curiosity as he drives through the city. I rest my right ankle on my left knee, placing my hand there too, playing with the family crest ring.

"You will be mine, little bunny," I whisper to myself, watching the dense rain outside.

My heart skips a beat just thinking about what I will be able to do when she is finally mine. Meanwhile, I need to plan how to get even closer to her.