Chapter 3: Obsession and Bruises
CRYSTAL POV
I shouldn't be thinking about her.
But I am.
Three damn weeks. Three long weeks since I met that girl — Bella — and she's still in my head like a curse I can't shake. Her eyes. Her softness. The way she looked at me like she didn't belong in my world… like she was too pure for the darkness I live in.
I've had women. Too many to count. None of them ever stayed in my mind like this.
But Bella?
The thought of another man touching her makes something dark twist in my chest. It makes me want to break bones and spill blood. And that's how I know she's dangerous to me.
"Get out," I snapped, my mood ruined.
The woman in my office froze. "But Crystal—"
"Out. Now."
She left quickly. I didn't care. None of them mattered.
Christian walked in a moment later, already annoying me with his face.
"You called?" he asked lazily.
"I want everything on Bella," I said. "Where she lives. Who she lives with. Her past. Her present. Everything. And I want it fast."
Christian frowned. "In a few hours? That's not—"
"I don't care how you do it," I cut him off coldly. "Just get it done."
He smirked. "Since when do you get soft over a girl?"
I stood, my eyes hard. "Since she became my business."
Christian raised his hands. "Alright, boss. I'm on it."
As he walked out, I leaned back in my chair, clenching my jaw.
I don't get weak.
Not for anyone.
Not even for Bella.
But something about her already owns a part of me… and I don't like it.
BELLA POV
Pain is something I've learned to live with.
But some days… some days it feels like my body can't take anymore.
"I'm sorry, sir… it wasn't intentional," I cried, my voice breaking.
The belt came down again.
"You have to learn the hard way, you useless girl," my uncle snarled.
I closed my eyes, waiting for it to end.
The last thing I felt was a sharp pain in my head… then darkness.
NEXT DAY
Holy sweet mother Jesus… why is it always me?
All I wanted was to finish my assignment. The only library in this house is his. I was rushing through the books when they fell. Before I could even pick them up, I felt something hard hit my back.
And that was how today's beating started.
I lay on my bed later, staring at the ceiling, my body aching.
Sometimes I wonder why I didn't die with my parents. At least we would have been together.
But my mother's voice always comes back to me:
There is a reason for everything that happens in life. Always train your mind to blame no one.
So I wiped my tears. I took a shower. I covered my bruises with makeup.
And I went to work.
At the club
"MY B!" Marvin shouted, almost making me jump.
"Marvin, what?" I asked tiredly.
"You're ten minutes late! I saved your ass from the boss, and this is the thanks I get?" he said dramatically.
"I'm sorry, okay? Thank you, boss daddy," I joked weakly before rushing to the bar.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice someone standing in front of me.
"Are you sleeping on duty?" a deep, familiar voice said.
My heart stopped.
Crystal.
"I— I'm sorry. What can I get you?" I asked nervously.
"You work here," he said slowly, studying me.
"What can I get you, sir?" I repeated.
"When does your shift end?"
"3 AM," I answered before I could stop myself.
"Get your things. You're coming with me."
My eyes widened. "No."
"Don't test me, sweetness," he said quietly, dangerously calm. "I already spoke to your boss."
"I said no," I snapped, fear and anger mixing.
The next thing I knew, I was being pulled away from the bar.
"Put me down!" I struggled.
"Behave," he warned, his voice low.
No one helped. No one stopped him.
And just like that, my life was slipping further into a world I didn't understand…
A world ruled by men like Crystal.