Divine Obsession (GodHood #2)

Chapter 22

Present

The soft glow of the golden city lights poured through my bedroom windows, while the soft hum of my playlist filled the air, blending with the faint scent of my favorite vanilla candles. I stood in front of my wardrobe mirror, fixing my dress – a light pink that hugged my curves, yet was appropriate enough for the event. The light caught the diamonds around my neck as I leaned closer to touch up my lip-gloss.

I felt him before I saw him.

My eyes flicked in the mirror, catching the unmistakable huge silhouette leaning casually against the doorframe.

“ Trevor ,” I whispered, spinning around to face him, my voice equal parts surprise and exasperation.

He pushed off the frame, closed the door behind him and stepped into the room, his broad frame so much larger than my own. His dark eyes took me in, slow and deliberate, sending a familiar heat curling through me.

“Baby, you’re beautiful,” He murmured, his voice low, like a secret meant only for me.

I felt my cheekbones blush. “What are you doing here?”

“Kali’s already at the party. And I’m supposed to be watching her.” He paused for a moment, his expression somber. “But here I am.”

I laughed softly, a sound that felt easy and free around him. “You can’t just show up here. If my parents catch us–”

He crossed the distance between us in two strides, his fingers already going into my hair and pulling me close into his hard body. “ No one is going to keep me from you.”

The conviction in his voice sent a shiver down my spine.

Before I could respond, his lips found mine, soft but firm, coaxing a response from me that I couldn’t deny even if I wanted to. The kiss was warm, deep, and unhurried. My arms looped around his neck, my fingers threading into his hair as I melted into him. His hand slid to the small of my back, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us.

When we finally broke apart, his forehead rested against mine, his chest rising and falling heavily.

I was breathless, my hands gripping the collar of his suit like he might disappear if I let go. “You’re going to get us both in trouble…”

His smirk deepened. “Worth it.”

I giggled despite myself, shoving at his chest lightly.

He stepped back lazily, his hand holding onto mine for a beat longer. “I’ll see you downstairs.”

And then, he was gone.

Carmen’s room was on the other side of the hallway. Her space was somewhat the opposite of mine – simple, elegant, and almost painfully pristine. Everything was white or cream, from the furniture to the walls to the soft, airy curtains framing the windows. A single vase of pink peonies sat on her desk, the only pop of color in the room.

She was sitting on the edge of her bed, her head tilted slightly as she adjusted the strap of her gown.

“You ready, birthday girl?” I asked, stepping inside and giving a playful spin. My dress flared out, and I laughed as I flopped down onto her bed, the fluffy blankets wrapping me in their softness.

Carmen turned to me with a raised eyebrow, her lips curling into a teasing smile. I couldn’t believe she was finally turning nineteen. “What’s up with you? You seem way happier than usual, if that’s even possible.”

I sighed deeply, burying my face in the comforter.

“Oh my God!” She gasped. “You’re blushing! What is it?”

I peeked up at her, unable to hide my smile. “I think I’m in love…”

Her eyes went wide, her hands flying to her mouth, covering her smile. “With who?”

“Someone I shouldn’t…” I shook my head, my smile fading just enough to hint at the conflict beneath it.

Carmen’s expression faltered, tilting her head towards the party. “Wait, you mean…?”

My heart skipped a beat at the way she somehow knew exactly that I was talking about Trevor. I knew we were being too reckless. I sat up quickly, shushing her. “You can’t tell anyone.”

“I won’t, I won’t,” She said quickly, though her voice was quieter now. “I’m just… Surprised. That’s all.”

“No one knows,” I admitted, my voice soft. “We’ve kind of been seeing each other in secret. You know, with our families not getting along and everything.”

She nodded, frowning slightly. “That makes sense.”

I raised my hand. “Pinky promise, you won’t tell anyone. ”

Carmen smiled, hooking her finger with mine. “Pinky promise.”

I released a heavy breath, getting up. “Alright. You ready to go?”

“I just need a second before coming to see everyone.”

“Okay.” I stood and smoothed out my dress, giving her a soft smile and a tight sister hug. “You look beautiful, Carmen.”

“Thank you, Lia. You do, too.” Her smile was small. I understood her nerves with the huge party on the other side of the door.

Though, as I left her room, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was in fact not okay about tonight.

The party was in full swing, the buzz of conversation and the soft strains of classical music weaving through the warm glow of the ballroom in the Moretti penthouse. Carmen was radiant, her laughter carrying softly over the music as she moved from one group of guests to another. She was the perfect hostess, her smile lighting up the room.

I stood near the grand staircase, watching her with pride. “She looks happy.”

Kali was beside me, scrolling through her phone with the kind of distracted attention that only she could pull off at an event like this. She glanced up, her lips curving into a small smile. “She really does.”

“Have you seen Trevor?” I asked casually, though my heart was already beating a little faster. He was supposed to be guarding Kali but he was nowhere in sight. Hadn’t been since he left my room at the beginning of the night.

“He already left,” Kali replied distractedly. “Something to do with the Dynasty, I think.”

“Everything okay?”

“Probably just one of Dad’s errands or whatever. You know how it is.”

I nodded slowly, forcing a smile as she turned back to the party. But the unease was already there, curling in my chest like smoke. I was hoping we might leave the party together. But Trevor had his responsibilities with the Su Family. I knew that. Of course.

Shaking my head, I turned my focus back to the party. I wasn’t going to ruin Carmen’s night by overthinking.

By the time the cake was brought out, my unease had started to fade. The birthday girl was glowing as everyone gathered around to sing to her, and her joy was impossible not to share.

Carmen was leaving for Milan in the morning to study abroad, and it’d be a long time before I saw my sister again. I laughed and danced with her, letting myself get swept up in the moment.

But every now and then, I felt the emptiness where Trevor’s presence should’ve been. And that strange, heavy feeling never quite left my chest.