The Devil's Favourite Obsession

(Melissa pov)

"Melissa! Wait-!" Fuck it's Daniel, I didn't stop.

"Melissa, please!"

I walked faster, my grip tightening around my bag.

"Mel-!"

I broke into a run, by the time I reached the lecture hall, my chest was tight and my hands were shaking, but I didn't turn back, I didn't look for him, I didn't give myself the chance to hear whatever excuse he was ready to throw at me.

"Rough morning?"

I dropped into my seat, barely glancing at the girl beside me.

"You could say that."

The room quieted as Dr. Nathaniel Carter walked in, placing his notes neatly on the desk.

"Today we'll be discussing criminal psychology in high-risk offenders," he said, scanning the room. "This is not just theory. This is a real-world application."

"Melissa."

I straightened slightly. "Yes, sir?"

"What motivates individuals in organized crime?" Dr. Carter asked.

I swallowed. "Power," I said. "Control... influence. And fear."

"And how do they maintain that authority?"

"By making people afraid to challenge them."

"Exactly," he nodded. "Fear becomes their strongest weapon."

But my mind wasn't in class anymore, It was somewhere else, in a room with him.I woke up alone, the bed was cold on his side, like he had been gone for a while, and for a moment I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to figure out if last night had even been real.

"Miss?"

I sat up quickly, a woman stood by the door, neatly dressed, calm, like she had always been there.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"I am Maria, the housekeeper," she replied politely. "Breakfast is ready."

I frowned. "Where is he?"

"Mr. Adriano left early."

"Left?" I repeated.

"Yes, miss. He had an urgent business matter."

I stared at her.

"He didn't say anything?"

"No, miss."

I laughed under my breath, how could you be so trusting to leave a stranger on your bed.

"Of course he didn't."

"Would you like your breakfast now?" she asked.

"I guess."

"You can sit here," she said, guiding me to the table, I sat down slowly, still trying to process everything.

"He does this often?" I asked.

"Mr. Adriano is a very busy man."

"That's not what I asked."

She paused slightly. "He leaves when needed."

I scoffed. "Without saying a word?"

She didn't answer.

"Right," I muttered. "Figures."

"Melissa?"

I blinked, snapping back to the present.

"Yes, sir?"

"You're distracted."

"I'm sorry."

"Focus," he said firmly. "You'll need this knowledge in the field."

"I understand."

Class ended faster than I expected or maybe I just wasn't paying attention, and I was out of my seat before anyone could stop me.

"Hi, what can I get for you?"

I looked up at the counter. Aisha stood there with her usual bright smile.

"A coffee," I said. Aisha smiled wider.

"Coming right up."

She placed the cup in front of me a moment later. "Here you go."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome," she said, still smiling like she always did, like nothing in the world could take that away from her.

I took my coffee and sat down, trying to clear my head, trying not to think or replay everything about last night.

"Breaking news this afternoon" My attention shifted to the TV without thinking.

"Adriano Rossi, the alleged crime figure long suspected of controlling major operations within the city, has been taken into custody earlier today"

My hand froze around the cup, the screen showed him in handcuffs, surrounded by officers, he was calm and unbothered, like none of it mattered.

"Oh my God, that's him," one girl gasped from the next table.

"Wait-that's Adriano Rossi?" another leaned forward. "He's even hotter than I imagined."

"Are you serious right now?" a third whispered. "That man is dangerous."

"Dangerous and fine," the first girl said quickly. "Look at him, he doesn't even look scared."

"He looks like he owns the place,"

someone else added.

"I heard he runs half the city."

"They call him the Devil."

"And I still wouldn't mind fucking him"

"Girl! He is a killer"

"What? I'm just saying!"

Their laughter filled the space, light and careless, like they were talking about a celebrity instead of someone who could destroy lives without blinking.

I couldn't breathe, because all I could see was him, the man from last night, the one who looked at me like I was the only thing in the room, the one who left me in his bed without a word, I can't believe I gave my virginity to a killer

"No..." I whispered.

Everything started making sense, the house, the silence, the way people moved around him, the way he spoke, the man I couldn't stop thinking about was the most dangerous man in the city and I had no idea what that meant for me, because the truth was right there on the screen.

Adriano Rossi, the most dangerous man in the city, and somehow I had spent the night in his world.