The Twisted Obsession
Chapter 71: Hurts

Chapter 71: Hurts

As they finished their meal, Remo paid the bill, and a subtle tranquility settled between them. The restaurant’s ambiance, once filled with the clinking of cutlery and distant conversations, now embraced a subdued calm.

Remo guided Abby back to the car, the night enveloping them as they drove through the quiet streets. Abby’s curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, "Where are we going?"

Remo’s gaze held a mysterious gleam as he replied, "A secluded place, my hideout point in the city."

Abby’s eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "Your hideout point? What do you use it for?" she inquired.

Remo’s expression turned enigmatic. "It’s a quiet spot, away from the chaos of the city. A place I bought in case I want to gather my thoughts," he explained, choosing not to reveal the darker secrets hidden within the shadows of his words.

As they arrived at the secluded spot, Abby noticed the eerie silence that surrounded them. Remo parked the car, the only sounds being the distant hum of the city and the rustling leaves. The area felt isolated, secluded from the outside world.

Abby’s gaze scanned the surroundings, her intuition picking up on an underlying tension. "What do you really use this place for, Remo?" she asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

Remo hesitated, contemplating whether to share the darker truth with Abby. Finally, he confessed, "This is where I bring my victims for interrogation."

Abby’s eyes widened in shock, the revelation sending shivers down her spine.

Despite the revelation, Remo’s eyes softened with a sincerity that spoke volumes. "I know it’s a lot to take in," he admitted, "but I want you to come inside. There’s something I’d like to show you."

Reluctantly, Abby followed Remo into the unassuming entrance of the building. As they ascended a set of stairs, the atmosphere changed. The interior revealed a spacious and tastefully decorated living area, a stark contrast to the shadowed secrets concealed beneath.

Remo led Abby towards a staircase that spiraled upwards, eventually emerging onto a rooftop adorned with fairy lights. The city skyline stretched before them, glittering like a sea of stars.

"I come up here to clear my mind," Remo explained, a sense of vulnerability in his gaze. "It’s my sanctuary, away from the darkness below. I have come here once though."

The rooftop was adorned with cozy seating arrangements, a makeshift bar set up against one corner. String lights dangled from the edges, casting a warm, inviting glow across the space. Remo’s men had spared no expense, stocking the bar with an array of whiskey and drinks, ready to indulge Abby’s desire to drown her sorrows.

Remo motioned for Abby to take a seat, his gaze lingering on her with a mixture of concern and understanding. "I thought we could use a change of scenery," he remarked, gesturing towards the expansive skyline spread out before them. "And a bit of fresh air never hurts."

Abby nodded, a sense of gratitude washing over her at Remo’s thoughtful gesture. She settled into a plush chair, the cool night air tinged with a hint of anticipation. Remo poured them both a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid glinting in the soft glow of the lights.

"I had my men bring these drinks. If you’re going to get drunk, let it be under the stars," he suggested, a genuine warmth in his eyes.

As Abby took a sip of the whiskey, her throat burned with a fiery intensity she had never experienced before. Her eyes widened in surprise, and a cough escaped her lips, betraying her novice palate for hard liquor. Remo watched her reaction with a knowing glance, his expression a mixture of amusement and empathy.

Meanwhile, Remo retrieved a cigarette from his pocket, igniting it with a flick of his lighter. Abby’s gaze flickered towards him, a question lingering in her eyes. She had never seen him smoke before, and the sight caught her off guard.

"Why have I never seen you smoke before?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Remo shrugged nonchalantly, exhaling a plume of smoke into the night air. "I guess I just didn’t want you to see me smoke. Plus, it smells horrible," he admitted with a wry smile.

Abby furrowed her brow in confusion, her thoughts swirling with unanswered questions. "Then why are you smoking now?" she pressed, her voice tinged with concern.

Remo’s gaze softened as he turned to meet her eyes. "It hurts," he confessed, his words heavy with unspoken sorrow.

Abby’s heart ached at his admission, her own sense of helplessness washing over her. "What hurts?" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

"Seeing you like this," Remo admitted quietly, his gaze filled with a raw vulnerability that took Abby by surprise. "I wish I could take the pain away. I feel helpless."

Feeling a mix of emotions swirling within her, Abby gulped down the remainder of her whiskey, the fiery liquid leaving a trail of warmth in its wake. The weight of Remo’s confession lingered in the air, and she grappled with how to respond.

A heavy silence settled between them before Abby, searching for a way to navigate the complexity of his emotions, cautiously asked, "Have you lost someone dear to you before?"

Remo’s gaze flickered for a moment, his eyes clouded with memories. Abby stiffened, realizing the unintentional cruelty of her question, knowing that he had lost Izabella, the love of his life. She opened her mouth to apologize, but Remo shook his head gently.

"It’s okay," he reassured her, a faint but understanding smile playing on his lips. He finished his drink in a swift motion, and as he turned to face her, Abby could sense a profound sadness in his eyes.

"Before Bella, I lost my mom," he revealed, his voice carrying the weight of past sorrows. Abby’s eyes softened with empathy, realizing the layers of pain he carried within. Remo’s vulnerability in sharing his pain created a bridge of connection between them, a shared understanding of the depth of loss and the scars it leaves behind