Tangled Obsessions

Alistair stood in front of his father’s laptop, staring at the screen. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. His eyebrows were pulled together, and his mouth hung open. He felt frozen.

“That’s not me!” Alistair quickly said the moment he understood what the two people in the video were doing. 

They were having s*x, and the man in the video looked exactly like him. The face, the hair, even the way the man moved it all seemed the same. But Alistair knew it wasn’t him. He had no memory of ever doing anything like that with the woman in the video. He didn’t even recognize her.

“The video says otherwise, Ali. Are you really going to deny the face you see here?”

“Dad, that could be edited! That is not me!” Alistair insisted. His voice was shaking now. “I would never record myself doing something like that! I don't even know who that girl is!” He kept shaking his head. 

But his father still seemed doubtful.. 

“Dad, there are so many apps now. People can easily edit someone’s face into a video.”

Gideon Gervasi, Alistaie’s father, clenched his jaw. His face was filled with anger. “I am so disappointed, Ali! How could you be this careless? You know people watch our family very closely—”

“I’m not careless, Dad! And it’s not me!”

Eleanor rushed toward them when she heard the two arguing. She placed a gentle hand on Alistair’s back, trying to calm him down, then turned to her husband. “Hon, maybe it really isn’t Ali,” she said softly. “What if someone wants to destroy our son’s reputation? I believe him. He wouldn’t do something like this.”

Gideon stopped talking and looked at Eleanor. He let out a long, tired sigh. “We will investigate this,” he said at last. “If it’s proven that the man in the video isn’t you, I will sue the person who’s behind this.” He rubbed his temples. “But for now, Alistair, you must lie low. The media will chase you for a statement. Do not say anything.”

“You want me to stay quiet, Dad? Won’t things get worse if I don’t defend myself?”

“Just do what I said!” Gideon snapped. “If you speak up now, the press might twist your words. Staying silent is safer. Let us handle this.”

Alistair crossed his arms tightly over his chest. “So what am I supposed to do?”

“For now,” Gideon said, his voice calmer, “I’ll handle the company. Any projects you have pending will be taken care of by me. I’ll ask Carter to help, too.” He looked straight at his son. “As for you, it’s better if you leave the city for a while. If you don’t want that, then stay here or at your condo. Avoid parties. Avoid being seen too much in public. People are watching you. If someone really is trying to ruin you, they might try again. Until we catch whoever did this, keep a low profile.”

Alistair closed his eyes, feeling helpless. There was nothing he could say to change his father’s decision.

He walked out of the home office and headed toward his room. He was about to enter when he heard a voice behind him.

“Ali,” a girl called softly.

Alistair turned around. His face, tense from the argument, relaxed as soon as he saw his younger sister.

“Cecily, it’s already midnight and you’re still awake?” Alistair asked. His forehead wrinkled a little, but he still kept a small smile on his face, trying not to worry her.

“Did you and Dad fight again? I heard his voice earlier. What happened?” Cecily asked her brother with concern. 

Alistair let out a long sigh and slowly shook his head. He did not want his younger sister to get involved or feel stressed.

“It’s just about business,” he said in a tired voice. “Don’t ask anymore. Go to sleep.”

Cecily only shrugged. She stepped closer to him and gently kissed his cheek, trying to comfort him. “Okay. Good night, Ali,” she said softly.

Alistair waited until he saw his sister enter her bedroom and close the door. Only then did he walk into his own room. He exhaled deeply and let his body drop onto the bed, feeling heavy and worn out.

A moment later, his phone rang. He slowly reached for it.

“Helmer,” he said as a greeting when he answered the call.

“I saw the video. Dad is already checking it. Uncle Gideon called him,” Helmer said. His voice was cold and calm, the same way he always spoke. 

Alistair is already familiar with that tone and didn’t take it personally.

“It’s not me,” Alistair replied. He closed his eyes, feeling very tired and frustrated with the situation.

“I know. You have a tattoo on your bicep. The guy in the video doesn’t have one. But of course, other people won’t notice that. They will believe whatever they see.”

Alistair stayed silent. He did not want to talk anymore. Right now, all he wanted was rest.

“And… Jed called me earlier. He wants to hang out. Let’s go,” Helmer added when he received no answer.

“Fine. Let’s go to a bar that isn’t known. I don’t want another scandal to come out even if I’m not doing anything. I’ll tell Carter,” Alistair said. Referring to his younger brother and Cecily’s twin.

“Okay,” Helmer replied.

After the call ended, Alistair put down his phone.

Later that night, the cousins met at a small bar. They chose a place far from the center of the city so fewer people would notice them and take photos.

They didn’t attract much attention when they entered the bar. They rarely visited this place, and tonight most of the customers were too busy dancing, shouting, or drinking to care about anyone else.

“I honestly thought you wouldn’t show up because of your scandal,” Jedrek said loudly, laughing as he slapped Alistair’s shoulder. “Good thing you’re still thick-skinned!”

“Shut up, Jedrek,” Alistair snapped, irritation clear in his voice. “If you’re bored because Caelan isn’t here to annoy, don’t use me as a replacement.”

Jedrek only grinned. Alistair rolled his eyes and leaned back in his seat.

They ordered drinks, and Alistair immediately poured one for himself. He didn’t want to think. He didn’t want to remember the video or the argument with his father. Tonight, he just wanted the alcohol to blur everything… if it was even possible for him to get drunk.

After some time, the loud music and the noisy crowd became boring. Alistair felt restless. He stood up.

“Where are you going?” Helmer asked, raising one eyebrow.

“I’ll behave. Relax,” Alistair muttered before walking off.

He headed toward the bar counter and ordered another drink, stronger than the last one. When the bartender placed it in front of him, he lifted the glass and drank almost half of it in one go.

“Another Negroni, please.”

The voice came from beside him. Alistair turned his head and saw a woman standing there. She had soft, wavy hair that reached just past her shoulders. Her skin looked smooth and almost glowing even in the dim light of the bar. She had a calm, quiet kind of beauty.

‘Just my type,’ Alistair thought. His lips twitched as he considered speaking to her. ‘Maybe tonight wouldn’t be so bad after all.’

The woman received her drink and tossed it back like it was nothing. Alistair felt a bit impressed.

“You have good taste,” he said without thinking.

The woman lowered her glass and looked at him. Now that he could see her face clearly, he felt momentarily stunned. She’s even prettier up close.

“Oh… I’m used to it,” she replied shyly, her voice soft.

Alistair let his eyes take in her features—her gentle expression, her delicate face, the way she carried herself. He felt drawn to her without even trying.

“I can see that,” he said with a small smile, placing his glass on the counter. “I’m Alistair. And you?”

“Gia,” she said, smiling back as she shook his hand.

They began talking. Alistair learned that Gia wasn’t from around here, she’s only visiting for a short trip. She seemed curious about the city and eager to listen. He found her calm energy refreshing compared to the loud chaos around them.

As time passed, their conversation grew warmer, more comfortable. The alcohol made Gia’s cheeks pink, and her laughter came easier. Alistair felt himself relaxing too, though he still knew exactly what he was doing.

After a moment of quiet, he leaned closer and said softly, “Do you want to go somewhere less noisy?”

Gia’s lips parted slightly. She looked at him for a long second before her mouth curved into a small smirk. “I’d like that.”

Alistair stood up, and Gia did as well. He gently placed an arm around her waist, and she leaned into him as they stepped out of the bar together.

They headed to the nearest hotel, wanting a quiet place where they could talk without interruption. What happened afterward was private, just between the two of them.

Alistair kissed Gia the moment they entered the hotel room. He had been holding back his desire since the bar, and now that they were alone, he couldn’t control himself anymore.

Gia responded just as eagerly. Her hands curled around his shoulders, and she kissed him with the same hunger he felt. Their breaths mixed, warm and quick, as they moved further into the dimly lit room.

Alistair guided Gia toward the bed, and she lay down beneath him without breaking the kiss. Everything about her—her soft lips, her warm breath, the way she clung to him—made him burn even more.

Gia let out a soft sound when Alistair’s hands moved over her body. She arched slightly, reacting to his touch as he traced her curves with slow, gentle motions. Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, wanting more of him.

When his hand brushed along her thigh, she gasped, her voice unsteady. The closeness, the warmth, the way he touched her—all of it made her tremble.

“Please…” Gia whispered, her lips brushing against his. “I want you… I’m begging you.”

Her quiet plea made something tighten inside Alistair’s chest. The desire he felt for her only grew stronger.

They removed their clothes little by little, the air around them turning warmer and heavier. But just when Alistair was about to continue, he froze.

“Wait—” He stared at her, shocked. “You… you’re a virgin?”

Gia bit her lip and looked away, clearly embarrassed. Her cheeks were pink, and her breathing was uneven. Even so, neither of them pulled away. The moment felt too intense, too real to simply stop.

Alistair took a slow breath and softened his voice. “We can slow down. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Gia nodded, her eyes shining with trust. She reached for him again, gently pulling him back toward her.

He brushed away the small tears that had formed in her eyes and kissed her softly this time—steady, comforting, and warm. He moved with caution, trying his best not to cause her pain, giving her time to adjust and breathe.

Gia clung to him, her fingers trembling as they held onto his arms. The mix of pain and newness made her eyes water, but she didn’t push him away. She stayed close, holding onto him like he was the only thing grounding her.

Alistair tried to be gentle, kissing her between her soft, uneven breaths. When she finally relaxed beneath him, their movements flowed together more naturally, guided by shared desire and the quiet understanding between them.

For a moment, everything else disappeared.

Alistair forgot the scandal, the rumors, the anger in his father’s voice. All the problems weighing on him faded into the background.

Tonight, all that existed was the warmth of Gia’s touch and the way she held him as if they were escaping the world together.

Whatever trouble waited for them outside the hotel room would come back in the morning.

But for now, at this moment, they let themselves be lost in each other.

I slowly opened my eyes. At first, everything felt blurry, but then I felt something heavy lying across my stomach. I looked down and froze when I realized it was a man’s hand.

All the sleepiness vanished from my body in an instant.

My heart began to race as I slowly turned my head. A young man was lying beside me, still asleep. His face looked peaceful, completely unaware of the panic building inside me.

Everything that happened last night suddenly flooded my mind. I squeezed my eyes shut. Because I got drunk, I ended up doing something I never planned, something I shouldn’t have done.

I carefully lifted his hand off my stomach, trying not to wake him. I didn’t even remember his name anymore. My head hurt just from thinking about it.

I stood up, still feeling shaky, and quickly grabbed my clothes scattered all over the floor. One by one, I pulled them back on while walking toward the bathroom. 

‘I