Chapter 2 Chapter 2 - The Football Star's Obsession

Lucas' POV

I found her.

I'd thought about her for years. Despite how long time had passed since that moment, I'd never forgotten her. I'd never forgotten them.

It was a simple day of football games and while celebrating, my eyes met hers. There were a lot of thoughts that ran through my head then.

Did she remember me?

The answer was no, because she ran away from me as fast as she could.

I'd let it go, but I knew I wouldn't give up.

"Who're you looking at, baby?" Anita leaned onto me, glancing at the spot Regina stood minutes ago.

I forced a smile at my girlfriend. "No one." I added, "I need to shower."

I let go of her and followed my teammates back in to undress.

But then I paused when I bumped into someone after I'd showered and dressed up. "Oh, hey, Warren," I greeted by my locker.

"Hey."

The usually quiet guy offered me a small smile. He was always like this, but this time he had a little light to his smile. It seemed like something good had happened.

Good for him, I thought.

Moments later, I was driven home by my driver. Anita wanted to help prepare the last for us and that was fine by me. I needed time to myself.

I closed my eyes. But my thoughts were unstable.

How could she be in my school and I never found out? What happened to her all these years? Why couldn't she remember me?

I sighed, drowsy, dreams creeping in. "I've missed you so much, Regina."

At the house, I paid no mind to anyone and went straight to my room. I was on autopilot, looking for all my secret stash that I held that was precious to me.

And I sat in bed, surrounded by files and pictures of familiar faces.

My laptop was opened before me, displaying a social media page. It was Regina's account. It held her most recent pictures, and even some old ones.

My eyes traced her images, carefully memorizing every part I wasn't able to at the stadium.

Then I became pissed.

I took out my phone as I stood and made a call.

"Hel-"

"I told you to find her," I snapped. "I told you to do everything in your power to find her. I paid you an insane amount of money but you couldn't find someone who was right under your nose?!"

There was silence at the other end of the line for a moment. "Mr. Sinclair, I understand your anger-"

"I've been looking for her for years!" I interrupted, my grip of my phone tight, my jaw clenched. "Of course I'm angry! And now she doesn't remember or-"

"She was taken to an orphanage and then an adoption center. You know that," the other man replied calmly. "These organizations aren't known for caring much about children, and so it was difficult to trace her."

I let out a breath.

"The good news is that you found her now."

I glanced at the photo I didn't notice in my hand. "Yeah, that is the good news."

The best news I've had in a while.

The party at night was what I needed. It was either that or I spend the day looking through photos of Regina, dreaming of her, or try to illegally get her phone number.

I acted like a stalker scrolling through her social media accounts and that was enough for now.

Loud music was perfect for me. I always adored the social gatherings because, while I was the center of attention, hanging around with others was still the highlight of my life.

The alcohol in my system dimmed the noise and the light in the room, but it only made me think more about her. If Regina came to the game, did that mean she'd come here.

I shook my head, grinning at one of my teammates whose name I'd forgotten as I gulped down my beer.

I was being ridiculous. She wouldn't come here.

But minutes later, after subconsciously searching for her through the overeager people in the room, I found her.

I stopped every movement.

Her eyes captivated me in ways no one else had. And as my eyes moved downward, I realized that the photos I looked through did no justice to show just how gorgeous she was now.

Then she ran away. Again.

But I refused to let her slip out of my sight this time.

So I pushed through the crowd of people who instantly gave way when they saw who it was.

I didn't wonder if I was causing a scene or if someone was following me, I just cared about catching up to her.

And I did.

She was hesitant, her vulnerability showing clearly. She never could hide much of her feelings.

I couldn't hold back my words on what I noticed. What I thought about her, and I could tell she was getting uncomfortable.

"I've missed you so much, Regina," were words I couldn't resist letting out.

The air around us was tense. Her face was red with what I would assume was caused by the cold breeze and she looked like she was ready to flee.

"Do I know you?"

Her words were unexpected and slashed through me.

"Your father used to work for me before he died," I couldn't stop myself from blurting.

Then I regretted it when I saw the teary look on her face. "How the hell do you know my father?" she croaked. "Who the hell are you?"

I suddenly became concerned with calming her down. "Regina-"

"Who the hell are you?!" she yelled. "What do you want from me?!"

She tried to move away, but I grabbed her arm.

"Let go!"

"I'm sorry, but... Now that I've found you, I can't just let you go out of my life like that," I whispered softly. "I can explain everything if-"

But she instantly resisted. "Lucas, let go of me!"

I wanted to calm her down, but I was interrupted.

"Lucas, is that you?" the familiar voice of my girlfriend, Anita broke through the night.

My grip unintentionally loosened, and so Regina was able to freely step away.

But Anita came into full view, her stance and stare fierce, like she was about to kill someone. Not me, but Regina.

"Who the hell are you and what are you doing with my boyfriend?" she spat.