**CHAPTER 1: THE OBSESSION BEGINS**

The fluorescent lights of the high-rise office building hummed above, casting an eerie glow on the polished marble floor. CEO, Julian Styles, stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows of his penthouse office, gazing out at the city skyline. His eyes, however, weren't taking in the breathtaking view. They were fixated on a single person, walking across the lobby below. Lilly Rose, the newest marketing manager at Styles Industries, was turning heads with her effortless elegance. Her long, curly brown hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and her bright smile could light up a room. Julian's eyes narrowed, his mind consumed by an unsettling intensity. He had been watching her for weeks, ever since she started working at the company. As he watched, Lilly laughed and exchanged pleasantries with a group of coworkers. Julian's grip on the window frame tightened, his knuckles white with tension. Why was she being so friendly with them? Didn't she know that he was the one who held her career in his hands? Julian's thoughts were a jumble of possessiveness and fixation. He couldn't explain why, but Lilly had gotten under his skin like no one else ever had. He found himself constantly thinking about her, wondering what she was doing, who she was talking to, and what she was wearing. As he stood there, lost in his disturbing reverie, his assistant, Rachel, knocked on the door. "Mr. Styles, you have a meeting with the board of directors in 15 minutes." Julian didn't respond. He didn't tear his gaze away from Lilly, who was now walking toward the elevators. A shiver ran down his spine as he realized she was heading up to his floor. Without a word, Julian strode across the office, his long strides eating up the distance. He reached the door just as Lilly stepped out of the elevator. A calculated smile spread across his face as he approached her. "Lilly, good morning," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I trust you're settling in well?" Lilly turned to him, her eyes sparkling with a hint of wariness. "Yes, Mr. Styles. I'm enjoying my time here so far." Julian's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze piercing. "I'm glad to hear that. I was thinking... perhaps we could discuss your progress over lunch today?" Lilly's smile faltered for a moment before she recovered. "I'd like that, Mr. Styles." As they walked toward his office, Julian couldn't shake off the feeling that Lilly was his, and his alone. He would do anything to keep it that way. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, and for a moment, he wondered if he was losing control. But as he looked at Lilly, he knew he didn't care. He would do whatever it took to make her his.