MasukVladimir drove the car to the address I gave him. He seemed to know the city well because he drove near my home without even using GPS. My old home, to be exact.Through the window, I could see the pitch-black asphalt road stretching out endlessly, the surface gleaming faintly under the sparse streetlights. Tall trees lined the road on either side, their branches swaying and creaking softly in the chill night wind. The darkness pressed in around me like a weight, broken only by the occasional flicker of distant lights and the rhythmic hum of the tires on the road. The sign in front of me became clearer and clearer. I looked up and saw the words — Green Manor.Green was my family name, and I knew that my home was not far away. The sight sent a sudden cold wave coursing through me; my skin prickled, and I felt an odd queasiness twist deep in my stomach. Old memories lurked just beneath the surface, waiting to rise. When the fear returned, sharp and unbidden, I told Vladimir to stop the
I lowered my head and hid my body behind Vladimir's clothes, feeling the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the crisp fabric of his tailored jacket. He gave me a curious look, his sharp green eyes narrowing slightly as if he could see right through my attempt at concealment. It was clear to him that I was running from someone, the slight tremble in my steps betraying my anxiety. Without a word, he leaned in and whispered something to the restaurant manager a graceful woman dressed in a delicate kimono embroidered with cherry blossoms who then gracefully led us in the other direction, away from the prying eyes.Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Tessa, standing close to a tall man with broad shoulders. Their conversation seemed intense, but luckily, she didn’t notice me. She and the man turned and went in the opposite direction, disappearing into the crowd like shadows melting into the night.“Who is that woman?” Vladimir asked calmly as he sat on his tatami mat, his
Vladimir drove me to the beach, the car’s engine humming softly as it traced the winding road through the remote coastline. The beach here was so isolated and untouched that few people ever passed by, making it feel like a secret world just for us. We stepped onto the soft sand, cool beneath our feet as the sun began its slow descent toward the western horizon. The orange sunlight spilled across the sea’s surface, mingling with the gentle waves, creating a shimmering dance like a thin veil of gold gauze fluttering in the breeze.We walked side by side in silence, the only sounds the rhythmic crashing of the waves and the faint whisper of the sea breeze. Our footsteps left parallel imprints on the soft sand as we strolled slowly, like a real couple enjoying a quiet moment together. Suddenly, without warning, Vladimir slid his arm around my waist from behind, pulling me gently to a stop. The warmth of his touch was immediate and intimate.He turned toward me, his green eyes locking onto
"What's wrong with you?" I stood by the door and stared at her, my voice steady but my eyes sharp with disbelief. The room felt smaller somehow, charged with an invisible tension that made the air thick and hard to breathe. "I believe this is my office!" I said firmly, making sure my words echoed just enough to remind her whose space this truly was."I know!" Tessa said, slowly lowering her heels with exaggerated grace. The sharp click of her red stilettos on the polished floor slowed until they stopped altogether. She stood up straight, almost statuesque, and faced me, her posture haughty and defiant as ever."What do you want to do in my office?" I asked, leaning casually against the doorframe but feeling my pulse quicken with every second. The sharp scent of her expensive perfume mingled with the sterile office air, making me even more aware of the silent battle unfolding between us.Tessa didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she began pacing slowly on the thick carpet, her red heel
I parked my car in an open-air parking lot in front of the Hartford family company. It was a 70-story office tower that loomed over the city like a steel giant, its mirrored glass windows gleaming under the morning sun. The building stood as a monument to wealth and ambition, humming with silent power. The Hartford family was involved in a wide range of businesses, legitimate ones showcased in headlines and boardrooms, and gray ones whispered about behind closed doors. There are hundreds of people working in the building. People come in and out every day, dressed in expensive suits and polished shoes, their expressions fixed in neutral masks. Everyone has their own desk, their own space, their own importance.Except me.When Tessa first introduced me to Liam, he showed me around his company. We walked those polished marble floors together, his hand on the small of my back as he led me through corridors lined with glass offices and bustling departments. On the surface, he wanted me to
"Calm down, Liam!" I said, my voice shaking slightly, trying to inject some reason into his boiling fury. "Maybe it's just a regular fight, like when you guys get drunk and throw punches at each other over poker or football! You're too nervous!""Brinna, you have no idea how awful that Vladimir is. He's a total bastard! He's the one who played the tricks!" said Liam, getting all worked up, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. "I'm going to take my gun and kill him right now!""All right! Go ahead!" I snapped back, crossing my arms with a smirk that masked my stormy heart. He knew how dangerous Vladimir is but here he was fooling himself. "I'll order you a coffin the moment you go out! I promise there's no whiskey on the rocks in your coffin!"But there will be Tessa's dead body!Of course, I didn’t say that out loud. But I would make it happen. Like an advanced predator, a seasoned hunter doesn't rush the kill. They stalk their prey, toy with it, unnerve it, wear it
"Have a seat, Liam" I took my place in the comfy chair in front of my principal's desk. I had just gotten back from the nurse's office, where Ms. Fessbar had cleaned up the blood smeared over my face, bandaged me up, and gave me some drugs for the pain in my head. I hadn't gotten a concussion but m
Hudson’s eyes flicked to mine, sharp and questioning, but he stayed silent, thumb still lazily tracing circles over my hip like he was trying to keep me grounded.I swallowed hard, the taste of him still thick on my tongue, and forced my voice steadier this time.“Yeah, sorry—got held up. One of th
The next couple of days were weird. You're probably thinking that Hudson has been doing more crazy things to me, but that's not it. He's barely even acknowledged that I existed. Yes I went for the practice and met in locker rooms, talked about the game but even then, it wasn't a stimulating convers
I had always been cursed with killer hangovers. The first time I had gotten drunk, which was my freshman year of high school, I had really overdone it. Without ever having a drink before, I drank way too much too quickly and ended up blackout drunk within an hour. The hangover I suffered the next d







