I stepped out of the room and into the night air. It was past midnight, yet the park buzzed like early evening. People moved, laughed, and strolled pretending nothing was amiss.Someone had been busy while I was inside. Fools. Did they really think I wouldn’t notice? Their clan members, scattered across the grounds, were playing at being customers. Tch! A pathetic disguise.I paused, scanning the crowd’s edges. From the smallest child to the oldest cripple each one of them could be carrying a weapon meant to kill. Someone among my own had sold me out. No matter. His nine generations before and after him will be erased.Scoffing, my eyes shifted to the entrance paths. All still looked as they had when I arrived. But I knew, the clearer the path, the deadlier the walk. The darker the path, the more vicious the trap. Now that I was out, they would know. They’d already be sending their signals.Fair enough. Three… two… one, fireworks cracked open the sky. This was undoubtedly their signal
“And. I know you like to wander about. Play if you want. Remember, you have to be good, Cookie. I'll be back to accompany you before midnight. Okay?”His words replayed in my mind just as I took a step forward. I took a deep breath and gently smiled.“Do you mind just bringing me a chair? I'll wait for him.”“Yes, madam” She bowed and quickly left while I stood in the cold.I wasn't sure about why I hesitated. Perhaps because of the unclear warnings behind his statement or my survival instincts.“Please sit here!” Athena returned carrying a wooden rickety with another staff while a third person was holding a fluffy big fur coat.“Please don't catch a cold.” She bowed but I wasn't going to accept it. The fur coat looked worldly beautiful but I couldn't shake off the oddness that came with it. I sat on the chair and closed my eyes. Taking the chaotic sound of the park to calm the chaos in my heart.“There's no need for the coat,”The lady hesitated. Her hands gripped the coat a little
*Laurie*My breath caught, and I turned to face him fully. His gaze flicked to me, catching my eyes for just a beat too long. There was something magnetic in that look… something damn dangerous. I clenched my fists on my lap, fighting the urge to react. "And what exactly do you want me to learn?" I coldly asked.His lips curved into a slow, predatory smile. "Everything. The world, your emotions, your weaknesses. And maybe, just maybe, you'll realize that the things you think you control... are really just illusions."His words were nerve-racking, and yet, there was a strange appeal to them. An allure in the idea that Theron knew something about me that I didn’t."You really think I'm just a puppet to you?" I asked."I think you’re a woman who hasn’t yet learned how to pull her own strings. Sometimes, a foolish woman."I couldn’t stop the bitterness that crept into my voice. "Maybe I don’t need to pull any strings," I snapped. "Maybe I like being free."He chuckled darkly, and I felt
*Laurie*I felt a flutter of emotions in my chest. Without lifting a finger, Theron snapped his attention toward a nearby server. The man moved like he’d been waiting for that look. Within seconds, the table before us transformed. Silver trays were uncovered one by one, revealing a spread that looked too decadent to be real.Seared duck glazed in honey and wine reduction. Saffron-infused risotto that shimmered like gold. Cracked lobster tails resting on beds of truffle cream. Sticky rice, Fresh bread still warm, steam rising like temptation itself. Everything was richhh. I stared. Then blinked. “Are you trying to bribe me with food?”Theron leaned in, close enough that his breath grazed my neck.“I don’t bribe,” he whispered. “I indulge.” My pulse jumped.He reached forward, slicing a piece of duck and offering it on a silver fork. “Open.”I hesitated only for a second.Then, slowly, I parted my lips.The flavor was exquisite. Sweet, smoky, and soft. It melted on my tongue. I chewed
*Laurie*Theron leaned back in his chair. One arm draped loosely over the backrest, a wine glass in the other hand. The very picture of disinterest. He was annoyed, I could feel it. Weird right?I didn’t know how I knew… but I knew. Still, he didn’t lash out. He just smiled. That kind of wicked smile. “I don’t do cooperation, Mr…?”“Langston. Henry Langston.”“Right. Langston.” Theron let the name roll off his tongue like it offended him. “I prefer results. Not promises. And especially not interruptions.”Langston stiffened. His eyes flicked to me again, perhaps hoping I would smile or soften the blow but I didn’t. I met his gaze with the same ice Theron just served him.Theron placed his glass down. “Perhaps another time,” he said, “Preferably never,” he concluded with a shrug.Langston hesitated, clearly weighing his pride against his survival instincts.“Of course,” he said, retreating behind that brittle smile. “No offense meant.”He gave a shallow bow to Theron, and then to my a
*Laurie*Theron led me away from Leonardo and their suffocating stares. I followed, my heels clicking softly against the marble floor, each step feeling heavier than the last.We soon got to the front row and I noticed an elevated, grand, perched chair, above the rest like a throne overlooking a kingdom. Obviously, prepare for the star of the event. No, I wouldn't have guessed that Theron would be so shameless as to crash a person's party and still be the star of it. Fuck! Does this man have to dominate everything? Plus, he's taking me there as well!!? I felt like burrowing myself into the ground at his level of shamelessness.I was expecting him to veer off. Or even pull me aside. To claim a quieter corner. But no; he led me right to the throne of the room. And without a word, he gestured for me to sit.I hesitated. I wasn't that thick-skinned!! My gaze flicked from the chair to the countless eyes now burning holes into my skin.||Just play along|| I reminded myself before shameless