(Bright’s POV) Wow. That's a hell of a long story. I should have believed him when he told me that he’s about to tell me a long one. I glanced at the window. The sun was still up when he started his dramatic backstory, but it’s dark outside now. I leaned back in my chair, still absorbing everything Isaac just told me. His past was insane. It wasn’t really easy how he got himself into the position where he is right now. It was blood, sweat, and tears. The risks he took to get to where he is now, how he ended up working for Cole—it’s overwhelming. I never expected this from him when I walked into the room. I tend to forget that some of them have lives and backstories, too. I didn’t know what to expect, honestly. Maybe some surface-level story, something vague and distant. But this? This feels raw. Something that came straight out of a documentary movie. I can’t even explain in words how fucked this all are to me. “W
(Isaac’s POV) [Eight Years Ago] My lungs are burning, but that didn’t stop me from running my life out those cops. My legs feel like they’re about to give out, but I didn’t dare to stop. I can’t. Just one second, and they’ll get me just like the rest. I’ve already lost some of the men I came with. And I’m not going to be one of them. The sirens are screaming behind me, but I didn’t dare to look back. I won’t, even if I could hear them bouncing off the buildings, like they’re just right behind me. I can hear it’s getting closer. Damn it. No matter how much I want to keep running, I am already running out of air. I can’t be having this asthma attack at this time. That’s just ridiculous! This won’t do. I have to rest for a second. I darted into a dark alley, pressing myself against the cold brick wall, hoping that I’d magically camouflage, and they wouldn’t be able to see me. My chest rose and fell, but I f
(Bright’s POV) I sat on the edge of my bed, scrolling through my phone, and pretending to be absorbed in whatever nonsense is on the screen. I think I was watching social media influencers doing pranks on people, then I somehow got myself into “other” types of social media influencers eating their food in front of the camera. Honestly, my mind is elsewhere. Cole hasn’t come back all day. The last time I heard from him was still the same time that I woke up without him beside me in bed. I just hate the fact that he’s always away like… I don’t even know why I care at this point It’s not like I want to see him, right? But after what happened today, after that dinner with his controlling psycho Daddy… I just feel weird. Like something is shifting, but I can’t tell if it’s good or bad. The maids are desperately trying to keep me entertained, but I always shoo them away. I’m not really in the mood to do anything right now. I have
(Bright’s POV) One of the sliding doors opened, revealing the venue of the meeting where I’m supposed to get myself into. I like the fact that they chose a really good place to have this meeting, but… I don’t like this. Of course, it's a private room. Who knows if I’ll make it out of this place alive? They could literally do the most unexpected thing from me, and I wouldn’t be able to say a thing about it. Bryan stopped at the entrance. “Go on in,” he said, like he was more excited than I was. I glanced at him when I realized that he wasn’t moving as I made my way to enter the room. He doesn’t really seem to have any plans of entering soon. Okay, what the hell? I paused. “You’re not coming?” “Nope.” He grinned, like it was the amusing thing that happened to him today. “It’s just you and him.” Oh, that makes him happy? What a lunatic. But the thought of being alone with that old man is sending c
(Bright’s POV) I sat by the pool, while watching how the sunlight rippled across the water. I’ve been watching it because I like how it makes everything shimmer in my eyes. It’s a good view if you ask me. It should be relaxing, but my mind refuses to be still. ‘You’re not supposed to be here.’ Jade’s words are looping in my head, over and over. It feels like a broken phonograph, and I’m finding it hard to focus. What the hell did she mean by that? Not supposed to be here how? Like where am I supposed to be if not here then? Outside the door is that what she means? Does it have something to do with Cole's business? Some secret, messed-up mafia plan I accidentally got caught up in? I exhaled sharply and raked my fingers through my hair. Maybe she just hates me to the core that’s why she said that. I just know that she wouldn’t dare to say something like that to me if Cole was listening. That bitch is scared of him.
(Bright’s POV) I slide down the wall with a shaky breath as I watch Cole beat the life out of him. He punched him continuously on the face, his blood covering his fist. I started to panic when I saw the man close his eyes. He’s losing consciousness! "Don’t—" *punch* "—fucking—" *punch* "—touch him!" *punch* The man groaned. His face is so bloody, I could barely recognize him. He looked so destroyed, but Cole isn’t done. He’s going to kill him if he doesn't stop! I forced myself to move, grabbing Cole’s arm before he could strike again. "Stop!” He yanked my hands, but I didn't let go. I don't want him to regret what he’s doing right now. This man is still powerful. Who knows what might happen if this man got injured really badly. “I SAID STOP!” I screamed on the top of my lungs. Finally, he stopped. He released the man’s collar, and I watched as he dropped on the cold floor unconscious.