LOGINEstella’s pov The transition from the depths of a forced, heavy sleep to the chilling reality of captivity was never gradual; it was a violent rupture. The first sensation was not sound, but smell—a faint, antiseptic tang mixed with the suffocating scent of stale, expensive perfume that clung to the velvet curtains. I was hovering somewhere in the gray zone of a dream, trying to cling to the warmth of sleep, when the sudden, sharp scent of lavender soap alerted me to my presence. A trembling hand touched my shoulder, bringing with it a shock of cold. My eyes snapped open, fighting against the heavy haze .Above me stood a the timid maid , her face pale, her knuckles white as she clasped her hands in front of her crisp white apron. "Miss... Miss, I am sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible, vibrating with fear. "He—He sent word. It is not time for breakfast." I tried to sit up, but my limbs felt weighted, unresponsive, a lingering effect of the wine I took last night du
One month later: Arman’s pov. I had grown into an alcoholic-it’s been one month since Estella got kidnapped and I was losing my mind.Two weeks since we ordered a bust on the Genovese and it had only made them go MIA. Father had mentioned that they might’ve gotten an Intel and made sure nothing or anybody important was left in the crime scene during prior house to the bust.I didn’t even want to think about Estella being the price for their silence. Every search I made on Ralph turned to a dead end.I thought of Checking overseas,nothing still,no flight tickets ,no restaurant bills that could leak his or Estella’s location. The amber liquid, I drank,usually a balm for a tense day, felt hollow, acting as fuel for the fire of anxiety burning in my chest.My lover—the only fragility in my ruthless existence—was gone, snatched from a world I had promised to protect her from. I stared at the empty, plush chair across from him, imagining her there, perhaps wearing that soft shirt j
Estella’s pov The heavy oak door groaned, a sound muffled by the thick, velvet curtains that shrouded the room in perpetual night.I was jolted from the floor I’d slumped in minutes ago after trying to plead with Jaya few minutes ago ,but all to no avail , my wrists aching from hours of being bound—-courtesy to my erratic response when Ralph had mentioned spending the night with me.As the master of the house entered, bringing the scent of expensive cologne and cold rain. This was the moment I had dreaded, moving from the holding room to the center of his power—the opulent master bedroom. He moved with a quiet, menacing authority, his presence dominating the space. "It’s time," he said, his voice a low, smooth contrast to the terror screaming in my chest. I was forced to walk ahead of him,the plush, white carpet silencing my steps, feeling entirely too soft against my battered feet. The room was massive, designed for luxury that now felt like a gilded cage. A massive king-sized bed,
Arman’s pov “Arman.Can we talk ?” I averted my gaze from my phone screen to see it was Alda. I had been waiting endlessly to get a feedback from Simon —the bust we had planned on the Genovese went smooth.We lost two men but then attacking them out of the blues had put them on the losing side. “Hey”I muttered ,setting my phone aside. “I..I’ve been wanting to have this conversation with you..anybody..Gosh..I can’t hold it anymore” “Hey relax.Come here..what’s wrong?” “Please don’t get mad at me ..” “Go on” “I might’ve caused all of this..the bust..Estella being kidnapped “ “I don’t follow” “Ok.It all started the night I went out for a party with my friends…no not friends!..more like acquaintances,we study the same course.Well I hooked up with a guy back then,I needed the fun and he was so cute and all.Then he started asking a lot of questions…” “Hold on.What sorta questions?” “I was drunk!”she cried,expression naked with regret”I can’t remember all of it..but t
Estella’s pov The heavy steel door clicked shut for the last time, replaced by the soft, almost silent closing of a mahogany door on the third floor.The move was a strange mercy—a shift from the damp basement to the opulence of the main mafia mansion—but it was still captivity. I sat on the edge of the king-sized bed,my mind working furiously.I knew this was a tactical move, likely ordered by the boss ,Ralph,to keep his asset "fresh" or perhaps to psychologically break me down with kindness rather than cruelty. A few minutes later, the door creaked, and Jaya entered carrying a heavy silver tray. "Breakfast, Estella,”Jaya whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “I thought I would be having my meals with Ralph “ She looked at me,expression naked with surprise. “Well he’s not in a good mood today and I know he wouldn’t want to do so”she retorted . I watched her closely ,breakfast served,I began to devour some of it .I was famished ,courtesy of me not wanting to have a prop
Arman’s pov I poured another finger of the liquor ,then set the glass on the table ,on top of a folder stamped photos.That folder was not alone ,other folders,papers and files covered every available inch on the table .The photos and files ,the documents they contained ,represented the quest to find Ralph and anyone linked to the Genovese.They represented everything that Miranda could pull on the Genovese. I passed a hand over my eyes,my head heavy from too much booze and too little sleep. “Arman” I heard someone call behind me. It was papa. He’d stepped out earlier to check on the warehouse with Simon —It was going to be easier doing that from the penthouse . He moved to the bar ,his tailored suit shifting seamlessly as he sat beside me. “Good day,papa” He gestured to the drink in front of me and I offered a finger of liquor to him. “I heard.Simon says you’ve been hell bent on this investigation.” “Everything keeps going to a dead end.” Papa finally turned fully
Arman’s pov“Oh there you are .”Mama said as I walked into the dining room.I turned to see Miranda,my visitor and long time friend having a discussion with Simon.They stopped talking as I took my seat.“You took so long using the restroom”she chirped .She always seemed so possessive around me an
Estella’s pov “You know what.I miss when it was just ma Esmeralda and Miss Alda “Heather huffed and continued kneading the dough she worked in. I smiled and scaled the bag of yeast in my hand. “They pay us for the work well done so we shouldn’t complain” “I mean I love my work but at times I
Arman’s pov“You know we have to tell mum that everything is okay hence us coming back home “Simon said as the chauffeur drove into the compound of our home.“Sure”I said and looked out of the car window to see the queue of workers waiting for our return.I poised my stature as I stepped out of the
Estella’s pov I laughed as Heather gave me details about her experience with her father while on leave. “Sometimes I feel like he’s never going get used to the idea of me getting married someday”she said softly. It was past 5am and we were in our sleeping quarters prepping for the start of our







