Fallen

Xerxis, sobra-sobra na ang naitulong mo sa'kin. Nakakahiya." Nina blushed, covering her cheeks as Xerxis handed her a Centurion Card.

"Hindi ko ito matatanggap."

"No. Take it, Nina," he said firmly. "I told you, I'll provide anything you need. You've been good to me... and to my son." He took her hand, placed the card in her palm, then gently ruffled her hair like a child.

Nina smiled shyly. "Alam mo namang hindi ako mahilig sa mamahaling gamit. Marami pa akong pagkain sa bahay... Pero salamat, Xerxis."

"Buy whatever you want. Go shopping. I'm sure you haven't treated yourself in a while," he added with a warm smile, pulling her into a hug.

Xerxis had done so much for her. Their paths crossing wasn't some random twist of fate—it was life-changing. She had been working as a waitress at a bar when one night, everything nearly fell apart.

Flashback

"Tama na! Ano sa tingin mo ang ginagawa mo?!" Nina shouted, grabbing Xerxis by the arm.

"What? This guy just tried to assault you, and you're stopping me from beating him senseless?" Xerxis was livid, disbelief written all over his face.

"Hindi mo naiintindihan. Hindi kita kilala—and mas lalo akong hindi humingi ng tulong sa'yo!" Nina turned to leave, but Xerxis moved quickly and blocked her path.

"You're unbelievable! I just saved you from this moron!" he snapped, frustration rising.

"Hindi kasi ikaw ang mawawalan ng trabaho..." she said, eyes brimming with tears. "Ito lang ang meron ako. Ito ang bumubuhay sa akin. Hindi katulad mo..."

She looked him over—his sleek Armani suit, his polished leather shoes, and that scent—rich, clean, masculine.

"Suot mo pa lang, parang isang taon sahod ko na."

Xerxis softened. "I can help you, Nina."

SLAP.

"Hindi ako bayarang babae! Humanap ka ng ibang pwedeng pagsamantalahan. Hindi ako 'yon. Bastos!" Nina's voice shook with anger as her hand left a mark on his cheek.

But instead of lashing back, Xerxis looked... stunned and impressed.

"What? No! That's not what I meant. I want to hire you—as my son's nanny."

Nina stared at him, unsure if she'd made a mistake—or if he really meant what he said.

"Nanny?" she asked.

"Yes," Xerxis nodded, his expression softening. "For my son, Devin. I'm not offering anything else—don't misunderstand."

His words struck something in her chest. There was no flirtation in his tone, no malice—just a quiet sincerity that made her heart clench.

"I don't know you," she said, still wary.

"And you don't have to trust me yet," he replied. "But I saw what happened back there. You need a way out, Nina. This is it. Come meet Devin. Just one day. If it's not for you, walk away."

Nina looked at him—this dangerous man in a tailored suit, who had every reason to walk past her that night, but didn't.

"Payag ako. Pero isang araw lang."

"One day," he agreed, almost like an older brother making sure his stubborn little sister didn't fall too far.That's how they met.

And from that day on, Nina never forgot what Xerxis did for her. He never never made her feel unsafe. He was kind, protective, and firm—like the older brother she never had.

"Xerxis is a good man," Nina often told herself. "Whoever he marries someday is going to be one lucky girl."

End of flashback.

Sa hindi kalayuan, hidden in the shadows, someone was watching closely.

"Boss, I found the girl's house. Xerxis is with her. Should we attack?" one of the men asked quietly.

Hades lit a cigarette, a wicked smile forming on his lips. "No. Not yet. I have a much more interesting plan than just attacking that son of a bitch." His tone was cold and sharp. "I want him to suffer."

"I heard he has a kid. A little boy na kamukhang-kamukha niya," said Gerard, one of Hades's most trusted men.

Rage flickered in Hades's eyes. "Hah! So they do have a kid together. That explains why they looked so damn cozy on the street. Flirty and disgusting." He clenched his jaw, clearly spiraling into darker thoughts.

Then, after a long pause:

"We'll take the girl. Wait until Xerxis leaves. Keep eyes on them. And when the time's right..."

He crushed the cigarette under his boot.

"Snatch her."

Nina, wrapped in a soft, thin nightie, had just stepped out of the shower. Her damp hair clung to her skin as she quietly padded toward her bedroom.

The soft glow of the bedside lamp was the only light in the room. She reached to switch it off, feeling the comforting warmth of her blankets.

Suddenly, the lights flickered once—then everything went dark.

Power outage,... nanaman? Iritabling napakurapkurap si Nina.

Moonlight spilled through the window, casting long shadows across the room. Nina's breath hitched. She was alone. Vulnerable.

Then, from the front door came a deliberate knock—soft but unmistakable.

She froze, heart pounding.

"S-sino po?" she whispered, voice trembling.

No answer.

The knock came again, louder this time.

Nina grabbed the edge of her blanket, wrapping it tightly around herself. Her bare feet touched the cold floor as she moved cautiously toward the door, clutching a kitchen knife she grabbed from the counter.

She peeked through the peephole. Nothing.

Suddenly, the door handle rattled violently.

"Huwag kayo pumasok! Tulong!" she pleaded. Before she could react, the door exploded inward with a crash. Five masked men stormed inside.

Nina screamed, stumbling backward, but one of them slammed a hand over her mouth. She struggled, kicking, desperate for help.

Then, in the doorway stood Hades—his cold eyes fixed on her, lips twisted in a cruel smile.

"Hello, darling. We finally meet... properly."

She trembled, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Hades stepped closer, voice low and dangerous:

"You. As bait. As punishment. As mine. Mine to play."

She gasped, terror overtaking her and part of her understand what he said.

His men grabbed her roughly, dragging her away from the only place she'd ever felt safe.

Her last thought before darkness swallowed her was of Xerxis. It explained all the calls and texts he had sent her. She thought he was overreacting, yet deep down, she was still completely confused.

Nina's eyes fluttered open. The air was cold, damp, and smelled of rust and stale concrete. She blinked against the dim light filtering through a cracked window high on the wall.

She was lying on a hard, metal cot, the thin blanket barely covering her trembling body. Her nightie was torn and dirty. Panic surged through her veins.

"Nasan ako?" she whispered, voice hoarse.

The silence answered back—oppressive and thick.

Slowly, she tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through her wrist. She looked down—her wrists were handcuffed.

Tears welled up again. "Hindi, hindi maaari..."

Suddenly, the door creaked open. A shadow filled the doorway.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty."

Hades stepped inside, his expression cold and unreadable. He held a small tray with a glass of water and a plate of breakfast.

"Eat. Drink. You'll need your strength."

Nina's heart hammered. She wanted to scream, to run, to fight—but her body refused to move.

"Sino ka? At bakit mo 'to ginagawa sa akin? Anong kasalanan ko sa'yo?" she choked out.

Hades knelt beside her, voice low and cruel.

"Because hurting him means hurting you. You're a pawn in a much bigger game. And honey, my name is Hades... Hades Hidalgo the Mafia boss and Xerxis greatest rival."

He winked, then let his eyes drift from her face to her trembling body, lingering on her exposed thighs.

She swallowed hard, the weight of her situation settling on her like a stone.

And in that moment, Nina knew—her life had changed forever.

How did I end up here? Where is Xerxis? Is he even coming for me?

Hades stood up, brushing his hands together slowly.

"Don't bother trying to fight it," he said with a smirk. "The more you resist, the harder this will be. You're smarter than most, but this is a game you didn't even know you were playing."

Nina swallowed the lump in her throat. "A-ano bang kailangan mo sa'kin?"

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper only she could hear.

"I want him broken. And you... you're the key. You're the pain I'll use to crush him."

Her heart thundered. "Xerxis..." she whispered. And despite herself, she let out a small smile.

"Sa tingin mo ba hahanapin niya ako?" In Nina's mind, she was just a nanny—just a nobody in Xerxis's world. Xerxis had always been kind—generous even—but distant. Polite. Professional. He treated her like a younger sister, sometimes even protective, but never affectionate beyond that. Never once had he hinted at seeing her as anything more.

Still... she had noticed things. The way he'd disappear for days without explanation, only to return with bruised knuckles and blood on his collar he thought she wouldn't notice.

She wasn't stupid. And lately, something had changed in Xerxis. He was quieter. More guarded. More dangerous. She never asked questions. It wasn't her place. But she was starting to get the idea... this man isn't just a businessman. There was something darker beneath that polished smile. And maybe, she realized with a chill crawling down her spine, this is what that darkness leads to.

Hades let out a low, mocking laugh.

"You don't know that bastard Xerxis like I do. He's tough, yes—but I know his weakness. And that weakness is you."

Nina clenched her fists against the cold cuffs. She wanted to scream, to deny it, to tell him he was wrong. Na wala lang siya para kay Xerxis. But just as she opened her mouth, Hades grabbed her jaw.

"Shh. Not another word." His eyes glinted. "Rest for now, darling. You'll need your strength. The real game begins soon. We'll play together."

He stood, turned, and left. The door slammed shut behind him, followed by the sound of metal locks sliding into place.

Nina sat in the cold silence, heart pounding, tears brimming. She took a deep, shaky breath. This was only the beginning.

Nina's POV

She heard the heavy footsteps before the door slammed open. Its been 3 days since she was kidnapped. Hades entered with rage rolling off him like heat from a fire. His jaw clenched, his fists tight, and his eyes—burning. Nasasanay na nga ata siya. Palagi kasi itong parang galit sa mundo.

Nina sat up slowly. She can't look at him in the eyes. She's afraid of him. If Xerxis had found out she was taken and hadn't come for her... Then she really meant nothing.

Hades stopped in front of her "He knows," he said bitterly. "And he doesn't care."

Nina looked down. "A-alam k-ko." Her voice cracked, but she held her chin high. "Yaya lang naman ako ng anak niya. H-hindi ako importante. Hindi niya ako p-pipiliin."

That enrage Hades more. He grabbed her face roughly, it made her cry out in pain.

"Don't get pitiful now," he hissed.

Nina whimpered, trying to pull back.

"B-bitawan mo a-ako..."

"Do you know what I'm going to do?" he whispered, voice cold as steel. "I'm going to break you in every way I can. And I'm going to make sure he sees every moment of it." Hades looked at her with lust.

Her blood ran cold. Hades finally released her, and she fell back against the wall, chest heaving, body trembling.

"Kung iniisip mong mahalaga ako kay Xerxis... nagkakamali ka," she whispered, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Hindi ko alam kung paano sasabihin sayo pero wala akong halaga para sa kanya"

Hades chuckled darkly. "We'll see about that when he sees you screaming underneath me. Begging me to stop, but I won't. I will fuck you til you can't walk"

Nina clenched her fists against the cold metal cuffs, blinking back the tears. She opened her mouth to say something—"Pakawalan mo ko— parang awa mo na. Hindi ako mag susumbong..."—but Hades cut her off by grabbing her face again, harder this time.

"Shhhh you're definitely not telling anyone and it's not because you don't have a choice but it's just the way it is." Hades said and caressed her face, tracing her shoulder down to her almost exposed chest. Hindi mapigilan ni Nina mas mapa iyak. Bakit sa tuwing pinipilit niyang mamuhay ng tahimik eh malapit siya sa mga misteryso, delikadong mga gwapong kalalakihan.

Hades hands starts to roam her body. He tried to kiss her but Nina turned her head away, trembling—not from his touch, but from everything she couldn't control. "W-wag... maawa ka... a-ayoko p-please.."

Hades chuckled and gripped her ass. "More than a handful is a waste" Nanlalaki naman ang mga mata ni Nina ng marinig niya ang sinabi ni Hades. "... and nice breast" Hades added.

"Bastos! Bitiwan mo nga akong lalaki ka!" Hindi maka paniwala si Nina sa mga narinig nya dito.

"Spare me the act. We both know you're not as innocent as you look. I'm sure Xerxis and other guys already fucked you. Is your hole wide?" Yanking a fistful of her hair ruthlessly, forcing her to look up at him.