Mag-log in
The moon hung low in the night sky, casting an eerie glow over the hillside campsite. What was supposed to be a peaceful weekend getaway had turned into a nightmare. Chaos reigned as gunfire echoed through the trees, and the scent of burning pine needles filled the air.
Terrified campers huddled together in tents, seeking refuge from the unfolding violence. Screams and frantic footsteps merged into a symphony of panic. Among them were a group of college students who had stumbled upon this grim spectacle unwittingly, their plans for a relaxing escape shattered.
Hidden amidst the mayhem were the drug traffickers, their faces contorted with both fear and aggression. They had arrived with the intention of striking a deal, but fate had other plans. A rival gang had set a trap, catching them off guard. Unbeknownst to them, they were about to be pulled into a deadly showdown.
The first shots rang out, a cacophonous "Bang! Bang!" that shattered the night's fragile tranquility. Gunfire erupted, and the hillside became a battleground. For the next thirty minutes, the woods reverberated with the staccato rhythm of bullets.
Some of those embroiled in the firefight fell to the ground, clutching wounds inflicted by the exchange of gunfire. Others, driven by adrenaline and desperation, continued to shoot at their adversaries, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames from nearby tents set ablaze.
Amidst the chaos, the college students tried to find cover, their minds racing with disbelief and terror. As the minutes ticked by, the hillside became a scene of utter madness.
**
Max's heart raced as he fumbled with his Bluetooth earpiece. The chaotic symphony of gunshots and screams provided an unsettling backdrop to his frantic attempts to reach Francisco.
"Can you hear me, Francisco? Francisco…" Max's voice quivered with worry, but there was no response, just static silence. His concern deepened.
Huddled behind the tree, Max felt the chilling proximity of danger as a bullet slammed into the bark inches away. "Fuck!" He cursed, his senses sharpening with adrenaline. He gripped his firearm tightly, ready to return fire.
Amidst the relentless chaos and the sounds of gunfire echoing through the night, Max's thoughts were consumed by one relentless question, "Where are you, Francisco? Are you alright or not?"
Francisco didn't return his call, and those traitors were on the opposite side. This caused him serious concern. In the midst of the turmoil, his sole thought was that he had to find Francisco at all costs.
**
In the midst of the raging firefight, hidden within a dense thicket, a wounded boy lay sprawled out in the dirt. His face was pale, and beads of sweat clung to his furrowed brow. The pain from his gunshot wound pulsed through his body, leaving him dizzy and disoriented. His right arm throbbed with agony, a grim reminder of the price he had paid while trying to save a girl.
Unable to grip his gun, the boy felt powerless and vulnerable. He had been on the brink of losing consciousness when a soft, reassuring voice broke through the chaos.
"Hey, keep your eyes open," the girl's voice urged, a beacon of hope in the darkness. "The police have been informed, and they are on their way. Just let your eyes open."
With great effort, the boy's eyelids gradually lifted, revealing eyes clouded with pain and fear. He blinked away the haze, focusing on the girl's face that hovered above him. He found himself lying with his head on the unknown girl's lap.
Her face, partially obscured by the darkness and smeared with blood, was now a comforting presence in his hazy consciousness. She gently pressed herbs against his gunshot wound; her touch was surprisingly soothing.
His parched throat ached with the desire to speak, but the pain held him in a vice grip. His voice emerged as a mere croak, barely audible over the ongoing chaos. Her soft voice cut through the cacophony once more, breaking through the boy's confusion.
"Do you want to say something?"
The events of the night had taken a heavy toll on him, both physically and emotionally. The girl's presence, her care in treating his wound provided a glimmer of humanity amidst the madness.
The boy's attempt to speak left him gasping in agony, his lips trembling as he tried to suppress the searing pain that coursed through him. The girl continued to watch him with concern etched across her blood-stained face. Minutes passed in heavy silence, broken only by the distant echoes of gunfire that seemed worlds away.
Finally, as if coming to a decision, she retrieved a water bottle from her backpack and held it up. Her voice was gentle, filled with a genuine desire to help.
"Do you want to drink water?"
The boy managed a small nod, though it was more a slight inclination of his head than a proper response. He longed to quench his thirst, to soothe his parched throat, but his body rebelled against even the simplest of movements.
Without hesitation, the girl carefully poured a small amount of water into his mouth. However, he struggled to swallow, his weakened body refusing to cooperate. Each attempt sent waves of pain radiating from the gunshot wound in his arm. He coughed, and the remaining water rolled from his mouth. The girl took the water in her mouth when she understood he couldn't even drink.
As the girl leaned down, her lips gently touching his in an act of selfless compassion, the boy's eyes widened with a mixture of surprise.
Their eyes locked for a fleeting moment as she shared the precious water with him mouth-to-mouth. It was an intimate act born out of necessity, a lifeline that transcended words. He drank in the water, and he finally saw her face.
Her hazel-green eyes.
With his thirst finally quenched, the boy slowly closed his eyes, a sense of relief washing over him. As he drifted into unconsciousness, he held onto a thought, a promise to himself, 'If I survive this time, we will definitely meet, girl. You owe me one thing.'
**
Lilith stopped, lowered herself, and hugged Victor carefully. Her arms wrapped around him, holding on as if she needed his strength.Victor kissed her forehead, his voice soft.“I wish you a happy life, my dear.”Lilith nodded, blinking away the sting in her eyes.“Thank you, Dad.”Her manager stepped forward and gently positioned Victor’s wheelchair beside the aisle. Lilith rose, took a steady breath, and turned toward the stage.She looked at Francisco.Tradition demanded he step forward. That he extend his hand and welcome his bride.He didn’t move.He stood still, his face unreadable, his hands resting calmly at his sides.For a moment, Lilith thought he might change his mind. That he would lift his hand at the last second.He didn’t.The silence grew heavy.Murmurs rippled through the guests. Heads leaned closer. The media sensed it instantly—cameras clicked faster, greedier. This wasn’t part of the script.Lilith’s chest tightened.This wasn’t just rejection.It was a public sla
A month passed in the blink of an eye.The wedding day arrived.Lilith sat in front of the mirror, dressed in an exquisite lace gown that flowed softly to the floor. The fabric hugged her perfectly, elegant and flawless, just as everyone expected. She looked like a bride from a dream—beautiful, radiant, and poised.Yet her reflection did not calm her heart.She stared at herself, fingers clenched lightly in her lap. Happiness lingered on her lips, but fear coiled tightly in her chest. Francisco’s face haunted her thoughts.What was he thinking?Had he truly accepted everything so easily? Or was he hiding something behind that cold silence of his?The questions gnawed at her mind, tightening her breathing, driving her close to panic.A sudden knock on the door snapped her back to reality.She turned quickly.“Grandpa!” she said, standing as Francisco’s grandfather stepped inside.Kevin walked toward her with steady steps, his sharp eyes softening just enough as he looked at her.“You a
The sea was restless. Waves crashed against the shore with violent force, driven by the wind, rising and breaking again and again as if the ocean itself was angry.Lilith stood at the edge of the beach, her coat fluttering around her legs, eyes fixed on the dark water. Her face was stern, unreadable, but her thoughts were anything but calm. The longer she stared at the sea, the heavier her chest felt.She was waiting.Footsteps approached behind her. Her manager stopped a few steps away and spoke carefully.“Ma’am, I don’t think Mr. Francisco will come.”Lilith didn’t respond right away. She kept watching the waves, letting the wind whip through her hair. After a moment, she spoke, her voice low but certain. “I know he will come.”Her manager hesitated. “He hasn’t replied. It’s been hours—”“He has to,” Lilith said, cutting him off, her eyes still locked on the horizon.The manager lowered his gaze, understanding there was nothing more to say. He quietly turned and left her alone wit
Kevin let the silence sit for a long, heavy moment. Then he said calmly, “Elvish, tell someone to clean the third master’s bedroom.”Elvish bowed his head and left without a word. His footsteps faded down the corridor.Kevin’s eyes stayed on Francisco’s back. He knew exactly what that command implied—and he knew Francisco understood it too. The room was being prepared. For Francisco. For Lilith. For the deal he was certain his grandson would bend to.Francisco didn’t turn. Didn’t speak. His shoulders were rigid, every muscle pulled tight like wire.“You have three days,” Kevin announced, raising his voice just enough to be heard through the hall. “Three days to think about my proposal.”He paused, letting the words dig into the air like a blade.“I know you won’t disappoint me,” he added. “Not as a businessman.”With that parting shot, Kevin walked toward his room, his cane tapping lightly against the marble floor. The echo lingered long after he disappeared around the corner.Francis
“If I don’t give you the baby,” Hazel said, her tone cold and steady, “then what?”Kevin groaned softly, leaning back in his chair. Smoke drifted from his cigar, curling between them like a dark veil.Hazel’s eyes burned with hatred, but her voice didn’t tremble.Kevin exhaled and said, “I thought about helping you, Hazel. Giving you a way out. Separating you from my grandson before you both destroy each other.” He paused, his gaze sharp as steel. “But you won’t take it. Because you know him too well. If you try to keep that baby and run, he’ll find you. No matter where you hide.”Hazel’s fingers clenched at her sides, but she said nothing.Kevin took another slow puff, studying her like a piece of art he didn’t quite understand. “The more you stay with that child,” he continued, his tone low, deliberate, “the worse your life will get. My grandson will make sure of it—without even realizing it. You’re already in hell, girl. I’m just offering you a softer one.”Hazel’s jaw tightened, f
The room was dark, cold, and silent. The stone walls pressed in like a cage. Hazel lay on a narrow bed, wrists bound, her breath shallow. Every inch of her body ached.Across from her sat an old man, legs crossed, posture regal, eyes sharp and unblinking. Beside him stood Elvish and Alfred, watching in silence.The man was Kevin — Francisco’s grandfather.Minutes passed before Hazel stirred. Her eyelids fluttered, and the blur before her began to take shape. Slowly, she turned her head.Her temples throbbed. Her body felt like lead. And then—“How are you feeling now?”The voice was deep and commanding, each word weighted with quiet authority. Hazel froze. Then, forcing herself to stay calm, she lifted her gaze toward him.White hair, chiseled jaw, eyes as cold as glass. Despite his age, the man radiated power.Masculine.Intimidating.Dangerous.Hazel’s lips parted slightly as she pushed herself up. It hurt, but she managed, sitting upright on the edge of the bed.Her eyes locked wit







