Skai’s POV I transferred the clip to the drive, my evidence. They thought I'd be fired instantly. Jokes on them. The table turned; I never knew Mia could be involved. She's a wolf in sheep's clothing. Same as me but with a different. Now, I know how moths feel when they fly to flames. The flames are worth the burn. Juliano's rule replayed in my mind: 'Don't trust any individual.' A strong wave of hate took over me, but that wasn't the only thing. Something else, something completely immoral, gripped me, too.Out of the control room, I took the elevator to the CEO's floor. The air in his corridor was laced with silence and authority. My pulse thundered in my ears. I walked with confidence, head up. I knocked twice and opened after his permission. I entered, confidently this time, not when I had concrete evidence against me and I couldn't even look up. Ashamed of myself.The CEO was seated on his chair, holding a bottle of whiskey. He looked at me with the same eyes – calculatin
Skai’s POVMy heart beat sporadically against my chest. I entered, locking the door and resting my back against the door as I caught my breath. What the hell just happened? The wave of adrenaline vanished from my system, leaving a relief in me. Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, I gulp it down as I hear the sound. Everywhere was so silent expect from the tick of the clock. If the walls had ears, this type of silence would have definitely made them mad. I went straight to my room and dropped my stuffs. Ripping off myself, I entered the bathroom without even removing my makeup. I washed myself till I felt better, it was so nice to be at peace. The last few hours was hell. Stepping out of the bathroom, I changed into shorts and bralettes. It felt so boring at at times no pets, no friends. But, what do friends do? Betray. Mia and Aver messed with the wrong person. I was always quiet and introverted, but afterwards? I felt like I could punch the moon and kick the stars. It wa
Juliano's POV The lights in the room were dim, warm gold bleeding across the sleek marble table. No background music. No curious staff watching. I arrived twenty minutes earlier. Waiting on people isn't my thing, but it was important. The reservation area was booked two days ago; everything was prepared. I didn’t bring security in. There was no need to. Leaning back in my chair, my fingers drummed against the sleek marble centre table.I watched as the door shut behind him with an ominous click, not her. Not the silent shadow in a suit. Not a bodyguard with stiff shoulders and guarded eyes. It took me a while to get used to the way she moved in that disguise. No, this was her without a shield. Still precise. She stepped in the room like she had always belonged there. No disguise. No distortion in her voice. I was happy letting her live freely, not under her shadows. I ordered chicken parmesan. How lousy would the boss be not to offer his underlings something to eat? Somethin
Skai’s POV The air in his corridor felt like carbon monoxide. It was heavy to breathe in, as if I'd die if I inhaled. His last threat flashed through my mind. Each step questioned my presence in LIAS, but my brain screamed REVENGE. The office smelt of deep cologne, something darker and consuming. He was wearing a tailored Tom Ford suit. No whiskey. That was all my brain could register. He glared at me with dark eyes. “How sure are you that Mia actually broke into your office? I blinked several times, trying to digest his words.“I found the footage and her ID, sir,” my voice barely audible over the sound of my pounding heart. The more that came out, the more I realised I didn't know anything about the statement, but I kept a page of it. The more I thought about it, the more my guts twisted. “You need to find another evidence that shows that they broke into your office. The proof wasn’t detailed. Before the end of today.” The footage was blurry.The last sentence was preci
Skai’s POV I stole glances at the drawer where I found the documents the last time. The door was knocked and creaked open. Her glitter black heels showed first, then her long legs, and she came into view. Her long honey-blonde hair fell in deep waves over her shoulder, her black dress hugging her curves in a way that made heads turn. She was effortlessly stunning, as if she just walked off the cover of a high-fashion magazine.She went straight to Carlo as he clutched her in his embrace, pecking him on both cheeks as he grinned widely, ” I've missed you.”She turned to me and said, “You must be Sophia, right?”“Yes, I never knew I had fans already.”“Come over; let's sit here,” she said, pulling me to the couch opposite Carlo’s desk. He was grinning at the sight of both of us.“My name is Chiara.” She placed her hand on her chest, looking at me.“I love the name; it's unique.”“You can say that again,” she said, cupping my cheeks.“We even have the same eyes; I like you already.”I
Skai’s POV My grip tightened on the tray so I didn't drop it. His eyes flashed with contempt, but he suddenly changed immediately.He cooled down fast. A welcoming expression took over his silver fox features. I've met him once, at the networking event.“Hi”, he said in a smooth posh accent and offered me a tight-lipped smile along with his large hand. He had a firm handshake just like Tillard. Either way, I don't give weak handshakes too.“Hello”, I held the tray with one hand. The heavy weight fell on my arm and palm. The moment I slip my hand in his, he squeezed so hard that I winced.If I didn’t sense the earlier aggression in my soul and felt it in my bones, I would’ve thought it was all in my head.Maybe it's just normal not to think too much about it.He looked at me. “I've met you before, the new employee?”I nodded. Tillard would have informed him about the incident. The next statement I was expecting was “Out of here”.Mafias definitely do not entertain unnecessary visitors
Skai's POV From beyond the door, I could hear a distant scrape of chairs, a murmur of voices. I entered into the already crowded conference room. My heels clicking directly against the black tiles. Quiet murmurs. The whispers stopped when I entered the room with multiple eyes staring into my soul. If hands were eyes, they could definitely strangle me. I walked directly to the empty seat apart from the two chairs I assume was for the CEOs. It seems I was the last to enter the room. I sat down; the sound died down. It was my heels that drew distracted attention in the room. Not even after what happened. I loved to be the centre of attraction. Even though I wasn't sure of what was going on in everyone's mind. I was still me. The unpredictable lady. Mia was seated at the opposite side of the table. Gossips hit me that she was given just two weeks of suspension; the other information wasn't necessary. After blackmailing and theft. Corruption was a norm; I wasn't surprised. She was
Skai’s POV Ignoring the background talks, I walked out of the room. I didn't mean to make a scene. Asking for deeper data channels was weird and too straightforward, but you do the right thing at the right time. To your advantage. I looked back at the door, it wasn't where we had the meeting with Juliano held the first day.The elevator dropped me like a shot, and I walked out. I saw Chiara as she moved towards me.“I had a nice time; you could have slept over.”“I can only apologise, work. Have you seen a movie after then?”“No, I've not watched the ghost movie." She laughed revealing her perfect dentition.”We walked together to my office. I didn't want her to come with me, but I had no choice. I opened my door and we entered, but I made sure I studied her; she didn't drop anything.“So, Sophia,” she smiled, realizing how that came out.“I want to go to Carlo’s club tonight.”I didn't react; I already found out he had a club.I was looking at her, expecting the next word she'd say.
Skai’s POV He was the last person I expected to meet there. He's everywhere, like the asphyxiating smoke in his eyes. He walked closer with quick strides. He's a foreshadowing of my misfortune – just as I had sensed that it would be. I was frozen to where I was like a kid that had his lip stuck to a pump handle in the wintertime. I tried to scrub my mind; there was nothing. I struggle with excuses whenever I'm caught off guard. “Sophia, what are you doing here?” He asked with his facial expression demanding an answer. He was watching me with an unnerving focus like he’s a ravenous predator salivating after his prey. He looked up the name of the restaurant. “This is Bella Vita, Sophia.” I didn't know what to say. It was like my tongue was stuck. After talking to Juliano like a soldier giving war orders. “I came to have lunch with an old friend.” I wasn't really telling a lie at that moment, just a changed dynamic. “It's an expensive restaurant, not for the middle class. Not a
Skai’s POV I entered the restaurant. It was the same place as the last one. It was late afternoon now; only a few customers were scattered at the table. I went straight to the reservation area after informing the waitress. I was still in my office wear. There was no need to change my outfit since it was urgent. I wasn't even thinking straight about what he might want to talk about. Whatever the matter might be, he sounded really different. Did he find out anything? I don't think so. There was not a bit of fury in his voice. So what might it be? The thought had been peeping into my mind at intervals like a kid playing a hide-and-seek game. It could run through my mind like a flash whenever I was busy, and then it's gone. I walked into the room, unprepared for what was about to happen. Maybe he was about to order me not to return to the LIAS. He sat down in the dimly lit room close to the end. There was no drink in front of him. My heart skipped, as it seemed to be a serious meeting
Skai’s POV I was seated in the conference room close to the edge of the rectangular table, holding a notepad and a copy of the business proposal. I was torn between anxiety and expectancy. It was the room where Tillard held the meeting with Mr Juliano. The room that triggered my first decision, where I met Tillard again after years.Giovanni walked into the room with a cold expression, flanked by two bodyguards with grim expressions as they gave a curt nod and returned to the door. Giovanni walked over to the head of the table and sat. He has always shown the upper hand, and even Tillard respects him. There might be other reasons, or maybe because he's a mafia leader. Their demeanour demands respect.I was expecting Carlo to show up, but he didn't.Tillard walked in minutes later, accompanied by the secretary. He looked straight at my angle without having to look about for me, as though he had expected me to take that particular seat and no other, although many chairs were vacant.
Juliano's POV I was in the living room when I saw my father approaching, clutching his glass of water as usual as he sat beside me. I looked up at him with an undecipherable expression. The usual was about to happen. After giving me the 3-month ultimatum, he has been waiting for the time to end until he takes the whole work into his hands.He patted my shoulders and crossed his legs.“Cindy is in town; I planned a date for you over the weekend," he said as a smirk rested on his lips. He paused to let it sink in, and I waited, feeling a numb, violent outrage.“It’s not time yet, Father, and you're already hooking me up,” looking at him with a grim expression.“I'm not; it's a date.”He continued “You know, get to know her. That was how I and your mother started.” Sadness flashed through me. It's been years, but it still hurts like a needle prick in my heart anytime I remember.“A blind date, because I don't know her.” I said, trying my best to change his mind.“You do; it's your shor
Skai’s POV The morning air was crisp, sunlight filtering through the half-drawn curtains, casting soft golden streaks across the room. I blinked, adjusting to the light. I could hardly get to sleep, dreaming of revenge. I slept diagonally with my calf hanging off the edge of the bed.I got ready for the day, wearing gym wear and going for my early morning walk. Sometimes, I liked to live in the moment. The thought of Juliano’s words still lingered in the back of my mind. I saw a black Mercedes across the road. I crossed and walked along the street, hearing a honk of a car, but I didn't wait, concluding it wasn't for me. The car slowed down and then sped off.Walking up the path to my front door, I entered and grabbed a bottle of water as I walked upstairs to change. Halfway upstairs, I heard a knock at the door. I crept down the stairs and went to the kitchen to get a knife, dropping my shoes by the kitchen door . Rookie mistake: never leave your firearm where you can't get it. I'
Skai’s POV Heat from the late afternoon sun arose from the grey concrete, shimmering like the weary tones of a distant bugle blown upon still midnight air. I moved towards the paved walkway in between the lawns, which looked hostile. They were growing, and I needed to trim it. The green looked sharp. Something white was on my door, and it kept getting clearer as I moved closer. I thought it was an illusionat first. I didn't increase my pace. There was no need to. I thought it was a water bill or something. Something which I don't know about. A white paper was taped to my door with obvious reds visible on the other side. I flipped it over with absolute reluctance, and suddenly, my heart stopped and my lungs tightened. Fear gripped me for a moment as I blinked. If it was Sophia, then the person doesn't know my past, right? A hint of relief settled in me. It read, “ DON'T YOU THINK YOU'RE TRESPASSING, DEAR SOPHIA? STAY IN YOUR LANE.” No signature. No trace. The letters were w
Skai’s POV I was in the company working and watching, and they thought I was oblivious to everything. Well, not everything. Then, it dawned on me that I'd not filtered the picture. Who was the little girl? Is she still there or dead like Skai? Skai isn't dead. They thought their encrypted documents were safe. After accessing the laptop, I didn't know the next time I'll be able to use it. There are a lot of documents on it. People like that might prefer soft copies. After a few days, the profits skyrocketed, and the marketing department became busier. I wouldn’t take all the credits, but I was the queen in the game. After finding out the information, I was closer to my goals. No, I wasn't. There was a long way to go. A tip of an iceberg. Maria didn't see me as a competitor. She saw me as a partner in business. Like I made work easy for her. Giovanni was seen in the company more frequently. Some workers were filled with hatred and anger. Hiding it was a difficult task. Some walked
Skai's POV Carlo strode downstairs with his hair scattered. A sheen of frustration covered his features, and he was hard-faced . Not the face of an innocent person who has just killed someone for the first time. He would have done this countless times. His sleeve rolled up to his arm, revealing his tattoo, and the second one was normal. His first two buttons opened. Of course, there was no blood on his hands. If all killers had blood on their bodies, then most of them would look like vampires. The sentence replayed in my mind, ‘You can ask for a second chance in heaven’. Does he even know if he was going to heaven? If he had caught me, I don't know what he'd have done. I thought Juliano was free; they wanted to use the BER corp to relinquish their dimming glory. On seeing me, he smiled “I didn't know you were here.”I narrowed my eyes at Chiara, and he nodded. “I love your outfit. Care for a dance?” He took my hands and we moved to the rhythm of the music. Chiara's sig
Skai’s POV Ignoring the background talks, I walked out of the room. I didn't mean to make a scene. Asking for deeper data channels was weird and too straightforward, but you do the right thing at the right time. To your advantage. I looked back at the door, it wasn't where we had the meeting with Juliano held the first day.The elevator dropped me like a shot, and I walked out. I saw Chiara as she moved towards me.“I had a nice time; you could have slept over.”“I can only apologise, work. Have you seen a movie after then?”“No, I've not watched the ghost movie." She laughed revealing her perfect dentition.”We walked together to my office. I didn't want her to come with me, but I had no choice. I opened my door and we entered, but I made sure I studied her; she didn't drop anything.“So, Sophia,” she smiled, realizing how that came out.“I want to go to Carlo’s club tonight.”I didn't react; I already found out he had a club.I was looking at her, expecting the next word she'd say.