Skai’s POVSounds of distress, labored breathing, and whimpers took over me. Sheets rustled as I twisted and turned, caught up in another nightmare. I sat up from my rumpled quilt. It was 2:55 am. I had slept early last night. I had cold and wasn't in the right frame of mind. The picture had left me with much more trauma than I expected. Seeing my mother with my greatest enemies – Tillard and Giovanni. I didn't take the picture; there was nothing written at the back. Nothing else in the folder. So it was of no need. What could be worse than a sense of betrayal I struggled to rest my back against the bed frame. A throbbing migraine hit me. Worse to be called a headache. I held a part of my head. Opening my drawer, I grabbed my pill and used it. I thought I would be able to handle the secrets. I opened Pandora's box, and it left me with a mystery. I was unaware of my own life, upbringing and history. I had determined to go through the documents at midnight. When everywhere was sile
Skai’s POV I contemplated rushing back into the elevator and returning home with zero progress. "Who's there?" The words stuck to the tip of my tongue. I needed to ask myself the same question. What was I doing there?My brain wasn't prepared for any lie, even if I got caught. How can I run without seeing what chased me? I stepped forward with shaky breaths as the sound persisted. There was no one, probably an equipment left on standby mode. I hissed. My mind is still not settled.I could imagine the headlines: A MARKETER, SOPHIA BROWN, WHO BROKE INTO THE COMPANY AT NIGHT, WAS STABBED BY A SECRET WATCHMAN. And just like that, I'd be gone. I shouldn't have worn these boots, but it was too cold.I walked towards the door, removed the printed fingerprint from my pocket and placed it on the door handle as it flashed green. The door creaked open, and I smirked. A thief of identity with complete access to the hidden secrets. I chuckled despite my nervousness. There was also still the sm
Skai’s POV The flight back home was silent. None of us talked. The silence between us stretched, and it became so suffocating and unbearable. I could see the sadness in his eyes. Since then, he had been distant. A part of me liked it – being away from my distraction. Another part of me craved his obsession and care. My skin crawled whenever he passed by my side without sparing me a glance. He deserves the space. He went all out for me to say a single word that shattered his heart. Maybe I was a bad person. How could I be when it was the right thing? We acted like strangers, and getting used to it is the best. A lot of people would be hurt by my selfishness. How about Juliano and Allysia? My chest tightened. I haven't done anything about it – all in the name of being careful. No concrete evidence. Dressed in a flap navy blue gown and heels, my makeup well applied. I headed to the office. The cab stopped, and I alighted, taking in a sharp breath. I entered, took the elevator and we
Skai’s POV I swallowed hard. My heart slamming against my chest. His thumb lingered at the corner of my mouth, about to trace the lines of my lips. Our eyes locked, sending shivers down my spine.As if he noticed that he had lingered too much, he brushed off the crumbs. I felt tiny particles fall on my bare chest as I looked down at it, breaking eye contact. He almost crossed a line, and none of us was ready to talk about it.He rested in the chair, placing his elbow on the armrest.“You should try other foods.” The table was filled with different dishes. I opened one and dipped the spoon to have a taste.“Hmmm.” I closed my eyes, savouring the taste.I opened my eyes, meeting his. “It tastes so good.”"They’re private chefs, you can't expect less.""Have you been here before?" "Once" His voice clipped. There was no point in asking.The next morning,I woke up quite late. Walked into the bathroom to have my bath. I checked the new collection of dresses he got me, wrapped a silk rob
Skai’s POV The outfit Carlo picked for me clung onto my body like the decision I was yet to make. The car rolled to a halt, and I was startled. It was an airport. The white jet gleamed a few metres away, its engine humming gently. There were no guards, no convoy. Just us – and the mystery of where he was taking me to. Was he going to hide me? I got scared sometimes because I felt I was drifting away from my purpose. But no, those are just the in-between moments. My mission couldn't be about digging for evidence every day. Only if I was ready to die. Maybe Carlo wanted to make it private. He came down first and opened the door for me to step out. We walked hand in hand like couples towards the jet's white carpet, which was as pristine as white. The car zoomed off. The flight attendant nodded, “Welcome, Mr Carlo.” We sat across from each other, sandwiched by a table which was filled with desserts, snacks, foods and every kind of pastry. The table was like the wall in between us. I
Skai’s POV I can't unsee what I've seen. Matteo was murdered, naked, dumped, and mutilated . He died working for a mafia boss. I've seen people die, but not someone I just knew. Not someone I saw a few hours ago. Not someone that saved my life. Luca killed Matteo. The man might have given a wrong location when he knew they would kill him either way. Maybe it was a trap. Maybe it wasn't. Luca might be with his men, and they overpowered the two of them. It felt like someone was stabbing my heart with a sharp knife. My heart was bleeding. My assumptions might be wrong; if only he could just stand up and talk for himself. I fell to my knees beside his corpse. I couldn't even touch him. I was beginning to tremble. I felt a large tear roll down my cheek, and I wiped it off in embarrassment. He bled, and he died. He tells in a heap that any man and his blood spilt out like any blood; red as any blood; wet as any blood and reflecting in the sky and the buildings and birds and trees.
Skai’s POV Giovanni's men tracked Luca down, and they were not able to find him. They returned with one of his men. We walked towards the lone building that looked like a barn. The door led to another room which is called the Red Room. It is painted white with blood smears and splashes on the wall. It looks sacred and scary. There was a tool bag and a metal bucket filled with water. It has a creepy feeling but not like the mansion. Any offender that enters doesn't come out alive. Blood is always spilt on the floor, either through torturing or gunshots. The man was naked and strapped to a chair. His hands were behind the chair clamped with restraints. He was looking directly at the ground. His face was bruised and swollen, with one of his fingers missing. The whole room smelt of fresh blood and urine. He was moving his hands slowly, the cuffs clinking against the chair . His chest rose slightly, giving a sign of life. I checked his face; he wasn't part of the impersonators in t
Skai’s POV I sat behind the monitors at the powerhouse near the ports. There was silence apart from the sound of water hitting against the shore. The screen was divided into nine compartments. Each showing different areas of where the cameras are planted. The footage was coloured, for better view – not grainy.Matteo stood behind me. We've become buddies since then because he was the first person I knew. He saved our lives, and I'd always be grateful for that. He's like a brother to me. I can't trust anyone.I've been assigned to deal with the hacking and monitor shipments. So, I never had to deal with blood. Even though I was assigned a pistol. I had to go through the same processes as if I'd never used one. Giovanni’s last warning barged into my mind, disrupting my thoughts. “Handle it like usual; nothing happens to my goods.”After doing my part, it's always left to the customs officers on our payroll. They bypass our shipments to avoid inspections or checking.I could see our shi
Skai’s POV My life had taken a drastic U-turn in the past few weeks. I now live linearly, from my apartment, which doesn't feel like home, to the office. Almost the same routine every day. Zero social life; I never wanted to be social, just to be myself. If it got too boring, I'd play music at the highest volume, almost blowing off my ears, dancing crazily off beats. I've never attended dance classes. Juliano and I stopped meeting after that day. I ordered him not to call for our sake, to be on the safer side. Giovanni had me in his bondage. Little does he know the damage he has caused himself. I had to live by his rules, as if I'm not in control of my own life anymore, but maybe it's better that way. Monitoring his tactics before making any move. I was in his office; this time, not Tillard's. There were not many books; it looked darker and suffocating. I had to breathe in and out continuously to notice if I was still alive. I sat in the chair in front of his desk, with my hands