Mag-log inTen minutes had left until we finally received the call that the sniper had been taken care of by Kang Xianliang’s right-hand man. At least, this problem was out of the picture. However, seeing what the CCTV footages on Kang Xianliang’s phone showed, it looked like we were far away from being saved. There was a group of seven sturdy men wearing black clothes and masks who invaded the building. Right now, they were approaching us undisturbed by no one. Even after the lifts were sto
After less than two days, I was back in China. While we travelled, Kang Xianliang didn’t speak much and was mostly ignoring me. For the most part, it worked well for me, excluding the moments where I was persistently asking him for any casualties following the shootout at the party. After my fourth or fifth attempt of trying to make him share what he knew with me, he finally told me in utter annoyance that even he didn’t know yet, was waiting for Niko’s report, and that since I was present during their exchange on the boat, I had the same information as him. I told him sarcastically that he surely wasn’t the omnipotent God I thought he was, to which he responded with an infatuating smile that he hadn’t expected I viewed him like a God at all. After that answer, I refused to engage in any sort of conversation with him unless it was absolutely necessary until we reached his place.Of course, I wasn’t given the choice to go to my family first. Turned out, they didn’t know I was kidnapped
Niko carried me into the water to get to the boat where Kang Xianliang was waiting for us. Once he was close to the nose of the boat, Kang Xianliang reached out his arms to take me into his embrace. The night was peaceful with barely any wind. Still, I was a bit scared I might be dropped during the exchange from the first man’s hands to the second’s. Thankfully, nothing like that happened and my fear was unfounded. Kang Xianliang hugged me tightly, his gaze examining my face and body for anything unusual. It seemed like he was satisfied with what he saw because he returned his attention to Niko.“Did Leonardo see you leaving with Luo?” I raised my head unconsciously to look at him after hearing him speak in English for the first time since I knew him. It sounded like British English, or if I were to be more specific, he had a London accent. His voice was deep, rich, and reminded me of how I felt when I was drinking dark hot chocolate. I wasn’t saying he didn’t sound attractive when he
I froze in shock, unable to react. Did I need to run? Would Niko or that security guy try to protect me and safely extract me? I wasn’t given any details about the plan, no prior warning or anything to make me ready for what was about to come. I wasn’t military trained or a special services agent. Gunshots in five minutes, damn it.While these thoughts were racing through my head, Leonardo pushed me down on the floor, covering my body with his. I groaned because of the impact with the wooden surface that would surely leave bruises on my shoulders and back. Everyone was screaming around us, and the noise of their feet running in different directions haphazardly was like the hooves of horses that might step on me at any moment. There were noises of broken glass and falling or shattered objects. I couldn’t believe I was thinking it, but I was thankful Leonardo’s huge frame was protecting me from the chaos.Another bullet was fired, making the people scream even more. Were there any casua
I felt the anxiety rushing into my bloodstream, making my hands shaky. I hid them behind my back, grabbing the wrist of my left hand with my right hand, hoping that whoever was looking at my front wouldn’t notice the visible tremors of my shoulders. Alas, my hope was short-lived.I was standing near a corner of the room, trying to avoid attracting attention to myself after the bombshell Niko threw at me seconds earlier. Gunshots in 5 minutes. Kang Xianliang. Was the plan to have an open fire in a space with so many people? Weren’t they thinking about risking innocent people’s lives? I knew that a huge percentage of the people here were involved in Leonardo’s shady side of the business, but it didn’t mean they were cold-blooded hitmen. Some of them might have been, for example, managers of casinos where he laundered his money. Others may be employees with high positions at the banks where he held his money. While it was definitely illegal and morally wrong, it didn’t mean these people d
The foundation brush in my hand felt weird to hold. Not because there was something wrong with it. It was just an ordinary brush, possibly on the higher end considering that Leonardo ensured each piece of clothing, perfume, jewellery, and even the make-up brushes were exquisite and expensive. If I didn’t know better, I would think he was actually putting effort into impressing me and presenting himself as a reliable man with high standards. Frankly speaking, he was a man with high standards, but I doubted there was even a second he genuinely considered what would make me view him in a positive light. I felt like he was conveniently forgetting or self-hypnotizing himself into believing that I am something more than a prisoner, held in a gilded cage, he wanted to use against his enemy, Kang Xianliang.I finished applying the lightweight foundation with the brush, set it down on the vanity table, and picked up the crumbled piece of paper again for at least the 100th time. It’s been a few
The morning air was crisp and fresh. The sun was shining brightly, and its warmth gently caressed my skin. I was lying on the concrete next to the pool in the yard of Leonardo’s two-story house. My eyes were closed, and I was exuding an air of tranquillity. Or at least I hoped my pretense was believable enough for the security guard whose eyes were glaring at me with murderous intent. I wish I could sigh, but that would give me away. Honestly, at this point, the constant threats to my life felt like an annoying chore I had to constantly deal with. A normal person would be scared, constantly on edge, looking behind their back to make sure there isn’t a crazy personal hitman or a mentally unstable woman trying to end them, but maybe because I died once, I became a bit indifferent. Or maybe my indifference was a result of me going cuckoo. Whichever one it was, I was too lazy to give a sh*t. The security guard looked around for the fifth time during the last ten minutes. No, not because h
Evening came fast. I yawned leisurely, watching the city lights from the car's window. They were so blinding it hurt. I closed my eyes, but the drowsiness immediately attacked my body. God, I didn't sleep since yesterday afternoon. Even though I knew, I could stay awake a while longer, but my bra
City D*, Fújiàn Province, China The sun was warm and bright high in the sky. My skin absorbed its rays. The ocean water glistered like a million diamonds. I watched absent-minded the foam formed near the shore. My body was sluggish. A few more minutes, and I would fall into a deep slumber. Anticipa
I woke up in a hospital ward. There was an IV in my hand. I looked with empty eyes at the ceiling, remembering what happened. Firstly, I was tortured day and night. Secondly, a woman looking almost like me told me some fairytale about reliving my life. Of course, I totally didn't believe her word
Bianca D'Arcangelo was Leonardo's cousin. On the surface, she was charming, bright and naïve. Her personality's purity evoked the kindness and the strong desire of people around her to protect such a rare gem. But, her inner self was nothing like that. Unfortunately, I found out too late. Like all







