Ari is on her way to the local café, and Matt has just dropped her off because he has another job interview scheduled. She's meeting a friend at a nearby building and decided to have her coffee first. Ari sensed that someone was following her and turned around to see whether anyone was truly following her. When she saw no one, she simply shrugged her shoulders and went into the coffee shop. Ever since she and Elliot ended their friendship, it seems to Ari that someone is always following her, and she has gotten very paranoid. She gasped in shock as she entered the café and then saw Elliot sitting beside a beautiful woman she had never seen before. She is not ready for this scene, and Ariella wished she could turn around again and walk out of the store, but it was too late. "Hey, Ari, what's up? What has brought you here?" When Ari spun around, she saw Briton standing behind her, studying her every move. "Uhm, hi, Brit. Yeah, I was about to grab some coffee and head out to meet a fri

Shit! That revelation from the Briton took me by surprise, but I can't say I didn't expect something like this. Now I'm gradually piecing together the pieces of my own puzzle. I look back and realize how Matt managed to evade my trap unscathed. I thought that he had a lucky charm, but what he had were connections. He has the same affiliations that I do. And this is why, when I initially met him, I was skeptical. I dislike him not just because he is Ari's boyfriend, but because I suspect that he is concealing something else from her. And he is indeed masking anything and everything from Ari. Or does he? Does Ari know about it? If she does, why can't Ari understand my methods if she can embrace him as a mafia member? Is it because Matt isn't in full control? He is barely just the heir to the throne, whereas I, Elliot Allister, am already the king. I'm at a bit of a loss right now. I don't know what to do or how to react because, after my meaningful conversation with Kyle and Briton,

"Are you still not going home, Ari? Will you still be waiting for your prince charming again?" Mia inquired as she stood in the doorway, ready to leave. "I'll be out in a couple of minutes. I'm just waiting for Matt's text to see if he's on his way already." I replied, smiling back at her. "All right, then, I'll go ahead. Take care, darling." She said as she smiled and waved goodbye at me, then walked out the door. I'm working for Mia right now. She owns this start-up design company, and I've been working here at my new job for roughly a month now. My work here is way different than the work I had with Elliot's company. Here, everything is just simple, and the designs I created were largely for tiny residential units only. But, since I made that decision, everything in my life has gone right. This is not the work I dreamed of, nor the career that I really would have embarked on, but I'm not regretting anything because my relationship with Matt and our peace of mind away from Elliot

With my heart beating and adrenaline pumping, I endeavored to be as inconspicuous as possible when conversing with Elliot. In spite of the fear I am feeling, I need to hold on to that little hope that I have. I need assurance that Elliot will come to my aid. I need him to promise me that, despite him having a girlfriend, he will come to my rescue. I'm clinging to his previous statements that if he has to choose, he'll choose me over everyone else, no matter what. Yes, I am selfish and self-centered, but I have no choice but to be selfish at this moment in order to survive and thrive unscathed. I'm not sure why I'm here or what they're about to do to me, and I'm not interested in finding out. All I wanted was to be rescued, freed, and able to return to my home. Away from this perplexing and terrifying situation that is slowly killing me. "Elliot, I'm terrified. Please help me. Please get me out of here alive." I don't want to, but I simply cannot stop the panic and the dread that's co

When I heard a commotion outside the bedroom, I was jolted awake. I scanned my surroundings and realized that I was still in the same locked bedroom. Fear immediately emanates from me, knowing that I am still in a dreaded place. I'm not sure how much longer I've been asleep. Despite my circumstances, I do not really even know how I ended up falling asleep. The more I hear the voices shouting outside, the more I become frightened and terrified. I was about to get off the bed to try to check if I could somewhat understand the shouting that is happening outside when several shots being fired can be overheard before I can move. And I have frozen with fear again. I was having a difficult time breathing because my heart was thumping so furiously and fiercely that I had to clutch my chest to help me stabilize my breathing. Is Elliot already here? Is he with someone? Is he here already to rescue me? What's the connection with the shots being fired? Is he perfectly alright? My thoughts are pl