The only thing that keeps the atmosphere from a total silence is the soft roaring of Jordan's Bugatti. We've been silent since we drove out of the building. Barbara's threat still brothers me because I know that a woman like her would do anything just to win. She's that crazy. “What did she tell you?” Jordan asked coldly, focusing on the wheel. I keep my eyes on my lap, silently regretting what happened between us Jordan. If I only knew from the start that Sebastian, who apparently is my boss's brother, will come to my life then I shouldn't have laid a hand on Jordan. So many possibilities in my head that would have led to something good If I didn't only do it with Jordan. “She knows the truth. She knows we're not together…” I slowly bring my face to him.“and that I'm engaged to your brother.”Jordan's eyes shut, pushing his teeth together in obvious frustration, his jaws visibly tightening. He rubs his temples while his other hand minds with the steering wheel. “Did she say anyt

Part IIIWe arrive at the venue five minutes before eight. The sky provided a natural disco ball into the house for the guests that had been coming in dozens. The place is fairly-lit, like a setting straight out from books like Pride and Prejudice. A place that holds the kind of lighting that emits a Dark Academia vibe. As expected, each and every lady is sported in expensive dresses, decorated with gold and silver, faces covered by well applied makeup and foundations that didn't fail to make them look and feel good. And as for the gentlemen, suits of various colors are proudly represented by their figures. All with expensive watches that supplied the requirement for a stylish men's attires. As Sebastian and I climb out of the vehicle, and as crowds of suits and dresses trace the stairs that lead them to the entrance, hesitation stops me for a brief moment. I don't know what it actually is that's keeping me from taking one more step.Is it because Sebastian and I are still not on go

Confusion and consciousness seems to collapse over me at the awakening of my eyes. The display appears foggy and blurry and as if the world becomes nothing but a Merry-go-round—spinning and spinning, until it finally reaches to the point of my clear vision. A sting quickly triggers the nerves above my eyes as if it's my brows that somehow caused it. My body feels weak and dead and as if I've been in a coma longer than I have ever lived. As if heavy weights laid organized in every part of my body, except for my head. My spine feels stiff because with every effort I give to sit down, I just end up in a series of helpless gasps. I blink my eyes several times, further adjusting my view in focus.I look around. The surrounding is familiar, looking straight out from a place I believe I have been before. A wealthy guy's bedroom, with dark walls and ceilings mostly adored by those ruthless gangsters. The bedroom is abnormally large—as large as Sebastian and I used to live in. That's right. N

In your adult days—that span where you most likely first experienced a midlife crisis, were you still able to feel great excitement each day of your waking? The same kind of excitement we used to have when we were kids? The same excitement toddlers used to have that restricts them from sleeping? The kind of excitement that seems to highlight the color of your life you weren't expecting the kind of glow was possible? The adrenaline, the consistent and uncontrollable innocent grin and the tippy toes that just seem to not know how to calm down? That kind of excitement? I hope you still did. Because in my case…I do. I open my eyes, blurry and wet and glinting with a strange gleam. This is the first day this year where I am actually looking forward to the day. I actually feel energetic. I must have had a long and undisturbed sleep because I am feeling like I'm in a different body. A new body. But perhaps it's not the body that's new. For years of being in my adult lifespan, I have never f

The last glimpse I gave to sleeping Jordan is when I prepared to take off. He was sleeping comfortably and as if in a beautiful dream. I would admit I was hesitating that time and had the urge to rather go back to sleep with him than do this stupid mission. And now I'm on one of the villagers boats and managed to convince him to take me back to New York which is roughly fifteen minutes of sailing from the island. The cold wind that touches the sea before waffling against my face makes me shiver. The same way it makes me as I predict how my mission will end. I needed to sneak from Jordan. I know damn well he won't let me go get my stuff and say my last farewell to his brother. I know I need to do it myself. Who knows what Jordan might do if he goes instead.I won't lie that I'm still having anxiety. Mainly about how Sebastian would react. Would he beat me like what he did a few days ago? Is he doing smoothly by now? The time should be enough for him to clear his mind right? Or is it? I