“DID I TELL you that it’s your turn to talk?” there was a tone of anger in the old man’s voice.With that glare, he did not look like he was just Callan’s father. There was something in him that roared more than the care of a father. An authority that demands silence when he commands.“No, father. But I’d like to differ on this matter of marriage between us two. I did not plan on getting married at 26. It’s like signing off my freedom into a—wench…”I gritted my teeth after he said that. Callan’s eyes met mine and we shared a glare of anger towards each other. This is not what I also want! If not for my father’s will and my mother’s request I would have long gone.But not.Slowly, my palms balled into firsts. This is not the first time that he insulted me but surely, this is the first time that I saw disgust in his face. As serious as he is right now, he looks like a kid demanding justice from his parents.I bit my lip to pretend from saying anything worse than what had already been s

THE VIBRANT SUNRAYS adorned the sky as we gathered at the cemetery. I didn’t know who are the people that came along with us. Only I saw Callan’s parents stepping out of their car and the others followed. More than 10 bodyguards positioned themselves behind us while Callan stood beside me waiting for the couple to approach the small tent that was set up for a short ceremony.“We are with you in grieving this loss, dear.”“Thank you, Ma’am,” I mumbled as I got up to my seat. The gentle elderly woman leaned in to kiss my cheek. There were a few people that came with them and they all greeted Callan and shook hands. Four men also walked towards the tent. The two were hiding an unlit cigarette between their lips.“You are the daughter…” A sweet lady around the same age as my mother went near me and hugged me. “I’m your mother’s friend from the southern town, Yna.”I didn’t know what to say. My mother’s friend in the southern part of town? My parents didn’t mention anything.My parents di

CALLAN AND HIS MEN managed to fire several bullets at the white car before it disappeared from our sight. His other hand was pulling me close to his body, my weight on him as I hid my face onto his chest. I could feel his ragged breathing. After firing his gun, I felt his hand caressed towards my shoulders. But I did move. I couldn’t move from fear and shock. “Holy fuck, you’re bleeding, Esmé!” My eyes widened in shock. “Huh? Where?” I raised my hand to check my body—shoulders, stomach, thighs… until Callan removed his coat and used it to cover the side of my head. “Right there,” Callan said. Then he reached for my hand and covered his with mine before he lifted my feet off the ground as he started walking. I looked around as Callan carried me in his arms, some of his men followed us and the others kept looking at the gates and at a far distance checking if the vicinity was clear. “It was a miracle you made it here on time,” he muttered just focusing in front. He kept walking tow

EYES WIDENED with shock; it wasn’t easy for me to take in the realization I just had. I inhaled a deep breath, feeling the urge to open the door and get inside but that would be a stupid idea. Instead of prying further on the meeting, I slowly closed the door and walked away faster than I ever could. One thing that I realized after hearing the things mentioned in that meeting was, there’s something serious going on and it’s causing too much trouble. They mentioned another family, is that their enemy? Because they were connecting the attack to them. Back when my parents were still alive, did they also participate in that meeting? I kept walking in the long hallways. Looking behind me and checking if anybody had noticed my presence earlier. Gladly, there was none. It didn’t take long for me to arrive in a hallway, which was new to my sight. I couldn’t probably be walking in the right direction back to the kitchen because on a corner there was another door. Would that lead to an exit

I RAN to the nearest corner so that I could hide from the people who got out of the room. Without having a single idea why I had to hide and what could be the reason why I couldn’t be seen by anyone other than the people who already knew me. My heart hammered in my chest—thinking about what Callan did and then his words. He also looked concerned. “What?” I mumbled as soon as hearing him curse. Then a voice echoed from the distance. It was Callan’s father. “Capo, a spy managed to get in the mansion. There was a woman who got lost in our room and ran away. She must have heard about the meeting that took place. We’re still finding her.” “Boss,” someone muttered once again. “We made sure no one was tailing our convoy when we got here.” “Capo, Luca,” that slow deep voice of a man sent shudders on my nerves. Everybody got silent. But Callan finally gathered his confidence back and started walking towards them. Each step he makes sounded like the loud erratic beats on my chest—how can