Lahat ng Kabanata ng My Pain, his gain: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

Running deeper into the alley would only lead to a dead end. So Brandy ran towards the main road, hoping to flag down a car and escape. However, it wasn't easy to catch a ride on the roadside.‎The bodyguards were hot on her heels. Brandy desperately searched for a hiding place. In her franic search, a black Rolls-Royce parked across the road caught her eye, like a beast lurking in the darkness.‎Without a second thought, she ran across and took cover behind the car. Leaning against the car, she panted heavily. The car was a solid block of black, offering no view inside, only a faint reflection of her own franic face.‎The sudden ring of her phone in her handbag startled her. She snatched it out, answered it and cautiously peeked from behind the car. Seeing the bodyguards across the street, still searching, she shrank back behind the car.‎Linda's voice came through the phone, "Brandy, where are you? I didn't see you in the restroom."‎"Auntie, I...I'm heading back now."‎"Heading ba

‎"I knew you wouldn't get far. Your passport and ID are safe with me!"‎‎Brandy blinked, surprised. "You have my passport, Aunt Linda?"‎‎"Yes, dear. I couldn't reach you, so I went to your hotel. Honestly, Brandy, keeping your passport in a place like that? It's practically begging to be stolen! I cancelled your room. Come stay with me."‎‎Brandy knew she couldn't. Not with Jose controlling her every move.‎‎"Auntie, I can't right now. I'll stay with a friend for a few days, then come get my passport before I leave."‎‎"You haven't been back in years. What friend?"‎‎"High school classmate..." Brandy's excuse sounded weak, even to her.‎‎"I know this has something to do with Jose. But that was so long ago. Let it go, darling."‎‎*Let it go?* Brandy thought bitterly. But what about now...?‎‎"Come over, Brandy. We have so much to catch up on," Linda said.‎‎"I...I'll come later, Aunt Linda."‎‎Brandy ended the call. She slumped against the bed, sinking into the floor.‎‎Ho

Brandy felt a chill crawl down her spine.‎‎“Brandy? Why are you asking about this?” Linda’s voice on the other end of the line sounded puzzled.‎‎“It’s… nothing,” Brandy forced her voice to remain steady. “Just curious…”‎‎“When will you be back? Auntie will cook you a feast!”‎‎“Later, maybe. I’ll call you.”‎‎“Alright, dear. I’ll be waiting for you.”‎‎After hanging up, Brandy collapsed onto the toilet seat, her face drained of color.‎‎She had thought Jose was merely wealthy—but she had never imagined he was this powerful in Elite City.‎‎No.‎That only meant she had to escape more urgently.‎‎If she could leave the country, Jose would never find her. Her passport would be sent to the airport by her aunt. All she needed to do was escape Regal Garden, then Silvercrest Bay…‎‎But how?‎‎A few days later, during dinner, Brandy sat at the table, staring at the dishes before her. She scooped a small bite of rice, then forced herself to lift her chopsticks toward the vegetabl

The bathroom door was thrown open without warning, and Brandy stood frozen, staring nervously at the man, whose sudden appearance emitted a chilling aura. Jose's gaze was like ice. "Locking doors in my place? By whose permission?" Brandy was powerless to argue. This space could hardly be considered hers. The entire Silvercreast Bay, and herself, was Jose's possession—his plaything! But she couldn't reveal why she had locked the door. "I... I was scared..." Brandy said weakly. Jose's hawkish gaze fell on the phone clutched tightly in Brandy's hand. "Give it to me." Brandy realized what he meant, and her grip on the phone tightened instinctively. She never expected Jose to come to her room at this time. It was all so abrupt... "Do not make me ask again." Jose’s voice, devoid of overt anger, held a chilling authority that reverberated through the small space. Brandy's heart hammered against her ribs. She dared not defy him and, with trembling hands, handed over her phone. With the phone

Brandy's face flushed. _This is Jose's goal, isn't it? To humiliate me?_ she thought. She suspected this was just the beginning. As expected, James's expression changed. "What does he mean?" "Is this your new client? No wonder I haven't seen you in a while. Does he pay more than me?" the man continued his insults. "How much is he paying? I'll double it!" Brandy glanced up again. Jose was still there, holding his glass, watching the scene with amusement. "Is that true?" James's tone shifted. "Am I lying? Ask anyone in the bar. I'm telling the truth." The man grabbed a waiter, pointed at Brandy, and asked, "Do you know her?" "Of course, she's one of the most popular princesses among our customers," the waiter said. Then he pulled over another waiter, who said the same thing. Brandy looked around at the waiters and customers in the bar. Some were minding their own business, while others looked over here with lustful and frivolous eyes. It looked natural, but she was certain everyone in t