"Go on, spill everything," Arrow said with his eyes fixed on Shedrack."Do you know the gunmen?" Mia asked, frowning."It's not possible that immediately you wanted to spill the information, they came into the warehouse," she continued.Shedrack nodded reflectively."Yes, I'm confused," he replied, Arrow said.Shedrack took a deep breath."Yes, Arrow, I know them," he said."It's the Zaden boys."Arrow's eyes widened."The Zaden boys?" Mia repeated.Shedrack nodded."They are notorious for their ruthless activities," Shedrack explained."But a lot of kidnappings, extortions, and others."Arrow clamped his jaws."And do they have any connection with Mr. Zaden?"Shedrack nodded."They are his hired guns."Kalmia's eyes shone bright with anger."We need to bring them down."Shedrack handed Arrow a folder."This contains evidence of their involvement."Arrow scanned the documents, his face darkened."Proof of their crimes, transactions, and connections," Shedrack said."This will bring th
"Please, Arrow, you can use the door," Kalmia replied as she approached the room entrance and gestured with her hands that Arrow had to leave. He did not take his eyes from Mia's; those eyes were dripping in sadness yet yearning. Arrow rose from the bed slowly, deliberately, as if every movement he made was to be savored through an intake of every second spent with Kalmia.She stepped aside as he neared the door, her eyes not meeting his. The tension between them was so great; the air was thick with unspoken feelings.Arrow reached the door, opened it, and stepped out into the hallway, almost in tears. He looked back at Kalmia for one last time to catch a glimpse of some change in her expression, but her face was still resolute.He reached the landing, his heavy heart with him, closed the door behind him, and began descending down the stairs. That heavy feeling only magnified with every step, as if it was tucking deep down in his chest.Arrow slowly walked downstairs, his eyes almost
ARROW'S POVThe sudden exit had left a bad taste in her mouth since all that she had attempted to do was show some concern for me.As she walked her way back to her department, the thudding of my words echoed in her brain: "It's none of your business, focus on your work."She wandered away, probably to her working station lost in thoughts if I would ever learn to appreciate the people around me.The moment I reached home, my mind still grappled with the discussion I had with Gloria.The very moment I entered that vacant house, the memories of Kalmia enveloped me. I remembered how Kalmia would always be in the kitchen, cooking for me.I still remember when I was sick and Kalmia kept feeding me soup to get me well.I felt a tug in my heart at the thought of not being able to have Kalmia's warmth and care anymore.I reached for my phone, hoping against hope that Kalmia might have responded to my message.But the screen stayed blank and she didn't call.My face screwed up in frustratio
*******************It was a shock, sudden and electric, as if one suddenly realized the truth had to be unmasked, a magician's curtain pulled back to reveal the trick behind the magic, the audience gasping in amazement with wonder."I am not hungry, neither thirsty," she replied in the voice of a child making its first tentative, stumbling steps into the unknown, where the ground was so unsure and the path not clear."Oh, okay," I said, my tone as neutral as a blank canvas, justly waiting for the flakes of colors that a creative mind would want to give it, where an artist's imagination ran wild and free."Arrrrrrr", I cleared my throat, and the voice cut through the night silent moment like a lonely bird singing its morning song where the melody was sweet and pure. And then, finally, the words fell out of my lips like a broken dam that burst open the high banks to let out a sea of emotions as the water ran out in cascades, sweeping with it everything that lay in the way.Everything w
KALMIA'S POVI stood there, my eyes fixed upon Arrow's smug face; a wave of anger raged through my being, beating upon the shore. My hands knotted into fists, clasping tighter like a vice, while I wrestled with a rage that could hardly be contained.I wanted to slap him; the sudden gush of the wind slaps against the glass, breaking this calm and peaceful atmosphere. That urge was just so strong I had to lock myself up just like one wild animal encaged, jumping and struggling.It was a fire that burned brighter and hotter with every passing moment, and staring at him only made me angrier. His smile, once so charming and endearing, now seemed like a mockery, a cruel joke played on me."All this while you have been binding me with lying words?"-I asked as if I stood in a legal court, voice rude and prosecutor-like, facing a defendant whom I had brought to the crime scene. As if a dam had broken its barrier, gushing out turbulent water, torrential emotions emerged from my face.Arrow's ey
KALMIA'S POVI lay there, spent and sated, my body twisted in an intricate web of limbs and pleasure. The sheets were all scrounged around us, a testament to the passion we'd just shared. I thought we were through, but then I felt Arrow's fingers dance down my thigh, settling onto my sensitive clit. "I thought we were done," I murmured, voice hoarse from exhaustion and desire.He chuckled low, a throaty sound that ran down my spine. "No, my love, my dick is still erect," he replied, his voice thick with lust. I felt him shift, his hardness pressing against my thigh, and a moan escaped my lips.In one smooth movement, he was inside me again, his cock filling me up in the most delicious way. I cried out, my body arching off the bed as he began to thrust. This time, there was no gentleness, no holding back. This time, there was no gentleness, no holding back. He was fucking me hard and fast, his movements urgent and demanding."Please, go slower," I begged, my voice no more than a whispe
My sheer, white veil covered my face, the fabric trailing down to my knees. My bridal gown stretched far behind me as I took slow, calculated steps toward the devil standing a short distance away.Everyone’s faces were filled with smiles, their happy expressions bringing tears to my eyes—tears I couldn’t let fall.They were all so pleased to see their king, the most handsome and powerful man in Russia’s entertainment industry, finally getting married.Everyone seemed happy.But I wasn’t.Here I was, walking slowly into an unavoidable hell ruled by the devil I was about to marry.This devil, whom fate brought me to through an accidental one-night encounter—six years ago.With each step, I reassured myself that it was only for a year.Just one year.It was a contract marriage.It would end soon.But even as I held on to this hope, I found myself getting tangled in his piercing gaze. His cold eyes seemed to whisper something dangerous to me as if they were telling me…I was in.In for a
Kam's POVAs I stood, listening to the Reverend recite the vows, I stared into his face—my soon-to-be husband's face—as he looked at me with undivided attention."I do," he said, and his words were followed by thunderous applause from the crowd, all dressed in white, as per the wedding’s dress code.The Reverend repeated the vows, and it was my turn to respond.I could feel the intense gaze of everyone on me, waiting expectantly for my reply. But I couldn’t open my mouth. I couldn’t say a thing.My heart clenched as I tried to force the words out.Why was it so hard to say? They were just two simple words. So why was I hesitating?My gaze drifted from him to the expectant crowd. Through the veil, I scanned their faces and saw my manager, Jemima, nudging me to respond.The Reverend echoed the vows again, but still, I couldn’t answer.Then I saw my darling Dawn’s sad face. She looked like she might break down if I refused.Dawn… wait, why wasn’t I answering? Did I really want to lose my
KALMIA'S POVI lay there, spent and sated, my body twisted in an intricate web of limbs and pleasure. The sheets were all scrounged around us, a testament to the passion we'd just shared. I thought we were through, but then I felt Arrow's fingers dance down my thigh, settling onto my sensitive clit. "I thought we were done," I murmured, voice hoarse from exhaustion and desire.He chuckled low, a throaty sound that ran down my spine. "No, my love, my dick is still erect," he replied, his voice thick with lust. I felt him shift, his hardness pressing against my thigh, and a moan escaped my lips.In one smooth movement, he was inside me again, his cock filling me up in the most delicious way. I cried out, my body arching off the bed as he began to thrust. This time, there was no gentleness, no holding back. This time, there was no gentleness, no holding back. He was fucking me hard and fast, his movements urgent and demanding."Please, go slower," I begged, my voice no more than a whispe
KALMIA'S POVI stood there, my eyes fixed upon Arrow's smug face; a wave of anger raged through my being, beating upon the shore. My hands knotted into fists, clasping tighter like a vice, while I wrestled with a rage that could hardly be contained.I wanted to slap him; the sudden gush of the wind slaps against the glass, breaking this calm and peaceful atmosphere. That urge was just so strong I had to lock myself up just like one wild animal encaged, jumping and struggling.It was a fire that burned brighter and hotter with every passing moment, and staring at him only made me angrier. His smile, once so charming and endearing, now seemed like a mockery, a cruel joke played on me."All this while you have been binding me with lying words?"-I asked as if I stood in a legal court, voice rude and prosecutor-like, facing a defendant whom I had brought to the crime scene. As if a dam had broken its barrier, gushing out turbulent water, torrential emotions emerged from my face.Arrow's ey
*******************It was a shock, sudden and electric, as if one suddenly realized the truth had to be unmasked, a magician's curtain pulled back to reveal the trick behind the magic, the audience gasping in amazement with wonder."I am not hungry, neither thirsty," she replied in the voice of a child making its first tentative, stumbling steps into the unknown, where the ground was so unsure and the path not clear."Oh, okay," I said, my tone as neutral as a blank canvas, justly waiting for the flakes of colors that a creative mind would want to give it, where an artist's imagination ran wild and free."Arrrrrrr", I cleared my throat, and the voice cut through the night silent moment like a lonely bird singing its morning song where the melody was sweet and pure. And then, finally, the words fell out of my lips like a broken dam that burst open the high banks to let out a sea of emotions as the water ran out in cascades, sweeping with it everything that lay in the way.Everything w
ARROW'S POVThe sudden exit had left a bad taste in her mouth since all that she had attempted to do was show some concern for me.As she walked her way back to her department, the thudding of my words echoed in her brain: "It's none of your business, focus on your work."She wandered away, probably to her working station lost in thoughts if I would ever learn to appreciate the people around me.The moment I reached home, my mind still grappled with the discussion I had with Gloria.The very moment I entered that vacant house, the memories of Kalmia enveloped me. I remembered how Kalmia would always be in the kitchen, cooking for me.I still remember when I was sick and Kalmia kept feeding me soup to get me well.I felt a tug in my heart at the thought of not being able to have Kalmia's warmth and care anymore.I reached for my phone, hoping against hope that Kalmia might have responded to my message.But the screen stayed blank and she didn't call.My face screwed up in frustratio
"Please, Arrow, you can use the door," Kalmia replied as she approached the room entrance and gestured with her hands that Arrow had to leave. He did not take his eyes from Mia's; those eyes were dripping in sadness yet yearning. Arrow rose from the bed slowly, deliberately, as if every movement he made was to be savored through an intake of every second spent with Kalmia.She stepped aside as he neared the door, her eyes not meeting his. The tension between them was so great; the air was thick with unspoken feelings.Arrow reached the door, opened it, and stepped out into the hallway, almost in tears. He looked back at Kalmia for one last time to catch a glimpse of some change in her expression, but her face was still resolute.He reached the landing, his heavy heart with him, closed the door behind him, and began descending down the stairs. That heavy feeling only magnified with every step, as if it was tucking deep down in his chest.Arrow slowly walked downstairs, his eyes almost
"Go on, spill everything," Arrow said with his eyes fixed on Shedrack."Do you know the gunmen?" Mia asked, frowning."It's not possible that immediately you wanted to spill the information, they came into the warehouse," she continued.Shedrack nodded reflectively."Yes, I'm confused," he replied, Arrow said.Shedrack took a deep breath."Yes, Arrow, I know them," he said."It's the Zaden boys."Arrow's eyes widened."The Zaden boys?" Mia repeated.Shedrack nodded."They are notorious for their ruthless activities," Shedrack explained."But a lot of kidnappings, extortions, and others."Arrow clamped his jaws."And do they have any connection with Mr. Zaden?"Shedrack nodded."They are his hired guns."Kalmia's eyes shone bright with anger."We need to bring them down."Shedrack handed Arrow a folder."This contains evidence of their involvement."Arrow scanned the documents, his face darkened."Proof of their crimes, transactions, and connections," Shedrack said."This will bring th
ARROW'S POVThe masked man didn't budge an inch.The armed men circled them, pointing guns."Let's go," one growled.Kalmia and I are dragged away, filled with fear.To where?Would they find the answer?Or a trap set up to kill them?The voice of the taxi driver still echoed in Kalmia's mind:"Be careful, miss. That warehouse has a very bad reputation."Well, a little too late now.They were left to the mercy of unknown people.As deeper into the unknown they were pulled, Mia's brain raced like any other racing mind.Who did it?What did they want?Arrow's resolute words bolstered her resolution.Arrow's eyes did not leave Kalmia, as his face bleached white with fear.He felt a tide of guilt rush through him. Had he hurt her?Was this all his fault? Those words still rang in his ears from the masked man."You will know the truth soon enough."But at what cost?Rough handling from the gunmen cut the trance."Move!" one yelled, pulling on Mia's arm.Arrow felt his heart wrench. "Mia!"
ARROW'S POVI stood in a paralysis of confusion and horror, wracking my brain. The house that seemed to be radiating the warmth of laughter lay in ruin.My family-my mother, father, and sister were trapped inside. Panic overcame me, and I called frantically for my mother."Mom! Dad! Sarah!" I yelled at the top of my hoarse throat. But no answer came out, I continued.The silence was deafening.And hours passed as my cries weakened.I had given in to exhaustion and despair.He sat on the ground, waiting for the fire extinguisher team to be done.Their faces looked solemn, engraved with sympathies.At last, they came out with body bags. My heart sank.The first corpse they brought out was my dad.The only feature I could recognize was the ring he always wore. It was blackened by soot now.Tears streamed down my face as I confirmed his identity.My mom and sister, they were unrecognizable.Their bodies had been reduced to ashes.The reality hit me like a tidal wave.I was alone now.
KALMIA'S POVI said, "No, Arrow, I am not going to help you," my voice was sure and concrete.Arrow’s eyes begged of me, his face screwed in desperation as he pleaded, his voice cracking, "Please."My face did not yield, and I said, "Arrow, this evening you will be discharged. Get ready."I stood up and then gathered my bag, slipping it onto her shoulder."I have to leave now; I will be back this evening," said Arrow with a disinterested tone.Anxiety was overshot in Arrow’s mind. Alone and dependent, he couldn't bear it."Kalmia, please do not leave me," implored Arrow with desperation in his voice.But I was cold: "I will be back," I said only while walking toward the door.He tried to argue, but the words fell on deaf ears like water poured onto a rock. I didn't flinch, didn't bat an eyelid.His eyes turned towards the clock, that was now counting hours until I was back. At the sound of his words, I sounded firm, "Arrow, I'm going to take permission at work for two weeks.""No