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60. TAINTED
Last Updated:
2024-02-11 04:05:48
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A TWENTY SOMETHING 61. RETURNING HOME
HANA I finally held my Seb, not because he was crying, not because he was afraid. He is still asleep after Bash coaxed him into sleep. I hold him because I need something to hold on to. Bash made a few phone calls. Someone, wearing a black mask came into the room and cleaned the mess I had made. Even Greta was a part of it. She glared at me. But she carried out Bash's orders perfectly. His actions were robust. An hour passed, and the room became as good as before. It didn't look like a place where someone was killed. It is as clean as before. I didn't know how. Because there are only things three that played in my mind; me under him, Bash above him, slashing his throat, and Seb crying alone on the bed. "Hana, snap out of it." Bash's words brought me back to reality. I focused on his eyes, watching the concern for the first time in a year and a half. "You don't know anything. You didn't do anything. Nothing happened here, and you didn't even get out of the room. Print these words
Last Updated : 2024-02-12A TWENTY SOMETHING 62. OH,HI,AHMET
HANA I watch as three angry faces stare at me. I focused on only the person in the wheelchair. I wanted to tell so many things, show so many videos, and need to vent out a lot. All I could say was, "I am sorry." "She is bedridden for another month. But she wouldn't listen." Mateo whispered in my ears. An old woman whom I saw in one of the pictures Shalini posted years ago, stood behind Shalini, her grip on her wheelchair tightened with every passing second. "They are her parents. They saw a photo of us it seems. They won't stop crying about how he looked so much like their lost son." Mateo explained. I nodded my head as Shalini looked at her mother and the woman immediately took Seb from my hands. The couple looked at him in awe as Shalini's eyes teared up at Seb. She caressed her cheek, lovingly. How I wanted to see them like this in the last three months now. "He looks so much like Sebastian." Her mother whispered. I tried hard not t
Last Updated : 2024-02-13A TWENTY SOMETHING 63. GONNA KIDNAP HIM
HANA "Delirdin mi? Git ve ölecek başka bir Kamyon bul?" (Have you gone mad? Go find another truck to die.) The truck driver yelled at me. He did pull over instead of running over me. But Ahmet was fast. "Daha hızlı olmalıydın." (You should have been faster). I countered. "You realise that it is your fault, right?" Ahmet pinned me with his stare. I hate how I have to lift my head to look at him. It's not the lifting I hate though. It is a fact that the person before me was not Bash but someone of the same height. The driver cursed under his breath and climbed back into his truck. The engine roared to life, and he left. "It is not a movie. The driver had stopped his Truck." I tried to defend. But Ahmet gave that look again, a look that I used to give to spoiled little brats at the parties my mom forced me to attend. "Care to explain why you pulled a stunt like that?" He asked me. "Care to explain why are you guardi
Last Updated : 2024-02-14A TWENTY SOMETHING 64. SECRETARY
HANA It's funny how I thought I forgot how I used to feel when I was with him. But memories flooded into my mind again. The pillow he threw at me because I was using my phone instead of sleeping, the mug he used to drink coffee on my bed while staring out of the window, the warmth around my ankle when he held it to check the shoe size, the way the corner of his eyes crinkled when he smiled, the way he raised his hand to wipe the sweat on his face with his sleeves and every little thing came back to me, striking me like a hurricane and swept me to the world where we were together, walking hand in hand. I wasn't just happy then. I was free. I felt young. I felt someone who was in her twenties, and I felt valued. This world and life made sense with him by my side. I shouldn't be so co-dependent like that. But for someone who resented everything and everyone in the world, Bash made a difference. Now I realized why he acted the way did in our final days. Every touch
Last Updated : 2024-02-15A TWENTY SOMETHING 65. REJECTION
HANA Bash pinned me with the same cold stare he gave me the last time we met. Even in that coldness, I found comfort in his green eyes, green like the ocean, like a forest, like home, like the universe, my universe. "Mr. Merrick. Good morning." I gave him my best professional smile. Dhalia smiled, tucking the strands of her blond hair behind her ears. "She is Hana Levine. I think you should be acquainted with each other since she will be replacing me starting next month." She waited, interlinking her hands together while moments passed as Bash and I stared at each other. His eyes hardened as he stared at the chain around my neck. My maroon blouse has a boat neck with the chain tucked inside it. For others, it would be a normal chain. But Bash knows its significance. Dhalia cleared her throat to gain attention. Bash averted his eyes from my chain and focused on Dhalia. "You are fired." He tells her and goes back to doing what he had been doing; typ
Last Updated : 2024-02-17A TWENTY SOMETHING 66. THE BLURRED LINES
HANAA GLOWING APPRECIATION LETTER. How does it look like? What would Bash write for secretary whose name he hardly remembers? I wrote down a list. She makes an excellent coffee. She walks briskly, saving your time. She is a fast talker. This is exhausting. How the hell I write a glowing appreciation letter on paper while Bash had the hold of my system and phone? I will fail it. This is the first task he gave me. I’ve decided to stay no matter how cruelly he acts. A pic of my Seb is all it took me to boast my shrinking confidence. I didn’t leave him for nothing. But this, writing a glowing appreciation letter for Dhalia is going to be the end of me. Am I the same person who thought I could be a writer when I was a teen just because I hated the writing style of an author? I look at my watch. Not only did he ask me to draft this without using internet, Bash gave me an hour to finish this. I never saw an appreciation letter in my life, forget about a gl
Last Updated : 2024-02-19A TWENTY SOMETHING 67. A MONTH
HANA When I returned from the terrace, Ashley was talking with Dhalia. I don't know why she has returned because Bash wasn't in his office. Dhalia looks like she is pleading with her for something. Ashley shook her head. Then all of a sudden, she kicked Dahlia's shin. She yelped in pain and Ashley gave her a disgusting look. I rushed towards them, holding Dahlia's shoulder. "You alright?" She gave me a fake smile as if what just happened was not a big deal. "It's fine." She tells me. "I know you from somewhere." Ashley took a step forward. She doesn't look so beautiful anymore. I took a step forward, folding my hands across my chest. "You will remember me from now on." She looked me up and down. "I don't think so." Then she sauntered back to the elevator and I quickly rushed to Dahlia's side. "Let me see your leg." "No," She swats my hand away. "It's kinda embarrassing." She murmured. "It's Ashley who should be embarrassed. I
Last Updated : 2024-02-21A TWENTY SOMETHING 68. IN AND OUT
HANATEN DAYS LATER "How much are you going to steal?" He asked me directly on the phone. Of course, he is Cillian Sebastian Merrick. I couldn't just hack everything. I need to level up my game. I need more practice. There is no seriousness in his tone and I couldn't say there is no emotion either. "A one hundred and thousand euros." I sighed. "I still can't make you bankrupt with that, can I?" I heard him chuckle. Bash chuckled!! But I didn't get to see that. I will go to these call recordings again to hear that once more. There is a pause and he didn't say anything. "Are you drunk, Bash?" I questioned him. Bash can hold his liquor. But he is a human too. And I don't think with everything that's happening between us, he wouldn't chuckle like that. Because that one thing was so pure about him. "Bash?" I called him again, my voice just above a whisper. "Hmm..." He drawled and I already missed him. I miss seeing him drunk, I miss when h
Last Updated : 2024-02-23
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A TWENTY SOMETHING EPILOGUE - II
BASH Celia is not due until next month. But that little shit can't wait for any longer. He came out earlier than expected, and if you are asking me why I am calling a one-hour-old baby, little shit, wait until I finish the full story. I didn't let Hana step out of our room for another five days. She has stitches, and what was she thinking, trying to sit in a wheelchair? Not under my watch. My Rose yawned in my arms and went back to sleep, her tiny hand wrapped around my finger. A few days back, if someone had told me that I would call another human being cute other than my wife, I would have laughed at them. Now, looking at Rose's sleeping form, that's all I can think - cute, delicate. She needs to be protected from all the ugliness of the world. I will make sure she is untouched. When my wife and daughter were being discharged, we visited Celia and Alex. Three-year-old Willow ran to me, hugging my leg. "Hey, sweetheart." I smile at her. "Mommy birth me a brother."
A TWENTY SOMETHING EPILOGUE- I
HANA"What are we doing in Japan?" I asked, glancing around at the sea of cherry blossoms, their delicate petals drifting through the air like whispered dreams.Bash smirked. "I told you that's exactly what you would ask."It took me a moment to understand. Then, I remembered—the night we spoke of impossible dreams in Istanbul, the ones we knew would never come true. Anniversaries we’d never celebrate, trips we’d never take, a life we’d never have.Yet, here we were."It happened," I whispered, as a pink petal landed softly on my cheek.Bash's eyes held mine, warm and unwavering. "We made it, Mrs. Merrick."And then he kissed me beneath the cherry blossom trees.Ahmet always said we were just two lovesick fools wandering the world, celebrating life. He wasn’t wrong. For three months, that’s exactly what we did—travelling with no destination, doing nothing but making love, laughing, and getting lost in each other.Then, we returned to Istanbul.Bash wanted to rewrite the memories. What
A TWENTY SOMETHING 121. MR & MRS. MERRICK
HANA"Can I disown him?" Sandro muttered behind me. I followed his gaze to Matias sitting in the front row and wiping his tears with a tissue. "Fuck." Another hiss from Sandro. Matias is sniffling-- hard.Bash is scowling at the kid. I nudged him gently so that he would change his expression. My attempt is futile."I will disown him." "No," It's Vin this time.I like how the guys tried to blend in. But they failed miserably. With their tattooed body, hidden arms, and bulky personality, there's no way Sandro and his crew can blend in. But I can give ten out of ten for the attempt. Though Bash and Sandro still joke about killing each other (sometimes it doesn't sound like a joke at all), they are there for each other. They formed a bond. Bash is not part of the outfit anymore, but they have each other back in their own way."Where is Luna?" I questioned Bash while posing for the photo."Avoiding me," Sandro answered.As the night came alive, we danced. Bash glared at everyone who dan
A TWENTY SOMETHING 120. THE RUNAWAY-BRIDE
HANA || THREE MONTHS LATER "Are you fucking someone else?" Bash gasped, turning around. "Jeez, babe. What are you doing up so late?" It is almost one o clock in the night. According to my fiance, it is the ideal time to come home. At first, I didn't give it much thought. There are a lot of things to take care of with Sandro taking over and Bash cleaning the mess Elio left in his export and import businesses. It has been three months since I almost lost my life. For the first few weeks, Bash didn't leave my side. He nursed me back to health, accompanied me to the hospitals, and made sure I had a perfect diet and sleep. Once he started going to work, he seemed distant. I thought he was busy. I thought he was feeling guilty for what happened. I can understand how his mind works. He is fiercely protective of me. He thinks he failed me. Still, that doesn't explain the growing distance between us. I took a threatening step forward. "Are you fucking someone else? Are you
A TWENTY SOMETHING 119. NEW BEGINNING
BASHThe world narrows to the rhythmic sound of Hana's laboured breathing. Her blood stains my hands, her pulse weak beneath my fingertips. "Sandro," I command, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "Take care of Colton and his men. I'll take Hana to the hospital."He came to my side, and for the first time, his eyes softened at Hana in my arms. "Take care of her. Luna won't like it if something happens to her sister."At this moment, I don't even care why Luna's likes matter to him anymore."Do you want Colton alive?" He asked me.A gun fired in the distance, and someone screamed.I gently lift Hana, cradling her against me. Her eyes flutter open, and she offers a faint, reassuring smile."I'm here," I whisper, brushing a strand of hair from her face."I don't care what you do with him. It doesn't matter anymore."Sandro nods, understanding the gravity of my decision.With urgency, I carry her to the car, my mind racing. The nearest hospital is miles away, and every second co
A TWENTY SOMETHING 118. FAILED
BASH The tension in the room was palpable. Colton stood across from me, a smug grin playing on his lips as he held Hana captive. Her eyes met mine, filled with a mix of fear and determination. I looked for any visible wounds on her body. I swear if he touched her, I'd make Colton's death ten times more painful. I'll do the same even if he doesn't touch her. Hana looked terrified. Her eyes filled with unshed tears find mine. She would have pressed her knuckles to her eyes if her hands weren't tied. That must have hurt. She has no pain threshold when it comes to physical wounds. Emotionally, she fought many battles. Her wrists will have marks from that rope and I imagined choking Colton's neck with the same. Her eyes zeroed on my clenched fists and she shook her head. She is trying to be brave —For me. She is asking me not to lose my patience. "Finally." Colton opened his filthy mouth, "The son of Xavier and Rose. We had a history we need to settle." I unclenched my
A TWENTY SOMETHING 117. THE RAIN OF BULLETS
BASHThe snipers might have reached my house by now. Hana is safe. For now.“Elio knows what we’re doing,” Sandro said. “Vin and his team will take care of him. We need to get to Colton’s house. Now.”“Why now?” I asked, brow furrowing. “And I thought Elio knew about this long ago.”“Colton is seeking Drago’s help. If Drago steps in, we’re outnumbered.”“And this Drago is—”“Someone powerful,” Sandro cut in. “That’s all you need to know.”I nodded, pulling out my phone to send a quick text to my Bee—Thud.Someone crashed into me, knocking the phone from my grip. It hit the floor with a crack, the screen shattering into a useless mess.A string of Italian curses spilled from the idiot who ran into me.Sandro didn’t even glance his way. He was already focused on the guy’s message.“The fuckard broke my phone,” I muttered.“We need to hurry,” the guy panted. “Colton is unguarded.”I scoffed. “Colton? Unguarded? Yeah, right.”“We killed half his men,” the newcomer said in a thick Italian
A TWENTY SOMETHING 116. THE ATTACK
HANA It has been two months since we sent Mateo and Luna away. Even I have no idea where Alexander hid them. No one knows. He says it is for their own safety. Sandro has started to lose his mind. There were tensions in the outfit. The supplies to Elio's territories have stopped coming. Distributors are worried because Elio is losing power. Bash started avoiding his calls. Elio almost came home last week. Sandro interfered, and they met at his house instead. I rarely stepped out of our home these two months. Even if I did, Dion and his team would follow me everywhere. I don't what information Luna has given about her father. Sandro started to attack his clubs, his brothels, and the restaurants he owned. Bash tells me Sandro has no reason for going against Colton except for Matias's attempted kidnap. But he is somehow taking this who takes down Matrix to a different level. The Matrix organisation's main business is human trafficking. They can make cash with the deadbod
A TWENTY SOMETHING 115. CHANGE OF PLANS
BASH I covered my face with my palm as she clicked another photo of me, lying on the bed, naked and satiated. Since yesterday night, Hana has captured hundreds of pictures, of our rings, our hands, of me and us. "It's enough baby. Come to bed now." She shook her head, looking for a different angle. I wrapped my fingers around her neck and pulled her to me, capturing her lips into a fierce kiss. "Are you going to take a rest or not?" I demanded. She shook her head again like a kid. "I am too excited and happy to take a rest." She jumped on the bed, "I have to show the ring to Shalini and Mateo." I groaned, pulled her again and wrapped her in my arms, "Stay here." I whispered. Half an hour later, the three friends are still talking about the rings. "Yaaaaaarrrrrrrrr... Congratulations!" Shalini screamed in the video call. My bee flaunted her ring for the tenth time, showing her friends all four of t
