AMANI“Oh no, she didn’t!” “Oh, yes, she did.” I confirm.“That dehydrated, cross-eyed donkey!” Zuri sounds angry as hell. “I swear, I’ll show her back to the stables where she belongs!”She shoots to her feet and makes to leave the room but I grab her wrist just in time, pulling her back into the padded chair. She lands with an angry “huff!”“Why are you stopping me? I’m trying to teach that thirsty bitch a lesson.”I almost roll my eyes. “Zuri, I heard Bhyron and Grandpa invited a lot of important guests for this party. Please don’t go out there and ruin things. Sharon isn’t even worth it.”She stares at me incredulously. “Since when do you care about Bhyron and his guests?”I swallow thickly. Zuri is extremely observant. I don’t want her to know about my new feelings for Bhyron just yet. “I don’t care about him. I only care about Grandpa.” The makeup artist is finally done with my makeup and I get to my feet. “Besides, we don’t have any proof, and even if we did, Bhyron will alw
AMANI“…Bhy, Amani is very disobedient.” She says accusingly. “You choose the colours of the day yourself and she deliberately went against your wishes. She’s embarrassing you before all your guests…!”The room is as silent as a tomb. The only audible sounds are that of my heart pounding with rage.My eyes stray to Sharon’s arms that are firmly interlocked with Bhyron’s and the red in my eyes burn even brighter. I fist my fingers to tamp down on my temper and retain my composure.Sharon’s right after all. The colour for the bride-to-be was cream and Bhyron had already chosen a simple yet beautiful cream dress for me. I hate him but gotta admit, he’s got great taste.Anyways, I’m currently dressed in a floor length dress that’s completely bare at the back and extremely revealing in the bust area — the complete opposite of Bhyron’s dress which was very modest.The icing on the cake? The dress is blood red — Bhyron’s most hated colour — and so are my lips. I’m evil, I know.Bhyron’s eye
“You will never hurt me and dictate how I react…”— AMANI***They say revenge is best served cold, but I’m smoking hot so I prefer my revenge to match.Zephyr walks into the ballroom like he owns the place. He just ran for Mayor of New York City the second time and won. He’s a man of the people. They absolutely adore him. And he’s the most perfect specimen I could ever choose for my revenge. Not only is he charismatic, he’s also the kind of man you would call “lethally gorgeous.”His hair is white-blonde like mine, his eyes the most piercing grey I’ve ever seen. It also helps that he’s above six feet with the body of a Greek god. So he’s both successful and attractive. Lucky, lucky me.Zephyr was definitely heartbroken when I informed him of my engagement, but in his exact words; “as long as you’re breathing, I still have the chance to take you from Bhyron and give you the life of your dreams. The life you deserve.”I zero doubts that Zephyr can indeed give me the fairytale life of
“I don’t need a weapon, darling. I am one…”***AMANI“…take it all back.”When I asked Bhyron for all of those things at the dining table that fateful day, heaven knows I was joking. I never intended to accept any of Zephyr’s gifts. Infact, I was gonna thank him and politely decline, but after hearing Bhyron’s harsh tone, the evil little bitch in me is having a rethink.I step forward, giving myself enough space to turn around and look straight into his angry blue eyes. I don’t want to cause a scene before the guests, so I fold my arms and say in the calmest voice I can muster;“And what right do you think you have to make that decision on my behalf?”His anger suddenly dims by a few thousand watts, leaving me confused.“What do you mean, Amani? Will you really accept his gifts?”I shrug, “and if I say yes? What’s the problem with that? You couldn’t get these things for me when I asked. In fact, If I remember correctly, you preferred to hold Sharon’s hand and walk away from me inste
AMANIIt’s been five hours since the disaster of an engagement party. Five hours since grandpa apologized to the guests and sent them on their not-so-merry way. Five hours since Bhyron disappeared… and there’s a strange, heavy weight in my chest that I can’t seem to get rid of no matter how hard I try.It’s currently past midnight and I haven’t slept a wink. Instead, I continue to pace the length of my room, occasionally peering out the window to see if Bhyron has finally returned home. Grandma Alice and grandpa have both called him repeatedly with no response. I even cajoled Aunt Ophelia and ordered Jay to call him, but there’s still no response. His phone is ringing alright, but he’s obviously refusing to answer.“…please, Zuri. Just try his number once. I promise I won’t ask for any other favours throughout this week.”Our wedding is in a few hours and Bhyron is nowhere to be seen. If his plan was to punish me by making sure I worry to death, I’m afraid to admit that he’s almost
AMANII’m dreaming. I swear I am. I hope I am.My wide eyes meets Zuri’s shocked ones and I silently ask her if she’s thinking what I’m thinking. The slight nod of her head says it all. My chest twists with cold nervousness.“Aunt, c-can we go to the hospital?” I ask, lips already chattering. “Can we see Zephyr?”Aunt Ophelia shakes her head; “there’s a storm going on, Amani. I’m not sure grandpa would let anyone out that door right now. It’s obvious that Zephyr was attacked. Grandpa has ordered that no one should leave the premises until investigations are conducted.”A bone chilling cold suddenly settles on my shoulders and I sink to the floor with my arms wrapped tightly around my middle. Aunt Ophelia and Zuri exchange a few more words but I’ve completely spaced out so I can’t hear a thing. I barely notice when she kissed me on my forehead before leaving the room.Once the door closes, Zuri runs in my direction and plants her ass directly in front of me so our knees are touching.
AMANIMy fingers are trembling so badly, I end the call and barge away from the window like it’s on fire. My knees finally give way and I sink to the floor beside Zuri, trying hard to control the rapid pounding of my heart.“Amani, what happened? What did he say?”I open my mouth to speak but the phone rings again, shattering the tense silence. I don’t have Bhyron’s number saved on my phone but the moment I glance at the screen, I know he’s the one.“I can’t…” I whisper mindlessly. “I–I can’t…”Zuri looks worried as hell now; “Amani, who’s calling you? What did Bhyron say? What happened?”I shake my head over and over, covering my face with my hands. I know my reaction to Bhyron’s request is a bit extra, but for some reason, I feel like my heart is about to explode. “Amani! Speak to me, goddammit. Don’t me slap it out of you!”The phone keeps ringing and my panic keeps rising. Bhyron is relentless as usual.“Fine. Don’t tell me anything. I’ll answer the call myself.” Zuri huffs.Befo
AMANDAIn the lakeside city of Montana, a blonde-haired lady sits in her lawyer’s office, chewing her bottom lip and worrying her head off about her pending expenses.Her little sister’s hospital bills have to be cleared by next week, otherwise, the hospital might cut off her oxygen.The rent on her small cake shop and tiny apartment are expiring at the same time, totalling a whopping sum of three thousand dollars. She has to sign her sister up for dance lessons. Imelda loves dancing and there’s no way she’d be able to take that away from her. Which means she’d to find a way to get the money.Her cake shop hasn’t been doing too well lately. The town’s economy is on a downward spiral. Most of the residents can barely afford food, talk more of cakes. Her mind wanders to Jayden, her ex boyfriend, and chills run down her spine. After the last round of beatings ended her in the hospital and Imelda almost cried herself into a coma, Amanda vowed to leave him, even if it meant her heart wou
AMANIA sliver of hurt flashes across Bhyron’s expression. For the next three seconds, my bitter words hang between us, fueling the explosive electricity that lingers in the air.My heart twists with a hint of guilt but I harden my jaw and hold his gaze. I want to hurt him. I want him to feel even the tiniest percent of the pain that’s currently festering in my heart.I can’t beat him up, so I’ll just use my words.“What are you waiting for?” I taunt, thrusting my hips against his. “Move! Hurry up! Fuck me and leave.”His eyes are currently the darkest I’ve ever seen, filled with anger and something else. Something even more disturbing.I fully expect him to climb off of me and leave in a fit of rage. However, Bhyron’s cock grows even harder and he pins me against the bed with ruthlessness in his eyes.Icy fear crawls up my throat as he leans over me, dragging his tongue and teeth across my chest.“Is this what you want?” He growls, slipping one of my nipples into his mouth and suckin
AMANIFear is the only emotion that clouds my senses when Bhyron snags me against his chest. Fear and the irrational need to escape.I don’t pause. I don’t let myself think. I just fight.I kick and buck and struggle against Bhyron’s fierce grip, desperate for freedom.“Let go of me! Let gooo!!”I aim for his shin but he’s bigger and faster. Bhyron swings me into his arms, bridal style, and lifts me towards the bed like I weigh nothing. The same bed he threw my best friend like she was nothing but a sack of potatoes.Unlike what he did with Zuri, he lays me gently against the pillows. Thinking I have a chance to escape, I try to roll off but a startled squeak escapes me when Bhyron climbs in, laying his entire body’s weight on top of me.I freeze, trying to scream but unable to speak past the lump in my throat. Horrifying images of being strangled or suffocated to death with a pillow has my veins thrumming with fear.Is this it? Has he finally decided to kill me and take his revenge?
BHYRON“…your presence irritates me…” Those fiercely muttered words burn through my heart like acid. For a moment, I freeze up and just stare at her, hoping she’d tell me that this is all a joke.But the only emotions in Amani’s eyes are anger and annoyance. She really meant what she said. The realization is like a blow to my stomach.I shut my eyes for a second, temporarily at war with myself. Should I just get up and leave or should I keep trying to reason with her?But even as I ask myself that question, I already know the answer. I’m not leaving. Amani can call me names from the pits of hell and try as hard as she can to push me away, but it’s not happening. I won’t go away. Not anymore.So I grit my teeth and steel my heart against the influx of hurtful words I know she still has in store for me.“What are you still doing here?! I asked you to leave.”I grit my teeth and lift a hand to grab her flailing arm. Maybe she’ll return to her senses if I touch her. Maybe she’ll recogniz
BHYRONOne of my sex workers at La Marièe almost got assaulted by a client tonight. She raised an alarm and the entire situation spiralled out of control within seconds. The news somehow travelled to the guests downstairs and the cops got involved.I spent the past four hours trying to stop La Marièe from getting closed down because of an issue that could’ve been handled with better care. Now I’m exhausted and all I want is to hold Amani and go to sleep.After taking a quick shower, I don boxers and climb into the huge bed, pulling Amani into my arms and cuddling her against my chest. She lets out a soft mewling sound that tugs at my heartstrings but settles down quickly, wrapping her arms around my middle.I’m enveloped in her scent, swathed in the softness of her skin and there’s nowhere else on this goddamn earth that I’d rather be.I’d love nothing but to shut my eyes and let sleep take me, but deep down, I know I cannot afford such luxury. I know the darkness will come… and so wi
BHYRONRamiel looks exactly like he does in the few pictures I’ve seen — angelic. Glowing.He’s dressed all in white just like I expected. A pure white African Kaftan covers his broad shoulders, flowing all the way to his ankles. His shiny blonde hair is perfectly styled and bounces on his shoulders as he walks towards us.When he gets within talking distance, I rise from my seat and Duke follows suit. Besides my grandfather, I never rise to greet anyone whether they come to meet me or I go to meet them. The thought of my old man sends a sliver of choking pain through my guts.But there’s something about Ramiel Castello. Maybe it’s those piercing blue eyes or the invisible glowing ring above his head, but I feel like I’m in the presence of royalty. “I never thought a day would come when the Bhyron Macaulay would ask to see me.” He says graciously, motioning for us to take our seats.Not one to mince words or waste time, I decide to go straight to the point.“Well, I’m sure you alread
BHYRONFinally, after twenty-five gruelling minutes, we arrive at the luxurious five-star hotel. The moment my driver opens the door and I climb off the car, my nerves twist violently as a strange sensation fleets through my heart.Silently, I turn to Duke and find him surveying our surroundings, forehead knotted in a frown.“You feel it, too?” I ask when he comes to stand by my side.“Yes. There’s something very wrong about this place. It gives me the ick.”The Crystal City Hotel is one of the most successful hotel chains in New York. Owned by a renowned Mexican businessman, the towering high rise boasts of modern, world-class amenities that are hard to find in any other hotels in the city, including expertly programmed robots instead of human attendants and complimentary self-driving cars for high-paying clients.To the ordinary eye, everything seems perfect. But to Duke and I, something is wrong.Wait…“Bhyron, take a look at the cars. Notice anything strange?”There are five iden
Starting now, I’m going to try to make this story as fast paced as possible so buckle up, readers!A lot of secrets will be revealed, characters will die, characters will be betrayed and in the end, the truth will finally be revealed.***BHYRONMy shoulders are already stiff and thrumming with tension when I arrive at the sitting room. I feel a presence behind me and turn to find Duncan a few feet away, hands tightly clasped at his back.“Return to the room and keep watch. I need you to pay special attention to Zuri. Make sure the door is open at all times and she doesn’t say or do anything fishy to my wife.”He bows. “Yes, boss.”He’s just about to leave when I stop him.“Can I trust you this time, Duncan? Will you fail me again?”He lifts his head and holds my gaze. There’s no iota of fear in his eyes. Just confidence and respect.“Last night was a stupid mistake, boss. I assure you that it will never happen again.”Three seconds tick by, heavy with mistrust, then I nod and step ba
AMANIMy eyes are firmly shut as I thrash around on the bed in search of my anchor, in search of my source of strength. But he’s not here. He’s gone. I know he is. When he was here, the piercing pain in my heart had reduced to a dull throb. The dirty, contaminated feeling that tainted my soul stayed far away, too scared of his darkness to come close. The heavy feeling in my limbs had disappeared, too. When he was here, he protected me. He shielded me from Antonio’s grubby hands. But now that he’s gone, I’m being bombarded with everything at once. The excruciating discomfort is back. My demons have returned to attack me and he’s not here to fight them off.I can hear voices in the distance and even though I’m clutched in the throes of a horrible nightmare, I still call out for him. I need him. I listen carefully, hoping I hear his voice, hoping he comes back for me.When the pain becomes unbearable, I curl into myself and hot tears slip past my tightly shut eyelids. My soul takes a
BHYRONI hear Amani’s screams from down the hall and it tears through my soul like a fiery blade. I run blindly and don’t stop until I’m storming into the master bedroom. The sight that greets me shatters my nonexistent heart to pieces.Amani is writhing and shaking in bed. The once perfectly laid sheets pool around her legs and arms, evidence of her distraught.Without uttering a word and driven by an urgency that makes my blood boil, I take off my shoes and climb into the bed with her, pulling her trembling body flush against my chest. Her eyes are firmly shut but the second I touch her, tears still manage to leak through.The sight of her wet cheeks unravels an animalistic intensity inside of me, but I have to tame it and take care of my baby. Amani is my only priority. She’s more important than even my darkness. “Bhyron…” she whimpers, clinging onto me like a baby monkey. “It hurts. It hurts so much. I can’t take it anymore. Please, make it stop.”I hug her fiercely and kiss her