As I walked through the campus, the familiar hum of student chatter and hurried footsteps filled the air. It used to excite me, but now it felt distant, like a life I was ready to leave behind. My finals were in sight, and I was counting down the days until I could close this chapter for good.In class, the lecturer praised my grades. It was one of the few moments that reminded me why I had started this journey in the first place. But even that satisfaction felt hollow. My mind was elsewhere, on Nathan, on the chaos in my life, and, unexpectedly, on Lisa.After class, I spotted Lisa near the cafeteria, chatting with some classmates. She seemed different, more confident, even a bit aloof. As I approached, she noticed me and offered a small, polite smile.“Hey, Lisa,” I greeted her, trying to keep my tone light.“Hey,” she replied, tilting her head slightly as if trying to gauge my mood.“I heard you paid your tuition fees,” I said, genuinely happy for her. “Congratulations. That’s a bi
The moment Katrina walked out of the café, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. I needed a moment to collect my thoughts, but that reprieve didn’t last long. No sooner had I taken a sip of my coffee than I spotted Steven striding into the café, his eyes locked onto me with unsettling intensity.“Mel,” he called out as he approached my table. His voice carried a mix of sarcasm and disdain, enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.I sighed, setting my cup down. “Steven, what are you doing here?”“I could ask you the same thing,” he said, sliding into the chair across from me without waiting for an invitation. His gaze flickered toward the door where Katrina had exited moments earlier. “Funny seeing you here with Katrina.”I tensed, immediately on edge. “Were you following me?”Steven gave me a silly smile, leaning back in his chair with a casualness that belied his intrusive behaviour. “Call it what you want. I like to keep an eye on things, especially when it co
As I stepped out of the café, the late afternoon sun momentarily blinded me. I adjusted my eyes and moved to the sidewalk, but I froze when I saw Carlos leaning against a sleek black SUV with his men flanking him. His presence was as commanding as ever, and though his face held a faint smile, his eyes carried a weight that set me on edge.“Mel,” he said, straightening up and taking a cautious step forward. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here. But since you’re here, I guess fate gave me an opportunity I didn’t have before.”I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes at him. “What do you want, Carlos?” My tone was sharp, with no room for pleasantries.He sighed, his shoulders drooping slightly. “I wanted to apologize,” he said, his voice surprisingly soft. “For everything that happened. I never got the chance to say it properly. I know I hurt you, Mel.”I stared at him, waiting for the rest of his speech. Carlos wasn’t the kind of man to show vulnerability unless he wanted something.“And?” I
The hotel was bustling, a hive of luxury and importance, but all I cared about was the man waiting for me inside. When I knocked on the door, Nathan himself opened it. His shirt sleeves rolled up, and his tie slightly loosened, evidence of a long day.“You’re here,” he said, his voice warm but laced with the weariness of his meetings. He stepped aside, motioning for me to enter.As I walked in, the faint scent of his cologne filled the air, grounding me after the chaos of my day. The suite was immaculate, a blend of modern design and subtle luxury. A small conference table at the corner of the room held scattered files and a half-empty glass of what looked like scotch. He must have just wrapped up his meeting.“I thought I would have met you at the lounge,” I said.“Nope, finished the meeting my dear,” Nathan replied.“Sit down,” he said, gesturing to the plush armchair near the window. “You look like you’ve had a long day yourself.”I didn’t sit. Instead, I folded my arms and got str
The car glided through the quiet city streets, the hum of the engine filling the silence between us. I stole a glance at Nathan, his jaw set tight, his fingers gripping the steering wheel with an intensity that told me he was deep in thought.I have rarely seen him this way. He was more concerned with his thoughts than with the beautiful lady sitting next to him. I know his brain is running through every option but I also know this must be about what Rose had told him.“Nathan,” I began cautiously, breaking the silence. “What did Rose say?”His eyes stayed on the road, his lips pressed into a thin line as though he were debating whether to tell me. Finally, he sighed, his grip on the wheel loosening slightly.“She came to warn me,” he said, his voice measured. “Alex Sommer is in town.”The name hung in the air like an uninvited ghost, chilling the space between us. I frowned, searching my memory. “Alex Sommer... your friend from years ago? The one you’ve mentioned a few times?”“Frien
“Oh my gosh!” I was running late, and I knew that Pachi would be angry with me. I was already angry with myself because of what I wore under my coat and that I had to clean up my father who came in drunk again.I rushed into the grand hall of the Star Rise Hotel, catching my breath. Everywhere and everyone seemed busy. My heart sank as I noticed Pachi, my boss, who owns Café De Royal where I work. Pachi had recruited me to be an usher at this event.He waved me down with anxiety written all over his face. I thought the job would be a simple gig; greet guests, hand out programs, and smile, but as I approached him, I could sense that something had gone terribly wrong.“Mel, thank goodness you’re here,” Pachi said, he was very relieved to see me. “Listen, we’ve got a situation. The second caterer is absent. I know you’re supposed to be ushering, but could you help out in the kitchen? I’ll double your pay.”Double pay? The sound of more money always makes sense to me. With my tuition l
I looked up at the man before me and froze. It was as if my breath hung in my throat, and the world around me disappeared momentarily. “Oh my gosh! He is handsome”. I said beneath my voice. His body looked like it had been sculpted from stone with every muscle perfectly defined beneath that tight, fitted shirt that left nothing to the imagination. His abs looked rock-hard, his chest broad and powerful, and his entire presence just screamed ‘Take me in,’ which made it hard to focus on anything else."My name’s Nathan," he said again, and I swear my mind almost went blank. He could’ve said his name was Thor, and I wouldn’t have been surprised.My heart was racing like it was trying to break free from my chest, and for a split second, I could’ve sworn the whole mess with Carlos and Lisa faded away. But I forced myself to pull it together. Focus, Mel!“I... I’m okay,” I said. I didn’t trust myself to say more. If I kept talking, I might’ve said something ridiculous.Without waiting for
I stood there, still trying to make sense of everything. He walked over to the corner of the room and pressed a button on a sleek control panel immediately the room was filled with a soft, sensual melody.He turned, his eyes locking onto mine, and pulled out a chair and placed it in the center of the room, facing me. The faint light cast shadows that danced across his chiseled features, making him look even more dangerous and enticing."Come here," he said, as he sat on the chair.I stood frozen, my heart pounding in my chest, unable to move or speak. It felt like I was caught up in a dream, and Nathan was the dream’s master.He leaned back in the chair, his gaze never leaving mine. "I’ll ask you again," he said, his voice a smooth command. "Strip for me."My breathing became difficult. My mind was waving to and fro, trying to process the audacity of his request, the magnetic pull I felt towards him, and the conflict tearing at my insides. I stared at him, dazed and uncertain.I opene
The car glided through the quiet city streets, the hum of the engine filling the silence between us. I stole a glance at Nathan, his jaw set tight, his fingers gripping the steering wheel with an intensity that told me he was deep in thought.I have rarely seen him this way. He was more concerned with his thoughts than with the beautiful lady sitting next to him. I know his brain is running through every option but I also know this must be about what Rose had told him.“Nathan,” I began cautiously, breaking the silence. “What did Rose say?”His eyes stayed on the road, his lips pressed into a thin line as though he were debating whether to tell me. Finally, he sighed, his grip on the wheel loosening slightly.“She came to warn me,” he said, his voice measured. “Alex Sommer is in town.”The name hung in the air like an uninvited ghost, chilling the space between us. I frowned, searching my memory. “Alex Sommer... your friend from years ago? The one you’ve mentioned a few times?”“Frien
The hotel was bustling, a hive of luxury and importance, but all I cared about was the man waiting for me inside. When I knocked on the door, Nathan himself opened it. His shirt sleeves rolled up, and his tie slightly loosened, evidence of a long day.“You’re here,” he said, his voice warm but laced with the weariness of his meetings. He stepped aside, motioning for me to enter.As I walked in, the faint scent of his cologne filled the air, grounding me after the chaos of my day. The suite was immaculate, a blend of modern design and subtle luxury. A small conference table at the corner of the room held scattered files and a half-empty glass of what looked like scotch. He must have just wrapped up his meeting.“I thought I would have met you at the lounge,” I said.“Nope, finished the meeting my dear,” Nathan replied.“Sit down,” he said, gesturing to the plush armchair near the window. “You look like you’ve had a long day yourself.”I didn’t sit. Instead, I folded my arms and got str
As I stepped out of the café, the late afternoon sun momentarily blinded me. I adjusted my eyes and moved to the sidewalk, but I froze when I saw Carlos leaning against a sleek black SUV with his men flanking him. His presence was as commanding as ever, and though his face held a faint smile, his eyes carried a weight that set me on edge.“Mel,” he said, straightening up and taking a cautious step forward. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here. But since you’re here, I guess fate gave me an opportunity I didn’t have before.”I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes at him. “What do you want, Carlos?” My tone was sharp, with no room for pleasantries.He sighed, his shoulders drooping slightly. “I wanted to apologize,” he said, his voice surprisingly soft. “For everything that happened. I never got the chance to say it properly. I know I hurt you, Mel.”I stared at him, waiting for the rest of his speech. Carlos wasn’t the kind of man to show vulnerability unless he wanted something.“And?” I
The moment Katrina walked out of the café, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. I needed a moment to collect my thoughts, but that reprieve didn’t last long. No sooner had I taken a sip of my coffee than I spotted Steven striding into the café, his eyes locked onto me with unsettling intensity.“Mel,” he called out as he approached my table. His voice carried a mix of sarcasm and disdain, enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.I sighed, setting my cup down. “Steven, what are you doing here?”“I could ask you the same thing,” he said, sliding into the chair across from me without waiting for an invitation. His gaze flickered toward the door where Katrina had exited moments earlier. “Funny seeing you here with Katrina.”I tensed, immediately on edge. “Were you following me?”Steven gave me a silly smile, leaning back in his chair with a casualness that belied his intrusive behaviour. “Call it what you want. I like to keep an eye on things, especially when it co
As I walked through the campus, the familiar hum of student chatter and hurried footsteps filled the air. It used to excite me, but now it felt distant, like a life I was ready to leave behind. My finals were in sight, and I was counting down the days until I could close this chapter for good.In class, the lecturer praised my grades. It was one of the few moments that reminded me why I had started this journey in the first place. But even that satisfaction felt hollow. My mind was elsewhere, on Nathan, on the chaos in my life, and, unexpectedly, on Lisa.After class, I spotted Lisa near the cafeteria, chatting with some classmates. She seemed different, more confident, even a bit aloof. As I approached, she noticed me and offered a small, polite smile.“Hey, Lisa,” I greeted her, trying to keep my tone light.“Hey,” she replied, tilting her head slightly as if trying to gauge my mood.“I heard you paid your tuition fees,” I said, genuinely happy for her. “Congratulations. That’s a bi
We stopped abruptly, both of us turning to see Ali struggling to stand, his face pale and streaked with sweat. His earlier arrogance was gone, replaced by something almost pathetic. He held out a trembling hand, his voice cracking as he spoke again.“Please,” he said, his tone a strange mix of fear and urgency. “Don’t leave. I - - I have more to say.”Nathan’s jaw tightened, his expression darkened. He didn’t respond immediately, his silence stretching the moment into something unbearable. Finally, he turned back toward Ali, his movements slow and deliberate, each step measured.“You’ve got thirty seconds,” Nathan said coldly, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. “Make it count.”Ali swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he tried to steady himself. “I - - I didn’t tell you everything,” he stammered. “There’s more... more you need to know about the deal, about who’s really behind it.”Nathan crossed his arms, his gaze narrowing. “You withheld information?” he asked, hi
Ali looked at me as if I did not know what I was doing being there with him, as it looked like he was not about to release any information until I played ball.“What do you want?” I asked, looking at him seductively, inviting him in with my eyes.He smiled and licked his lips, “You could offer something else,” He said.As he walked towards me, I pushed him back and he looked surprised. “You have been paid and one way or the other I am getting what I have paid for.”He did not like the fact that I spoke to him that way, and he attacked me. “See, there is no way anyone can help you with what is to happen to you as this room is soundproof, bulletproof and one way in. So without me, you are not going out. Tell me what it’s going to be?” he asked.As Ali’s hand shot out, trying to close the distance between us, I instinctively sidestepped, slipping from his grasp. My mind raced, the shock in his eyes only feeding my resolve. His laugh echoed through the dim room, low and mocking.“Impressi
As the car sped along, the hum of the engine was a soft backdrop to the excitement bubbling within me. Nathan handed me the contract files, and I noticed immediately that the document bore my name in bold letters. My heart skipped a beat, a mixture of curiosity and surprise flooding my mind.“Why?” I asked, my voice tinged with both excitement and confusion as I looked up at him.Nathan glanced at me with an unreadable expression before his lips curled into a small, sincere smile. “You’ve been with me through everything, Mel. As a friend, as someone I can rely on. I trust you more than anyone. You’ve shown me nothing but loyalty.”I stared at the files, still trying to process what he was saying. This felt like a huge step. It was one I hadn't expected, especially not after everything that had happened with Carlos, the mafia, and the endless twists and turns that had coloured our lives. But in that moment, something about his words, his actions, and the way he looked at me, made me fe
The boardroom buzzed with unease after Nathan’s initial briefing about the Sanchez Gang. The air was thick with tension, and several members exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond to the gravity of the situation. One of the board members, with a stern face and a reputation for asking tough questions, cleared his throat and addressed Nathan directly.“Nathan,” he began, his voice calm but laced with concern, “if this gang is disrupting our legitimate business and threatening our operations, why haven’t we involved the authorities? Why are we handling this ourselves?”There was a collective murmur around the table as the board members eagerly awaited Nathan’s response. The question was valid. In any other scenario, the authorities would be the first line of defence, and many of