*Selene's POV* I added another shade of red on my lips and patted the stick a few times on my cheek for a lick of blush. I closed the compact mirror shut and rubbed my lips together to even out the colour. I begin my rehearsals today,which meant more work and very little time to entertain Dominic and Ares’ nonsense. I had to tell myself to focus. My job was the most important thing to me….that was a lie,my revenge was the most important thing. I had to have my revenge on those who wronged me and get justice for my father,but with how corrupt the world is, I couldn't properly do so if I lost my status and fame,that is why my job matters so much. My gaze went to my fingers,the touch of gold jewellery against my olive skin made a fine match, and my ice blue dress complimented the look entirely. The only thing I didn't like on me was the big glaring red ruby ring on my finger. It felt odd and heavy,like a chain holding me back. I toyed with the ring with a frown,wondering if I shoul
*Selene's POV* “Hello Sister.”She smiled widely,displaying a set of pearly white teeth. “What are you doing here?”I questioned,grasping the chair for support from my shock. Noelle walked further into the room, clutching her diamond studded purse as if in fear it would somehow get snatched from her. “I was afraid we wouldn't recognise each other,but you are just like before.” I narrowed my eyes at her as she continued blabbing,Noelle had the habit of not knowing when to stop talking when she was around me. “But with bolder colours,and I think darker hair–did you dye it?” “What are you doing here?”I snapped,my voice turning unwelcoming. “We are sisters, Selene.”She said, her eyes darting around my dressing room in curiosity.“Are you saying I can't even see you?” I rolled my eyes and turned to face myself in the mirror. Seeing us so different in the mirror moved me a bit,she was snow white with short white hair,blue doe eyes, baby pink lipstick and white gown.And I was t
*Yolanda's POV* “And Where have you been?”I asked Noelle. “I have been looking for you all day..” “I went out..”she replied lazily as she walked into the living room.Her face was pale.Her eyes widened and entire demaneor shaken. “Out where?”I pressed. She collapses in a chair and begins to breathe heavily. I cup her face in my hands as a small pang of worry hit me.I never seen Noelle this distraught. “What's bothering you?” “I went to see Selene.”She confessed and I removed my hand from under her chin aggressively. “What?!” “I wanted us to have a productive conversation about Ares,to avoid a blood bath between you two.Some sort of peace treaty,she rejected it.I even begged her.” “Do you want to humiliate me? Who are you to say to declare that I want a peace treaty,now she is going to think we are desperate and at her mercy.” “But I am desperate mother.I want to resolve this as quickly as I can so Ares can–” “You are acting out with emotions Noelle,that will ruin you.” “Are
*Ares’ POV* Mine,mine,mine. My senses were alert,my heart was grieving,she was so close and still so far.My soul cried out her name,begging her to pity me and throw me even a hint of assurance to show my mate was still there.That I wasn't delusional,that she felt it. I stared at my reflection in the pool,thinking of how pathetic it would sound to her if we were still mindlinked. “Do you really think she will do it?”I heard The chilled, addictive voice behind me.She sounded like a glass of rosé,soft,pink and intoxicating.I could listen to her talk for ages and still be mesmerised every single time she opened her mouth.I said a quick prayer for my soul and slowly turned to see her. But she wasn't looking in mine ,she glazed but never locked eyes,never connected. It almost felt intentional. A soft wind blew her evening gown a bit too roughly,promising to reveal more than just her bare thigh if I looked a bit longer. I took a large sip of my gin to suppress my urges,the last
*Elias POV* I pushed the door open and was immediately startled by the faces of the elder Miss Sinclair and Yolanda staring at me with horrified expressions. If I had a bad memory,I would Have believed I had committed a crime and they were gaping at the blood on my hands. “Is everything alright?”I questioned. Yolanda scoffed. “Is everything alright? You barge into an office without even knocking and instead of having the decency to apologise?” I clench my jaw and stare into her enraged face.I never liked her and it's like she keeps adding reasons to keep things that way. I summon tolerance from all parts of my body and slowly walk forward with the file Ares asked me to give to his mother. “It's about the gold trade,Ares wants you to review the products.”Yolanda reaches for it but I sway it out of her grasp and gives it to Silvia. I catch Silvia glaring at Yolanda from the corner of her eye but I ignore it and give her the details about the purchase.“Is he usually like this?”Yo
*Selene's POV* “How was your day?”Cassie asked as I stepped into her office.Her head was still attentively bowed to the papers, and the fairly chewed butt of the pen was swirling in her hand. “Great,you?”I took off my leather coat and hung on the chair. “Stressful.”Cassie said honestly. “These papers are killing me,it's like these girls intentionally misplace the documents to drive me mad.” I laughed genuinely for the first time since today and leaned over to pour myself a cup of water. So much fake laughing during the rehearsals today has taken its toll on me.Im parched. Cassie hummed merrily as she worked on her so called stressful papers,I wonder how she can look happy even in so much chaos,she wasn't always calm but at the core of it all but she was happy. “What are you thinking about?”Cassie asked when she noticed my silence.Years later, and she still reads me like a book. “I find It admirable how happy you are through all this stress.The girls,the bills,I even hear
*Greta's POV* I smirked satisfactorily as I saw Selene's car pull up in the driveway.It was only eight pm,she was home early. I had overheard her making plans with that Cassie girl again,the owner of a brothel with her bright, tacky coloured hair. My very skin got irritated just thinking about her.So I asked Selene to ditch the plans and eat my food–I don't even like cooking that much. But it's good how important I was in Selene's life and how firm my grip on her life was. Let's just say that I sometimes get too absorbed into caring for Selene, and Cassie wasn't the type of person I wanted around her. She was way too loud,brazen, and uncultured.And every time we met, she gave me a weird look as if I was an intruder. Selene said she was part of the wealthy class once, but that just further proves the point that money doesn't buy class. I watched the car come to a full stop through the kitchen window. The tires of black jeep have gotten a little dusty from frequent use.I will
*Dominic's POV* “This is stupid.”I cursed, turning the steering wheel into an intersection. I had Caleb on my tail begging me to forget about Selene,I still haven't found where Ares is keeping the journalists –they could be ratting me out to him right now and to top it all up.Selene was avoiding me. I caught sight of Greta’s lean frame standing on the sidewalk,the streetlight casting a lazy glow on her knitted hat.She always looked so honest and likeable,like a kind aunt,that was until you got scammed that you realised that she was one of satan’s minions. I quickly dialled her number and watched her pick up the phone from her coat. “I'm here.” She looks my way. “Black cadillac?” “Yeah,that's me.”I say,cutting the call If This was one of her scams again,I will choke some senses into her tonight. I pulled up in front of the park Greta directed me to and waited for her to approach the window. She stands at the door and peers in . “You are late.” “You are bad at directions,I
*Ares's POV*“Do you know who Victor is?” I asked as soon as the door opened. “Ares?”Cassie asked in surprise,her eyes darting behind me. “You are here again?” “Good morning.”I greeted,walking past her. “Morning.”She replies,rubbing her eyes,evidently too tired to complain.“Do you know you Victor is?”I repeat my question with shorter patience “Is he a customer here?”Cassie yawned,leading me to a chair. I reluctantly took a seat despite really not wanting to,I was hoping not to spend too much time here,I was hoping not to get so comfortable. “I don't think he's a customer,”I draw out the chair. “I know nothing about him. In fact, I was hoping you knew something about him.” “How should I know?” I handed her the note Selene gave me and watched her face,hoping for a reaction…there wasn't much. She recognised the handwriting, but there was nothing more to it than that. “That's his address.”I said, trying to jug her memory somehow. “I think Selene slipped it into my coat whe
*Selene’s POV*“You are never going to pull that stunt with me, are we clear?” Dominic’s voice sliced through the quiet of the room like a whip, sharp and unforgiving.I remained silent, staring blankly at my reflection in the mirror as Greta calmly combed my hair back, her touch careful, avoiding even the slightest tension in the strands.“Answer me!” Dominic’s voice erupted again behind me, his frustration rippling through the air like a storm about to break. Greta flinched this time, her hand faltering.I dragged my eyes from my reflection to him—lazy, uninterested, detached. “You’re being too loud,” I said quietly, taking a slow sip of my ginger tea as if his anger didn’t reach me.“Greta,” Dominic snapped, his tone softer but still commanding. “Leave us. We need to talk privately.”The comb dropped to the table with a soft clatter, and Greta quickly walked away, making sure not to meet my eyes as she left the room.“You should really get your face treated,” I said, my voice dripp
*Ares’ POV*It was all like a dream-no,nightmare was the word best suited for what I felt.The question hit me like a punch in the gut,and the fans weren't helping either.The sound of the crowd was a distant roar, swelling around me like the crash of waves, but all I could see was her—Selene. She stood stiffly in front of Dominic, her eyes wide and unblinking. The fans were chanting, “Say yes!” louder and louder with each passing second, a suffocating rhythm pressing in on me. I clenched my fists, my body tense as I watched Dominic smile before her, his face smeared with a mixture of fake sincerity and desperation.Something was wrong. Her body language, the way her fingers twitched, the slight tremor in her hand—she was hesitating. She didn’t want this. I knew her well enough to read that. I could practically taste the panic in the air, though her face was trying to stay neutral. The fans, the cameras, all of it was just noise. Selene was my focus, and I wasn’t going to loose her,not
*Selene's POV*Where am I?Something internal voilently forced me awake, everything was blurry, like a painting smudged with greys and whites. A faint, sterile smell lingered in the air—disinfectant and bleach, sharp enough to wrinkle my nose. My throat was dry, my lips cracked, and a faint buzzing filled my ears. Slowly, the haze began to lift, and reality hit me with the weight of a boulder.The hunger strike. Dominic.I shifted slightly, feeling the stiff fabric of the hospital sheets brush against my skin. Every muscle in my body ached, the fatigue of starvation pulling me down like chains. I had taken this too far,it was foolish.Had I trusted someone enough to bring me food,It would all have been a farse but not even Greta was an ally,and actually starving myself was the only chance I had. I tried to breathe evenly, keeping my movements subtle. My eyes flicked toward the door—two of Dominic’s men were stationed there. Their dark suits a jarring contrast against the pale walls of
*Dominic's POV*“What did he mean by that?” I asked myself, watching the footage for what felt like the hundredth time. My eyes remained glued to the screen as I replayed the moment yet again. Ares’ finger brushed against Selene’s skin, and she didn’t flinch. No, she leaned into it — just slightly, but enough for someone like me, someone who knew her, to see that she wanted to be there. It was a small gesture, but it screamed betrayal. Not of me, but of everything she had fought for. Or perhaps it was all a lie. Maybe she hadn’t really been fighting at all.With me, she refused to eat. She used to give me the silent treatment, and now she was on a full hunger strike. I knew what I was doing was kidnapping — technically. But the lines were always blurred when it came to Selene and me. She wasn’t exactly here against her will, but she wasn’t free either.I couldn’t stomach the idea of her leaving. She had forgiven Ares for his betrayal because she loved him, but I was sure I could get m
Ares's POV*Three whole days. Selene had been completely off the radar for three whole days—no contact, no call, no public appearances. Every passing hour gnawed at my patience, the anxiety tightening in my chest like a vice.I sprang from the chair the moment Cassie entered the room. Her presence here was a reminder of where I was—this brothel, a place I shouldn’t have been, but desperation was a powerful motivator."Alpha Ares," she greeted, bowing respectfully."No need for that," I muttered, waving my hand dismissively. The last thing I needed was formalities when my mind was already spiraling.Cassie closed the door behind her, her sharp eyes lingering on me with what could only be described as judgment. Her silence dragged on for a moment before she broke it."I'm assuming you aren't here for a prostitute?" she asked, her tone dry but layered with subtle sarcasm.I frowned, confusion creasing my brow, until the realization dawned—of course, she would think that. It wasn’t often
*Noelle's POV*“There she is.”the maid pointed at the table under an oak tree and scurried away,leaving me at the edge of the garden,scared to enter the open field I saw my mother from a distance,sitting at her computer with a tea cup at her side,her silky gray hair pulled tightly to her neck and secured with a pin. I stared long and hard before I gathered the courage to walk to her. Besides,if she didn't want to meet me,she would have told the guards to let me in, right? The sound of my shoes hitting the grass sent her eyes spinning my way. They paused at my face and did a full scan of my body,her gaze got disgusted and she quickly looked away,facing her computer with an unbothered air. “Hello Mother.”I said respectfully,as though I was addressing an authority figure and not my caretaker,I might have been adopted but my feelings for her went way beyond papers,Im not sure–no I am sure–she didn't share the same sentiment but it never hurt to try.“The fact that you are calling me
*Selene’s POV*“Cassie?” My voice cracked as I gripped the steering wheel, swerving around another tight curve. Horns blared, angry drivers flashing their headlights at me, but I couldn’t care less. If they were being hunted by a psychotic freak, traffic laws would mean nothing to them either. My knuckles turned white as I weaved through cars, my mind racing faster than my heart.I didn’t look at my phone, too focused on getting away, but my voice grew sharper as I called again, a tremor sneaking in. “Cassie!” I tried not to let my rising fear unsettle me lest I crash my car.A groggy voice finally crackled through the speaker. “Selene?” Cassie’s voice was hoarse, still thick with sleep. “Is everything—”“Will there be room for me at Red Velvet tonight?”“Huh?” A long yawn followed. “Tonight? You mean now?”“Yes, yes, tonight,” I said, urgency seeping into my tone.There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, the weight of my request sinking in. The last time I was this fra
Selene’s POV“Just say it.” I spat, disgusted at myself.“Say what?” Elias asked, still holding the doorknob, his brows furrowed in confusion.“That you think I’m being reckless and stupid,” I snapped, folding my arms. The air between us was thick with tension, and I could feel the heat of embarrassment rising to my cheeks. Elias was the last person I wanted to appear vulnerable in front of.“Eh,” he gave me a small, sympathetic smile. “I’ve done worse, trust me.”I didn’t fully believe him, but I appreciated the effort. At least he was trying to make me feel better, which was more than I could do for myself.“Just stay in here for a bit,” he added, glancing down the hall. “So people don’t get suspicious.”“Yeah,” I sighed, resigned. My arms unfolded, my body suddenly feeling heavy. I needed some time alone to think anyway. When the door clicked shut behind him, the silence returned with a vengeance, amplifying the chaotic mess inside my head.I tried to replay what had just happened,