"I can't come to work, I am sorry," she told Miguel over the phone, her voice heavy with grief. "Is everything okay?" Miguel asked, concerned. "Yeah, I just....I am not feeling well today," she said, hanging up before her voice could betray her. The woman let herself fall onto the mattress, her limbs refusing to hold her any longer.She is my bad Karma. I wish she hadn't been bornShe is going to be the reason for our deathThese were her dad's words. She overheard him telling them to her mother on the phone. Those biting remarks only cut deeper into her already wounded heart. Now even she couldn't understand why she was still breathing. Why endure so much pain when she can just leave it all behind and die? She should die. She had brought nothing but only pain and shame to those around her. Her father was right, she was indeed a curse who only bring bad luck to those who came near her. It would be better if she just ended herself. Dante. Life had been a merciless bitch, but it ha
Eviana released a thick cloud of smoke into his face, her gaze dripping with disdain for his lower rank.Paulo coughed but dared not voice his objection."I should just kill you, shouldn't I? You've been more of a liability than an asset," Eviana remarked, her voice laced with boredom. It was evident she didn't even consider him a human. Paulo tensed up. A flicker of dread swept through his features before he lowered his gaze. "I have her in my grasp, ma'am. I assure you, you won't regret your decision," he assured her nervously. "You've been saying the same thing forever," she reminded him, raising a single brow. The man shrank back, her unwavering gaze holding him in place as she leaned forward over the table. "Your bitch is bothering me way too much. Put a leash on her or I'll give you a death your soul will never forget," she threatened, her voice low and menacing. Paulo nodded. Eviana got to her feet and left.Paulo glared furiously at the chair she occupied. His rage boili
She bolted upright with a loud gasp. Her wide eyes darted frantically, struggling to pierce through the darkness. It was too dark to see anything. The chilly air shrouded her shivering body and the icy touch of the floor beneath her hinted that she was in danger. Her instincts "Where am I?' she whispered both in confusion and dread."You are finally in my clutches," a familiar voice answered. The voice echoed loudly in the quiet space. Just then with a sharp click, a bulb burst to life. The sudden flood of light assailed her vision, forcing her to squint against the glare. Her mouth went dry as she noticed him standing a few feet away. "Paulo," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart. His nasty face twisted into a smug smirk, the jagged scar that disfigured his forehead catching the light. She stared at it momentarily, certain it was her doing. He took a predatory stride towards her. His aura exuded menace. "Did you really think you could escape me?
Seizing a handful of her hair, he wrenched her to her feet. Despite the excruciating pain, she held herself together, refusing to give him the joy of seeing her in pain. She met his gaze head-on- defiance blazing in her eyes as she spat, "Dante will make you pay for every second of this." The slap struck her like a thunderclap, snapping her head sideways. Dizziness washed over her, she would have hit the floor with a thud if he wasn't clenching her hair in his vice-like grip. He thrust his face closer, eyes dripping with poisonous malice as he gritted out, "You've got a big mouth on you now. Lose it before I make you lose your pathetic life." His spit landed on her as he issued the threat.A cruel smirk spread across his face before he slightly loosened his hold on her hair. "As for your Dante, let me tell you he hates your guts.." he broke the news to her. "No, he doesn't. He loves me," she shot back without missing a beat. She knew he loved her with all his being and no one co
IntroductionDante had a suspicion that he was being overcharged for the flowers but he wasn’t entirely sure. After all, it was the first time he had ever bought a bouquet in his life. However, he let his doubts slide for these flowers were meant for someone precious. The blood-red blooms brimming the bouquet he clenched, overflowed with charm and youth- just like his fiancée, Maya Diaz.His love.The first time he had seen her was in their engagement announcement and to say he was entranced would be an understatement. Attired in a coral gown, she had appeared before him like a divine dream, captivating his heart in an instant. The fabric clung to her body like a second skin, accentuating her delicate curves. It was love at first sight. Just a first glance at her, and he knew he wanted her and only her to be his life partner. He vividly remembered their first encounter, as her dad introduced her to him. She stood in front of him with her gaze downcast, her brown curls cascading down he
Their wedding was fixed a day later, set for next month. They went on three dates in total after that. On their first date, he gifted her a million-dollar designer watch in a silent pledge to give all his time to her. Of course, he didn’t verbalize his intent and hoped she would understand his unspoken promise. On their second date, he gifted her a private jet so she wouldn’t have to depend on her parents to go wherever she wanted and on their third, he had gifted her a red diamond rose, symbolizing eternal love. His every gift held a meaning.However, these dates couldn’t bring them much close as he had hoped. The girl kept to herself at most and Dante who already found it difficult to socialize was even more discouraged by her reserved nature. They would barely talk on their dates. The conversation was limited to her college and his work life. However, the more they met, the further his feelings deepened for her. She had an air of innocence around her, untouched by malice or arrogan
“What do you mean?” he asked, hoping against hope that he had misconstrued her words. She took a breath as if preparing herself to say more. Her eyes held fear and doubt. “I can’t marry you. I love someone else,” she disclosed with hesitation. Dante was thrown off by her confession at first but as he made sense of her confession, he couldn't help but feel hurt.Maya explained further with tears streaming down her cheeks, “My dad forced me into the agreement. I never wanted this from the beginning. I am sorry if I’ve hurt you but I..I can’t do this. I love someone else and he would kill himself if I married you,” she implored with him, hopeless. She believed they were not a good match anyway. They were completely opposite like the two poles. His cold demeanor could never go with her bubbly, chirpy nature. He was a workaholic and she wanted to explore the world. Whereas he clearly lacked emotions, she was an emotional fool. She didn't want to marry a statue. A solemn expression took
Four Years LaterMaya was washing the clothes. Her hands had begun to ache but she didn’t have the privilege to stop. She sighed at the sight of a heap of clothes waiting for her attention and resumed her work. The pangs of hunger assaulted her stomach. She hadn’t eaten anything since last night. Marrying Pablo had turned out to be her worst nightmare. Now that she had become mature and the rose-tinted glasses were finally off, she could see what a horrible beast Pablo was. He started showing his color soon after their wedding. He was immensely disappointed to know that Maya had brought nothing from her home. He was just using her for her money. His disappointment slowly grew into hatred and now he didn’t even hesitate from beating her. He didn’t even let her continue her studies claiming it to be an unnecessary expense. The only reason he was keeping her was his greed for her father’s property. As Maya was her parents’ only child, he was planning to claim her right on the property on
Seizing a handful of her hair, he wrenched her to her feet. Despite the excruciating pain, she held herself together, refusing to give him the joy of seeing her in pain. She met his gaze head-on- defiance blazing in her eyes as she spat, "Dante will make you pay for every second of this." The slap struck her like a thunderclap, snapping her head sideways. Dizziness washed over her, she would have hit the floor with a thud if he wasn't clenching her hair in his vice-like grip. He thrust his face closer, eyes dripping with poisonous malice as he gritted out, "You've got a big mouth on you now. Lose it before I make you lose your pathetic life." His spit landed on her as he issued the threat.A cruel smirk spread across his face before he slightly loosened his hold on her hair. "As for your Dante, let me tell you he hates your guts.." he broke the news to her. "No, he doesn't. He loves me," she shot back without missing a beat. She knew he loved her with all his being and no one co
She bolted upright with a loud gasp. Her wide eyes darted frantically, struggling to pierce through the darkness. It was too dark to see anything. The chilly air shrouded her shivering body and the icy touch of the floor beneath her hinted that she was in danger. Her instincts "Where am I?' she whispered both in confusion and dread."You are finally in my clutches," a familiar voice answered. The voice echoed loudly in the quiet space. Just then with a sharp click, a bulb burst to life. The sudden flood of light assailed her vision, forcing her to squint against the glare. Her mouth went dry as she noticed him standing a few feet away. "Paulo," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart. His nasty face twisted into a smug smirk, the jagged scar that disfigured his forehead catching the light. She stared at it momentarily, certain it was her doing. He took a predatory stride towards her. His aura exuded menace. "Did you really think you could escape me?
Eviana released a thick cloud of smoke into his face, her gaze dripping with disdain for his lower rank.Paulo coughed but dared not voice his objection."I should just kill you, shouldn't I? You've been more of a liability than an asset," Eviana remarked, her voice laced with boredom. It was evident she didn't even consider him a human. Paulo tensed up. A flicker of dread swept through his features before he lowered his gaze. "I have her in my grasp, ma'am. I assure you, you won't regret your decision," he assured her nervously. "You've been saying the same thing forever," she reminded him, raising a single brow. The man shrank back, her unwavering gaze holding him in place as she leaned forward over the table. "Your bitch is bothering me way too much. Put a leash on her or I'll give you a death your soul will never forget," she threatened, her voice low and menacing. Paulo nodded. Eviana got to her feet and left.Paulo glared furiously at the chair she occupied. His rage boili
"I can't come to work, I am sorry," she told Miguel over the phone, her voice heavy with grief. "Is everything okay?" Miguel asked, concerned. "Yeah, I just....I am not feeling well today," she said, hanging up before her voice could betray her. The woman let herself fall onto the mattress, her limbs refusing to hold her any longer.She is my bad Karma. I wish she hadn't been bornShe is going to be the reason for our deathThese were her dad's words. She overheard him telling them to her mother on the phone. Those biting remarks only cut deeper into her already wounded heart. Now even she couldn't understand why she was still breathing. Why endure so much pain when she can just leave it all behind and die? She should die. She had brought nothing but only pain and shame to those around her. Her father was right, she was indeed a curse who only bring bad luck to those who came near her. It would be better if she just ended herself. Dante. Life had been a merciless bitch, but it ha
Maya's phone buzzed and beeped, dragging her out of her slumber. With an annoyed groan, she rolled over, reaching for warmth that wasn't there. His side of the bed remained smooth and untouched, a silent confirmation that he hadn’t been here last night. She didn't realize when she fell asleep while waiting for him. Sitting up, she coiled her hair in a loose bun and reached for her phone. A crease formed between her brows as her eyes caught the slew of messages flooding her phone. She clicked open one to find a link inside. She opened the link. A wave of numbness washed over her as the video played. It was an intimate video of her. The video was mostly blurred except for her face. Only her face was clear while Dante's was blurred. She stared blankly, her mind struggling to process the unexpected blow. It was the same video they had shot on Dante's phone. The phone slipped from her quivering fingers, landing on her lap. Her chest constricted like a vice, denying her air. She gasped,
Maya steadied herself as a sudden wave of dizziness washed over her. It wasn't the first time, these spells had been bothering her for the past few days. She brushed it off, assuming it was just weakness, and clutching her bag, she walked into the upscale restaurant for the meeting. The delegates had not yet arrived, it irritated her as she had to cancel her date with Dante for this stupid meeting. Disappointment was evident in his face. She had felt so horrible. She was reviewing the clauses when she sensed someone sitting across from her. Assuming them to be the delegates, she looked up with a broad smile only to freeze in shock. It was him. Paulo. Sitting in front of her, looking right at her, flashing her his creepy grin. She blanked out. "Hi, wifey," he uttered, making her blood curdle. She was white as a ghost. "You've changed a lot," he assessed. His eye briefly flickered to her bosom, "have also gained weight..," he said, his eyes moving to meet hers. "Looks like you were
She stood over him, her hands moving slowly and deliberately over the firm planes of his back. Her fingers pressed firmly but gently, sliding in fluid strokes that followed the contours of his muscles. He let out a deep, guttural moan that sent a ripple of heat through her, her heartbeat quickening in response. A soft smile spread across her serene face, her hair tied in a loose, messy bun. A soft melody was playing in the background, creating an atmosphere of calm and intimacy."You've been carrying the weight of the world, haven't you?" she teased, her fingers pressing particularly into tense spots. He chuckled. "Feels like it," he murmured, groaning as her fingers worked magic over his shoulder. She felt him relaxing under her touch, the knots in his muscles coming loose. She smiled as she suddenly noticed the deep contrast in their color. Her porcelain hands gliding over his tanned back. The warmth of his skin under her touch and the peaceful quiet of the moment made the world o
She stared at him as he remained asleep. She was torn between her mind and her heart. Her heart was urging her to tell him everything but her mind was filled with doubts. How would she tell him that Paulo has her private pictures? It felt too shameful to share.After Paulo hung up on her, she called him several times again but he didn't answer. She was waiting for him to call her again so that they could trace her location. And the moment his location is traced, it will be over for him. She reached out with her hand and interlaced their fingers, her eyes never leaving his striking face. She knew she was way too rude with him tonight and the guilt of it sat heavily on her chest. Sin woke up to find her side of the bed empty. Sitting up, he ran his fingers through his messy hair while looking around for her. A few moments later, the door flung open, and walked in Maya, carrying a tray of coffee. Her face split into a wide grin as soon as her gaze landed on him. "Good morning," she ch
"Earth calling, Maya. Do you copy?" Miguel teased, waving his hand in front of her face. Maya blinked, her eyes refocusing as she snapped out of her thoughts. "Sorry, what?" she asked, meeting his amused gaze. "I was wondering if you've prepared the papers for presentation," he said, unfazed by her lack of attention. "Yeah. It's done. I'll share it with you right away," she replied. "No need. I want you to present it today," he told her. Maya shot him a look of confusion. "Your dad will be presiding over the meeting. So make sure you impress him," he advised her, an encouraging smile on his face. Maya felt a tightness gripping her chest as memories of that night surfaced. The rift in her relationship with her dad had deepened when she left with Dante the following morning. Her dad didn't want her to go back but staying away from Dante was excruciatingly painful. "Hmm," Maya responded with a small smile. Even with little preparation, the presentation was a success. She was, no d