Astrella's point of view It felt like a crow had just flown over our heads, casting a shadow that left everyone frozen in time. The room had gone eerily silent, their gazes fixed on me as if I had stumbled upon a conversation that was never meant for my ears. The air was thick with tension, making me question if I had just interrupted something crucial. Wait did I?The man leaned closer to the woman beside him, whispering something that made her nod solemnly. Without a word, he turned to me, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. Before I could react, he grabbed my arm firmly and led me out of the club. The crowd’s curious whispers faded into the background as we moved swiftly through the dimly lit hallway and into the parking lot. Aahhh. I scream in my head out loud. This is kidnapping. The cool night air hit me, but it did little to calm the storm brewing inside. I struggled against his grip, yanking my arm free as we reached the edge of the
Astrella's point of view My sister and I begrudgingly decided to head to the boutique our mother had reserved for our gown fittings."We need to get our measurements for the gowns. It’s your engagement next week, remember?" Sereia asked, giving me a pointed look. I casually suggested we could skip the whole ordeal, but of course, she wasn’t having it. "Ugh, can’t we just do it after our mall tour?" I sighed, leaning back in the seat with a dramatic flair."Mall tour? Seriously? Have you lost it? What if Mom finds out? She’s got eyes everywhere, you know," she scolded, her expression somewhere between exasperation and disbelief.I rolled my eyes so hard I could see my brain. "Fine, fine. We’ll go for the measurements first," I huffed, crossing my arms like a sulking kid."Good. Finally, you’re acting like a responsible adult, Astrella Honey," she smirked triumphantly."Yeah, yeah, Sereia Love. I’m taking a nap. Wake me when we’re at the boutique," I muttered, already closing my eyes.
Astrella's point of view After our fitting, my sister stayed behind at the boutique, probably still chatting with the couturier. And me? Well, lucky me—I ended up with none other than Dax Donomie Martinelli the Great. Yep, the man himself, towering over me with that smug look plastered across his face.I glanced at his aviator sunglasses, itching to snatch them off. But let’s be real—he’s too tall, and I’m not about to attempt some acrobatic stunt just for that. Instead, I took a deep breath, hoping to channel some inner peace. It didn’t work. I headed toward the sidewalk, intending to wait for our car, but before I could even blink, Dax grabbed my arm and started dragging me toward his sleek black car. Great. Just great.“Where are we going, mister? And why are you dragging me like a caveman?” I asked, gritting my teeth in frustration. My mall tour was slipping through my fingers like sand.“We’re going to my company first. Then I’ll send you home,” he replied nonchalantly as if th
Astrella's point of view If looks could kill, Dax would be six feet under by now. Honestly, being with him was like watching paint dry. Not only was he dull, but he also had the audacity to be nosy, constantly sticking his nose into my business. Right now, we were at the bookstore, and surprise, surprise! He was complaining about my choices. I was picking up every dark romance book by my favorite authors, and he had the nerve to tell me not to buy them.“I swear, if you try to stop me one more time, I’ll smash your thick skull with this hardback,” I hissed, shooting him a glare that could curdle milk.He didn’t even flinch. His smug expression stayed firmly in place like he hadn’t heard a word. I took a deep breath, mentally counting to ten, and continued piling up my treasures. At least he wasn’t stopping me, small victories.Moving on to the Danmei section, my heart practically exploded with joy when I spotted my favorite titles. I was about to grab one when his annoying voice inte
Astrella's point of view The day has come, and for reasons beyond me, I'm fidgety and I don't know why. I took a deep sigh. It feels like this engagement is cursed as if the universe itself is bracing for some impending doom. I push the thought aside, letting my eyes wander around the venue.We're at the Martinelli Villa Banquet Hall, extravagant, and dripping with luxury. What else would you expect from the multi-billionaire Dax Donomie Martinelli? Oh, and let’s not forget his mafia ties. But hmmm, I may pretend that he’s the good kind of mafia, helping people in secret like some dark Robin Hood.I'm dressed in my pristine white gown, I find myself lurking by the side of the mini-stage, waiting for Dax. The MC is stalling, entertaining the guests while the man of the hour makes his grand, fashionably late entrance. A small, treacherous part of me hopes he won't show, that this whole charade will implode gloriously. But, of course, fate has other plans.Dax’s entourage floods the ha
Astrella's point of view We finally got to Dax's base after what seemed like a hundred years. Martinelli Solutions Security stood tall, and its sleek, modern front looked like it belonged in the city. The building's tinted windows let in a soft glow from the city lights, and a small logo gave away the force inside. Even though it wasn't flashy, it had an air of quiet power about it that sent a message to anyone who dared to question its purpose. As we walked in, the reception room was simple but well-run. A few security cameras flashed on the walls, and the furniture was sleek, useful, and definitely in style. Every element exuded efficiency, yet there was a distinct hint of something deeper and more sinister. The staff moved carefully, their outfits were clean, and their eyes were always focused on their tasks. Clearly, this wasn't a normal security company. “Wow,” I murmured, my voice laced with a mix of awe and suspicion. “So, you mean to tell me this is all above board? Really
Astrella's point of view We are now hiding out in the Martinelli private house as a temporary place to stay while the ambush's effects are still being felt. Even though the masterminds have been found, security is still tight. It always serves as a sign that my life is not normal anymore. Being associated with a Mafia Don is no longer normal for me. Every time I go outside, I feel like I'm in a live-action movie. It's so different from everyday life. It feels like surpassing the status of a celebrity, but now, fame is accompanied by bullets rather than bright lights.I chose to stay in my sister Sereia's room to find a little bit of a normal life. Sometimes, being alone can make me feel a bit abnormal. The conversation and company help to block out the risks, if only for a short time. But what bothers me the most is Mom and Dad's yelling at each other through the walls in the next room, sounding like two stubborn teens. Their fight over what happened at the engagement party hasn't di
Astrella's point of view The next morning, we gathered in the courtyard of the Martinelli villa, the morning air thick with tension. I scanned the crowd, my heart pounding. Oh, so everyone from the engagement party is here? The murmurs and whispers were almost deafening, with each word laden with suspicion."I heard we’re gathered here because there’s a traitor among us," someone whispered, and even though it was hard to hear, the sound was clear enough to break the silence."Yeah, there’s a traitor," another man murmured to his friend, but I caught every word. "I don’t get how they got access with security that tight.""Of course, it’s an inside job," his friend replied, his tone grim. "Tight security means nothing if someone inside is good at manipulation.""You’re right," the man nodded, their conversation fading into the background as I tried to keep my composure.I looked all over quickly to find my parents. We had gone down together, but they were gone now. Fear ripped at my ch
Dax Donomie's point of view Astrella sits across from me, her gaze steady and unyielding, as if she knows I’m about to deliver some unspeakable truth. I can see the tension in her body; the way her shoulders tighten betrays her expectation of danger, of reckless decisions I’m about to unfold. I take a deep breath, the air filling my lungs and weighing me down. My hands ball into fists at my sides. The thoughts swirling in my mind are chaotic, but one sentiment stands out like a lighthouse in a storm: I can’t let her be used as a pawn in this twisted game. Even if it means she might resent me for it. So, I do what I know best—I push her away. "You can go," I say, my voice flat and emotionless, as if it belongs to someone else entirely. "You’re free." This really feels like Deja Vu. This happened five years ago too. Damn. Am I going to repeat my mistakes again? Her eyes widen in disbelief. "What?" I back away, shoving my hands deep into my pockets, forcing myself to maint
Dax Donomie's point of view After wrapping up the meeting with Norio and Yael, everything was settled, smooth, clean, and just the way I wanted it. Keyu had his own mess to deal with, negotiating a truce with his so-called rival, the one breathing down his neck for the number two spot in the mafia. They had their conditions, but that wasn’t my story to tell. What mattered was that with that settled, we could finally focus on taking down Jasper and Astrella’s father. This was years in the making. Five years ago, I should have died. By all logic, I was supposed to be rotting in the dirt, another casualty in Jasper’s bloodstained path. And honestly? For a moment back then, I thought I was. When I saw the figure looming over me after that war, I was convinced it was one of Jasper’s minions, here to finish the job. My body was wrecked, my vision hazy, and I was choking on my own blood. But the hit never came. Instead, it was Keyu. Turned out, he had his own reasons to be watchin
Astrella's point of view It's the third day of my menstrual cramps, and it hurts like hell. I’d done everything, rolling around on my bed like a dying fish, stretching, deep breathing, even sacrificing my dignity to attempt those weird yoga poses I saw online. Sometimes, the pain would ease up, but then it would return with a vengeance like it had unfinished business with my uterus. My distress was interrupted when there was a knock at the door. I was curled up in bed, gripping my heating pad as if it were the only thing that was keeping me alive. I groaned. Too much effort to get up. "Who’s there?" I yelled. "It’s me, Ciejill! Can I come in? You’ve been locked up in your room for almost a day!" she yelled back. I sighed dramatically and forced myself up, dragging my feet to the door like a zombie. The moment I opened it, I was greeted by Ciejill’s overly enthusiastic grin.
Astrella's point of view I bit the inside of my cheek as the bodyguard bolted out the door, probably off to break someone’s face on Dax’s orders. "Dax," I snapped, trying to get his attention, but he was too busy clenching his fists like he was seconds away from turning this place into a crime scene. He didn’t even glance at me. I took a deep breath, rolled my eyes, and clapped a hand on his shoulder. That got his attention. He turned, glaring at me like I’d just personally offended his entire bloodline. Yeah, yeah. I was used to this. His temper, his brooding, his 'I’ll kill anyone who looks at you wrong' energy. "I think I need to change," I said, lowering my voice a bit. "And I need tampons too." That got him. His nostrils flared just a little, but to his credit, he didn’t even make a face. Just pulled out his phone and
Astrella's point of view "Come on," the man snapped, yanking at my wrist, but I dug my heels in and refused to move. Then his hand dipped into his thin pocket. My stomach flipped as I caught a glimpse of something small and white between his fingers. What the fvcking a pill? Shit. Shit. Shit. I knew this club was too good to be true. The luxury, the exclusivity all a façade. The real business was happening behind these doors. And I had walked straight into it. Panic surged through me. I had no choice. With zero hesitation, I sank my teeth into his hand. "Son of a—!" he cursed, his grip loosening just enough. I wrenched my arm free and took off, my heartbeat becoming increasingly loud in my ears. Then something like a fist slammed into my abdomen. Ughhh, fvcking hell. I sucked in a sharp breath as pain exploded through me, my legs nearly buckling. Not now. Not now, please. W
Astrella's point of view I washed my hands and stared at my reflection in the mirror, smirking. Alright, time to ditch my babysitter, aka bodyguard. Pushing the restroom door open just a crack, I peered outside. The two bodyguards were still stationed near the entrance, standing like statues, eyes scanning the hallway, completely unaware that I was about to make their night very difficult. Then, luck struck. A group of drunk, giggling women, swaying in their stilettos and chattering loudly, came in. Perfect cover. When they got inside, one of the women stepped into the cubicle. I waited for a minute after they finished their things. When they were going out, I quickly stepped out, keeping my head down, timing my movements perfectly to blend in. The girls passed by my guards, who barely gave them a glance. They were too busy guarding the restroom door. Idi
Astrella's point of view The moment we pulled up in front of the place, I realized I was dead wrong about what kind of bar this was. I expected the usual, a dimly lit club with thumping bass, sweaty bodies grinding on each other, and cheap liquor served in overpriced glasses. But this? This is something else. The entrance alone screams exclusivity. The building is slender, modern, and bathed in golden ambient lighting. A long line of expensive cars is parked out front, the kind that only the elite can afford. The people walking toward the doors are dressed in designer from head to toe, confidence dripping from them like expensive cologne. A bouncer stands at the entrance, built like a damn tank, his arms crossed as he eyes each guest. No one just walks in here. This isn’t the kind of place you stumble into after a long night out. As we approach, he barely glances at Dax before holding out a gloved hand. “Car
Astrella's point of view After the talk, we all went back to our respective rooms in this hellhole. I let out a deep sigh, already feeling the exhaustion settle into my bones. Finally, a moment to breathe. I was about to collapse onto the bed when someone pounded on my door like the damn shít. Jeez. These guys really know how to get on my nerves. I just stared at the door for a second, just to piss off whoever was on the other side. Let them stew in their impatience. Then, with a huff, I sprinted over and yanked it open. “What do you want?” I snapped, my forehead creasing when I came face to face with Dax. His gaze swept over me, slowly, like he was analyzing every inch. I rolled my eyes, already annoyed. What? Never seen a woman in an oversized shirt before? My blouse was too big, practically swallowing me whole, making my shorts barely visible.
PRESENT Five years later Astrella's point of view We were in what I guess you could call a meeting room, though it felt more like a waiting room for lost souls. Me, Dax, and Keyu—each in our own little worlds. Ciejill, meanwhile, was off in the corner, practically drooling over a painting on the wall like it was some billion-dollar masterpiece straight out of an auction. I swear, the way she was staring at it, you’d think she just found the cure for stupidity. I shifted my gaze back to Dax and Keyu. Dax was in deep thought, his fingers lightly tracing his lips like he was trying to solve the meaning of life or some other bullshit. Keyu, on the other hand, wasn’t even pretending to be invested—his eyes were locked on Ciejill. Seriously? Why the hell was I even here if they were all lost in their own dramatic thought spirals? I slammed my palm against the tab