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 tabAstrella'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.
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 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 "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 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 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.
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
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 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