I approached him cautiously, unsure of what to expect.“Miss Vargas,” he said, his tone formal but quieter than usual. It fits perfectlyYes it does, I responded. Before I could say anything, he turned to the crowd and said, “Mingle. Make connections. But remember,you represent this company tonight.”“Yes, sir,” I replied, my voice steady.He turned away, leaving me standing there once again. I couldn’t decide if I felt relieved or disappointed. But I pushed those thoughts aside, reminding myself why I was here.As the evening progressed, I did as Romano instructed. I introduced myself to other attendees, shared insights from our meetings, and even found myself enjoying the company of some of my colleagues. But no matter where I was or who I spoke to, I could feel Romano’s presence in the room, like a shadow that refused to leave.Just as I tried to enjoy the moment, A tall, handsome guy approached me. Smiling warmly, His confidence was evident in the way he carried himself.Miss Varg
I can’t do this, I blurted, my voice barely above a whisper but loud enough for him to hear. I pulled away from his grip, taking a shaky step back.Romano’s brow furrowed slightly, Without another word, I turned and walked away, weaving through the crowd until I found a quiet corner of the grand venue.My heart was pounding, and I pressed my hand to my chest, trying to steady my breathing. I leaned against the wall, staring at nothing in particular, my mind replaying the dance.Why does he affect me like this? Why does he have this hold over me?I felt my phone vibrate in my clutch and hurriedly pulled it out. Seeing my mom’s name on the screen, I let out a relieved sigh and answered the video call.Luna Mom’s voice was warm and full of joy. Look at you Oh my goodness, my baby girl looks like a movie star.I couldn’t help but smile, it’s nothing serious really,I said, laughing softly.Not that serious? she exclaimed, adjusting her camera to get a better look at me. You look stunning.
Now he was my boss, and somehow, that felt even more overwhelming. I gripped the sheets, willing the thoughts away, but they stayed. The next morning, I walked into the office, greeted by smiles and applause.Great job at the meeting, Luna one of my colleagues called out.We saw you on the live stream another added.I thanked them, feeling both proud and embarrassed by the attention. It was only then that I realized a part of the meeting had been streamed back to Aurora Innovations.As I reached my desk, Mr. James Carter, my team leader, called out from his office. “Luna, could you step in for a moment?”I walked in, closing the door behind me. He gestured for me to sit, his warm smile instantly putting me at ease.Luna, he began, leaning back in his chair, I just wanted to personally congratulate you. You did an exceptional job during the trip.“Thank you, Mr. Carter,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. It means a lot.He chuckled. “No need to be so formal. We’re all proud of
I shook my head quickly. No, I will manage. I just need a little time to refocus.”He studied me for a moment, then nodded. Alright. But don’t push yourself too hard. If you need to talk or take a break, my door’s always open.“Thank you, sir,” I said, grateful for his understanding.The walk home was filled with more thoughts about Malia, and when my phone buzzed, Minho’s name flashed across the screen. I hesitated, then ignored the call. I wasn’t ready to talk to him.When I reached home, I opened the door to find the house in complete disarray. Furnitures overturned, random objects were strewn everywhere. My heart sank.Malia I yelled, storming through the house.I found her in my room. The sight stopped me in my tracks,clothes, books, and belongings were scattered across the floor, and my bed was unmade, the sheets tangled and tossed aside.“Malia, what is wrong with you?” I shouted, my anger boiling over.She turned to me, her expression cold and defiant. Hey, you listen to me, s
I took the phone, my hands trembling. The message read: Minho, I could never be with someone like you. You disgust and irritate me,I regret the day I met you, you're worthless, I have a better man You and your family are beneath me. Please don’t contact me again.My jaw dropped. Minho, this isn’t me. I didn’t send this.Then who did?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.I don’t know, I whispered, shaking my head. But someone used my phone to do this. Please, Minho, you have to believe me.He stared at me for a long moment, his expression softening slightly. “And what do you want me to do, Maya? Miss my flight?”Without thinking, I screamed, “I love you, Minho! And yes, I’ll be your girlfriend.Heads turned, and I could feel the weight of a hundred eyes on me, but I didn’t care.Minho froze mid-step. Slowly, he turned around, his gaze locked on me. Before he could say anything, I ran to him and wrapped my arms around him tightly. “Please believe me. I could never say such things
You don’t have to say anything, he said quickly. I just want you to know how much you mean to me.On weekends, Minho would take me to explore new places. a serene lake where we rented a paddle boat, or a sunflower field that stretched as far as the eye could see.At the sunflower field, I spun around in awe. This is incredible.You’re more beautiful than any flower here, Minho said, pulling me into a hug.I laughed, playfully punching his arm. You’re such a flirt. And you love it, he teased, planting a kiss on my forehead.Being with Minho felt like a dream I never wanted to wake up from. He made me laugh, listened when I needed to talk. Despite the chaos Malia had brought into my life, Minho was my anchor, keeping me steady and reminding me that happiness was still possible.I got home later than usual, the house illuminated warmly in the evening glow. As I stepped inside, the aroma of spices and rich flavors greeted me. Sniffing the air, I grinned. I walked to the kitchen and foun
Her reassurance cut deep, a mixture of betrayal and sadness swelling within me. I tiptoed away, making sure to be seated at the dining table before Mom emerged from the room.The next day, I found myself alone in Romano’s expansive office. His commanding aura seemed to fill the room even in his absence. I sat stiffly in the leather chair, my hands folded tightly in my lap as I stared at the pristine desk.It was the first time I’d been alone with him since the business trip. The quiet of the room amplified my nervousness. My heart pounded, and I tried to summon the courage to stay composed.The door creaked open behind me. My back straightened, but I refused to turn.Then came his voice, deep and authoritative. I don’t want any disturbances. No one is allowed to enter my office.I shivered. He didn’t even address me yet, but his tone sent chills through me. His footsteps echoed on the polished floor, growing louder as he approached from behind.I felt him stop close to me,too close. H
I stood there for a moment, holding the delivery bag in one hand, staring at her. I raised my free hand and gave her a small wave, hoping to be friendly. She returned it with a faint, almost hesitant smile before stepping back and disappearing behind the curtain.There was something about her sadness, her unhappiness that gnawed at me.Her pale complexion, something is obviously wrong.Maya Mom called from the house, snapping me out of my thoughts.Coming I shouted back, glancing at the window one last time. She wasn’t there anymore.Shaking off the uneasiness, I walked back inside.It was night and we had all prepared for their arrival. When the knock came at the door, Malia rushed to open it. When the door opened, there he was our new neighbor, Mr. Tommy, standing tall with his little daughter by his side. To my surprise, it was just the two of them. My mind wandered to the pale woman I’d seen at the window earlier. Why wasn’t she with them? But I quickly brushed off the thought, n
That left just Minho and me, standing together in the terminal, trying to make the most of the dwindling moments we had left. We talked quietly, sharing memories, hopes, and promises. Each word felt like a thread tying us together, even as time worked to unravel us.When the boarding announcement came, my chest tightened. I pulled him into the tightest hug I could muster, feeling his warmth one last time. He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead, his lips lingering as if trying to leave a part of himself behind.I’ll miss you, Luna, he whispered, his voice heavy with emotion.I’ll miss you more, " I replied, my throat constricted with unshed tears.As he turned to walk toward the gate, we kept waving at each other, clinging to the last seconds of connection. He disappeared down the jetway, but I stayed, watching his plane rev into the sky until it was a mere speck. The roar of the engines faded, leaving behind an aching silence. I swallowed hard, determined to hold back my tears.With
My breath hitched. Their conversation seemed casual, but their body language suggested familiarity too much for my comfort. Rufus leaned in close to say something, and my mother laughed lightly, her face lighting up.What was she doing with him? And why did they look so comfortable together?A thousand questions flooded my mind. How did they know each other? Was she involved in whatever dark dealings Rufus was entangled in? The thought was too unsettling to bear.I froze, torn between confronting them or staying hidden. My heart raced, pounding louder with each passing second. As they walked closer to the bridge, I instinctively ducked behind a nearby pillar, peeking out just enough to keep them in view.“Why are you hiding?” Minho’s voice startled me from behind, causing me to jump. He held two bottles of soda in his hands, looking at me with confusion.I grabbed his arm, pulling him into the shadows with me. “Shh!” I whispered urgently, nodding toward the approaching figures.Minho
His smirk returned, he reached for a metal pipe and took a deep drag, exhaling thick, acrid smoke, Then with deliberate cruelty he forced my mouth open with his fingers,and blew the smoke directly into me.I gagged, the bitterness choking me,as the smoke invaded my lungs, almost immediately I felt my body grow weak, my strength draining, My visions blurred, everything dissolving into darkness.I tried to hold on to something,but the overwhelming haze pulled me under,and I lost consciousness.The flash of light burned into my eyes, forcing me awake. I instinctively rubbed them, groaning softly, only to jolt upright when I saw a familiar face, the bodyguard from the club, Romano’s right-hand man. He was pointing a flashlight at me, his expression stern.Don’t you want to go home?” he asked, switching off the light as I raised my hand to block it.I blinked a few times, adjusting to the dimness of dawn. He turned to sit properly in the driver seat, facing forward. My eyes darted to my si
His words struck me like a blow, leaving me speechless.Romano turned back to the door, gripping the knob tightly. His next words were cryptic. “The disappointment was a blessing in disguise,” he muttered.I frowned, confused. “What does that even mean?” I asked, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he opened the door and left without another word.Alone in the house, I sank into a chair, my mind racing. Flashes of everything that had happened ran through my head, and I remembered the hidden photo I’d seen in Rufus’s pocket, the one of Joey’s father. Could Rufus have been involved in his death?I thought about Romano. Who was he, really? Could he be some kind of gang leader? How much did he know?.One thing was certain,Romano was far more than just a branch manager. The questions burned in my mind, but the answers felt just out of reach.The questions weighed heavily on me as I lay down, trying to rest. Romano hadn’t returned, and the emptiness of the house only amplified my unease. What if
I nodded, hiding my fear behind a practiced smile. My hands trembled slightly as I unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his bare chest and rounded belly. He sat on the bed, patting the space beside him, motioning for me to join. I hesitated but eventually sat, keeping as much distance as I could.Rufus’s demeanor shifted, his touches becoming more forward. My skin crawled, but I played along, feigning calmness while my heart raced.Just as his hand grazed my arm again, the door flung open with a loud bang. I jerked in surprise, and Rufus turned sharply. The man who entered looked dangerous, his expression thunderous.He stormed over to us, handing Rufus the same photos Romano had given me earlier. Rufus studied them, and his face darkened with anger. Without warning, he turned to me, his eyes blazing with rage.Youhe spat, grabbing me by the shoulders and pushing me down onto the bed. His hands were around my throat in an instant, choking me as I struggled to breathe.I clawed at his arms,
There was a tense pause before Tommy added, It’s always good to have neighbors who care enough to keep an eye out. Don’t you agree?”Malia nodded enthusiastically. Absolutely We’re all about looking out for each other in this neighborhood.I forced a weak smile, my palms clammy. Of course.Tommy’s smile returned, but his eyes never softened. “Well, if you ladies ever have any concerns, feel free to come to me directly. I’d hate for there to be any misunderstandings.Malia laughed nervously. “Noted, Mr. Tommy.Have a good day, ladies,” Tommy said, his tone polite but firm.He turned and walked back toward his house, leaving me and Malia standing in awkward silence.Why did you go up to him like that?” I hissed at her.What was I supposed to do? Pretend we didn’t see anything?” Malia shot back. Besides, he seemed nice.Nice?” I echoed, staring at her in disbelief. He gives me the creeps.Malia shrugged. “You’re always overthinking, Maya. Not everyone is bad like you. She said and walked
Done, Rufus replied without hesitation.I felt my stomach churn. Was I being sold? Was this part of the plan?Wait do the other workers at Aurora innovations, aware of this other version of their boss romano.She’ll make a good prey, Rufus said, stepping closer to me until his face was mere inches away. His breath reeked of cigars and whiskey. Or perhaps just a massage? Maybe I’ll start by feeling the warmth of your body, he said with a leering laugh.She’ll make a very good distraction,Romano added, nodding in agreement, his tone betraying no concern.I forced a hollow smile, every muscle in my body screaming at me to run. Romano then took my hand, and we exited the room.Back in the quieter confines of another space, my fury erupted. What the hell is all this?” I demanded, yanking my hand away from his grip. “Whatever game you’re playing, count me out. I’m not doing this anymore. I’m not coming back here,This is sickening.Romano’s gaze darkened, his voice sharp and dismissive. “You
This sounds like a terrible idea, I said, running a hand through my hair. You’re putting my life on the line for something I don’t even understand.Your life’s already on the line, he said sharply, standing now and towering over me. Every moment you’re out there, you’re vulnerable. Romano leaned against the edge of the table, his dark eyes locked onto mine.Tonight, he began,The man will be at the casino. Your role is simple but critical,you’ll need to get inside his head and his heart.I frowned, confused. What exactly do you mean?”You’ll use your body language, your voice, and your words. Make him fall for you. Gaining his trust, Romano explained, pulling out his phone and showing me a picture of a red box with intricate carvings on its surface. “Once you’re with him, look for this box. It’s the key to everything.I swallowed hard, my mind racing. “What happens after tonight?”You’ll be returning to this casino. Coming and going from home won’t work,it’s too risky and might blow o
I reached my room, shut the door behind me, and locked it. Leaning against the door, I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging inside me.As I walked home after a long day at work, a black car pulled up beside me. The window rolled down, and a familiar voice called out, calm yet commanding.Get in the car.I stopped, startled. It was Romano, sitting in the driver’s seat, his face as unreadable as ever. He didn’t even glance in my direction.Romano, what.Don’t ask questions, he interrupted, his voice firm. Just get in.For a moment, I hesitated, unsure of what to do. But something about his tone left no room for argument. Without another word, I opened the door and slid into the passenger seat.The silence in the car was palpable as he drove, his focus entirely on the road. After a while, I gathered the courage to speak. "Where are we going?"He didn't answerAfter a short drive, we pulled up to a large, dimly lit building. The glowing neon sign above read "Cas