Stay behind me, Minho said firmly, stepping in front of me. His body shielded mine completely, and I held onto his arm, trembling with fear.But the man didn’t fire. Instead, he stared for a moment before abruptly speeding off, the sound of the engine fading into the distance.Who was that i asked minho? And why does he want to hurt us? I asked, Believe me, may I have absolutely no idea.We stood there in stunned silence, the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I clung to Minho tighter than ever, my fingers gripping his shirt. He looked down at me, his face still calm despite the chaos.“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice gentle but steady.I nodded, though my legs felt like jelly. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. Let’s leave . It’s not safe out here.Mateo decided to take me to his friend's house since my place was a bit far. I sat quietly in his car, my nerves still rattled from the night's events. Sensing my unease, Mateo reached over and took my hand in
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
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
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
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
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,
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
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
Damien nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. “Sometimes, not having a plan is the best plan. Just go with the flow, till you figure something out.“Wise words,” I said with a smile. And he chuckled.We continued talking about everything and nothing, laughter filling the car as we made our way to Silver Hills, and enjoying each other's company. Before I knew it, we had arrived. The place was breathtaking, its grand exterior buzzing with excitement. Elegantly dressed people filled the area, each one a walking masterpiece of style. Fashion was at its peak, selfies were being snapped, photographers darted around capturing moments, and flashes illuminated the vibrant scene.I stepped out of the car, awestruck by the glamorous chaos. My eyes wandered from one dazzling display to another, taking in the colorful gowns, tailored suits, and radiant smiles. It was as if I’d stepped into a world where art and elegance collided. For a moment, I got lost in it all.“Looks like someone’s a little ench
“Well,” I muttered to myself, “whoever moves in there next better be a truly good neighbor.With a sigh, I turned and walked into my house. The quiet hit me immediately. Mom isn't home yet. I wandered into the living room and noticed the small, enlarged photo of me I had taken at Aurora Innovations. Picking it up, I stared at my younger, happier self, frozen in that moment.As I gazed at the picture, thoughts of Romano began flooding my mind again. Memories of everything he had done, both good and bad, came rushing in like a tide I couldn’t control. I shook my head, setting the photo down.“No,” I whispered to myself firmly. “I’m not ready. I can’t go back.”Placing the photo back in its spot, I retreated to my room, trying to push the thoughts away. But what I didn’t know was that the following months would bring mysteries unraveling, wounds reopened, and revelations I wasn’t prepared for.A future so uncertain.A nightmare in the daylight was dawning.The city was alive with noise a
As I opened the door, my eyes widened in surprise. Standing there were Mrs. Harrington and Joey. They looked healthy and happy, their smiles lighting up the doorstep.Joey I exclaimed, and before I could say anything else, he rushed forward, wrapping his little arms around me. His warmth filled me with joy . Mom We have visitors I called over my shoulder, still hugging Joey.As I stepped back to let them in, I caught sight of another figure approaching. Antonio. He was walking toward us with his usual confident stride, a small smile playing on his lips. The sight of him filled me with a sense of relief and gratitude.When he reached me, I didn’t hesitate. I threw my arms around him in a warm embrace. ''Mr Antonio,” I said softly, pulling back just enough to look at him. He smiled down at me.Just then, Mom walked in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. She paused, her face lighting up with recognition. “Joey, my then little customer, she exclaimed, her voice filled with exci
Feeling safe, i turned around to reveal my saviour to Antonio, but he was nowhere to be found, i kept looking around, he was here i kept saying, yes i know tommy was here answered Antonio, no not tommy he escaped, I'm talking about the man who saved me from the house, as I turned to look at the house again, all i could see was it's ruins, and thick smoke roaring up into the sky. Go check it out, bring anyone and anything of value you can find, Antonio commanded his men.As you can see ma'am Melissa there's absolutely no one else here, with you, are you sure someone got you out, or you're just seeing things, i am certain mr Antonio, i was saved by a mask man, but i guess Antonio didn't believe me.We need to get you to the hospital, he said as he guided me away, in a helicopter.I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tightly. "Mom, you’re so strong. I’m so glad you’re safe now. Antonio truly is a hero.She pulled back slightly, brushing my hair from my face. You’re my strength, Lu
Antonio chuckled, crouching slightly to meet Joey’s gaze. That’s a noble goal, Joey,he said with a warm smile. You’ll be an amazing hero one day. Just remember to always protect those you love.We all shared a laugh, the tension in the air finally beginning to ease. Later, we checked on my mom, who was recovering well. She looked so much better, and to my relief, the doctor confirmed she could be discharged.With Mom cleared to leave, Melissa, Mom, and I headed home. Before Melissa left for her own house, Mom took her hands and thanked her sincerely for all her help. Melissa smiled and waved us off, leaving us at the door.As we walked inside, I couldn’t help but sigh in relief. “Home sweet home,” I murmured, sinking into the sofa and letting my body relax for the first time in what felt like forever.Mom sat beside me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. We’ve been through so much, Luna, she said softly, but we made it. I’m so proud of you.I leaned into her, grateful for her p
My heart stopped as Joey broke free from Tommy’s grasp and ran toward us, his little face pale with fear and tears streaming down his cheeks.Behind him, Tommy staggered, clutching his chest as blood blossomed across his shirt. He fell to the ground with a heavy thud.Then, like a hero , Mr. Antonio emerged, his gun still smoking in the broad daylight. Without hesitation, he ran to us as I and Joey knelt by Grandmother, frantically trying to wake her up.“Grandma! Please, wake up!” Joey cried, his small hands shaking her.The other men who were with Tommy fled the scene, chased by the officers who had arrived with Antonio. Chaos erupted as gunshots echoed in the distance, but my entire world narrowed to Grandmother lying motionless before us.Some officers apprehended and handcuffed Tommy, ignoring his injuries. He was still alive but groaning in pain as they dragged him away."We need to get her to the hospital, " I cried, my voice trembling.Without wasting a second, Antonio and I c
For a while longer, we stayed up, laughing and talking. He told me about his adventures like the time he accidentally spilled gelato on a street artist’s painting, or when he and Grandma got lost in a vineyard and ended up having the best picnic ever.As his eyelids grew heavy, I tucked him in and kissed his forehead. Goodnight, Joey. Sweet dreams.Goodnight, Luna,he murmured sleepily. I’m so glad you’re here.I’m glad, too, I whispered, watching him drift off. In that quiet moment, all my worries melted away. The following day, Joey and I decided to go grocery shopping. Grandma handed us some cash and sent us off, but I had already made up my mind to leave right after we were done. Knowing this, Grandma asked the maid to accompany us so she could take Joey back home.We had a blast at the store. Joey giggled endlessly as I placed him in the shopping cart and spun him around, his laughter echoing through the aisles. We bought everything Grandma had listed and by the time we were done
“Well, Luna,” she began, “things haven’t been easy for us since Joey’s father passed. It’s been a difficult journey grieving, trying to move forward, and, most of all, seeking justice for what happened.She paused, her gaze momentarily drifting to the window. “The loss of my son left a void that can never truly be filled. Joey adored his father, and it’s been heartbreaking to see him struggle to understand why someone would do such a terrible thing. It’s a question I ask myself every single day.Mrs. Harrington’s hands trembled slightly as she clasped them together on the table. “For the longest time, it felt like we were just shouting into the void. The authorities weren’t giving us answers. But then Mr. Antonio got involved. He’s been a beacon of hope for our family.She looked at me, her eyes filled with a mix of gratitude and determination. Antonio has gone above and beyond. He reopened the case when everyone else wanted to close it and forget. He’s dug deep into investigations,
The house was eerily quiet, every room turning up empty. My mind raced with questions. Had Tommy known Antonio was coming? Was he hiding them somewhere else?I finally stumbled back outside, my chest heaving as panic set in. Two of Antonio’s injured men were being loaded into an ambulance.Antonio walked up to me, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. “Luna,” he said, his voice steady but tinged with concern, we’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise you. But I wish you hadn’t come out here. Now he knows you’re involved. He might come after you or your mom.The weight of his words sank into me like a stone. “What do we do now?” I asked, my voice barely audible.I’ll assign some men to watch the area, Antonio replied. “You, your mom, and Melissa need to be extra careful. If you see or hear anything suspicious, call me immediately.The moment Antonio and his men left, the reality of the situation hit me like a tidal wave. I stood frozen, staring at the empty street where Tommy had disapp