The woman’s bitter laugh sent shivers down my spine. “You think you can stop him? You have no idea what you’re dealing with. He’s dangerous, he'll kill you without a second thought.She stared at me, her eyes searching mine as if trying to find any hint of deceit. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourselves into. If you think you can fight him, you’re wrong. He’s too powerful. You’ll just end up like me broken, trapped, and hopeless.That’s why we’re here, I said, finding my voice. We need your help. You’ve seen more than anyone. You can give us the proof we need to bring him down.Her shoulders slumped slightly, but the suspicion in her eyes remained. “Why should I trust you?”Because we’re on your side, Melissa said, her tone softening. “We know the pain he’s caused. Let us help you end it.For a moment, the woman said nothing, her knife still trembling in her hand. Then, with a deep, shuddering breath, she let it fall to the floor. Her shoulders shook as she began to cry, her ha
Suddenly, a faint noise came from the direction of Sophia’s room. “Daddy!” her small voice called out.Tommy paused, his head snapping in the direction of the sound. After a moment, he turned and strode out of the room, his boots echoing down the hallway.I waited, every second stretching into eternity, until I was sure he was gone. Then, slowly, I eased myself out of the hiding spot, my body shaking from the adrenaline.The woman reappeared moments later, her face pale and tear-streaked. You have to leave,” she whispered urgently, her voice hoarse. Now. Before he comes back.I nodded, my legs barely supporting me as I moved toward the window. Melissa was waiting for me outside, her expression a mix of relief and worry as I climbed out.We need to get out of here, I said, my voice trembling as I recounted everything I’d just witnessed.As we hurried away into the night, I couldn’t shake the image of the woman’s haunted eyes. The distant sound of Tommy’s car fading away filled me with
The day is Friday, June 5th. I jolted awake, rubbing my eyes to clear the sleep from them, and froze when I glanced at the clock. 8:15 AM. “Oh my God!” I gasped, throwing off the covers. I was late. My train was scheduled to leave at 9:00, and here I was, still in bed. I scrambled to the bathroom, brushing my teeth while trying to figure out what to wear. After a quick shower, I threw on a simple yellow dress, shoved my files into my bag, and rushed out the door. There was no time for breakfast, not even toast. The streets were as noisy as ever. Everston was always bustling in the mornings. Cars honked at every turn, street vendors called out to advertise, and people hurried along the sidewalks, too busy to notice anyone around them. I flagged down a cab, hopped in, and held my breath as we weaved through the endless traffic. By the time I reached the station, My stomach growled, but there was no time to stop. I managed to grab a quick iced coffee from a stand near the entranc
It was dark outside, the cool night air brushing against my skin as I ran down the street. The letter was still in my bag, its words replaying in my mind. *I’m not your real mother.* I kept running, hoping the motion would clear my thoughts, but nothing helped. I couldn’t outrun the truth. Eventually, I stopped at a bench on the side of the road and sat down, burying my face in my hands. What was I supposed to do now? Go back home and let her finish explaining? Or head to work at the club, pretending like nothing had happened? The disappointment from this morning still clung to me, but now it was overshadowed by something deeper. Who was I? Where did I come from? And why had my real parents abandoned me? The questions spun in my head, relentless and unforgiving. For the first time in my life, I felt completely lost. As I walked down the road, the cool evening air brushed against my skin, but it did little to calm the storm raging inside me. My thoughts churned like restless
Mrs parker’’s eyes darted towards me,her expression a mix of surprise and delight,my heart stopped,this must be a joke,he definitely doesn't mean me I thought,my pulse racing, surely I heard wrong. But the stillness in the room confirmed otherwise.''Are you certain, Mr Black ?’’ Mrs Parker asked,her voice soft, testing.He didn't answer,he didn't need to.The silence was his confirmation.with a nod,Mrs Parker clapped her hand ushering the strippers away.Then she turned to me,her smile sharp as a knife.” Come with me” she said, grabbing my arm and leading me out of the room.She dragged me to a private staff lounge,her grip firm as though I might escape, “ Listen Luna” she started her tone with a mix of sternness and persuasion. “This is a one time thing.Do whatever he asks,and that's it. you're done.”I am not a stripper boss,I protested, my voice trembling. I'm here to serve drinks,not sex‘’Nonsense'’ she snapped, cutting me off, “who said anything about sex?he does not want sex, he
Romano released my hand and moved closer, before I could react,his hands wrapped around my throat,not tight enough to hurt,but firm enough to send shivers down my spine. Then I realized how hopelessly outmatched I was."Let me go," I said, my voice trembling as I clutched his arm with both hands, desperate to loosen his grip."Beg for mercy," he demanded, his cold voice devoid of empathy.I shook my head defiantly, but his grip on my throat tightened, making it harder to breathe. Panic surged through me, and I finally whispered, "I'm sorry. Please forgive me."A sinister smile played on his lips. "Good girl," he said, releasing me abruptly as if I were nothing.I stumbled back, gasping for air, my hands rubbing my sore neck. I felt crushed beneath the weight of his cruel dominance, but I refused to let him see me cry. Without another word, I stormed out of the room, holding back the tears threatening to spill.As I made my way down the dimly lit corridors of the club, my vision blurre
The medical personnel rushed in and out of the room, attending to my mother with urgency. I stood frozen by the door, soaked in her blood, but I didn’t care. The beeping of machines and the quick steps of the medical staffs were the only sounds I could hear. My eyes stayed locked on my mother’s still, unconscious form.I refused to leave her side, despite the repeated attempts by my neighbors to console me. They stayed with me for hours, I didn’t want their comfort; I wanted my mother back. But as the hours passed,they went home. Only Mrs. Laura stayed. Just before dawn, as the light of the early morning crept through the hospital’s windows, Mrs. Laura gently approached me. "Luna, you need to eat and rest," she said softly, her voice full of concern. "You’ve been here all night. Your mother’s going to be okay." But I shook my head, my grip tightening on my mother's hand. "No. I’ll stay with her. She needs me.""Your mother would want you to take care of yourself too," she said, he
I backed away until my back hit the wall. Romano followed, his towering frame closing in until there was no escape. My heart raced, and just as I was about to scream, he swiftly clamped his hand over my mouth.“There’s no need for that, sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice low and dangerous. His face was inches from mine now, his dark eyes boring into mine. For a moment, I felt as though he was searching for something, his gaze lingering longer than it should have.Something about those eyes,his intense, penetrating stare,a strange sense of familiarity in me, but I couldn’t place it.Then he broke the silence, nodding toward a piece of paper lying on the table nearby. His hand dropped from my mouth as he reached into his jacket and handed me a card. “You might need this,” he said flatly, his tone unreadable.He stepped back. My hands trembled as I cautiously moved to the table. I picked up the paper and unfolded it. What I saw made me gasp. My breath caught as I stared at it, disbelief
Suddenly, a faint noise came from the direction of Sophia’s room. “Daddy!” her small voice called out.Tommy paused, his head snapping in the direction of the sound. After a moment, he turned and strode out of the room, his boots echoing down the hallway.I waited, every second stretching into eternity, until I was sure he was gone. Then, slowly, I eased myself out of the hiding spot, my body shaking from the adrenaline.The woman reappeared moments later, her face pale and tear-streaked. You have to leave,” she whispered urgently, her voice hoarse. Now. Before he comes back.I nodded, my legs barely supporting me as I moved toward the window. Melissa was waiting for me outside, her expression a mix of relief and worry as I climbed out.We need to get out of here, I said, my voice trembling as I recounted everything I’d just witnessed.As we hurried away into the night, I couldn’t shake the image of the woman’s haunted eyes. The distant sound of Tommy’s car fading away filled me with
The woman’s bitter laugh sent shivers down my spine. “You think you can stop him? You have no idea what you’re dealing with. He’s dangerous, he'll kill you without a second thought.She stared at me, her eyes searching mine as if trying to find any hint of deceit. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourselves into. If you think you can fight him, you’re wrong. He’s too powerful. You’ll just end up like me broken, trapped, and hopeless.That’s why we’re here, I said, finding my voice. We need your help. You’ve seen more than anyone. You can give us the proof we need to bring him down.Her shoulders slumped slightly, but the suspicion in her eyes remained. “Why should I trust you?”Because we’re on your side, Melissa said, her tone softening. “We know the pain he’s caused. Let us help you end it.For a moment, the woman said nothing, her knife still trembling in her hand. Then, with a deep, shuddering breath, she let it fall to the floor. Her shoulders shook as she began to cry, her ha
I stepped forward, assisting Melissa as we carried Malia into the house and laid her gently on the couch. She was visibly intoxicated, her eyes half-open, her lips moving in a drunken mutter.I ran to the kitchen and grabbed a bowl of water, returning quickly to sprinkle it on her face. Mom knelt beside her, shaking her vigorously. "Malia! Malia, wake up!" she called desperately.Malia stirred slightly, her voice slurring as she mumbled, "He... he was there... He knows your plans... The truth... will be out..." Her arm weakly pointed at her mother, her words fading into gibberish."Malia, you’re drunk! What happened to you?" her mother demanded, panic thick in her voice. She turned sharply to Melissa, who was catching her breath. "Where did you find her? What happened?"I saw her stumbling out of a club, Melissa explained, her voice calm but tinged with concern. She was falling over herself, drunk and disoriented. I recognized her as Maya's sister and brought her here. I didn’t know w
What do you mean I can't be too sure?" Mom asked, turning back to me with a frown.I mean, you and Rufus go way back, but you haven’t seen each other in years. A lot can change, Mom, I said firmly, folding my arms.Her expression softened slightly, but her tone remained defensive. Luna, I know Rufus. He’s always been kind, honest, and trustworthy. There’s nothing to worry about.Well, I said, trying to choose my words carefully, you should still be cautious. People can change, especially after so long. Just try to keep your distance and watch closely.Mom sighed heavily, shaking her head. Luna, I don’t have time for this. she said, brushing past me.I watched her walk away, frustration building in my chest. She didn’t realize how dangerous this could be. Between Rufus reappearing in her life and Mr. Tommy’s increasingly suspicious behavior, it felt like the walls were closing in.This was overwhelming. I couldn’t involve the police,not yet. But I needed help. After much hesitation, I
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,