i choose....

Chapter nine(I choose….)

Sapphire's Point Of View:

I looked to my left, looking into a quieter and darker road.

For some reason, I heard this tiny voice in my head, 'Go, Sapphire.’. what the fuck?!

I gladly followed the voice and went into the road that was as silent, dark and empty as a graveyard. As I walked in, I encountered multiple abandoned buildings.

I saw a dimly lit space ahead, it was an opened warehouse. I entered the silent warehouse. It was so silent that my breath echoed in the space.

But at least it was lit.

A mysterious man emerged from the shadows. He had jet black hair that complimented his midnight blue eyes. His shoulders were broad, making him look more muscular than he actually was.

He was quite tall with jaw-dropping looks, not just his looks were jaw-dropping, his enchanting eyes were manipulative.

He wore black long leather jacket that reached his knees, they had long strips by the waist. Compliment with a black shirt, and black pants.

He steadily approached me and stretched out his hand for a handshake. I declined his handshake timidly.

He smirked, returning his hand into his pocket.

“I have an offer for you, Sapphire Sage.” He called. I swallowed the lump in my throat, my grasp tightening on my bag as I felt uneasiness wash over me.

“I-..." I didn't know what to say.

“It be of benefit to both parties.”.

I slightly nodded, lowering my gaze as I took a step back.

His demeanor was a huge red flag for me and I felt danger lurking in the atmosphere.

“I know about the contract marriage with Landon Rykhard and I know you're starting to have feelings for him but you know you need to kill them because you love your boyfriend. You're stuck. I know”.

My eyes widened.

“I can help you if you help me. Landon is a mafia lord, you should know. I know everything about him but you don't, he's a web of lies and secrets that you can't untangle, you can only get rid of him instead. If you decline the contract, let's work hand in hand to take down his empire and you'll get back with your boyfriend, Tyler Danvers, and I'll make sure to give you a nice job and elevate your mafia family.”.

I swallowed hard on my saliva, taking a deep breath as I thought about it. I was stuck between my loyalty to Landon and my feelings for Tyler. I'd basically choose Tyler of course, who wouldn't? But I was unsure of who this mysterious man was and how he knew about me.

I took another deep breath, finally arriving at my decision, “I….”.

Abrupt footsteps interrupted. My lowered gaze caught a glimpse of a shadow of a man which emerged further as the footsteps became more audible.

“Sapphire, don't." Landon's voice echoed in the warehouse. I turned back to see Landon standing behind me. He had his gaze fixed on the man. His eyes were blaring with anger and burning with rage.

They both glared at each other, creating a tense atmosphere. They stood like mannequins for several second before Landon broke the silence.

“You lunatic!" Landon called between gritted teeth.

"You are the lunatic here. Let the girl choose who she trusts and so be it, okay? Now, Sapphire, choose" The man replied.

“Fine. Sapphire…" Landon's eyes traveled to mine, "Choose. At your own risk.”.

I took a deep breath, trying to redirect my thoughts. 'at your own risk’.

It seemed as if the mysterious man was someone who's been lurking and he knew everything, including hidden secrets. But Landon was someone I knew, even if he's said to be a web of lies, at least I already builded a relationship with him even though it was a crazy one.

Would I rather choose a stranger who offered to tie me loose from my problems and let me have the opportunity to return to the love of my life happily with a nice job and a nice mafia family. Or would I rather choose a man I knew a little about who didn't give me the chance to have the love of my life, and is said to have dirty secrets, a man who would give me the opportunity to have the family asset and a nice job?

A considerate stranger or a toxic man? Tyler or no Tyler? A plain man who knew everything and was trying to save me or the everything itself?

I was stuck. Yes, Tyler was one of my top priority but…… arrghhh

Darn it! This was the most tense moment of my life, I was fighting with my own thoughts. I scrambled for the perfect decision but both seemed equally good and equally bad.

Oh, darn it!

“I choose……”