Life, you never know where it'll take you. One moment, you are happy, laughing, giggling at the world around you and in the next second, eveything is snatched away from you, leaving you speechless with shock and grief, and you have no one to turn to, no one to hold onto.
Then you get to meet with this new emotion, it's called darkness. It hugs you, engulfs you in its warmth and you forget about the thin line between right and wrong. Now, darkness has called for me too, and I am unstoppable.The contract that my husband had signed with utter irritation is lying carelessly on the table as I am lost in my thoughts looking through the window."Return home by tomorrow then" my husband had said as he signed the contract, his clenched jaw giving away the abhorrence he feels with the idea."No.""No?""No. I want to spend these 30 days in the bahamas, the island you bought last year.""It's not possible, I am very busy-"Then make it possible, Shraf. You signed a contract.""The hell you are talking about! You know hard it is to reschedule my damn meetings and all this shit?"I snickered, "Your meetings are the last thing I care about right now and you know that, Shraf!""Oh for God's Sake" My husband mumbled as he stormed out of the restaurant and jumped into his car.And I stood there, as always, watching his back as he abandoned me to gather the broken pieces of my heart like he did a million times before."God, Why can't I get used to the hurt, the mind numbing, blood sucking pain he inflict on me everyday? How do I not get numb? How?!"I slowly sat down on my chair. The coffee I ordered for my husband was there, perfect as he wanted it to be, black, no sugar, no foam, and a pinch of salt and yet it was untouched. My husband didn't even bother to have a sip.The negative thoughts in my brain started boggling once again. Where did I fail? Why could I not make him see me? Is it because I was too perfect?! Did it make me boring? Oh who I am I kidding? My husband craved perfection, he was a perfectionist in every way, from head to toe, in every thing he does.Then Why?! Why not choose me?! I whimpered as these painful questions kept swirling in my head like a rising cyclone, thrashing against my nerves with their painful force. I couldn't take it anymore so I covered my ears and closed my eyes, only praying for death. Death, as sad as I had perceived it to be all my life, now it's my only relief. My saviour."Madamoiselle" The waiter's soft voice woke me up from my frenzy and I looked at him. He smiled at me nervously."Do I take the coffee back?" He asked, eying my husband's untouched coffee."Oh, yes. Take both of the coffee back." I had not touched my coffee either.The waiter appeared confused. I followed his gaze and to my utter shock discovered that the cup of coffee which I ordered for MYSELF is empty. Empty! Oh I hadn't touched that cup. My husband, my Oh So picky Husband had finished that non perfect sugary milky coffee latte by himself!Oh my God! Oh my God!I jumped straight from my seat and instantly called my psychiatrist and rambled everything to Erina. I was so excited that my usual poised calm voice came out squeaky and high. Why would it not be?! I just got a fudging clue!!!Maybe... Maybe, My husband was not that much of a perfectionist. Maybe... Maybe all he needed was a little bit of imperfection in his life and everything would be right, right?! Who was I kidding?!Of course I am right. That man never changed a tiniest bit of his routine or habit for anyone, hell would be there if there was any mistake. If he can switch from that bitter black coffee to coffee latte, he might as well switch from his dark Lucifer Avatar to my sweet Romeo!I landed on Bahamas at exactly 6 PM, alone. For my husband was so freaky about time that he would not even let his big toe touch the Bahamas ground before 12 Am, exactly the time of our contract commencement.I rolled my eyes and entered the villa. I needed to take a quick swim, so I instantly dropped my clothes and jumped on the pool naked. Who was there to see me anyway?Thoughts and questions again started clouding my mind, so I stopped my swim and walked into my kitchen to have a cup of coffee, not bothering to cover myself. I switched on the sound system and Ariana's beautiful voice started blasting around the kitchen. Her voice along with caffeine always had a magical effect on me. It immediately soothed my tensed neves and my body started moving with the song. It started slow, slight twirling on my tippy toes, my arms moved as if they were slow waves, slowly touching my body, fingers teasing my skin, as I moved them slowly over my navel, then brought them up feeling my belly, t
I didn't know what time it was, had no idea for how long I had been lying on the floor, my body numb lying on the hard tiles. The dried tears on my cheeks were the only thing I could feel right then. "Eva" I heard his voice but didn't bother to reply. I felt his warm jacket covering my body as he slowly lifted me up in his arms in bridal style. If it was another time, I would be as giddy as a teen girl who just had her first eye contact with her crush but then, I just felt empty. Empty and sad. Shraf walked up the staircase with me in his arms and before I knew, I was placed in a comfortable bed. It was dark in there so I could not clearly see but I felt his gaze. Oh that gaze, even in the darkness I could feel it penetrating through my soul. He sat beside me, one muscular arm still around my waist as his face leaned towards mine, his dark gaze piercing through me.I gulped. I had no fucking clue what was happening. I had never seen Shraf like this, even during our intimate moments,
It was pin drop silence around us. Pin Drop. I was holding my breath cause it felt like the sound of it would be too much. Shraf stood before me, his expression unexplainable but his aura was giving his anger away.I gulped. I knew I was playing a risky game but right now I was not enjoying it. It was scary to say the least. Shraf tightly closed his eyes, his jaws clenched as if trying to contain his anger. "Are you fucking kidding me?!" He said biting the words off.Oh.My.God. I didn't know I had a death wish as the next words came out of my mouth before I knew."Shraf Sinclaire doesn't take his deals lightly, does he?"With eyes lit up with anger, he walked towards me with slow strides like a predator walking towards it's prey. His eyes were locked on me making my heart beat so fast that I could hear it. With my heart in my throat, I started to go backwards trying to maintain a safe distance from my predator. Before I knew, I was against a wall with Shraf quickly closing the distan
The next morning was no different than the others except for the fact that I could still feel his lips on mine, his arms tight around my waist and his hardness on my core. It felt like I was stuck in that moment unable to move on from the best ten minutes of my life. "Don't play games with me, Eva' His words brushed by my ears again and again in the form of whispers as I sat silently in the darkness of my room.I laughed out loud."Don't play games"Games. It was all a fucking game to him while I was slowly dying inside. The pain stabbing through my heart was so unbearable to live with."Eva"Shraf's voice echoed through my room from the other side of the door. I did not respond."Eva, I know you are in there."No Shit Shelock. Again, I did not bother to reply."Eva" he called again, his voice strict, demanding to hear from me."No!" I shouted in defiance. I don't want to face him right now. "I am not going to open the door, Shraf. Go away."Everything went silent for a few seconds
He was staring right through my soul as he started walking towards me. The sound of the scattered glasses crushing under his feet made me look down in shock only to find out he was wearing slippers.I sighed in relief but my relief did not last long as he closed the distance between us in a second. Before I could figure out what was happening, I was hitched up by my waist and he sat me down on the table.Grabbing my thighs, he settled himself in between and stood there staring deep into my eyes. I don't know, if I was cowering with either fear or excitement, my thoughts were all jumbled up as he was impossibly close to me. Even after all these years, I couldn't make myself get used to his magnetic presence. A look at him all I need to turn into a messy puddle. The level of control he has over me is beyond my imagination.I gulped, as he put the bowl in his hand and brought a spoonful towards my mouth."Eat." his voice was calm but his piercing gaze was enough to warn me not to do any
The nightclub was just a short walk from my villa, and I could hear the music pumping as I got closer. The closer I got, the more excited I became. I was finally going to have some fun after five long years of misery.As I entered the club, I was hit by a wave of energy. The lights were flashing, the music was loud, and people were dancing everywhere. I made my way to the bar and ordered a drink.I stood at the bar, the pulsing beat of the music thumping through my body. It was a welcome distraction from the dull ache in my chest, the one that reminded me of what I had lost. I had put on my best poker face, my hair cascading in loose waves around my shoulders, a deep red lipstick giving me a sense of mystery.I scanned the crowd, observing people as they danced, laughed, and drank. Everyone was lost in their own world, lost in the euphoria that the nightclub offered. I wondered if they, too, were pretending like I was, hiding their pain and heartbreak behind a mask of smiles and loud m
As soon as I stepped through the door of the villa, I knew something was wrong. The air was thick with tension, a palpable weight that settled in the pit of my stomach. Shraf's grip on my hand was tight and unyielding, making me feel like a prisoner in my own home.I tried to shake off the feeling of dread that had settled over me, but it was no use. As we entered the living room, Shraf released my hand and turned to face me, his dark eyes smoldering with an intensity that I had never seen before. His voice was low and husky as he spoke, sending shivers down my spine.I took a step back, my heart racing in fear. Shraf's behavior was becoming more erratic and unpredictable with each passing moment. I recoiled, my back hitting the wall with a thud as Shraf advanced on me. His eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, and I could feel the heat emanating from his body. I tried to push him away, but he was too strong, his grip unrelenting as he pulled me closer to him.My mind was a flurry of c
As I slowly stirred awake, I realized that I was alone in my room. The sense of loneliness and emptiness that had plagued me since Shraf's arrival settled in once again. I tried to shake it off and get ready for the day, hoping that a change of scenery would lift my spirits.With a heavy heart, I made my way to the beach, hoping to find solace in the gentle sound of the waves and the warmth of the sun. As I strolled along the sandy shore, my thoughts drifted to the events of the previous night. I couldn't deny the powerful pull that Shraf had on me, but I was equally determined to resist him.Lost in my own thoughts, I didn't notice the hours slipping away. I swam in the ocean, lounged on the beach, and read a book. As the sun began to set, I realized that Shraf had been absent the entire day.A sense of disappointment washed over me. I couldn't help but wonder where he was and what he was doing. But at the same time, a small part of me was relieved that I didn't have to face him again
I froze at his words, my entire body locking up as the truth settled in like a lead weight. Leonardo Vega. I had heard that name before, but it had always felt distant, like something from the underworld you knew existed but never touched. Now, that underworld had a face, and it was the face of my husband.Leonardo Vega was no ordinary criminal. He was infamous. I had heard whispers in the business world, even seen reports in passing. A man who operated in the shadows, untouchable by the law, with ties so deep they ran through the veins of governments, multinational corporations, and the very fabric of society's power structures. But what made him terrifying wasn't just his criminal empire; it was the sheer ruthlessness with which he ran it.Rumors said he controlled entire black-market economies, that he had bribed judges, politicians, and police forces across the world. Trafficking. Money laundering. Assassinations. His reach was international, and his network of associates? Equally
The next morning, he was gone. There was no sign of him; if it weren't for the lingering soreness between my legs, I would have thought the entire night had been a dream.His words from last night kept replaying in my mind. What he said was vague, but my suspicion grew stronger. Was Shraf involved with a crime lord or the Mafia? I needed to know.But how could it be true? The billion-dollar empire that is Sinclaire Industries—could it all be a façade? I had worked with Shraf for five years, and none of it ever felt like a front.I quickly picked up my phone and got dressed for the day. Sinclaire Industries, I am coming!As I approached Sinclaire Industries, my mind buzzed with questions. The opulent lobby, with its towering glass walls and sleek marble floors, had always felt intimidating, but today it loomed over me with an air of foreboding. I had to find answers—answers to the countless secrets Shraf had kept hidden.I marched toward the elevator, my resolve hardening with each ste
"I can't see you with anyone else." There was no emotion in his tone, he was just stating fact. Pure fact."That's too selfish of you, don't you think?" I breathe out, my heart still beating fast, thanks to udall the rigorous sex with him."I am a selfish man, Mi Vida. I have always been, you should know that by now."A bitter laugh escapes me, "I know it, more than anyone else ever could. But that doesn't mean, I am going to live my life according to your whims and wishes."He stills and then pulls me in a swift motion beneath him, "You are not planning to see him again, are you?"I raise an eyebrow, his audacity fueling up my resentment, "I am planning to more than seeing him, actually." "If you even dare, Eva," he growled, yanking my hair hard enough to elicit a sharp cry from me. "I'll kill that man. I'll torture him in every conceivable way, and then l'll make him watch as I fuck you hard over and over again.""You are a monster! I hate you!" I hissed, trying to keep my distance
My eyes fluttered open, disoriented in the dim light of the room. A presence loomed nearby, sending a shiver down my spine. “Who’s there?” I whispered, my voice trembling with fear.A figure moved closer, and a low, chilling voice whispered in my ear, “It’s me, Mi Vida.”I took in a shaky breath.Shraf.There was no mistaking him.I would never forget the smell of his cologne. The smell of his skin. It was seared into my memory forever.It was the scent of my nightmares, my deepest fears, my worst memories, all rolled into one.But it was also the smell of lust, of sex, of pleasure.“Shraf?” I didn’t recognize the voice that came from my mouth. It was weak. Shaky. Scared. Because I was scared. I didn’t move an inch, my body rigid as I lay in the darkness of my bedroom.A hand landed on my hip, slowly traveling up and down my leg. Up and down, up and down.I tried to swallow, my throat suddenly dry, but nothing would go down.“Who else would it be?” A deep voice whispered in my ear, br
Jared gasped, “That fucking bastard! I’m gonna kill him!”I quickly grabbed his hand, trying to calm his anger. “No, J, it’s all sorted out.”“What do you mean, ‘sorted out’? Did he fucking cheat on you?” he spat out the words.“It’s-it’s not like that” I said, stepping closer to soothe him. “Let’s just leave for now, okay?”“If you say so,” he muttered, nodding. I pulled him out by the hand, and just as we crossed the arcade entrance, Shraf appeared, blocking our path. Lily was left behind, staring at us with a strange expression I couldn’t decipher.“Shraf,” I breathed, my grip on Jared’s arm tightening. My heart was pounding, and I knew they could hear it.“Eva,” Shraf replied, his dark eyes locked onto my hands on Jared’s arm. If looks could kill, we’d be nothing but ashes. But he didn’t say anything else, and neither did we. Jared, not one to back down, squared his shoulders. The silence between us was thick, tension slicing through the air.I cleared my throat awkwardly, trying
“So, how’s your love life?” I inquired, watching Jared devour the pancakes I whipped up for breakfast.“Meh,” he mumbled between bites.“Don’t tell me the infamous college playboy lost his charm this soon,” I teased, rolling my eyes.“I’m just not feeling the whole dating scene anymore,” he admitted.“Ah, Mr. Smith wanted to settle down now, huh?” I teased, grinning.“Kinda,” he confessed, running a hand through his hair.“Got someone in mind?” I prodded.“Not really. Still waiting,” he replied, snagging a pancake from my plate.“Hey!” I protested, slapping his hand away.“What? They’re too good to resist. Should’ve made more,” he said with a smirk as I loaded the dishwasher.“Make them yourself,” I retorted, huffing.“So, spill. How was your love life?” he asked, leaning back in his chair. My heart skipped a beat before I composed myself.“You don’t have to share if you don’t want to, Eva. It’s okay,” he assured me gently.“I know,” I nodded, forcing a sad smile as I gazed at my bare
Shocked by Shraf’s message, a torrent of anger surged through me, swiftly escalating to pure lividity. Who did he think he was? Did he truly believe he could still exert control over me after everything? Well, he had another thing coming. I refused to let him dictate my life any longer. It was time to live on my own terms. With determination propelling my actions, I seized my phone and dialed a familiar number, my fingers tapping the screen with purpose. “Are you available?” I typed, my heart racing with anticipation as I hit send. A blue tick appeared, signaling that my message had been read. Before long, a reply illuminated the screen. “You alive, fluffball?” The response brought a smile to my face, a wave of nostalgia washing over me. Oh, how I missed him! “Yes, still alive, Jared,” I replied, adding a rolled eyes emoji for good measure. “Too bad, now I have to start annoying u again,” his message followed swiftly. I burst into laughter, the sound reverberating through the empt
The night stretched on, with Shraf’s heavy breathing lulling me into a fitful sleep, my mind raced with thoughts of escape. I replayed every scenario, every possible avenue of freedom, searching for the one that held the least risk. And then, as dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold, a plan began to form in my mind.I waited until Shraf’s rhythmic breathing signaled that he was deeply asleep, his hold on me loosening ever so slightly. With cautious movements, I extricated myself from his grasp, my heart pounding in my chest like a drumroll of anticipation.Silently, I slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb him. Every creak of the floorboards beneath my feet sounded like thunder in the oppressive silence of the room. I held my breath, praying that he wouldn’t wake, that this fleeting moment of freedom wouldn’t be snatched away before it even began.With trembling hands, I gathered the few belongings I could carry—some clothes, a handful of cash I had squirreled away, and th
I slipped back into a daze once more. The days blurred together, each one passing in a haze of confusion and numbness. I felt myself sinking deeper into the abyss of my own thoughts. The world around me seemed distant and unreal, like I was trapped in a dream from which I couldn’t wake up.Shraf’s attempts to rouse me from my stupor went unanswered. His kisses, once filled with warmth and passion, now felt distant and meaningless against my cold skin. Even as he fed me spoonfuls of soup or gently caressed my hair, I remained still, my mind a million miles away.Magdalena’s kind words and gestures offered little solace. I could feel her concern, her attempts to break through the walls I had erected around myself, but I couldn’t find the strength to respond. My voice felt trapped within me, buried beneath layers of pain and confusion.I existed in a state of limbo, caught between the past and the present, unable to move forward. As the days stretched on, I longed for an escape from the