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A truth tease
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2025-02-26 23:46:35
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Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. Slipping...
CHAPTER 17MAZIKEEN. “I…I do understand you, but then…”“But then what?!”Again,I felt the gazes directed at us,and I adjusted in my seat as I pushed the half eaten salad away and leaned closer.“Lower your voice,Lin.”She seemed to suddenly understand that we weren't alone,casting a look around the filled cafeteria before focusing on me again.“You need to leave him.”“I don't know whether to laugh at that or not,” I replied,my tone drier than I intended. “We're getting married in two months, invitations are getting sent out next week,I can't just cancel everything.”“Yes you can.” She insisted in a calm but firm voice. “You should, please…he's a,” she lowered her voice to a whisper, “he's most likely a pedophile.”“No he's not.” I retorted hotly and she slapped a hand against her forehead, frustration oozing from her like a slowly leaking balloon.I could smell it, almost reach out and touch it as it stretched thickly between us.“You know what?” I began wit
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-26Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. A taste of heaven
CHAPTER 18JORDAN. I waited until the cafeteria had cleared out before turning to face Maryann.“What is this?”“Why don't you ask your little assistant?”Something in my expression must have told her that now wasn't the time for flippancy, because she quickly straightened and cleared her throat as she gestured towards Maze.“She and the secretary lady were being overly loud and I thought to warn them…but they got violent instead.”“The secretary lady,has a name—use it.”Maryann nodded,and I glanced at Maze’s stiff back. She hadn't turned to look at me, and I imagined it was because she didn't want me to see the tears that were probably shining in her eyes.“Someone… just sent me a video of the whole thing,” I began,my gaze back on Maryann. “I had to leave a meeting early because of it,why would you act so unprofessionally?”Maryann shifted,“sir…I…I didn't mean to cause a scene.”“But you did.”Her nostrils pinched and her face turned a dull shade of red as she
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-27Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. A hair's breadth
CHAPTER 19MAZIKEEN “Wrong?” Jordan scoffed. “It was beautiful between us. You felt it too.”“I'm not talking about…how it felt.” I swallowed the hard lump in my throat as I leaned down to pick up my discarded scrunchie.No man had ever kissed me like that before,not that I'd kissed many. Graylin was the only one I'd ever been with and yet,none of his kisses had ever felt like this—so good it made me want to cry.“Then what do you mean then?” “This?” I waved between us. “It shouldn't exist. I'm about to get married and you…I heard something like this was why your last PA lost her job. Let's not make history repeat itself.”Jordan frowned,his face so beautifully pinched,I wanted to reach up and smooth out the confused crease in the middle of his brows.But instead I pulled my hair up in a bun and moved past him,towards the table I'd sat with Lin and picked up my phone.He followed after me,the rapid staccato of his shoes against the floor, matching the bea
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-27Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. First Easy Step.
CHAPTER 20MAZIKEEN. “Gran's in the moderate stage of Alzheimer's.” Linda explained as she led me down a silent hallway, with the walls lined with family photos and vibrant artworks.“It's my brother's turn to be with her today but he's running a bit late.”I gave her the most understanding smile I could muster as I nodded. “How long has it been since she was diagnosed?”“About four years.”We stopped in front of a door and she hesitated,casting me a slightly worried look.“My nan can be a bit too– forward with her words. She doesn't remember much,but her mouth’s as sharp as a ninja's saber.”I shrugged, chuckling.“I've survived worse.”I saw Linda's expression fall at my response and I knew we'd be talking about a lot,later.Slowly,she pushed the door open and stepped in, holding it open for me to follow after her.Soft golden light spilled from the open curtains into the room,casting a warm glow on the plush carpet as I quickly took in the figure sitting on a swi
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-27Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. The First Look
CHAPTER 21MAZIKEEN The next two days were the most fun I'd ever had in my whole life.And it was almost enough to make me forget Graylin's implied threat before he left.I dreaded his whips,the way he always left me broken and bleeding in some way.I glanced down at the engagement ring that was supposed to be the evidence of his love for me.Was it really though? Love was supposed to feel good right? Like the way things were with Lin…and Jordan,the way I felt with him.My lips tingled with the memory of our kiss, vivid and raw, making me warm all over.I wanted to feel that again.“A penny for your thoughts.” Lin said as she collapsed beside me on the beach towel,sand sticking to her damp skin from the swim.“I was just thinking about everything you said to me.”“Really? What part?”I closed my eyes as I looked up, letting the sun heat up my face.“Everything.” I answered. “About Graylin and I,my life…I should try finding out who my parents were, perhaps I even
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-02Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. After The Full Moon
CHAPTER 22JORDAN. I stretched in bed as another tiny knock sounded on the door.“Jordan…” A smile broke across my face at the sound of the whisper,and I quickly threw the blanket off and moved to open the door.Anastasia stood there, clutching a red teddy bear to her chest,her hair hanging over face like she'd been messing with it.“I tried to put my hair in a bun,but it's so hard…”I reached forward and scooped up her small frame.“Why'd you mess it up after mom did it?”“She didn't do it…she doesn’t do my hair anymore.”I sat her down on my bed and pulled out the drawer on my nightstand.“So who's been doing your hair?” I asked her as I fished out a brush and a rubber band,then slowly began to untangle the hair strands wrapped around the purple scrunchie in her hair.“Joey does my head,but mom said she can't come with us.”“Mom was right.”Joey was her human babysitter, and while she was allowed in the house on normal periods,the full moon was a very sensitiv
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-02Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. An Awakening
CHAPTER 23 MAZIKEEN. Fear pumped through my veins as I curled my hands beside me,and sank deeper under the comforter. The shower was still on,but I knew it wouldn't be long before Graylin stepped out, with the towel around his waist and his hair plastered against his skull. He had barely spoken to me since he returned, and it was somehow worse than him yelling at me. My lungs tightened and my heart raced with trepidation as the shower stopped and a few seconds later,the bathroom door opened and the minty scent of antiseptic soap filled the room. “Get up.” My limbs trembled as I scrambled to obey,tears already blurring my vision as I watched him flip through his clothes until he settled on a pair of black jeans He faced me,his eyes on mine as he let the towel drop then slid the pants on. “You've not been very good to me,Maze.” I shifted as he began a slow walk towards the bed,until he was standing before the bedside desk. “You've disappointed me, again” he added,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-02Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. SOS
CHAPTER 24.MAZIKEEN. He charged at me and I moved like I'd never moved before.fought like my life depended on it,and probably because it did.I'd seen Graylin angry before,lived it,but never like this…this was so much worse.He struck me across the face,and I smelled the blood before it even seeped out of my nose.He hurled me by the hair,but I quickly twisted out of his grip.It was as if a fresh surge of energy was rolling through me,dulling the pain in my back, speeding up my movements.I picked up the whip and jumped on his back as I wrapped it around his throat.Graylin grunted, fighting until he sank to his knees,but I pulled harder.And I didn't stop even when I felt the silver strings sizzling the flesh of my palms,not even when Graylin fell back with such a force,my head bashed against the tiled floor and I almost lost consciousness..I wrapped my legs around him and held on tighter until I felt him go limp above me.I was hesitant to let go at f
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-02
Bab terbaru
Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. Moth to Flame
CHAPTER 37MAZIKEEN “No,not yet.” Jordan answered softly, “but I know he will,we just need to give him time.”I swallowed, glancing down at my almost empty plate and feeling grateful that I'd at least eaten enough before my sudden appetite loss.“You're right,Maze.”I picked up the glass of water and raised it to her mouth, “right about what?”“There's something special about you.”I side eyed him as I drained the glass--and he looked like he was on the edge of a chuckling fit.“Why're you trying to be sweet in the middle of an important conversation?”“I'm not…” he pressed his lips together and exhaled through his nose. “I'm talking about what you told me the other day, about…feeling like you have some sort of energy…inside of you.”“Ohhh,” I nodded. “See how fast the wounds healed? Barely a full week.” I didn't mind scars but I was glad all the injuries had healed with very minimal ones.Jordan nodded,then tilted his head to the side as he studied me silently.
Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. The Miscommunication Thing
CHAPTER 36JORDAN Maze's quietness bothered me more than any tantrum or vehemence could have.The way she calmly focused on the ceremony until it was all over,but still sparing Anna a genuine smile when she ran over to use with her yellow belt.“No,I'll call a ride.” Was her response when I mentioned driving Anna to my mom's before taking us home,but at least she’d gone back to the penthouse... I'd half expected her to announce that she wasn't going to stay with me anymore.I exhaled deeply as I pulled out the day old cooked rice from the fridge and moved back to the kitchen.It'd been about three hours since I returned and although I could hear Maze moving around the room up the short flight of stairs–could practically smell the lavender musk of her scent—I left her alone.After two hours of work in my study,I'd decided to make some food.I paused mid-pouring the oil into the pan, “Damn,I should've talked to her earlier.”She'd probably think I was being
Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. Anna's Slip.
CHAPTER 35MAZIKEEN “Okay then.”Jordan's long fingers gripped mine, firmly as he led me towards the main entrance of the academy,his strides confident and purposeful.The urge to scrape my fingers down his back—was almost unbearable—holding his hand wasn't enough and the sight of the dark green knit sweater stretched across his muscled back, wasn't helping matters.God,he looked so good. His hair wonderfully tousled and styled,and he smelled sooo good,a warm,earthy citrusy smell that felt like a soothing caress.I felt the gold band of the ring on his index finger as he squeezed my fingers reassuringly and my gaze fell to the subtle stretch of his jeans,fitted perfectly around his waist.Perhaps I was a vain woman but I really, really liked how Jordan Black looked in his jeans…in all his clothes.‘You like how he looks without them too,’ a tiny voice whispered and I chewed on my bottom lip as images of that first night flashed through my mind,how he felt und
Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. On further notice
CHAPTER 34 JORDAN “Are you alright?”Maze chuckled but it sounded nothing like her usual ones. “I'm fine..I’m just…nervous about meeting your sister, that's all.”I shot her a look, trying to keep my apprehension hidden.Had I done something wrong?Did she no longer want to stay with me? Did she miss that bloody bastard?I swallowed, slowing down as the taillight of the car in front flashed.She'd been a bit too quiet since after the day I brought Linda and the brother to see her.And although we still kissed and cuddled a lot,we never did anything else and I never initiated anything because I could sense her anxietyIt was in the way she looked at me whenever she thought I wasn't paying attention,the way she held me in her sleep,like she was afraid I'd suddenly disappear when she woke up.It was in the way she had a delayed reaction to everything I said or did.Something was definitely worrying her,and it automatically became a burden to me.“You sure it's
Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. The ones who notice
CHAPTER 33.MAZIKEEN “I'm no psychologist,” Lin started, “but I can definitely say that there's absolutely nothing wrong with you for not thinking about your abuser.”I adjusted, “perhaps it's time for me to see a therapist.” “I agree,” Linda muttered,a coy smile spreading over her face. “Mr. Black can definitely afford it.”“I'm sure he can,you know,he even asked to change my whole wardrobe.”“And let me guess,you said no?”I frowned, “Why'd I say no?”Lin chuckled, her eyes glowing with mischief. “You know some girls would’ve been like…nO I Don’T neEd yOuR mOnEY,I'm A BiG giRL.”My confusion deepened but I couldn't help but laugh at her impression.“But why reject something you need though?”Lin shrugged. “Pride? Ego? plot development?”“I'll never do that,” I said honestly, shaking my head. “What kind of girls do that?” “The ones in my books and movies,” she deadpanned,then laughed again.“What are you two laughing about?” Paul suddenly asked as
Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. A necessary Swing-by
CHAPTER 32MAZIKEEN. I stayed home the next day too, lounging comfortably on Jordan's expensively furnished balcony.The soft ,L-shaped cushion was fast becoming one of my many favourite things about his penthouse,with its tufted backrest and light brown colour.I stretched lazily, ignoring the dull pain spreading through my still sore back,as I reached forward and picked up the bowl of diced fruits from the chrome coffee table, inhaling deeply and letting the peace settle deeply within me.There was a nagging feeling that I'd forgotten to do something like I intended,but I couldn't quite figure it out until my phone rang.I'd meant to check the time.A smile stretched over my face as I picked up the phone and saw who it was.“Lin!”“Maze!” She shrieked in response, her excitement palpable. “We're here!”I let out a confused giggle as I dropped the fruit bowl and adjusted one flap of my—well Jordan's robe,as I stood up.“What do you mean?”I heard the d
Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. Warm Contentment.
CHAPTER 31JORDAN “Graylin texted me.”My hands trembled with rage as I sieved the flour into the bowl.“Yeah? What did he say?”Maze shrugged, wiping off the counter before turning to face me.“He said he's sorry for hurting me,and that he has broken things off with Savannah and wants me to come back to him.”I swallowed painfully. “He was at the office earlier,I beat him up.”I don't know what I was expecting,but Maze's grin threw me off guard. “Good.”I smirked,pride rushing through me.“Why do you still have those clothes on?”Her eyes twinkled with mischief. “What? you'd prefer me without any?”My cheeks burned,which was a first…no woman had ever flustered me before.“I meant,why aren't you wearing any of the clothes you got today? They did arrive, didn't they?”She nodded, moving towards me at the large marble top table in the middle of the kitchen.“Your clothes are much freer which... is exactly what I need for my back,and…I love the way they
Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. Hair's breadth.
CHAPTER 30JORDAN “Sir?”I paused typing as I looked up at my assistant–Francis–an eyebrow raised in silent question.“There's some w...”“Let him in.”He hesitated, then shook his head. “It's a lady,and she says she's your fiancée.”“Tell her I'm not in,” I gritted out through and he nodded before exiting.Two minutes later,I sighed with frustration as the noise of the ruckus from the hallway reached me.I stood up and walked out,just as Arya burst into the office, followed hotly by a flustered Francis.“Enough.”They both instantly stopped moving, and Arya burst into tears as her blue eyes flicked to mine.I motioned for Francis to leave and the other man wasted no time in doing so.“What do you want?”Arya sniffed,but my expression remained the same. I'd tried to love her,or like her…but no matter what I did, I'd never felt a single spark of attraction towards her,not even an atom of what I felt from the first day I saw Maze.“Why do you keep avoiding me?”I
Bound By Gratitude, Shackled By Lies. Her True View
CHAPTER 29 JORDAN Maze was still curled up on her side when I emerged from the bathroom. And a soft smile spread over my face as my gaze lingered on her sleeping form for a moment, before I headed into the walk-in closet to get ready.I was still in awe of the events of the early morning,her willingness,her ecstasy…. I'd definitely be thinking about everything at the office…I don't even know how I managed to shave my face without any cuts as flashes of her face,her sounds,the feel of her warm,wet walls gripping me,kept recurring.I was knotting my tie when I walked out and stopped dead as I found the bed empty.Rushing towards the bathroom,I sighed with relief as I heard the tap turn on.Then I felt a bit stupid for my reaction,like where exactly would she go without proper clothing? The balcony?I leaned closer,and although I heard the sound of someone brushing their teeth,I still knocked.“Maze?”Silence.I slowly pushed the door open and nearly fell to my
