The next two years passed in the twinkling of an eye with Genevieve—or to be more exact—her aunt trying to track down any of the staff who had been working at the mansion at the time of the incident. From what she was told, Genevieve had realized that her aunt also had no idea what business her sister’s family had dabbled in that put them under the target of dangerous people. They spent each waking hours they had making research on the internet and monitoring news outlets for any suspicious news that might mention her family's name.But it never came until Anna came home one day with one of the guards who had been working in the mansion at the time of the incident.~Genevieve opened the door of the basement room she had lived in for the past two years, her eyes dilating in surprise when she saw that her aunt had company. She looked the man up and down, taking note of his amputated hand and built physique.He looked like a bodyguard, but it was impossible to work as a guard while mis
‘’What, Young Miss?!’’ Mr Rick exclaimed, his face instantly morphing into disbelief. ‘’How could you think that of your own parents? I understand that they probably kept you out of the loop in everything that had to do with the family business, but still… did they ever do anything to make you feel they are bad people?’’‘’No, they haven't,’’ Genevieve replied, shaking her head. ‘’But I still have to clear all thoughts that might make me think twice about revenge, from my mind. You mentioned the family business just now, so I presume you know everything I don’t know about them.’’The man averted his gaze from hers, causing Genevieve to probe, ‘’See, Mr Rick. I wouldn’t ask you this if there was anyone else to ask. You must know that I didn’t waste the past two years sitting around and doing nothing; i tried researching on the internet, but nothing came up when I searched my family's name." She clasped her hand together, her eyes shrouding in disappointment, "I looked through social
"Valenciara?" Genevieve echoed, her brows pulling up into a frown. "I don't... Valenciara is such a far call from Armani. The names aren't even in any way similar so why did they change it? Are they... running from some people?"Rick shook his head at the absurdity and, at the same time, logicality of the situation."Running? Not exactly. But I think we can say they were hiding from some people," he replied."And who are those people?"A frown started to form on Rick's face, like he was just realizing the complexity of the situation and how hard it would be to explain to Genevieve that most of what she'd known about her parents had been a lie. However, the earnest and confused look in her eyes as she stared at him, made him swear inwardly that he wouldn't leave here today without providing her as much clarity and answer as many questions as he could concerning her parents dealings."I have to start from the beginning to make you understand, but I'm not sure we have enough time for
Rick nodded in affirmation.Genevieve dragged a hand down her face, a soft puff of air escaping her parted pink lips."I’m more confused than ever, Mr. Rick," she admitted, "But I suppose this is better than nothing. I still have a few questions, though. If my family was as powerful as you just implied, then their obsession with safety, the guards, even homeschooling me... it all makes sense. But on the flip side, why were they attacked? You’re saying they were more powerful than the president, yet they were harmed, and nothing was done about it. How come?""Because the one behind it was one of the people in those meetings," Rick replied flatly.Genevieve’s breath caught in her throat. "How is that possible?! Did my parents offend them?" she exclaimed.Rick let out a humorless chuckle. "Even a spotless doormat, placed on a table and mistaken for a tablecloth, will still be despised... no matter how harmless it is. Power works the same way. The moment someone gains it, they automatica
A nervous chuckle escaping her lips, Anna's gaze alternated from Genevieve’s face to Rick's.‘’What? Why are you two looking at me like that?" she asked, "Wait... it's because of what i said? Of course, I always say no to the men. But for my own safety, I always tell them I’ll reach out to them if I find someone suitable.’’As soon as they heard that, Genevieve let out a huge sigh of relief while Rick smiled."I was scared for a moment there," she murmured.Anna patted her on the back as if to reassure her, ‘’It’s not a new thing in the industry. They always approach orphanage directors with deals like that, but I’d die before dabbling in something like that.’’ Her expression suddenly went serious, ‘’If Eve is serious about infiltrating the underworld, I think that would be the best and easiest way to get in. Drugs? There’s risk of getting caught and going to jail. Even if you are lucky and you don't get caught, you’ll have to work as a trafficker for a while before gaining enough re
Back To Present Time…"Good morning, Aunt Anna," she greeted.Unable to hide her excitement, Genevieve got out of her seat to meet her aunt halfway, pulling the older woman into a hug. Anna, however, didn’t share the same sentiment as she quickly pushed her niece away and pulled her to their booth instead. As soon as they were seated, she didn’t waste time before scolding, ‘’How could you do that, Eve? This is public space. Anyone could have been watching and noticed us together!"‘’Well, no one was,’’ Genevieve stated, gesturing with her hand around the cafe. ‘’That’s why we chose the private booth, isn’t it?'’Anna sighed.‘’It’s alright. Forget about that and let’s discuss serious matters." She leaned forward, lowering her voice into a whisper, "How come you are here already when you just left yesterday? Don’t tell me you are giving up already when it’s barely 24 hours. Reynolds will be very annoyed!’’Geneveieve shrugged.‘’Well, he can’t be annoyed because one, he’s dead and two
Genevieve shrugged.‘’Technically, I didn’t have a choice because they pushed me out of the car and slammed the door. I even tried telling them to take me back. I lied I have nowhere to go because I used to be homeless before i was sold to their father, but guess what? They gave me this card and zoomed off," she recounted. "I figured using the card to pay for something would make it easy for them to find me when my absence is noticed, so I delayed it to talk to you first.""Good thing they were foolish then," Anna said with a smirk. "If they had abandoned you like that, you'd have ended up at another auction. And this time, you might not have been as lucky. I mean, think about it, you got a man who not only left you alone on the first night and didn’t force himself on you, but he’s also powerful enough to have a black card.""First of all, I wouldn't call the girls stupid. Sheltered, maybe. Secondly, this is his son’s actually,’’ Genevieve corrected, tapping the name at the edge of th
Genevieve stiffened, hurt filling her blue eyes as a familiar kind of pain seeped into her chest and wrapped it’s hand around her heart like a vise. ‘’Did you just…’’ she trailed off, the words catching in her throat, ‘’Okay. I’m… sorry for bringing that up at all.’’"It’s alright. You’re still young, and mistakes are inevitable," Anna said, her tone firm but not unkind. "That’s why I’m here. My job is to guide you back onto the right path when you stray. And right now, my advice is simple: focus on winning over your husband. Make him happy, make him like you more. Your beauty has already done half the work for you, so take the initiative and do the rest until he’s completely under your spell."Genevieve’s face paled in disbelief. "What the hell are you saying, Aunt? Did you miss the part where I said he’s over seventy? How am I supposed to seduce a man who’s nearly four times my age?"Anna arched a brow. "The same way you would have seduced the son if he was the one who bought you."
The smile on Alejandro’s lips disappeared at the dark look on his boss’s face. He immediately straghtened, knowing he had to say the truth even if it was going to land him in trouble.‘’Actually... I," he stuttered, "I already planned to test her even before I received the call from the Don. So i didn't do it because...'’Adrian chuckled dryly, sounding more eerie than amused.‘’You received a call from the Don, didn’t tell me shit about it, and went ahead to carry out his instructions before telling me, your immediate and only boss?’’ he asked, his rhetorical tone making it obvious he didn’t need an answer. Taking a step back, he kicked Alejandro in the knee, his face remaining expressionless even as his subordinate’s clenched in pain. ‘’Tell me, did you call him before coming in here to report to me?’’‘’I didn’t. And I do not intend to report to him,’’ Alejandro replied through gritted teeth.Adrian delivered another brutal kick to the same knee he had struck earlier, his fist slam
The woman’s face brightened as soon as she spotted Genevieve."Welcome, Mrs. Visconti," she greeted. "We weren’t informed in advance of your arrival, so we didn’t have much prepared. I hope our minimal refreshments won't annoy you."Genevieve shook her head.‘’No, it’s alright,’’ she instantly said, straightening.The woman set the tray down on the table, carefully lifting the single cup and handing it to Genevieve. She glanced inside and barely resisted the urge to hug the woman when she saw the rich, steaming liquid; hot chocolate."Thank you so much," she said, accepting it eagerly. "You have no idea how much I needed this.""Not at all, ma’am," the woman replied with a polite nod. "Boss Visconti requested it for you."Genevieve froze, the cup hovering just inches from her lips. Her head snapped up.Adrian?He had asked someone to bring this to her?The same man who was supposed to be cruel, cold, and unfeeling?Wait… now that she thought about it, had Adrian actually done anything
"Watch Porn," he deadpanned.Genevieve blinked, eyes widening in shock. "What?!"‘’Is that too much?’’ Alejandro pondered. ‘’Maybe read smutty books then. You don’t have to refuse or accept right now. I will send some recs to you; if you don’t want them, you are free to throw them away or do whatever you like with them. If you want more of them, you can find the mansion’s library and ask any of the blonde maids which is my section."Genevieve remained silent for a few seconds. She knew exactly what Alejandro was trying to do. Back her into a corner, making it seem like she had no real choice. He probably assumed she was too innocent or shy to voice her real thoughts.She wasn’t about to call him out on it, though. Let him think he had the upper hand. If anything, his little game might work in her favour too.Genevieve had always loved reading, but the books that lined the shelves of her parents' mansion were mostly academic and historical texts. They were dry and tedious, always faili
"No, you didn’t," Alejandro cut in flatly. "You only think you did."Genevieve's pulse quickened, but before she could press further, his tone shifted back to nonchalance. "Back to what we were talking about, you asked why I would want to teach you. Do you want the sugar-coated version or the plain truth?"She didn’t reply immediately, her mind still stuck on what she saw earlier. Alejandro had waved it off, but she was sure…Her thoughts trailed off, as the words from earlier echoed in her mind.‘You said earlier that what I saw up is the mildest of what I would see here…’He had been right, after all.First floor, explicit sex in the open. Second floor, casino with murder. Then what was she to expect in the rest of the floors?‘’How many floors does this place have?’’ she murmured in a low voice, though loud enough for Alejandro to catch what she said.‘’Just four,’’ he replied. ‘’Our destination is the ground or last floor where the offices are. Why do you ask?’’Genevieve shook
Alejandro took his time in answering her, stretching his hand over her head to press the elevator button.‘’Uhm… what can I say? I have done much worse than that.’’‘’What?!’’ Genevieve exclaimed. So shocked was she that even after the elevator doors slid open, she remained rooted to one spot until Alejandro chuckled and pushed her in, before stepping in after her.‘’Don’t tell me it shocks you that much,’’ he raised a brow, a hint of seriousness in his tone. When she turned to him with her still red cheeks and a sharp glare, he frowned. ‘’Wait… I understand that the Don bought you at a virgin auction but… you really are one?’’Genevieve didn’t answer him, maintaining her glare as if it would force him to apologize.‘’Wait,’’ Alejandro laughed nervously, ‘’You are what? 18? Even if you are really a virgin, surely you are knowledgeable in a lot of… things, right? Like other ways to pleasure yourself?’’‘’What does that have to do with what we are talking about?’’‘’Everything!’’ Alejan
A... sex club?! Gosh! She was speechless. The room was vast, bathed in a flurry of colors; neon blues, deep purples, and flickering reds that danced across the walls like liquid fire. It looked like a nightclub, but more intimate, more charged. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, perfume, and something darker, something she couldn’t quite place.Her gaze darted around the large room, taking in the surreal scene before her. Plush couches were scattered throughout the space, each occupied by figures lost in their own worlds. However, that wasn't what shocked her. Instead, it was the sight of a dark-haired young lady sitting between two men, their features sharp and shadowed under the dim light. The lady turned her head, kissing one man deeply before pulling away and leaning into the other, her movements fluid, almost rehearsed. Genevieve’s stomach twisted, but she couldn’t look away.Further into the room, other couples, or groups, were tangled together, their bodies moving in
Genevieve shook her head, trying to clear the absurd thought, but she kept coming back to it the next second. There was no reason not to believe her intuition. If these men weren’t going to harm her, why else would they bring her to a place like this abandoned house and not take her home? They were also ignoring her questions about where they had brought her, so she was sure her suspicions were valid and not unfounded.Her train of thoughts was cut short when Adrian successfully unlocked the door and pulled her inside with him, gripping her by the extra sleeves of her jacket. Alejandro stepped in right after her, and with one huge man in front of her while another huge man stood at her back, Genevieve’s fear skyrocketed.She had been pulled into a dark room, somewhere they were most likely familiar with, but which she knew nothing about. The perfect place to end her in. Unable to keep it in herself anymore, she blurted out, ‘’I’m so sorry!’’As if to make matters worse, none of them
"Where are we?" Genevieve asked as the bike rolled to a stop in front of a small building forty-five minutes later.Her gaze swept the area, taking in the towering trees flanking the house on both sides and the unsettling distance between this building and the next one, which was actually connected to a street."What are we doing here?" she asked again, a flicker of unease creeping into her voice. When she didn’t get an immediate response, her fingers curled slightly. "Adrian—""Take your helmet off and talk," Adrian cut in, his voice distant—nothing like the way it had resounded in her ears earlier.Realizing she was still wearing the helmet, Genevieve hurriedly removed it, her breath hitching slightly as she saw that he had taken his off too and had his face dangerously close to hers."Can you get off on your own?" he asked, his gaze steady."Oh, yeah! I can manage." She shifted, crossing her legs before jumping down, wincing as her wet sneakers hit the ground with a squelch.As soo
Adrian stopped dead in his tracks, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. Did she just… call his name for the first time? He was sure it was the first time. Even if he didn’t have a perfect memory, the feeling the sound of his name from her mouth ignited within him wasn’t one he’d have forgotten easily.And damn! It sounded like he was hearing his name for the first time. Another unexplainable sequence happening since this girl—or rather, her picture—came into his life. This was getting too extreme though. Maybe it was his problem after all. He should probably go see a therapist.But for some reason, he knew even going to see the best therapist on earth wouldn’t reduce the effect Genevieve had on him. Bacause the problem wasn't him. It had to be her. Her looks, her voice, her hair, her eyes… she was perfect. And since it’d been a while since he got laid, her perfection was probably calling out to him and causing the muddle in his brain.All this conversation went through his head