Share

8

Author: Chignature
last update Huling Na-update: 2024-10-22 12:15:51

Chapter 8

LILIANA

The men go to work untying my hands and feet while shoving me this way and that without regard for the condition of my battered body. 

As for my face, I am certain that if I accidentally stepped into the set for “The Nun”, I would get the lead role without even trying. A soothsayer didn't need to tell me how sunken my eyeballs had become and how disgusting I looked. 

From pauper to palace and now to prison. A sudden fall from a place of position.

“Move!” 

I'm shoved from behind and that is when I notice my hand and feet have been released. The door opens. 

When I rise to my feet I nearly teeter and fall back, save for the hand that gives me a gentle nudge forward. 

I grit my teeth but bite back my disgust. 

In silence, I'm guided out of the dingy cell into a dark and grim corridor. I keep my gaze fixed on the dirty floor. 

The tranquility is broken all of a sudden as labored grunts pierce the air. I look up to see a huge man, twice the size of his handlers, being forcefully dragged across the rough terrain. 

The sound of wood smashing into something – someone – is like a punch to my gut, and the sudden silence thereafter is even more unsettling.

A man to my left chuckles without remorse, “Negodyai.”

Another snorts in response. After that, the rest of our walk resumes with a numbing quiet which I'm thankful for. At least it allows me a few seconds to organize my thoughts.

My eyes land on the man walking in front of me. In his fingers is a gun hanging loosely. If I move fast enough, I can take a few of them down and before they recover from their shock, I'd have found my way out.

The impulsive part of my brain yells orders for my feet to move but rationality keeps me unwilling. Come to think of it; plans are better said than done. 

I could lose my life before I even take a single step in the wrong direction. Not that I am anything of worth to them.

Soon, we're emerging from the endless corridor and climbing stone steps that lead to the top floor. 

When we get to the top landing, I inhale the crisp air greedily, grateful for the scent of unpolluted oxygen. 

My eyes dart left and right as I try to figure out which door leads outside. Hopefully, I'd run into someone who would call the cops and I'd be safe once more. 

Cautiously, I eye the men by my side. They're focused on the way ahead. 

“Let's strike a deal,” I mutter in a silent plea to the Old man upstairs. “From this moment onward, I'll have Eric tied to me before I leave my house. Just get me out of here.” 

Cold metal presses into my lower back as a threat rings out behind me. “Don't try to act smart or you'll have yourself to blame.” 

True. And these men wouldn't hesitate.

Swallowing thickly from the rise of fear, I discard my plans for later. One risky move could get my brain matter splattering against these tiles. 

As we cross through the foyer, the little girl passes by us without pausing for a beat. She opens one of the grand doors and my heart leaps regretfully when I see that it's the main door.

“Eyes forward!” The man from behind me orders, shoving me with too much aggression. 

I do as ordered and clamp my mouth shut once more, choosing to be wise rather than to prove vicious. 

‘These men wouldn't hesitate, Lily’, it's a subtle reminder to myself. 

We head towards another set of stairs with black wooden railings, sculptured to perfection and all I can think of is how symbolic they are to the fine-tuned torture that awaits me somewhere above. 

An older woman is standing at the top of the stairs with an upturned nose as she glares down at me. 

A battle to smoothen the scowl from my face ensues but I know it's a lost battle when my eyebrows tug downwards, refusing to budge. 

Her dress is simple. Elegant for her age even though the neatly pressed navy blue gown with a million pleats from the waist downward manages to spike my fear.

I decide right there that I hate her already.

Her demeanor reminds me of a strict boarding house mistress poised to reprimand tardy diners for flouting regulations.

And judging by the way her nostrils keep flaring – now for the fifth time since we locked eyes – I know I'm in for a world of trouble.

As I trudge up the stairs wearily, my knees give out and I stumble, whacking them against the step’s edge. It sends a stab of pain through me.

“Ow!” I groan through clenched teeth.

The men seize me by the arm and shove me towards the remaining steps. I collapse roughly in a heap in front of the woman, my face almost planting itself onto her polished shoes.

I try to rise to my feet but they seem to have given up on me. All attempts to stand leave me making an embarrassing show of myself. 

“Get up!” One of the men bellows at me. 

“If your eyes weren't shoved so far up your ass, you'd see I'm trying to,” I tell him, unable to bite back my words.

“Try harder.” 

We glare at each other but his weighs with more intensity while I'm tottering on the edge of another collapse. 

“That's enough!” The woman booms loudly in a stern voice. 

I don't miss the look of fear slashing across his features as his eyes fall from my face to the ground. He mutters an apology to her. 

Now I'm amused at the sight before me. 

For some reason, she unnerves me. But I don't let that show. The only one who managed a crack through my composure was the little girl. 

I never want to meet her again. Something about her didn't feel right. Again, I don't think I should be surprised since I'm bound in a house full of lunatics. 

Her features are lined with anger when she rakes her gaze over the four men hovering around me. She fires something rapidly in what I think is Russian. 

The men look…embarrassed. I can't tell for sure.

“Come with me.” She orders in a less authoritative tone. Her words are thick with an accent similar to that bastard. “These men have given you too much trouble, no?”

I nod. Then shake my head, at a loss for what to say. 

“Here, let me help you up, duska.” She gives me her hand and indeed helps me up to her feet. Her grasp is firm and warm to the touch. “Now let's go fix you up quickly. Ty vyglyadish neakkuratno.” 

Her nose scrunches up as she takes in my general appearance. She clicks her tongue to show her disapproval, once more shooting glares at the men. 

Together we both climb up the remaining stairs until we come to a hallway with doors flanking both sides. 

I'm led to a room with minimal pieces of furniture and decorations. The walls are white and bare, save for a picture frame of a stormy night. There's only a giant bed with white linens and a window that I can fit into if I try to run. 

A plan begins to formulate in my head. These people have no idea what's coming for them. 

“Take the dirty clothes off, duska. I'll get you fresh ones.” After this, she remains put. 

My fingers pause in the waist of my trousers, waiting for her to leave. “I need some privacy at least.”

“No, no, no.” She clicks her tongue again. “No privacy. You don't have so much time.”

With great reluctance, I undress taking great care to hide the tattoo on the lower part of my back. It was done in memory of my sister and is my prized possession. 

I enter into the elaborate bathroom and slowly lower myself into the massive tub, bubbling with scented lather. 

The water bites into my skin but I soon become accustomed to the sting. I sigh deeply in relief and when I open my eyes, the woman is smiling at me. 

The first ever friendly face at least. Perhaps she'd understand if I told her I needed to leave and my family needed me. She would.

“I'll wash your hair.” She gets behind me to begin. Her fingers on my scalp feel so therapeutic that for a while, I forget my worries and fears. 

Just like that, time ticks by and the bath is over. I secure the rope of the bathrobe she handed to me around my waist, tying it twice for good measure. 

Unaware, the woman doesn't notice my hand filling with soapy water until it's thrown in her face. She cries out, stumbling backward and onto the floor.

Seizing the distraction, I sprint to the window, swiftly opening it and hoisting myself up. Just as freedom looms closer, a firm grip encircles my waist.

I buck against their grip, enraged and with intent to shake them off. 

“Let me fucking go!” I yell in anger.

Adrenaline takes over and I thrash about fiercely, clinging to the window with all my might. I kick downwards on the person's foot but they maintain a vice-like grip. 

My body grows hot from overexerting myself.

The unyielding grip tightens around me rendering my efforts to become as ineffective as pouring water into a bottomless container.

“You're going nowhere if it's not hell.” A deep voice belts out behind me.

My eyes widen and my body automatically goes limp in shock. I'm tossed to the bed so violently that I almost bash my head against the headboards. 

My vision clears to reveal a searing gaze from a pair of mismatched blue-brown eyes blazing with fury. My heart skips a beat as I stare up at the enraged face above me.

Oh God, I'm fucked. 

Patuloy na basahin ang aklat na ito nang libre
I-scan ang code upang i-download ang App
Mga Comments (1)
goodnovel comment avatar
Dave
just when I thought she'd escape... the way you paint mental images so vividly is amazing. feels like I'm watching this
Tignan lahat ng Komento

Kaugnay na kabanata

  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   9

    DAMIAN “What the hell are you trying to do?” I yell at the woman whose eyes are well rounded into saucers, fear etching onto the soft lines of her features. “I–” she stammers. Alice stumbles out of the bathroom with a towel in hand, her eyes darting around quickly for something. When they land on the figure on the bed, she closes her eyes with a weary exhale. I glance towards the men. “Who gave orders to have her brought up here? Don't keep me waiting. You only have about two seconds to spit the truth. One…” No one says a thing. My gaze sweeps to Liliana. “Two…” I dip my hand into the band of my trousers to retrieve my gun and point towards her, reveling in the dread I see on her face. “My fingers are trigger happy and I don't think any of you would like to be at the end of this baby.” “You will do no such thing, Kristoffor.” Alice shrieks with an inscrutable glance at Liliana. “Lower the gun down, will ya? Scaring the printsessa half to death.” “Is anyone going to an

    Huling Na-update : 2024-10-23
  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   10

    LILIANA If glares were lasers, they'd be burning holes through this man's arrogant head. His haughty stare as he shackles me to the window like a captive animal works to fuel my anger. My jaw locks hard with efforts to contain how much I want to bruise the stupid smirk off his face again. So what if he's not wrong about the escape part?I'm frustrated.No, deeply distressed would be the word. The amount of disrespect I have tolerated from these people has gone beyond my tolerance level.For hours, I have been left in the dark about my alleged crime; the reason I got kidnapped in the first place. I'm being held without explanation and the only question posed concerns Kyle's whereabouts. I have even started to doubt the transparency between my late husband and me.A fleeting thought creeps in, searing itself in the back of my head that I might just be a mere pawn in the greater scheme of things.I shake my head in denial. My captor is a liar as much as he's a terrible person. Kyl

    Huling Na-update : 2024-10-25
  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   11

    DAMIANI stand rigid, leaning heavily against the toilet sink. My fingers grip the cool porcelain like it is my last lifeline. I don't dare to raise my eyes to the mirror because I am scared of the truth it would reveal: An unworthy accomplice. A man who deserves death in her stead.“Memories of you overwhelm me.” I croak through the emotions that gather thick in my chest. “Reliving your laughter, our careless whispers, and plans for the future…”Now forever silenced. My fingers tighten impossibly against the sink. Regret and remorse find their way along the lines of my hardened features. It crinkles the scar on my face. Slowly, I release the sink and raise my hands to my view. These same hands pulled the trigger which ended her life.Self loathing bubbles fast within me. I'd taken lives before. Without hesitation even and not once did I feel a sliver of sympathy for my actions. The people I killed were deserving of it. This… this was different in so many ways. She was my rede

    Huling Na-update : 2024-10-25
  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   12

    LILIANAI don't know how long I've been running for but I force myself to push further despite the protests from my burning lungs.I propel my body forward with my toes as a spring. The fear of being caught and bound again keeps me going. Overhead, storm clouds start to form, black and thick with impending rain. My feet burn from exhaustion and my lungs have constricted so much that I fear I'm running on very little air. It won't be long before I pass out on the tarred walkway. What a convenient way to present myself before my captor. On a golden fucking platter!I stumble forward with a hollow gasp for air. My parched throat is burning. As if in respite for my plight, the floodgates of rain open and it begins to pour in torrents. I open my mouth heavenward to let in some of the cool liquid. The downpour soothes my sweaty skin and revives me, quenching my thirst.Just like that, my zeal for escape is renewed and I forge ahead.With each drop, the sweatshirt and pants meld itself t

    Huling Na-update : 2024-10-26
  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   13

    LILIANA“I just managed to escape from a kidnapper.” I blurt out finally. His jaws go slack as a look of shock crosses his aged features. He leans on the table towards me. “A kidnapper?” He echoes.His question sounds almost skeptical. “I’m telling the truth!” I interject in a gripping desperation. “I was heading back home from the grocery store when these men suddenly accosted me and before I knew it, I blacked out. My car, my phone, everything is gone!”His eyebrows furrow down and his fingers lock in front of him in thought. “I believe you, duska. I'm just surprised. There has not been a report of such in this neighborhood for about ten years.”Silence falls between us as he looks to have burrowed into his head while I clench my fingers in my thighs, hoping that he believed me and would find a way out for me.After a full minute had passed, he asks, “Do you have any idea where you were taken to?”“I was drugged. I don't remember much except that I woke up in the basement of this l

    Huling Na-update : 2024-10-27
  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   14

    DAMIANMy breath comes out in rasps as I come to a corner. I scan the entirety of the lonely street and to my dismay, she's gone.How can I be hot on her heels only to see that it's like she disappeared into thin air?She outran me. It's unbelievable. Almost laughable that a puny woman of such size could get out of my grasp. At first glance, she looked like those overpampered wives who have the luxury of getting their asses wiped at command. The little fucker is even more fit than I give her credit for.A dry, humorless laugh cracks out of my lips as the truth sets in. She did outrun me. Sydney pulls up next to me shortly after. The dead silence is broken by his boots skidding to a sharp halt on the pavement. “I don't believe it.” He comments as he scans the area with incredulity well carved into his face.My hand comes up and wipes down on my weary face. I'm filled with so much lethal rage inside, masked by a cool facade on the outside. His laughter dares to ring out, further gr

    Huling Na-update : 2024-10-29
  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   15

    LILIANA The kitchen door opens and a lady walks in with a drenched raincoat around her shoulders. Her light auburn hair looks to be claw-clipped behind but the tendrils cling to her forehead like a wet rag. She looks to be about my age if not younger. “You said you would only take… Why, you sneaky man! You came in here for a cup of sbiten without telling me?” She slaps his arm lightly. The man turns a warm smile as he dodges her playful hits. “No, bebe. I had an impromptu visitor.” He motions to me with a gentle wave of his hand. She follows his gesture with her eyes till she stops at where I stand. My fingers clench in a fist by my sides at the awkwardness that takes over. Her eyes trace the bulky coat on my small frame and she looks back to the man with her hazel eyes narrowed down in skepticism. He shakes his head. “Ne delay etogo. YA nashel yeye na obochine, kogda vernulsya za bortovym zhurnalom.” His eyes meet mine for a fleeting moment before his voice drops lower. “Ona

    Huling Na-update : 2024-10-31
  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   16

    LILIANA“Goodnight, ladies.” The man tells us the moment we step into the hallway with several doors. Before I can turn and bid him the same, he disappears into one of the rooms. Rachel shrugs as she clasps a hand on my shoulder. “He had a rough day at the diner. When he comes home beaten up, sleep is his therapy.”I nod in understanding. “Days like that.”“You're welcome to stay the night here. I'm afraid the room is a bit bare but we'll make do. We didn't expect the pleasure of your company.” Rachel says as she rummages through her purse for something. “It's fine. I'll manage.” I try to reassure her but she's occupied with struggling with her purse. She sports a comic frown.“Where's the stupid key?” She hisses. Her features brighten and she raises the key with a triumphant harrumph.The door clicks open to reveal a decent-looking bedroom. Honestly, it isn't so much but it is a feasible option than to spend the night on the streets. “You've done so much for me already. Thank you

    Huling Na-update : 2024-11-01

Pinakabagong kabanata

  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   130

    LILIANAThe journal feels heavy as it sits in my palms. Not because it is thick or leather-bound or anything grand. It’s just heavy…filled with my sister’s wordings–Well, I don’t know that for sure until I open it and that’s what I’m scared of. I stare at it intently and it’s almost like I can hear it whispering at me to open it and face what I’ve been running away since I returned to this cursed house.Rachel watches me from the corner of her eye, not saying a word until I sigh. “You should come with me. I don’t think you want to be in here as much as I do.” Her eyes are filled with untold tales. “Let’s go to your room. You don’t want to be seen like tis in the hallway.”I nod, then rise to follow her stiffly, following her down the corridor like a ghost. My limbs are moving, but my mind’s reeling. Even my heart isn’t beating right. Once we’re inside my quarters, I drop the journal on the bed and start grabbing my things. “Liliana.” Rachel approaches me gently. “What did he tell

  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   128

    DAMIANHer eyes widen in caution as I approach her. Like she’s scared of me, or maybe scared I’d hurt her even when I’m certain she knows I can’t. She doesn’t really know the power she holds over me, does she?I should say I am disappointed but how can I when I can’t even tell her how I really feel about her? That’s just hypocrisy. Behind her is Stelleza’s wardrobe full of her things which I stowed away in her memory. “I couldn’t throw her things out, neither could I burn them.” I remember the exact angle where I kept the journal hidden. Since this is her blood sister we’re talking about, then perhaps she has a right to know what it entails and the truth about how she died.Reaching further into the back, my fingertips graze a hard leather. Bringing it out, I flip the leather-bound journal and hand it to her. She gazes down at the book, not taking it yet. “What is this?”“She wrote this,” I murmur, recalling the dark words that birthed my rage. “She wrote every word on every page b

  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   128

    LILIANAIt’s supposed to be Stelleza…but this woman bearing such a dazzling smile…My heart stutters but I can’t bring myself to drag my eyes away from the horrifying revelation staring back at me. It’s been thirteen years since the last time I saw her. Thirteen whole years of fumbling in the dark, left alone to navigate the maze that is life. She shielded it from me for so long until she couldn’t handle it anymore.“L–lajla…Lajla…” I whisper unable to believe the sight before me. She looks the same…except for her forest green eyes, now dulled from being immortalized in a photo frame. It’s an understatement to the real sparkle when you look at her in real life. And her smile, now frozen in time, is just like I remember it. But brighter. Better.“Forgive me, Lajla.” The first drops slide down my cheeks. “I failed you over and over.” I sniffle, trying my best to hold back the dam from bursting forth. “I did what you asked and went an extra mile pleasing the wrong people.”I crumble fr

  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   A/N

    hey guys. I promise I'm not slowing updates on purpose this time. We have gotten to critical points in this book and I'm not going to rush it. I'm doing my best to deliver as seamlessly as I can and carefully close plot holes. So please be patient with me 🥹. It's slowly but surely...no one likes an unsatisfactory ending. Please bear with me.

  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   127

    LILIANAThe words strike right in the middle of my chest like lightning hitting a spot twice. It just doubles the ache I’ve been feeling since I woke up. Could it be any worse?I’m certain I’ve heard this from the man himself. As though fate is playing a cruel joke on me, his words echo in my ears again.‘I killed her.’ ‘I pulled the trigger that killed her.’Is that why he wanted me to stay away from him? Oh, Liliana, how much of an idiot can you be? The signs have been staring at me naked. I ignored the way I did Kyle’s red flags until he landed me in worse trouble. Is this just the universe’s way of teaching people like me lessons?“You look pale. Maybe you should just go back and wait…?”“No. No, I’m fine.” I don’t know if I’m ready to hear more of what she has to say, yet I tell her– “Go on.”She nods, casts a nervous glance around and then looks at the door. “I don’t know what he hides in there that he’s refused to let anyone in. The only person who managed to see in here by m

  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   126

    LILIANARachel is waiting by the door by the time the car pulls up inside the fancy prison I familiarized myself with as home. Not anymore. Maybe soon, this nightmare would be over and I’ll get over him. “You’re back early?”I manage a fake smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes. “Don’t tell me you miss me. I’ve barely been gone for a week.”She reaches to take my bags and I pull away before she can touch it. There’s no need to fool anyone with exaltations when we are both alike in more ways than we think. She’s a slave here even though she’s willing. I’m the captive. Still sounds the same to me. Yet, why do I need all of this special attention? It’s just bullshit around here.Speaking of captives, I stop and turn to Rachel. “Did Melanie stop by at the house today?”She pauses to think, then shakes her head. “That was last night. I told her you were on a trip and she made me spill the location. I don’t know why she needed that information anyway.” After another long pause, she gasps

  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   125

    Buckle up people, this is going to be a long ass read but I guess we've seen this coming.LILIANAMelanie?I look at Damian for help, wondering why in the hell she is standing on the property of his private island. Wait–how does she know where we are? Damian looks as shocked as I am as well. So we’re going to say he’s not aware of her arrival? I don’t believe whatever facade he’s wearing on his face now. It’s hard to believe he doesn’t know about this and something within me breaks. I’m not sure what that is.“Well, well, well,” she starts in a demeaning tone reeking of spite, “if it’s not the captive and her captor enjoying a week out of town so they can spend time alone. How romantic!”Damian looks like he’s fed up of her nonsense. “What are you doing here, Mel?”“That’s not such a nice thing to say to someone who you once called better suited for your cock. Now that’s not very nice, is it? I should be the one asking the questions here, not you baby boy. What are you doing here?” Sh

  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   A/N

    To my consistent readers who make writing worth it, i'll be making the next chapter a free one to make up for my inconsistencies. especially those two special readers whose comments I can't do without and make me roll in laughter on my bed and spin ideas...thank you. thank you for loving D & L even in their silliness and mistakes. thank you, wonderful readers for getting to this point. you're my most treasured on earth after God and chocolate. happy reading!

  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   124

    LILIANAThe water ripples as he sinks in behind me, large body settling under the surface with practised ease. His legs open and he guides me between them, pulling me back against his chest. His arms come around me.I melt right into him with a greedy inhale of him.We sit like that for a while with the water lapping around us and his fingers massaging my scalp. Then, they stop and disappear into the water. Before I get the chance to protest, his fingers lightly begin tracing patterns on my stomach. His chin rests on my shoulder, and for a moment, everything stills. Until his hands drift lower. And lower.“You’re insatiable,” I whisper, smiling. I already know how this is going to end.“And you,” he says as he grazes my ear with his mouth, “are impossible to resist.”He shifts me, wrapping his hands around my waist to turn me so I can straddle his lap. The second our eyes lock, the air becomes charged with sexual tension. His hands are hot on my thighs. I rest my hands on his should

Galugarin at basahin ang magagandang nobela
Libreng basahin ang magagandang nobela sa GoodNovel app. I-download ang mga librong gusto mo at basahin kahit saan at anumang oras.
Libreng basahin ang mga aklat sa app
I-scan ang code para mabasa sa App
DMCA.com Protection Status