YVONNEI stared at my reflection in the mirror. It's been a while since I last glammed up like this. The dress hugged my body in all the right places. The slit on one side showed just enough skin but still looked elegant and sophisticated.The strapless and structured bodice complemented me well. However, I couldn't help but think that something was amiss. I let out a harsh sigh."Is there something wrong?" Vlad asked when he suddenly appeared behind me. I was so preoccupied that I didn't notice when he came. He held me in his arms, his fingers gently caressing the curve of my waist.We were in the penthouse he had just acquired. I agreed to stay with him now that he's here but I'm still keeping my unit."Nothing," I forced a smile onto my lips. "I'm just a little anxious."I told him honestly. I wanted everything to be perfect tonight and I couldn't help but worry that something might go wrong."You don't need to worry," he pulled me onto him and gently placed a chaste kiss on my lip
VLADIMIRRiva just started a fucking commotion. Reporters around swarmed like bees around her, making it hard for my men to drag her away!Fuck.What is she trying to do? Did she think she could win my favor if she ruined this event?"Vlad, please!" she screamed while trying to get away from the reporters who were shoving their mics and cameras in her face."Fuck it, do something," I hissed at Blaze who quickly moved."Vlad," Yvonne muttered beside me while holding onto my hand. Her palm was cold but sweaty and I couldn't blame her.She worked hard for this. And it's slowly falling apart right before her very eyes! Fuck.I should have known Riva wouldn't stop at anything. What else does she want from me?"Wait here," I whispered to her while signaling Matias to stay beside her.I don't want anything to do with her but this is the fastest way to get rid of her. I walked past the reporters who were asking questions nonstop. Cameras were flashing left and right! Blaze and my other men cl
VLADIMIR"Vlad!" Yvonne cried as I hugged her. I only want her to be safe. I need to protect her no matter what.I closed my eyes as I waited for the pain to come, but instead of the sudden, intense burning pain of a bullet piercing my flesh, I felt a heavy weight collapsing on my back.At the same time, I heard Blaze and Mike coming to help us. Mike kept firing shots, covering us while Blaze helped me get up.I was confused when I realized it was Riva's weight that fell upon me. She was hit. Blaze pulled her up and dragged her inside while I ran with Yvonne. Other guests were also rushing inside the shelter, looking for a place to hide."What the hell?" I exclaimed when we finally got into safety."I-I'm sorry," Riva gasped while looking straight into my eyes.I frowned, getting more confused. How did she get shot? Isn't she the one behind this? Maybe because I tried to take the bullet that was supposed to be for Yvonne. My jaw clenched at the thought that she was the target of those
(TRIGGER WARNING. May contain scenes about abuse and self-harm.)I strode into the middle of the stage when the soft, sultry tune filled the air. The bright spotlight followed every movement as I inched closer to the vertical pole, standing in the middle of the stage, my hips swaying to the melody of the sensual music.I stopped by the stainless bar, gripping it with both hands. I slowly waved my body against it while looking at the audience in front of me. Lust was clearly visible in their eyes as they seemed to undress me with their salacious stares.I looked away as I started to walk around the pole."And I'm so used to being used..."I threw my head back as I hummed parts of the song while dancing. My long hair flipped behind me. My hands moved higher on the pole while I hooked my right leg to it and then lifted my weight. I moved higher on the rod before letting myself slide around it in a fluid motion.The cheers from the crowd of men in front of the stage hyped me up. I am so us
"Bitch! What are you doing here?!"France's shrill scream woke me up from my dreamless slumber. My lids fluttered open. I looked at her with a dazed expression. It took a while before I finally realized what was going on.I fell asleep on the bathroom floor! Damn it!I stood up and quickly looked down to check my body."What did you do?!" France's panicked voice took my attention."What?" I asked nonchalantly."The show's not over yet!" she screamed."Fine," I grunted before walking out of the bathroom as if nothing happened. I headed to the door when I felt my hair pulled back."Are you crazy?!" France hissed. "Do you seriously think that the clients would like you in that state?" she pointed at my drenched clothes."What do you want me to do?" I asked unemotionally, which made her sigh in frustration. She was obviously running out of patience, but I couldn't care less."Hurry up and get changed!" she snapped. "Or do you want me to do it for you?!" she looked at me sharply.I sighed w
"Haven't you heard?" Mica frowned when I asked her what was happening.The hellhole of a place is now in complete chaos. Madam Hirushi is screaming in a different language. In the years that I was locked up here, I had already picked up some of the words she frequently used, but she was yelling too fast that I couldn't keep up.One thing is for sure. She's enraged! I've never seen her like this before."Why would I ask if I know?" I snapped at her.She clicked her tongue in annoyance but stepped forward to come nearer."One of the newbies escaped last night," she whispered behind my ear.My eyes widened in shock. Someone escaped!"W-who?" I whispered back despite already having an inkling who it was."Julia," she mouthed.My heart seemed to jump even though I was already expecting it. She escaped!Memories rushed inside me of that night long ago when I thought I could slip out of the syndicate's claws. Only to be caught shortly after that. The punishment they gave me was unimaginable.
"What's taking you so long?" he snapped as he slammed the door open again. He looked at me like I was a petulant child he needed to reprimand.I raised an eyebrow at him. This time, I was already fully clothed and had just finished fixing myself. I even put on a bit of make-up since I saw some on the vanity."Follow me. I need to discuss something," he ordered.I did as I was asked, walking behind him while looking around. If I was already in awe of the room I woke up in, my jaw literally dropped at the sight outside. It was no doubt a penthouse unit. Even though the interior design is minimalist, the whole place still screams luxury and wealth!I can't believe I stepped foot in a place like this. I kept looking around but couldn't help but get distracted by his physique. I wanted to whistle when I took a good look from his broad shoulders down to his firm butt. He indeed works out to be able to maintain this kind of body."Ouch," I whimpered when my forehead hit his shoulder when he s
"Wake up," a stern voice woke me up abruptly.For a while, I was confused when I saw the unfamiliar room I was in. It took a few good seconds before everything registered in my still hazy brain. My eyes felt heavy as I scanned the room. I could feel how they were swollen from crying."Your training will start today," the cold voice stated.I looked up to see the man who bought me. I found myself shamelessly staring at him. How can he look this good despite the silver streaks in his hair? That is the only clear giveaway of his age. His body is still so fit. I bet he can crush me with ease."Hey," he snapped his finger in front of my face right before my thoughts went dark and dirty. I jerked back in surprise."I'm talking to you," he snapped.Right. But what did he say? Training. "Training?" I voiced out my confusion. What training?"You are supposed to be my wife. I can't introduce you like that," he said, looking at me with a hint of disgust in his eyes. He was scanning me like I was
VLADIMIR"Vlad!" Yvonne cried as I hugged her. I only want her to be safe. I need to protect her no matter what.I closed my eyes as I waited for the pain to come, but instead of the sudden, intense burning pain of a bullet piercing my flesh, I felt a heavy weight collapsing on my back.At the same time, I heard Blaze and Mike coming to help us. Mike kept firing shots, covering us while Blaze helped me get up.I was confused when I realized it was Riva's weight that fell upon me. She was hit. Blaze pulled her up and dragged her inside while I ran with Yvonne. Other guests were also rushing inside the shelter, looking for a place to hide."What the hell?" I exclaimed when we finally got into safety."I-I'm sorry," Riva gasped while looking straight into my eyes.I frowned, getting more confused. How did she get shot? Isn't she the one behind this? Maybe because I tried to take the bullet that was supposed to be for Yvonne. My jaw clenched at the thought that she was the target of those
VLADIMIRRiva just started a fucking commotion. Reporters around swarmed like bees around her, making it hard for my men to drag her away!Fuck.What is she trying to do? Did she think she could win my favor if she ruined this event?"Vlad, please!" she screamed while trying to get away from the reporters who were shoving their mics and cameras in her face."Fuck it, do something," I hissed at Blaze who quickly moved."Vlad," Yvonne muttered beside me while holding onto my hand. Her palm was cold but sweaty and I couldn't blame her.She worked hard for this. And it's slowly falling apart right before her very eyes! Fuck.I should have known Riva wouldn't stop at anything. What else does she want from me?"Wait here," I whispered to her while signaling Matias to stay beside her.I don't want anything to do with her but this is the fastest way to get rid of her. I walked past the reporters who were asking questions nonstop. Cameras were flashing left and right! Blaze and my other men cl
YVONNEI stared at my reflection in the mirror. It's been a while since I last glammed up like this. The dress hugged my body in all the right places. The slit on one side showed just enough skin but still looked elegant and sophisticated.The strapless and structured bodice complemented me well. However, I couldn't help but think that something was amiss. I let out a harsh sigh."Is there something wrong?" Vlad asked when he suddenly appeared behind me. I was so preoccupied that I didn't notice when he came. He held me in his arms, his fingers gently caressing the curve of my waist.We were in the penthouse he had just acquired. I agreed to stay with him now that he's here but I'm still keeping my unit."Nothing," I forced a smile onto my lips. "I'm just a little anxious."I told him honestly. I wanted everything to be perfect tonight and I couldn't help but worry that something might go wrong."You don't need to worry," he pulled me onto him and gently placed a chaste kiss on my lip
VLADIMIR"I missed you," she groaned, making me harder than I already was!Fuck. She's making me lose it when I didn't even plan on taking her tonight! I wanted to take things slow, but she's a fucking temptation!I can't even remember how we ended up like this. I only wanted to surprise her with this new place. Her unit was fine, but I wanted the best for her. I knew she would probably refuse to accept it, so I already had it under her name.I growled when she suddenly bit my lip in the midst of our heated kiss. All thoughts that I had quickly dissipated into the air, leaving only her.I slid my fingers into her hair, pulled her face towards mine, and forcibly captured her exploring tongue with mine, thus deepening the kiss. Our mouths fused until we needed to come up for air. I didn't let her go. We tried to catch our breath against each other's lips."Vlad," she called my name like a prayer, breaking all the reigns I'd been trying so hard to keep."You have no idea how much I've l
YVONNE"What?!" I snapped at Selene who kept gawking at me as if I was a puzzle she couldn't quite solve."Are you high?" she asked, her voice dripping with genuine confusion.I frowned. Why the hell would she think that?"Something's different today. You look so..." she trailed off while staring at me. She's seriously starting to creep me out."Stop staring!" I groaned, but she only laughed at me."C'mon Yvonne, spill the beans!" she chuckled, making me roll my eyes."Does it have anything to do with Dr. Phil?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.She then glanced at Dr. Phil who was busy talking to his patients. I watched as the expression on her face slowly changed. When her eyes returned to me, she seemed more confused than earlier.An audible gasp came out of her lips when she must have realized something. Her eyes widened a fraction. It would have been funny watching her reactions if it hadn't changed to an accusing one."Don't tell me..." she didn't finish but I think we both knew
VLADIMIRI wished she could have stayed in bed with me a little longer, but I knew she had things to do—and so did I."I'm gonna drive you there," I told her as I got out of her bed.I don't understand how I was able to sleep soundly there. Perhaps it was my exhaustion or maybe it was just her. She has the ability to calm all the raging demons inside me."Uhm, okay," she hesitantly stated. "Coffee?""You don't need to bother. We can grab some breakfast before we go to the shelter," I said."Oh," she nodded before hurrying into a door which I assume was the bathroom.I looked around her tiny unit. I don't know why she's putting up with this when she can get a better place. I made sure she was paid enough to live comfortably. That was the only thing I could think of when she refused to accept anything from me.We dropped by a cafe to have our breakfast before I drove her to the shelter."I'll pick you up later," I told her when I stopped the car."Uhh," she played with her fingers on he
YVONNEI stared at my phone's screen. I sighed and put it down only to pick it up again. I scrolled randomly before finally tossing it away. I don't know why I seem to be waiting for it to ring or something.Oh, who am I kidding?!Of course, I was waiting for him to call or at least send a message! I chewed on my bottom lip, replaying our last conversation in my head. What if that was just a dream? Damn it!What did he even mean when he asked me for some time? What am I supposed to do? Should I just stay here and wait until he comes back? It's okay, right? I should give him that. But...Damn. The waiting game is giving me so much anxiety!What if he suddenly changes his mind when he talks to Riva? What if she makes him realize that he was just confused? What if it was just lust he was feeling for me? Ugh!I groaned while covering my face with a pillow. I'm alone in my unit again, overthinking! This would be the death of me!I don't know what else to do. I tried my best to keep myself
VLADIMIRNo. This can't be right.I glanced at Blaze who was looking at me apologetically."I know it's hard to believe, but everything points to her," he said.I harshly wiped my face with my palm. It's unbelievable. I can't imagine how she was able to orchestrate something like this.Well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I thought bitterly.I squeezed my eyes shut before looking at the files Blaze had given me when I arrived. I scanned them again, making sure I wasn't seeing things. I gritted my teeth while reading.They were complete with bank transactions, emails, and phone calls. I don't know how he got all of this but it doesn't matter now, does it?Everything was traced back to Riva. Riva!My seemingly innocent wife. Her sweet smile flashed at the back of my mind. How could she do this to me? I never once suspected her. Even now, with everything my men found against her, I still find it hard to believe.How could she do this to me?How? Why? Some of the bank transactio
YVONNEMy head is reeling. I stood behind the closed door, replaying everything that happened inside my head. To say I was dumbfounded is an understatement.I'm in love with you.I can still hear his husky voice and feel his warm breath fanning against the sensitive skin on my neck. Speechless after he said those words, I didn't even try to look at him, even though I could feel his glances while driving back to my unit.I don't know how to process it. It seemed unrealistic. Did he really say those words? Was I dreaming?I pinched my arm so hard to prove that I am awake. I groaned when pain hit me.Shit. It was real!"Aah!" I screamed so loud that I must have woken up the entire building!Damn it! I jumped into the daybed and pushed my face against a pillow, trying to muffle my screams against it.I'm losing my mind!How can he be in love with me? I can't believe this. He must be playing with me! But why would he lie about it?I rolled to my back and stared at the ceiling as if his fac