VLADIMIR "I thought you didn't know me," I taunted. I stared at him, savoring the fear written all over his face. "I-I..." he was speechless. His mouth opened and closed a few times as if he wanted to say something, but he could not come up with anything. "What? Cat got your tongue?" I sneered. "I- I don't owe anything to you!" he finally yelled, although he still stammered a little. "Are you sure?" I walked around him, taking slow, calculated steps while looking him up and down. According to his file, he was just a few years older than me, but his years were clearly showing on his body. His gray and thinning hair made him look older than he really was, and so did his beer belly. I don't think he could last long, considering the things I wanted done to him."Of course! I have nothing to do with you! Get me out of here!" he screamed while pulling his hands from the chains that bound them, but they wouldn't budge. I held my hand to Blaze, who gave me a piece of paper. I glanced at
YVONNEIt's been a long and exhausting day.I didn't know how long I was staring at the ceiling in my room. I quickly dived into my bed as soon as I finished relieving myself in the bathroom. My lust failed to die down even after what happened.Damn it. I wish Dr. Chapin could come up with a diagnosis as soon as possible. I couldn't wait to be treated. I already felt so disgusted, but I couldn't help it.Ugh. I should probably go back to her clinic. Am I allowed to go there without an appointment?I blew out an exasperated breath while recalling the events of the day. Why have I even thought of doing that? It was embarrassing, to say the least!I bit my lower lip. Damn. I could still taste Vladimir in my mouth. The mere thought of it was enough to send my body into a delirious heat. Thinking that I could somehow give him pleasure despite his condition was already an achievement for me.Achievement, huh?!I rolled to my stomach and pushed my face into the sheets. I'm going crazy. If V
YVONNE"What was that all about?" I asked Vladimir after Dave, his assistant, left."Didn't you ask for a job?" he asked sarcastically."Y-yeah," I stammered when his eyes focused on me. I felt my heart skip a freaking beat. "I did. But... I was thinking more of a secretarial job." I forced myself to explain no matter how difficult it was under his prying gaze."Did you think I would allow that?" his eyes narrowed. "You are my wife. What would people think if I will let you be some errand girl? And didn't you say you wanted to be productive?"I gulped."I'm afraid I'm underqualified for everything," I murmured."Of course you are," he snapped. My heart clenched a little, but I tried to ignore it. He was only spitting facts. I shouldn't be sensitive about it."That's why you have to work with Dave. He will teach you everything you have to know," he said."Do you think..." I trailed off. I bit my lip. I needed the pain to focus."Do you think I can do it?" I hesitantly asked. My voice t
VLADIMIR"How is he?" I asked Blaze, not because I was concerned.I just don't want him to die. Not just yet."Still breathing, boss," he chuckled.I tilted my head from side to side, clicking my neck in the process. There had been a lot of trouble in my underground business recently, which was causing me a lot of stress. I could use blowing off some steam.I headed to the basement where Rodriguez was still held captive. It's been over a week since we caught him. He lost a lot of weight. He was black and blue all over. His face was puffed up. One of his eyes was swollen shut. Nobody would recognize him, not even his closest relatives.His hands were still chained together above him. I bet he couldn't feel them anymore."Is he fed?" I asked."Yeah," he nodded. "Just enough for him to survive."My nose scrunched up at the putrid scent that hit me when I got in front of his cell. The smell of dried blood, urine, and shit all mixed together. It was hell in itself."Next time, clean this u
YVONNE"I-is that blood?" I mumbled while staring at his shirt.I felt cold. Memories of how he killed a man rushed into my head. Did he kill someone again?He grabbed my hands, which were still frozen in front of him, and gently squeezed them.I gulped. I was still worried about the blood on his shirt, but the heat from his hands coursing through my skin was distracting me. Even though he looked like he had been through some serious shit, I couldn't help my stupid attraction towards him.Not even my fear can extinguish the spark of desire within me."Don't worry about it," he said. "It's nothing."He glanced at the files on the table."I see you're doing your homework," he comments. I knew he was trying to change the topic."Are you okay?" I couldn't help but ask. What if the blood was his? He looked exhausted, and god, what was that smell? He still smelled good, but there was a hint of something pungent lingering in the air around him. I can't tell what the smell was, but it was bad
Warning. Violent Scenes ahead.VLADIMIR"How the hell did this happen?!" my voice thundered, making almost everyone around me jump.Fuck! I just lost a couple of hundred million dollars! A regular client of mine backed out of our deal, and now I learned the reason behind it. He had been offered a much lower price for the same weapons, which would be impossible without suffering from significant loss as well.I gritted my teeth in annoyance. First, the police caught our huge shipment, then this. I don't think any of it was a coincidence. Someone is working double time to sabotage my dealings.Fuck it. I will kill whoever he is with my bare hands. He will regret ever messing with me!"We're already doing our best to find leads, boss," Blaze told me."Best?" I hissed. "You haven't even found who was behind the ambush of our shipment!"This has never happened before. Nobody dared cross me like this. I am one of the top dogs in the underground business. I have the biggest firearms and ammu
YVONNE"Are you ready?" Vladimir's low voice almost sounded like a grumble, making me jump in surprise.I didn't hear him enter my room. I was busy staring at my reflection in the mirror, admiring how the group of stylists changed how I looked tonight.The pure white gown fit me so well. The top resembled a suit with long sleeves and a deep v-neckline that almost reached my belly button. It was floor-length but with a long slit on the side. My hair was curled and swept to the left side of my shoulder. My make-up was sophisticated and done to perfection.Vladimir joined me. He stood behind me and gazed at my reflection. I gulped when his hands rested on my hip. Then he dipped his head into the crook of my neck. I bit my lip while slightly tilting my head to the side to give him more access.Damn, we look so hot. My lids felt heavy as I stared at us in the mirror."Fuck, can we ditch the gala tonight," he whispered while inhaling my scent. His wet lips touched my skin, causing goosebump
YVONNEI rolled my eyes at him when our gazes met through our reflection on the elevator wall. He didn't say anything, but his arm snaked behind my waist. He didn't let me go even when we stepped out of the elevator.A shiny, black limousine was waiting for us outside the building. His bodyguard opened the door. He helped me in before sitting beside me, his hand resting on my exposed thigh. A trail of heat coursed from his palm, spreading throughout my skin.I shifted in my seat, took a deep breath, and tried to calm myself down. I will take this as a test.Dr. Chapin has already prescribed antidepressants for me. I've been taking it religiously, along with our frequent sessions. Her first diagnosis was that I had complex post-traumatic stress disorder. She said I developed it from the prolonged exposure to traumatic events.My panic attacks and hypersexuality were just manifestations of my long-term trauma.Our talks had really helped me understand myself better. I am slowly learning
YVONNEI was beyond dumbfounded. I didn't even realize we had already arrived at the hospital. I can't believe I was kidnapped twice in just a short matter of time."We're here," the driver said.Two men escorted me to the emergency room. I told them I was okay and there was really no need to go here but then I remembered how I was bashed in the head with a gun. That part of my head was still throbbing but the crazy events of the night made me numb.The nurses immediately checked if I had wounds. The area where I was hit was tender and sore but it didn't have an open wound."We still need to check. You could have internal bleeding or concussion," the attending physician said when I told them I wanted to go home already.That sounded over dramatic. I wanted to insist on being discharged, but then I remembered I may not have a house to return to anymore.Riva is back. The thought brought a bitter taste to my tongue. She is Vladimir's real wife. Where will that leave me?"Okay," I weakl
YVONNEHow is this even possible? Am I hallucinating?I know I've only seen her in pictures, but...I glanced at Vladimir. Looking at his shocked and pained expression, I knew I was right. It was Riva standing behind the second-floor railing."Dad, stop this! What else do you want?" she cried, weakly sliding onto the floor. I don't think she noticed Vladimir yet."Hush, mia cara," her father cooed before turning to Vlad who still hadn't recovered from his shock.I couldn't blame him. Even I was left gaping at the scene unfolding right before my very eyes."Did you miss Riva?" her father taunted him.A loud gasp echoed. I looked up to see Riva staring back at Vlad. My heart clenched painfully when I saw the longing in her eyes, which mirrored the same expression in Vlad's. The more I stare at them, the more real it gets. She's alive. Riva is alive. I felt an inexplicable stabbing pain in my chest."V-vlad," she called, her voice sounded pleading.Her father gestured something and the
YVONNEWhat the hell is going on?!I tried to call for help but the car made a sharp turn, causing my head to hit on the door.Damn it! I groaned in pain as I felt the car going faster. The speed and the hit on my head made me a little dizzy. Despite that, I still tried to look outside to see where we were heading but couldn't see anything clearly.It was dark and we were going so fast. I grabbed onto the door handle when the man suddenly hit the brake. I almost slammed into the back of the shotgun seat. "Where are we going?" I asked while looking at the man who had taken me. He was wearing a ski mask, making it impossible for me to recognize him.Is this Raoul, Riva's brother?"Who are you? Why are you doing this?!" I cried but he didn't bother to respond. He just kept on driving as if he were in a race.Memories from the last time I was kidnapped replayed in my head like a broken record. No. I won't let it happen again. I looked for something I could use in the backseat. My eyes wi
VLADIMIR"Which of your wives are you looking for?" he smirked. The daunting smile on his crooked lips told me he knew something I didn't."What the hell are you talking about?" I grunted impatiently. I looked around, hoping to see Yvonne, but she was not anywhere in sight. What is he planning to do to her?"Oh," he clutched his chest as if he was in pain. "Have you already forgotten about my daughter? You're hurting my feelings, Vladimir," he chuckled.I frowned. Why is he acting like this? Is he taking his daughter's death lightly or is he mocking me?Fuck him."Let Yvonne go," I growled. "She should be out of this. Whatever happened in the past has nothing to do with her!""Do you think I didn't know that?" he chuckled humorlessly. "But you are in no position to give me orders. You are in my territory. I can get you killed in a snap of a finger."Well, that's what he thinks."Tell me, did you really forget about my precious daughter?" he asked. "Don't you think it's insulting that
VLADIMIRI wanted to be with her. Today, a press conference will be held to address the issue of Yvonne's past and real identity. It had been a hot topic in the business world and started to affect the value of our stocks in the market.Yvonne wanted to speak the truth about the issue. I was advised by the company's public relations director against it, but I still went on with my decision. I know this is a big deal for her and I wanted to be by her side.Unfortunately, I couldn't.Blaze just called me. They already knew where Leon Vitelli was hiding. We needed to quickly devise a plan to take him down. I have to be there to ensure he will be caught."He was spotted going into a warehouse near the bay this afternoon," Blaze pointed at the large map on the screen."We already planted a mole inside," he added."Good," I calmly nodded even though the gears in my head were turning rapidly.We talked about how we were going to capture Leon and his son, Raoul. I clenched my teeth when Riva's
YVONNEI covered my ears with my hands. I can feel the car shaking with the force of the gunshots coming from high-caliber guns. I know Vladimir's cars were all bulletproofed. But would it really last from this kind of attack? It felt like the glass was being hammered by the raining bullets. "What's happening?!" I asked no one in particular. My voice trembled with fear. Aside from Matias who sits with me on the backseat, we have a driver and another member of the security team riding shotgun.It didn't do anything to make me feel safer though. I know they are all capable and well-trained but this scene seemed to be straight out of a damn action movie!"We're getting ambushed," Matias hissed.I tried to peek outside despite the paralyzing fear taking over my body. I immediately saw three black vans parked in front of us, blocking us from driving forward! Most of the shots were coming from them.I shrieked and ducked when a louder noise came up. Shit! I feel like the windshield is goin
YVONNEI breathe heavily, taking in a lungful of air hoping it would somehow calm the brewing storm inside me. I am sitting backstage waiting for my cue to come out.I fidgeted my fingers on my lap. My palms were cold and sweating. I had taken a peek earlier and saw how many people were eagerly waiting outside. I took another breath."You can do this," I whispered.Vladimir agreed to my request. The company's PR team arranged a press conference to address the issue. I am given a chance to tell my side of the story. I can speak out my truth.I don't know how it would turn out in the end, but that doesn't matter now. This is me taking back the reins of my life. This is me taking the first step to get my freedom back.I know not everyone will understand. Speaking up will not magically turn the situation around. I know that. I have prepared myself for that. ,q1My heart thumped wildly inside my chest. This is gonna cause too much trouble. Vlad might hand me the divorce papers after this.
YVONNE I love you... The realization hit me like a bullet train. Damn it! The euphoric feeling from the mind-blowing orgasm he gave me quickly dissipated into the air.You're so stupid, Yvonne! I bit my tongue as I cursed myself internally. I almost said it out loud at the height of my emotions. I am still gasping for air while he gently rolled off me.He put his arm under my head, then pulled me closer. I looked at him. His eyes were closed while catching his breath. There were beads of sweat on his forehead due to the strenuous activity we just finished. He must be running for the hills now if he heard me say those words.I wouldn't blame him if that happened. Even I find it ridiculous! I wanted to laugh even though I didn't find it funny. But do I mean it? Do I really love him? I thought while staring at him.Love. It sounded foreign. I didn't know it was part of my dictionary until now. I don't think I ever felt it. Nobody ever loved me. I never loved anyone either. Love was
YVONNE"What the hell are you doing?" I muttered bitterly while watching her spout nonsense helplessly."Yes, the rumors are true," she confidently said with her head held high. "She's nothing but a gold-digging slut!"My hand trembled. I wanted to yell at her. Where did she get the audacity to say all these things? Why is she doing this?Why do I have to ask? Of course, she's doing it for money. Honestly, I shouldn't be surprised anymore. She sold me, her flesh and blood, for a few thousand bucks. What's stopping her from giving an interview in exchange for cash?"She's an ungrateful bitch who forgot about her own mother! Me!" she cried. "I raised her-"The sound was cut off when someone suddenly grabbed the phone from my hand."What are you doing?" I heard Cora exclaim. "You should be resting!" she gently scolded me.I didn't say anything. I still haven't recovered from what I've seen."Hey, don't worry," she said as she gently squeezed my hand. "I'm sure Vladimir will take care of