KAYLA “ We're going to ask him for help?” Miro didn't hide his irritation while I did my best to act natural after hearing something related to Ricardo. “ Yes, they're a powerful organization and beside, we're allies,” dad answered. As they talked, I got lost in thought for a moment - the only thing on my mind being Ricardo. If Ricardo was going to help out, does that mean that I might meet him again? Is there a possibility that I could? I toyed with my fingers as I thought hard. “ Are you alright, Kay?” Liliana leaned closer as she whispered. “ Huh?” I snapped out of my thoughts. “ I'm fine,“ I whispered back, forcing a smile. “ Even though, I still don't like the idea,” Miro was against it. “ They have people in th judiciary and in the police force so it would be easier to bring him down,” dad justified his decision. “ That reminds me,” dad cleared his throat, getting our attention. “ I wasn't sure if I should tell you this now but the
KAYLA I watched as Liliana turned to me with wide eyes. I didn't want to have to confess it but if I hadn't, Liliana wouldn't have understood. “ What did you just say?” She turned around to face me in disbelief. “ I know Ricardo more than you think because we've dated,” I repeated myself. “ How did that happen?” Dad was awestruck. Liliana sat back down still stunned by what I had said. “ I took on a mission to infiltrate El Salvatore mafia to get information on the deals being made and the clients and the only way to get access to the information I needed was to get close to Ricardo,” I said. “ It was harder than I thought because even seeing him was like something you see once in every blue moon but luckily for me, he quickly took an interest in me and locked me up in his penthouse initially,” I narrated. “ He locked you up?” Liliana was paying attention to every word from my mouth. “ Only because he didn't trust me but as so
KAYLA Two weeks had passed since I was placed under Miro's supervision. I wasn't allowed to go out without being accompanied for fear of me doing something drastic or running away. I didn't have any plans on doing that now at least but I couldn't deny that being confined was something I didn't want. Just then, a knock came on my door. “ Come in,” I gave whoever it was the go-ahead. Liliana’s head popped inside the room first, scanning everywhere before entering. She was acting weird. “ What's with the weird act?” I asked with twisted brows as she approached me. “ Shhh,” she hushed me as she sat on the bed. “ What's going on?” I whispered. “ How would you like to follow me to a party and have fun?” She asked in a hushed tone. “ I would love to but parties aren't exactly fun when you're constantly being watched,” I groaned. There was no need going for a party if I was being monitored. “ Of course. Who'd want to be watched when they
KAYLA I sat down quietly in Axel’s car, it was nearly midnight. What had we really done tonight that time had flown? I rested my head back on the passenger seat and thought back on tonight's events. After partying and clubbing, Axel, the man that had asked me for a dance had suggested we go to a park for a stroll since I was feeling a bit lightheaded and nauseous. Honestly, it has been so long since I had fun like this. Miro came to mind, we used to have fun like this before we started having issues. “ Are you awake?” Axel asked, staring at me. “ Mhmm,” I hummed softly as I opened my eyes. “ I just wanted to know if you had fallen asleep,” he said rubbing his neck awkwardly. “ I'm sorry for stressing you out today. I got a bit carried away,” he said in a low voice. “ What are you talking about?” I looked at him. “ You ended up drinking more alcohol than your body can handle because of me. I didn't know you weren't much of a drinker,” h
HAVEN “ It's a lot more comfortable to be in your own house than a hotel no matter how expensive,” Iris lay flat on the king-sized bed. “ You just like roaming crazy, that's why,” I rolled my eyes. “ That's not the only reason I hate them. I just do,” she ruled out as she sprawled on the bed. “ Aren't you going to get up and unpack your things?” I poked her. “ Argh! Aren't you a little too diligent for a younger sister?” Iris groaned. “ We're the same age, genius,” I reminded her. “ I'm older than you with a few months though,” she stuck out her tongue. “ That doesn't matter,” I defended. “ If seconds count, why can't months?” She shrugged. “ Anyway, let's put our things away and go to your room,” I kicked her so she'd budge. “ Can't we just stay in the same room?” She kicked her legs. “ Just say you don't want to stand up,” I sighed, placing my hands on my hips. “ So I don't get to move rig
AXEL I drove back home with adrenaline rush. I could feel my face heat up. Was she about to kiss me? “ No way,” I touched my cheeks in disbelief as I muttered to myself. “ Doesn't that mean she's interested in me?” The thought of her liking me gave me a sort of satisfaction and bliss I couldn't quite explain. I feel for her even without her mask and I didn't mind how she'd look but seeing her without the mask was something I didn't expect. She looked so angelic and young. “ I should ask someone for relationship advice,” I thought allowed. I was a novice when it came to romance and all. It was especially different since she was an older lady. “ Should I ask Clara?” I pondered. “ But she's just going to pry and she's going to give me an ear full when she hears that Lio is older,” I groaned. My older sister wasn't someone I wanted to ask for advice concerning this matter because she'd lecture me for sure. My mind went to my younger sister, Lexi. She was a
AXELThe next morning I was summoned by mom and not surprisingly got scolded by her. To make matters worse, my cars have been seized. This sucked. “ So this is how it feels to be poor?” I muttered to myself as I lay down with a blank expression on my face as my mind drifted. A knock came on my door and it was Lexi. “ You look terrible,” she said the moment she walked in, her arms folded. “ If you're here to rub it in my face then leave,” I wasn't in the mood right now. “ I'd love to but I have no idea what punishment mom gave you,” she stood by my bedside. “ So what's your punishment?” She was more curious about that than how I was feeling right now. Well, it would be weird if she started caring about me overnight. “ She seized my cars and I'm not allowed to drink for two months,” I groaned. “ The second isn't exactly a punishment because someone needs to tell older people that just because they are over eighteen doesn't mean they should
RICARDO I stood in front of the full body mirror getting dressed, I put on an extra layer of black fur coat. Winter was around the corner and so better warm than cold.How long has it been since I and Kayla went our separate ways? “ Ugh!” I slapped my hand across my face, startling the maids that were helping me. “ I-Is there a problem, Sir?” One mustard the courage to ask. “ No, I just remembered something unpleasant,” I said, my face contorting in displeasure. “ You may go,” I dismissed them all. I didn't want to think about Kayla or how she had hurt me but ever so often, she'd pop into my head. In a few minutes, I was ready and I headed downstairs. “ You're going out, Boss?” Enzo who had just arrived asked. “ Yes, is there anything you want to tell me?” I asked. “ No, we can always discuss it when you come back but where really are you going?” He was really curious. “ You not coming to work today so where could you
KAYLAFive years later Liliana barged in with Nico following her behind. She was always so extra. “ Slow down, you're going to fall at the rate you're going,” I said to her. “ Lio! I've missed you,” she hugged me dramatically. “ We met like a month ago, Lily,” I reminded her. “ Even though,” she was persistent. “ I don't think I can live without you. What if we live together?” She suggested. “ You're married, Lily,” I pursed my lips. “ We can still live in the same house,” she insisted. “ You keep forgetting that you're married and you have a child,” I have her a flick on the head. “ Nico, do you need a break perhaps?” Dealing with Liliana must be too much for him. “ Apparently, I signed up for this,” he sighed as he rocked Arianna, their four-year old daughter. She looked like Nico. “ Is she still asleep?” I lowered my tone. “ Yes. She'll be sad if she can't see you today, she was antici
KAYLATwo days later Contrary to how I thought I would feel, I didn't feel hollow or empty. I would be lying to say I wasn't sad but I also felt good that I had ended things with him. Our relationship never had a solid foundation. “ Can't believe it started out toxic and ended toxic,” I mumbled. “ What are you going on about, rambling to yourself?” Liliana said. I turned around to find her leaning against my door post. “ You startled me for a second,” I held on to my chest. “ You really should learn how to knock,” I frowned. She really had startled me. “ Yeah, yeah,” she rolled her eyes, not taking my words seriously. “ Did you want to tell me something?” I asked as she sat down on my bed. “ Yes and no,” she shrugged. “ Huh?” “ Don't think too much about your break-up with Ricardo. It was the right decision,” she said. “ Thanks,” I smiled warmly. “ I also wanted to let you in on a secret,” she leaned clos
KAYLAI tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. The moment Gian had stepped out of the room, I was not able to stop myself from breaking down again.I was such a weakling. I curled into myself as I cried my heart out while being mad about myself that I couldn’t stop crying and my heart wouldn’t stop hurting.I sniffled quietly, hours or probably after minutes. It seemed my eyes had dried off and there were no longer tears for me to shed.“I hate you, Ricardo” I muttered to myself as I wiped the tears that were drying on my cheeks. My sobs had turned into whimpers without tears.“How did I get here? Was everything all for nothing?” I asked myself as I turned to my back and stared at the ceiling while my heart and head wondered where it had all gone wrong.How the hell did I fall this deep from my first mission? Love was such a bastard. I was so stupid for falling for Ricardo and thinking I had his heart after all this time.Ricardo was a hardened criminal who thought of only the fami
GIANI unlocked the door and we both went into my apartment. My legs carried me to the switch and I turned on the lights and walked in. “Do you want anything to drink?” I turned to Kayla who was still lingering by the door. She opened her mouth and closed it a few times, hesitation present in her eyes but she finally made up her mind and gave a slight nod.“Come on, stop lingering like a stranger” I told her, attempting to lighten the mood but it didn’t work.She walked into the living room and took a seat on the couch while I walked into the kitchen to drink water.I may not be as drunk as I was as a result of having to go and pick her up but I was still tipsy and Kayla’s demeanor told me that I needed to be sober in case she needed me.I reached for the orange juice in the fridge because I didn’t think it is was right to give her alcohol even though she looked like she needed one.I poured the juice into a glass cup for the both of us before going back to her in the room where sh
GIANThe high-end club I loved to visit was known for its insane parties just like I love it. I knew I was drunk but I was still aware of my surroundings. Ladies swarmed me like bees and I wasn't one to complain about the attention as they took turns to grind their bodies against mine.The music was loud and I was certain I was going to have a headache tomorrow but who cares? all I wanted was to have fun right now.I leaned against the bar with a smirk on my face as the girls tried to get my solo attention. “Oh Gian, you're so hot” the blonde ladies dressed as provocative highschool girls kept fawning over me as they gave me more and more shots of alcohol. These girls were easy and worse still, some even came with their boyfriends! What a sad world. I had gotten into a few fights earlier tonight because of the boyfriends coming to talk smack at me for taking their girls. Like bro, how's that my fault? “Tell me something I don't know, ladies” I said with a smirk as I took another s
KAYLAIt was raining heavily as I drove my black car down the road. I was trying my best not to show any emotions but it was hard. I found myself unable to muster any emotions as I stared blankly at the windshield drenched in water with the wipers swinging from side to side as they attempted to clean it. Where was I even going? I asked myself but I couldn't come up with any answer. I could only drive while occasionally staring at the few cars that traveled alongside me on the dark and wet road.“F*ck you, Ricardo! F*ck you!” I cussed in mutters, trying not to let my rage get the best of me. I wanted my mind to be blank but I couldn't help myself.I was annoyed, pissed, enraged, angered….ahhhh! There wasn't any word in my freaking vocabulary to accurately describe how I felt. We were engaged for Christ’s sake. Yeah, maybe I wasn't the best partner but I did my best, didn't I? I turned my back on the government because of this man and he just casually trampled on my feelings and sa
KAYLA We talked about random things from my siblings to his siblings. He especially went on and on about his little sister, Lexi. I hadn't seen her but I knew she'd be adorable. The food showed up, a colorful spread of hot delicacies presented with style. Every dish was well seasoned and my previous distrust quickly faded. “ I really love the food,” I savored every moment of each bite. “ I'm glad you're enjoying it,” he was satisfied by my reaction. The atmosphere became more laid back as the minutes went by, as we laughed and enjoyed our dinner. By the time dessert arrived – dumplings or what they originally call Jiaozi – my initial apprehension had completely vanished. I found myself genuinely enjoying every bit of the restaurant. As we sat there, savoring the sweetness of the dessert, a comfortable silence fell on us. Axel leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on me. Looking up from my food, our eyes met and I couldn't bring myself to loo
KAYLA The motorcycle ride through the busy city streets was thrilling, giving me a brief escape from my worries. Axel parked the bike in front of a cozy restaurant on a quiet side street, bringing me a sense of relief. I had secretly been anxious about going to a fancy, high-end restaurant, fearing the expensive menu, unfamiliar rules, and possible social mistakes. “ Sometimes, I forget that I'm rich,” I sighed. Stepping off the motorcycle, I took a deep breath of the warm evening air scented with jasmine and a spicy aroma. It was a Chinese restaurant. " Ready for a surprise?" Axel asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.I couldn't help but smile back. "Always," I replied, my apprehension replaced by a sliver of curiosity.He took my hand and led me around the back of the restaurant. My jaw dropped open in surprise. A hidden fake oasis unfolded before me.The backyard of the restaurant had been transformed into a breathtaking scene. Lotus lights sparkled on
KAYLA I reappeared into the living room where we all were. I was all dressed up for the day. “ How do I look?” I asked, wanting to know their opinion. “ Great as expected but aren't you too concerned about your looks for ‘ just an outing ’ with a friend?” Renato bounced his brows. “ What would you know about girls?” I scoffed. “ We bother about things like this no matter who we're meeting,” I found a way to justify my actions. “ So why don't you want us to tell Ricardo or anyone else about your whereabouts?” Renzo probed. “ And why were you blushing and playing hard-to-get over the phone?” Now, they were just exaggerating. “ By the way, we're not against it. We're totally in support so there's no need to worry about such trivial things,” Renzo have me a thumbs up. A playful smile tugged at the corner of my lips despite my flustered state. "Don't tease," I mumbled, shoving a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "It's not a r