Iris POV:Ugh..."Iris!" Susan exclaimed."Susan!" I mimicked her.She rolled her eyes and walked out of the room with me, both of us grumpy."Whoa, whoa, why are you wearing this crap?" he exclaimed, eyeing me up and down with a critical gaze."Guys, look, I'm wearing a jacket and shoes. That's enough to keep me warm," I retorted, my tone defensive."Principessa (princess) he left us with you so we have to look after you," His words were devoid of emotion, but they carried a sense of duty that I couldn't ignore."But I like this," I mumbled, pouting.I was wearing my favorite old high-waisted wide-leg jeans, paired with a simple white shirt and a cozy red cardigan that Ace had gifted me. I look like a worker from a factory or garage."Fine, but if you get cold, make sure to tell the dickhead you're the reason, not us," Alex muttered under his breath.What did Ace tell them that they fear him like this?As Hudson and I climbed into the car and set off for the university, I couldn't
Iris POV:I swallowed hard and sank into my seat in the cafeteria. Despite my troubled state, my food looked appetizing, and I couldn't resist the temptation to dig in. Yummy!I was alone, surrounded by the chatter and laughter of other students enjoying their meals.It had been a week since I arrived, yet I still hadn't made any friends.Occasionally, Ace and I exchanged messages, but it only served to remind me of how much I missed him. He was consumed with work, and it had been four days since I last heard his voice.Pushing my food aside, I rose from my seat, my appetite was gone now.Slumping back down, I pulled out my history book, forcing myself to focus on the dull pages. Boring but I have to do it.The words on the pages seemed to blur together, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of him. Sitting alone in the deserted corridors of the university, I couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that had settled over me. I really miss him.My days had fallen into a monotonous routin
Ace POV:I often wonder how I ended up feeling like this; it's as if I've been plunged into the depths of hell.It's bewildering that a little girl could have such a profound impact on me, wrapping me so effortlessly around her tiny finger.This 5′1" girl with big brown eyes, gentle curves, and a shy demeanor has me completely entranced, consumed by a sick obsession that I never thought possible.And yet, despite the insanity of it all, I don't regret it for a moment.It was my own doing, after all - I allowed her to captivate me, willingly stepping into the web she'd spun and falling for her with my eyes wide open.As I rolled over in bed with a sigh of contentment, I couldn't help but feel rejuvenated from the long hours of sleep.My muscles relaxed blissfully.Today, I arrived at the mansion at 10 in the morning.Since my work commitments had ended earlier than expected.This serendipitous change of plans meant that I could finally return to my Mini.Who'd been attending university
Ace POV:"A-And I answered them but.. it was...wrong b-but next time.. I answered it right though. Ali helped me to take notes," she said, rubbing her eyes, and distracting her mind.I hummed, sighing in peace.The warm air filled the room, our skin gently touching as we sat together in tranquility.After some effort, I managed to remove all the stubborn tangles from her hair.She was straddling my lap as I combed her hair.The sight was innocent yet exotic. The feeling was indescribable.I was sitting on a dressing stool, her legs hung loosely on either side of my waist as I devoted my attention to her beautiful hair.Her delicate fingers wandered aimlessly, her eyes heavy with drowsiness and her adorable mouth frequently yawning.Occasionally, I would bounce my knee when her eyes would start to close. Sleepy puppy.She was dressed in a simple full-sleeved floral frock that fell to her knees, paired with black knee socks and black Converse.She is obsessed with converse shoes.She on
Ace POV:I frowned, the crease on my forehead deepening as I observed her behavior. Something is definitely wrong."What's wrong, Mini?" I asked, my tone soft but insistent. I shifted closer, hoping to catch her eye and reassure her with my presence"Nothing," She shook her head almost imperceptibly, her gaze still fixed on the pages of her notebook. "Really, I don't think so," I reiterated gently, my voice laced with worry."Just t-tired," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. But her words didn't convince me. There was something more, something she wasn't saying.Later, when I returned home, Hudson's said she hadn't emerged from her room since she had returned from college. As I entered our bedroom, I found her curled up on the bed, her back turned towards me, her hair cascading over her face like a veil. It was a stark contrast to her usual vibrant self.Weird. Very weird.Releasing a sigh, I entered the bathroom to freshen up.After spending some time under the comfo
Ace POV:"Come on, bambi," I murmured, my voice a tender whisper as I nestled into the warmth of her neck.In response, she emitted a soft groan, her arms enveloping me tighter, as if afraid to let go."You said nobody's hurting you in college, so what's wrong, my love?" I inquired, my fingertips tracing gentle patterns on her bare thighs."I... I just want to be with you," she confessed softly.My gaze softened as I looked into her eyes.We were dressed, and ready to leave for our respective places. BUT... My Mini had other plans today.It was already 7:30 and we were still in our room.After breakfast, I told her to get our things from the room. But, boy I was wrong.She didn't come back when I checked up on her and found...There she lay, sprawled across the bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, lost in thought and faraway dreams.And now, here we were, tangled together amidst rumpled sheets and tousled hair. Dammit.Shifting my position, I settled atop her, one leg nestled between h
Iris POV:Sighing deeply, I found it impossible to focus on anything the teacher was saying. My mind was consumed by thoughts of the previous night.I hadn't seen Ace since he stormed out of the house, leaving me with a sense of unease that lingered like a shadow.When I told Hudson about Ace's departure, he offered reassurances that he would return soon.But Ace's demeanor seemed oddly tense. Had I said something to upset him?I was jolted from my reverie by a sharp pinch on my forearm, causing me to yelp in surprise."Iris!" the teacher's voice boomed, drawing the attention of the entire class.I shot up from my seat, my heart pounding in my chest.Freak! I am dead."Where is your attention?" the teacher barked, her frustration evident in her tone.With my head hung low, I murmured an apology, feeling the weight of embarrassment settle over me like a heavy cloak."Sit," she commanded, her anger palpable.Defeated, I sank into my chair, unable to shake the feeling of embarrassment as
Iris POV:"Please, Susan," I pleaded, wrapping my arms around hers and squeezing tightly.She sighed, but her gaze remained fixed on the tablet screen, her attention seemingly absorbed by whatever was displayed there.I found myself in Hudson's house, having been dropped off by one of the guards. Everyone was present in the hall except for Liam and Alex."Iris, it's not our place to tell it, ask Ace," Aiden said with a sigh, his expression troubled."You will be late for college," Hudson reminded me, checking his watch.I left the empty house at 6 in the morning, but Ace was nowhere to be found."What is he hiding? Why did he behave so differently?" I demanded, my gaze shifting accusingly between the others in the room."Iris, it's better if you don't know it because if you did, then you can't have a reason to love him, only fear him more," Susan said, her tone devoid of emotion."But you all stick with him," I argued, feeling frustrated and confused."Because we are raised in famili
*MATURE* Without another thought, I slid down from the counter, the movement quick and precise, my eyes never leaving hers. She took a step back, startled by the sudden intensity in my movements.“I have to cook,” she stammered, her wide eyes locking with mine. She could see it— darkness, lust, raw and unfiltered, burning in my gaze. She knew exactly what she had done to me, temptation and hunger, a need so deep it felt like it might consume me.“Oh~ you should have thought about that before you started that little show of yours,” I growled, my voice thick with desire as I advanced on her, my steps quick and purposeful.She tried to run away, but there was nowhere to go. In a matter of seconds, her back hit the counter, and she stumbled slightly, regaining her balance by gripping the counter’s edge. Before she could react further, I was there, looming over her, trapping her between the solid counter and my body, so close that our chests brushed together with every breath. I lea
Ace POV:Even with the tension building in the room, my focus stayed on the phone in my hand.The screen lit up, displaying the contact details of the one person who made me rethink everything.Iris. Her name seemed to burn into my mind.For the past half hour, my finger hovered over the dial button, hesitating, refusing to move forward.Yesterday morning, I'd been a fucking dick to her.The way I treated her, the words I spat out—they still gnawed at me, but nothing haunted me more than the look in her eyes. The hurt. The disbelief.She'd always been the one person I never lashed out at, the one I protected from the ugliness of my world.And in one moment of misplaced anger at Agostino, I'd turned that ugliness on her.She had always looked at me like I was more than the monster everyone else saw.I hated how her pain lingered in the back of my mind.I deserved it, every bit of it, but now... I was afraid to call her.What if she taunted me?What if she threw those same words back in
Ace POV:"I mean, really?" I muttered, driving the knife into the table with a heavy thud, the sound echoing through the dimly lit basement.My chest heaved as I caught my breath, the adrenaline slowly ebbing away.The man lying on the floor, once so full of defiance, now barely had the strength to whimper."That eyepop literally looked me in the eyes and then turned around, snuggled into her cheeks like it was nothing!" I exclaimed, the disbelief in my voice masking the seething anger that still simmered beneath the surface.I turned to the lifeless form on the floor, eyes narrowing in frustration.His screams had subsided into faint, muffled groans, his life slipping away with every shallow breath."Shh... Can you like keep your fucking voice down? I'm talking," I snapped, as if he could still hear or care.His head lolled to the side, the last traces of life fading from his bloodshot eyes."Snacks knows he makes me jealous," I muttered to myself, pacing back and forth as I recounte
Ace POV:The door creaked open with a suddenness that made Mini jump in surprise.Hudson strode in, carrying a file, his face set in an expression that could only be described as serious.Mini, perched on my lap just moments before, scrambled to her feet with a haste that betrayed her flustered state.Her cheeks were a bright pink, a mix of embarrassment and shyness flushing her face as she quickly buttoned up her shirt.She offered Hudson a shy, somewhat awkward smile, her eyes darting to the floor as if unsure where to look.Hudson's gaze swept the room, and his eyes fell upon Snack, the tiny gerbil who was now perched on the edge of the table, his little feet twitching with curiosity.Hudson's face twisted into an expression of disbelief, mingled with a hint of amusement."What the fuck is this?" Hudson's voice cut through the room, carrying a blend of incredulity and faint humor. He stared at Snack, clearly not expecting to find a eyepop in the middle of whatever business he had w
Ace POV:I took a final glance in the mirror, scrutinizing every detail of my reflection.The fight had been brutal, and the adrenaline still pulsed faintly in my veins, but I couldn't let Iris see any of it.With a deep breath, I again sprayed more cologne, hoping the scent would mask the faint, metallic odor of blood that clung to my skin."Boss," a voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see one of the guards standing behind me, breathing heavily like he'd sprinted to find me.His chest heaved, but he maintained his posture, extending a pendant and my phone towards me.I nodded, a small smile forming as I took the pendant. Without it, I always felt off-balance, like something essential was missing.Clasping it around my neck, I met Ares' eyes and gave him a curt nod.With one last adjustment to my shirt, I picked up the bouquet of flowers and ran a hand through my hair, trying to tame the mess it had become."Mini," I called out as I stepped into the hall, my voice echoing throu
Ace POV:There was a thud beside me, followed by a collective gasp from everyone in the shop.I straightened slowly, my hand instinctively moving towards my concealed weapon.The man who had been standing beside me was now sprawled on the floor, blood pooling around his head.In one fluid motion, I gripped Edrick by his collar and started to drag him deeper into the shop."Move!" I hissed, shoving him ahead of me. His eyes were wide with terror, all his earlier bravado evaporating in the face of real danger.The air erupted with gunfire. Screams filled the shop as customers and staff alike scrambled for cover.Bodies fell, some diving for safety, others crumpling lifelessly to the ground.The sweet scent of flowers was quickly overpowered by the acrid smell of gunpowder and fear.We took cover behind a table stacked high with flowers, the blooms now a flimsy barrier between us and whoever was trying to kill us.I scanned the shop, looking for any avenue of escape.The front was out of
Ace POV:"Liam!" we both exclaimed, frustration evident in our voices.He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and flopped down on the couch, looking completely unconcerned.We both laid there, breathing heavily. I backed away from her and we sat up on the couch as she adjusted her dress, pouting.Within moments, all my friends had gathered around the couch.Felix, Aiden, and Alex had clearly been roused from their beds, evident by the fact that they were only wearing pajama pants. The others were dressed but looked just as groggy.They all looked like they might fall asleep here if I let them."Why the hell did you call us?" Susan asked, laying her head on Aiden's lap, her eyes half-closed with sleepiness."I specifically told everyone to meet me here at 9 sharp, and it's already past 11. Motherfuckers!" I snapped, gritting my teeth in frustration.I noticed Iris glancing around at everyone with concern as she sat beside me. Her cheeks were flushed with shyness while Liam alternated b
Iris POV:I got off the bike with a sense of urgency and swiftly reached for the cake from Leo. My movements were precise and careful."You're really dramatic," Leo said with a puzzled expression as he removed my helmet, his fingers brushing my hair away from my face."No. The way you drive the bike is disapproving," I said, my tone laced with concern. "The cake could have easily fallen off and been ruined if you hadn't been careful."I took a quick peek into the box to ensure that the cake was still intact.Thankfully, it appeared to be unharmed, its frosting and decorations still perfectly in place."Sweetie, I do bike stunts all the time," Leo replied with a playful smirk, his confidence evident. "You think I can't handle a cake that was literally placed in the gas tank of the bike?""A cake is like a fragile newborn baby," I said with exaggerated seriousness. "We have to handle it with the utmost care. You wouldn't be doing stunts if you had a newborn baby with you, would you?"Le
Iris POV:We both jolted at the sudden sound of a voice from outside the door."Iris!" Aiden's voice cut through the silence, causing Liam to let out a weary sigh."This boy," Liam muttered under his breath, "is such a brat. He'll bicker with you like a stray dog but can't stay away for even a moment."I couldn't help but giggle at his words. "I suppose today has been eventful enough. I'll fill you in on the rest of the story later," Liam said, rising from his seat to open the door.I sighed deeply, giving my cheeks a few quick smacks to wake myself from the flashback.The door swung open, revealing Aiden with a mischievous smirk, followed by Susan, Felix, and Hudson as they filed into the room.Susan immediately flopped onto the bed, resting her head on my lap as she cheerfully munched on a chocolate bar.The group's curious eyes darted between Liam and me, their expressions laced with suspicion."...What happened?" I asked, trying to clear the dryness from my throat as I addressed t