Veronica Mae Vittorio:The poor ones criticize what they can’t get. My mother always told me it’s better to have one rich friend than a thousand poor ones. She was right, of course. That’s why I’ve never wasted my time on people who can’t afford to matter.I smirked as I lounged on the plush couch in the designer mall, my fingers idly tracing the sleek fabric of my bag. "What did you say?" I asked, voice smooth but dripping with disdain.“Nothing, Miss. I'm sorry…” The sales assistant’s head lowered, her voice shaky as she nervously fidgeted with the hem of her uniform.“Urgh. Apologies irritate me.” I rolled my eyes, clicking my tongue. “You just said I can't have that dress because someone else bought it? Do you know who I am? Do you know who my father is?” I asked, checking my nails, already bored with the conversation.I grabbed my iced coffee, sloshing it carelessly as I poured it all over her face."Ah!" she gasped, wiping the cold liquid off her face with shaky hands.I didn’t
Frederico Grey Di GrazieAlessandro sent an invitation to his party days before he got initiated. He must think he can buy his way through this... Bastard!I had no reason to be there, but the godfather said to keep an eye on the son of a bitch, which is exactly what I intend to do.Here we are, at the senator's estate. When I say "we," it automatically means Rose and I.A smile graced my lips as I recalled her tantrum the other day. If she thinks I’ve ruined her, she has no idea what I have in store for her. She’ll wish she never met me ten years ago or crossed my path. I’ll make her life a nightmare. Her path to damnation is only just beginning.As expected, she refused to accompany me to the senator's party. After a few threats from me, she was more obedient than a lamb—as she should be.The ride in the limo was quieter than a graveyard. Someone holds a grudge, huh? I let her sulk and focused on getting some work done on my phone.The moment the limo's engine stopped, I glanced out
Rosa Sinclair;I am not used to events like this, never actually been to a place like this, I've spent the last 25 years of my life working, and working to support my mother. If I had my way, I wouldn't be here, where the rich flaunt their frivolous lifestyle, taking champagne in expensive dresses and suits. They don't have a mother battling for her life out there, nor do they have a father who lavish all his money on gambling and what not. If they did, I bet they would never be here in the first place.Federico's threats are the reasons I am here, heck! The whole place looks beautiful and extraordinary, the decor makes my eye teary on how perfect a place like this is. I was rudely brought back to reality when I heard Mrs Maria Caruso direct a question to me. “You look dazzling in that dress, hope you are enjoying the party?”I looked back at her, she was expecting a reply. “I am ma'am,it is indeed a beautiful party.” I finally spoke up.Come on mother, don't try to butter her up.
Rosa Sinclair;“She answers to me, and nobody else. Have I made myself clear.” He thunders, making the hall fall into a humbling silence.Veronica’s face burned with shame as her own mistakes burned down on her, her eyes dropped to the floor as she struggled to contain the embarrassment on how the tables turned on her. “Have I made myself clear, Miss Caruso.” Federico asked again, this time he dragged her name. A reminder that powerful people like him, do not repeat questions twice. She looked up at him before answering.“Crystal.” She responded.Her once shrieking voice dropped to a normal low tone, indicating how humiliating this moment is for her.Frederico turned to her mother in one sway motion, making the woman gasp a bit at his sudden body movement. She regained her composure, waiting to hear what he had to say.“I bet dinner calls for everyone. Shall we?” He proposed, as a faint smirk traced his lips.Before she could reply, he turned away again, giving her his back in a c
Rosa SinclairThe morning light streamed through the curtains, illuminating the faint haze of a dull, throbbing headache. My mind was foggy as I tried to recall the events of yesterday. The chirping of the birds, each noise and sound, made my headache worse.I swung off the comforting duvet, stepped into my flip-flops, and headed to the large mirror just outside the bathroom. I looked worse than Harley Quinn with smudged makeup. The party dress was still on, and I hadn’t removed my makeup, leaving scary eyeliner streaks running down my face—a result of all the crying I did last night after Red left.I finished my morning routine, but all I wanted was to go back to bed and maybe try to forget my worries. Memories of Mrs. Caruso’s necklace kept popping up. I lay back on my bed, hands clasped over my head in frustration. The thought of the necklace I saw at the senator's party wasn’t going away anytime soon. Then my mind wandered back to my argument with Red.Calling me a drama queen? Mo
Frederico Grey Di Grazia:My attention was needed in one of the warehouses where we keep our weapons, mostly imported and stocked up here. But the numbers didn't add up, it was a different number of goods in the portfolio. I ordered the men to bring out the goods for thorough check up, all over again.While I sat, my men began recounting and recycling the goods. For some reason, I had a nagging feeling, my mind wasn't at ease, not because of the suspected fraud going in here, but a feeling that something is going wrong back home. To quell that thought, I tapped into the CCTV camera back home, and one of them revealed Rose sneaking around the house. Two could also play………I made a call to the team back home, instructing them to discreetly allow Rose to bypass security protocols. He was confused at first, but he knew better than to ask questions, right after getting an order. I hung up, called the driver to take me back home. Let's see what you have in mind Rose, let's see. I thought
Rose Sinclair;I can't, I can't, i-i-i can't, please.” I whispered. I have never held a gun in my life, I have no idea how to use one. Not only that, I have to choose between shooting one to the other. It's an impossible decision ! A preposterous situation. killing Mr Russo while his daughter watches or killing the daughter on the father's watch. I just won't be doing this……No!“Then let's see what will happen, when the choice is taken from you.” Red smirked, his mouth twisting in a snare. Grabbing the gun out of my hands, rather too harsh. Which should be the last thing on my mind right now, but hey!Federico untied the ropes from Russo’s hands. tossed him the gun, he orders. “Kill her or I'll kill your daughter.”Wait a minute!!!Is he going mad???Mr Russo hesitates for a second, but desperation gets the best of him, as he raises the gun in my direction. My jaws dropped to the ground, I couldn't even move a muscle, I was shocked to my bones, Mr Russo would do this to me? I m
Rose Sinclair;My eyes closed, mind reeling, as the world around me shifted into darkness. My body swayed, then crumpled, collapsing onto the ground. I lay there Unconscious, lost in a void, when suddenly, I jolted back to reality. I look around, in the same room; same wall and no bodies. There was no sign of blood or body lying around. No indication whatsoever that Federico murdered two people in cold blood, right in front of me. But, something seemed different and I couldn't pinpoint what it was.I tried to stand up, still feeling dizzy but I managed to stay on my feet. Red was already very comfortable on a chair; must have been there for him while I lost consciousness. His icy glare showed he has a lot to say. He crossed his leg over the other one, as he continued staring without moving an inch.“Welcome back to earth, mother Teresa, how was your trip to the holy pilgrimage.” He teased, scouting me for reaction.As she checked around where the father and daughter had been taped
Rose SinclairThe whole day went by without me stepping out. I remained inside the room we all shared, buried under the duvet on my bunk bed.My thoughts went everywhere, yet I couldn't find the answers I sought.Would he really let me meet my mother?Did he hold me back from Trix because he knew she would hurt me?Why exactly am I here if I'm just to be a fancy slave tool?I thought of every answer to the unwavering questions chugging my heart. Then, his hands on my throat, the rage in his eyes, his facial expression, his body movement—the disgust simmering out of every word he uttered was overwhelming.I was out of options. I had considered every sane idea I could come up with.That evening, I woke up and tried to get to my feet, but a wave of dizziness hit me. I sat back, trying to collect myself before attempting to stand again.After what felt like an eternity, the dizziness cleared. Something caught my eye—a tray covered with linen.I pulled it open and found a plate filled with
Federico Di GraziaI felt a surge of anger the moment I saw her with Trix. She should know better than to involve herself in a fight with someone like Beatrice. Now, Beatrice has the perfect excuse to drag Rose into her twisted revenge games.A deep, unsettling feeling twisted inside me—I was the one who made Rose into the Fox she’s becoming by sending her here. She’s no longer the quiet, fragile girl she once was. That passive fury she unleashed on Trix? I’ve never seen her that mad before.At the same time, I can’t deny I’m impressed. She’s adapting quickly. But fighting? That’s something I won’t tolerate.Then came strike two—she walked away from me, turning her back as if I wasn’t still in the room. An insult of the highest order.I sent someone from her little circle to deliver a message—she was to come to my office.Leaving the cafeteria, I was filled with mixed emotions. A part of me was pleased—she’s becoming territorial, showing real emotions instead of that constant gloom. B
Rose SinclairAfter our usual daily routine, an announcement came through—Red was visiting today.Chaos erupted. Whispers, murmurs, hushed conversations. Excitement and fear coiled together in the air like a storm about to break.Me? I kept my thoughts to myself. I had learned my lesson back in the cafeteria.A few hours later, we all gathered in the great hall. The masters had no details about the surprise Red had in store for us, only that it wouldn’t be an easy one. That much was obvious.Then, the hall doors burst open with a force that sent a ripple of tension through the crowd. The air shifted. A presence entered the room—powerful, commanding.We were trained well enough to keep our eyes straight ahead, locked onto the raised platform, but we felt him.In seconds, he strode past my line of sight, heading for the front. Master Stephen stepped forward, voice steady as he addressed us.“For those of you who haven’t had the honor,” he announced, “allow me to introduce the man behind
Federico Di Grazia;With the election only months away, my team and I were busier than ever. I had a lot on my plate—meetings to attend, business deals to oversee, and associates to manage. But it wasn’t just politics keeping me occupied. The underground mafia world had caught wind of my run for governor, assuming foolishly that my focus on the campaign meant I’d be too distracted to keep my grip on the streets.I needed to remind them. I ruled both worlds, and no one—not even another mafia family—could overthrow a Di Grazia.James brought me intel the other night."Boss," he said, "word is your campaign has stirred up the mafia. They think you’ve gone soft. Sources say your push for legitimacy has made you look… less ruthless."I leaned back, absorbing his words. "Is that all?"He hesitated before adding, "Your rivals believe you’re trying to play clean, avoiding violence to maintain a political image."I smirked. Listening to more of this bullshit wouldn’t help. "We need to remind t
Rose SinclairThe incident with Master Stephen plagued my mind all day. I couldn’t shake the endless possibilities running through my head.Lady Roseline would be the most exquisite bow I’d ever seen, and as an archer, I dreamed of one day holding it in my hands.But Master Stephen made it clear—it belonged to Red. Off-limits. Untouchable. No exceptions.The Trip & the Shooting TestThe rest of the trip was eventful. We saw old pistols, modern machine guns, even an MI16. But nothing captivated me like that bow in the restricted room.With three days left before our shooting program began, we gathered notes on bullets, arrowheads, and other essentials. I’d already started picturing myself shooting, imagining the thrill of it.Fun, right?Wrong.We were taken to a practice room where Tier 3 was having a shooting test. Each of us received a set of headphones. For what? To listen to Lady Gaga while we fired? Or were they meant to feed us information in this madhouse filled with guns and b
Federico Di Grazia;I was trying to wrap up some paperwork before my meeting with the confraternity later today. Being a senator was no small task, and my right-hand man, James, and I had worked tirelessly—pulling an all-nighter to stay ahead. The campaign team had dropped off samples earlier: T-shirts, hats, banners—everything a politician needed.I know, it sounds like I don’t fully belong in that world. Right now, I see myself as an interim, just until I officially secure the position—which, by the way, is already in motion.A soft knock on the door pulled me from my work. I arched a brow at James, who responded with a silent I’ll check it out look. I gave him a slight nod, granting permission.He moved to the door, cracked it open just enough to peek outside, then swung it wider for the visitor—my head of security, Theo Bennett.Theo gave a small bow before stepping inside. “Morning, Boss.”“Theo,” I acknowledged, my focus still on my desktop. “Something wrong?”“Boss, you have a
Rose Sinclair;After my last encounter with Trix, we barely spoke or even saw each other. Instead, she sent her new Tier One minions to deliver her threats from a distance.But one fateful day, I decided I’d had enough. Her madness had gone unchecked for too long, and it was time to do something about it.That decision came right after our usual jogging routine—something I can proudly say I’ve improved in. At least now, I run faster than most Tier One trainees.Yeah, so, I chose to confront her. And I knew just the place where our little chat wouldn’t interfere with training—where I could finally ask her what the hell her problem was.The cafeteria.I grabbed an empty tray and joined the queue of trainees waiting for their food. Picking up an apple and a bottle of water, I turned toward the crowd, scanning the room for one particular crazy bitch.There she was, surrounded by her Tier Three minions. Lucky for me, the seat right beside her was empty.So, I did something crazy.I walked
Rose Sinclair; The resident doctor cleared me for discharge last night. By 5 AM, I was already up, showered, dressed in casual clothes, and ready for whoever was coming to pick me up. The past week had been nothing but a cycle of monotony, with the old TV in the ward playing the same fighting techniques over and over again.By now, my mind had memorized those moves—not by choice, but by sheer repetition. The more you’re exposed to something, the more your subconscious absorbs it. That’s just how the brain works.I sat on the bed, waiting patiently. By 6 AM, Mad Max Waltz walked in. His sharp eyes scanned the room before locking onto mine.From across the ward, Max held my gaze in silent challenge. The tension thickened, an invisible line drawn between us. There was nothing I liked about him—his cruelty, his demeanor, his complete lack of kindness.His piercing blue eyes seemed to drill into me, unwavering. My eyes watered slightly from the intensity, but I refused to look away. I wan
Federico Di Grazia;Her hand on me made my skin crawl. I let out a long-overdue sigh—Trix was history. I’d had plenty of "history" before, but I never got attached, and I sure as hell didn’t go back."You got something to say?" I asked impatiently, waiting for her to get out of my way."You haven’t called, texted, or even asked me over... so yeah, I’ve got something to say." Her arms crossed, bitterness lacing her voice.I let out a small chuckle, rubbing my temple with one hand while the other rested on my waist. "You knew the rules—no strings attached. Why would I do any of that just because we had a few nights together?" My tone was sharp, deliberate.She scoffed, disbelief flashing across her face. She looked away for a moment before locking eyes with me again. "That twerp in there is why you’re acting like this, huh? That weak-ass, dumb-ass had you running back in here?" She accused, like she had some claim over me."You sound entitled, Trix… or should I say Beatrice?" I watched