Dazzling lights buzzes relentlessly above, casting a not so pleasing glow across the interrogation room. I sat alone, my fingers absently tracing the rough edges of the wooden table that separates me and the guy on uniform . The table felt more like a protective barrier, though whether it was protecting me or them, I wasn't sure of what anymore.
My evening gown, which had seemed so off at the party just hours ago, was stained and wrinkled all the more. I could feel my hair coming loose from its careful styling , going out of shape like an honest nest, adding to my wretched appearance. Outside the room, I could hear the steady rhythm of shoes hitting beats against the tiled floor and the murmur of voices discussing what they believe to be my fate. In all my efforts to calm myself, my heart raced against my ribcage threatening to break through. As I waited, my mind wandered to questions I'd been asking myself all night. Is Marino's heart really made of stone? Throughout our five years of relationship and three years of marriage, I had never go wrong on him, not once. Yet here I was, sitting in a police station because he couldn't be bothered to get his facts straight before having me arrested. The irony wouldn't lose out on me. Three years ago, Marino had sent me packing with nothing to my name. Now, at our first meeting since then, he was sending me to the police station,how beautiful. Some reunion this really is. The heavy door clicked open, and there he was – Marino Myers, standing tall and firm, arms crossed over his broad chest . The sight of him sent an unconscious cold shiver down my spine, though still fought to keep my face neutral to all. He haven't changed much from Three years ,back when he tore my world apart, right down to that air of indifference that seemed to cling to him like expensive perfumes. "Gianna," he said, his voice as cold as I remembered, looking down at me as if I were something unpleasant he stepped on at the bottom of his boots. "You really need to understand the consequences of your actions. Freya's been hospitalized. I think you should know better." Meeting his gaze with a disregard of my own, pushing down the sadness that threatened to overwhelm me once more. I Instead, let a mask of indifference sit over my features – two could play at this game. "Mr. Myers, you're so powerful that you could do anything you want. I'll be waiting to see what you can do. An apology? Me? Apologies?Well,You can get it in your next life." The muscles in his jaw tightened – the only indication that my words had any effect on him at all. Before he could give me a reply that could show how deep I cut through, a police officer entered the room, his presence momentarily diffusing the tension between us. "Miss, we need to ask you a few questions,simple ones too," the officer began, but was interrupted by the shrill ring of my phone. I took a glance at Marino, half-expecting him to object to something, but he just stood there, watching with that infuriating blankness as usual. "Excuse me," I said, answering the call. Immediately, Thane's voice blared through the receiver, so loud I had to hold the phone away from my ear, before my eardrums burst open. "Gianna, where the hell are you? Didn't I tell you to wait in the lounge for me?" I squealed at his intensed tone. "I'm sorry, Mr. Reed! Something came up and I am also currently at the police station now." "What? The police station? Why?How did you ..?" His impatience was extremely thick even through the phone, it was obvious. "Well... Well..." I struggled to find the words to explain the situation. How do you explain being arrested for assaulting your boss's business partner's daughter? Or That the carefully set up evening he'd planned had devolved into chaos because I couldn't keep my temper in check? As I fumbled for a response, a thought hit me with crushing clarity: men are truly the cruelest creatures in the world, and Marino is one of the leaders of the pack of those beast. I must have been blind to have fallen in love with such a cold-blooded and heartless beast like him back then. Looking at him now, standing there with his perfect suit and perfectly blank expression, I couldn't even recognize the man I'd once loved. The police officer, perhaps sensing my distress, spoke up with what I suppose he thought was a helpful suggestion. His voice was almost sympathetic as he asked with pity in his eyes, "Miss, why did you offend this couple of all? The lady is Mr. Cook's daughter, and Marino is a business tycoon. Apologizing might help you resolve this." I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. "Thank you, sir. Now that I've lost my job and I have nowhere to go, being locked up here might help me tide through things a bit. Also,Forget about the apology." The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the continuous buzz of those awful fluorescent lights that seemed like they were aimed at me. Marino's expression hadn't changed, but I could sense his growing irritation for me. Good. Let him be irritated. I had nothing left to lose. Just when the tension in the room was about becoming unbearable for me, the door bursts open again. This time, it was Thane who entered, his presence immediately commanding attention in a way that even Marino couldn't match. He took in the scene before him – me in my ruined dress, Marino by the wall, the sympathetic officer – and a smirk played across his lips. "Gianna, get up. We're leaving." His voice wouldn't take no for an answer, booming with confidence and power that seemed to fill the small room. I stared at him, hesitant but intrigued. "Leave?" Thane's smirk widened. "Do you want to stay here?" I glanced at Marino, who remained impassive, then back at Thane. Slowly, I stood up, smoothing down my dress in a futile attempt to regain some of my dignity after almost losing my pride. The wooden chair scraped against the floor as I pushed it back, the sound unnaturally loud in the tense atmosphere. As Thane led me out of the police station, his confident stride a stark contrast to my uncertain steps, he actually laughed. "I can't believe you let them bully you like this!" I rolled my eyes, though internally, I was grateful for his presence. "Thanks for coming, I guess." The night air hit me as we stepped into the parking lot, and I took my first deep breath in what felt like hours. The weight of the world felt a little lighter, but doubts still lingered still. What consequences lay ahead with Marino? What about my career? Thane might have gotten me out of the immediate situation, but the night's events would have repercussions I couldn't yet fathom. As we walked to his car, I couldn't help but replay the events of the evening in my head. The party, Freya's screams, the chaos that followed – it all seemed surreal now. But what stuck with me most was the look in Marino's eyes when he'd seen me in that interrogation room. Not anger, not hate, just... nothing, nothing but emptiness he felt for me,As if I meant nothing to him. As if our years together had meant nothing, as if our memories where empty and all. Thane opened the car door for me, his usual bravado momentarily softened. "You okay?" I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. As I slid into the passenger seat, I caught a glimpse of myself in the side mirror – disheveled, makeup smeared all over, looking every bit like someone who just got rounded up. But beneath the mess, I saw something else in my reflection: determination. Marino might thinke this was over, thinking he'd won by humiliating me at the police station. But he was wrong, very wrong This isn't end tho. It was just the beginning. As Thane started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, I gave a small room for a smile to settle on my face. Marino had always underestimated me – it was time to show him exactly what I was capable of. The night might have been a disaster, but tomorrow was a new day. And I had nothing left to lose. The city lights blurred past the window as we drove, and I felt a strange sense of calm settle within me. Whatever came next, I would face it head-on. After all, when you've hit rock bottom, the only way left for you, is to go up. And I was ready to climb, no matter how difficult the journey might be. As we stopped at a red light, Thane glanced over at me. "You know this isn't over, right? Marino won't let you go easily." I met his gaze sternly. "I know. But neither will I." The light turned green, and we moved forward into the night, leaving the police station and Marino behind. But as the distance between us grew, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the first skirmish in what would become a much larger battle. Let him come, I thought. I Will definitely be ready, this time.I couldn't even sleep that night. The dim light flickering through my curtains, casting dancing shadows on the walls of my bedroom. As I lay there, the coolness of the sheets against my skin provided little comfort to me. The city sounds gradually faded into silence as the night races to it's peak , leaving only the rhythmic ticking of my bedside clock to keep me company.When the sleep finally came, it was anything but peaceful. As reality blurred and faded, and suddenly I went back to three years in the past. The memory was vivid, painfully so. Rosy stood before me, her face beaming with joy as her hands cradled her protruded belly."Gianna, I'm pregnant with his child!" Her voice was giddy with excitement.The rage that filled me then was just as real as in my dream. "How could you do this to me?" I shouted in sorrow, and before I could stop myself, my palm connected with her cheek. The sharp sound of the slap hung in took the moment by hands a bit for a while before being drowned
"Trying to prove strong huh?" I heard Thane's voice say from behind me. "Proving strong? I don't understand. Why should I try to prove to be something I already am?" I said, trying to hide how pained I was.He walked away slowly, as I kept my gaze fixed on my computer. I was indeed trying to be strong. Thane's words got to me. But I wasn't about to show any iota of weakness.A flood of tears bubbled on the inside of me, eager to gush out. I fought my tears, swallowing saliva as if that could dry the flood of surging tears.I prayed the day would run by, it did eventually. I was drenched in my own emotions. I needed to clear my head; when I arrived home, rested and freshened up, I headed to the bar just across the road."Can I snatch you?" A coarse voice said behind me, the baritone sound of his voice sending chills down my spine."Snatch me if you can!" I added, followed by a melodious chuckle. I could already notice he was in awe. "What are you looking at?" I joked, giving his glass
I and Thanes seemed like we didn't get along. But in actuality, we were starting to get closer than we were ready to admit. I also loved that he was always ready to help me in different ways.Thanes and Thorne didn't quite get along, but their father insisted they both run the company. The mansion was outrageously beautiful. I could see a little glimpse of attraction in Thorne's eyes, but I dismissed that as the normal attraction I received from guys; I was gorgeous, so that was expected.I guessed it'd all fade off with time, so to me, it counted for nothing. "Thank you so much, Gianna, for honouring my invite," I hear him say to me, casting his glance on us; he greeted them as well.We had finally seen him after walking for minutes into the main hall. I noticed a slight decline in his exciting demeanour, and immediately, his eyes landed on Thanes. The party progressed beautifully.We sat at our table, it was a sumptuous party, so much to eat and drink. But I noticed Thanes was now
The smell of antiseptic hit me as soon as I stepped out of the door to the doctor’s office.It was clean and clinical — to remind me that I was still in the hospital. I clutched my test result tightly, my palms were damp with nervous excitement. The hallway felt cold to my finger's touch as I leaned against the wall, bracing myself for what was to come.My heart was racing. I couldn't wait to call Marino and share the news. But just as I was about to dial his number, my phone rang, I checked to see who could be calling. My Uncle —Vivid on the spot for caller ID“Gianna, is everything fine with you and Marino?” His voice was serious with a tinge of concern.I laughed, trying to brush off the awkwardness I felt along with his question. "We're fine. Why do you ask?"There was a momentary silence before he continued, his voice was a bit hesitant. "I heard... Marino brought a pregnant woman to the hospital for a prenatal checkup the other day."I laughed harder, but a seed of disbelief
The night was filled with activities outside the grand San Fetillo Hilton Hotel. I sat myself on the passenger seat of a sleek Maybach, as I watched the scenes unfold through tinted windows. Luxury cars gleam under the bright lights, and the air vibrates with the sound of reporters eagerly adjusting their cameras to juicy news. I can see their breath turn white in the chilly evening air. The scent of car fumes and suspense aura seems to seep through the car's sealed interior.Clicks and Flashes of light filled the nights, as photographers captured every moment of arrival with a snap of welcome. There's an electric excitement in the air, My stomach chums from the luxury and high classics. The glamour of it all was suffocating, and I fought the urge to shrink in my seat out of low esteem.The car's door opens, and Thane Reed steps out confidently in a suave white suit. His smile is refined but light as he turns to help his companion, supermodel Lulu, out of the car. She glides out in a
The luxurious atmosphere of the Golden Age Group party swirls about my sides. Soft clicks of champagne glasses and the murmurs of discussion filled the atmosphere, mingling with the scent of exotic flowers and rich aromas from the buffet. I stood awkwardly in my business attire, that couldn't match out with the glamorously dressed attendees. The glimmering chandeliers cast a warm glow over everything, Setting it to me how much I don't belong here.I'm here on a job, not to have fun. Words from Thane echo in my mind, reminding me to stay focused. But as I find my way to the buffet, a sharp, familiar voice cuts through the noise of the party:"Get me some food here!"I looked up, and my eyes fell on Freya Howard. She's plastered with heavy makeup, she stands in an aura of arrogance that makes my skin crawl. Our eyes met, and I saw hers widen briefly in recognition before a smirk found its way across her face. Tilting her chin up, sizing me up like she was some kind of predator."So it's
Though, I didn't mean for this to happen. Standing in that lavish hall, surrounded by crystal chandeliers and people draped in designer clothing worth more than my monthly rent, I felt like an outsider. My simple black dress, the nicest thing I owned, suddenly felt cheap and inadequate. The air was thick with the smell of expensive perfume mingling with the aroma of gourmet hors d'oeuvres, getting my head to spin slightly. Or maybe that was just me being anxious.I have been on the edge lately, trying to fit in in a crowd while keeping an eye out for Rosy too. Just as she had been watching me too, I could tell. Now and then, I'd catch her whispering to Freya, both of them throwing me glances from time to time. Their stares weighed heavy on me making my skin crawl all over.Earlier, I'd overheard snippets of their conversation as I passed by. "To think she showed up?" Rosy had whispered, loud enough for me to hear. "Oh my, look at her. She doesn't even belong here." With Freya's tinkli
The sun set on me as I stood in the police station parking lot, feeling small and exposed. Thane, leaning against his sleek black car, looking as smug as ever, couldn't help but get odd about it. My cheeks burned with embarrassment as his laughter rang out in my ears, harsh and sarcastic, bouncing off the concrete walls around us."Gianna, that was so fucking cool!" Thane's voice dripped with sarcasm. "You're so ugly and couldn't do anything well, but who would have imagined that you could be so fierce today? No man would dare to marry a woman like you, for real."I stood still, staring at him as my heart raced in my chest. Why did he always have to be so cruel? Thane had always had a sharp tongue, and despite knowing better, his words still sting me. I'd learned long ago that showing how much he hurts me only made things worse.He wasn't done yet. His face hardened as he continued, "It's all because of you. You wasted my time. I already had it planned to spend the night with Lulu, an