***DON'T FORGET TO ADD THE STORY ON YOUR LIBRARY #VOTE #BladeAndSieve #LucianAndLatton #LattonAndLucian #HeyStranger
“I’m sorry, Dolan,” Latton said as they drove away from the Merle café. “I just want to treat you out and instead of making up to you, you got hurt because of me,” she added, she lowered her head, hands clenched tightly, and soon tears fell on her hands and she sobbed silently. “Latton it's fine. It didn't hurt that badly, the punch was not even that strong. My lips are not even swollen anymore, but that slap you gave him for sure hurts a lot,” Dolan states jokingly as he holds her left hand with his right hand while driving. She laughs in between sobs. Then she wipes her tears. “How about we take a drive-thru and eat in the car or the park instead?” He asks. She nods merrily. The dismay, sorrow, and rage she felt before dissipated instantly. Shortly after, they bought food at different fast food places: Subway, Yellow Cab, McDonald's, KFC, and Starbucks. By noon, Dolan drove to a nearby park, sat at one of the picnic tables, and started placing the mountain of junk food on the t
LATTON continued going out with Dolan, and today they opted to watch a classic movie in a drive-in theater called The Roadium. “I've never been to this kind of place. Watch the movie with other moviegoers in the comfort of the car,” Latton said while waiting for the movie to start. She felt happy, perhaps too happy, and it scared her, as whenever she felt peaceful there was always something bad going to happen, but she soon brushed it off as she saw Dolan’s gleeful smile. “Next time I’ll take you hiking. We’ll go to Cistern Trail. It's known to moderately experienced hikers. It might be a bit challenging for you, but it is a little less crowded than some other trails, and I'll make sure that I will hold your hand and guide you every step of the way. The beauty of the canyon trail is breathtaking.” He explains while handing her popcorn and soda. She nodded and then noticed that his eyes were shining while talking about hiking, then after he spoke the shine in his eyes vanished and t
DOLAN drove Latton back to Ripley Manor. The ride was filled with deafening silence. Latton’s face was burning red, and she was trembling in rage. Her palms are sweating, and her eyes are teary. “Latton,” Dolan mumbled softly. She remains staring blankly outside. “I’m sorry,” he added. She ignored his words and then asked coldly, “Anything else I need to know?” He nods. “When Derek asked me to sedate you, he put guards outside your door so no one else could disturb you. Despite that, Lucian visited you, he climbed to the balcony, and he’s the one that put a rose on your ear. I also heard him apologize numerous times. I think he really likes you, Latton," he revealed. Her eyes widened, her lips started trembling, and a faint smile flickered on her lips. Shortly, they arrived at the Manor and Dolan couldn't stop apologizing. "It's fine Dolan. It's an opportunity and you grabbed it. You're not the first one my father used to manipulate me. I'm not mad at you, I'm just upset. I ju
"I NEVER thought I'd return to this place," Latton mumbles under her breath as she enters her Fleur de Ville unit. The place still gives her paranoia that someone might be watching her, even after she hired people to check the whole place for cameras, change all the door locks, and replace all the mirrors, the sensation of being trapped and caged is still on her mind. But she could not do anything about it. This was the only place she could think of where her father couldn't use anyone against her. She checks the cabinets and everything Lucian gave her is still there; clothes, bags, shoes. She heaves deeply then says, "Luckily, I didn’t return this place to him. Now I can say that I deserved everything he gave me, as payment for all the bullshit he brought to my life." She sat on her bed and checked the time. It was already 4 in the morning, she was about to close her phone when suddenly the date caught her eye. "March 30, 2024," she mumbled. She then remembers the charity ball for
MALENA was sitting in the living room browsing through her social media when suddenly a post caught her attention. It's a post about the Circle of Hope charity ball that will begin later that day. Soon she remembers that Lucian once invited her to attend that event with him, but she gave him a lame excuse not to go with him as she hates those types of gatherings. Her brows furrowed instantly, "Would he be there?" She asked herself. She soon dialed a number to confirm her suspicions. After the call ended, her face distorted in anger as she also discovered that Latton Ripley would attend the gathering. "Those two cannot be happy together. If I'm unhappy, so will they." She declares as her grasp on her phone tightens in rage. "Men like Lucian can't be happy." She added as she bit her nails, thinking of something to sow discord between Lucian and Latton. - Eight in the evening, and the Circle of Hope’s charity organization’s 35th anniversary began. It was held at an event place that co
"XAVIER VAUGHN. He is Lucius' younger brother. He's a bit weird. Sometimes he's overprotective of me, and there are times he just doesn't care. Kinda like right now. I think he was dropped when he was a baby, that's why he's like that." Latton explains while glancing at Xavier and watching how he flirts with different women. John giggled and nudged Lucian. He then made an excuse and took Vivian with him. Now Lucian and Latton are left in the lobby. Never once did she look him in the eye. Sensing the awkward vibes, she turned her back on him and started to move away. She then heard him ask, stammering his words, "How… How… How are you?" "I'm fine," she responded. She didn't even look back at him or ask how he was doing. This left a sore spot in him, and it's thumping in pain. It felt like a wound that kept on opening up no matter how many times it was sewn. He ignored the pain and followed her to the bar area where she asked for vodka on the rocks. He tried to start another conver
LUCIAN shook his head, and then said in a gentle voice filled with certainty, “No lies.” Then he lowered his head to kiss her on the forehead, "Why would you think I would lie to you?" She smiled bitterly, then replied, "I'm so tired of disappointments." Shortly, the music stops and then the host starts to speak. "Let’s ditch this place." He whispered into her ear. "What?" She asks while giggling at his suggestion. "I saw your parents are here to support the event. They might look for you." She explains. "They’ll understand. Let’s go." He said coaxingly. "Where do you want to go?" She asks curiously. "There." He says while pointing at the garden. They walk to the garden, away from the venue, till they become concealed by the hedge maze and trees. Lucian then embraces her from behind and starts sniffing her. She was startled, but she was unable to move as he held her tightly. She could feel the warmth of his breath around her neck, and the thumping of his heart on her back. "W
[Continuation of the first part of Chapter 1] “March 31, 2024, is a Sunday, not a Friday,” the nurse says while checking Latton's vital signs. Her voice instantly jolted Latton back to her senses. She glanced at the door where the doctor had just got out of. “It’s normal that your memory is blurry. Don’t push yourself too much, everything will return soon.” The nurse added. When she looked at the nameplate she saw the nurse’s name was Karen. “Thank you, Karen,” she mumbles in a low voice. Karen smiled, then before she left she said, “We’ve already contacted your family members. They should be here in no time.” Latton nods. “I’ve lost two years of my life?” She said to herself. Her head still hurts, and her mind is filled with clouded memories, her thoughts are mashed, flashing like strobe lights. Shortly, a blurry memory enters her mind, and it confuses her further, “If I got shot on March 31. Why do I have memories beyond that day? Why does Victor’s face keep flashing in my m