“Are you really sure, love? Can’t I stop you? Are you really going to leave me? I thought there would be no leaving, ouch! Okay, fine!” We were still in front of the house, and he was still arranging my things, just two sets of clothes, personal hygiene items, and a few vitamins. I was only going to be with Alex for one day, he really didn’t want me to leave. It seemed like he wanted to come with me, but he said he had to call their headquarters and he needed to go there, so he had no choice. He also offered to send one of his buddies with me, but of course, I refused. It would be embarrassing for Alex if I had someone with me, right? And he might wonder why I had someone with me who wasn’t familiar to him. He’d probably ask questions. “I’ll just be there for one day, Jaxon, and that’s it, okay? We haven’t seen each other for so long, and now, if you act like you can’t live without me, it’s too much.” It’s true, it’s been a long time, four? Or five years. “I’m barely living when yo
“Ely!!” I immediately looked for where the voice was coming from, it was Alex, running and waving at me. She was wearing her favorite hoodie and shorts. She looked different too, she cut her hair short and dyed it ash gray, and it suited her. Her skin seemed to glow in white; she used to have pale skin, but now, she seemed to have really embraced her pregnancy. Good for her. “Omg, I missed you!!” she exclaimed as she approached me, then hugged me. I moved away a bit because my stomach was being pressed, it was a bit painful. “I missed you too.” I teased her, and she separated from me. “You probably know him,” I said to her, holding Jaxon’s arm. “Oh, of course! Hey, Zander Vanth! Finally, you showed up.” She said and slapped Jaxon on the shoulder. I saw Jaxon grin a bit; it must have hurt when she slapped him. Jaxon just smiled and hugged me, maybe they weren’t that close, so that was his reaction. “Love, I’ll stay here. I’ll call you later, text me when you get home.” I told him, h
“Damn it! It’s been seventeen hours! How the hell can you still not contact them? Or even track her?!” Damn it! How did it come to this that they were able to track Zander? There’s no information coming out of this building. Kris, you’re handsome. Don’t think too much, it diminishes your charm, right. “Zander, calm down first. It won’t be solved if you’re like that. Just think deeply about it.” I gave him a stern look. He might snap at me. It’s annoying, and I don’t want that. I love my life, heart, heart. Zander sat down and took a deep breath. I’m really good at calming him down. Nothing can escape my charm, hehe. But even I was stunned when I found out that the pregnant woman was missing. So I get why Zander is so worried. It’s dangerous. We don’t know who took her or where she was taken. Zander put a tracker in the ring he gave her so she wouldn’t notice that he knows where she is. He’s been crazy about Elara for a long time. Not like a stalker, more like crazy in love. It’s
I woke up feeling heavy, in a room with no windows, and only one door. There were no interior decorations. Where am I? The last thing I remember, I took a shower after we ate, then I dozed off in the room Alex gave me, but this isn’t the room where I slept. Where am I? Where is Alex? The door opened, and an elderly woman entered. She looked like a helper because of her uniform. She was quiet as she approached me and set down the tray she was carrying. It had rice, vegetables, strawberries, and water. I also saw the two bottles of vitamins I take. After she set it down, she left without a word, closing the door behind her. Did I just hear a click? Like she locked the door? I don’t think so. Why would she lock me up here? I stood up and went to the door to try to open it. What the heck? I’m not hallucinating! She just locked me up in this room! What the hell is happening right now? Where is Alex? Why am I here? Why am I not in my room? Where is my phone? “Alex!” I called out, and m
“Come on, big sister! Join us! I promise it’s fun there, and it’s not like it happens often. I just turned legal age a week ago, and I even rushed to get an ID just to get into the bar! Let’s go!” This jerk doesn’t know how to have fun; all she wants is to act like a perfect daughter in front of Dad. I won’t let that happen again and again. If she’s gone, my life will be better. Dad will only look at me. He won’t compare me to anyone because I’ll be the only one left. I’m so sick of being compared. My mom was a dancer in a bar, maybe that’s why my dad got her pregnant and didn’t take responsibility. She became a drug addict, and now she left me with my dad. She said he’s rich and promised I could go to school if I went with her. I went because I dream of studying, but then she left me there. “Alex, Dad will scold us if we come home drunk! And I have an exam tomorrow; I can’t go with a hangover, it’s my finals tomorrow.” She insists and really doesn’t want to leave her room. I came
“What are you saying, twin? Dad is already gone, he left us when we were still young, right? What are you saying, that you’re going to look for him?” “Cain, I want to find Dad. I’m sure he was just confused at that time, so I’ll look for him. I already know him, so it won’t be difficult; I just need to go to him. You have to trust me on this, okay?” I can now go and look for Dad, I know by this time, he will get us back, or even me, that would be cool, right? “You’re crazy, you can’t! We still have some work to do! We have jobs now; we can’t delay our work and risk people’s lives just because of your plans!” This guy is really selfish! Maybe because he wasn’t that loved by Dad, that’s why he doesn’t care whether we see him again or not. “I won’t, just, just let me do my stuff.” Then I left him. I started searching for where my Dad lives; this is one of the reasons why I joined the group. I wanted to look for him; this is the only way I know that he will be proud of me. Maybe if I
“Shut your mouth, Cater,” Dad’s voice is different, like he is mad or something. Why are they here? I grab my recorder and turn it on; I’m sure I can get some information from them. I don’t know what it is yet, but the fact that the three of them are here might as well get some information. “Whatever,” he said, and pulled out a thick paper from his bag. “This is the list, their addresses, and their parents. Most of them are runaways, some of them are orphans, so we won’t be having any problem. I have them gathered at the warehouse; the auction will begin tomorrow midnight,” he said. I’m confused right now. What are they talking about, an auction of what? Is that an illegal auction? Auction of what? Stolen things? Nah, that would be too cheap or might be low class. It must be something that you can’t just buy outside like the usual. What are they selling? Guns? “My son,” Dad said, “You never fail to make me proud. You really know how to do your job fast and clean. Is this all set?”
Zander is quiet in the afternoon, he’s not losing his temper anymore, but he’s also not speaking. He looks completely different from before, more intimidating, because you don’t know what he wants to do, you don’t know if he has a plan. Damn it, I can’t do anything, my handsome looks are wasted now, Kris is handsome, nothing I can do now, sad. He’s been like this for three days, I’ve been watching him, maybe later he’ll start dancing, or watching K-pop, maybe he’ll start dancing to Twice or Blackpink. He’s always in his condo, he doesn’t go out. From what I’ve seen, when someone acts like that, it’s a sign that they’re about to go crazy. Is Zander going crazy? Where could the pregnant one be? Damn it! I’m full of questions, stress makes you ugly, I’ll just leave it to Zander, I know he’ll figure it out, we just have to stand by for what he wants us to do. “Zander, it’s impossible that he said that on the other side.” Cain keeps insisting that his brother did it, he’s our prime susp
The salty sea breeze swept through the streets of Seaview, carrying with it the promise of another beautiful day along the coast. Emily stood outside her seaside café, surveying the damage left behind by the storm that had battered the town the night before. The wooden sign above the entrance creaked in the wind, its paint chipped and faded, a testament to the café's long history.As Emily assessed the extent of the damage, she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the task ahead. Tables and chairs lay scattered across the sand, while shards of broken glass littered the floor of the café's outdoor seating area. The awning had been torn off its hinges, leaving the once-cozy space exposed to the elements.Just as Emily was about to roll up her sleeves and get to work, she heard footsteps approaching from behind. Turning around, she was surprised to see Jack standing there, a concerned expression on his face."Hey, Emily," Jack said, his voice gentle but filled with urgency. "I heard abo
The rain fell in a gentle rhythm, casting a veil of mist over the forgotten library as Amelia and Lucas stood on its rain-soaked steps. The ancient building loomed before them, its weathered stone walls holding centuries of secrets within their depths. Amelia's heart fluttered with anticipation, her hand trembling as she reached for the heavy wooden door."Are you sure about this, Amelia?" Lucas's voice broke through the silence, his concern evident in the furrow of his brow. He stood beside her, his tall frame a reassuring presence in the darkness.Amelia turned to face him, her eyes shining with determination. "I have to know, Lucas," she said, her voice soft but resolute. "There's something in there calling to me, and I can't ignore it any longer."Lucas studied her for a moment, his gaze searching hers for any sign of doubt. But when he saw the fire burning in her eyes, he nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips."Then let's go," he said, his voice steady. "Togeth
Three years had passed since the enchanting night at Everwood Academy, where Evelyn and Ethan's paths had crossed in a whirlwind of magic and emotion. Life had taken them on separate journeys, each navigating their own challenges and triumphs in the wake of that fateful evening.Evelyn had immersed herself in her passion for flowers, opening multiple successful flower shops across the city. Amidst the vibrant colors and sweet fragrances of her blossoming business, she found solace and purpose, pouring her heart into every petal and stem she arranged.One sunny afternoon, in the heart of spring, Evelyn stood amidst a sea of blooms in her flagship store, her hands deftly arranging a bouquet of delicate roses. The soft sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room, as the gentle hum of bustling customers filled the air.As she carefully placed the final rose into the arrangement, Evelyn couldn't shake the feeling of nostalgia that washed over her. Memories of t
In the quiet solitude of her attic chamber, Evelyn meticulously measured out the ingredients for the potion. Each component was chosen with care, selected from ancient tomes and whispered legends passed down through generations of enchantresses. The air was thick with anticipation as she stirred the bubbling concoction in the ornate cauldron, the flames dancing beneath it casting eerie shadows on the walls.“This is it,” Evelyn murmured to herself, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. For months, she had harbored a secret longing for Lucas, the charming star of Everwood Academy’s varsity team. With his captivating smile and easy charm, he had captured her heart from the moment they first met. But despite her best efforts, Evelyn had never found the courage to confess her feelings to him.Tonight, however, would be different. Tonight, she would take fate into her own hands and brew a potion that would make Lucas fall madly in love with her. With trembling ha
The evening sky was painted with hues of orange and pink as Lily walked away from Lee, her heart heavy with emotion. She could hear his footsteps behind her, his voice calling out, begging her not to leave. But she knew that she had to do this, for herself.Lily sat at the edge of her bed, tears streaming down her face. She couldn’t believe what she had just learned. For months, she had been living in a blissful illusion, thinking that her promotion, her raise, her new apartment were all a result of her hard work and determination. But now, the truth had been revealed, and it hit her like a ton of bricks.Lee stood in the doorway, his expression pained. He had been the one behind it all, pulling strings, making calls, ensuring that Lily got everything she wanted. And now, seeing her broken and betrayed, he didn’t know what to do.“Lily, I’m sorry,” Lee said, his voice filled with regret. “I just wanted to help you, to make your life better. I didn’t mean to deceive you.”Lily looked u
In the bustling city of Havenridge, there was a building that stood out among the rest. The Havenridge Tower was a marvel of modern architecture, stretching high into the sky with its gleaming glass facade. It was the tallest building in the city, a symbol of prosperity and success.But for Lily, the Havenridge Tower was more than just a building. It was her workplace, her home, and her prison.Lily worked as a receptionist on the 50th floor of the tower, where the prestigious law firm of Anderson & Associates was located. She had been working there for years, ever since she had graduated from college, and she had always prided herself on her work ethic and dedication.But lately, things had started to change. The long hours, the demanding clients, the constant pressure to perform – it was all starting to take its toll on Lily. She felt trapped, suffocated by the walls of the tower that seemed to close in on her more and more each day.One day, as Lily sat at her desk, staring out at
Catherine stumbled into the condo, her vision blurred from the tears that streamed down her face. Sin stood in front of her, his expression unreadable. Outside, the rain poured down in a relentless torrent, the sound of it drumming against the windows like a thousand tiny fingers. The sky was a dark, brooding mass of clouds, obscuring the moon and stars from view. The air was thick with moisture, the humidity making it feel like a sauna. The condo was a small, cozy space, with soft, dim lighting that cast a warm glow over the room. The walls were painted a soothing shade of blue, adorned with framed photographs of happier times. A plush couch sat in the center of the living room, facing a small television set. The floor was covered with a plush rug, soft underfoot.“Please, Catherine, you need to leave,” Sin pleaded, his voice tinged with frustration.Catherine shook her head, her voice trembling. “No, not until you tell me why. Why were you avoiding me all these years?” Catherine sto
Sin sighed as he pulled on his jacket, preparing to slip out of the house unnoticed. It was a typical Saturday afternoon, and he had plans to meet up with his friends at the park. But just as he reached for the doorknob, his mother’s voice echoed through the hallway.“Sin! Can you come here for a moment?”He froze, knowing that tone all too well. With a resigned sigh, he turned around and headed towards the living room where his mother and brothers were gathered. As he entered the room, he saw Catherine, his ten-year-old sister, sitting on the floor surrounded by coloring books and crayons.“What’s up?” Sin asked, trying to sound casual.“We’re having a bonding moment with Cath,” his mother said, gesturing towards the coloring materials. “We thought it would be nice for you to join us.”Sin glanced at Catherine, who looked up at him with big, hopeful eyes. He felt a pang of guilt for wanting to leave her behind. “I’m sorry, I can’t. I’ve made plans with my friends,” he replied, alread
As Letisha sat in her car, tears streaming down her face, she felt utterly alone. The weight of being scammed pressed down on her, and she didn’t know where to turn. She had always been independent, used to solving her problems on her own, but this time, it felt like too much.She stared blankly ahead, trying to gather her thoughts, when a sudden knock on her car door made her jump. Startled, she turned to see Alex standing there, looking concerned.“Letisha, are you okay?” Alex asked, his voice filled with genuine worry.Letisha wiped her tears and tried to compose herself. “I… I’m fine,” she replied, her voice shaky.Alex didn’t seem convinced. “You don’t look fine. Can I come in?”Letisha hesitated for a moment before nodding. Alex opened the car door and sat down beside her, his presence comforting.“What happened?” Alex asked gently.Letisha took a deep breath and explained how she had been scammed, losing a significant amount of money. She felt embarrassed and foolish for fallin