[ZARINA] “Get out! And leave me alone!” I yelled, but the two women standing in front of me didn’t seem to be affected. They continued to stare at me, their expressions stoic and unwavering. The older woman had an air of authority about her, and her age showed in the fine lines etched around her eyes and mouth. Despite her age, she carried herself with poise and elegance. Her hair was pulled back into a sleek, low bun that accentuated her sharp features. She wore a black dress with white sleeves and a white garment draped around her waist, which gave her a regal appearance. A younger girl stood behind the older woman, with golden-brown hair elegantly knotted in a ponytail that swayed flawlessly behind her back as she craned her neck to check out the room. Despite the elegant appearance of the room, she seemed to be seeing it for the first time, which was unusual considering the maids were expected to keep everything tidy. She wore the same dress as the older woman, and her childlik
[LIZZY]“Out of curiosity, do you actually like being here?” She questions me with her curious blue eyes.Hmm. Let me think about it…“My father sold me to the Perazzo family to settle his debts. Until we pay off every single penny he owes, I have no other choice but to stay,” I reply with a poker face, because answering this question is far less painful and more entertaining.Just dripping with sarcasm.Honestly, it’s no skin off my back these days, not like it was in the beginning. Dad was never the warm and fuzzy type, anyway. The only time he ever treated me halfway decent was when Mom was still around. But even with Dad working his butt off day and night, we were always scraping by, unable to afford the fancy surgeries Mom needed to survive. And once she kicked the bucket five years ago, Dad was quick to turn to the bottle and the ladies of questionable virtue.So yeah, nothing about my fucked up family bothers me anymore.Zarina shoots me a glance of annoyance, or maybe it’s sym
[ZARINA]Hours slipped by effortlessly as Lizzy and I giggled and chatted about everything under the sun. It was surreal to talk so much as during my time at the orphanage, we were never allowed to spend more than a few minutes together, including mealtime. The warden was always afraid that we would plan an escape if left unattended. Looking back, I realize how unfair and biased she was towards us miserable kids.Throughout my life, I had never had anyone whom I could call a friend. But now, I think I had found one in Lizzy. Her warmth and kindness made me feel safe and loved in a way that I had never experienced before.I couldn’t help but worry that something might break this newfound bubble of happiness with Lizzy, and that she might turn out to be someone entirely different from what I had thought. However, I desperately hoped that this wouldn’t be the case.As our friendship grew stronger, I longed to confide in Lizzy about my dreadful plight. I hoped that she would understand an
[VLADIMIR] Zarina! I see her. I see her. And I lose it. I lose myself in a snap and end up doing something that I’m bound to regret. She evokes memories of my past and actions I am not proud of, ones that I do not need to be reminded of. I need to keep my distance; I keep saying that to myself. But as much as the hell I try, I end up destroying every fucking distance between us. Why is she different? Why isn’t she the same? It would have been so easy to let her go. Her being different raises hope—a wistful desire—that things could be different this time around. Maybe she won’t push me away this time. Just maybe, I’ll finally find the goddamn peace I’ve been searching for. However, her approval means nothing to me. She holds no significance in my life, absolutely none. She’s only here because Xavier desired it. He requires her for reasons that I cannot refuse, reasons for which I would gladly die a hundr
Breathing profoundly. That’s what Zarina felt like doing when her attention was caught by a tall, fair woman, who appeared to be around the same age as her. The woman appeared to be in a state of confusion, with wide, round eyes that seemed ready to pop out of her head. She ran her hands through her light auburn hair, as if she was frustrated or overwhelmed. After closing and reopening her eyes, she began to pace around anxiously, shaking her head in denial. “This can’t be real,” the woman muttered under her breath as she continued pacing back and forth. “I must be hallucinating or something.” Zarina remained still, leaning against the door which she had closed to escape the men who had been chasing her since her escape from the room. She had managed to dodge them and entered the only unlocked room in the maze-like corridors of Perazzo’s mansion. Her breathing gradually slowed down as she tried to calm herself. The intensity of a pair of glaring eyes jolted Zarina out of her tranc
[ZARINA]“Zarina!” Xavier whispered, hushing me as he looked directly into my eyes and gently cupped my tear-streaked face. “You need to calm down,” he murmured in a husky voice, his gaze conveying genuine concern and care.I couldn’t comprehend the intensity of his stare, as if he was searching for something within me; as if he was trying to uncover answers to questions I didn’t even know existed.His touch sent shivers down my spine, and I became aware of how close we were sitting. His face was mere inches from mine, but this proximity was vastly different from the uncomfortable closeness I had experienced with Vladimir.Yes, I know his name now. I know who he was. I know how cruel he could be, and what kind of monster he could become. He loved seeing people suffer and wouldn’t think twice before exploiting their vulnerabilities. Now, I know enough and all I feel for him is hatred. I hate him.I shook my head slowly and responded, “How could I?” My voice was filled with sadness and
Upon entering the room and closing the door behind him, Xavier declared, “I am aware that you have queries. I am here to provide you with answers,” accompanied by a faint grin, as he gazed at Zarina, hoping she would give him a chance to explain himself before making any assumptions. After the bone-crushing hug, the little girl greeted Zarina, Xavier stepped in and got hold of her. “Hazel, didn’t I instruct you to wait in the dining area?” Calmly, Xavier crouched down and looked into the little girl’s baby blue eyes. Reluctantly, the little girl nodded in agreement that Xavier had indeed instructed her to wait, and she lowered her head with a melancholic pout on her lips, fidgeting with her tiny fingers. Xavier escorted the girl out of the room, leaving Zarina stunned and struggling to come up with a reasonable explanation. Upon his return, Zarina’s eyes remained fixed on him, and even though he had already spoken her thoughts, she had no further response. “Then tell me,” she qu
[LIZZY] “Where is she?” I questioned Rose. If you assumed I was just a tad irritated, let me enlighten you with the truth: I was burning hotter than a raging volcano, ready to erupt like a lightning bolt on a destructive spree. Oh yes, my friend, I was bloody freaking furious. The moment I graced the office with my presence, a chorus of chatty maids caught my attention. At first, their words were a tangled mess, but as I inched closer, I caught the juiciest bits. My ears drank in their gossip, while my eyes turned a shade of red that could rival a stop sign. I mean, seriously, talk about seeing red! And there stood Rose, innocently arranging breakfast in the dining area. When she glanced my way, her expression morphed into a delightful mix of surprise and bewilderment. I can only imagine what she was thinking: “Uh-oh, someone’s inner volcano is about to erupt!” “What are you blabbering about?” she casually inquired, going as far as to shrug her shoulders. Can you believe the aud