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ADIRA
Huling Na-update:
2025-01-25 02:19:36
Kaugnay na kabanata
KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ANDRONIKOS
Sitting in the study, surrounded by sheets of paper and books, my attention couldn’t help but wander— not to the myriad problems we were solving, but to Adira. With dark braids that framed a sharp, expressive face and eyes that shone with a mix of brilliance and calculated fury, she was a vision I could spend the entirety of my life admiring. As she worked through the complexities of Abara Inc. with a precision that would make most CEOs weep, I came to the realization that my little captive wasn’t just beautiful but formidable also.But as she rattled on about distribution logistics, my thoughts were drawn back to this afternoon’s activities. The room dissolved into the sticky glow of the warehouse, and the phantom smell of blood and sweat clawed at my memory. If I thought hard enough, I could still hear the guttural, pleading cries of the Aslan brothers—screams that spurred me on as I tortured them mercilessly for their insolence. Removing their fingernails, one by one, was almost… p
Huling Na-update : 2025-01-25KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ADIRA
It was well past the witching hour, and I was still wide awake. Sleep had evaded me tonight, leaving me tangled up in the sheets, thoughts of him plaguing me. The last person I wanted to think about, yet the only one who consumed every corner of my mind like a malignant tumor. Andronikos. Just the thought of his name alone felt like swallowing the finest whiskey—burning, but intoxicatingly sweet.With a frustrated sigh, I threw the damp sheets off my body, swung my legs over the bed side and made my way towards the door. The balmy Greece summer air clung to my skin, making my tank top and skimpy shorts stick uncomfortably to my body. Barefoot, I padded downstairs to the kitchen, hoping that a glass of water would help cool the inferno raging inside me. But I know too well that water won’t be enough to quench this particular fire.When I got to the kitchen, the lights were switched off, the room only dimly lit by the haunting glow of the moon that filtered through the large windows. I
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-06KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ANDRONIKOS
Letting Adira leave after that kiss was probably the dumbest but wisest decision I’ve ever made. She was right, we shouldn’t have been kissing, but we did anyway. I was this close to losing myself in her. Literally. Her lips, her taste, the way her breath hitched when I sucked on her tongue, maddened me.Fuck.I knew having her close to me would be dangerous, but I didn’t account for how addicting her presence would become. It’s now something I can’t control and to be honest, I don’t think I want to control it. She invades my thoughts, my dreams and it’s a problem, one I can’t afford, not with everything on the line. The stakes are too fucking high for distractions and that’s exactly what Adira is—a distraction.Feeling the need to clear my head, I leave the kitchen, the lingering warmth of her kiss still burning against my skin. It didn’t make sense to stay there, not with the memory of that moment eating at me. I needed to feel something else, something to drown the fire that Adira
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-06KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ADIRA
When I told my parents I was coming back home, they were ecstatic, especially my mother. Not surprising, considering they never wanted me gone in the first place. Penny on the other hand? Yeah, not so much.“What do you mean you’re going back to America?” she screamed through the speakers, her voice loud enough to make me wince. God, my ears. “You’ve been here barely a week, and now you’re going back?!”“I can hear you clearly Pen. You don’t have to burst my eardrums.” I said, rubbing my temples.“Don’t lecture me about volume, missy! We were supposed to go to the beach and other cool places together! Why do you have to leave me?” she whined, dragging out the last word like a petulant toddler. When did she become like this? Oh wait, she’s always been this way.“You know,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm, “you could always come to the U.S., right? You’d even get to see Andronikos in the flesh rather than all those half-assed pictures I’ve been sending you.” Yes, I’d been taking sn
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-06KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ADIRA
Before we landed in New York, we had finalized the plans for Andronikos nefarious activities- a task that felt equal parts exhilarating and damning. With a little time to spare, I decided to freshen up with a quick shower, hoping to rinse off the weight of what we’d just put into motion, By the time I stepped out, the pilot’s voice crackled through the speakers, calmly announcing our impending descent and reminding us to fasten our seatbelts.After a while, the jet landed with a smooth thud, and I let out a sigh of relief. It wasn’t the flight that had me on edge though. It was the company. Andronikos, the annoying pest, sat across from me, sipping his drink like he owned the universe- which knowing him, he might as well have.I had decided to take a detour to Tampa to visit my parents. A simple visit, or so I thought. Andronikos, ever the meddler, insisted on tagging along. “For protection,” he claimed. Protection from what exactly? My parents’ overfeeding and endless questions about
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-06KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ANDRONIKOS
She’s not talking to me? Why isn’t she talking to me?Uh, maybe it’s because you threatened her and her family, my brain oh-so-helpfully supplied.I cringed— a rare occurrence. Not my finest moment, sure, but I’d done worse. Much worse. She needed a reminder of her place. Besides, she’s the enemy and just because she’s stunningly beautiful with legs I’d love to see wrapped around my head doesn’t mean I can’t fantasize about eviscerating her entire family.Adira had been giving me the silent treatment since the moment she entered the car, her icy indifference grating on my nerves. I didn’t have to make her stay with me—technically—but something in me wouldn’t let her go. Obsession? Probably. I wanted her close. Needed her close. It wasn’t enough to hold her captive; I wanted her in my home, my space, and, ideally, under my control.Her silence dragged on, bringing a sneer to my face and I made it known to her. Casually of course.“You know, Flogítsa mou,” I said waving a hand toward he
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-06KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ADIRA
Today is the day I introduce Andronikos to the company. Am I scared? Yes. But if there is one thing my father taught me, it is that reaching the top is hard but staying there is an ongoing battle, and I don't plan on letting those sniveling board members intimidate me. Besides, I need to show Andronikos that I can be in control, not because I have to prove anything to him, which I don't, but I have to show him that I'm not to be fucked with in my domain.My heels clicked against the marble floors as I walked into the company, Andronikos not very far behind. He was dressed impeccably today, as always—black tailored suit, a gold watch that gleamed in the light, and black leather shoes that looked like they were made for a king. He was as menacing and breathtakingly handsome as ever.Gosh, I really needed to keep my hormones in check around this man.We moved in silence to the elevator. The weight of what was about to happen hung between us, neither one of us seeming ready to cut the ten
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-06KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ANDRONIKOS
Moments later, as I leaned back in the leather chair of my temporary office, I still couldn’t get Adira out of my head. That kiss was far better than it had any right to be. Even now, hours later, her soft perfume lingered on me— not that cloying shit most people paraded around on their clothes.Adira was… intoxicating. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of her. Which was a problem cause I needed to focus on my revenge plan. The first step—infiltrating her family’s business—was already in motion, but I my need to make some adjustments to my plans. Why not hurt the daughter of the family that had a hand in my family’s destruction?That actually sounded good, a cruel smile tugged at my lips as the idea took root.I could make her fall in love with me. Take her heart, and rip it out. Figuratively, of course. Ruin the Abara family’s precious daughter. It’ll be the highlight of my life—a trophy to add my growing list of conquests. The thought stirred something primal in me, and I savored i
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-06
Pinakabagong kabanata
KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ANDRONIKOS
When Iason and I got back, one of the headguards called to inform me about custom issues. I assumed it was just a matter of slipping some money into their hands and having the problem disappear, but that wasn’t the case.They were adamant that the cars wouldn’t be released until they were thoroughly checked—an issue I really didn’t have the patience to fucking deal with right now.Adira and I finally arrived at the port, and as I had been since we got into the car, I continued to ignore her—just as it always should have been.I seemed to have forgotten that she was the enemy. That she probably knew about the vault all along and had been secretly laughing at my ignorance. Not again. I’d do well to keep my promise to protect her, but nothing more.First, we had to settle this nuisance of an issue, and then I will start looking into the vault my uncle mentioned. He was an enigma, but when he was lucid, he was never wrong.At the dock, I spotted Iason talking to one of the officers—the he
KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ADIRA
As Baba had benevolently given me back my position, I was at the firm today still trying to investigate this debilitating fraud issue the company was currently facing. Despite our relentless efforts, we still hadn’t managed to track down the perpetrator. However, one silver lining was that since we had been closely monitoring the financial records, there have been no obvious traces of embezzlement.And it better remain that way.While I was still poring over the account books on my desktop, a sharp knock on my office door pulled me out of my thoughts. I immediately assumed it was Thea. I had sent her to fetch me a cup of coffee a while ago.“Come in, Thea,” I called out absentmindedly, my eyes still skimming through the endless rows of numbers on my screen.But instead of Thea, an entirely different person stepped into the room.Andronikos.I hadn’t seen him in two days.The moment I registered his presence, I instinctively stood from my chair, my body moving before my mind could full
KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ADIRA/ANDRONIKOS
ADIRAWhen I arrived at the firm, I half-expected to see a lot of changes, especially since Dean had been made the COO. But weirdly enough, everything still looked the same.Kace and I stepped into the elevator that will take us to Baba’s office. As we rode up, I turned to him and said, “Just stay outside the room, please. I know you were ordered to protect me, but I don’t want my father more worked up than he already is.”I didn’t get a response from him right away. There was a brief silence before he finally spoke.“As much as my will to obey your command as the boss’s lady is there, Adira, my will to Nónos is stronger. So, no—I’ll be going with you. Your father will just have to deal with it.”I swallowed, already dreading the confrontation that was about to unfold in his office.Once we were granted entry, Kace and I strode into his office. Baba stood in front of his book shelf, reading a book in his hand. He turned toward us the moment we arrived.“And that is?” He gestured towar
KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ADIRA
I was finally going to see Mama today. I doubted Baba had been telling her everything happening back at home, and for good reason too. Mama needed to be away from stress as much as possible, but still, I believed she need to know.I picked up the note Andronikos left me, blushing as I looked at it.At least this time, you saw the note.After taking a well-needed shower following yesterday’s crying marathon, I felt refreshed and ready to take on the day. As I was heading to my dresser, I got a text from Pen.PEN❣️‼️🙈: Hi, dear cousin of mine.Me: What do you want?PEN❣️‼️🙈: So, it’s a crime for your cousin to check up on you now?Yup. She definitely wanted something.I dropped the phone on the bedside table and went ahead to look for what to wear. A difficult task considering that all I’m seeing in this walk-in closet are just colors upon colors.My goodness! When did this man get me all these?I was still in the process of choosing an outfit when my phone started ringing. The loud t
KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ANDRONIKOS
Contrary to what Adira thought, I wasn’t actually going to do anything to her father.But her cousin, Dean?Yeah, he was definitely going to be harmed.I knew that slimy bastard had a hand in the fraud at her company, but whoever he was working with—or for—had to be powerful, because nothing traced back to him.It didn’t make sense that I was willing to help Adira’s family when they had a hand in destroying mine, but it seemed even I don’t know the lengths I’d go for her.“I’m not going to do anything to your father, flogítsa mou,” I said, dropping the phone on the other side of the bed and pulling her onto my lap. “Okay? The only person something will be happening to is that cousin of yours. I’ll just a break a few bones of his for good measure.” I finished with a nonchalant shrug.She blinked.“Some bones?! That’s all you can manage?”Huh? Is she angry or pleased? I usually can’t tell with her. Women.“Umm… yes?” I replied hesitantly. As much as I am in control when it comes to her,
KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ADIRA
I lay on my bed, surrounded by used tissues, a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough—my favorite—and my iPad which was currently playing How to get away with murder.Yes. I was feeling particularly murderous today.How could baba do this to me? Why? After everything I had put into that company? After sacrificing my life?He says it’s because I let a criminal into his company. But is he even aware that said criminal was five minutes away from blowing his and Mama’s head off if I hadn’t cooperated?Endless nights of insomnia. Waking up to the sound of gunshots ringing in my mind, convinced that my parents and close family members had been taken away from me. And for what? To be called ungrateful?I just couldn’t deal anymore. Honestly, I just wanted to melt into this bed and remain here for the rest of my miserable life.I was currently on Season 1, Episode 9—watching the gruesome murder and body disposal of Sam—when a soft knock echoed through my room.“Go away,” I called o
KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ANDRONIKOS
“What the fuck, Andronikos?” Iason stormed in after me, slamming the door to my office shut behind him. His face was twisted in a mix of disbelief and frustration. “You didn’t think it important to tell me—your second-in-command—about a person as pivotal as a Yakuza princess?”“Onna Oyabun,” I corrected, settling into the leather chair behind my mahogany desk.“What?” he asked, more confusion flashing across his face.“She’s no longer a Yakuza princess. She’s the lady boss, which means she holds more power than a princess ever would.”“And that helps us… how?”I shrugged, letting the weight of his question hang between us.Iason pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something in Greek about women and danger.“Nónos, I don’t know if you’ve forgotten, but the Yakuza known for their trustworthiness in our world. Their alliances are built on profit, not loyalty. And second, they’re literal rats in our line of business.”“Enough Iason,” I barked, my voice sharp enough to slice through
KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ADIRA
Walking briskly to my office door, the CFO followed closely behind me. “Good morning, ma’am,” he greeted.“Morning,” I replied absentmindedly as I pushed open the door and made my way toward my seat.“What’s the update?” I asked, settling in.He shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, a nervous tic of his that I’d noticed before. But today, I had no patience for hesitation. Time was slipping through my fingers and I needed answers.“Now, please. I don't have time for this,” I pressed.He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “There’s no lead.”“What?” My voice came out sharper than I intended. I must have misheard him.“All the leads trace back to no one, ma’am. The offshore accounts, irregular withdrawals—everything. It's like a ghost defrauded the company. There are no footprints, digital or whatsoever.” My fingers curled into fists so tightly that my nails bit into my palm. “So what? We don't have hackers anymore?” “I’ve reached out to all the ones in my network. No results.” “
KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS ANDRONIKOS
I had come to the realization that I couldn't do this alone, so I called on the assistance of an old friend. We hadn't spoken since our fathers had tried to indoctrinate us into our dark world-a lifetime ago-but hopefully, there's no bad blood between us.Yuna Komori.That was her name the last time we met. As the only child of the Kumicho, the head of the Yakuza, she was set to inherit the crime syndicate-something her people resented.But now, she goes by the name Shizugai.A moniker earned through sheer ruthlessness. The silent killer. She leaves only corpses in her wake after dealing with her victims.My men stood behind me, armed to the teeth, their hands resting on their holsters, eyes scanning for the first signs of trouble. The gated loomed before us, a towering emblem of power, emblazoned with the insignia of a wyrm devouring a dragon-her mark.Moments later, the gates creaked opened.A group of guards stepped forward, weapons drawn, their gazes cold and unyielding."What's y
