Maya and Xender's first date had been planned meticulously, designed to further entwine Xender's emotions and make him fall deeper for her. But Xender, ever cautious and perceptive, couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.They met at a quaint, upscale restaurant, the kind of place where the ambiance was just right for a romantic evening. Maya looked stunning in a simple yet elegant dress, her makeup flawless, her smile enchanting. But Xender noticed her eyes darting around the room, her fingers nervously wiping against the fabric of her dress as if trying to clean off something unseen. “Everything okay?” Xender asked, masking his suspicion with a warm smile.“Yes, of course,” Maya replied, her voice a touch too high-pitched. “Just a bit nervous, I guess.”Xender nodded, pretending to accept her explanation, but his guard was up. Throughout the meal, he watched her closely, noting every subtle sign of her unease. He decided to play along, to see how far this game would go.
Maya's eyes fluttered open, her head pounding with a dull ache. The room around her was unfamiliar, and it took a moment for her to realize she was no longer at the hotel. Panic surged through her as she remembered the last moments before losing consciousness. She sat up abruptly, her heart racing, and looked around the room.It was tastefully furnished but devoid of any personal touches that might hint at where she was. The bed was large and comfortable, the walls painted a soothing shade of blue. However, the door was firmly closed, and she had no idea what lay beyond it."Where am I?" she muttered to herself, trying to recall the events that led her here. The memory of Xender’s eyes, filled with anger and betrayal, flashed in her mind, and she shivered involuntarily.She heard footsteps approaching and quickly lay back down, feigning unconsciousness. The door creaked open, and she could sense someone stepping inside.“She’s still out,” a voice said softly. It was Xender.“Good. We
Austin’s apartment was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the turmoil in his mind. The dim light from a single lamp cast long shadows on the walls as he read Xender’s urgent message again. It had been a long day, and exhaustion weighed heavily on him, but the message was clear: “I need you all back at the mansion, fast!” The words carried an urgency that left no room for delay.With a heavy sigh, Austin grabbed his car keys, his thoughts consumed by the crisis. The night was dark and cool as he stepped outside, the familiar hum of the city night providing little comfort. He started his car and pulled out of the parking lot, the streets stretching out before him in a seemingly endless expanse.As he drove, his mind was a whirlwind of anxiety. The mansion had always been a sanctuary, a place where he felt safe. But now, with Xender’s message, it was clear that danger was looming. Austin tried to push the thoughts of Emily and the family’s recent struggles out of his mind, focusing instea
Kelsey’s heart pounded in his chest as he ended the call with Austin. Fear and adrenaline surged through his veins, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. The urgency in Austin's voice and the abrupt end to their conversation filled him with dread. He grabbed his car keys and bolted out of his house, dialing his brothers’ numbers as he ran."Tony, Chris, Xender," Kelsey barked into the phone, each call filled with frantic urgency. "Something’s happened to Austin. He’s in trouble. Meet me at the usual place. Now."Without waiting for a response, he jumped into his car, his hands trembling as he started the engine. He floored the accelerator, his car roaring down the streets. The night air was cold and sharp, the streetlights blurring past him. His mind raced, filled with worst-case scenarios and desperate hopes that Austin would be okay.Kelsey activated the family’s tracking device, a precaution they had taken after Emily’s disappearance. The small, blinking dot on the screen guid
The dimly lit room was filled with the hum of electronic devices and the glow of multiple screens. The man leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on his laptop screen. He had just sent the final image—a gruesome picture of Austin's crumpled car and his unconscious body, still smeared with blood—to his leader. Satisfaction crept over his face as he hit send.He picked up his phone and dialed a number he knew by heart. The line rang twice before a deep, gravelly voice answered. "What is it?""It's done," the man replied, his voice low but steady. "Austin's car was hit as planned. I made sure to get the pictures you wanted. They're in your inbox now."There was a brief silence on the other end, followed by a slow, satisfied chuckle. "Good. Very good. You've done well."The man allowed himself a small smile at the praise. He knew better than to let his guard down, though. His boss was not a man to be trifled with. One misstep, one failure, and the consequences would be dire."What's the
The sterile, white corridors of the hospital were filled with the quiet hum of medical equipment and the occasional murmur of hushed conversations. The brothers—Chris, Tony, Xender, and Kelsey—stood outside the intensive care unit, their faces etched with worry and fatigue. They had been waiting for what felt like hours, their anxiety growing with each passing minute.Finally, the doctor emerged from the room, his expression grave. "I'm afraid Austin's condition is critical," he said, his voice steady but tinged with sympathy. "He sustained significant injuries, and while we're doing everything we can, the prognosis is not good. He might not make it through the night."The words hit them like a sledgehammer. Tony's fists clenched at his sides, his face contorted with a mix of anger and helplessness. "We can't lose him," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else."We have to consider telling Inishola," Chris said, his voice low and strained. "He can reach Emily. She deserves to kno
Inishola sat in his study, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on his shoulders. The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing across the walls as he picked up his phone to make the call. He knew this conversation would be difficult, but it was necessary. He dialed the number, his fingers steady despite the turmoil within him.Emily answered on the second ring, her voice guarded. "Hello?""It's Inishola," he said, his voice calm but serious. "We need to talk."There was a pause on the other end, then a sigh. "What is it?""It's about Austin. He's in the hospital. His condition is critical, Emily. He might not make it."Emily felt her heart constrict, the breath leaving her lungs in a rush. She had been trying to keep her distance, to protect herself from the pain and chaos that seemed to follow her family, but this news shattered her resolve. "What happened?" she asked, her voice trembling."He was in an accident. They think it was intentional. He's fighting for his life, and... th
Emily sat in the dimly lit hospital room, her eyes fixed on Austin's still form. The beeping of the machines and the sterile smell of the room filled the silence. Her brothers had left to get some food, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She hadn't planned on revealing herself so soon, but seeing Austin in such a fragile state had forced her hand.The door creaked open, and Chris, Tony, and Xender entered, carrying takeout bags. They set the food on the table, their faces etched with concern and curiosity. Chris was the first to speak, breaking the heavy silence that had settled over them."Emily," he said softly, taking a seat beside her. "We need to talk. We need to know where you've been all this time."Emily sighed, her fingers tracing patterns on Austin's blanket. She had known this moment would come, but she still wasn't ready. "It's complicated," she began, her voice trembling. "I can't tell you everything. It's not safe.""Safe?" Tony echoed, his brows furrowing. "What do yo