Richie and I work tirelessly, pouring over every detail to uncover who’s behind the whole kidnapping case. The information I’ve managed to gather from just a few hours with Richie feels more valuable than anything the authorities would have provided. I honestly can’t wrap my head around why they’re dragging their feet on this; usually, with my connections and authority, it doesn’t take long to get to the bottom of things and set everything right. But now, it feels like time has frozen for them, and their effort just isn’t enough. Despite this frustration, I’m convinced I made the right choice teaming up with Richie."Okay, so who are Ezra’s enemies?" Richie asks, his brow furrowed in thought.I take a moment to think it over before I reply, "First, it’s you. Then there’s that Italian mafia dad who was eliminated ages ago. But honestly, I don’t think he poses any real threat now; he and his family are way downtown and far removed from the country, so I doubt they’re involved in this me
I can’t deny that today turned out to be a lot better than I originally thought it would be. I was bracing myself for a day filled with chaos and frustration, expecting it to be one of the most awful days ever. But to my surprise, it’s actually been quite easygoing. There’s a sense of comfort in knowing that I’m making progress in finding Dad and securing his safety. The thought of finally seeing him face to face again fills me with anticipation and hope. I can’t wait for that moment to arrive.As I pulled up to my mansion, the familiar routine unfolded; my security opened the car door, and I stepped out, the cool night air brushing against my skin. I walk toward the house, only to be met by an eerie silence and darkness that envelops me. A sense of emptiness washed over me and I knew that if Dad had been around, it wouldn’t have been silent and he and I would have been at the home theater watching the sitcom Friends. But now that he’s not here, it’s almost as if the whole place lost
As I step inside my house, I take a moment to freshen up, washing away the day's stress. I change into my favorite comfortable outfit, a soft nightgown that feels like a warm hug. Tying my hair up into a ponytail, I settle back at my desk, determined to dive into Dad’s case. I open the thick book, flipping through the pages, trying to navigate the intricate process laid out before me. I double-check everything, making sure I haven’t missed a single detail. Deep down, I know I haven’t overlooked anything, but I need that reassurance. I can’t afford to mess this up; the stakes are too high, and I want to wrap this up as quickly as possible.The sooner Dad comes back into my life, the better it will be for me. It’s been more than three days now, with tomorrow marking yet another day without him. It’s hard to articulate just how tough it is to live with the knowledge that he’s out there somewhere, not safe. The thought weighs heavily on my heart, and I genuinely worry about his well-being
Dad always says that diamonds are the root of both good and evil, and if they end up in the wrong hands, they could destroy the entire universe. I never really grasped what he meant until he led me through a dark tunnel that opened up to a brilliant light- one that I’d never seen before. As we made our way down the long hallway, our footsteps echoed loudly, emphasizing how isolated we were in this place. The darkness was so thick that I felt compelled to hold onto Dad's hand tightly, trusting him to guide me through the door ahead. It was the darkest yet somehow the safest place I had ever been in. There are no securities around but I feel safe and I could feel invincible eyes on me making it clear that the place is solid safe and protected from all evil people. Despite the place being dark, Dad reassured me that we didn’t need a flashlight because he was familiar with every corner of this mysterious location. He explained that using a beam of light could alert anyone lurking in the
My eyes flutter open as the warm rays of sunlight stream through the windows, casting a golden glow on my face. I let out a groan, turning onto my stomach in a futile attempt to slip back into the comforting embrace of sleep. Deep down, I know I have a busy day ahead, and my lack of rest isn’t going to help. I can already feel the heaviness in my eyelids, but just as I start to drift off again, my phone buzzes insistently beside me. I steal a quick glance at the screen, but it’s not the message that grabs my attention; it’s the glaring time that sends a jolt of panic through me.In an instant, I sit up straight, my heart racing as the realization hits me—I’ve overslept! I throw the covers off in a frenzy, the fabric tangling around my legs as I leap out of bed. I dash toward the bathroom, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I turn on the shower, the sound of water crashing against the tub echoing in my ears. I can’t believe I slept for so long; I thought I’d only close my eyes for
I filled Richie in on everything I had uncovered about Charles Smirnov and what he’s been up to lately. Last night, I really dug deep into my research and found out a lot more than I expected. Charles is currently in jail here in Chicago, but he’s set to be sent back to Russia soon, which means today is his last chance to be in the city. I have this rare opportunity to meet him before he’s whisked away.I made sure to explain my theory about Charles and why I suspect he might be behind all the chaos, even though he’s behind bars. Despite his incarceration, he has a network of people around Chicago who could still be working for him. Plus, his younger brother, James Smirnov, is absolutely furious with both Richie and me. It’s clear he harbors a strong hatred toward us, which I believe stems from the fact that Charles ended up in jail because of my actions and because of the death of his older brother, which was caused by Calista, who is related to Richie. The Smirnovs are the only mut
I can’t hide the expression on my face; Charles looks even worse than I ever imagined. The sight of him stirs up a whirlwind of memories—the struggle, the screams, the scars etched into my mind, the cries that echoed in the darkness, and the pain that lingers like a shadow. He embodies the dead part of me, the part I thought I had buried. The hurt he caused runs deep, and I find myself consumed by hatred for every inch of him. It’s infuriating to realize that, after everything he’s done, I’m now standing in front of him, the lunatic I despise the most, preparing to interrogate him.I can’t help but notice how his eyes glide from Richie to me, a predatory gleam in his gaze as he seductively licks his lips, presumably recalling the twisted acts he committed against me. That bastard really needs a lesson, and I’m determined to make sure he gets one. There’s no way I’m leaving this place without confronting him. A smirk creeps onto his lips as he leans back, saying, "When they said someon
Charles looks between Richie and me, the color draining from his face. The seriousness etched on his features tells me he knows something crucial, but he’s clearly trying to keep it hidden.He holds onto his serious expression for just a moment longer before he suddenly erupts into laughter… again. The sound echoes throughout the room, filling every corner with his boisterous mirth. His eyes squint shut, and I can see the way his body shakes with each burst of laughter as if he’s losing his grip on reality. I can see the sheer energy radiating from him; it’s not just a simple laugh—he’s howling, practically screaming with joy. It infuriates me, making me feel like a complete fool as he mocks me openly, laughter spilling from his lips like a taunt.I keep my eyes locked on him, watching as he continues to laugh for what feels like an eternity—two solid minutes of unrelenting amusement. My frustration builds, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. I stand there, fists
~ RICHIE’S POVWatching her sleep is something I would never forsake- I love it. I think of it as a small bonus from having the best night and the best sleep then you wake up to watch the best woman in your life sleep- It feels like a bonus to me. A sweet, sexy bonus.As I keep watching Rachel sleep, I can’t help but smile. Her peaceful expression makes my heart swell with love. I really love her and I love that I get to spend my days with her but that’s not all I want. I want to spend the rest of my life with her and I want her to always be there with me. The thought of having Rachel all to myself for life fills me with excitement. I wish I could just marry her right now and make her mine forever. That idea strikes me like a bolt of lightning, and I can’t help but wonder if I should really consider proposing. Sure, it feels a bit soon, but what’s the point of being together if it’s not to build a future and spend the rest of our lives together?My thoughts come to a gentle stop when
After dinner, Richie and I walk them out of the house, exchanging warm goodbyes and promises to get together again soon. As we close the door behind them, I feel a sense of satisfaction from the evening. Just as I’m about to head to the dining area to tackle the mountain of plates, Richie suddenly grabs my hand, pulling me closer to him. He wraps his arms around me from behind, planting soft kisses along my neck. "You’re not going anywhere," he whispers, his breath sending shivers down my spine as he kisses my neck again."The dishes won’t wash themselves, you know," I tease, trying to keep the mood light.He chuckles softly, his voice low and playful. "The dishes can wait, but I can’t." With that, he turns me around, and I find myself gazing into his eyes, which sparkle with mischief. He smiles, leaning in closer, and presses his lips against mine with a tenderness that feels electric. It’s soft and delicate, like the flutter of butterfly wings, lingering just long enough for me to i
It had been two weeks since Richie and I got together, and every single moment felt like pure bliss. I absolutely loved having him around; it seemed like every second was filled with joy and warmth. There was nothing that could make my life better than that. The peace and happiness I found in our relationship were incredible, and I could see that he was just as happy too. It felt like we had created our own little paradise together.After we decided to let go of everything that was weighing us down, we also made the choice to part ways with the diamonds. They couldn’t be destroyed, but they could definitely be hidden, and we made sure they were tucked away safely so they wouldn’t complicate our lives. I didn’t want anything causing drama or risking the relationships with the people I cared about most. It was high time I focused on living a good life, free of worries, and just enjoyed the love I had with Richie.At that moment, I was in the kitchen preparing a warm dinner for my guests
I’ve never felt as scared as I am right now. Seeing a box filled with my things shatters my heart. It feels like Richie has intentionally packed my belongings, wanting to cut me out of his life completely. He doesn’t need me anymore. I know what it means when someone puts the other’s things in a box—they want to get rid of them, and it’s clear he doesn’t love me anymore. Tears well up in my eyes as my heart pounds heavily in my chest. I can’t understand why Richie is doing this, why he wants me gone. With my eyes brimming with tears, I glance at the letter. I open it, and my heart sinks. As I read each word, the pounding in my chest intensifies. The pain is overwhelming, and I can’t wrap my head around it. Why is this happening? Each line leaves me with more questions about what went wrong. Richie and I have had our fights before; we’ve separated but always found our way back to each other. But now, it feels like there’s no coming back. For the first time since we met, it seems like
I jump into a taxi and give the driver the address, my heart racing with every passing moment. As he starts driving, anxiety washes over me, and I can’t shake the feeling of dread mixed with hope. I really hope Richie is willing to talk because right now, all I can offer is communication—just a chance to express how I feel. I can’t do anything more than that, but I’m really hoping he has room in his heart to take me back. The thought of not having him in my life feels unbearable. It’s like a dark cloud looming over me, and I can’t picture my life without him. The thought of not being with him hurts so much that I can hardly bear the idea of living without him. I’ve thought about it a lot, and honestly, life without Richie feels like just existing on this earth with no joy or purpose at all.When I was leaving, Arthur offered to drive me to Richie, but I turned him down. I really don’t want Richie to think there’s anything between me and Arthur because there isn’t. He’s just someone I
I don’t waste a single moment as I hurriedly pack my belongings from the room, my heart racing as I step outside. Tomorrow can't come soon enough; I need to meet Richie and make sure everything is on track between us. I can’t afford to lose him again. I’m done with the little arguments, the big blowouts—I'm finished with all of it. It’s time to step up my game and finally do the right thing.As I walk out of the room, dragging my small suitcase behind me, I catch sight of Arthur. He rushes over, concern etched on his face when he notices my bag. "Why do you have a suitcase with you?""I’m leaving," I reply, my eyes scanning the hallway for Rebecca. I need to find her to say goodbye before I go."What!" he exclaims, his voice rising in disbelief. "Why? Did something happen? Is that why you look like you’ve just cried?" He probes, but I keep moving, determined to locate Rebecca. The sooner I find her, the sooner I can leave and meet Richie to mend things between us."Rachel, come on, wh
I always despise the mafia men, the entire mafia world, and everything that comes with it. I remember the fire in my heart, how fiercely I want to ruin them, to shatter their existence completely. I hurl insults at them, calling them cruel, wicked, and so many other names, never imagining I could ever become one of them, never believing I could sink to that level.But after years of facing harsh realities, I become the very villain I loathe. The villain I refuse to acknowledge, the one I write about in all my stories, always as the antagonist. Tears stream down my face as fear grips me tightly, causing my head to throb and my heart to race uncontrollably. I’m terrified of myself, scared that I’ve morphed into something I never thought I could be—something I’ve always feared. When I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror, I feel a wave of panic wash over me. I can’t bear to look at the person staring back, so I bolt out of the bathroom, as if I’m fleeing from an unseen pursuer.
Rebecca’s wedding is such a joyful occasion; it is filled with laughter and excitement. The atmosphere is electric, and I find myself having a couple of drinks at the reception. I promise myself I won’t drink, but as I look around and see everyone toasting and enjoying themselves, I can’t resist. I get caught up in the moment and end up having more than I intended."So tell me one fun fact about you, Rachel," Arther asks me while we stand together at the open bar, the music softly playing in the background. We have been chatting for a few minutes, and I really enjoy his company. He’s a cool guy, easy to talk to, and I feel a connection."I don’t have a fun fact," I reply, taking a sip of my drink and trying to think of something interesting."Come on, I know you do," he urges, a playful smile on his face."I don’t really have one, but I guess a fun fact about me is that I can stick my tongue to my nose," I say, feeling a bit silly but also playful."Really?" he asks, clearly intrigued
I wake up to a loud knock on my door, groaning as I rub my eyes with my hands, trying to shake off the sleep. Slowly, I push myself up from the cozy warmth of my bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion on my shoulders. I shuffle over to the door, open it, and there stands Rebecca, practically glowing with a wide grin plastered across her face. "It’s my wedding day!!" she exclaims, her excitement practically radiating off her. I let out a heavy sigh, a mix of happiness for her and sheer tiredness. I really want to celebrate with her, but all I can think about is how much I need more sleep. So, I start to turn back toward my bed, hoping to catch a few more minutes of rest. But Rebecca, quick as lightning, steps in front of me, her eyes sparkling. "It’s my wedding day!!" she exclaims again, her enthusiasm unwavering. I smile back at her, trying to muster some energy. "I know, and congratulations! But I really need some more time to sleep; I wasn’t able to sleep at all last night," I admit