I sat there slowly playing with my food; rolling the small piece of chicken with my fork and sighed under the penetrating glare of Jackson. I shook my head and took a small sip from my glass of water.
The eerily silence had me begging for some kind of distraction or perhaps this dinner to end unexpectedly. Usually, your head would spin or have a sickening headache from alarming sounds or noises above many decibels, but here it was different, the mere sounds of cutlery gently clanking against the plates and soft chewing was all there to be heard, and it was aching my head.
The wait was the worst part; knowing it was going to happen, but when?
Audrey was simply eating her food; enjoying every bit of it. And it was surprising; usually, she too would join in with her husband and glare at me like someone who was standing in their way to success and glory.
Mother sat on one end of the table facing my father; she hadn’t looked up from her food. I guess she was dreading this just as much as me. My father sat at the head of the table, silently eating with a deep frown. His salt and pepper hair sat messily on his head from the amount of time her had run this hand through it. Wrinkles decorated his face from the years of stress from not only his company and business, but also the family had brought.
“Are we not going to discuss anything?!” Jackson suddenly snapped. I held back the urge to roll my eyes.
And so it begins...
“Jackson!” Mother sent him a harsh glare and Audrey held onto his arm, trying to calm him down. I never understand that form of gesture; it wasn’t helping. If anything, the gesture either brought a flaming stare Audrey’s way or Jackson just pulled away from her hold. If the gesture wasn’t going to help, why still do it? Sometimes, it just made Audrey look helpless against her husband’s wrath.
The strong-willed confident woman disappeared as Jackson’s anger flared in his eyes. “What? Why prolong this stupid dinner?!” He snapped, banging his hand on the table. The force made the cutlery to clank violently against the table and plates. I closed my eyes and bit onto my tongue, not wanting to pass any words that was caused by the rage boiling within my veins.
“Jackson, that’s enough.” My father spoke, “I’ll speak with her.”
“Well, go on.” Jackson’s patience was past its limit; there was no stopping what comes out of his mouth now.
My father sighed turning to me, but I kept my face and posture straight, silently telling him no words or promises were going to change my answer. I was no longer the little girl he could trick and get his way with. I wasn’t going to fall for the false promises and agreements. They were just mere words without meaning.
“Sooyaa..” He quietly called me, “He is your brother; you must help him.”
“But I warned him, father.” I told him the same words I did before, “I warned him about Antonio Venturi’s schemes.”
“We all make mistakes, Jisoo.” He brushed off my words off like dust, causing me to sigh. “It’ll only be for a year or two. Until he’s back on his feet.”
I shook my head, tricking me into helping wasn’t going to work. A year will turn into two years as he said, but then three and four, and so on until Jackson claims Sooyaa’s Desires as his own, maybe even change its name- Audrey’s Desires sounds about right.
“What I said still stands, father,” I told him straight out.
“You’re just a selfish little b*tch, Jisoo!” Jackson shouted and gritted his teeth.
Mother gasped, “Jackson, I raised you better than to..” She sighed, closing her eyes and holding her head in pain.
I stared at him, unbothered by his foul word, “Taking care of what’s mine isn’t selfish.”
“You sit there, watching me suffer!” His eyes flared his unspoken hatred that hid behind his anger, but I didn’t back down; I stared into his eyes, challenging him.
“I tried to help you before, Jackson.” I kept my voice steady and even, simply angering him more, “But you rather rudely declined, so now I..” I scoffed before continuing, “I don’t want to help you.” I smirked.
He let out a humourless chuckle, “See this?” He pointed at me, returning his gaze back to our father, “She’s an arrogant and self-centred b*tch.”
“Jackson, careful on how you address your sister!” My father finally raised his voice.
“She’s not my sister!”
While his words should sting, I have become numb to it all. Day in and day out I have heard those words crushing my heart, but now I have grown, I will no longer let words hurt me.
While my father along with mother tried to defend me over the years, I knew Jackson would not ever see me as a sister, ever and my father once again was simply defending for his image. Image was everything for my father throughout my younger years, I learned that. The world seemed pretty and welcoming on the outside, but on the inside, it was a dying sickening world that tried to crush your very soul.
“She’s here because of you! You ruined this family because of her.”
“She’s still my daughter, no matter what you say. I will not throw her out!”
I sighed muting out the words my father and Jackson exchanged and watched the dancing flames within the fireplace.
Sharp flames that crackled against the crisp woods. The blazes of the fire roared to life as the woods took their last breath on earth, before crumbling away into smoke... ashes.
Fire was a powerful source of heat to the cold, yet also a source of danger to the burning.. to the dying. Like Ferdinand Foch had once said, ‘The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.’ It was the richest element, one so noble, yet deadly.
I frowned as the crackling flames turned against an unknowing wind. The fire changed directions; whooshing left and right, instead of simply roaring upwards. My eyes followed the strange directions before something flew out from the flames.. a flaming creature. I gasped, my mind immediately flashed back to the drive, the creature the stars portrayed.. a dragon.
I shook my head, wanting to be wrong, but the winged-creature rose from the small flames. My breathing released in pants and the beating of my heart skyrocketed; thumping against my chest, ready to break free, by one way or another. Sweat broke through my forehead as I saw the creature get pulled back into the fire by a flaming rope. Arrows shot from every direction before, hitting the dragon at its very flesh and heart. A strangled gasp left my lips as the creature was shot down. Ashes of black smoke left its mouth... its last breath.
“Jisooyaa!” A warm hand shook my own, pulling me away from the flames. My eyes searched until they landed on the hand that wrapped around my wrist. The diamonds that adorned the ring on her finger told me who it was, before looking up at her face. The stones gleamed and twinkled against the lights catching my whole attention, allowing its beauty to calm down my fast-beating heart.
“Jisoo,” another shake, that is what it took for me to snap up and lock eyes with mother.
“Mother..” I said, her eyes held the concern of a mum; it pained my heart. Deep down, I knew my birth-mother wouldn’t show herself again, but there were times I wished for her to look at me through these eyes.
“Are you alright?” She questioned frowning, scanning my face.
“I-” My eyes quickly wandered back to the fireplace and once again nothing out of the ordinary. Just flames that burned the wood to warm the room. “Yeah..” I shook my head and looked around the table. While Jackson watched me in confusion, Audrey raised her eyebrows at me, a sense of mockery passed her eyes before she covered it up with fake concern.
“You were zoned out..” My father’s words held some bit of worry.
“I-” I took a deep breath before continuing, “I need to go.” Gathering my posture again, I stood up.
“What?” My father frowned trying to identify my source of discomfort... this very dinner was my source of discomfort...
“We haven’t come to a solution yet,” Jackson’s voice ran through my ears, causing me to roll my eyes.
“That’s too bad. I hope you find something. And to make it extra clear once again, I’ll not be part of it! My company stays as mine and mine alone!” I told him sternly before walking out, letting the click of my heels against the marble tiles calm me.
Another pair of heels hitting against the tiles caught my attention just when I opened the large doors. I frowned when I heard my name being called, “Jisoo,” the voice of mother made me turn around. Her glossy eyes held unshed tears as she looked into mine. For a moment, I wondered... Had my own mother ever shed any tears for me?
“Mother...” I sighed, looking down my feet. I could feel the strain my ankles were under, but I allowed it to be numb and stand straight.
“Jisoo, listen to me, please. You should consider this...” The words she spoke made my eyes snap back at her. Her eyes held some form of sympathy, causing me to let out a humourless laugh, “I can’t believe this! You too now?!”
“Jisoo,” she spoke my name sternly, before continuing, “I have accepted you. I could have rejected you, but I didn’t. What your father did was not your fault, and so I let you in; I let you call me mother. Now, I’m simply asking for something in return.” She begged, trying to reach out to hold my hands, but I shook my head stepping away.
“Mother, if I hand over half of my company, over time he will claim it all as his own.” I crossed my hands, silently telling her I wasn’t backing out of my decision.
“I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”
But I sighed, shaking my head, “You’re being selfish, Jisoo,” she snapped suddenly. The exact words Jackson spoke but coming from her, I felt like I was being stabbed. I gulped as a sudden strike of pain crossed my chest, but I didn’t let my eyes to portray the emotion.
“My answer stays as it is. Goodbye, mother.” I said, turned away from her to climb down the steps of the front porch.
“You want to break this family completely apart! That’s what you want, isn’t it?!”
I gasped, spinning on my heels to look at her again. For the first time, I saw her eyes flare with unspoken anger and hurt. The shields she had built up to prevent me from seeing those emotions over the years crumbled away, leaving her shattered and torn.
“Wha..” For a second, I didn’t even recognise my own voice, because of the uncertainty it held.
“Jisoo, I loved you all these years, how could y-you..” Her voice broke as tears leaked her eyes.
Some of the anger in her eyes faded away, and a look of torment and betrayal sculpted her features. My mouth opened several times, but nothing came out. The words my ears received, I couldn’t believe it! My mind played it over and over, like a broken record, then to a faded voice that had my breathing come out in pants. My heart only picked up its pace every time my mind replayed the words.
I gasped as my knees buckled and I nearly fell to the tar grounds if I had not caught onto my car. I hissed as my ankle grazed painfully against the stone surface when my heels had scraped the rough ground due to my loss of balance.
I heard a gasp left mother’s lips as she rushed forward, but I lifted my hand and stood up on my own, ignoring the pain coursing through my leg, “If that’s what you think..” I mumbled, before I unlocked my car.
I heard her release a tired sigh, then reached out to grab my arm as I opened my car, “Jisoo, I need you to-”
“No!” I cut her off and broke away from her hold, “Everything I built. Everything I own right now is from my own money. I never asked for my father’s help or money. You were the only one who didn’t treat me as an outsider, and I am grateful for that. But if that’s the way you started to think then... I’ll be out of your way, mother.” I turned away, not even wanting to hear her next words.
“Jisoo!” She tried knocking on the window, but I blocked her out and started my car. From the corner of my eye, I could see that she had stepped away from the vehicle, giving me enough space to drive away and that’s what I did; I drove off without a second thought.
The guards at the gates were alarmed at the amount of pressure I applied on the gas; speeding towards them.
Barely, giving them any time to open the gates completely, I sped away from my father’s house and into the roads.
I gritted my teeth, stubbornly holding on to the unshed tears and raced through the city roads towards my own house.
Mature themes coming up later on this chapter.***I hit against the steering wheel with a frustrated growl as I let a few tears caress my cheeks, I had vowed to myself never to cry after my childhood! Not for anyone! Not for my father! Not for mother! Not for Jackson! And certainly not for my birth-mother!Throwing off the seat-belt, I grabbed my phone and slammed the car door shut. My bracelet, however, caught against it, allowing the tiny tear-shaped diamonds stones to break away from the band, landing around my feet. The soft sounds of the diamonds tumbling against the rough grounds made me scream in frustration and kick the car’s wheel.Stupid car!Tears of anger and frustration fell from my eyes. The dinner had brought nothing but chaos for me; my mind was haywire, one thought after another, word after word, and I tried to dodge them like a bullet.If that’
C/r acci/ent (a, d) trigger warning!***My mind raced back and forth; from work to the dream. Those seafoam eyes flashed before my eyes whenever I blinked, creating a rush of emotions that electrified my nerves enough to have that slickness between my legs. The pressure intensified as I remembered the feel of his hands; a touch so real, and yet, it wasn’t. The dream felt real because of the strength of light his eyes gave, their intensity and the silky feel of his skin against mine.My heart only thumped faster as I remembered it, almost sending me off the edge again at its mere memory.“Tristan…” I don’t know how many times I mumbled that name today, but still nothing came to mind. The man in my dreams didn’t exist in the real world.I sighed, running a hand through my hair and tried to focus on the papers in front of me. The words on the page danced, causing the sudd
Ho/pi/al (s,t) - trigger warning.***“Something isn’t right here!”“It looks thoroughly planned! Someone planned to kill Jisoo!”“We don’t know that! We can’t jump into conclusions, mother!”“The evidence is there, Jackson!”Voices drifted around, distorted, I couldn’t make out the words or who they belonged to. I felt a cool hand caressing my cheek and slowly the voices started becoming at least familiar to me. But my eyes kept shut, they wouldn’t open to my command, a heaviness floated on them.A soft sob came from the side, perhaps from one that was caressing my cheek, “Will she be alright?” Hearing mother’s voice, relief flooded through me and for a few seconds I forgot the words she had said to me.I heard someone shifting their feet; walkin
Mature themes coming up later on this chapter and b/ring (u).***A deep tired sigh left my lips as I walked back and forth in the hospital room. The doctor had advised me to take some exercise. My legs needed it, especially if I wanted to be there for my company’s expansion gala. I could not miss the most important event of my company.Information had already leaked out. Newspapers and magazines has already gotten their hands on what had happened. Yet another thing this to search,who had leaked all thisinformationto the media?!I guess some people were just as desperate to get me into another scandal or make the headlines, as they were to have me killed.I groaned, leaning against my bed. With the four days that had passed, I had come to believe that this was indeed planned; someone had planned to end my very life. There was no denying it, especially when
Covering the small bandage on the side of my head, I slipped on my sparklingJimmy Choosheels. I sighed, grabbing my clutch.This was it!My most important event of the year. And I simply must not let a single thing get out of place, no matter how much those flames distracted me. It had to be a dream.. a nightmare. It must have been. Many times I argued with myself whether or not I should call her. I was worried, scared, for the life of the woman that indeed raised me. Every moment felt so real... physical, the fire, the heat, the roaring flames and...her screams.I could still hear her screams in the back of my mind, faded, making me lose balance; making my legs lose the strength to hold my body. I steadied myself by grabbing onto the table beside me. I sighed. shaking my head, before standing straight again, but it only got worse.. my heart started racing as the screams that was once faded, grew louder and louder in
He chuckled, smirking with an over-confidence that made me want to punch his stupid face, “Kwon Jisoo,” He raised his champagne glass, “Don’t you look ravishing.” His eyes travelled the length of my body, boldly.“Get your disgusting ass out of my gala!” I hissed. I tried to keep my voice down, not wanting to draw attention to this Venturi.“Why, is that way to treat your guests?” He raised an eyebrow.“Last time I checked the list, your name wasn’t on it!” I snapped.“Nope, but I have my ways.” He winked, bringing the glass to his lip and taking a sip of his drink.“What do you mean, Venturi?!”“He’s my plus one.” The soft voice of a female spoke, before she came into sights, wrapping her arms around Antonio.“Delancey Williams..”I spoke her name, keeping my voice monotone. She was her father&rs
“What?” I asked, my voice low and breathless as I registered his words.“Yes, ma’am. I’ll explain everything.” He promised.“Ma’am, your speech..” Claire interrupted; uncertainty rang in her voice. She didn’t know whether to attend to her work or do something on my behalf, by stepping out of her role.“N-No..” The word flew unsteadily from my lips and I gazed back at Cameron, “Tell me, now!” I said sternly, after gathering my strength.“I suggest we remove ourselves from the crowd, ma’am.” Cameron gazed at me with worry as he spoke the words, yet another reason to cause a dreaded feeling to crawl into the pit of my stomach.I nodded, before turning to Claire, “Distract them.” Her eyes widened at my order; to actually step out her role nonetheless. I could see the gears working in her mind through her eyes, before she reluctantly nodded.
“Ma’am...” Cameron tried to reach forward to comfort me, but I slapped his hands away. I had never left a single tear fall since childhood, and here I was a sobbing wreck in front of my assistant, “Maybe, we should leave the rest of the findings until after the gala.” He suggested.“No!” I tried to keep my voice stern.I was not weak!“Ms. Kwon-”“When did this happen?” I asked, cutting him off in the process.He sighed before answering, “I heard the fire happened four days ago.”Four days ago... it only confirmed it, I was indeed responsible for what had happened.“Who told you this? Why was I not informed?” I asked, biting onto my fists to keep myself from sobbing.“Mr. Andreas Kwon wanted to keep it hidden, he said-”“Bullsh*t, what he said!” I snapped, “He only wants to protect his
Hi everyone, I terribly sorry not to have updated both my stories in a very long time. But this year was so painful for me I couldn’t find myself to write for a long time. But logging in a few days ago and seeing the many love and support you were giving for this story, it gave me so much hope and enough to strength to try write something. This isn’t has good as what you have read previously, and for that I’m really sorry, I need get into the flow again, I hope you can understand. Now that everything is starting to get better, I’ll try and get a few for chapters out for you in this festive season! <3 I love you all, my wonderful readers, Thank you for everything! - I didn’t know why, but I found myself following them outside; into the forest. Tristan’s words echoed in my head painfully. Whatever Antonio Venturi wanted, he was willing to deprive these creatures of their
I sighed, running a hand over my face, and just as I opened my mouth to speak, the doors slammed open, with a man out of breath and rushing over to Tristan. The sudden commotion had Cynthia whimpering in fear and I watched as Alec pulled her into his arms, trying to comfort the frightened little girl.But even as he tried the whimpers couldn’t be stopped.“Give her to me,” Viviane said gently, softly pulling her child close to her chest. My heart wrenched at the sight. Only slight whimpers had feel from Cynthia’s lips, but Viviane was beside her in seconds, hugging and comforting her with sweet words and soft promises.I gulped, hearing the cry of a little girl at the busy market place in the back of my mind.“What is it?” Tristan grunted. His eyes slowly leaving the now quietened Cynthia, his gaze lingered on me for a second, before turning to the panting man in front of him.“My prince, she won&rsqu
I think we would gone through like this, grabbing onto each other’s warmth, if it weren’t for the sudden knocks against the wooden doors to his office.I gasped, pulling my body away from his, letting my thoughts and morals return to me. I gulped, trying to control my laboured breathing as I looked into his eyes. My heart thundered in my chest as irritation washed over his face, “What?!” A disapproving growl.I found myself almost jumping in surprise at the power and authority that radiated through him. An aura that brought people to their very knees.“Viviane, wants to see you.”My head shot up at the name, while I didn't feel a bubblingjealousy, anger coursed through my veins. Perhaps it was towards the irritation I, too, felt at the sudden disturbance or maybe it was from the uncontrollable urges my body was suddenly under.. influenced by his very touches.Regret? Yes...
I almost shook my head as my urges became too strong to fight, or to control, perhaps that’s why my hands seemed to have a mind of their own. They grabbed a hold of his collars and pulled him down to my level again, immediately crashing my lips with his.I waited to feel the shock at my sudden movements, but I didn’t feel any bit of that emotionor anything alike from my actions.. All I felt was relief.. Pure relief of being able to breathe again after drowning for so long. There was no war of emotions in my chest as my lips moved against his. It made mysenses go numb, making me unable to think how wrong this was.I wanted answers, yet here I was, kissing the life out of this man like he was the air my lungs deeply craved for. Once again leaving them quick and unfinished as his lips practically brutalised mine.. a kiss, a bite.. everything a rush, as the simple gesture spoke with such need. Faster, deeper and hungrier has my hands moved up
“Stop!” I snapped, my voice almost cracking as I spoke. I blinked trying to clear the dizziness his charming eyes brought to my mind.“What?” His lips spoke the question, making me admire how softly they moved to release it.. So enchanting to admire and crave for. The seafoam eyesseemed to dominate his whole face, especially with the intensity they shone with, the finest feature, standing fiercely against his dark locks of hair.“Stop looking at me like that, Tristan!” I snapped, trying to push his strong built body off mine. But my desperate attempts remained unfruitful.“Like what?” The anger in his eyes softened and the seafoam colour shone with a mesmerising glow, than the intensity. A glow that cleared some bit of the confusion within them, dimming the seafoam colour with a slightly darker shade. I didn’t understand the ways the colour worked, perhaps if was his way showing, or allowing some
"I have seen many forms of tricks over the years. You will not fool me.""I was never trying to fool you, Tristan Slade!""I don't understand how you're my mate." His rough voice sounded through, harsher, as he let me freed of his grasp.The sudden loss of the sparks and his touches left me in a state of loneliness and a chilling coldness, like I had been surrounded or being pushed down by a fog of darkness. A fog embraced me into its coldest depths, keeping me locked in place, away from the sensations he had brought... making me wonder if I should accept this coldness that was suddenly surrounding me.It hurt, something hurt as I felt the fog push me down, something that prevented me from reaching forward; reaching towards the man before.. the man who had appeared in my dreams.I pushed myself against the cold, allowing the fog's coldness to embrace me further, "We are forbidden.." My lips had spoken the words, but my voice sounded foreign i
Tristan frowned deeply gazing over every feature of my face once again. I gazed into the bright seafoam colour, waiting for Alec and Austin to leave. From my peripheral view, I saw them both looking up at Tristan, silently asking if he was ok with the demand I laid out.He nodded slowly turning slightly towards them, but his eyes never left mine for a second, even as they exited and closed the door behind him.I smirked, ready to break the damn silence that dominated the room as we studied each eyes, trying yet again, to find the unknown, “Forbidden, huh?” I raised an eyebrow.He sighed, turning to the side, wrenching his gaze from me, “Why are you here, Jisoo?”I rolled my eyes, “Why do you think I am here, Toothless?”“There’s nothing for you, here.” He muttered, round his large table to sit on his chair. His eyes casted away now, not even letting me spare a glance at those
I gasped, stiffening under his boldness, but didn’t get much time to react as a loud deep voice broke through, “Austin!” I almost shivered under the coldness it held, like sharp shards of ice piercing your skin.Austin chuckled, as if used to it, pulled away from me, allowing me to see Tristan by the door, a deep scowl and a sharp glare within those seafoam eyes, making them shine with a stronger intensity. His hands balled into fists as his eyes glared at Austin, who stood next to me.“Relax big boss, just having a little bit of fun.” He replied calmly, causing me to raise an eyebrow.“You’re worse than those New York pricks,” I muttered, shaking my head and stepping into the office, paying little to no attention to Tristan as I passed him.Alec was the first I saw as I stepped in, he shook his head, presumingly at Austin. Walking into the centre of the office, I could feel a pair of eyes boring into
I stared at my leg for what seemed for hours. I sat there as shock engulfed me in a whole; a fog that wrapped me within itself. I wanted to open my mouth, trying to give myself some sort of reassurance, but nothing came, my mind was still processing what I had witnessed.I grazed over my leg, waiting for pain to strike through, to make me regret ever touching the wound. No agonising pain, but all I felt was the soft touches of fingertips over the bare skin. No blood, no cracks, no cuts… Nothing but soft smooth skin.My breathing hitched my throat, maybe a mirage or dream or something I hoped to see, only to be pulled back into reality as the pain took its effect, but even as I sat there, waiting for that thought to become reality.. it simply didn’t.I shook my head several times and rubbed my eyes, making sure what I saw, is what I saw. Letting out a deep sigh, I hung my head in my hands, feeling completely overwhelmed and lost.