Ember Corbin
"Ember!" I turned around to see Candy wearing a beautiful pastel-colored dress. She looked so happy while holding a bouquet of roses.
"You look so pretty!" she exclaimed and jumped at me in excitement. Luckily, I'd been working out these past few days, so I managed to catch her and return the hug. I had to thank Lance for forcing me to stay in shape even after the self-defense classes were over.
"I told you this gown will suit you better," she commented while checking me from head to toe.
I was glad I listened to her as well. This gown was so magical. It was an off-shoulder dress, and the sleeves were attached to my arms, not on the dress. This long mermaid gown had these cute details on the tail.
Chapter 1: Fated MeetingEmber CorbinNot again.I peeked at the time on my phone after snoozing off the alarm for the third time. I was supposed to be awake by the first alarm, finish my breakfast by the second, and get out of the house by the third. But here I was, still in bed after the third alarm finished ringing.Jolting out of bed, I ran towards the closet room after freshening up, pulling out all the jumbled-up clothes to find a suitable one to wear. Nothing was up to my mood; I couldn't find a nice dress.As I was getting late for the 'Happy Kindergarten' and my job might end up being in the risk zone, I pulled out a maroon jumpsuit and changed into it from my pajama shorts quickly.Since I didn't have much time to tie my hair, I left it open and munched on a granola bar on my way out of the house.I ran as fast as I could to get a cab. Why could I never get up on time? This last moment of haste sucked. I knew the principal, Ms. Sophie, wouldn't fire me, but she might end up
Chapter 2: His RevelationEmber CorbinI watched the stranger bringing out something from beneath his suit. My eyes grew wide in shock seeing the black metal visible under the small blinking street light above us.The stranger pointed the revolver at the group of men, startling them. He spoke up in a tone that sent shivers to my spine, "One step forward, I will press the trigger. One step backward, I will rethink my decision of pressing the trigger. The choice is yours." When the men were thinking about what to do, the stranger further added, "Hurry up. My fingers are itching."As soon as the stranger had said that, the men turned back and ran away—all five of them.Once they were gone, I placed a hand over my chest, heaving a sigh of relief. "Thank God, they ran away. Of course, they would after seeing a scarier man than them. If I make him my bodyguard, people will never talk to me in fear," I mumbled to myself, as if I could magically afford a bodyguard who himself owned a Bugatti.
Chapter 3: Mid-way DroppingEmber CorbinA Mafia leader? So basically a criminal rescued me from a crime scene, I mean, a crime of which I would be a victim, if he wasn't there on time. Interesting.If he hadn't saved me, I would be scared of him, but right now, I felt safe even while being in the car with a mafia leader. Never knew people with an illegal profession like him had a properly functioning heart. So even the bad people have a soft corner for a woman in need like me."It's intriguing," I mumbled and found Lance looking at me as if I had grown two heads. "What?" I asked, arching an eyebrow."How can you find it intriguing? Aren't you scared?" he asked, his voice holding disbelief."I don't know." I shrugged my shoulders. "I would've been scared, but you saved me. So why should I be afraid of you?""Why shouldn't you when I can still kill you anytime I want?" he uttered.I chuckled at his facial expression. He was expecting me to get scared like other normal people, but he h
Chapter 4: See You NeverEmber CorbinAfter I regained consciousness, I wasn't able to open my eyes immediately. My head was aching when I tried to open my heavy eyelids.Where am I?I could feel a few strands of hair over my forehead, so I tried to push them away using my hand. But I felt my hands tied when I tried to use them. Why the hell am I tied?Finally, I managed to open my eyes. As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw the fully white painted room. It was a square-shaped room—totally empty. There was not a single thing here, except the chair made of steel that I was tied with tape. It was creepy and scary.I was kidnapped, no doubt. But why? Was it because I met Lance yesterday and one of his enemies kept a close watch on him? Did his enemies think we were close? Foolish enemies. If I and Lance were close, why would he drop me in the middle of the road at night?I sucked in a deep breath.I was unable to open my mouth because it was covered with tape. It was suffocating.I started
Chapter 5: So DeadEmber CorbinThe situation at the kindergarten was insane when I arrived.After earning a glare from Ms. Sophie, I engrossed myself in taking care of the kids. Apparently, they were running around because one of them had brought a fake cockroach."Peter, if you do this again, I will double your Math homework. Do you want me to do that?" I asked a five-year-old student of mine. He was the one who had brought a fake cockroach, scaring the entire class.He shook his head quietly. Lowering his gaze, he said, "Sorry, Ms. Corbin."I ruffled his hair with a smile and said, "It's okay. Now, go back to your seat."After that incident, I started taking the class.###It was a really busy and bothersome day. All I could think of was what had happened in the morning. Even though it was a misunderstanding, I was still abducted. The horrific part was the small claustrophobic room. Did the Mafia leaders have such scary cells to capture their enemies?Gosh, that was so scary.I kne
Chapter 6: No Bothering - DealEmber CorbinI regretted not making a run for it and sitting down here to listen to Lance.Even though there was bustling going on around us, all I could hear was the pin-drop silence between the two of us as the cold metal was firmly pressed on my skin. If I moved even a little bit, I might end up losing a finger or two, or maybe even end up losing my right hand. If it wasn't for the knife, I would feel like I was in love because my heartbeat was running like it was on a marathon.After spending an entire month in the mental asylum, I thought nothing would ever scare me like this. But the latest incident with rapists a few nights ago and today was bringing out that extreme fear. Fear engulfed my entire being, and I was shivering. I gulped, afraid to look into his cold green eyes.He hadn't uttered a single word after saying I was so dead. Should I give an explanation for my deeds and apologize to him before it was too late?Better late than never, Ember
Chapter 7: Clubbing Gone WrongEmber CorbinIt had been eight days since my deal with Lance. After that, we never talked with each other ever again. I saw him once near a café and wanted to go say hi but refrained from doing so. He didn't want to be friends with me, I had to respect that.It was evening, and I was sitting with a chocolate ice cream tub in my hand while watching a movie on Netflix when my phone rang up. I paused the movie and picked up the call seeing it was Candy. It was supposed to be her work hour soon, then why was she calling me?"Hey," I greeted her. "Is everything okay? You were supposed to get ready for work.""Hey, Em. Yeah, everything is okay.""Then, why did you call me? Do you have less work pressure today?" I asked curiously."Tomorrow is Sunday, which means you are free tonight. Why don't we have a girls' night out today?" she offered.I looked at myself, wearing a long oversized t-shirt with shorts, sitting comfortably on the couch. "As much as it sounds
Chapter 8: Lost On RoadsEmber Corbin"It will be wiser if you put the gun down. Don't you think so, Savannah?" Lance uttered coldly.A shiver ran down my spine hearing his tone. It was the same tone he used when he was playing with the knife over my hand eight days ago. But I shouldn't be scared because this time it wasn't me at gunpoint. Well, technically I was under gunpoint, but I wasn't the one being threatened by Lance.How did Lance know her name, though? Wait, what was he doing here in the first place when I clearly remember Faith telling me he hated crowds?When the woman, whom Lance called 'Savannah' didn't lower her gun, I retorted, "See? She isn't wise. If she was, she wouldn't even argue with me in the first place. I mean, do I look like a person who will argue?""Shut up," Lance cut me off harshly, and I sealed my mouth. Glaring at Savannah, he repeated for the final time, "Down or trust me, your family won't have a body for you to place in the coffin."Gulping hard, Sav
Chapter 30: Wedding BellsEmber Corbin"Ember!" I turned around to see Candy wearing a beautiful pastel-colored dress. She looked so happy while holding a bouquet of roses."You look so pretty!" she exclaimed and jumped at me in excitement. Luckily, I'd been working out these past few days, so I managed to catch her and return the hug. I had to thank Lance for forcing me to stay in shape even after the self-defense classes were over."I told you this gown will suit you better," she commented while checking me from head to toe.I was glad I listened to her as well. This gown was so magical. It was an off-shoulder dress, and the sleeves were attached to my arms, not on the dress. This long mermaid gown had these cute details on the tail.
Chapter 29: Love and RomanceEmber Corbin"Lance?"I got nervous as Lance remained silent for a few minutes while gawking at me like he couldn't believe it was true. It was almost adorable in a way, but I didn't have the patience to admire his handsome face after waiting hours for him on this chilly terrace; I was sure I was going to catch a cold afterward, but that wasn't what was important at the moment. I had been so worried about him."Say something, will you?"Lance finally snapped out of his trance and asked, "Um, I... I don't get this. Why?"I sighed fondly and walked up to him, taking his hand in mine. "Because I forgive you.""Exactly. W-why?"
Chapter 28: AcceptanceEmber CorbinI had been trying to talk to Lance since his father came by, but I just couldn't find the right timing since he wasn't looking at me at all. There was this time when Lance made me a cup of coffee, I was about to call him out, but he just quickly walked outside, pretending not to hear me."Lance has been looking after us ever since we started riding. How come you're still not melting?" Maria teased me when we were riding a speedboat in the ocean. Despite the season being cold, it was sunny enough for a boat ride.I smiled at her and looked in Lance's direction over my shoulder and caught him staring at me. I smiled at him faintly, but I doubt he saw that since he averted his gaze at the very moment, I looked at him. That was what I was talking about. He was
Chapter 27: Breaking DownEmber Corbin"The patient needs a lot of rest. If it's possible, you need to lessen her stress," the doctor said in English, his Spanish accent visible in it."Gracias, Doctor," a guy named Matías said with a perfect accent.I was in Spain right now. Lance brought me here. Did he think that bringing me here would help me forgive him? All his efforts are going to go to waste."I'm going to let my wife know that you're eating here," Matías said and smiled at me. I didn't want to be rude, so I nodded at him.When the door closed, only Lance and I were left in the big room. It was so quiet that I could literally hear the busy street downstairs. It was New Year's Eve,
Chapter 26: Death Over HimLance Storm"Doctor! Where's the fucking doctor?" I hollered.Arthur and Denver were with me while I was carrying Ember's limp body in my arms."What happened? Who is creating a ruckus?” A female doctor came out and immediately gasped as she saw the bloodied woman in my arms. “Let me see the patient." As she approached us, she was so shocked when she saw Ember's condition that she just stared for a few seconds, dumbfounded."What the fuck are you standing here like a goddamn statue for? Save her!"The female doctor took a step back in fear when I yelled at her. I was mad and anxious right now, and the last thing I needed was a doctor who was just going to stare at
Chapter 25: Torturous EmotionsEmber CorbinI tried to open my eyes, but all I could see was darkness around me with only one bulb hanging in front of me. It felt like I was kidnapped by Lance. The only difference was the back of my head was still hurting like hell and there was a sticky feeling on my nape as if there was dried blood there.I tried to speak until I noticed that there was something in my mouth. Argh!I slumped my shoulders in defeat, my head aching a lot. My eyes scanned the room one more time to see if I could see clearly this time, but all I could see was endless darkness, which made my heart throb fast in fear.I was running out of breath, and the tape on my m
Chapter 24: Painful TruthLance StormEight years ago, I remember a man who had a lot of debt right after I had moved to Vegas for university and to plant my roots in the gang.That man had been off-track ever since, not willing to return even a single penny. I was only eighteen, recently starting to take over Mafia Thunder. Meanwhile, Elian had asked our father for a couple more years to focus on studying before he wanted to join. However, our father taught us both the same ways to rule, so to punish that man, I had to do the same thing every mafia leader would....Eight Years Ago..."So, no one knows where he is?" I asked Arthur while checking the paper in front of me. "So that man has the guts to come and ask for money and then run awa
Chapter 23: Her VillainEmber Corbin"Don't you have a house?" I asked in confusion and looked at Lance, who was now enjoying sitting on the couch."I do, but you're not in there," he said, shrugging his shoulders off like it was not a big deal.I know we were in a relationship right now, but I still needed my privacy. I didn't get it. He had a big penthouse, yet he kept on insisting on staying here. Not that I was complaining, I quite enjoyed sleeping with him. But I mean, I couldn't even call Candy and fangirl about male hot celebrities shamelessly with Lance in the house."Why are you pouting while standing there?" he asked, glancing at me.I sighed deeply. "You're going home tonight," I said, cross
Chapter 22: The First DateEmber CorbinI woke up with the smell of coffee. I glanced beside me and found my bed to be empty. Lance decided to stay last night, and he kept on insisting on sleeping on my tiny couch. But I somehow convinced him to stay in the same bed with me, otherwise, I would chew his brain with my talking. We cuddled a lot. Nothing else happened, though."Lance?" I came out of my room, and there I saw Lance brewing coffee while making breakfast. I hope he was making one for me too."Hey, good morning." He immediately looked up at me and smiled. My heart fluttered. Who knew there would come a day when Lance would be smiling so freely around me?He walked to me as I started to say, "Good morning. The breakfast smells so great&mdas