NADIA'S POVI stood at the wedding hall entrance, my heart racing with excitement and nerves. Today is my wedding, the day I would marry the love of my life, the day I would finally become whole. But as I checked the time, my eyes scanned the crowd for one person - my fiancé. And that's when an uneasy feeling settled in me.He wasn't there.Panic set in as I tried calling him, but his phone went straight to voicemail. I tried again and again, my fingers trembling with each attempt. And then I tried my parents' numbers, but they weren't answering either.A sense of unease crept over me as I realized something was terribly wrong. I excused myself and stepped out of the wedding hall, hoping to find some answers. But what I found was a crowd of mocking faces, their smirks and whispers cutting deep into my soul.That was when I noticed her- a woman, she stared at me with an unnerving intensity and beckoned me over. I felt a sense of trepidation, as I walked over to her."How can I help you
NADIA'S POVI followed Sophia, as we walked closer to what seemed like a club. You'd wonder why I keenly followed a stranger, that's because I didn't care anymore, the sting of their betrayal left me completely shattered and I was numb to care about whatever would happen to me.THE SEDUCTION SUITE, that's the name of the club, as it was highlighted boldly in bright neon lights. As we stepped inside, the loud sound of blaring music, the thick air with intoxicating scents of perfumes, drinks and sex, flooded my head. The gleaming bar, stretched like a ribbon, lined with stools that shined in the light, rows of bottles arranged like Jewelries, and the bartender focused on mixing drink with flourish.My gaze darted to the VIP area, the atmosphere was electric, a heavy mix of glamour, sophistication and raw energy. There were people there, but their faces was blurred with larges flakes of smoke, which oozed from their lips. I had a feeling, that they were people not to be trifled with.Eve
NADIA'S POVThe man brought me into a dimly lit room, making it impossible for me to know where I was. He placed me on a bed, his fingers tracing the lines of my face.“Such a cutie.” He moaned, leaning to sniffle my neck, I instinctively shook him off me, awareness shooting through me, as I tried to be clear headed, but still felt dizzy and weak to my knees.He seemed to frown for a while, which was quickly replaced with a chuckle, “I like that you're playing hard to get, it will make this night longer.” He said, getting up to unbutton his shirt.My throat was so dry that I had to cough, drawing his attention, “My sweetheart needs water,” he smiled, and went to get a glass of water. I looked around the room, it was so dark that I couldn't find anything I could use to defend myself. Like I could defend myself in this state, I screamed internally, wishing I didn't come here with Sophia.It wasn't long before he returned with a glass of water, which I gulped down quickly, purposely drop
NADIA’S POVI slowly opened my eyes, which I closed back almost immediately, grogginess slowly fading, I felt my body was being carried by strong arms. I was too lazy to open my eyes again, at least I didn't get beaten or slapped again, which meant I was saved.After a while, I felt an itching sensation, my temperature rising more than normal as my body became hotter, I'm sure he noticed, I saw his knitted expression through my half closed eyes.He took out his phone and made a call, which I didn't quite understand. He walked faster after he ended the call, entered into a room and laid me on the bed. His scent wafted into my nose, he had a refreshing smell I liked, one that was full of manliness.He retracted his hand and was about to leave, but I stopped him, pulling him back as I coiled my hands around his neck. I didn't know what had come over me, and I didn't feel like myself, I felt hot, and itchy and needed him to be closer and touch me.I slightly opened my eyes and looked at h
NADIA'S POVIn a presidential suite, the dark brown curtains were drawn lightly, limited light seeped into the room, making it hard to see the faint rays of sunlight. My pounding head spins as I look around my surroundings, and I instantly regret drinking so much.Panic curses through me, as I can't immediately recognize where I was. I can tell I'm in a room, but who's room? The last thing I remembered was Sophia bringing me to a club and leaving midway our conversation.I groan, rubbing my eyes and hoping I'm seeing things properly– the alcohol burning in my system is still making me confused. I tried to roll over, suddenly I became aware of the heavy arm draped around my waist. My head quickly whipped to the side and I prayed that the heavy hand belonged to Sophia, maybe she came back for me and brought me to a room. But my worst fears were realized, and I brought my palm to my lips, trying to contain the scream of horror, when I found a naked man lying beside me. He's not just a n
LUCIANO'S POVI woke up to find the girl from last night gone, only for her to replace her waist with my pillow, how childish. I at least expected her escape, so I'm not really surprised. I got up and went to the wardrobe to grab my clothes, wash and change into them.My gaze darted to the bed, lingering on the faded blood mark on the bed, making my memory drift to last night. Like every other night, I came to Seduction Suite, but tonight I decided to stay in the club and not a room, especially after Jeff, my right hand man, told me it was filled, and I won't be noticed easily.I was immersed in my whiskey and weed, when my gaze suddenly trailed to the club’s entrance and saw her walked in with a woman who I assumed to be her friend, their faces wasn't quite vivid under the dim light, but she looked familiar and that got my attention, especially dressed in a dirty wedding gown.Suddenly she got missed in the crowd, and I couldn't see her again. My eyes secretly roamed the entire pla
NADIA'S POV My head hurts, I feel really uncomfortable, I wince, and slowly open my eyes. I tried to reach for my head to massage it, then realized my hands were tied. My consciousness hit and I opened my eyes widely, trying to sit up very well. “She's awake.” His cold voice echoed in the car. I was in the middle of two bulky men, their faces were masked, leaving only their cold and piercing gaze, which was fixed on me. Is my fate this cruel? Can't I really stay away from problems? Tears formed in my ears as I lowered my head. “Heyy, look here!” the man on my left said, using his gun to shake my body. I slowly raised my head, allowing my tears to flow, “Where are you taking me to?” My mouth quivered, as the question left my mouth. “No questions, keep shut and do as you’re told.” his warning voice rang in my ear. Sophia's words kept ringing in my head, as the urge to tell them I have nothing to do with the emperor was strong. I couldn't say that to them, I'm yet to know why the
NADIA'S POVWhile he was gone, I tried to flip, so the chair could get off me, because it was pressing on me harder. But I couldn't, I was tied to the chair. Any more attempts might wound me, So I stopped and laid still on the floor, waiting for him to return, though I wished he'd never return.It wasn't long, I heard slow yet calculated footsteps walking towards me, I knew it was him, I couldn't do anything, but crawl slightly away from where I was. His laugh echoed in the room, and the next thing, he grabbed my hair.“Running away, junior Azura?” he mocked, dragging me up by my hair. He was with a knife which he used to cut off the rope that held me to the chair. I knew my wrists and legs were bruised, I could feel the pain from how tight the rope had been tied.His grip was still firm on my hair, while his eyes stared intently at me. If his hands were to leave my hair, I'm sure I was going to fall flat to the ground. I'm tired, my whole body aches.He pushed my face up to look at
NADIA It's been weeks already, with Luciano and I barely speaking to each other, I barely see him not to talk of crossing paths with him. If he was avoiding me or was just too busy at work, I have no idea. These past weeks, I've been feeling a lot of things, tired, when I actually did nothing, sleepy and extreme dizziness. My sleep wasn't as peaceful as it was before. I kept seeing myself, or rather, the little version of me, as a kid, laughing and playing around in a huge mansion. The sounds of her laughter were filled with so much happiness and contagious playfulness. Amidst her happiness, a deep voice called out her name, his voice dripping with love and genuine affection, but then, the name he called wasn't Nadia. Vesper, he called her Vesper. He was calling her to stop running, but she kept running, her laughter growing louder and echoing in all corners of the mansion.I was desperate to see his face, to know who he was, but just each time, I failed. He either seems to disappe
NADIAThe house felt like a hollow shell without Luciano. For a month, he had left without a word, leaving me to wonder if it was because of that night. Although I still bore the scars, not on my body, but deep in my heart, and everytime i passed his closed bedroom door, the memory of his drunken rage haunted me.Yet, there was a part of me that couldn’t help but yearn for him, a part of me that couldn’t let go. Something in his eyes that night had looked broken,desperate and betrayed, and that’s what made it so hard to resent him fully.With Luciano gone, it was easier going outside, venturing beyond the walls of the mansion, although his men never ceased to follow me around wherever I went, but they gave me breathing space. On one of those outings, I met Damon, the man from the restaurant.I had just finished walking through a local bookstore, holding on to the small bag of novels, when he appeared. “Hi Nadia, we met again.” he smiled softly, waving at me.I waved back and looked aw
AUTHORLuciano's anger was triggered by his father and brother, at his mother's memorial service.A day Ago,Luciano stood at the vast, ornate hall where his mom's memorial service was being held. His jaw was clenched so tightly that it ached. He knew that behind the facade of those gathered belied the insincerity of their whisper. Not any one of them had a single sympathy for the woman who they claimed to mourn, they only cared about their power, appearance and no one was more obvious to flaunting those than Luciano's father, Silas Moterno.Dressed proudly in a black suit, Silas held court at the center of the room, a picture of a grieving widower. His words were laced with honey, his demeanor composed, yet the sight of him filled Luciano with fury and hatred, so intense it made his vision blur. Silas, standing tall, had stolen everything from Luciano, his mother, his childhood, Damon, and every semblance of his peace.Luciano's hand clenched tightly into fists by his sides, his rag
NADIAI was already done with the business files Jeff returned home. I'd told him to increase it a bit more which he did, working on this file for a while. I could only say that Luciano was intelligent and professional with the dealings of his company. Time flew by and it was night already. Luciano wasn't home yet, so I returned to my room. Later in the night, I woke up because I was having a nightmare. Amidst my thoughts, I heard slow, and unsteady footsteps approaching my room, before I could react, the door burst open, revealing Luciano's imposing figure.He staggered through the door, muttering under his breath. The heavy whiff of alcohol followed, consuming the air, as soon as he walked into the room.Was he drunk? I frowned and got up to help him. “Luciano, are you okay?” I asked, for some reason, feeling deeply worried.He laughed, a bitter, hollow sound. “Am I okay?” his words slurred, his voice mocking. “Why wouldn't I be? My family's circus, my brother's snake, my father,
NADIAI still couldn't believe that Luciano would murder my adoptive parents and take Vanessa. Why didn't he kill Vanessa also? The more I thought about it, the more confusing it was. If I hadn't seen him kill Sophia, maybe I wouldn't believe it, but I was there when he killed Sophia.Logan might be my Ex and the last person I'd ever want to talk to, but he couldn't make up such a lie. He was sure about what he was saying, even over the phone.There's a way to find out.Luciano was in his study, when I went up to him. I wouldn't lie, I was scared, I was afraid, the courage I had managed to gather, all faltered in the face of his intense gaze.“This is my study, not your room.” “Luciano, did you kill my adoptive parents?” He paused what he was doing and turned to look at me. His gaze darkened, a flicker of surprise dancing in his stormy eyes, as he took a deliberate step towards me. His calm demeanor only served to heighten the tension in the air.“Who told you that?” he asked, his
NADIADespite Luciano's normal attitude, I still couldn't shake off the sight of Sophia's dead body. Few days back, he returned home very late and I happened to go to the living room to retrieve my phone which I left there earlier. The first thing I heard was hurried steps, I hid to see who it was, only to find out it was Luciano's men, Jeff and Luke. They were heading to his room. Their faces etched with worry, but what caught my attention was the blood stains on their hands.Once they had gone a very good distance, I made sure to not make any noise and followed them. The door was slightly opened and I could hear whatever they were saying. Luciano seemed to be deeply hurt, his voice was laced with pain, yet rage. He had a clash with his brother and some other groups, I didn't quite remember their names. It was because of Sophia's death. They'd attacked him, to eliminate him. At this point, I needed no more evidence or words to believe that Luciano was a Mafia boss and did shady bus
NADIA By the time I was awake, Luciano was already gone. After what happened in his study, he had come to the room last night, and only let me be, when it was already daybreak. I could remember that, plus when he cleaned me up and applied some ointment. Cleaning me up after intercourse, was something he never forgot to do, after which he'll tuck me back to sleep.The workload Jeff returned home was getting lesser each day. I'll have to remind him to bring back more work. Later, while I was watching a TV show in the living room, an idea popped into my mind. The sudden thought of it only made my heart race, since no one was at home, and Luciano might not find out, I headed to his study room. Maybe I could find something that'll give me more clue about who he really is, or what exactly he was into. I went into his study, checking out every document I saw there. I had no knowledge that there was a device installed in the office, which would notify him when someone apart from him went i
NADIALuciano didn't leave the house for the rest of the week. Jeff brought over some files for him, and he worked from home. Although he is not going to admit it, I knew it was because of my injury. The thought of it brought a warm feeling to my chest. I already told him it was gone, but he chose to act deaf on it, so I let him do what he wanted.This time, I was the one trying to start a conversation with him, trying to talk to him. But each time, he finds excuses to dismiss me, probably still angry about me trying to cook. But that doesn't make sense, I can't keep making food orders for a long time. I'd wanted to prepare a quick dish, to fill myself, who knew the knife was going to slip from my hand and slit my leg and who asked him to home to witness it?Feeling fed up with his cold shoulders, I decided I was going to talk to him, no matter his excuse this time, I'm going to find a way to talk to him. A part of me decided against it, but I shrugged it away. Despite his cold attit
LUCIANOAs usual, Nadia had begun avoiding me again. She only came down when she was sure that I've left for the office. When Luke told me about that message, I was furious. The phone I gave her was connected to one of my devices and I can access her phone through mine. Luke was in charge of that, although it had issues and was sent for repair, which he retrieved not long ago, before he saw the message.I tried to hold in my anger, not until Jeff Informed that Damon and his men had infiltrated the restaurant, meanwhile, Nadia had gone out to wash off the stain on her dress and was taking too long. I knew how extreme Damon could be, and I knew he had only come for her.But her replies when I'd asked her what took her long, infuriated me more. Maybe I'd been too soft on her, which made her overestimate herself and thought I wouldn't do just anything to make sure she remains by my side.Then again, I dislike that emotion that crawls into my chest, when her tears spill and it's painful.