Chapter 84Missing***Content Warning: This chapter might contain violence, abuse, crime, or triggering factors that may be harmful, disturbing, or traumatizing to some. Reader’s discretion is advised. Thank you.***Leila woke up with a terrible headache and it became worst when she smelled the rotten stench around her. She almost wanted to puke at that.‘Damn it!’ She commented inside her head – as she caught herself in heavy breathing.She tried her best to open her heavy lids – as she gritted her teeth because she couldn’t even do that easily. She closed her eyes again firmly – trying to gather her sane thoughts.‘What happened? Where the heck am I?’ She mentally asked herself.She felt so dizzy – as she tried collecting her own thoughts. Then, she realized that she was in Tammy’s house when someone knocked her out by making her smell something so strong before she went out of consciousness.‘That might be some sort of a drug. But why?’ Leila inquired once again, bewildered.She
Chapter 85End***Content Warning: This chapter might contain violence, abuse, crime, or triggering factors that may be harmful, disturbing, or traumatizing to some. Reader’s discretion is advised. Thank you.***Leila gritted her teeth – as she tried to pull her arms away from the two men who seemed to be unreliable and quite dangerous. She could feel so unsafe with them. Well, she couldn’t blame herself for thinking that way. Based on the way they dress – to the way they look at her.“Stop wriggling or you will not want what I’ll do next…” The man with huge and bulky body said.She just gave them a deadly glare.Even if she wanted to say a thing, she couldn’t. Her lips were taped. It was because of talking too much a while ago.Leila couldn’t stop getting annoyed because of
Chapter 1 *** Leila thanked the taxi driver as she stepped out of the car with her one huge black luggage and a medium-sized black and gray traveling bag waiting at her side. The driver closed the door of the car, just humbly smiled at her, then drove away after she had paid a few bucks. She stretched her limbs to at least ease her outstretched arms from the long drive. She was oblivious to the things around her as she stared at the small bungalow house she inherited from her loving grandparents from his father’s side, Emilio and Josefa Mercado. Her mind was clouded with flashing memories she had with her loving late grandmother, who would run towards where she was the moment she had stepped out of their car, while her late grandfather would just smile – while watching them. Good old days. That was what she was thinking while looking at the old house. It was a single-story house with a slope roof that was made of concrete, glass, and bricks – and the colors were mixed of gray an
Chapter 2 *** Leila was humming her favorite song as she placed the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies on the cooling rack. “Finally…” She smilingly clasped her both hands together while her eyes glittered while looking at it. It was a fine sultry day and she decided to give some of her neighbors her own version of chocolate chip cookies. Her mother, Sheila, and her stepbrother, Darcel, truly loved it and she was hoping her neighbors would love it, too. She was looking forward to selling some cookies and other pastries for her to have some extra income. She was dreaming of having her own bakeshop soon. Leila giggled at her thoughts. She rummaged through the hanging cabinet in the kitchen for possible containers, and she sweetly smiled when she found ten of it. “Nice! I can’t believe Carina bought some of the things that I need.” She whispered to herself. The market was an hour-drive from her house. She still needed to ride a taxi from the arc of the Sacred Place Village, and
Chapter 3 *** It was a busy day for Leila. She had received so many texts about ordering cupcakes and cookies. It made her so busy that she almost forgot about what happened to her yesterday. Well, almost, but not quite, for the moment she went to her gate, and she had seen the massive mansion just beside her house – everything just popped into her head like a fleeting mockery to her. She pouted and let out a deep sigh before shrugging her shoulders. Maybe, she wouldn’t ever forget how he treated her cookies! She’d made sure to avenge her poor cookies when the time came! She chuckled at her own joke and slightly shook her head. She wasn’t that morbid, though. Maybe, she’ll just put some stimulant laxatives in his food – nothing more. Leila bit her lower lip as her mind drifted towards the man who had occupied her mind the entire night. She let out a frustrated sigh before driving towards the arc where her customers were waiting for her pastries and cupcakes. “You’re such a tale
Chapter 4 *** Content Warning: This chapter might contain violence, abuse, crime, or triggering factors that may be harmful, disturbing, or traumatizing to some. Reader’s discretion is advised. Thank you. *** “You’re such a great baker, Leila. Thank you for this.” Mrs. Johnson proudly commented as she stood beside her. Mrs. Johnson contacted her to create a customized cake for her daughter’s birthday. She was slowly building her name in the community and words were easily spread all throughout. Those words brought her back to reality and gave the kind woman a gentle small smile. “I really love baking. Thank you for trusting me on this, too.” She sincerely replied. “I’ll surely help you market your pastries and cakes, then. Maybe you can give me your portfolio so I can share it with my friends.” Mrs. Johnson excitedly told her. That made Leila ecstatic. “Sure, Mrs. Johnson. I’d do that. Thank you for giving me an idea.” Her voice was filled with happiness and anticipation. Le
Chapter 5 *** Leila was dumbfounded, but she tried to stand up with her trembling knees. She had no idea why, but she followed the massive wolf that actually… rescued her! She couldn’t believe that there’s a meek wolf like that – not to mention that it was so huge and bulky. She had seen them on television, and they were predators – mostly wild and fierce. Leila ignored the bruises that were throbbing in some parts of her body. All she could think about was following the massive wolf and finding out who owned it. She wanted it! She wanted one for herself! Well, that might serve as her best friend while living here in the village. Her mind was clouded with the gratitude towards the wolf that saved her. She couldn’t believe that during that hard, awful, and hopeless time – she could find someone unexpectedly. She was panting inaudibly – breathing in her mouth as she tried to keep up with the wolf, which was slowly walking like it had nowhere to go. The owl cooed, and it echoed
Chapter 6 *** It happened so fast that Leila couldn’t believe how she had come this far. She was flabbergasted upon discovering that it was Hunter Black, whom her mother had been indebted to. Well, technically, it was all her stepfather’s fault, but her mother had been his collateral. That man really had to give them a headache after what he had done to her! She couldn’t believe him! A heartless beast if she might add! But what’s worst was that she couldn’t believe how she had come this far and how fate was truly playing her right now. She stared at the huge mansion in front of her as she managed to press the doorbell. Butler Henry’s cold and blank expression welcomed her and ushered her towards the pathway. She mentally heaved a deep sigh. Now, she was welcomed here already, and that was because she had no other choice but to be the one who would pay for everything instead of her mother. “There are few rules that you had to remember while working here, Miss Leila.” Butler Hen
Chapter 85End***Content Warning: This chapter might contain violence, abuse, crime, or triggering factors that may be harmful, disturbing, or traumatizing to some. Reader’s discretion is advised. Thank you.***Leila gritted her teeth – as she tried to pull her arms away from the two men who seemed to be unreliable and quite dangerous. She could feel so unsafe with them. Well, she couldn’t blame herself for thinking that way. Based on the way they dress – to the way they look at her.“Stop wriggling or you will not want what I’ll do next…” The man with huge and bulky body said.She just gave them a deadly glare.Even if she wanted to say a thing, she couldn’t. Her lips were taped. It was because of talking too much a while ago.Leila couldn’t stop getting annoyed because of
Chapter 84Missing***Content Warning: This chapter might contain violence, abuse, crime, or triggering factors that may be harmful, disturbing, or traumatizing to some. Reader’s discretion is advised. Thank you.***Leila woke up with a terrible headache and it became worst when she smelled the rotten stench around her. She almost wanted to puke at that.‘Damn it!’ She commented inside her head – as she caught herself in heavy breathing.She tried her best to open her heavy lids – as she gritted her teeth because she couldn’t even do that easily. She closed her eyes again firmly – trying to gather her sane thoughts.‘What happened? Where the heck am I?’ She mentally asked herself.She felt so dizzy – as she tried collecting her own thoughts. Then, she realized that she was in Tammy’s house when someone knocked her out by making her smell something so strong before she went out of consciousness.‘That might be some sort of a drug. But why?’ Leila inquired once again, bewildered.She
Chapter 83Surprise***Amidst the darkness of the night, someone was moving in a meteoric way. His pink tongue was dancing with the cold breeze – but it was sure that he was a reflection of success and giddiness.His grayish fur was glistening with the ray of light kissing it. But he didn’t even care. All that in his head right now was the fact that he is almost near to his goal.Finally…When a deer came in his way – he didn’t even blink as he jumped on a log and then landed at the back of the deer before jumping away and continued running.In some other time, he could have sliced it up into two and brought it into their base – but not today.Because there is more important thing that he had to do now.What a lucky deer!He couldn’t stop himself but to sneer – feeling thrilled with the fact that after how many months of unsuccessful attempts and misleading information about their target, he had finally got a chance.“Sir Viego…”The moment he reached his companions; he took an abrup
Chapter 82Warning***Hunter didn’t know how long he had been sitting on that unfamiliar barn.All that he knew was the fact that Leila broke up with him already.And her words kept on playing inside his mind – like a broken stereo.It was as if his could also hear his heart breaking inside his chest. It was excruciatingly painful. It was something that he was silently hoping to be just a dream… a nightmare.But it wasn’t.He knew that it wasn’t the case.This is real.A painful reality.He swallowed the lump in his throat – as he tried to calm himself. He came in the South – quietly hoping to find Leila. At least to make sure that she is unharmed… by any means. But he knew that wouldn’t be possible.Leila is in deep pain.And so did he.For now, what settled him was the fact that he found her – at least that was the only consolation he had right now. She is safe and sound. She is fine. And she found someone that could be with her – even though he didn’t saw her a while ago when he w
Chapter 81Break***Leila woke up the next day – as if there was someone staring at her. She blinked her eyes – as she adjusted to the light coming from the barn.Then, she suddenly got sensible and immediately got up from the bed. She almost fell from it – causing someone to shout worriedly at her.“H-Hey! Be careful!” A familiar voice agitatedly told her – as he sat on the bed, as if he was trying to hold her arm.But Leila – acted on instinct – instantly got herself steady and moved slightly away from Hunter.Her forehead creased – as she was trying to recall what happened to her.She looked around – and remembered that she was still in the barn… And with Hunter!Leila let out a loud curse inside her head – as she tried to maintain her cool.For a moment, she lost her calm demeanor. For a moment, she had broken her wall. For a moment, she almost did something that she might regret in the future.She looked at Hunter’s worried expression – and she almost got lost once again. Howeve
Chapter 80For Now***Leila wiped away the tears that fell from her eyes.She didn’t know how long she had stayed that way.It was as if she had finally seized the moment – even though what she could only do was to stare at the man that her heart is yearning for.Leila knew that deep in her heart – she was still confused. However, even though she wanted to follow her heart, she could ignore the fact that seeing Hunter’s parents could remind her of the pain… The pain of losing her own father. The reason why her family was ruined.And it was like adding salt to the wound – that fate wanted them to see each other again.She didn’t even know how the heck did Hunter found them in the deepest part of the South. She knew that even if Tammy wanted her to forgive and let love overtake her heart, she wouldn’t let anyone enter this part of the forest.Leila let out a deep sigh as she was about to stand up and simply go towards the small couch she was sitting from a while ago – when she stopped
Chapter 79Heartbreaking***Content Warning: This chapter might contain violence, abuse, crime, or triggering factors that may be harmful, disturbing, or traumatizing to some. Reader’s discretion is advised. Thank you.***Leila didn’t know how to react.All that she knew that time was the fast beating of her heart – and it was something that she could already hear from her ears.The moment felt so surreal – but in a negative way.She could feel the sudden fear engulfing her entire being – something that she didn’t even feel a moment ago while fighting the rogues.The moment she saw blood dripping from Hunter’s body, she knew that she was scared – not for her own life but for him.‘Isn’t that what you wished for? Isn’t that what you meant to do when you discovered what happen to your father?’ A part of her mind reminded her.She gritted her teeth.Right now, she didn’t know anymore.“Damn it!” She whispered under her breath – as she watched Tamika tried to cure Hunter’s wound from a
Chapter 78Stay Still***Content Warning: This chapter might contain violence, abuse, crime, or triggering factors that may be harmful, disturbing, or traumatizing to some. Reader’s discretion is advised. Thank you.***“This is not good, Leila…” Even Silver commented inside her head.Leila knew that they might be doomed right now. They were caught off guard. And she wanted to blame herself for that.‘How the heck could they freaking conceal their presence?’ She asked herself – annoyed.She only noticed three rogue presences a while ago.But now…There might be a dozen rogues around them now.Damn it!She just couldn’t believe it.‘How the heck did that happen?’ She mentally asked herself once again – for she thought that she had already improved.That time, she just felt so annoyed and hopeless.“We are in the depths of the South, Leila. This is their territory. Don’t be hard on yourself.” Silver answered deliberately – as if she was trying to console her.She let out a deep sigh in
Chapter 77Strong***“I am a seer, Leila.”Her lips slightly parted ways – as she stared at her.Tammy’s expression didn’t even change, but she knew that she wouldn’t even joke about it. However, it was just so shocking to know.Leila took a deep breath – as she tried to process her thoughts.“I know that it is hard to believe… But I am… And I know what situation you are into…” Tammy stated seriously – as if she was completely trying to persuade her.But Leila slightly shook her head. She gave her an unbelievable look – it was as if she had her own thoughts, disagreeing with her.“You see the future… And you let them… You are just too kind, Tamika…” She uttered coldly.However, Tammy shook her head.“I can’t see my future, Leila… And all I can do is to be kind… There will never be wrong in being kind…” She contradicted – causing her to groan in annoyance.Then, she smirked at her.“There will never be wrong in being kind… That’s a ridiculous thinking, Tammy.” She said – emphasizing h