“Who was it?” Alexa asked after Ethan came back. He locked her door, which had Alexa panicking.“Why did you lock the door?” ‘He’s not touching me, right? I’m already bearing his child… shouldn’t that stop him from having sex with me?’ Thinking about doing it right now made her blush.“I locked the door, so no one could hear—What were you thinking?” Ethan looked at her with a frown. ‘Why is she blushing?’ He wondered.Alexa cleared her throat to cover the embarrassment she felt from her dirty thoughts. “Maybe you should leave. I think there’s nothing else we need to discuss here.”
"What’s between you and Master?" Maxime interrogated Alexa.“H-huh? Hmm… Nothing.” Alexa took a drink from her glass of water and finished the food Ethan cooked for her.“And why does he have to cook for you? This is the first time I’ve seen the Master cooking in the kitchen… And it’s not just for anyone, but for you.” Maxime said cheekily.(cough... cough... ) Alexa choked on her water when Maxime teased her about Ethan.She was still trying to catch her breath when Ethan suddenly appeared, pushing Maxime sideways to replace her in patting Alexa’s back. Surprised, Maxime fell to the floor and hit her bum.“Are you okay? You should be more careful next time.” Ethan asked Alexa worriedly.Both women were stunned. “Uhm… I’m okay, don’t worry.” Alexa answered. She still couldn’t believe Ethan was very concerned with her wellbeing. ‘Last time I checked… You were happy seeing me in my misery… And now… why are you showing too much concern over me? Is it because I’m
Alexa was sitting and looking at herself in the mirror. ‘This day, I will get tied to the Devil forever. I will never be free.’ A tear escaped from her eyes.‘I’m only 21, for God’s sake… Why do I need to suffer all this misery? What did I do in my past life to earn me this suffering? I don’t deserve this shit.’ She cried silently while waiting for someone to call her.The door opened, and she hurriedly wiped her tears away. It was Maxime who entered the room. She is wearing a simple blue maxi dress. “Hey-- Oh, are you crying?” Maxime asked when she noticed Alexa’s makeup in the reflection got smudged. “Don’t cry now. Look…” Maxime pointed at their reflection. “You look like a panda now that your makeup got ruined.&rd
“Do you want me to help you?” Ethan frowned in confusion.‘What is this woman talking about? Help? Me… ask her for help? I bet she’s not in her right mind.’ He scoffed.“Why do I need your help?” “You want to remove the baby, right? But you don’t want to get your hands dirty since it’s still your child… Am I right?” Ina grinned, seeing that Ethan couldn’t say anything. ‘This bitch is insane.’“Yes… I wanted to remove the child… But that was before I realized that this child Alexa is bearing, is still my flesh and blood, and I wouldn’t dare to hurt my child… So, don’t you dare lay a hand on her… If you hurt my child… I will erase you from the face of the earth.” He warned.‘I thought you were a smart man… But you fell into my trap.’ With her right brow raised, she bit her lower lip seductively and leaned forward to seduce Ethan with her low-cut neckline, trying to show off her goods. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt them… As long as you let me
“Thank you,” Alexa sincerely said. She was happy that Ethan had fulfilled her cravings. He didn't expect to feel this good about getting her food. “This will be the first and last time I will allow you to eat that kind of food. Burgers and fries are not healthy for you and the baby.” Ethan said.“I know, and I’ve never had these kinds of food. It just so happened that I saw it on TV.”They entered their room, and Alexa couldn’t help but smile. It was the first time she had gone out of the house. Even though Ethan didn’t allow her to leave the car, at least she saw what was outside the villa.“It was my first time going out of the house, aside from the time my dad delivered me to his friend, and I didn’t really see much then because he kept me in the trunk.” Ethan was astonished.Alexa sat on the corner of the bed while swinging her feet like an excited kid, waiting for her mom.“Haven’t you gone outside before? Did he lock you i
“Austin, I need you to take charge here. I know it will be hard for you since Uncle Albert is still in the hospital, but I hope that you can still visit the hideout. Also, keep your eyes on Ina. I can sense she’ll create more trouble for Alexa.” Austin’s brows raised.“I noticed you and Alexa are on good terms now. Is this because of the baby? And why does it have something to do with Ina? Why don’t you kick her out instead… if you feel suspicious about her?” Ethan shook his head.“I can’t. Ina threatened to expose my identity to our enemies,” Ethan said, which made Austin agree.“And don’t forget to visit our prisoner now and then. He still needs medicine for him to be weak. When I come back, I will deal with him again.” He instruc
“Max, it’s time for you to escape,” Ina whispered when she arrived at Max’s cell. He nodded and took out the key in his pocket and unlocked the cell.“I’m totally free now. Thank you. I owe you big time. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t come out of this place alive.” Max said to Ina.“Cut that drama… you need to hurry. While everyone in the villa is in chaos.” Ina informed him. “Let us meet at the place I wrote on the paper.” Max nodded before he left Ina alone in the dungeon.‘Now it’s my time to escape.’ She picked up the luggage she hid under the bush.***Austin arrived along with the ambulance. They hurried inside the
“Mr. Morris, your dad is awake.” “Alright, I’ll be there.” He replied before ending the phone call. “Maxime, I need to see my dad. He’s woken up, so call me if you need anything. He’s in the ICU, so I should be close by, just a couple of rooms over, probably. Can call me anytime.” “Go ahead, Boss.” Maxime smiled. “I can take care of Alexa. They’ll transfer her to the ICU soon, plus, she’s still sleeping, so everything will be okay. I will inform you if something else happens.” Austin nodded and looked at the doctor standing beside Maxime. “Thank you so much for your help, doctor. Do you need me for anything else? I’ll see you in Alexa’s room later. Oh, by the way, how should I address you?” “You can call me Stephen… Stephen Lee, Mr. Morris. And I am glad to be of help.” He smiled, and a dimple appeared on his cheek. ‘Ohhh… This doctor is cute, especially when he smiles… When Alexa wakes up, I think she will appreciate this guy as her doctor becau
Everyone is busy preparing for the big event. It’s just a simple gathering, where they invited only the closest family members.They set the beach for the most awaited day. The wedding is finally happening. There were Chiavari chairs on both sides of the aisle, lined with pink roses placed on tall vases, requested specifically by the bride. In the center, curtains framed the altar pulled over to both sides to give the illusion that one was looking out a window into the pristine beach beyond.The guests wore pastel colors as the theme for the event. Albert and Austin wore a champagne-colored suit with white long-sleeves, while Maxime wore a halter turquoise-colored infinity dress and her son, Lucas, was wearing a suit that matched his father’s outfit.Maxime and Austin would stand as the best man and maid of honor, while their son Lucas would be the ring bearer. For their preparation, Ethan occupied the house they bought from the Scotts, while Athena checked in the hotel nearby. They
Athena’s Point of ViewI thought that… I would never feel the love and freedom that I longed for. I never thought this day would come. When I was young, all I had were the books my mom brought me to learn how to read and write. I remembered the moment I asked her… why I couldn’t live like a normal child… couldn’t do normal things like going to school, making friends with other kids, playing with them on the playground, and going to the mall? She just answered that Dad wanted to protect us from the people outside who wanted nothing to do but hurt us. And I believed in what she said.Even though I felt like I was in a cage, and I even saw Andrew hurt my mom… I felt horrified. And when mom died, he became more terrifying. He locked me inside our house. He didn’t even allow me to go to the garden… much less roam around the house. Instead, he locked me in my room. I could only sneak out when he was not there. But my luck vanished when he found out about my escapades and killed my closest
It was a late night. Athena and Ethan just finished preparing for bed. They had fun, enjoying their festive dinner with their families inside their compound and talking about the wedding that was about to happen. It was the wedding they’d all been waiting for. After their dinner, they invited everyone to stay over. Albert, Austin, and his family were happy to stay for the night just to be with Athena, whom they missed the most.“Hey, aren’t you getting sleepy? Wear this, or you might get cold.” Ethan placed a shawl on her shoulders, which Athena gladly received. He hugged her from behind while staring at the stars in the sky. They were both standing on the balcony of their room, appreciating the beauty of the night. They had the full moon giving light to their surroundings and the sound of the icy wind that touched the leaves of the trees, making the trees dance to the rhythm of their natural music.Athena shook her head. “I can’t sleep,” she said, which made Ethan frown.“Why? Is th
“What if I leave the underground world? Will you be happy and choose to stay with me?” Athena turned her head and looked at Ethan while slowly walking towards her, reaching for her hand.“I love you so much, Athena. And if you want me to quit the Mafia, I’ll do it for you. I will never hesitate to leave my organization if that will make you feel safe and happy. I will do it because I can’t live without you. So, please… please be with me.” His eyes pleaded as he looked Athena directly in the eye. He was full of hope that Athena would come back to him. “But the Mafia is like a family to you. Are you really abandoning them? How can you say that? Besides, you are popular in the underground world. Everyone knows you are their king.” Athena stated.Ethan walked closer, making her step backward until he cornered her on the wall. “I have my second in command. He will stay and guide the Mafia. I know he won’t leave the troops.” Ethan reached for her hand and pinned it to the wall.“Now, I wil
Ethan and Austin landed safely at the hotel they were checking in. Luckily, they had a helipad where he could land his chopper. Only both of them came without any troops as they knew the place was safe. Before Ethan and Austin came to the island, where Athena was hiding, Ethan called the couple, Marcia and Theodore, who saved her to inform them that they were coming to bring Athena back to the city. When they met, the couple was hesitant, because Athena asked them not to tell anyone she was hiding. But they also understood that her family was worried about her, so thecouple welcomed them and led the way to the resort.It was a private resort that only the people who owned properties were allowed to enter. From the highway, there was a narrow road that permitted one car to enter at a time. This area was hidden and surrounded by coconut trees. The entrance to their property had a bright red gate that was so huge you could not see what was inside. Plants and flowers dotted the path lea
EthanEthan was drinking whiskey while sitting in the kitchen. He was about to drink his next glass when Austin appeared and took the drink from him.“It’s not the time to drink, Ethan.” He said sternly.“What do you want me to do, then? Athena is still missing, and I don’t have any idea where the fuck they brought my pregnant wife--” Ethan couldn't finish what he was about to say when Austin stopped him from talking.“She called,” Austin said.“What?”“Athena called. She said that she’s fine and safe.”“Where is she?” Ethan grabbed Austin’s collar and pulled him closer. “When did she call? Why didn’t you call me? What did she say?” Austin shook his head as he looked at Ethan in his drunken state.Austin knew how hard it was for Ethan to lose her, and even when he was badly injured, he never stopped worrying and looking for Athena. Every single day that she was missing, Austin witnessed how Ethan used his connections to find her. But now that Athena called them and said she didn’t wan
AthenaAthena woke up hearing unfamiliar voices quarreling near her. When she opened her eyes, she immediately covered her body with the quilt, protecting her belly from the strangers in front of her. She looked at them and figured they were a couple whose ages ranged in their late 50s. Then she looked around and noticed that she was in an unfamiliar place. The house was made of wood, bamboo, and nipa leaves. It was a small and quaint house, but it was cozy. She was sitting in a bed that was very comfortable. It felt like her own bed at home. She looked at herself and noticed she was wearing different clothes.“Who are you? Where am I?” she asked.The lady’s eyes softened while looking at her pitifully. She shook her hand. “Don’t worry, we won’t hurt you. You are in our house because we found your unconscious body on the shore. At first, we thought you were dead, but thankfully, you were alive. So, we decided to bring you here to treat the wound on your head,” she explained.“How long
Ina bit her lower lip as she looked at Ethan seductively. “Sure… Anything for you, my love.”“Master!” One of his men called out. He just came out of Max’s cell. “The subject is dead,” He added in a whisper. His voice was so low that only Ethan could hear him. Ina frowned in confusion. He nodded and said he should go ahead and would follow behind him. “I’ll be back,” Ethan said to Ina before leaving and going back to Max’s cell.Ina glared at the person who called at Ethan. ‘Tss... Damn this guy! What did he have to call Ethan for?! He just wasted my opportunity to escape from this stinky cell… I hope Ethan will come back,’ she thought.Ina waited patiently until she heard her cell door open again. It was Ethan and a bunch of his troops who entered. Ethan ordered them to remove the chain from Ina’s cell, making her smile victoriously.Then they laid down a case that was filled with various tools. Ina frowned. There were pliers, needles, small knives, scissors, a container with a whit
“Give me good news. Have you found Athena?” Ethan asked the private investigator and his men about the progress of finding Athena.“Sir, we traced her using the tracking device you put on her engagement ring and found the location.” One of his men answered.“And where is it?” Ethan asked. The private investigator gave him the engagement ring.“We found it on the same island where they kept Athena, she must have dropped it. We’ve also searched the area and only saw these torn clothing.” The investigator gave him pieces of torn fragments they thought came from Athena’s gown.“We found this in the trash bin. According to the pattern, I think they chopped it on purpose.” One of his men said.“Maybe she was thrown to the sea–” The investigator was about to deliver his conclusion when a wine glass flew above his head. It was supposed to hit him, but luckily he had fast reflexes and bowed down just in time to evade the flying glass.“GET OUT OF MY OFFICE NOW!” Ethan’s voice roared, which mad