AlexisValen munched on his third can of Pringles beside me and littered the sheets with crumbs. My nerves were shot, and the thin walls of the cabin offered no comfort against the silence that loomed like a predator. Alex had warned me not to leave the room, and I intended to listen, but fear had a way of creeping into my bones, making me feel like every creak in the floorboards was the sound of someone breaking in. That guy from earlier kept haunting my thoughts.Valen was behaving unusually well. His innocent questions about why we couldn’t go outside had dwindled into quiet obedience, and for that, I was grateful. The little food we had was running low. I was rationing snacks, though I prayed that stuffing him with Pringles wouldn’t upset his stomach later. I couldn’t stop counting down the minutes until Alex would return.I turned on the TV but quickly realized it wasn’t a distraction. The sitcoms felt empty, and the news was worse, filled with voices I didn’t want to hear and
Alexis I stepped out of the car with Valen clutching my hand. His fingers squeezed mine as if he could sense my nervousness. Peter's parents' house was an inviting story building with a wrap-around porch. Its white paint had faded just enough to give it a rustic charm. The shutters were a soft blue, blending with the surrounding ocean views. Seashells and bits of driftwood lined the pathway to the front door, and I loved the garden bursting with tropical flowers. The air smelled fresh and salty, mingled with the faint sweetness of hibiscus.An elderly man with a broad smile stepped onto the porch. His white hair was neatly combed, and his warm eyes crinkled with genuine welcome. His wife followed, wiping her hands on an apron. She was middle-aged, with a youthful glow that suggested a lifetime of island sun and laughter."Welcome, dear," the woman said, her voice as soothing as the ocean breeze. "You must be Alexis.”I nodded, smiling faintly. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you for having us.”“
Alex The air was heavy as I exited the car at the private hangar. The jet’s engines softly hummed in the darkness. I hated traveling. Every flight gave me jet lag, but I had to return to them.Sighing, I ran a hand through my hair. My call to the jet company had been a disaster, but my usual jet wasn’t available. Of course. Just my luck. I cursed under my breath and opted for another private charter. There was no way I was flying commercial with Byron’s spies, undoubtedly monitoring every move I made. I couldn’t risk this being traced back to Alexis or the island.Earlier, I had handed Gianna the keys to my house. She’d stared at them as though they weighed a ton. "Keep in touch," I’d told her. "I’m going to sue Byron, and you could testify against him when the time comes."Her eyes were shadowed with doubt. “Be careful, Alex,” she’d whispered before walking away.My foot had barely touched the top step when three uniformed policemen appeared from the shadows, with their flashlights
Alexis The gentle hum of the island breeze was barely enough to drown out Valen's constant whining. “Mommy, you promised we’d go for the game festival!” he pouted and tugged at the hem of my shirt.Sighing, my fingers massaged my temple. He had been at this for nearly an hour, and I couldn’t blame him. Being cooped up in the house wasn’t exactly ideal for a five-year-old.“I’ll think about it, okay?”“But you always say that!” he huffed, stomping his foot for added emphasis. The little actor. I rolled my eyes, reached for my phone, and texted Alex to explain the situation. His reply was swift: Sure, go ahead. Byron doesn’t know where you are but don’t stay too long. I’ll join you soon. I love you.I smiled faintly at his reassurance. Turning back to Valen, I said, “Okay, we can go. But we won’t stay out for too long.”His face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Yes! I have to tell Peter!” He bolted out the door before I could stop him. Peter was lounging outside and sipping from a freshl
Alex I was topping off the gas tank when I noticed someone moving fast toward me from the corner of my eye. My head lifted reluctantly, already annoyed by the interruption. Then I saw Alexis’ dad. Of all the people I could run into, it had to be this spineless excuse for a man. My irritation doubled.He approached me like a beggar, and his face wore an expression I could only describe as pitiful. I folded my arms and stared at him, unamused. “What do you want?” I asked flatly.His voice trembled like a leaf in a storm. “Where is my daughter? I need to know if she’s okay.”I scoffed, shaking my head. “If Byron had killed her, would you be at her grave now, asking her where she is?” The sarcasm dripped like venom, and he winced. “I know she’s alive. And I know you know where she is.”“Yeah, I know. And I’m not telling you. Now leave.”He shifted nervously on his feet, wringing his hands. “I don’t want trouble. I want to know my daughter is okay.”“You should be ashamed of yourself,” I
AlexisThe wind outside roared like a wild beast, rattling against the windows and making the walls of Peter's parents' house groan under the hurricane's force. I sat on the edge of the bed. It was day two of this nightmare, and I couldn't tell if it was morning or night. The darkness outside was constant, and the lack of signal or electricity made everything feel even more suffocating.Valen kept whining, tugging at my arm. "Mommy, I want to go out. I want to play games. I want to see Daddy." I sighed heavily. His small voice was grating on my already frayed nerves. "Valen, I said no. It's dangerous outside. We can't leave right now.""But why? I want to go home! I don’t like it here!"When he started to cry, something inside me snapped. "Valen, leave me alone!" My voice was sharp, louder than I intended. "You think you’re the only one who’s scared and tired? I’m just as restless as you are, but we can’t do anything about it! Do you think I want to be stuck here?"He looked at me wi
Byron sat in his dimly lit office with a half-empty bottle of whiskey in one hand and a glass in the other. His mind spiraled as the walls seemed to close in on him. He knew Alex was closing in. The files, the betrayals from within his camp, even his once-loyal men turning against him.Everything seemed to be falling apart. For the first time in his life, he felt extreme fear and squeezed his eyes shut, but his thoughts kept coming back to the worst possible outcomeThe pathetic sight of him nursing a drink like it was the solution to all his problems was almost laughable. His hand trembled as he took another swig, as if he were starring in a tragic play. He knew that bottle had no courage; it was just another excuse for him to forget his sorrows. The door slammed open with a loud bang, making Byron flinch. His dad stormed in, his face red with fury.“What the hell are you doing? Sitting here, drinking yourself stupid while Alex sharpens his knife? Are you trying to lose everything?”
AlexisThe sound of Valen’s crying pierced through the air before I saw him, and the sight of him running toward me almost buckled my knees. With a palm pressed to my heart, I experienced an overwhelming relief that made me cry. “Valen!” I ran forward, meeting him halfway as he flung himself into my arms.“Mommy, I’m sorry!” he sobbed, wrapping his arms tightly around my neck.“Oh, baby, I’m sorry too,” my voice shaking as I held him close, tears streaming down my face. I kissed his forehead repeatedly and wiped his tears. “I didn't mean to snap at you, okay?”He nodded against my shoulder. When I finally looked up, Peter and his father were approaching with broad smiles. Peter’s mom hugged her family tightly before turning to me. “See? I told you they would find him, didn't I?”I nodded while holding Valen. “Thank you,” I said hoarsely. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what I would’ve done… “I forced a laugh, though it came out shaky. “Maybe I brought my bad luck with me to this is
Gianna Peter and I sat across from each other in the quiet room. The only sound between us was the rustle of tissue in my hands. I sniffed, wiping my nose and feeling the remnants of my earlier breakdown.Peter crouched in front of me with a smirk creeping onto his face.“Look at you,” he said softly. “I never pictured you to be so emotional.”“Oh, shut up,” I muttered playfully, tossing the crumpled tissue into a nearby trash can.“Come on, big girl, hug it out,” Peter said, spreading his arms wide. Unable to resist, I chuckled and closed the gap between us. His arms wrapped around me, warm and secure, pulling me into a hug that felt like home.I let myself melt into him, breathing his scent and relishing the quiet strength of his embrace. His hands cradled my face, and his lips were on mine before I could say anything.The kiss was soft and unhurried, carrying a passion that made my knees weak. His eyes were filled with sincerity when he pulled back.“I’m falling in love with you,
GiannaMy chest caved, and I couldn't maintain eye contact with Alexis and Alex after Peter had dropped that bombshell about us being mates.The tent felt suffocating, and his words kept ringing in my ears: Gianna and I are fated mates.The silence in the room was so thick, like the awkward cousin at a family reunion—uncomfortable and making everyone wonder who would break the silence first.My eyes darted to everyone's reactions. Alexis stood still, her eyes dimmed with shock. Alex looked utterly perplexed, his gaze bouncing between Peter and me as if waiting for someone to yell, Gotcha!Lisa's shock was the loudest. Her face paled, and her lips parted as though she were going to scream, but instead, she let out a low gasp followed by a horrified look. Peter's mom stared at her son, her face slack with shock.And then there was Peter. His eyes burned with the fire of someone ready to fight for what he believed was his, and he held my hand, ready to shield me from whatever backlash mi
Peter My nostrils flared with anger, and my heartbeat pounded. Lisa screamed trouble ever since the moment she stormed toward us. It was one thing for her to feel the silent talk of abandonment ever since I met Gianna, but this was an explosion I hadn't seen coming.Her voice, like nails on a chalkboard, grated on my ears. I'd never seen her like this—loud, volatile, and uncouth. She was a far cry from the sweet girlfriend I knew her to be—or maybe I hadn't known her as well as I thought.My anger wasn't from the embarrassment, for I didn't give two flying fucks about these people here except for Alexis. My rage was because Lisa made Gianna appalled. She looked away and rubbed her hands against her clothing as if trying to rid them of something. She would have done that if she had the power to melt into the shadows and disappear. Anger bubbled under my skin at how mortified she looked."Why would a high-class lady like her want anything to do with you?" Lisa asked. "What could you po
Gianna The reception hall buzzed with life. Laughter, cheers, and the over-enthusiastic guests filled the space. The older ones munched on their food while the younger ones danced on the floor, gyrating to some recent hit from the live band.Leaning against one of the columns, I sipped on a glass of sparkling water. Alexis didn’t need me anymore, and my legs almost gave way from standing in my ridiculous heels for hours. I had since changed into flats and let my poor toes breathe.A smile crept onto my lips when my gaze landed on Alex and Valen dancing together. The sight of father and son tugged at my heart, and I was genuinely happy for Alex. The little one had been giving him such a hard time for months.Watching them now, with pure and cheerful laughter ringing out and the pride on his father’s face, made me smile. Alexis had found her happiness, and she so deserved this perfect moment.“What’s a beautiful woman like you doing standing by herself?”I turned my head to find Louis,
AlexisThe morning of day seven arrived like a whirlwind, filled with nerves that hung heavy in every cell of my body. My room was a chaos of curling irons, foundation brushes, and bridesmaids humming around me like bees.Despite my usual nonchalant attitude, I couldn't deny how anxious I was. It tightened around my chest and shocked me. For someone who had always claimed she wouldn't be bothered by society's expectations, today felt different, and I wanted everything to go right.Already feeling cranky because I had been awake since 4:00 AM, I was mentally ticking off every item on my checklist while the hairdressers and makeup artists were doing their thing. Gianna was helping some of the maids steam the bridal gown and the bridesmaids' dresses.“You look like a queen already,” Gianna said as she walked past me. She perched on the edge of the bed with a grin, trying to distract me. Then she leaned closer and whispered, “What’s the first thing you’re doing after this whole circus is
Lying in Peter's arms felt like I had just entered heaven. His heartbeat thumped steadily beneath my ear, and I rested my head on his chest. His fingers traced lazy circles on my back, lulling me into a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in years. For once, my worries seemed like distant shadows, temporarily banished by his warmth.“Is this what you were trying to give up? This bliss?” Peter teased, breaking the comfortable silence.I sighed and tilted my head to look up at him. His eyes sparkled with mischief, but I could see the sincerity beneath. He pleaded with me, silently asking me to see the world as he did.“As much as I enjoyed our little…session,” I began with a teasing lilt, “things aren’t as straightforward as you think. There are stakes we need to overcome.”“Like what?” he challenged, raising an eyebrow. “Because right now, I can’t think of a single thing worth ruining this for.”“For starters, your girlfriend,” I said, sitting up and pulling the blanket closer around me.Pete
GiannaPeter kissed me and lifted me into his arms when we entered my room. It was a kiss to end all kisses, a soft press of lips to lips. I melted instantly, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing myself as close to him as possible. He held me tight against his body, and his lips moved gently against mine, tasting each dip and curve. A moan escaped my lips as his hands trailed down to rest at the waistband of my dress. His fingers slid under the hem and slipped along the smooth skin of my thigh, causing my knees to buckle."Fuck, Gianna. You're perfect. No wonder everyone wants to be in bed with you," he murmured, his breath hot as it brushed against my cheeks and neck before burying his head between my breasts.I ran my hands down his chest until I reached the buttons of his shirt and unbuttoned them before sliding the garment from his shoulders. The cool air hit my heated skin, causing goose bumps to rise. I wrapped my arms around Peter's waist and pressed my mouth eagerly
Gianna The party was in full swing, and I tried to blend into the background. The room was lively and filled with laughter, and I did my best to stay out of the spotlight. My eyes wandered to the far side of the room, where Oscar was talking animatedly to a girl. He was leaning far too close, flirting with her in his typical style. I rolled my eyes. The spoiled brat didn't deserve an ounce of my energy, and the only person I felt pity for was the girl who must be thinking she had hit the jackpot.Alex's boisterous voice cut through the crowd and pulled my attention. He was standing beside his bride and gesturing dramatically. "Seriously, look at her. She's the most beautiful woman in this room," he declared, earning a round of applause, chuckles, and whistles from his friends."Alex, you are super hyper and happy. Can't you see how Alexis is subtle because she knows your flattery is not a big deal to her?" one of the guys said, but Alex waved him off."You better not be fooled by tha
GiannaThe wildlife reserve stretched out in front of us. It was an endless expanse of greenery dotted with open fields and enclosures for animals. I loved the smell of fresh grass, but initially, when we got here, I was skeptical. Peter forced me to stay. I wasn’t much of a wildlife enthusiast, and the idea of spending my day surrounded by animals wasn’t exactly thrilling."Trust me, you will have fun," Peter had said, and I rolled my eyes.But as we ventured deeper into the reserve, his infectious excitement began to chip away at my reluctance. I gasped when I saw zebras lying lazily in the distance. A few giraffes towered over the bushes, stretching their necks gracefully to nibble on the leaves of acacia trees."Look at that one," Peter said, pointing at a particularly playful baby giraffe galloping awkwardly beside its mother. "Reminds me of how I was as a kid."I suppressed a small laugh. We moved to an enclosure where a family of meerkats stood upright, peering cautiously at us