SARAHAs I danced with the man, I kept glancing over his shoulder, trying to catch Marco’s eye. Each time I thought of Marco watching, a thrill ran through me. This was my way of getting back at him, of showing him that he couldn’t control me.The man I was dancing with was handsome and charming, but I barely registered his features. My mind was fixed on Marco. The music slowed down, shifting to a soft, romantic tune. My partner took this as a cue to pull me closer.“Come closer,” he said, his voice smooth and inviting.I cringed inwardly at the idea, but I steeled myself. I was determined to see this through. “Of course,” I said, moving closer to him, feeling his hands settle on my waist.I could just hope that Marco’s gaze was burning into us from across the room. I leaned into my partner, resting my head against his shoulder. It felt awkward, but I pushed through the discomfort, focusing on my goal. This was for Marco to see, to make him realize that I was not just a pawn in his ga
SARAHI couldn't believe what I had just heard. My heart raced, and I took a step back, glaring at Cain. "Don't you dare come any closer," I warned, my voice trembling slightly.He took a step forward, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "What are you going to do, Sarah?" he taunted. "Scream?"I kept moving back, my eyes darting around the room for any possible escape route. "Stay away from me, Cain," I demanded, my voice firmer this time.But he didn't stop. He kept moving closer and closer, his eyes darkening with every step. My back hit the wall, and I felt a cold sweat break out across my skin. "I will scream if you take one more step," I threatened, my voice rising in desperation.Cain laughed, a chilling sound that echoed off the walls. "Go ahead and scream," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "No one can hear you anyway."I could feel the panic rising in my chest, my breaths coming in shallow gasps. "Stay back," I repeated, my voice shaking. "I'm warning you."But
SARAHAs we walked out of the room, Marco’s arm firmly around my shoulders, we were suddenly confronted by Mr. Lemuel. He looked frantic and concerned, his eyes darting between Marco and me.“Marco please, I am so sorry about what happened. I promise you, I’ll get to the bottom of this,” Mr. Lemuel said, his voice trembling with genuine regret.Marco waved him off, his expression calm but firm. “It’s not your fault, Lemuel. There’s no need to apologize. But we’re leaving.”Lemuel looked desperate to make amends. “Please, Marco, stay a little longer. We can sort this out. You’re a valued guest, and I want to ensure your evening ends on a better note.”Marco shook his head. “No, really. Everything’s fine, but we must leave now.”Lemuel’s eyes pleaded with us to stay. “I understand your frustration, but please, Marco, give me a chance to make this right. Let me offer you some refreshments, perhaps a quiet place to relax. The night doesn’t have to end like this.”Marco’s grip on my should
SARAHAs we walked to the café, I was still trying to wrap my head around Marco’s sudden kindness. The outside of the café looked modest, but as soon as we stepped inside, I was pleasantly surprised. The interior was warm and inviting, with soft lighting and cozy seating.A waiter approached us almost immediately. “Good evening,” he said with a polite smile. “I’m John. Welcome to our café. Do you have a reservation?”Marco shook his head. “No, we don’t.”John’s smile faltered slightly. “I’m sorry, but we usually require reservations. It helps us manage our space better. I recommend you come back another time with a booking.”I felt a pang of disappointment. It was a small thing, but after everything tonight, I had hoped for this small comfort. Marco noticed my expression and turned back to John.“Look, we’ve had a really rough night. Is there any way you can fit us in? We won’t take long, just a quick coffee to unwind,” Marco said, his voice firm but polite.John barely acknowledged M
SARAHI stood there, still trying to process what Marco had just said. “You bought the café?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Marco grinned, clearly enjoying my shock. “Yep, gave the manager an offer he couldn’t refuse,” he said, pulling out a chair and gesturing for me to sit. “Come on, take a seat.”I hesitated for a moment but then slowly sank into the chair, my mind racing. “An offer he couldn’t refuse? Marco, what did you do?”He leaned in, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “I told him I’d buy the place for double its worth on the condition that we get immediate service and I can change whatever I want.”I blinked, trying to wrap my head around it. “Double its worth? That’s insane.”Marco shrugged nonchalantly. “Sometimes you have to make bold moves. Besides, it’s not just about the money. It’s about respect and making sure we’re treated right.”Before I could respond, John, the waiter, stepped forward, a look of determination on his face. “I’ve tried to be nice, but si
SARAHI was still trying to wrap my head around what Marco had just done. He had walked into the manager’s office and walked out with a smile, declaring he’d bought the café. Part of me was skeptical, wondering if this sudden kindness would come with some sort of backlash when we got home. Was this just another way to control me, to keep me under his thumb? Or was it possible that he genuinely wanted to make things better?As I sat there, more relaxed now, I started to appreciate the beauty of the café. The warm lighting, the cozy seating, and the soft hum of conversation created an inviting atmosphere. I looked around, my eyes landing on a couple playing with their little daughter at a nearby table. They seemed so happy, their laughter light and carefree.“Daddy, catch me!” the little girl squealed as she darted around the table, her tiny feet padding softly on the floor.Her father chuckled, pretending to reach for her but missing on purpose. “Oh no, she’s too fast for me!” he excla
SARAHI couldn’t stop thinking about what had just happened. Marco had actually shown care, and it was throwing me off. My mind kept replaying the moment our hands touched. It was weirdly intimate, and it made me shy to look up at him.I poked at my meal, trying to focus on the food. Marco broke the silence, his voice warm. “So, do you love the meal?”I looked up quickly, trying to clear my head. “Yeah, it’s really good. Thanks for picking it out.”He smiled and leaned back, looking more relaxed. “You know, this place used to be one of my favorites. My grandma used to bring me here all the time when I was a kid.”I blinked, surprised. “Really? I didn’t know you had such good memories of this place.”“Yeah,” he said, nodding. “She always said their risotto was the best. We’d come here for special occasions, and she’d make a big deal about the food. I loved it.”He laughed softly, a nostalgic look in his eyes. “She was really into food. We’d have these long dinners where she’d tell stor
SARAHThe waitress came back, carrying a bottle of vintage port and two glasses. She set them down with a polite smile and asked, “Shall I pour for you?”Marco shook his head. “No, we’ve got this. Thank you, though.”The waitress gave a slight nod. “Very well. If you need anything else, just let me know.”Marco turned his attention back to me with a playful glint in his eyes. “You ready for this?”I nodded, feeling a mix of nerves and resolve. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”He chuckled, picking up the bottle. “Alright then. Here goes.”As he began to pour the wine, I glanced at the waitress, who was still hovering nearby. She seemed curious about our exchange, her eyes darting between us.“Looks like you’ve got an audience,” I said to Marco, tilting my head towards the waitress.Marco looked over and grinned. “Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.”The waitress smiled again, a bit more genuinely this time. “Enjoy your evening,” she said, finally turning to leave.Marco poured the rich, dark wine into